It’s not just prudent to be prepared; it can also be downright fun.

An emergency “go” bag is simply the bag you grab when you have to leave the house on short notice with no clear idea where you are going or when you’ll be back. Sound like an extremist fantasy? Even if you think the concept is ridiculous, there’s no good argument against being prepared for the worst. Whether it’s a winter ice storm, a flash flood, or a house fire, it’s conceivable that the average person might encounter a situation where they have to make a quick exit with little-to-no time to prepare. Having an emergency go bag already built and ready to toss in the trunk is practical, wise, and advisable. It can also be really fun to put together.

Safe Assumptions

The kind of bag you build depends on what situation you are likely to encounter. Heading out to your in-law’s house requires a different level of preparedness than heading to the American Red Cross shelter or the back woods. Ask yourself the following questions:

  • Will you be alone or with children, the elderly, a spouse, or pets?
  • Will you be on foot or have access to a vehicle?
  • Will you have access to clean water?
  • Will you be indoors or outdoors?
  • Will you be gone a day, a week, or more?

You won’t be able to prepare for every imaginable situation, so a good rule of thumb is to make compromises so that your bag is lightweight, contains the basics, and will get you through at least three days without any outside assistance or resources. 

This list below merely represents what’s in my own personal go bag. Note that my bag is actually two bags: An ebags Mother Lode Travel Backpack and a Columbia Sportswear medium sized collapsable duffel bag.

There are so many strong and distinct opinions on what an emergency go bag should contain, and this article does not claim to settle the matter. Yours will be tailored to your own needs and preferences and may differ considerably. If you find this general topic interesting and want to learn more, visit www.theprepared.com

Clothes

  • 1 pair of jeans
  • 1 set of thermal underwear
  • 2 T-shirts
  • 4 boxer shorts
  • 1 sports bra
  • 2 pairs of long wool socks
  • 2 pairs of long cotton socks
  • 1 lightweight wool sweater
  • 1 windbreaker
  • 1 hat
  • 1 pair winter gloves
  • 1 leather belt
  • 1 survival blanket

Personal Hygiene/First Aid

  • 1 small bottle of Castile soap
  • 1 medium sized tube of toothpaste
  • 1 bar of deodorant
  • 1 toothbrush
  • 1 comb
  • 1 razor
  • 1 pair tweezers
  • 1 hand-sized travel mirror
  • 1 roll of toilet paper
  • 1 handkerchief
  • 1 travel towel
  • 1 month supply of personal medicine
  • 1 tube anti-bacterial ointment
  • 1 compression bandage
  • 1 package extra large bandages
  • 1 roll sterile gauze
  • 1 bottle Aleve
  • 1 lighter
  • 1 pack of cigarettes (for trade)
  • 1 pair sunglasses
  • 1 pair reading glasses

Tools

  • 1 knife, 4-inch blade
  • 1 multipurpose tool
  • 1 headlamp
  • 1 flashlight
  • 1 package tea light candles
  • 1 package AA batteries
  • 1 package AAA batteries
  • 1 package D batteries
  • 1 roll duct tape
  • 1 phone charger
  • 1 package cotton rope
  • 1 package climber’s rope
  • 1 piece of flint
  • 1 sharpening stone
  • 1 bundle wax-covered matches
  • 1 lighter (second lighter)
  • 1 bundle wax covered tinder
  • 1 whistle
  • 1 cold water bottle (Nalgene)
  • 1 hot water bottle (thermos)
  • 1 sponge
  • 1 spork
  • 1 roll fishing line
  • 1 package fishing hooks
  • 3 carabiners
  • 1 basic mess kit
  • 1 propane tank collapsable base and burner
  • 1 propane tank
  • 7 dried meals
  • 3 large zip bags
  • 1 medium tarp

Other

  • 1 small backpack
  • Cash in various denominations
  • Pencil and notepad
  • List of key phone numbers
  • State map

Copyright 2023 Kesel Wilson (entirely, 100% human-created)

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