In an emergency, every second counts. A go bag—pre-packed with essentials—can help you stay safe during disasters, evacuations, or power outages and give you peace of mind.

In this article, we’ll show you how to pack one and why Trustworthy is key to your disaster plan.

Key Takeaways 

• Choose a backpack or duffle bag that is not too heavy, durable, and waterproof.

• Your emergency bag should include items for basic survival, shelter and warmth, communications, hygiene, tools, and safety, as well as your financial information. 

• Avoid storing paperwork in your emergency bag. Keep it in a secure digital vault like Trustworthy. 

Choosing the Right Go Bag

It’s best to consider the kind of bag you will use because it needs mobility and efficiency during any type of emergency. When choosing your bag, take the time to consider the following factors: 

Size and Type of Bag

A backpack is the best type because it offers added mobility and comfort. However, if you’re looking for a larger bag, a duffel offers more space. Rolling bags are especially useful for heavy loads but lack the mobility of a backpack.

Avoid bags that are uncomfortable to carry. They’re impractical, especially if you don’t know how long or where you will need to take them.  

Weight Considerations for Portability

Consider the weight of the bag. It should be light enough to carry while holding all your essential supplies. A well-balanced bag promotes mobility, prevents fatigue, and doesn’t risk breaking at the worst moment. 

Durability and Waterproofing Features

Whether it’s a weather-related emergency or not, it's essential to choose a durable bag with waterproofing recommendations. 

With Trustworthy’s game-changing Family Operating System®, you don’t have to worry about important paperwork getting water-damaged. Upload, organize, and store your critical documents in Trustworthy’s secure and convenient digital vault. By storing your emergency documents with Trustworthy, you can access them instantly when you need them.

Essential Items for a Go Bag

Vance Barse, founder of a national advisory company, suggests:

“It's just worth it to spend a little time on the front end to avoid a lot of time and hassle on the back end of a disaster.” 

This means gathering all the essential items needed to survive for at least three days during and after an emergency. 

Basic Survival Needs

Knowing what you’ll need during an emergency can be daunting.  Stephanie Fox, the Red Cross's media relations lead, encourages packing emergency kits that “accommodate your unique needs as an individual or family rather than planning for a specific type of hazard or emergency.” 

This way, you and your family will be prepared for any emergency. 

Some essentials to pack include: 

• Water: Carry bottled water, portable filters, and water purification tablets for clean drinking water. If you run out of space in your bag, it is a good idea to carry collapsible bottles. It is recommended to pack one gallon per person per day. 

• Non-perishable food: Military-style ready-to-eat meals, dried fruit, nuts, and energy bars that are high in calories. While canned food is great, remember it can add weight to your bag that you would rather not want.

• First aid kit: Make sure your emergency first aid kit has items like pain relievers, antiseptics, bandages, and any necessary prescription medications. 

Shelter & Warmth

If you’ve had to evacuate your home, you need to be prepared for all kinds of elements with items like: 

• Emergency blankets: Pack a sleeping bag or emergency blanket that’s compact, lightweight, and has thermal properties to retain body heat.

• Extra clothing: Make sure to pack weather-appropriate clothing and shoes that are durable enough to withstand harsh conditions and long evacuations.

• Compact tent or tarp: You may need protection from harsh weather conditions. 

Communication & Navigation

Having the ability to communicate is crucial during an emergency if you need to call for help, check up on family members, or even file an insurance claim. Here’s what we recommend:

Battery-Powered or Hand-Cranked Radio

Internet, TV, and cell phone infrastructure can fail during emergencies or power outages, affecting your ability to make informed decisions. Carrying a battery-powered or hand-cranked radio can help you stay informed about emergency alerts, official warnings, and other hazard information. 

Extra Phone Charger or Solar Power Bank

It’s vital to have a way to communicate with others, especially if you need help. If you can't charge your devices anywhere, carry an extra phone charger or solar power bank. 

Remember to pack extra batteries for electronics like your flashlight, radios, and headlamp. 

Whistle and Signal Mirror

If you’re stranded and your electronic devices are not working, you’ll need a backup, such as a whistle and signal mirror, to call for help. 

Map and Compass

Always carry a physical map and compass in case your electronic navigational tools fail. Make sure to practice how to use a physical map and compass beforehand!  

Hygiene & Personal Care

Wet Wipes and Hand Sanitizer

Maintaining hygiene even when water is scarce is vital, so packing wet wipes, napkins, and hand sanitizer is recommended. 

