Immediate danger? Call 911.
A go-bag helps you leave promptly and function after leaving. It must not slow your departure while you collect equipment, cook a meal or finish charging a device. Pack for your real destination, household and ability to carry the load. A stocked bag supports a plan; it does not guarantee three days of self-sufficiency.
Keep three distinct loads: a personal bag that goes with each person; shared vehicle supplies that add water, food and bulk; and home supplies for remaining safely at home when appropriate. You should still be able to leave if the vehicle is unavailable. Keep essentials within reach, rather than burying medicine beneath shared cooking gear. A child, older adult or person using a mobility aid needs an individually fitted load and a named helper, not a smaller copy of an overloaded adult pack.
Options from the EPC equipment list include a three-day operator pack, an internal-frame hiking pack and 5.11 RUSH packs. Choose for fit and function; a new pack is unnecessary if your existing bag works. The current 5.11 RUSH72 2.0 specification is 55 L and approximately 2.4 kg empty. Capacity and tactical appearance do not establish fit or comfortable loaded weight. A smaller pack you can carry may be better. [G1]
Load the actual water, clothing and supplies. Adjust the pack and walk a familiar safe route that includes any stairs you would use. Check whether you can put it on without assistance and keep a hand free for a child, pet or handrail. If this fails, reduce duplicated tools and optional gear, split household loads or plan help. Record the measured weight and the person who will carry it. Set your load around your fitness, expected heat, terrain and any medical limitations.
Place keys, phone, wallet, glasses, needed medication and the printed contact card at the top or in a secure quick-access pouch. Add a headlamp, whistle and practical work gloves. Use a waterproof notepad and pen: write at least two destinations, an out-of-area contact and the phone numbers you normally keep only on your phone. Include a paper local map and downloaded offline maps. Identify an alternative destination before the first becomes unavailable.
Put a short last-minute card on the bag: “People; pets; prescribed medicines; mobility/hearing aids; keys; phone; wallet; bags.” If there is immediate danger, leave without retrieving replaceable things. Do not re-enter for a bag.
Store at least one gallon per person per day for drinking and sanitation, with a three-day evacuation supply and more at home where feasible. Three gallons weighs roughly 25 pounds before its container; all this may not fit in the personal bag. Divide the supply between what the individual can carry and the vehicle or other transport, then identify reliable resupply. Add water for pets, heat and individual needs. [G2]
Use a water bottle or hydration bladder and clearly mark separate containers for clean and untreated water. A filter is backup equipment, not permission to drink floodwater, runoff or a random puddle. Choose a filter by the exact model’s tested contaminants and maintenance instructions; “LifeStraw,” “Grayl,” “Epic” and “purifier” are not interchangeable specifications. LifeStraw itself limits removal claims to the contaminants listed for the particular product. [G3]
The Survivor Filter PRO is one optional manual-pump choice in the EPC equipment list. The manufacturer reports removal of specified tested organisms and reduction of certain metals; this is not proof that any chemical-contaminated source is safe. Its carbon-stage replacement interval is up to 2,000 L, while other stages are stated up to 100,000 L. Each stage has its own replacement schedule. Follow the actual manual and replace/clean components as specified. [G4]
OFFLINE WATER RULE: Prefer a safe bottled supply. For germ-contaminated water, filter cloudy water through a clean cloth or allow sediment to settle, then bring clear water to a rolling boil for one minute; above 6,500 feet, boil three minutes. Cool and store covered in a clean container. Do not try to make water contaminated with fuel, toxic chemicals or radioactive materials drinkable by boiling, disinfecting or ordinary filtering; use another source. Follow public-health instructions. Purification tablets require the product’s exact dose, water volume and contact time. Read and pack those instructions before departure. [G5]
A consumer test strip does not prove potability. A sillcock key is a tool, not access permission or evidence that a supply is safe. Use authorized water sources. Do not heat a sealed, insulated, lined or otherwise unsuitable bottle; use cookware approved for direct heating.
