What is a “Go Bag” and Should You Have One?
Most people don’t give much thought to preparedness until they experience a disaster for themselves. For example, I daresay quite a few of us are more keenly aware now of how much toilet paper we have on hand than we were before COVID-19.
In the past (hopefully less so now), many people seemed to conflate disaster preparedness with being a kook or conspiracy theorist. Granted, there are people on the fringe of society that make “prepping” and hoarding their main life’s goal, but that doesn’t mean that buying a few extra candles or dry goods is a bad thing.
Maybe the silver lining to this horrendous year could be that many folks are realizing that the supply chains we take for granted are far more fragile than we had imagined. Instead of that filling us with dread, I propose we use that awareness to take stock of our skills and supplies and ask how we can better prepare for the next potential crisis.
One thing I always stress to people is that you should never hang all your hopes on “things.” Whether it be food, fuel, clothing, gear, tools, or anything else- it can all disappear in the blink of an eye. Floods, fires, tornadoes, theft… the list goes on. By all means, you should try to have these things, but, in the end, all you really have are your wits, your hands and feet, and the skills you have added to your repertoire (preferably before an emergency arises).
Be that as it may, one thing that pretty much anyone can do is to pack a kit for use when things go south. Those of us who have been at this a while usually have multiple kits for different occasions. For those of you just starting out, today we’ll look at a basic 24-hour kit, and we’ll call this our “Go Bag.”
A Go Bag is pretty much what it sounds like. If we have to get up and go in a hurry (such as a natural disaster fast approaching), this is a kit that you store in an accessible location that is easy to grab and carry. In my mind, there are no concrete rules as to what your bag must have or not have. Each of us is unique and something that may be vital to my peace of mind may be dead weight for someone else. With that said, though, several things come to mind as worth considering for inclusion.
Before we get too deep into what a Go Bag is, let’s address what it isn’t. It’s not a trunk full of luggage. It’s not everything you would need to camp in a national forest for a month. It is definitely not everything you might want or need to start a new life.
A Go Bag is something you can grab and bring with you quickly in advance of a threat (whether natural or manmade) that will provide you with the tools to ensure your basic safety and survival until you can regroup and assess what to do next. Some Go Bags may be larger than others, but we’re typically talking about supplies to hold us for 24–72 hours.
Think about your basic needs. You can probably name food, water, clothing, and shelter off the top of your head, and that’s a decent place to start. Let’s look at those first.
Water
Besides oxygen, clean water is arguably the most important need you can provide for. Dehydration will reduce your faculties quickly. Impure water can render you gravely ill. Staying hydrated is one of your best defenses against a crisis becoming a disaster.
A normal, active adult should consume 3–4 liters (around a gallon) of water a day. If your pack or abilities do not lend themselves to carrying that much on hand, then you would do well to have a method for purifying any water you might find.
Common options include a straw filter or purification tablets for around $20. You can bring a steel cup or pan to boil water (you must achieve a rolling boil to kill most adverse organisms). Or you can go with any number of fancy options from a camping store, such as a gravity filter. Just make sure you have a plan for clean water for you and your family.
Food
You should have some ready-to-eat food items in your bag. It’s not hyper-critical what this food is (unless you have specific dietary needs) other than non-perishable and preferably light-weight. Carbs are good, and I would steer away from too many empty calories, but go with what you like and can afford.
Examples include things like trail mix, mixed nuts, granola, dried fruits, or jerky. If you’re a quintessential bachelor, I’m not going to judge you if all you have is a huge jar of peanut butter. Conversely, you can stop by a camping store and pick up all manner of freeze-dried meals if you want to be fancy. It’s entirely up to you.
Remember to keep an eye on expiration dates and switch out any items that are approaching their “best by” dates. You don’t want expired food in a crisis if you can help it.
Clothing
Don’t overdo this, but don’t ignore it, either. Changing clothes every day is not as important as food and water, but you should think about being ready for a range of weather. If it gets cold in the winter where you live, make sure to have thermal underwear and warm socks in your pack. If you are somewhere that gets very hot, likewise make sure to have clothing that can keep you cool.
