In 2020, wildfires in California caused billions of dollars in damage. More than a half-million residents either fled their homes or were prepared to do so.
Each year, hurricanes such as Katrina, Harvey, and Sandy threaten our safety and our belongings.
In 2023, a magnitude 7.8 earthquake hit Syria and Turkey resulting in the deaths of more than 15,000 people and injuries to tens of thousands of more.
What each of these situations highlight is that there is a need to be prepared, whether it is to shelter in place or to evacuate. One effective way to prepare for an emergency situation is to have a go bag.
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What is a Go Bag?
A go bag is a collection of essential items that a person or family should have on hand in an emergency situation. These bags provide the necessary supplies and tools needed to survive approximately 72 hours without access to food, water, first aid, and other resources.
Due to the fact that an emergency situation can happen at any moment, having a bag that one can pick up in a rush and go is the very essence of a go bag. Therefore, in order for a go bag to be effective, it must also be lightweight and conveniently placed.
How Effective is a Go Bag?
To answer this question, here is a snippet of one success story that shows the effectiveness of having a go bag:
When the magnitude 7.8 earthquake struck central Nepal on April 25, Sita Shrestha knew what to do. She found a place near an inner wall of her house to wait out the shaking with her five-month-old daughter and told her six-year-old son, who was on a different floor, to do the same. When the shaking stopped, Sita grabbed her ‘go bag’—a disaster preparedness kit—and took her children to a safe, open space in the court- yard. Using the tarpaulin from the go bag, she made an emergency shelter for her family. She also used disinfectant from the kit to treat her children’s wounds and passed out medicines to neighbors with head- aches and other minor ailments. Additional supplies from the bag, including chlorine to purify water, a head lamp, soap, and toothpaste, proved invaluable in the days following the earthquake, according to Sita, who made use of every item in her kit.
Needless to say, having a go bag proved invaluable to Sita, as she was not only able to help her family, but also able to assist those around her. In our case, having a go bag puts us in the best position to limit the impact a disaster or emergency has on us.
Survival Rule of Three
This graphic highlights the survival rule of 3:
According to the survival rule of 3, humans cannot survive three minutes without air, three hours without shelter in extreme conditions, three days without water, or three weeks without food.
The rule of three is not an exact science, but it provides a general guideline for how long a person can survive without essential elements in a survival situation. It’s important to note that the length of time a person can survive without these elements can vary greatly depending on various factors, such as climate, physical condition, and access to resources.
In a real-life survival situation, it’s crucial to prioritize the most essential needs first and take action to find or create shelter, water, and food as soon as possible. Having a go bag, as well as knowledge of survival skills and techniques, can greatly increase a person’s chances of survival in an emergency situation.
What are the Contents of a Go Bag?
The contents of a go bag vary depending on the individual’s needs and the type of emergency situation they might face. However, there are some items that are commonly included in most go bags. These items include things such as: food, water, shelter, first aid supplies, communication devices, and self-defense tools.
Food and water are the most important items to have in a go bag. Non-perishable food items, such as energy bars, jerky, and nuts, are great options. It’s also a good idea to include a water filtration system, such as a water purification straw, or water purification tablets.
Shelter is another important item to include in a go bag. This can be in the form of a tent, tarp, or bivy sack, depending on the individual’s preferences. A warm blanket and a sleeping bag are also important items to have in case the weather turns cold.
First aid supplies are also an essential part of a go bag. A basic first aid kit should include bandages, Aspirin, cold compress, gloves, hydrocortisone ointment, roller bandages, tweezers, gauze pads, antiseptic wipes, and cloth tape. A small, compact first aid manual is also a good idea in case the individual needs to reference it for treatment instructions.
Communication devices, such as a handheld radio, cell phone, or satellite phone, are important for staying in touch with others during an emergency situation. It’s also a good idea to include a whistle or flare in case the individual needs to signal for help.
Finally, self-defense tools, such as a knife or pepper spray, are important to have in case the individual encounters any dangerous situations.
In addition to these essentials, individuals should also consider including items such as extra clothing, a map and compass, a multi-tool, and a flashlight with extra batteries. It’s also a good idea to pack any personal items, such as prescription glasses or a favorite book, that will help provide comfort and morale during a stressful situation.
Make a Go Bag
In summary, a go bag is a collection of essential items that a person should have in the event of an emergency. The contents of a go bag can vary depending on the individual’s needs, but it should include food, water, shelter, first aid supplies, communication devices, and self-defense tools. Having a go bag ready and easily accessible can give a person peace of mind and the ability to survive and recover from an emergency situation.
With this in mind, it is important to make or buy a go bag now. On this site, we provide the materials to help you do just that. We have a Go Bag Checklist which highlights the essential items every go bag should have. We also have a step-by-step guide to make your own go bag. If you are interested in buying a go bag, we have a guide to buying a go bag.
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We designed this website to help everyone take the needed steps now to make a go bag. With a little bit of planning now, you can save precious moments later.
