The Ultimate Go Bag Checklist
All the basics you need in one spot.
One of the most important things you can do is prepare an emergency go bag. With the unpredictable nature of our lives, disaster preparedness is a must. No one wants to think that they will have to experience a disaster or an emergency. It is our sincere hope that you never will. However, with just a little preparation, we can save a lot of heartache later. It is with that desire in mind that we designed this website and this comprehensive go bag checklist. The items on this list as well as the recommendations will ensure that you can prepare your very own go bag.
Please note that this post contains affiliate links. If you use these links to buy something we may earn a commission. Thanks.
The Checklist
While go bag checklists may vary from place to place, below is the minimum items that should be a part of every go bag.
- 72 hour supply of food and water
- Blankets and complete change of warm clothes
- Flashlight, radio (battery or windup), and spare batteries
- First-aid kit and a whistle to signal for help
- Survival tools such as a pocket knife
- Dust masks, waterproof tape, and tents
- Child-care supplies and special-needs items for seniors or the disabled
- A waterproof folder or container with needed medication, copies of prescriptions, and other important documents
- List of emergency contacts and meeting places and a local map
- Credit cards and cash
- Extra set of house keys and car keys
- Paper, pens, and activities for children
Our Recommendations
 | Food | Buy on Amazon |
 | Food | Buy on Amazon |
 | Water | Buy on Amazon |
 | Water Purification Straw | Buy on Amazon |
 | Water Purification Tablets | Buy on Amazon |
 | Tent | Buy on Amazon |
 | Bivy Sack | Buy on Amazon |
 | Blankets | Buy on Amazon |
 | Ponchos | Buy on Amazon |
 | First Aid Kit | Buy on Amazon |
 | Emergency Radio | Buy on Amazon |
 | Pocket Knife Multitool | Buy on Amazon |
 | Glow Light Sticks | Buy on Amazon |
 | Masks | Buy on Amazon |
 | Whistle | Buy on Amazon |
 | Flashlight | Buy on Amazon |
 | Tape | Buy on Amazon |
 | Rope | Buy on Amazon |
 | Portable Lighting | Buy on Amazon |
 | Flash Drive | Buy on Amazon |
 | Backpack | Buy on Amazon |
 | Waterproof Folder | Buy on Amazon |
 | Battery Pack | Buy on Amazon |
At this point, let’s look closer at some of our recommendations.
Food and Water
According to the survival rule of 3:
- You can survive three minutes without breathable air
- You can survive three hours in a harsh environment
- You can survive three days without drinkable water.
- You can survive three weeks without food.
With this mind, ensuring that we have food and water is essential. Here are our recommendations for food and water for your go bag:
Food
In Stock
Datrax 3600 Emergency Food Bar – 3 Day/72 Hour Bar
- Package of 18 survival bars with 200 Calories per bar, 3600 Calories per pack
- Tabletized and sub packaged for ease of rationing and storage in your survival and disaster kit
- NON GMO and NO NUTS – all natural ingredients with no preservatives and superior coconut flavor
- USCG approved; small and lightweight with a 5 year shelf life
- High energy value; ready to eat; non thirst provoking
Food
In Stock
4Patriots 1-Week Emergency Food Supply
- 42 DELICIOUS SERVINGS: Includes family-favorite recipes like Grammy’s Sweet Oatmeal, Fireside Stew and America’s Finest Mac & Cheese. That’s about 6 servings a day for breakfast, lunch and dinner! Each 1-Week Kit has an average of 9,240 total calories (approx. 1,320 calories per day – you may want or need more+) for energy and nutrients to survive an emergency situation.
- TASTE GREAT, NUTRITIOUS & EASY TO PREPARE: Simply add boiling water, simmer and serve. It takes about 15 minutes from start to finish. And with meals like Creamy Rice & Vegetable Dinner, Star Spangled Tropical Energy Drink & Grammy’s Sweet Oatmeal, you’ll have a variety of things to try.
