What Goes in a Go-Bag?

A go-bag holds what one person needs to leave home quickly and get through about three days. Pack some water and a way to treat more, food that needs no cooking, a few days of daily medications, copies of key documents, a change of clothes, a light, first aid basics, cash, phone power, and a written list of contacts and meeting places. Every person should have their own bag.

What goes in every go-bag?

The core contents are the same for every adult. Start here, then adjust for each person.

• Water, plus a filter or purification tablets
• Food that doesn't need cooking, like bars, nut butter and dried fruit
• A flashlight or headlamp with spare batteries
• A basic first aid kit
• A change of clothes, sturdy shoes, socks and a rain layer
• Cash in small bills
• A phone charger and a charged battery bank
• Copies of ID and key documents in a waterproof bag
• A printed list of phone numbers, meeting places and your evacuation destination
• Hygiene basics, a whistle, a pen and a notepad

The printed list is the item people most often skip. Most of us don't know our family's phone numbers by heart anymore, and a dead phone takes the contact list with it.

How should go-bags differ by person?

A child's bag should be light enough for them to carry, with a few snacks, a water bottle, a change of clothes, a small comfort item, and a card with parent phone numbers and meeting places. Infants need diapers, wipes, formula or food, and bottles, which an adult carries. Older adults may need spare glasses, hearing aid batteries, a list of medical conditions, and anything that helps with mobility.

Pets need their own kit too. Pack food, water, a collapsible bowl, a leash, a carrier, waste bags, and a copy of vaccination records, since many boarding facilities and some shelters ask for them.

The adults in the house usually carry the heavier shared items, like the bulk of the water, the larger first aid kit and the family's document copies. Decide ahead of time who carries what so nothing gets packed twice and nothing gets left behind.

How much water and food should you pack?

The common guideline is a gallon of water per person per day, but a gallon weighs a little over eight pounds, so three days of water is more than most people can carry far on foot. A practical approach is to carry a liter or two per person, plus a filter or purification tablets so you can treat more as you go. Keep extra water in the car if you're likely to evacuate by vehicle.

For food, pick things that are calorie-dense, need no cooking, and that your family will actually eat. Check expiration dates when you inspect the bag. Food for a go-bag is different from the larger home supply, which we cover in the 3-day emergency inventory.

What about medications?

Anyone who takes a daily medication should have a few days' supply in their bag, or at least a plan to grab it on the way out. Talk with your doctor or pharmacist about the best way to keep a small extra supply on hand and how to store it, since some medications are sensitive to heat or need to be rotated before they expire.

Include a written list for each person with medication names, doses, allergies, medical conditions, and doctor and pharmacy phone numbers. If someone else ends up caring for a family member, that list is what they'll need.

What documents and communication gear should go in the bag?

Keep copies of IDs, insurance cards and policies, and any custody or medical authorization papers in a sealed waterproof bag. Originals are better kept in a secure spot at home or in a safe deposit box, and a copy of the full set should live with your emergency binder.

For communication, a charged battery bank and cable come first. Beyond that, think about what you'll use if cell service is down. A small battery-powered radio lets you hear news and weather. Two-way radios let family members reach each other without towers. A pair of Walkie Textie radios pair with your phones over Bluetooth and send text messages to each other with no cell service, internet or monthly plan, at about half a mile between two units on average depending on terrain and buildings.

How do you keep go-bags ready?

Inspect every bag at least twice a year. Swap out expired food, water and medications, charge the battery bank, test the flashlight, and update clothes for kids who have grown. Store the bags where you'd grab them on the way out, usually near the main exit or in the car, and make sure everyone knows where they are.

Writing down what's in each bag makes inspections faster. The go-bag packing list sheet in the Contingency Planner Complete Kit records the bag's capacity, weight and location, the date it was last inspected, and what's packed by category, including food, water, medical, tools, comms and power. If you want a list tailored to your household, our free ReadyPack go-bag list maker builds one for you.

Common questions

What's the difference between a go-bag and an emergency kit?

A go-bag is portable and built for leaving quickly. An emergency kit, or home supply, is what you use to shelter in place for several days, with more water, more food and bulkier gear. Most families need both.

How heavy should a go-bag be?

Heavy enough to hold the essentials and light enough that the person can carry it for a long walk. Pack it, wear it around the block, and take things out if it's too much. Children should carry only what they can manage comfortably.

Should I keep a go-bag in the car?

It's a good idea if you commute or drive often, since an emergency may start while you're away from home. A car bag can carry more water and heavier items, but check it more often, because heat inside a parked car degrades food, water bottles and batteries faster.

Should pets have their own go-bag?

Yes. Keep a pet bag with food, water, a bowl, a leash, a carrier, waste bags and vaccination records, and decide which family member is responsible for each animal.

For a packing list built around your household, start with the free ReadyPack go-bag list maker.