When crisis strikes, having a well-stocked go bag can make all the difference for emergency preparedness.
This comprehensive guide outlines the essential items to include, explaining why each one matters and how it contributes to survival preparedness.
You'll discover the key categories of gear to prioritize, from shelter and water supplies to navigation tools and first aid. With this checklist, you'll be ready to face emergencies and natural disasters with confidence.
Ready, Set, Prepare: Crafting Your Emergency Go Bag
Having the right supplies ready in an emergency go bag, also known as a bug out bag, is an essential part of being prepared when uncertain situations arise. This could make all the difference in successfully navigating emergencies.
When packing your go bag, focus on including gear that will help meet your basic needs for survival, including:
Food and Water
Having nutrition and hydration is crucial in emergency scenarios. Pack high-calorie, non-perishable foods like protein bars, trail mix, and dried fruits and vegetables. Also be sure to pack enough water for at least 72 hours. Consider packing water filtration systems as well.
Shelter and Warmth
Staying dry and maintaining body warmth is vital for survival. Be sure to include a lightweight tarp or emergency blanket, as well as extra layers of clothing. Hand warmers and emergency sleeping bags are also useful additions.
First Aid
Having the ability to address injuries or medical situations is key. Make sure to pack first aid kits containing bandages, antiseptic, pain medication, etc. If feasible given your medical needs, also consider packing prescription medications.
Tools and Gear
Equipment to assist with navigation, communication, lighting fires, and other uses can prove invaluable. Useful items include compasses, radios, flashlights, matches/lighters, multi-tools, and ropes.
Carefully considering and including the essentials when packing your go bag will help equip you to handle uncertainties and urgent situations. Being prepared can make all the difference.
What should be included in a go bag?
A go bag, also known as a bug-out bag, is an emergency kit filled with essential supplies to help you survive for at least 72 hours if a disaster strikes. When packing a go bag, focus on including gear that covers your basic survival needs - water, food, first aid, navigation, lighting, communication, personal hygiene, etc.
Here is a comprehensive checklist of must-have go bag essentials:
- Water - Pack at least 1 gallon per person for 3 days. Water filtration devices like portable water filters or water purification tablets are essential backups.
- Food - Choose calorie-dense non-perishables like protein bars, dried fruits and nuts. MREs or freeze dried camping meals are great options too. Don't forget eating utensils and a can opener.
- First Aid - A robust medical kit can help treat injuries, bites or burns. Include bandages, ointments, medicines, trauma shears, gloves, etc. Know basic first aid techniques.
- Tools & Gear - Pack a multi-tool, duct tape, paracord, emergency sleeping bag and tent. A fire starting kit, headlamps, batteries are vital as well. Appropriate clothing and hiking shoes provide protection and mobility if traveling by foot.
- Navigation - Have an old-school paper map and compass in addition to fully charged GPS devices. Know your evacuation routes.
- Communications - An emergency radio and walkie talkies keep you tuned for updates. Carry external battery packs to charge cell phones and other devices. Have some cash in small denominations.
- Sanitation & Hygiene - Toilet paper, baby wipes, feminine products, trash bags, soap, dental supplies will improve comfort and prevent illness.
Customize your go-bag based on your climate, terrain, skill level and possible risks. Periodically inspect and resupply items that may expire or need replacement. With an organized, well-stocked go bag, you can evacuate at a moment's notice if an emergency like a hurricane, wildfire or civil unrest impacts your area.
Which essential item is added to a go bag?
When building an emergency go bag, there are a few key personal essentials to include that can greatly enhance your preparedness in the event of a disaster. According to the American Red Cross, some of the most critical items are:
- A change of clothing: Pack at least one full change of clothes, including layers for variable weather conditions. Waterproof and insulated outerwear is ideal to retain body heat.
- Extra eyewear: Having a spare set of prescription glasses or contact lenses can be vital if your primary pair gets damaged or lost. Be sure to pack contact solution as well.
- Emergency blanket: Lightweight emergency blankets made of heat-reflective thin plastic are essential for retaining body warmth in cold conditions.