Emergency Water
In Stock
Datrax Emergency Water Packet – 3 Day/72 Hour Supply
- Emergency purified water for immediate use; lightweight and extremely compact
- Loss potential minimized due to individual sachets and ideal for storage
- Easy to dispense from a pre-measured sachet; superior packaging materials for optimum durability in your survival kit
- Such, Canadian Coast guard, EC and NZ approval (nan 8960 0112 4454 3)
- 5 years shelf life
Water Filter
In Stock
LifeStraw Personal Water Filter
- Removes bacteria & parasites: The microfiltration membrane removes 99.999999% of waterborne bacteria (including E. coli and salmonella), and 99.999% of waterborne parasites (including giardia and cryptosporidium)
- Removes microplastics: Removes the smallest microplastics found in the environment (down to 1 micron), and reduces turbidity down to 0.2 microns
Water Purification
In Stock
Potable Aqua Germicidal Water Purification Tablets
- Two bottles of 50 count Potable Aqua Water Purification Tablets
- Water treatment tablets, providing water purification for camping, hiking, traveling and emergency water preparedness situations
- Potable Aqua emergency water purification tablets for drinking water are effective against Giardia lamblia when used as directed
- Water purification tablets make questionable water bacteriologically suitable to drink, even in emergency water purification situations.
First Aid and Shelter
While food and water are the most important things for a go bag, first aid and shelter are a close second. Here are our recommendations for first aid and shelter for your go bag. Click here to read our guide to first aid kits.
First Aid Kit
In Stock
298 Piece All-Purpose First Aid Kit
- Kit Includes: Adhesive fabric and plastic bandages, antibiotic ointments, BZK antiseptic towelettes, burn cream packets, aspirin, ibuprofen, gauze roll and pads, wound closures, cold pack, and other multi-use items for any potential emergency
- Convenient Packaging: Fabric case with clear plastic pockets for organization and easy access to first aid supplies in an emergency
- Compact and Spacious: Two separate layers with individual compartments make retrieval easy and quick. Soft sided, zippered case great for travel and on the go use
Thermal Blankets
In Stock
Emergency Mylar Thermal Blankets
- Each survival blanket is individually folded, wrapped, and sealed for easy storage and retrieval. They are reusable, waterproof and windproof and can also be used for both ground cover and shade. Durable and advanced aluminized dual-sided Mylar blankets are perfect for conserving body heat in emergency survival situations.
- EMERGENCY USE – Perfect for emergency situations where warmth or protection from all-weather conditions is required. Helps prevent hypothermia and shock by retaining/reflecting up to 90% of a user’s body heat. our blankets can help block rain, snow, and moisture to keep you dry in damp, wet, cold, rainy environments
Rain Ponchos
In Stock
Disposable Rain Poncho 6 Pack
- THICKER THAN OTHERS – Made of 0.03MM PE plastic, these travel rain ponchos are thick enough to be reused when needed.
- Disposable rain poncho adult will comfortably fit even over your backpack.
- The long-open sleeves design allows air to circulate through the emergency rain poncho creating an all-natural cooling system.
- Light and compact
- 100% waterproof
Emergency Tent
In Stock
2 Person Mylar Emergency Shelter Tube Tent
- Versatile – The Go Time Gear Life Bivy Sack is a must-have in any survival bag. Each one functions as an emergency sleeping bag, a makeshift blanket, or as part of a survival shelter when camping.
- Ultra Durable – This reusable bivy bag isn’t just wind and waterproof. It’s also made from tear and puncture-resistant PET 26um mylar, with an interior that reflects 90% of your body heat.
- Escape The Elements – Need emergency shelter? Our survival bivy gives you cover in the rain, wind, and snow. Add extra warmth to your standard sleeping bag by using it as a liner in cold weather.
- Incredibly Compact – At 4.1oz, this lightweight thermal sleeping bag bivy won’t weigh you down. It packs down nicely in the 4” x 3” stuff sack and includes a 120-decibel whistle to alert rescuers up to 1 mile away.
Survival Tools and Accessories
Survival tools are anything that one needs in order to survive in the case of an emergency or disaster. Being that these are unpredictable, having the right set of tools to cover multiple situations is important.
Here are recommended tools for your go bag:
Pocket Knife MultiTool
In Stock
RoverTac Pocket Knife Multitool Folding Knife
- Versatile, Durable & Practical: RoverTac pocket knife has a 9 in 1 screwdriver bits set for many tasks/jobs. It’s made of solid stainless steel, and has a durable black oxide coating. Perfect for Camping, Fishing, Hiking, Adventuring, Outdoor activities, and Home Improvements.
- Secure Locking Mechanism: RoverTac folding knife has a discretely integrated liner lock that securely locks the blade and screwdriver in place for use. Simply depress the internal lever to unlock and fold the blade or the screwdriver.
- Easy to Carry: RoverTac multitool knife comes with a durable nylon sheath, with a belt loop for fast and easy access.
