When seconds count: your No-Fail Evacuation Plan

A step-by-step guide to creating a fail-proof evacuation plan, from packing essentials to navigating emergency situations.

Sigma, sigma (Slowly, slowly)

Situations requiring evacuation can happen unexpectedly. It’s worth being prepared for such possibilities.

Even if nothing is happening, it’s always a good idea to have a ready-to-go carry-on bag so that you can quickly react if needed-for example, to take a last-minute trip or a weekend away-without wasting time searching for essential items. This doesn’t have to be a fire in your apartment or an earthquake.

A small packed backpack or suitcase can be useful-even for providing first aid, as long as it contains a first aid kit.

Efficient evacuation may be necessary in cases of:

• Threats to health or life
  Both your own and that of close ones, caused by human actions (criminal groups, special services, stalkers, armed conflicts, lockdowns);

• Natural disasters
  Volcanic eruptions, hurricanes, floods, or fires;

• Utility failures
  Extended outages of electricity, gas, or water (no Internet-how will we survive?!11one).

Preparing for evacuation in advance

During an evacuation, there won’t be much time to think about what to take, which increases the risk of mistakes.
Historical accounts describe many dramatic situations where people were taken by Russians or Germans to concentration camps during armed conflicts, and some of them died during transport.
These people didn’t know where they were being taken or for how long, so they packed unnecessary items like tablecloths, hangers, or curtains instead of essentials like warm clothes, water, food, bandages, or medicines.

Even if we don’t anticipate such drastic scenarios, it’s still useful to have a suitcase packed for a few days away from home in case of a last-minute cheap flight, without worrying mid-flight about forgotten items.
Items that were forgotten can usually be purchased locally-unless it’s your passport or ID, which are critical and should be packed beforehand, along with encrypted digital copies of important documents.
Speaking of passports-temporary passports valid up to 365 days can be issued at airports.

Sigma-sigma (from Greek) - calmly, but with a plan

The contents of bags or backpacks depend on individual needs and require some time to prepare properly.
Your backpack may look different, but some items will certainly overlap with my setup. That’s why I’ve included my checklists on other pages-they may be helpful.

Grouping

Thematic grouping of items significantly helps organize the contents of a backpack.

Colors

Using color coding helps organize a backpack’s contents. For example, red is associated with first aid, but other colors are also used:

Color	Meaning	Description
🔴 Red	First Aid	Injured-sick or dying
🔵 Blue	Hydration	Survival without water up to 3 days
🟣 Purple	Clothing	Maintain warmth, avoid overheating
🟤 Beige	Shelter	Hypothermia prevention, safety
🟠 Orange	Fire sources	Warmth, cooking, signaling
⚫ Black	Gear	General tools, survival
🟡 Yellow	Communication / Power	Contact, energy, work
⚪ White	Hygiene	Comfort away from home
🟢 Green	Food	Energy and morale
⚫ Grey	Cooking	Tools for meal preparation
🟣 Pink	Personal items	Identity and security: ID, driver’s license, bank card, cash, property documents, notebook, pen

Regarding gear-many items once designed for combat are now labeled “tactical,” often with little actual tactical purpose, but the label raises the price.

The table below may help recognize unusual situations:

Color	Description
🟢 😊	Everything functioning normally
🟡 🛡️	State and economy function properly (as far as one can say this about the Polish government or economy), but an epidemic has broken out in China; not an immediate threat, likely to stabilize and return to green. Tips: - Postpone travel to affected areas; - If your business interacts with conflict areas, adjust supply chains and stock up; - As a civilian, replenish home supplies and prepare items for evacuation bags/backpacks. Check car/motorcycle, schedule medical checkups, don’t forget dental checkups.
🟠 ⚠️	State still functions; danger is approaching: war in neighboring countries, or hostile forces near our border. Tips: - Avoid or leave orange zones before they turn red; - Limit spending-cash may be needed soon; - Stock up for at least a month; - Buy items useful for barter: weapons, medicine, cigarettes, alcohol, coffee, tea, essentials; - Set emergency communication plans with family. PMRs are useful.
🔴 💀	Armed conflict has begun; state operations switch to emergency mode; most administration inactive; economy and public transport paralyzed; supply problems exist; too late for fuel or other essentials; checkpoints on roads. Tips: - Leave red zones if possible; - If non-military services (e.g., police) leave, you should too.
🟣 🤕	Direct armed action; military controls the area. Tips: - Leave the zone immediately; - If unable to leave, follow soldiers’ orders; - Store water and food; - Minimize activity; - Avoid observing combat.
⚫ ☢️	Death zone; staying gives no chance of survival. Only option: leave. Examples: - Planned genocide; - Radioactive contamination after nuclear explosion; - Natural or human-made disasters.

🎒 EDC: Every Day Carry

Items carried daily by most of us to help function outside home-keys, phone, wallet. A minimalist, practical everyday kit.

On platforms like YouTube, many influencers show “EDC” items, often paid promotions with gadgets of little universal utility. Examples include:

• Knipex pliers key-who needs to carry this daily?
• Pocket flashlights slightly better than phones, but expensive (and batteries cost extra).
• EDC kits resembling full BOBs, often showcased unused on YouTube channels, making them impractical.

