The evacuation kit (bug-out bag) is also known by the English acronym BOB. Its fundamental purpose is to be ready to grab at any moment, containing all the most essential items needed to sustain life for a minimum of three days (72 hours). Putting together such a kit on your own, however, may not be straightforward.
Where to Start
When choosing the ideal evacuation kit, there are a few key aspects to keep in mind.
The first and most important point will be weight. If the kit is too heavy, it will limit our mobility.
Equal in importance to the first point, when choosing an evacuation kit you should pay attention to the material it is made of. Weak, thin material used in production may not withstand the conditions and may tear under the weight of the gear. A good choice is a thick fabric resistant to abrasion and tearing.
Equipment
Of course, the best option is to purchase a complete bug-out kit with full equipment. That way you can be confident that nothing has been overlooked and that every item is exactly where it should be.
Water is essential for survival, but unfortunately it is quite heavy and takes up a lot of space, so the contents of an evacuation kit should include water purification tablets. They kill bacteria whose consumption leads to poisoning of the body. Help Bag™ evacuation kits also include a steel mug with a lid, and the MAX PRO kit also has a water-filtering straw and a collapsible water container.
The ability to start a fire is another survival essential. A lighter, matches, and a fire striker are must-haves. Lighting is the next critical safety need, so it's best to have several independent light sources, such as a headlamp, a standard flashlight, and a hand-crank flashlight. An additional energy source in the form of a power bank is absolutely invaluable.
Let's take responsibility for our own lives and the lives of those we encounter — which means having the essential equipment a first aid kit provides. A portable hygiene kit will help us stay comfortable during periods of intense effort in tough and unfavourable conditions.
The weather conditions we're exposed to can also pose a risk to our health. An evacuation kit should include a thermal blanket, hand and foot warmers, and — most importantly — a rain poncho. A basic tool set can help, for example, with setting up improvised shelter. Essential items that should be included in an evacuation kit are a knife, a strong rope, a folding handsaw, and repair tape.
An evacuation kit should include a sleeping bag for protection against the cold, as well as an inflatable pillow for added comfort. The kit should be protected from getting wet — a rain cover is the ideal solution.
In case of smoke, protective goggles and a filter mask that covers the nose and mouth will come in handy. It stops particles but does not protect against gases from smoke, for example carbon monoxide.
The ready-made evacuation kit Help Bag™ MAX PRO includes, among other things:
- first aid kit
- Mask for artificial respiration
- thermal blanket
- multi-tool
- hand-crank radio
- sleeping bag
- power bank
- hygiene kit
- leather and work gloves
- water purification tablets
- headlamp
- hand and foot warmers
- repair tape
- plasma lighter
- rescue hammer with an alarm light
- zip ties
- Reflective harness
- Stainless steel knife
- safety goggles
- filtering half mask
- handsaw
- quick-dry towel
- steel mug
- raincoat
We designed, assemble and ship the Help Bag™ kits from Poland. The MAX PRO kit includes the equipment from the list above. These items come in handy not only in extreme situations but also in everyday life, for example during a power outage. Source: Help Bag™, zEvacuation kits
Looking for a complete, up-to-date list in line with government guidelines for 2026, plus a comparison of variants and prices? Check out our current guide: 72h evacuation kit: RCB list, variants and prices (2026).