Toothbrush, Toothpaste, and Other Hygiene Essentials

Basic hygiene is not only a way to boost morale but also a way to prevent infections and potential illnesses. 

Prescription Medications and Glasses

If you or someone in your family has a chronic condition, don’t forget to pack all of that medication and any glasses that are needed, plus spares. You should pack enough medication to last seven days.   

Tools & Safety

Be ready for any type of emergency by having some survival tools: 

• Multi-tool or Swiss Army knife

• Flashlight with extra batteries

• Duct tape and zip ties 

• Self-defense items

Finances 

In addition to an emergency kit, you should also pack a “financial go bag.” This is where you’ll need to keep originals of Social Security cards, birth certificates, and passports. Having cash can be especially helpful if ATMS and online banking are offline. Pack at least $100-$200 for the family in small bills. Keep original copies in waterproof folders and back up the digital copies. 

However, there is still a risk of document damage, so we recommend going digital. You can use Trustworthy to store all your critical finance documents like account numbers, insurance policies, brokerages, estate planning documents, and medical directives. The AI-powered Autopilot feature has tools like predefined categories, filename suggestions, and document insights for hassle-free organization. 

With Trustworthy, you don’t need to juggle multiple apps just to upload and scan your documents, thanks to the built-in scanner on the mobile app. The Chrome extension has a drag-and-drop functionality that allows you to upload email attachments and screenshots directly to your Trustworthy inbox instantly. 

Store your vital financial documents with Trustworthy’s bank-level security features like AES 256-bit encryption, multi-factor authentication, biometric authentication, physical security keys, advanced threat detection, and tokenization. Tokenization is an advanced security method that replaces your sensitive data with unique tokens to ensure your information is stored outside of your Trustworthy account for added security.   

Personalizing Your Go Bag

Your go bag is not a one-size-fits-all item. 

Tailor your go bag to your personal needs to make it more effective. This includes considering the specific needs of your family members, including your pets. Amber Batteiger, an animal disaster relief expert, reminds families not to forget about their pets. Batteiger advises:

 “A pet 'go bag' is essential for their safety and well-being.” 

This will include items like pet food, baby care supplies, and mobility aids for family members who use them.

Samina Taj, from the nonprofit Human Appeal, recommends packing small toys and books for young children to keep them entertained. 

Make sure to pack your go bag according to the climate of your area. For example, if the area is prone to extreme cold or heat, pack essentials to accommodate this. This can include packing sunscreen, hats, cold-weather gear, and rain ponchos. 

Storing and Maintaining Your Go Bag

Packing an emergency bag is not something you do once and then leave it. You need to maintain your bag regularly. 

Keep it in an Accessible Location  

Store your emergency kit somewhere that is easily accessible but still safe, and make sure that your family members know where to find it. Avoid storing your bag in hard-to-reach places like tall shelves or hidden in the back of cluttered closets. 

Some people like to keep emergency bags in their cars and workplaces. 

Check and Update Items Regularly 

Check your packed food every six months to avoid consuming expired items. You should also ensure your batteries are not expired or damaged and check that you packed the right seasonal clothes. 

Remember to update important documents and share changes with your family. On Trustworthy, you can securely share updates—like a new emergency contact list—with trusted collaborators using custom access controls. Use SecureLinks™ to share with others outside your network through expiring, view-only links. 

Run Periodic Emergency Drills to Ensure Preparedness

Practice using your go bag in simulated emergencies to ensure your family members know where to find it, get familiar with the contents, and can act quickly. You can schedule emergency drills and keep track of expiration dates by using Trustworthy’s automated reminders feature. 

Start Emergency Planning With Trustworthy 

Having an emergency bag can make a big difference in how you and your family react and survive during an emergency. It allows you to face the unexpected with confidence. 

Don’t wait until disaster strikes before taking action. Start planning for emergencies today with Trustworthy for free, and check out the free disaster planning guide to be prepared for whatever life throws your way.  

Frequently Asked Questions 

How do I determine the right weight for my go bag?

The weight of your emergency bag is very important. It needs to be able to hold all your essential supplies and be comfortable to carry. A good rule of thumb is to ensure that your bag does not exceed 20% of your body weight. 

What’s the best way to pack my go bag for easy access?

Always pack the heaviest items at the bottom of the bag and organize the contents into categories. It’s recommended to store frequently used items at the top of the bag and in the outer pockets. 

How do I prepare an emergency plan with my family?

Holding regular family emergency drills and establishing meeting points are good ways to prepare. Discuss and create a communication plan with all family members and check that everyone knows the plan.