Crank Self Powered Radio
In Stock
RunningSnail Emergency Hand Crank Self Powered Radio
- A 2000mAh Built-in Li-ion battery to charge most of the device until power back; A LED flashlight with rugged cover design could light up your darkness.
- This emergency radio with a 2000mAh emergency power bank may be our life-saving tool. The emergency portable radio works with most USB powered devices, which could provide enough emergency power for important calls to your family, the emergency services, or for contacting assistance in emergency situations.
- The solar crank radios with multiple power backup options are the best choice in the emergency package.
- It comes with 1W LED Flashlight, which will cut through the blackness and maximize visibility.
Emergency Lighting
In Stock
Glow Mind Emergency Glow Sticks
- The chem lights sticks keep illuminating your space for hours later. So whether you’re camping or diving, partying, or weathering a blackout, you’ll enjoy enough glow in the dark.
- These glow sticks work in water. They come individually wrapped to preserve the products and ensure that when you need light they won’t let you down. Nontoxic glow sticks are safe for kids and adults
- Ultra-Bright Lighting in a Snap. With a simple break and a quick shake, these glow sticks produce an impressively bright light output that easily illuminates entire rooms and can be spotted from a mile.
Safety Masks
In Stock
SupplyAid Masks
- 5-MASKS: Each package contains (5) SupplyAID KN95 Masks. Supply Aid mask model RRS-KN95-5PK is manufactured by SUMEC Hardware & Tools Co., Ltd. at factory Suzhou Letian Protective Products Co., Ltd. If the product contains a certificate of conformity in the packaging, it will identify the individual factory controlled by manufacturer SUMEC Hardware & Tools Co., Ltd
- DAILY USE: Suitable for adults’ daily travel protection, not suitable for toxic gas environment use
- CORRECT USE: Please use mask correctly to avoid serious consequences caused by improper use
Whistle
In Stock
Emergency Whistle
- SUPER LOUD survival whistle: double tubes emergency whistle, high pitched powerful noise maker with dual sound chambers, can provide up to 120 decibel dB sound power, enough to be heard over a mile away. Cannot be overblown, works great as signal whistle.
- PEALESS DESIGN means no moving parts, nothing to obstruct sound, and nothing to jam, break or freeze. Lightweight and fail safe nice whistle works well in any conditions with excellent airflow design. Comfortable mouth grip, won’t stick to lips like METAL ones in cold environments.
Backpack
In Stock
WolfWarriorX Men Backpacks Large Capacity Hiking Backpack
- Durable & water-resistant hiking backpack
- The day pack measures 19＂Lx 12＂Wx 8＂H inch with 40L capacity. Hiking daypack owns 3 spacious compartments-one separate laptop compartment, one main compartment roomy for daily necessities, such as clothes, hiking gear, travel accessories etc. The front compartment has many small pockets, as well as pen pockets and a keychain design to keep your things organized and easier to find.
- It weighs 1.2 pounds.
- Shell is tear-resistant and stitched with reinforced nylon thread and heavy-duty nylon reinforcement.
Files and Documentation
Another important thing to have is important documentation. Due to the possibility that there might be wet conditions, having these in waterproof folders is a wise idea. Additionally, we have found it helpful to have these documents on a thumb drive. Here are two recommendations:
Plastic Folders
In Stock
Waterproof Tear-Resistant Plastic Folders
- 12 Packs Multi-size plastic zipper pouches for the most paper size of prints or smaller document storage. It can help you organize your miscellaneous items to meet your daily life and work.
- Translucent file bag: Oaimyy Mesh Zipper Pouch with moderate transparency can prevent the privacy of important documents from leaking, but it can still identify the items in the bag. Easily sort all kinds of items, store them in backpacks and travel bags, and quickly get what you need.
- High-quality materials: Oaimyy file bags are made of thick vinyl materials. The smooth metal zipper is strong and durable, and each metal zipper and rope loop are the same color, beautiful, durable and strong.
Thumb Drive
In Stock
Corsair Flash Survivor Stealth 64 GB USB 3.0 Flash Drive
- Encased in extremely strong CNC-milled, anodized aircraft-grade aluminum
- Water proof to 200M through the use of a EPDM waterproof seal
- Protected from vibration or impact damage through the use of a molded shock damping collar
- High Performance with USB 3.0 or USB 2.0
- Plug-n-Play compatible
- Protected by a limited 5-year warranty