Start with ready-to-eat food the household already tolerates, including allergy-appropriate choices. Pack utensils and a manual opener where the selected foods need them. Powdered peanut butter, honey sticks and freeze-dried meals are optional foods, not a universal diet. Budget water and preparation time as well as package weight.
The Mountain House three-day kit is one option in the EPC equipment list. The manufacturer currently describes nine pouches, 18 servings and approximately 1,706 calories per day for one person. “Three days” on the box is not an individualized calorie prescription; check serving sizes, allergens, sodium, required preparation water and the person’s needs. Supplement as necessary and keep some no-cook food. [G6]
The Stanley-style cookset, solid-fuel stove, matches and lighter belong in an optional outdoor-cooking module. A stove is not necessary to leave safely, and local fire restrictions may prevent use. Never use a solid-fuel camping stove in a home, garage, vehicle or tent. Esbit explicitly limits its stove to outdoor use on a level, solid, flameproof surface away from combustible material. Keep fuel separate from food, children and heat. Do not heat a room with it. [G7]
Pack a poncho, dry socks, warm layer, practical shoes, compact blanket, wipes, lip balm and small toiletry containers. Add weather-appropriate head protection and sunscreen. A reflective sheet is a wind/rain aid, not a guarantee of warmth or a replacement for suitable insulation. A hammock, straps and larger sleeping systems are optional destination-specific equipment; confirm safe, permitted setup before depending on them.
Paracord, repair tape, reusable zip ties and contractor bags are useful lightweight repair/weatherproofing items. Keep their purpose practical: repair equipment and contain waste. These are not climbing equipment, restraints, medical dressings or breathable sleeping enclosures. Keep bags away from children’s faces. Use utility carabiners only for their rated purpose, never as substitute rescue or climbing gear.
Pack a small soap bottle and follow the product label. Do not use soap as toothpaste or wash in a stream. Even biodegradable soap should be kept out of natural water; NPS recommends washing at least 200 feet from water sources. [G8]
For smoke particles, pack well-fitting NIOSH-approved respirators appropriate to the wearer and learn their use before an emergency. A particulate respirator does not remove gases or vapors and does not make a fire area safe. It is not a reason to delay evacuation. [G9]
Keep basic supplies accessible: disposable gloves, sterile dressings, adhesive bandages, medical tape, blister protection, tweezers, shears and a compact first-aid guide. Add personal prescribed medication and an accurate medication/allergy list, with the person’s clinician or pharmacist advising on reserve quantity, storage and any refrigeration or device-power requirements. Ordinary hygiene wipes are not automatically suitable wound-cleaning products. [G10]
Consider a separate bleeding-control module paired with hands-on training. Buy identifiable, genuine equipment from an authorized source, and preserve its instructions. Choose an identifiable tourniquet model recommended in your training, rather than an unknown product advertised only by its material. The ACS Stop the Bleed course teaches recognition, direct pressure, wound packing and appropriate tourniquet use. For severe bleeding, first ensure scene safety, call emergency services and follow dispatcher guidance. [G11]
Do not rely on tea tree oil or household superglue for emergency treatment. Pack laxatives or other medicines only when appropriate to the person and the product directions, with clinician or pharmacist advice when needed. Tea tree oil can cause skin irritation and is poisonous if swallowed. Household adhesive remains a repair item; it is not medical tissue adhesive. Keep epinephrine only as prescribed for its user. Advanced trauma procedures and equipment require appropriate training and clinical scope. [G12]
Pack a headlamp, separate backup light, charged power bank, car adapter and organized charging pouch. Test the entire chain: wall/car charger → cable → battery → device. Prefer the connectors and charging protocol actually used by the household. A multi-tip cable is convenient only if each needed function works; keep a separate tested cable so one broken retractable mechanism does not disable the whole kit.
