Emergency preparedness starts with a well-packed go bag designed for power outages and evacuations; you should include a three-day supply of water and nonperishable food, a reliable flashlight and extra batteries, a battery-powered or hand-crank radio, power banks, imperative medications and copies of documents, cash, basic first-aid supplies, clothing layers, and any pet or specialty items, and you should rotate perishables and check batteries periodically to keep your kit ready.
Understanding the Importance of a Go Bag
Your go bag bridges the minutes-to-days gap when power fails or you must evacuate: FEMA recommends a 72-hour supply, while you should plan for up to 7 days if you have medical needs. Pre-packing imperatives-water, meds, light, copies of IDs, and a phone charger-lets you leave within minutes, reduces decision-making under stress, and keeps you functional if roads or services are disrupted.
What is a Go Bag?
A go bag is a compact, grab-and-go kit containing immediate survival items tailored to you: water (1 liter/day), nonperishable food, flashlight and spare batteries, multi-tool, first-aid basics, copies of IDs and insurance, phone charger, and prescription meds. You should customize contents for family size, pets, mobility limits, and local climate so it supports at least 72 hours of self-sufficiency.
When to Use a Go Bag
Use your go bag during mandatory evacuations, extended power outages, or any event that disrupts access to supplies and communications-flash floods, wildfires, chemical incidents, or sudden shelter orders. You should also deploy it for short-notice scenarios like overnight utility failures, rapid road closures, or when you may need to leave on foot or public transit with little warning.
Practical triggers include official evacuation orders, outages lasting more than 24 hours, or when shelters open; in many fast-moving wildfires and floods people reported 20-60 minutes to evacuate, so having meds, copies of IDs, cash ($100-200), and pet supplies in your bag saves time. You should inspect and refresh perishables every 6-12 months and position bags near exits during high-risk seasons.
Essential Items to Include
Water and Food Supplies
Pack at least 1 gallon of water per person per day for a minimum 72 hours, and consider a two-week supply for widespread outages. Choose shelf-stable, high-calorie foods: canned proteins, peanut butter, energy bars, MREs, and dehydrated meals, plus a manual can opener. Include electrolyte packets, baby formula and pet food as needed. Rotate supplies every six months, label opened items, and add a collapsible water bladder and purification tablets or a Sawyer Mini filter for resupply.
First Aid Kit Essentials
Include adhesive bandages (assorted, ~20), sterile gauze pads (4×4, 8), roller gauze, medical tape, antiseptic wipes (20), antibiotic ointment, tweezers, small scissors, elastic bandage, instant cold packs (2), disposable gloves (4 pairs), CPR mask, digital thermometer, pain relievers, antihistamine, and oral rehydration salts. Add a SAM splint, safety pins, and a waterproof pouch for documents and copies of prescriptions; replace expired items annually.
Keep at least a 7-day supply of prescription medications in your kit with written dosing instructions, pharmacy contact, and copies of prescriptions. For specific needs, include an EpiPen if prescribed, a glucometer with test strips for diabetes, and child-appropriate dosing tools. Store meds in a waterproof, temperature-stable pouch, check expirations every six months, and take a basic first aid/CPR course so you can use supplies confidently during evacuation or prolonged outages.
Clothing and Personal Items
Clothing Recommendations
Pack 2-3 complete outfits per person, including 3 pairs of socks and underwear, a moisture-wicking base layer (merino or synthetic), an insulating mid-layer, and a lightweight waterproof shell. Add sturdy closed-toe shoes or boots, a compact hat, gloves, and a rain poncho; include one set of sleepwear and a quick-dry towel. Use packing cubes or compression sacks to save space, and aim for materials that dry within a day to reduce illness risk during prolonged outages or evacuations.
Important Personal Documents
Store originals and copies of IDs, passports, birth certificates, Social Security cards, insurance policies, property deeds, wills, power of attorney, vaccination records, medication lists, and emergency contacts in a sealed waterproof pouch. Keep one set of originals if portable; otherwise carry certified copies. Also include bank account numbers, credit card contacts, and a current photo of family members. Place the pouch in an easily reachable section of your bag.
Scan documents at 300 dpi to searchable PDFs, encrypt files with AES-256 (VeraCrypt or BitLocker), and store duplicates in two separate locations: a cloud service with two-factor authentication (e.g., Google Drive, Dropbox) and an encrypted USB kept in your bag. Update digital and physical copies every 6-12 months and after major life changes. Share access securely with a trusted contact to aid recovery if you’re separated during evacuation.
Tools and Equipment
Stock tools and equipment to handle immediate repairs and power needs; you should pack a 50 ft paracord, 2-inch duct tape roll, adjustable wrench or gas shutoff key, manual can opener, folding shovel, and compact pry bar in a waterproof case. Include spare batteries (AA, AAA, CR123A, 18650), a 10,000-20,000 mAh power bank for phones, and a 300-500 W inverter if you plan to run small appliances during outages.
