What is a "scramble bag"?

A scramble bag is a variation of the original pilot's "bail out" bag. It is different from a Bug Out Bag in that it is designed only as a small "support" bag for your weapons and a few personal necessities. Think of it as "weapons and ammo only" bag that carries items for combat that you don't normally carry on your person.

It is designed to be grabbed from your vehicle in the event of quick exit or bail out. Shown right is a perfect example of the size and style of a Scramble Bag. Sling bags like the one shown are the most common as it allows access to the items in the bag while you are on the run.

Many times Military and LE individuals will use a Tactical Vest to replace this bag, but the idea is the same.

What kind of things are carried?

Ammunition
Magazines for your weapons
Magazine pouch or ammo belt
Knife
Flashlight
Extra Batteries for Flashlight, Radio, Phone or Weapon Optics/Sights.
Multi-Tool (or other small tool kit)
Specialized Tools (for working on your weapons)
Gun Cleaning Kit (abbreviated kit)
Safety Glasses
First Aid Kit (small)

Other OPTIONAL personal gear like:

Basic 4 Survival Kit
Medications
Hiking Socks

Scramble Bag: Breakdown (How much to carry and why)

PRIMARY GEAR:

Ammunition - Only carry enough extra ammo to fill your magazines (if not already loaded) or a couple of boxes. This isn't to fend off Zeds for hours and hours, it's to get you out of an IMMEDIATE threat. 50-100 rounds will generally be a good guideline as this is EXTRA to what you have ready to go in your weapon or mags that you carry on you. For shotguns, 25-50 rounds will be plenty.

Magazines - This can be EITHER more mags for your sidearm OR a couple of mags for a rifle that you grab on the way out of the vehicle. 3-5 reloads is a good guideline as you will already want to CONSERVE YOUR AMMO in this case anyway. If you use a pistol as a primary weapon, consider using the $10 Tactical Vest to make it a Pistol Primary Kit.

Magazine Pouch or Ammo Belt - If you are on the run, having your ammo and mags organized for use is a bonus. Some Scramble Bags are made to carry mags in special pockets, but most are not - so having a pouch in your bag that you can quickly add to your belt is handy. If your weapon doesn't use an external magazine (like a pump shotgun), an ammo belt will allow better access than a bag or box. (see Shotgun Tactics) Also keeping your magazines protected in your bag IN a mag pouch keeps them from getting beat up.

Knife - If you don't normally carry a knife, you're going to want one in your Scramble Bag. It's man's 1st tool and should be carried at all times. It does not matter the size or type that you keep in your bag. General rule of thumb is to compliment what you normally carry. So if you carry a 3" tactical folding knife, you might carry a 4" fixed blade hunting knife. If you don't carry a knife, you may want a good folding knife in your bag.

Flashlight - Unless you can see in the dark, you will want a flashlight. Either to exit in the dark and find your way OR to see in a darkened situation like a building. Either way, you will want a flashlight in your bag. If you normally carry a penlight, then carry a larger one like a 2 D-cell or 3v model as a compliment.

Batteries - As a general rule, you need to carry ONE COMPLETE replacement battery(s) for EACH power using gear that you have. This can get complicated if you have several items that use power. If so, you need to start thinking about buying gear that use the same battery to make things easier. Also consider buying gear that use smaller lithium "watch" type batteries as a hand full of these will last a lot longer than the regular alkaline batteries.

Tools - Many weapons and weapon attachments require special tools to work on them (specifically to tighten or re-tighten their mounts) in additional to needing a few "normal" tools to do utility work. A small kit of special tools for your weapons and/or a multi-tool will be needed. Do not carry a FULL tool kit! Just a small one that would be needed IF you have to work on your weapons.

Gun Cleaning Kit - This is NOT a full cleaning kit, in fact this should be reduced to a simple pull through bore cleaner like a Bore Snake, couple of towels and gun oil. The lubricate is the most important as weapons can become dry if not maintained regularly and may jam. Having a small bottle of gun oil will do.

Safety Glasses - There are hundreds of reasons why to carry these, but having them if most important. I prefer lightly shaded lenses for sun protection as well as protection from dust, sand and debris.

First Aid Kit - This should be a small and simple kit to use till you can get to a better kit or medical care. To make it simple - carry: small bar of antibacterial soap, a pain killer (of your choice) and bandaids (several). All this is small and light weight and will fit in a regular size plastic soap dish.

OPTIONAL GEAR:

The optional gear listed is only a suggestion for you.

I defer to the Basic 4 survival kit for what I want to carry in addition to the above primary gear as it covers anything I MUST have IF I have to survival longer than I expect. Since a Scramble Bag is NOT a survival bag, the Basic 4 will serve me well enough as a precaution. In this case, it's a 500 ml bottle of water, lighter, knife (above) and small tin can.

Medications - If you take medications on a daily basis, you will want to carry a couple of days worth in your Scramble Bag. Or if you are traveling, you will want to carry your prescriptions IN THIS BAG so you don't have to go looking for them when you bail out.

Hiking Socks - You've just bailed out of your vehicle, so you're walking! If you do not normally wear good hiking shoes/boots and thick socks, a pair of GOOD hiking socks will be a necessity even if you don't have the right shoes. DO NOT carry extra shoes in THIS bag! This is a "combat" bag, not a survival bag. In fact, I use the socks to muffle the rest of my gear verses using some other piece of cloth.