What Would You Pack for the Zombie Apocalypse?

Photographer Allison Stewart shoots the contents of people’s “bug-out bags.”


Photographer Allison Stewart has been documenting the contents of “bug-out bags,” the stuff their owners deem necessary to deal with various types of emergencies. The bags’ contents project what people fear—war, martial law, natural disaster—and how they intend to cope. For some buggers it’s as simple as pills and a bottle of tequila; for others, a carefully planned pack of food and supplies to last a few days. They range from off-the-shelf and Homeland Security kits to off-grid survivalist bags and pet emergency packs.

Max's bag includes clean clothes, a gun and ammunition, first aid and personal hygiene supplies, a spare set of prescription glasses, a transistor radio, tools, and a survival manual.

Max’s bag has clean clothes, a gun and ammo, first aid and hygiene supplies, spare glasses, a transistor radio, tools, and a survival manual.
 
The SNR bag retails for $59.99 and contains supplies for up to 3 people, including MREs, water, a transistor radio, a whistle, emergency ponchos and blankets, and tissues.

The SNR bag ($59.99) includes some short-term basics for up to three people, including MREs, water, a transistor radio, a whistle, emergency ponchos and blankets, and tissues.
 
  Curtis lives in Earthquake country and his bag contains a Lifestraw, which is a personal water filtering system, lightsticks, an orange plastic recycling bag that could be used for shelter, as a raincoat, or as a "flag" to notify helicopters of your presence.

Curtis, who lives in earthquake country, packed a kit that included a portable water-filtering system; tools, lightsticks; and an orange plastic bag that functions as a shelter, a raincoat, or a “flag” to draw the attention of airborne rescue teams.
 
The Pet Pac for a cat retails for $90.00 and contains, food, bowls, water, a collar with bells, a portable litter box, a trowel, a pet first aid kit, and toys.

The cat Pet Pac ($90) contains, food, bowls, water, a collar with bells, a portable litter box and trowel, a pet first-aid kit, and toys.
 
 Jane's Earthquake Kit sits by the door and contains baby wipes, toothbrushes and dental floss, flashlights & batteries, and a transistor radio.

Jane’s keeps her earthquake kit right by her door. It contains baby wipes, toothbrushes and dental floss, flashlights & batteries, and a transistor radio.
 
 Jeff's Go Bag includes a bulletproof vest, a gas mask, and a bulletproof helmet.  It was designed to get him to his car, where he had guns, knives, an axe, camping gear, water, and food.  He also had property off grid where he would bug out to when SHTF (shit hits the fan).

Jeff’s “go bag” includes a bulletproof vest and helmet, and a gas mask. It was intended to get him to his car, where he stored guns, knives, an axe, camping gear, water, and food. He also had off-grid property where he would bug out to when SHTF (shit hit the fan).
 
MM's bag contains several weapons and tools, three pairs of socks, waterproof paper and pens, an extra phone, marijuana, a beer, and a cigar.

MM’s bag (not the author) includes various weapons and tools, shoes and socks, waterproof paper and pens, an extra phone, marijuana, a beer, and a cigar.
 
PB&J are a couple who live in Atlanta.  Their bag includes maps, a trap for catching food and/or bait, a compass, a multi-tool and knife, tampons, bandages, fishing gear, and a first aid kit.

PB&J are an Atlanta couple whose bag includes maps, a trap for catching food and/or bait, a compass, a multi-tool and knife, tampons, bandages, fishing gear, and a first aid kit.
 
PB's Bug In kit is a fuel conversion valve that can convert a gas generator into propane or natural gas.

PB’s “bug in” kit consists solely of a conversion valve that allows a gas-powered generator to run on propane or natural gas instead.
 
Phil is a Civil War Reenactor.  His bag contains the supplies a civilian in 1964 would carry to bug out.  It includes hardtack and an apple for food, cooking gear, wool blankets, and lye soap.

Phil is a Civil War reenactor. His bag contains supplies a civilian in 1864 would carry to bug out. It includes hardtack and an apple for food, cooking gear, wool blankets, and lye soap.
 
 Simon's bag was prepared by Homeland Security and given to New   Yorkers after Hurricane Sandy.  In order to receive a bag you would attend a Saturday afternoon disaster preparedness seminar.  It includes safety goggles, duct tape, a whistle, MREs and water, and a first aid kit.

Simon was given this Homeland Security-issue bag at at a disaster preparedness seminar in New York City in the wake of Hurricane Sandy. It includes safety goggles, duct tape, a whistle, MREs and water, and a first aid kit.
 
     Sam's bag includes a variety of foods, walkie talkies and radio for communication, a deck of cards, and wine, which Sam heard that counteracts the effects of radiation poisoning

Sam’s bag includes food, walkie talkies and a radio for communication, playing cards, and wine—which Sam heard counteracts the effects of radiation poisoning.
 
Mike's Bug Out Bag: Tequilla & Phenobarbital

Mike’s bag: Tequila and phenobarbital. ‘Nuff said.

 

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And we need your support like never before, to fight back against the existential threats American democracy faces. Fundraising for nonprofit media is always a challenge, and we need all hands on deck right now. We have no cushion; we leave it all on the field.

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