Alternately, some people adjust their kit with the seasons (or have a cold-weather and warm-weather kit), but if you go that route- keep up with it.
Undergarments and socks are probably the most important items, in my opinion. If you can change those, you can usually put your other clothes back on in a pinch.
Particularly since rain and flooding are things you may need your bag in the midst of, consider having some sort of dry clothes to change into and put them in a waterproof pouch, even if it is just some pajamas in a Ziplock bag.
Shelter
This is another very personal choice. In all my years of living outdoors, I never carried a tent. There are just too many ways of getting out of the elements for me to justify the weight, even if that means sleeping under a bridge.
However, I do include an ultra-light tarp and some 550 paracord in my bag, and I would recommend you consider something along those lines. These days, you can pick both items up at almost any camping store.
You should probably at least have an emergency blanket. If you prefer a larger kit, you might consider a compact sleeping bag (bonus points if it is waterproof). Another good option is a compact, light-weight emergency bivy tent.
Other Considerations
Besides the obvious items mentioned above, you should consider other important needs, such as health, hygiene, and communications.
- If you are on important medications, you should have at least a week’s worth of each in your bag (as well as for any other family members and pets). You should probably also have common OTC drugs such as pain relievers, antidiarrheals, and antihistamines. If you need it under normal circumstances, it will be all the more important in a crisis.
- First aid items are a good idea. Start with bandages and add other things as you can, but make sure you know how to use what you carry.
- Cleanliness is crucial in a survival situation. I recommend having a bottle of concentrated castille soap (e.g., Dr. Bronners), as a little goes a long way and it can be used on your body, hair, dishes, clothes, and many other things. You should also have items (even if just travel-sizes) such as toothbrush, toothpaste, feminine hygiene products, deodorant, etc. No, the world is not going to end if you don’t brush your teeth, but you will feel much more like a person if you can stay presentable.
- Communications are often of vital importance in a disaster. You should have a cellphone and backup battery (maybe even a solar-charged battery) for sure. Also consider other signaling options, such as a mirror, flare, whistle, or air horn.
- Always, always have a way to start a fire. In fact, have multiple ways. Besides the obvious uses of warmth and cooking, starting a fire can create smoke which can be seen from a long way off and attract the attention of rescuers.
- Always, always have a good knife. And a backup knife. If you don’t know why you need one, just trust me on this. You do.
- Self-defense can easily become a concern during disasters. Personally, my go bag contains a firearm, but you will have to decide what your own ethical compass, priorities, and budget will allow for in this arena. You should address this somehow, though, even if it is just pepper spray or an electrical stun weapon.
- Entertainment! More often than you might think, crises involve long periods without much to do. In fact, conserving energy is often critical in a survival situation. It doesn’t hurt to plan on something to keep you sane, even if it is just a deck of cards. Personally, I have a whole miniature game kit to turn a disaster into a party, but that is just me being extra.
- Light is important. Whether it is a flashlight or candles, make sure you have a way to make light. This is also something I recommend having a backup of.
- You probably want to include some sort of multi-tool, whether it is a Leatherman, Gerber, or Swiss Army knife. Having the right tool at hand can make a big difference in a lot of situations.
Besides the above options, think through what you feel like you need and can carry. Maybe you want gloves, a face mask, some instant drink packets, a notepad and pen, some Jolly Ranchers… who knows? I like to keep a copy of my favorite survival guide, even though I’ve read it many times.
Ultimately, what you decide to include in your Go Bag is all a matter of personal choice. Don’t let anyone tell you that you have too little or too much if you are comfortable with your choices. They are not the boss of you.
You don’t have to rush out and get all of these things tomorrow. But I do encourage you to start building a Go Bag as soon as you can and adding to it as your budget allows. You might even test it out by camping in the back yard for a night to see what you’re missing.
If you already have one or are starting on one now, feel free to post your photos or questions below, or you can join the LIFE HACKS Facebook group and talk about emergency preparedness with others.
Whatever you do, remember to be safe and happy trails to you!
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