Go bag

Written By Nancy Hepp

A well stocked go bag will carry you through three days away from home.

Your “go bags” are kept packed and ready at hand for a quick three-day evacuation out of the region. Since they are likely stored at your home, your go bags are part of your home supplies. You do NOT need to duplicate gear purchases for both your home and your bag, but keep in mind the wisdom of redundancy when considering key items that could make life difficult if they were lost or broken without an available replacement (such as a can opener).

If you work off island or otherwise leave the island frequently, you might consider having a “stay away” bag stored in your car with supplies similar to your go bag. If a disaster happens on the island, leaving you unable to return, where will you go? What will you need to have with you by way of personal supplies, documents, weather protection, food, and so on? The contents may be very similar to your go bag but in this case you will have them in your car any time you leave the island. 

General guidelines

Each member of your household, including pets, should have a go bag. 

Do NOT assume that you will have a working automobile or passable roads. You should be able to carry your go bag. 

Balance loads for weight and content across all bags. For example, don’t place 100% of the food in a single go bag.

Consider including highly visible reminder notes for items kept elsewhere, such as important documents, extra keys, sleeping bags, your phone charging cord, and such. You want to be able to locate and grab them quickly when faced with a level 3 evacuation order. 

After you have assembled your go bag, make a list of what’s in each bag, or take a picture or each bag and its contents. Remember that your go bag contents are the same items in your home supply checklist. Store your go bags at your best point of exit: in a closet by the front door or near your vehicle.

Add to the lists below items specific to you and your loved ones, such as medicines and assistive devices (such as oxygen). 

Essentials to consider 

Water 

• An amount you can carry in collapsible water bottles or hydration bladder 

• Water purification methods, such as purification tablets or a small hand pump 

• Portable water filter (LifeStraw, Sawyer Mini, or similar)

Food

  • 3-day supply of non-perishable, nutrient-dense, ready to eat food

  • Energy/protein bars 

  • Nut butter pouches 

  • Dried fruit, nuts, jerky 

  • Instant soups or freeze-dried meals 

  • Be sure it any food you pack is something you will want to eat

Cash and extras 

  • Small bills and coins (ATM’s and store computers may be down)

  • Spare keys (house, car, storage) 

  • Photos of family members and pets (for identification if separated)

  • Comfort items: book, playing cards, small puzzle, and such, especially if you’ll have small children with you 

Tools 

  • Manual can opener if you pack canned food

  • Lightweight mess kit or utensils 

  • Multi-tool or Swiss Army knife 

  • Lighter or waterproof matches 

Navigation and communication 

  • Battery-powered or crank NOAA weather radio 

  • Cell phone with chargers and/or solar charger 

  • Signal whistle 

  • Laminated local maps with marked evacuation routes 

  • Compass 

  • Printed emergency contact lists (neighbors, family, county emergency numbers

  • Notepad and pencil 

  • Waterproof pouch for important documents or a USB (thumb) drive 

  • ID 

  • Insurance 

  • Home photos for claims 

  • Medical information 

Lighting and power 

  • Headlamp (hands-free) 

  • Small LED flashlight (water resistant) 

  • Glow sticks 

  • Extra batteries stored outside of flashlights 

Hygiene and sanitation 

  • Wet wipes & hand sanitizer 

  • Toilet paper in waterproof pouch 

  • 2 trash bags, 5 large zippered bags and plastic ties (for human waste)

First aid and health

  • Small first aid kit supplemented with these items:

    • Quick Clot or Celox wound treatment 

    • Trauma pads 

    • Athletic tape 

    • Betadine 

    • Disposable gloves 

    • Tweezers and small scissors 

    • Blister care (Moleskin or blister pads) 

    • Medications, minimum 7-day supply

    • Pain relievers, antihistamine, electrolyte tablets 

  • P100 mask in case of wildfires 

  • N95 mask for smoke, dust, mold and contagion

  • Glasses, contact lenses with solution 

  • Hearing aids with backup batteries 

  • Personal hygiene and comfort items (menstrual products, lip balm) 

Clothing 

  • Work gloves 

  • Sturdy shoes 

  • Complete change of sturdy clothing including long sleeve shirt, long pants

  • 2 pairs of socks 

Eye protection 

  • Sunglasses

  • Safety goggles 

Weather protection

Adjust according to the time of year 

  • Rain jacket or poncho 

  • Cold weather jacket, gloves, hat, scarf, wool socks 

  • Sun hat, sunscreen, bug spray 

  • Waterproof insulated shoes or boots 

Pet gear 

  • Sturdy leash, harness, collar with ID tags 

  • Collapsible water bowl 

  • Minimum 3-day supply normal food and medications 

Possible extras

Consider these if travel by auto is available. 

  • Backpacking stove with fuel canisters 

  • Sleeping bag or 2 Mylar blankets and duct tape to make an emergency bag

  • Tarp with 100 feet of paracord to secure it overhead for a tent 

  • 2nd tarp to spread on the ground 

  • Two-way radio (store batteries outside the unit) 

  • Folding shovel 

  • Saw 

  • Crates for your animals to feel secure and safe amid the chaos

Nancy Hepp
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