Disaster Tip of the Week: Start and Keep a Go Bag Ready At All Times

First let me start off by saying that your Go-Bag or Bug-Out Bag should not be your only, or main source in a survival situation. You should have other supplies ready to keep you and your family sustained for an extended period of time.

The idea of a Go-Bag or Bug-Out Bag is to have supplies ready at a moments notice should you have to leave or evacuate from your home, or other location. These supplies should be packed ahead of time and hopefully placed into a backpack so it is comfortable to carry since you may be traveling a long distance.

In most cases you would not have time to gather the supplies needed during an evacuation, so it is best to have them ready to go at all times. I see many people intending to use a go-Bag as their main source for survival if everything goes south. I can't stress enough how important it is to keep your go-Bag separate from your regular supplies.

In addition, every member of your family, or party if you have one should have their own bag. Even children should have their own bags so long as they can carry one. We'll discuss go-Bags for kids at another time.

Now that we have covered the true purpose of a go-Bag lets discuss what you should put in it. First the bag should be a good solid bag, preferably as mentioned earlier a backpack. If you have to leave on foot, or become stranded a backpack is the easiest bag to carry.

What should you put into your bag? While many people argue about what items and brands are best to carry, we are just going to stick with the basics.

Here is a basic list of items you will want to consider including in your go-Bag:

1.  Cash - plenty of it because depending on the event credit cards may not be useful. Consider having about $500 in ones (the more the better, and try to make them all singles), that way you never need change. A couple of quarter rolls could come in handy for Public phones, vending machines and laundry. Do not "flash" it around, unless you like being robbed, even assaulted, i.e. mugged. I suggest carrying different amounts in various pockets and keeping several "Throw Away Bills" in case you do get mugged, throw that onto the ground so you can make a fast get away.
2. First Aid Kit - a decent well-stocked kit, including a couple of weeks' supply of any prescription medications you need.
3. Sewing Kit. Include in this non-waxed floss and a U-shaped leather needle. Include extra needles, thread, buttons and if you can, fabric.
4. Clothing - Wool is best as cotton is useless once it gets wet; add thermal wear, underwear, sock and carry extras of everything.
5. Crank style Flashlight and glow-sticks.
6. Crank style NOAA weather/AM-FM Radio. If you use one that takes batteries, carry extras.
7. Food and water -- Carry enough to get you where you want to go plus extra.
8. Lighter, waterproof matches and another source such as a strike based fire starter. Always best to carry extras here as well.
9. Hand and feet warmers -- 2 per person if you can.
10. Good sleeping bag -- can double as a blanket at a shelter.
11. Good air matress if you can.
12. Wool blanket, not a must if you have a sleeping bag, but great to have.
13. Emergency Mylar Space blankets.
14. Good rain poncho -- one that covers you and your bag is best.
15. Rope -- Carry several, great for many things, from shelter, to rescue.
16. Duct Tape.
17. Tarp -- can double as emergency shelter if you don't have a tent.
18. Dust Masks carry several per person.
19. Maps -- local and the location where you want to go.
20. leather work gloves.
21. Folding saw.
22. Hatchet.
23. Multi-tool.
24. 2 knives.
25. Toiletries.
26. compass/GPS (good to carry 2 compasses if just for reassurance).
27. Gun and ammo if possible.
28. Fishing hooks, and fishing wire, a couple of sinkers and floats ill be good too.
29. Important documents, license, passport, etc.
30. pen and paper.

This is a great list to get started with and you will have to make adjustments based on what type of load you can carry, and how far you are traveling.

What are some items that you keep in your go-Bag?

Comments

[Ray]

You are absolutely right Keith. People should have their Bug Out Kits or Bug Out Bags prepared and ready to go at all times because unfortunately most disasters are unpredictable and don't allow us time to prepare ourselves and our loved ones once they strike. Another great point is that each member of the household should have their own Bug Out Bag just in case you are seperated from one another and can't render aid. If you don't know what to put in your Bug Out Bag, feel free to visit us at BugOutKit.com ( http://www.bugoutkit.com/ ) and we will gladly provide you with all the information and gear you need to be prepared. We specialize in Bug Out Bags, Bug Out Kits, Emergency Preparedness Kits, Disaster Supplies and much more. "Prepare today, survive tomorrow."

[Richard Stooker]

Hi, Keith,

Your basic intention is good, you're right that everyone should have such a backback ready to go, but in your effort to be complete, you're overwhelming.

I know the list is supposed to be items to "consider," but I think you undermine the concept of the Go Bad as something already prepared, and you move into the area of full preparation.

Nobody except the biggest, most experienced backpacker is going to think of carrying so much stuff. And if they have to go a long distance, or just bug out fast, all that weight will just slow everybody down.

Water sounds obvious, but it's quite heavy.

A small First Aid kit is good, but you can't keep a two week supply of prescription drugs just sitting around in a backpack in the closet. Even if the pharmacy would let you, they'd get out of date if not used.

And if this is an unforeseen emergency, how do you keep a map on hand of "where you want to go?" as well as "local" maps. If we're on foot, a local map is going to do the job anyway.

Your list is a good one for somebody stocking up the trunk of a car. In case of emergency, most people are going to prefer an SUV to their feet.

[duct cleaning]

What a great list you have provided us! Thanks so much for posting your useful blog!