Background - live in Oklahoma and work travel has increased. Wife + kids at home so putting some thought into a bag that I can leave in the storm shelter just in case but that could also function as a starter kit for a bug out bag/survival pack.

No guns/ammo in this one so my wife doesn't have to worry about firearm safety with young kids in a small metal box.

Items ordered so far -
1) Waterproof backpack
2) AA powered charger
3) AA powered lanterns with magnetic bases (storm shelter is metal box so can stick to sides/roof)
4) Glow sticks (drinking + Amazon more than a rational decision on that one)
5) First aid kit

Curious as to any suggestions, specific products, etc you guys would add to a similar bag. Next on the list is a radio but not sure what to add after that. I've thought about a jack (shelter is in garage floor and door is a sliding top so would have to rig a way to use a jack to open it if debris were on top).

Budget ? Depends. I think this is the rare situation i can justify $$$ to the boss so willing to spend if the product adds value to my family's emergency prep or is awesome.

Thanks in advance.

If it is just a sit tight and wait for help situation, you don't need too much.

*Water
*Food
*Comms
*First Aid
Edit To Add: Warming layers and/or blankets. Not an essential per se, but something I have noticed from past experiences that is good to have.


That is really about it unless in very rural area.

BO/ Survival/SHTF prep is very different from storm prep. And within storm prep you have two branches. Shelter in place or nah. Then from those two branches you have likely time period till rescue/relief.

Figure out which route you wanna go first. It will dictate the direction you need to go for supplies and research.

Change of clothes for everyone in the family. No guarantee everyone will make it inside dry. Packed in waterproof bags with some desicant packs.

Here's what I carry for my situations where I may need "basic survival gear", whether it be on a backpacking trip, flying around the backcountry, or just to have in the truck on a long trip.

-msr whisperlite international stove and fuel
-small pot to cook in and boil water
-headlamp and flashlight (use same size batteries)
-knife
-parachord
-platypus water filter
-water storage- Nalgene bottles for backpacking and msr dromedary bags for trips with less weight restrictions
-pack saw or small hatchet
-2 methods to start a fire. Fire stater material vacuum packed
-extra clothes
-first aid kit
-sleeping gear

I'm sure I'm missing something, but that's all I can think of at the moment

Don't forget a tactical boonie, in case you have a spur of the moment airsoft match.

You don't want to mess around with the cheap ones you'll find left on the heads of the dead undesirables after a killer storm. Get one with holes cut in it, scraps of netting hanging off the back, and room for a peltor headset.

add shoes to clothes there. Really don't want to be barefoot after a tornado.

Important documents should be in the shelter as well in a waterproof bag.

Gloves/bags for immediate clean up aren't the worst idea either, along with hand santitizer and toiletries.

I agree that you should keep water/food available but tornadoes are such localized events that the quantity is less important than they would be in other disasters.

Clothes/shoes/ID documents/cash are what I'd really want handy and portable in case you had to leave a damaged house.

If you live in the suburbs I would add a gun to the list, last time I picked up a family there were looters and people trying to rob those who had visible valuables. I know you said no gun but from experience there are some screwed up people out there

Food, clothes, water, charger, knife, shoes,

https://graywolfsurvival.com/66545/how-to-build-ultimate-25-pound-bug-bag/

I would also populate this with enough for a couple extra persons. Storms like to hit when someone is visiting. Or if a random neighbor needs shelter.

Some of this depends on the age of the kids (games, candy, etc)

Add some Water at very least
Gum or peppermints/hard candy

Blanket or pads or tarps to sit on/cover with/ spread out on to play - metal and concrete can get uncomfortable.

I would add age appropriate:
Reading materials
Games for any extended time in there

Sharpies and paper

Emergency contact numbers of relatives and neighbors
Put relevant info on 3x5 laminated cards - I like day-Glo as it is easy see and screams out to folks "im an important piece of paper"

Whistle - can be heard more clearly than yelling if injured or trapped

Wrench and on instructions to turn off gas line!!!

Multipurpose stuff:
Toilet paper/Kleenex
Trash bags

Store all in 5-gal bucket -
keeps safe and organized. (Can double as seat or emergency latrine)

Really nice to have:
Old cellphone with prepaid card - in case you flee without main phone.

Escape stuff:
Since it is a sliding door -
Prybar
Small come-along or winch or Rachet strap

Weather Radio