A Go Bag is your “leave now” insurance policy. Packed and ready, it buys you time, safety, and clarity when everything else feels chaotic. Whether you’re facing wildfires, earthquakes, hurricanes, or grid failures, the right gear turns panic into a checklist.

What Is a Go Bag?

A Go Bag is a portable emergency kit designed to support you for at least 72 hours during evacuations, natural disasters, or unexpected crises such as:

• Earthquakes
• Wildfires and smoke events
• Hurricanes and severe storms
• Extended power or grid failures
• Chemical spills or civil disruptions

Your Go Bag should be light enough to carry, organized enough to access quickly, and complete enough to keep you functional in the real world—not just in a TV show.

1. Water & Purification

Water is your top priority. The guideline is 1 gallon per person per day, but carrying that much on your back isn’t realistic for most people. Your Go Bag should include:

• 1–2 liters of clean drinking water (minimum)
• Water purification tablets
• Compact filter (e.g., Sawyer Mini or LifeStraw)
• Collapsible water pouch or canteen

Why it matters: Dehydration and contaminated water can become life-threatening in hours, not days. Purification lets you safely use water you find along the way.

2. Food & Nutrition

Your body needs calories to make decisions, move, and stay warm. Skip gourmet and focus on surviving: choose items with long shelf life, high calories, and no cooking required.

• Emergency ration bars (2400–3600 calories total)
• High-calorie nut or protein bars
• Instant oatmeal packets
• Electrolyte drink mix packets
• Freeze-dried meals + flameless heater (optional but nice)

PrepKeeper Tip: Set a reminder to rotate food every 6–12 months so everything stays fresh and you actually like what you packed.

3. Shelter & Warmth

Hypothermia can set in at temperatures as “comfortable” as 50–60°F if you’re wet, tired, or exposed to wind. Staying warm is survival, not luxury.

• Mylar emergency blanket
• Compact tarp or durable rain poncho
• Lightweight sleeping sack or liner
• Fire-starting kit (lighter, waterproof matches, ferro rod)

4. First Aid & Medical

Your first-aid kit doesn’t need to be a full clinic, but it should handle the basics: cuts, burns, bleeding, pain, and allergies.

• Adhesive bandages in assorted sizes
• Gauze pads and medical tape
• Alcohol wipes or antiseptic wipes
• Antibiotic ointment
• Pain relievers (ibuprofen, acetaminophen)
• Allergy meds (e.g., antihistamines)
• Tweezers and small scissors
• Trauma dressing or compression bandage (recommended upgrade)

5. Light & Power

When the lights go out, even familiar places become dangerous. Reliable light and backup power help you move, navigate, and communicate.

• LED headlamp (hands-free is key)
• Backup batteries for your headlamp
• Compact power bank for your phone
• Small solar USB charger (optional but powerful)

6. Tools & Safety

This is the category that quietly fixes 100 little problems. Think multi-use, durable tools:

• Multi-tool with knife, pliers, screwdrivers
• Fixed-blade or sturdy folding knife
• Duct tape (flattened or wrapped around a card)
• Paracord (25–50 ft)
• Work or utility gloves
• Whistle for signaling
• N95 masks (for dust, smoke, or debris)

7. Documents & Money

In an evacuation, identity and paperwork can matter as much as gear. Make sure you can prove who you are and pay for what you need.

• Copies of ID, insurance, and key documents (sealed in a waterproof bag)
• Emergency contact list (printed, not just in your phone)
• Small bills in cash ($20–$60)
• USB flash drive with encrypted digital backups

8. Personal Hygiene

Hygiene isn’t vanity; it prevents infection and keeps morale from crashing when everything else feels rough.

• Toothbrush + travel-size toothpaste
• Body wipes or baby wipes
• Hand sanitizer
• Small quick-dry towel
• Essential prescription medications (3–7 day supply if possible)

9. Clothing

Pack clothing like you’re going on a rough weekend trip where weather might turn: durable, layerable, easy to dry.

• Moisture-wicking base layer (top and bottom)
• Warm mid-layer (fleece, hoodie, or light insulated jacket)
• 2–3 pairs of socks (wool or synthetic)
• 2–3 pairs of underwear
• Hat and lightweight gloves

How Heavy Should Your Go Bag Be?

A good rule of thumb: your packed Go Bag should weigh no more than 20–30 pounds for most adults. If you can’t walk around the block with it without wanting to ditch it, it’s too heavy.

Store your Go Bag:

• Near the main exit of your home
• Off the floor but easy to grab
• In your trunk when you travel through high-risk areas

Why PrepKeeper’s Approach Works

Most prepping guides overwhelm you with hundreds of items and a sense that you’ll never be “ready.” At PrepKeeper, we focus on:

• Functional essentials that solve real problems
• Gear that’s lightweight and durable
• Items that are easy for anyone to use
• A mindset of calm, realistic preparedness—not fear

Preparedness should feel empowering, not exhausting. Your Go Bag is the first, practical step.

Get the PrepKeeper Go-Bag PDF Checklist

Want this entire list in a clean, printable format with checkboxes? Turn it into a fridge-friendly checklist or a lead magnet for your store:

• One-page PDF with all categories and items
• Simple checkboxes for building or auditing your bag
• Perfect for families, roommates, or team kits

Use it to build your first bag—or to finally upgrade the one that’s been half-packed in the closet.