Throughout the years working for a Fire Department and FEMA US&R Team, I've seen that many people aren't quite as prepared as they thought they were. I'm not sure what kind of situation you are thinking about for a bug out bag, but most people I know don't bother to get ready for "the big one" or whatever. I live in brush fire country. Last year we were evacuated twice. While I was out working the fire, my wife calls and says.." I have the kid, the dog, the external hard drive, and the guns. Anything else?" It was perfect. Anyway, I might be on the other side of paranoia, but here's what I have done in the event I need to evacuate (as in the wildfires) or shelter in place.
1. Bought a Sportsmobile (yay)
2. Scanned a copy of all my important paperwork for house, car, etc. Stored them offsite in DVD and external HD.
3. Copies of all our photos (even non digital ones) have been scanned, burned to dvd, stored offsite and on external drive.
4. Copies of all Credit Cards, ID cards, Birth Certificates, same..
5. Generator for the house.
6. We use bottled water delivery and maintain enough water for a month or so if rationed.
7. My family isn't on medication, so we don't worry about that, but we have a bag wtih some advil / claritin, etc.
8. All that stuff in those bags are good stuff.. Some might be more superfluous than others... but i guess on the whole they aren't bad.
9. In my first aid kit, I've found that kerlix, non sterile 4x4s, and a sam splint can do a great many things. Throw that in with some transpore tape and you're good to go.
10. And sounds lame, but a checklist in that bag for those pre-notification evacs.
11. Oh yah, and for the irreplaceable.. I've taken pictures of all my tools, in their drawers in my SS tool cabinets, for insurance claims. When I was deployed for H. Katrina, the people sheltering in the hotels had no proof of their belongings and had a hard time. Speaking of which, its time to update my photos
Joe