The challenge is finding objective, independent reviews, which are rare because they aren’t profitable. Experts can be distinguished from influencers: they provide practical knowledge beyond branding.

EDC items are useful, used tools, carried constantly or occasionally. If something is rarely used, why carry it? EDC doesn’t assume crises or disasters-just daily convenience. Fewer gadgets are needed if skills are higher.

Space-saving examples:

• Compass not strictly needed-smartphone, car navigation, magnetized needle, or watch suffice.
• Bottle opener: one is enough; multiple tools waste space.
• Multipurpose items like neck gaiters replace hat and scarf, saving space.

Avoid duplicating tools. My EDC changes slightly by season, but core items remain:

• Wallet with cash and cards;
• Mobile phone;
• Some cutting edge tool.

EDCB: Every Day Carry Bag

A personal term for something larger than pocket gadgets, e.g., a bag or small backpack, still not a BOB. Often contains unused gear, knives, or decorative items.

EDC/EDCB doesn’t assume emergencies, unlike BOB.

BOB: Bug Out Bag

A survival backpack for moving from point A to B. Can be a work-to-home bag or an EDC item. Typically 20-30 liters, enough for several days’ survival until reaching a safe place or resupply point.

Key priorities:

• Maintain body temperature
• Hydration
• Caloric intake

A packed carry-on can act as a BOB for a few days, with size limits imposed by airlines (e.g., 40x30x20 cm, 5 kg). No need to overpack; buy items locally if needed.

INCH: I’m Never Coming Home (Again)

A backpack supporting about a week’s relative comfort, assuming longer absence. Include important documents and encrypted copies. I keep encrypted backups in every pack.

Notes:

• EDC ≠ BOB
• BOB: small evacuation pack, easy to transport to pre-planned safe locations
• BOB size: 25-40 L for convenience, max 60 L
• INCH/weekly pack: 45-90 L depending on height and fitness
• Avoid overloading-leave free space; multi-use items save space
• Carry weight ≤ 20% body mass; heavier packs increase energy use, dehydration, slower pace
• Winter pack differs from summer pack; include a few warm items even in summer
• For vehicle-based load, use a larger bag if needed, easier to pack, flexible walls, holds more
• Waterproof or floatable options exist (e.g., HH, Yeti)
• Have backup plans B, C, D, E for stolen wallet/phone or forced vehicle evacuation
• Fire extinguisher in apartment is recommended for evacuation; small car extinguisher insufficient

Good luck!

Sigma, sigma (Slowly, slowly)

Situations requiring evacuation can happen unexpectedly. It’s worth being prepared for such possibilities.

Even if nothing is happening, it’s always a good idea to have a ready-to-go carry-on bag so that you can quickly react if needed-for example, to take a last-minute trip or a weekend away-without wasting time searching for essential items. This doesn’t have to be a fire in your apartment or an earthquake.

A small packed backpack or suitcase can be useful-even for providing first aid, as long as it contains a first aid kit.

Efficient evacuation may be necessary in cases of:

• Threats to health or life
  Both your own and that of close ones, caused by human actions (criminal groups, special services, stalkers, armed conflicts, lockdowns);

• Natural disasters
  Volcanic eruptions, hurricanes, floods, or fires;

• Utility failures
  Extended outages of electricity, gas, or water (no Internet-how will we survive?!11one).

Preparing for evacuation in advance

During an evacuation, there won’t be much time to think about what to take, which increases the risk of mistakes.
Historical accounts describe many dramatic situations where people were taken by Russians or Germans to concentration camps during armed conflicts, and some of them died during transport.
These people didn’t know where they were being taken or for how long, so they packed unnecessary items like tablecloths, hangers, or curtains instead of essentials like warm clothes, water, food, bandages, or medicines.

Even if we don’t anticipate such drastic scenarios, it’s still useful to have a suitcase packed for a few days away from home in case of a last-minute cheap flight, without worrying mid-flight about forgotten items.
Items that were forgotten can usually be purchased locally-unless it’s your passport or ID, which are critical and should be packed beforehand, along with encrypted digital copies of important documents.
Speaking of passports-temporary passports valid up to 365 days can be issued at airports.

Sigma-sigma (from Greek) - calmly, but with a plan

The contents of bags or backpacks depend on individual needs and require some time to prepare properly.
Your backpack may look different, but some items will certainly overlap with my setup. That’s why I’ve included my checklists on other pages-they may be helpful.

Grouping

Thematic grouping of items significantly helps organize the contents of a backpack.