- Multi-purpose tools: Pack duct tape, scissors, work gloves, matches, and towels. These basic but versatile items have a wide variety of emergency uses from starting fires to basic first aid.
Though go-bag checklists can be extensive, prioritizing versatile essentials that meet basic safety and survival needs is key. The items above check those critical boxes and enhance preparedness across many emergency scenarios. Integrating them into your go-bag helps ensure you have reliable access to necessities if disaster strikes.
What do you put in a doomsday bag?
A doomsday or disaster preparedness bag, often called a "bug out bag", is essential for emergency situations when you need to evacuate quickly. Having the right supplies packed can mean the difference between safety and hardship.
Here are some of the most critical items to include in your doomsday bag:
- Water - Pack at least one gallon of water per person for several days' supply. Water is vital for drinking and sanitation. Consider packing water filtration devices as well.
- Non-perishable food - Pack enough non-perishable, high-protein food like granola bars, dried fruits, beef jerky, and canned goods to last several days.
- Radio - A battery-powered or hand crank radio will allow you to stay updated on emergency alerts and weather reports. A NOAA weather radio with tone alert is critical.
- Flashlight - Have an LED flashlight and extra batteries. Essential for lighting and signaling at night or in dark locations.
- First aid supplies - A first aid kit with bandages, gauze, medications, etc. can treat injuries when medical care is limited.
- Tools - Pack a multi-tool, knife, duct tape, and even survival items like fishing line and hooks. Useful for building shelters or catching food.
- Other essentials - Have extras batteries, a whistle for signaling, protective clothing, blankets, maps, a tent or tarp, and personal hygiene items.
Customize your doomsday bag based on your family's unique needs. Update and replenish it regularly so it's ready for an emergency evacuation.
What are 20 items in a emergency kit?
KNOW MORE ABOUT THE SPECIFICS OF WHAT YOUR DISASTER EMERGENCY KIT NEEDS BY READING MORE BELOW:
When preparing your go bag essentials, having the right emergency supplies is crucial for navigating disasters and emergency situations. Here are 20 must-have items to include in your emergency kit:
- First aid kit - Contains bandages, gauze, medicines, etc. to treat injuries
- Medications - One week's supply of prescription and over-the-counter meds
- Water - Stock up on bottled water and purification tablets
- Flashlights - Handheld and headlamp varieties with extra batteries
- Radio - Battery-powered or hand crank AM/FM radio for news
- Food - High-calorie non-perishable foods like granola bars
- Blanket - Lightweight but warm emergency blanket
- Multi-tool - Contains knife, pliers, screwdrivers and other tools
- Fire starter - Waterproof matches, lighter, fire starter sticks
- Whistle - Loud whistle to signal for help if needed
- Dust mask - Protects from dust particles and smoke
- Work gloves - Tough gloves for handling debris and waste
- Emergency cash - Have small bills and coins for purchasing necessities
- Local map - Map with marked evacuation routes and known shelters
- Battery pack - Recharge phones, flashlights and other devices
- Document protector - Waterproof sleeve for IDs, paperwork, docs
- Duct tape - Multi-use strong tape for repairs and securing items
- Safety pins - Useful for temporarily binding or securing objects
- Can opener - Allows access to canned food when needed
Having these 20 essential items in your go-bag will help you safely evacuate from emergency situations while meeting basic needs until you find shelter. Be sure to customize your kit based on your family's unique needs.
The Ultimate Bug Out Bag Checklist: Shelter and Comfort
A go bag should contain items to meet basic shelter and sleep needs in an emergency, such as a tent, sleeping bag, and ground cover. These provide protection from the elements when away from home.
Compact Havens: Tents and Bivy Sacks
When choosing a tent or bivy sack for your go bag, portability and ease of setup are key. Look for lightweight shelters made of durable, waterproof materials that pack down small.
Popular options include:
- Bivy sacks - These one-person shelters weigh under 2 lbs and fold up to the size of a water bottle. Choose a bivy with a waterproof floor and insect netting. Great for solo emergency shelter.
