A "bug out" is slang for getting out of an area or situation in an emergency. A bug out bag is a ready to go bag that you have pre-packed for those kinds of emergencies where you are forced to leave your home and survive for a couple of days. So what do you need?
Power source: Batteries are what typically come to mind. To bower flash lights, radios, and other gear batteries may be required. So if you are to bring any objects that require a battery source, pack the appropriate ones. Try and keep the batteries you need uniform if possible by packing objects with uniform power requirements. So that same AAA battery will power your radio and your flashlight. However, batteries are heavy so hand cranked radios, and flashlights may be a better option.
Radio: A small radio to hear the news and if it is safe to go back home is essential to knowing what is going on in an emergency. Also, a radio to communicate with friends and family is also important to relocating each other in case some one gets split from the group.
Flash lights and light sources: In an emergency, the power may go out so a light source will be essential to survival at night.
Food: At least three days worth of food should be packed along with three days worth of water (especially if you are in an area where fresh water is scarce). Any food packed must be able to go without refrigeration as well. If you expect to be away from water and food for a longer period of time, a fresh water purifier, and a small firearm, fishing kit and a survival guide on edible plants in your area would be prudent.
Sleeping gear: Shelter is a must to survival. If there are no shelters that can take you in, then camping gear may be needed to provide that shelter. This also means a sleeping bag as well for warmth on cold nights.
Clothing: At least one change of cloths, to three will be required for a bug out bag. Anything else is just dead weight. If needed, also pack a small sewing kit and some patches to mend damaged clothing.
Identification: Being able to be identified is essential. It allows you to prove who you are and allows you to access any financial/medical information once things start getting back to normal. This also means you need to have your tax and bank info as well for when things return to normal and to prevent thieves from getting their hands on vital information if they are to raid your property while you are gone. So keep it all in a safe place where it can easily be grabbed in an evacuation.
Games: Yes a game or two. In this case something easy to carry along like a deck of cards. This is used to take your mind off the trauma you are probably facing.
Weight: At all times be conscious of the weight of what is in your bug out bag. The heavier it is the more likely you are to be slowed down and not get away in time. So things like a power bar over a heavy can of soup may be necessary.
Customize: If you face a particular type of emergency situation more readily, then you can customize your bug out bag for that threat. A gas mask is useful for both chemical attacks by terrorists and for breathing through the noxious smoke in a wild fire. If you are in a cold environment you can pack walking skis and winter gear to aid you in getting through the harsh snow. I think you get the general idea here.
Conclusion: These tips are to help you get through a temporary situation. More extensive preps will be needed in much more dire situations. We face terrorism, earthquakes, civil unrest, tornado's, hurricanes and large scale accidents as part of our everyday lives. Is it not prudent to be prepped to get the hell out of dodge when things go bad?
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