Go-Bag Build
One bag per person that covers 72 hours, staged where you can grab it and go, with a drill that proves you can actually leave fast.
What this buys you
Some events do not let you shelter in place. A fast-moving fire, a gas leak, or an evacuation order means leaving in minutes, not hours. A go-bag turns that moment from frantic searching into one motion: grab the bag, get the people, go. The goal is boring and complete, not tactical.
Bill of materials
Standard track · per person
| Item | Qty | Est. cost |
|---|---|---|
| Durable backpack | 1 | $30–$80 |
| Water (1L) plus a compact filter or tablets | 1 set | $15–$40 |
| 72-hour food: bars and ready-to-eat items | 1 set | $15–$30 |
| First-aid kit and a 7-day meds copy | 1 | $15–$40 |
| Headlamp, spare batteries, phone battery pack | 1 set | $20–$50 |
| Documents in a waterproof pouch, cash, N95s, whistle, weather layer | 1 set | $15–$40 |
Procedure
- Build one bag per person; size the contents to who carries it.
- Pack to the list. Keep documents (IDs, insurance, prescriptions) as copies in a waterproof pouch.
- Stage the bags by the exit you would actually use, or in the vehicle.
- Photograph the packed contents of each bag and save it to your phone.
- Set a recurring calendar reminder to refresh perishables and update documents.
Run a timed grab-and-go drill. From a normal moment, can everyone get their bag and themselves to the car within the time you have set? Time it once. If it does not work under real conditions, fix the staging or the contents, not the plan on paper.
Every quarter: swap expired food, water, and medications; test the headlamp and charge the battery pack; and update any documents that have changed. Expired meds and stale documents are the most common go-bag failure.
Cash matters when card networks are down. Keep small bills in the bag, not just a card.