- Backpacking tents - Two to four person tents around 5 lbs made for backcountry use work well. Opt for freestanding tents with color-coded poles for simple setup. Durability is essential. Brands like MSR, NEMO, and Big Agnes offer quality lightweight tents.
- Tarp shelters - Lightweight tarps can provide basic overhead shelter combined with a bivy sack. Easy to pack and versatile, though less protective from weather. Useful addition to augment primary tent.
When packing any shelter, be sure to waterproof seams and store in a dry compression sack. A basic, packable shelter is a go bag essential for emergency cover. Choose durable over ultra lightweight if sacrificing quality.
Choosing Your Cocoon: Sleeping Bags
Insulated sleeping bags are vital for retaining body heat overnight when bugging out. Key factors for emergency sleeping bags include:
- Temperature rating - Choose a bag rated for the climate you'll be in. Ratings of 15-30°F suit three-season use for most areas. Go lower for alpine and winter.
- Fill material - Down retains warmth even when wet but loses insulation. Synthetic fill holds less heat but dries quicker and insulates when wet. No clear winner.
- Packed size - Compressible down bags pack smaller. But synthetic fills now compress nearly as small.
- Weight - Modern bags weigh 2-4 lbs. Heavier usually means more insulation.
Popular lightweight choices are quality 20°F mummy bags weighing 2-3 lbs from brands like NEMO, Sierra Designs, and Marmot. Avoid budget bags that skimp on materials. Invest in sleep!
Ground Insulation: Sleeping Pads and Covers
Sleeping pads provide a protective barrier between your sleeping bag and the cold, damp ground. Options include:
- Inflatable pads - Offer more cushioning and pack smaller, but can puncture. Weight is 1-2 lbs.
- Closed cell foam pads - Provide insulation even if punctured. More durable but bulkier/heavier around 1.5 lbs.
For emergency use, closed cell pads hold up better long term. Brands like ThermaRest offer packs as small as a 1-liter water bottle.
In winter, add a moisture barrier like a tarp or bivy sack underneath your sleeping pad. This blocks ground moisture from robbing body heat.
Having basic shelter - even just a bivy and sleeping bag - can prove essential when bugging out. Choose durable, weather-appropriate gear focused on emergency functionality over luxury. The key is retaining core body heat if forced to sleep outside in an evacuation. Prepare for the extremes and hope for the best!
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Sustenance for Survival: Water and Food Must-Haves
Having potable water and non-perishable food is vital for emergency preparedness. Experts recommend stocking supplies to last at least 72 hours in your go bag.
Hydration Solutions: Water Storage and Purification
Staying hydrated is critical in a crisis scenario. Pack durable, BPA-free water bottles and collapsible water bags or bladders to store an adequate water supply for your situation. The general guidance is to store one gallon of water per person per day. Consider packing water purification tablets or a compact water filter like the Sawyer Mini to ensure you have access to potable water from natural sources. Proper hydration supports health and decision-making when navigating an emergency.
Fueling Up: High-Calorie Food Selections
In an evacuation or disaster, you may be exerting more energy and burning more calories than normal. Having nutrient-dense, high-calorie food selections in your bag provides needed energy. Prioritize non-perishables that are calorie-dense, such as granola bars, protein bars, mixed nuts and dried fruits. MREs (Meals Ready to Eat) are a convenient option often used by the military that pack 400-1200 calories per pouch. Avoid foods that easily perish or need to stay cold.
Mealtime Gear: Essential Utensils and Cooking Tools
Even during an emergency, you'll likely need some basic gear for storing, preparing and eating meals. Consider packing a lightweight tin cup or bowl, spoon, knife, can opener and possibly a pocket stove. If you have canned goods, a manual can opener is a must-have. A cup, bowl and utensils facilitate cooking and eating during an evacuation. Assess your food selections to determine if additional tools like a pocket stove are worthwhile for your situation.
Equipping your go bag with water, nutrient-rich foods and some key mealtime tools helps ensure you can meet basic survival needs in an emergency. Prioritize lightweight, durable and calorie-dense items tailored to your specific needs. Proper sustenance supports health and clear decision making during crisis scenarios.
