Welcome back to The Self Sufficient Citizen where I talk about homemaking, homesteading and self-reliance. Today I want to talk about what a Go Bag is, what to fill it with and why you need one. These bags go by many names depending on wo you’re talking with. Some of those names include; emergency kit, survival kit, bug-out bags, 72-hour kit, and BOB. In short a Go Bag is a bag that you have easily accessible in your home that is filled with supplies if you need to leave your home quickly.
Why Should I have one?
There are many reasons you would need to leave your home other than zombies haha. But all jokes aside, common reasons why people make go bags are for large disasters that have and will continue to happen (fire, flood, tornadoes, power failures, hurricanes, etc.) Having a bag filled with supplies that will keep yourself and loved ones warm, fed and sheltered is invaluable if something happens.
Who Should have a go bag?
Who should have a go bag? Every household should have a go bag. I have mine split up a little different then some people have theirs. The most common way to pack them is for one for every human person in your home with supplies. For me the repetitiveness of items seems a little unnecessary because why would you need four radios in four bags?
Instead, I packed my “in civilization/disaster shelter/relatives’ home” and “I am on my own until or if help arrives.” The first one is pretty self-explanatory and actually is closely packed to how the red cross tells you to pack. I have it packed like we would be staying at a hotel without power and water for a few days. My other bag fills in the gaps of the first bag with all the stuff that I use backpacking.
Another thing I find it super important to mention is your pets need a go bag. Your pets I assume are one of your family. I’m also assuming you’re going to bring them along if something bad happens and your family is leaving. So, take into consideration what they need in their day to day lives. Pack about 7 days’ worth of food. They should have their own water and dishes (I recommend collapsible). Also, pack toys, temporary cages, leashes and collars. (Have the collars with tags identifying how to reach you if separated). If you want to bring your pets, think ahead because your food should not also be split with your pets to keep you all alive for a shorter time.
Doesn’t having a go bag make me crazy or paranoid?
You are not crazy about being prepared! It is natural for us to want to care for the ones we love and that includes caring for them if we have to leave our home. Regardless of if you identify as a self-sufficient person, prepper, Jen from down the street… you should have a plan and supplies for the “what if’s”. There is nothing crazy about preparing for your area’s natural disasters. We all know they happen so why not be prepared for them. If I have not convinced you yet the American Red Cross actually recommends having an emergency kit as well. You can find that information here and have some great resources on their website about disaster planning as well. Having both a disaster plan and go bag will put you in a far better situation then without either.
Packing for the individual.
Okay so I hope that I have explained to you enough what a go bag is and why you should have one. Keep in mind each individual you are packing for. Does someone need medications? I personally have an inhaler due to an animal allergy. If you or someone in your home needs an epipen you should have an extra one packed! This goes further than just medication too. When considering clothing, pack clothes that match as an outfit and that fit! Kids grow fast and can grow out of clothing quicker than expected. Check for fit with anyone who is changing height or weight twice a year on stored clothing.
Another thing to consider is if there are any women that will be using the bag as well. While it doesn’t matter what your deodorant smells like there are few things that can comfortably replace female menstrual products. A hairbrush might also be one of those things that can be left out but not if one of the persons using the bag has long hair and a requirement for it!
Why my go bag list is longer than The Red Crosses.
Above I did link the American Red Cross’s post about what they recommend goes into an emergency bag. While I do think that this is a great start, I also think their bag is lacking in some essentials. I have been hiking for three years now and have been on backpacking/camping trips where what you had was what you could carry. You are on your own and it is up to you to survive. The bag the American Red Cross has you pack I think has the assumption that you are in a disaster shelter or are going to be rescued within a few days.
While that is the ideal in any situation that other people come in and help us, we should not rely on it. Depending on if the disaster is large scale, localized and the disaster itself it might take longer for help to arrive. That is why I have packed my bags like help will never come. I will keep my family safe, fed and alive always regardless of the situation I am in. I really recommend picking up skills like hiking, camping, and backpacking because it allows you to learn and use new skills. Also, it will allow you to curate what you actually need in a survival kit for yourself.
So, without further ado, here is your list of supplies you should pack in your Go Bag.
Clothing
- Shirt
- Long sleeve shirt
- Jeans or pants that go to your ankles.
- 2 underwear
- 2 socks
- 2 hankies (optional but useful)
- Belt (optional but useful)
- Gloves
- Hat
Personal care
- Feminine sanitary pads/cup/tampons (if applicable)
- Female urine cup (if applicable)
- Wet wipes
- Deodorant
- Soap
- Phone charger
- Toilet paper
- Shavers (optional)
- Toothbrush and paste
- Hairbrush and ties
- Hand sanitizer
- Ponchos
- Sunscreen
- Bug spray
- Solar charger
- Medications (7 days worth)
- Copy of personal documents
- Map of area and state
- Extra Cash (small bills)
- Emergency blanket
- Family/ Emergency contact information
- Radio (solar or battery powered)
Food, heat and water shelter
- 72 hour kit
- Water packs/water for 3 days
- Water flavoring
- Water filter (I recommend this one we used it on a 30-mile hike)
- Can opener (Here is a mini one)
- Spoons
- Fire kit (tinder, matches, lighter, and ferro rod)
- Tin foil
- Magic towel
- Hiking stove
- Cookware set
- Camel bladder
- Sleeping bag
- Bivvy or tent
- Tarp
- Rope
Hunt kit
- Bobber, lure, hook, line, twine, snare wire, razor blade, and compass.
- Knife
- Paper/pencil
- Flashlights/Lamps
- Duct tape
- 10-hour candle
- Pepper spray
- Extra batteries
- Work gloves
- Plastic bags
Medical Kit
- Red Cross medical kit
- N95
