When we think of survival scenarios we don’t often think of packing important documents: Drivers License, Handgun Carry Permit, Passport etc. However, I think this is a bad idea, and here’s why you should pack a survival flash drive in your Bug Out Bag.
Consider Your Odds
First, the chances of you finding yourself in a localized survival situation, such as Katrina or Haiti, are much greater than an end of the world scenario. (I hope.)
So let’s assume you were in an area-wide situation, had to bug out, and all of your stuff that’s not on your back got destroyed.
Fear the Bureaucrats
So you made it out, but with all your stuff gone you might not have any of your important documents with you. While that doesn’t really seem important compared to your life, the years worth of red tape and bureaucratic paperwork that we call a government doesn’t care. In fact, at that point you are a non-person.
How do they know you are who you say you are? You have no proof of identification and a terrorist attack just destroyed your city. How do we know you aren’t the terrorist? (After all you had an escape plan prepared)
While this may sound ridiculous, given the nature of our government these days it’s really not that far fetched.
Survival Flash Drive
To prepare for a localized survival scenario in which you will eventually have to re-enter regular society make it much easier on yourself and back-up your most important documents ahead of time.
All you have to do is buy a cheap USB flash drive, scan all of your important documents, and store them on your flash drive in your Bug Out Bag. Bug Out and you’ve brought your all important “life on paper” with you.
*Don’t go buy a scanner if you don’t have one, just take the stuff to Kinkos or Office Max and have them scan it all for you.
What to put on your Flash Drive
- Driver’s License
- Handgun Carry Permit
- Passport
- Bank Account Documents
- Birth Certificate
- Social Security Card
- Insurance Information
- Marriage Certificate
- All of the above for all Children
- Important Family Pictures
Be extremely careful keeping up with your Survival Flash drive, back in the regular world that is your identity.
Amazon has a million different ones. Here is a heavy duty waterproof one. or a simple one by HP for 7 Bucks
I am looking for more ideas, What else would you put on your survival flash drive?
Leave us a Comment Below
{ 6 comments… read them below or add one }
Great idea. I have paper copies of most of that in waterproof bags but hadn't thought about a simple Flash drive as well.
Melbo, I don’t think many people have thought about it because survivalists usually avoid technology because in a lot of situations it will be useless.
With waterproof flashdrives it just makes sense and is really a lot easier to protect than paper copies.
Plus I like that it gives me the option to take things that aren't necessary for survival like family pictures.
Lucas
I also keep several different survival and field manual on my flash drive. Its probably not a bad idea to keep an updated address book of friends and family for use during an emergency.
Survivor_1997,
That's a great idea!
Some people might argue with the survival field manuals and such because you have got to have something to view them with and when the SHTF that might not be available.
However, the updated address book and contact information is a great idea!
Imagine how many people today do not know the phone numbers of people they would need to get to after a local emergency because they are all in their cell phone, which may not be working.
I found this the other day. It is something to consider if you have the extra time to do it.
http://www.tcnj.edu/~jones37/usb_armor.html
Now THAT is a heavy duty Flash Drive!
Haha pretty awesome project but I don't know a lot of people that have a machine shop for a project like that. Very cool if you can do it.
When I was research for this post I can across this video on how to create a waterproof FlashDrive using epoxy.
http://revision3.com/systm/waterproof
Obviously it isn't going to be as strong as yours but something you could easily do at home in a few minutes.
Lucas