Survival Kit Items: Tools and Light Sources for Self-Sufficiency
Emergency situations can arise at any moment, making preparation key. Essential tools and light sources allow one to be self-sufficient when facing the unexpected. When packing a go bag, include versatile items that assist with shelter building, food gathering, navigation, and more.
Cut, Fix, Create: Multitool or Pocket Knife
A high quality multitool or pocket knife serves countless purposes, making it invaluable for emergency preparedness. Choose one with features like pliers, screwdrivers, can and bottle openers, scissors, knife blades, and a saw. These equip you to construct shelter, open food cans, cut rope or bandages, remove splinters, strip wires for repairs, and even go fishing. Consider extras like a sharpener, torch lighter, or flashlight built into the body. Top brands such as Leatherman and Gerber Gear offer lifetime warranties, ensuring that your multitool or pocket knife will be a long-term investment.
When shopping, assess your specific needs and the weight or size restrictions of your go bag. Compact styles like the Leatherman Squirt PS4 multitool or traditional pocket knives suit ultra-portable kits. Larger options with more robust tools may be necessary for extensive emergency scenarios. Regardless of size, a high quality multitool or knife provides problem-solving capabilities across countless tasks, making it an essential for go bag readiness.
Ignite and Warmth: Fire Making Kit Essentials
The ability to start a fire enables cooking, warmth, and signaling - all critical for survival. Pack waterproof stormproof matches, a butane lighter, fire starter cubes, and natural tinder like dry grass, pine needles, or cotton balls smeared in petroleum jelly. Place these fire starting items in a waterproof container, as exposure to moisture will render them useless.
Matches and lighters allow quick fire building, though their fuel sources eventually deplete. Include a magnesium alloy fire starter for sparks and shavings to ignite kindling. Spark-based ignition combined with proper tinder guarantees fire starting capability even in damp conditions. With the right materials, a fire offers warmth, light, and a cooking heat source, bolstering safety and morale when facing adversity.
Shedding Light: Flashlights and Alternative Sources
Pack multiple high-lumen LED flashlights with spare batteries in your go bag. Quality brands like Streamlight and Fenix provide 800+ lumens for area illumination. Headlamps free up hands for tasks, while small keychain lights can be backup or marker lighting.
Do not rely solely on battery-powered devices. Include alternative light sources like glow sticks, which provide 360 degrees of visible light. Crank and solar powered flashlights also continue functioning when batteries die. Having diverse light sources ensures visibility for navigation, reading maps, nighttime camp setup, and hazard avoidance when main power fails.
First Aid Fundamentals: Stocking Your Emergency Kit
A first aid kit tailored for wilderness use can be a lifesaver if injured. Having the right supplies on hand enables you to effectively treat injuries and ailments when professional medical care is unavailable. This guide covers must-have first aid essentials to include in your go bag.
Wound Management: Bandages and Gauze
Stock a variety of bandage sizes, including 1”, 2”, 3”, and 4” for securing dressings over cuts and scrapes. These self-adhesive wraps immobilize injuries and apply pressure to stop bleeding.
Keep several rolls of soft gauze in 2” and 4” widths handy for cushioning wounds, wrapping sprains/strains, and creating slings. Sterile combine pads made of absorbent gauze work well for heavy bleeding and burns. Consider waterproof adhesive medical tape to securely fasten dressings.
For traumatic injuries involving significant blood loss, pack high-absorbency emergency trauma pads and compression bandages. Apply direct pressure with these materials to control hemorrhaging. Fashion tourniquets if bleeding persists.
Health and Comfort: Essential Medications
Include an assortment of over-the-counter medications to relieve pain, allergies, digestive issues, and other common ailments. For pain/fever, choose ibuprofen over aspirin due to its anti-inflammatory properties. Pack anti-diarrheal medication, antacids for heartburn, antihistamines for allergic reactions, and electrolyte replacements for dehydration.
