Survival: Beyond the Bug-Out Bag
We all agree that being prepared for an emergency is essential. That's why preparing a "Bug Out Bag" that you can grab and go in an emergency can be a lifesaver. It also opens the door to deeper dives in planning and prepping that can be critical. I began posting information here over 10 years ago, and I regularly update it. I've also gone beyond the traditional products. Because creating "the bag" is just the first step to being prepared, not the final product. We now know we each need at least 30 days' worth of essential supplies, like food, water, and medicine. We must be our own first responders.
I cover topics like:
*Products I both use and trust.
*Often forgotten items you need to have in your bag.
*Psychological and Emotional planning for the family
*Planning for Kids and Seniors
*What to do when Plan "A" fails?
This includes a curated list of links from various sources, too. I'll be sharing and updating links to sites I buy from and products I use. So we are clear, I have no sponsors, so the opinions, both good and bad, are my own.
Join me as I begin the 11th year/10th season of productions in an ongoing series of podcasts for you and your family to use and to share with others as you build a community. Is this fun or what?
Episodes
105 episodes
Outtakes from the Class -Part two
The world can shift in a weekend, and the hard part is not buying gear. The hard part is knowing what you can actually do when you’re tired, scared, and responsible for other people. We take a practical, step-by-step look at emergency preparedn...
Become The Person Your Future Self Can Count On
Share the takeaways from my live class at SOU this January. Excerpts highlight: A store-bought survival kit full of tiny bandages and cotton puffs is funny until someone’s bleeding. That hard-won moment kicks off a practical tour through modern...
January Welcome: Back To School, Prepped For Life
A short outage can be annoying; a long one can upend your life. We open the door to a calmer, more capable approach to preparedness by focusing on the two weak links that fail first after a crisis: water and power. With our upcoming OLLI course...
Smart Survival Stocking Stuffers And Real-World Readiness
Ten days before Christmas is the perfect moment to trade forgettable gadgets for gear that actually helps when plans fall apart. We dive into a no-nonsense holiday guide anchored in field-tested essentials: tiny can openers that never quit, eme...
Fall Readiness For Smarter Self-Protection
First frost hit and we took the hint: it’s time to rethink not just jackets and batteries, but the way we prep, train, and carry ourselves through the season. We start with a fall gear audit—simple steps that pay off fast, like checking battery...
Decade of Preparedness: Celebrating 100 Episodes
A decade of emergency preparedness wisdom culminates in this landmark 100th episode that reflects on how much has changed—and how much remains the same—in the world of personal safety and disaster readiness.The preparedness landscape ha...
Broken Wings: Planning for When You're Down
A critical moment of vulnerability awaits us all. That moment when we—the prepared ones, the designated responders—find ourselves suddenly incapacitated during an emergency. What happens when you can't be the hero in your own story?As w...
When Everyday Incidents Become Survival Lessons
When a car crashed into the loading dock of a restaurant while I was having lunch, it sparked an important realization—I'd forgotten to check the exits when I walked in. This simple oversight highlights how easily we neglect situational awarene...
Beyond the Bugout Bag: Prepping for Spring
Spring brings a critical transition period for anyone concerned with self-reliance and emergency preparedness. The warming weather signals it's time to reevaluate your supplies, update your plans, and reconsider your approach to personal safety...
Start Small on your Prepping Journey
A Video Version is also available on YouTubeA harrowing survival story opens this eye-opening episode as we learn how a 79-year-old skier survived a night in the Montana backcountr...
Our Vido Premire: Self-Sufficiency in Crisis Times
Follow this link to the full Video Version Are you curious about what it truly takes to be prepared for unexpected disasters? Join me, Bill Bateman, as we unravel the e...
Think Small: Steps to Crisis Readiness
Ever been caught off guard by a small detail in an emergency? Picture this: a New Year's Eve interrupted by a burst pressure release valve on the water heater, leading to chaos and a frantic scramble to shut off water and power. Through this pe...
Prepping with a Twist: Stocking Stuffers!
Unwrap the secrets of thoughtful holiday gifting with a twist of preparedness that could make all the difference in an emergency. Ever wondered how to surprise your loved ones while ensuring their safety and security? Join me, Bill Bateman, as ...
Survival: Foraging, Self-Defense, and Preparedness
Unlock the secrets to mastering survival with our enlightening discussion as we journey through essential preparation techniques that transcend mere survival. Imagine confidently identifying edible and medicinal plants, or skillfully navi...
Take your first steps. We've got Homework!
(Don't forget to scroll down for the links!)What would you do if disaster struck your community? This episode provides essential guidance on preparing for the worst, using the harrowing aftermath of Hurricane Helene as a pivotal case st...
Pre-Season Sight In up to 600 Yards & New Prepper ideas
What if you could elevate your long-range shooting skills to a whole new level? This episode of "Survival Beyond the Bug-Out Bag 2.0" promises just that! We're thrilled to launch our new season with an action-packed segment highlighting an excl...
Essential Go Bag Tips 2.0
Is your go bag ready for anything? Join us this week as we dive into the world of emergency preparedness with Bill Bateman from Refuse to be a Victim Personal Protection Training. We highlight the vital need for a well-equipped "get-out-of-Dodg...
Beyond the Bug Out Bag:New Season! Re-setting to 2.0
Can your family handle an unexpected emergency like a power outage or natural disaster? Join us this National Preparedness Month as we kick off Survival Beyond the Bug Out Bag 2.0 with the theme "Start a Conversation." In this episode, we explo...
Season 7! Welcome Back: Essential Emergency Preparedness
Are you prepared for the next unexpected weather event or natural disaster? This episode promises to equip you with essential emergency preparedness skills. Join Bill Bateman from Refuse to Be a Victim Personal Protection Training as he undersc...
Beat the Heat: Hydration and Travel Health Tips
How can a simple hike turn into a life-threatening situation? Discover the critical insights on hydration and learn how to protect yourself from the dangers of dehydration, especially in scorching heat. Through a sobering cautionary tale, we un...
Break Time:Looking Back at Seven Years of Progress
Before I take our summer break, Join me in a reflective journey on the remarkable seven-year evolution of "Survival Beyond the Bug-Out Bag." It's been an adventure starting with a simple commitment to a more financially sensible approach to sur...
The Art of Staying Prepared in an Uncertain World
Are you and your loved ones fully prepared for the unexpected? Let's unlock the secrets of thorough emergency planning and preparedness together, breaking down the necessity for a plan that doesn't just sit on the shelf but evolves with the cha...
Ghost Subscriptions& Home Security: A Guide to Protecting Yourself
Ever found yourself scratching your head over a mysterious charge on your bank statement? You're not alone. This week, I'm pulling back the curtain on the aggravating world of ghost subscriptions, revealing how I outmaneuvered the silent siphon...
Staying Safe and Vigilant: Mastering Situational Awareness
Buckle up with me, Bill Bateman, as I guide you through the art of situational awareness, helping to ensure you're never caught off guard. Shaking up your routine is more than a mere change of scenery—it's a critical strategy to keep your sense...
Scams and Mastering Situational Awareness
Ever had that sinking feeling when you realize someone's trying to pull the wool over your eyes? Join me, Bill Bateman, and the Refuse to be a Victim team as we lay bare the insidious world of scams, especially those that rear their ugly heads ...