Go Bag
Introduction
A Go Bag or Go Kit (sometimes known in the USA as 'Bug Out Bag') is a single bag or backpack that contains essential items when you need to suddenly leave your location. Because geographical and even political environments differ so much, there is no single go-bag solution to fit all applications. There are however items necessary to every Go Bag, regardless of context.
Building up a Go Bag is rarely a project done in a rush, not only because it's rare that all the items needed are already at hand. Rather, thought, planning and perhaps even budgeting is required. Following a 'recipe' online or buying a pre-made Go Bag kit is not advised, as you may find that it does not meet the needs of you and those you care about when you need it to. Further, almost every Go Bag outline popularised is for a single individual, rather than groups, rarely accounting for those with special needs, like the differently abled, children and elderly. For this reason, sometimes a 'Go Bag' comprises more than one bag, carrying items to support the needs of a group, and where heavier bags are carried by those physically stronger in that group.
Planning your Go Bag(s)
Take time to sit down with those in your community and make lists of needs. Invoke the thought experiment of suddenly having to leave in a hurry, thinking about daily routines and dependencies and imagining trying to meet those needs with no guarantee of shelter, shops, electricity, mobile telephony and the Internet, even a toilet. Make the imagined duration at least 3 full days. You will likely find that the list of dependencies is longer than you think.
Here is a generic example of essential needs and supplies for a single individual for 3 days of instability:
| Needs | Item | Critical | Expires |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hydration | 3L of drinking water, water filter | Y | Y |
| Food | Dehydrated or dry food or canned food | Y | Y |
| Food preparation tools | Camping stove, pot, plate or bowl | N | N |
| Fuel | Gas or fuel blocks, foraged wood | N | Y |
| Shelter | Tent or improvised tarpaulin | Y | N |
| Bedding | Sleeping bag or blanket | Y | N |
| Light | Torch and batteries, mobile phone, headlamp | Y | Y |
| Medical needs | Medicines | Y | Y |
| Toilet needs and hygiene | Toilet paper or wipes, hand sanitiser and/or soap, sanitary pads | Y | Y |
| Clothing | Clothing, raincoat, 2 changes of underwear | Y | Y |
| Emergency information | Radio and batteries, mobile phone (if network) | Y | Y |
| Emergency signal | Whistle, mirror, torch, Personal Locator Beacon | N | N |
| Emergency communication | Mobile phone (if network), walkie talkie charged batteries | Y | Y |
| Identification | Passport and/or driver's license, medical documents | Y | Y |
| Money | Cash | N | Y |