If you take prescription meds daily, keep a several days’ supply in your go-bag. Antibiotics like Cipro fight infections from wounds, burns, and accidental ingestion of contaminated water. Rotate meds to ensure they don’t expire. List quantities/doses in your first aid guide.
Tools of the Trade: First Aid Accessories
Equip your kit with a range of supplies for administering emergency care:
- Scissors and tweezers: Cut away clothing from injuries, remove debris/splinters
- Instant cold packs: Reduce swelling and ease sprains, strains, and bruises
- Space blanket: Retains body heat to prevent hypothermia
- Medical gloves: Avoid contact with bodily fluids
- Digital thermometer: Check for fevers signaling infection
- First aid ointment: Protects cuts from infection
- Alcohol wipes: Disinfect scraped skin and surfaces
Also useful - pocket face masks, a pencil/notepad, and hand sanitizer. Replace items after use.
Guidance in Emergencies: First Aid Manual
A waterproof first aid guide offers illustrated, step-by-step advice on addressing injuries and ailments when professional help is unavailable. Choose a manual that covers:
- Wound care, severe bleeding, burn treatment
- Bone, joint, and muscular injuries
- Sudden medical emergencies
- Environmental hazards like hypothermia, heat illness, altitude sickness
- Makeshift transportation techniques
Study in advance so you can quickly reference protocols. Refresh annually on latest best practices.
Thoughtfully stocking first aid essentials for go bag prepares you to effectively respond if someone becomes injured in a disaster scenario. Prioritize trauma care supplies, medications, accessories, and manuals tailored to wilderness use. Welcome preparedness brings peace of mind.
Navigate and Communicate: Essential Gear for Emergencies
Stay on route to your destination and connect with others with navigation and communication gear.
Traditional Navigation: Map and Compass
Having an up-to-date map of your area along with a compass can provide vital navigation if you lose access to digital systems. Choose a detailed topo map showing terrain, roads, landmarks, and potential shelter areas. Pair it with a quality compass suitable for map reading and triangulation. Learn essential navigation skills like plotting coordinates, orienting the map, taking bearings, and more. Redundant navigation methods are key for emergency scenarios.
Modern Tracking: GPS Devices and Apps
While maps and compass provide analog navigation, a handheld GPS device or navigation app on your smartphone allows accurate digital routing. GPS can pinpoint your location if you become lost or disoriented. Choose a rugged, waterproof outdoor GPS with topo mapping from brands like Garmin or DeLorme. Download offline maps to your device in case data connectivity fails. Smartphone apps like Gaia GPS allow route planning, tracking, mapping, and emergency SOS features.
Stay Connected: Two-Way Radios
Two-way radios allow communication with family or group members within a certain radius without relying on cell networks. Opt for long range radios operating on FRS, GMRS, or HAM frequencies. Consider radio features like weather alerts, headset jacks, and rechargeable battery packs. Assign call signs and channels before an emergency. Doing radio checks ensures everyone knows proper operation. Two-way radios provide a localized communication lifeline if networks fail.
Signal for Help: Emergency Whistles
A loud emergency whistle like the Storm All Weather Whistle draws attention and signals for help when blown. The distinct tone stands out against background noise. Strobe lights or glow sticks further amplify the visual signal. Whistles work when voices fail and require less effort than shouting. They are more effective than relying solely on cell phone ringtones. Pack an emergency whistle in your go bag, attach to a backpack strap, or wear around the neck for quick access to call for assist.
Personalizing Your Bug Out Bag: Comfort and Care
Round out the go-bag with personal care and comfort items suited to your needs.
Dress for Success: Extra Clothing Essentials
When packing for an emergency, having extra clothing is essential. Here are some key clothing items to include in your go bag:
- Socks and underwear: Pack at least 2-3 extra pairs. Choosing moisture-wicking and antimicrobial fabrics will keep your feet comfortable. Consider packing extras.
- Weather-appropriate layers: Having versatile layers allows you to adapt as conditions change. Pack items like light jackets, long sleeve shirts, hats, and gloves. For hot climates, include lightweight, breathable clothing.