USB-C describes a connector, not unlimited power or speed. Current USB-IF certified cable labeling distinguishes 60 W and 240 W power capability. A 100 W cable is not the fastest possible cable, and buying a high-wattage cable cannot increase a device’s charging limit. Expensive Thunderbolt data capability is not automatically needed for emergency charging. [G13]
Treat the tiny solar panel on a battery bank as supplemental. Do not depend on it for indefinite charging. A separate folding panel can help when stationary in suitable sun, but output changes with position, weather and other conditions. The Goal Zero Nomad 20 is one example from the EPC equipment list; its manufacturer explicitly cautions that charging times vary. A panel’s advertised wattage is not a guaranteed field output. Match voltage, connector and power-station input limits; add panels only within the system’s stated electrical limits. [G14]
Before packing batteries, check exact model and serial numbers against manufacturer/CPSC recalls; stop using a recalled or damaged unit. Brand reputation alone is insufficient: a 2025 CPSC recall covered over one million Anker power banks. Check your own unit’s identity and serial number; the brand name alone does not tell you whether it is affected. [G15]
The Garmin inReach Mini 2 is an optional satellite communicator from the EPC equipment list. Its messaging, SOS, tracking and weather features require an active satellite subscription. Activate, learn and test the device before relying on it; carry the instructions and keep a clear view of the sky when using it. [G16]
Some existing phones already offer satellite emergency contact. Apple supports Emergency SOS via satellite on compatible iPhone 14 and later models where the feature is available. Check the exact device, software and region and practice its demo beforehand. Do not assume ordinary voice calls, all messaging or every location are supported. Keep paper contacts even when using satellite technology. [G17]
Choose radios, Starlink or offline group communicators only as part of a workable household communications plan. Test range at the actual locations; document channels, check-in times and a fallback. Check the licensing requirements for your equipment before transmitting. Confirm any community radio arrangements with the responsible coordinator, and verify that your own satellite equipment and service are operational before relying on them.
Pack printed critical documents, family photographs, backup glasses and written contacts. Carry the smallest useful set of copies in a water-resistant pouch: identification, emergency contacts, insurance contact/policy information, essential medical information, meeting places and necessary pet records. Keep additional sensitive records in protected backup storage with an access method tested offline. Do not print passwords or account-recovery secrets on the outside of the bag. Keep a modest amount of cash in usable denominations and a spare key securely stored. Do not put the household’s identities, medicine lists or travel plans into publicly accessible QR links.
Name: __________ Packed date: __________ Review date: __________
Carrier/helper: __________ Loaded weight: __________ Bag location: __________
□ Keys, wallet/ID, cash and phone
□ Prescribed medicines, essential medical information and last-minute medicine reminder
□ Glasses/hearing aids and required charging/batteries; mobility aids identified
□ Safe drinking water carried: ____ ; shared transport water: ____ ; resupply plan: ____
□ Ready-to-eat food, allergies checked; opener/utensil if needed
□ Headlamp, backup light, whistle and tested batteries
□ Charged power bank, tested cable and appropriate wall/car adapter
□ Paper local map; offline map downloaded and tested
□ Printed contacts, two meeting destinations and out-of-area contact
□ Basic first aid, gloves and blister care; training-specific bleeding kit if selected
□ Poncho, warm layer, dry socks, sturdy shoes and compact weather protection
□ Suitable respirator, sunscreen, personal hygiene and sanitation supplies
□ Critical document copies and recent household/pet photographs protected
□ Small repair kit: tape, useful cord, safe tool and bags
□ Individual needs: infant, disability, dietary and pet supplies assigned
□ Optional modules packed only if appropriate: outdoor cooking, water treatment, radio/satellite
□ Carry test completed; every household member can find the essentials
□ Expirations, recalls, battery state and subscription/service tests checked
LAST-MINUTE: PEOPLE → PETS → MEDICINES/ASSISTIVE DEVICES → KEYS/PHONE/WALLET → BAGS. Leave immediately when danger or official instructions require it. Equipment can be replaced.
https://www.cdc.gov/water-emergency/about/
https://www.stopthebleed.org/about/faq/