Colors

Using color coding helps organize a backpack’s contents. For example, red is associated with first aid, but other colors are also used:

Color	Meaning	Description
🔴 Red	First Aid	Injured-sick or dying
🔵 Blue	Hydration	Survival without water up to 3 days
🟣 Purple	Clothing	Maintain warmth, avoid overheating
🟤 Beige	Shelter	Hypothermia prevention, safety
🟠 Orange	Fire sources	Warmth, cooking, signaling
⚫ Black	Gear	General tools, survival
🟡 Yellow	Communication / Power	Contact, energy, work
⚪ White	Hygiene	Comfort away from home
🟢 Green	Food	Energy and morale
⚫ Grey	Cooking	Tools for meal preparation
🟣 Pink	Personal items	Identity and security: ID, driver’s license, bank card, cash, property documents, notebook, pen

Regarding gear-many items once designed for combat are now labeled “tactical,” often with little actual tactical purpose, but the label raises the price.

The table below may help recognize unusual situations:

Color	Description
🟢 😊	Everything functioning normally
🟡 🛡️	State and economy function properly (as far as one can say this about the Polish government or economy), but an epidemic has broken out in China; not an immediate threat, likely to stabilize and return to green. Tips: - Postpone travel to affected areas; - If your business interacts with conflict areas, adjust supply chains and stock up; - As a civilian, replenish home supplies and prepare items for evacuation bags/backpacks. Check car/motorcycle, schedule medical checkups, don’t forget dental checkups.
🟠 ⚠️	State still functions; danger is approaching: war in neighboring countries, or hostile forces near our border. Tips: - Avoid or leave orange zones before they turn red; - Limit spending-cash may be needed soon; - Stock up for at least a month; - Buy items useful for barter: weapons, medicine, cigarettes, alcohol, coffee, tea, essentials; - Set emergency communication plans with family. PMRs are useful.
🔴 💀	Armed conflict has begun; state operations switch to emergency mode; most administration inactive; economy and public transport paralyzed; supply problems exist; too late for fuel or other essentials; checkpoints on roads. Tips: - Leave red zones if possible; - If non-military services (e.g., police) leave, you should too.
🟣 🤕	Direct armed action; military controls the area. Tips: - Leave the zone immediately; - If unable to leave, follow soldiers’ orders; - Store water and food; - Minimize activity; - Avoid observing combat.
⚫ ☢️	Death zone; staying gives no chance of survival. Only option: leave. Examples: - Planned genocide; - Radioactive contamination after nuclear explosion; - Natural or human-made disasters.

EDC: Every Day Carry

Items carried daily by most of us to help function outside home-keys, phone, wallet. A minimalist, practical everyday kit.

On platforms like YouTube, many influencers show “EDC” items, often paid promotions with gadgets of little universal utility. Examples include:

• Knipex pliers key-who needs to carry this daily?
• Pocket flashlights slightly better than phones, but expensive (and batteries cost extra).
• EDC kits resembling full BOBs, often showcased unused on YouTube channels, making them impractical.

The challenge is finding objective, independent reviews, which are rare because they aren’t profitable. Experts can be distinguished from influencers: they provide practical knowledge beyond branding.

EDC items are useful, used tools, carried constantly or occasionally. If something is rarely used, why carry it? EDC doesn’t assume crises or disasters-just daily convenience. Fewer gadgets are needed if skills are higher.

Space-saving examples:

• Compass not strictly needed-smartphone, car navigation, magnetized needle, or watch suffice.
• Bottle opener: one is enough; multiple tools waste space.
• Multipurpose items like neck gaiters replace hat and scarf, saving space.

Avoid duplicating tools. My EDC changes slightly by season, but core items remain:

• Wallet with cash and cards;
• Mobile phone;
• Some cutting edge tool.

EDCB: Every Day Carry Bag

A personal term for something larger than pocket gadgets, e.g., a bag or small backpack, still not a BOB. Often contains unused gear, knives, or decorative items.

EDC/EDCB doesn’t assume emergencies, unlike BOB.

BOB: Bug Out Bag

A survival backpack for moving from point A to B. Can be a work-to-home bag or an EDC item. Typically 20-30 liters, enough for several days’ survival until reaching a safe place or resupply point.

Key priorities:

• Maintain body temperature
• Hydration
• Caloric intake

A packed carry-on can act as a BOB for a few days, with size limits imposed by airlines (e.g., 40x30x20 cm, 5 kg). No need to overpack; buy items locally if needed.

INCH: I’m Never Coming Home (Again)

A backpack supporting about a week’s relative comfort, assuming longer absence. Include important documents and encrypted copies. I keep encrypted backups in every pack.

Notes:

• EDC != BOB
• BOB: small evacuation pack, easy to transport to pre-planned safe locations
• BOB size: 25-40 L for convenience, max 60 L
• INCH/weekly pack: 45-90 L depending on height and fitness
• Avoid overloading-leave free space; multi-use items save space
• Carry weight ≤ 20% body mass; heavier packs increase energy use, dehydration, slower pace
• Winter pack differs from summer pack; include a few warm items even in summer
• For vehicle-based load, use a larger bag if needed, easier to pack, flexible walls, holds more
• Waterproof or floatable options exist (e.g., HH, Yeti)
• Have backup plans B, C, D, E for stolen wallet/phone or forced vehicle evacuation
• Fire extinguisher in apartment is recommended for evacuation; small car extinguisher insufficient

Good luck!