- Sturdy shoes: Choose shoes suited for emergency conditions - hiking boots or athletic sneakers with good traction. Break them in before packing. Having comfortable footwear promotes mobility.
The rule of thumb is to pack versatile layers that will keep you protected across changing weather and terrain. Planning for extremes allows your clothing to meet any emergency needs.
Cleanliness and Health: Hygiene and Sanitation Supplies
Maintaining health and hygiene during an emergency is crucial. Be sure to pack:
- Soap and shampoo: Look for small or concentrated bottles to conserve space. Antibacterial soap kills germs to prevent sickness.
- Toilet paper and trowel: Toilet paper is essential for sanitation needs. A small shovel allows you to properly bury waste.
- Feminine products: Women should pack pads/tampons to tend to cycles and maintain comfort.
- Towels: Pack lightweight camping towels that dry quickly. Useful for bathing, washing, and drying.
- Hand sanitizer and wipes: Kills germs if unable to wash hands with soap and water. Wipes conveniently clean hands and surfaces.
Proper sanitation prevents communicable diseases - a serious concern if medical care is limited during disasters. Packing the right hygiene gear promotes health.
Morale Boosters: Entertainment and Stress Relievers
Bug out bags should also contain items to lift your spirits during stressful times:
- Portable chargers: Charge phones, e-readers, radios and other electronics to access entertainment and news. Solar chargers allow indefinite off-grid power.
- Paperback books: Reading helps make productive use of downtime and reduces boredom. Entertainment provides a healthy distraction.
- Playing cards: Great for solo time-killing or social games to reduce tension between groups. A deck takes up little space.
- Journal and pens: Writing or drawing can be therapeutic outlets for emotions and serve as records of the experience.
Having small creature comforts boosts morale, which directly impacts resilience and survival. Don't underestimate their importance.
Don't Forget Fido: Pet Supplies for Bug Out Bags
If evacuating with pets, their survival depends on your preparation too. Key pet supplies include:
- Collapsible food/water bowls: Carry bowls without taking much space. Use for providing food and water. Metal bowls withstand chewing.
- Pet first aid kit: Bandages, swabs, medications, etc. Treat minor scrapes or issues until proper veterinary care is available.
- Leash/harness and collar ID: Ensure pets don't escape. ID tags provide important contact info if separated.
- Waste bags: Responsibly clean up after pets and maintain sanitation for the health of the group.
- Medications, food, blankets: Pack regular medications, a small bag of food, and a familiar blanket or toy. This eases anxiety and provides basics until restocking.
By preparing go bags for pets, you ensure their safety and comfort no matter the circumstances. Failing to plan for them places their wellbeing at risk.
Preparedness at a Glance: The Bug Out Bag Checklist Family Edition
Equipping your go-bag with shelter, sustenance, tools, first aid, navigation items and personal supplies ensures you have critical resources if disaster strikes. Having a well-stocked go-bag allows you to evacuate quickly during an emergency, providing your family with basic necessities until you reach safety or temporary shelter.
When packing go-bags for the whole family, tailor the contents to each member's needs. For example, include infant formula and diapers if you have a baby. Pack medications for those with chronic conditions. Have entertainment items like books or card games for kids.
Here is a checklist covering go-bag essentials for families:
Shelter and Bedding
- Tent
- Emergency blankets
- Sleeping bags
- Tarp
- Rope
- Duct tape
- Work gloves
Food and Water
- Canned goods and non-perishable snacks
- Water purification tablets
- Reusable water bottles
- Mess kit including cups, plates, utensils
Tools and Lighting
- Multi-tool knife
- Fire starting kit
- Flashlights
- Headlamps
- Extra batteries
Navigation and Communication
- Map of the area
- Compass
- Emergency whistle
- AM/FM radio
- Family communication plan
Health and Hygiene
- First aid kit
- Medications
- Infant formula and diapers
- Feminine hygiene products
- Toilet paper
- Hand sanitizer
- Soap
Remember to check expiration dates and replace perishable items annually. Conduct regular safety drills with your family to practice evacuating with your go-bags. Being prepared can make all the difference during an emergency.