Multi-tools and Flashlights
Bring a quality multi-tool with pliers, wire cutters, screwdriver bits, and a locking blade so you can tackle wiring, shelter repair, or food prep; examples include 8-15 function tools from trusted makers. For lighting, choose a 200+ lumen handheld for general use and a 1,000+ lumen model for search tasks, plus a 300-lumen headlamp for hands-free work, using 18650 rechargeables with AA backups and IPX7 or better water resistance.
Communication Devices
Prioritize a NOAA weather radio (162.4-162.55 MHz) with SAME alerts and a hand-crank/solar backup so you receive local warnings without power; add FRS/GMRS two-way radios for neighborhood coordination and a 20,000 mAh phone power bank to keep phones alive during evacuations. If you evacuate through remote areas, include a satellite messenger like the Garmin inReach for two-way texting off-grid.
Choose radios that accept multiple power sources (AC, solar, battery) and program family channels in advance; FRS typically reaches 0.5-2 miles in urban terrain while GMRS can exceed 10-20 miles in open country but requires an FCC license for use. Ensure your NOAA radio supports SAME so county-specific alerts reach you, and store printed frequency lists and emergency contacts in a waterproof sleeve.
Customizing Your Go Bag
Fine‑tune your bag by matching capacity to scenarios: keep a 72‑hour baseline per person, then add 7-14 days of prescription meds and spare glasses if you expect longer displacement. Store critical documents-insurance, IDs, deeds-in a waterproof pouch and carry digital backups on an encrypted USB or cloud link. Swap bulk items for compact alternatives (water purification tablets, high‑calorie bars) to save weight without sacrificing function.
Tailoring for Family Needs
If you pack for a family, prioritize age‑specific supplies: infants may need 8-12 diapers/day and formula measured for 3-7 days, kids want one comfort toy and extra clothing, elders need 7-14 days of prescriptions and mobility aids. Include copies of immunization records, pediatric dosing info, spare eyeglasses, and a small activity kit (crayons, cards) to reduce stress during long waits.
Adjusting for Pets
Treat pets like family members by including their imperatives: pack a minimum of 3 days’ food and water, a sturdy leash or carrier, recent vaccination records, a photo of your pet, and at least 7 days of any medications. Add collapsible bowls, waste bags, and a familiar blanket to lower anxiety in shelters or hotels that accept animals.
For larger or medically needy pets, scale supplies and add a pet first‑aid kit: if your dog eats 2 cups/day, pack ~14 cups (about 7 lb) for a week; include a digital thermometer (normal dog temp 101-102.5°F), bandages, tweezers, and a written medication schedule with dosing. Keep a microchip number and printed vet contact, plus booties or towels for muddy conditions and a calming pheromone spray if your pet responds well to it.
Maintenance and Updates
Schedule routine inspections every six months and after storms, quakes, or evacuations; during each check verify expiration dates, battery charge levels, and the condition of clothing and footwear. Rotate food annually and replace sealed water every 6-12 months, while testing electronics like flashlights and radios monthly. Keep a dated inventory sheet inside the pack listing last inspection and next review date so you can track changes and prioritize replenishment efficiently.
Regularly Checking Your Go Bag
Every six months you should inspect consumables and gear: check water bottles for cloudiness and caps for leaks, scan food and medication expiration dates, replace batteries older than 12 months, and test lights and radios. Weigh the bag to confirm mobility, run zippers and straps, and try on clothing for fit. After any evacuation or kit use, replenish immediately and mark the restock date on your inventory sheet.
Updating Contents
When family size, health needs, or local risks change, update your kit: add infant formula and a car seat strap for babies, extra insulin and copies of prescriptions for diabetics, or N95 masks and a dust-rated respiratory filter if wildfire risk rises. Swap seasonal clothing-insulation for winter, lighter layers for summer-and keep at least $200 in small bills and two backup phone chargers.
Use a dated inventory checklist inside and a synced calendar reminder so you replace items on schedule: rotate canned foods every 12 months, refresh sealed water every 6-12 months, and swap batteries annually or sooner if capacity falls below 80%. Coordinate medication refills to maintain a 30-day emergency supply beyond normal prescriptions, and keep digital copies of IDs and policies in encrypted cloud storage plus a printed set in a waterproof pouch.
Summing up
With this in mind, you should prioritize compact, multi-use items, regular checks of supplies and batteries, and clear documentation of imperatives like medications and contacts. Pack for both short outages and longer evacuations, tailor contents to family needs, and practice grabbing the bag so you can act quickly and confidently when power or safety is threatened.
