Swift evacuation becomes crucial during emergencies, and a survival go-bag helps. This bag includes enough essentials to last for a minimum of 72 hours. Most go-bag survival kits incorporate food, water, clothes, communication and navigation tools, safety tools, etc.
Carefully planning the essentials to carry will keep you protected during emergencies. Jackery Portable Power Stations, which serve as reliable emergency solar power stations, can help you charge the devices in your go bag while outdoors. They provide efficient power output so that the devices in your go bag always stay charged and ready to use whenever you need them.
Key Takeaways
- The benefits of a survival go bag include swift evacuation, immediate assistance with supplies, and portability. The essentials inside guarantee survival for at least three days until you get external assistance or shift to a safer place.
- You can ensure survival during emergencies by packing a go bag with the required supplies. These include food, water, clothing, medication, safety tools, communication and navigation tools, and personal accessories.
- In addition to packing the key essentials, it is vital to store the bag in an easily accessible place. You can store a go-bagsurvival kit near the front door, in the closet, in the car, etc., to ensure anyone who needs it can instantly access it during an emergency.
What Is a Survival Go Bag
A survival go bag is a temporary kit with supplies that facilitate swift evacuation during emergencies. The essentials in this bag suffice your needs until you reach a safe place or get the required assistance.
It has all the essential supplies you might need to survive during the initial 72 hours of an emergency. During a disaster, having a readily accessible go bag can significantly save you time and effort. Alternative names for a survival go bag are a bug-out bag, bail-out bag, grab bag, go kit, go bag, and 72-hour bag.
A go-bag survival kit aims to provide quick assistance during emergencies. Hence, it must be well prepared and safely stored in an easily accessible location. A basic go-bag kit can contain items like water, food, a battery-powered/hand crank radio, a flashlight, a first aid kit, a cell phone, extra batteries, a whistle, and local maps.
Why Do You Need a Survival Go Bag
A day without food, water, power, and other key amenities can worsen your challenging situation. This is where a survival go bag comes in handy. These bags are pre-packed with all the basic amenities you need to swiftly evacuate and reach a safer place immediately.
During chaos, a go-bag survival kit can save you time and effort. You can stay confident rather than searching for the essentials here and there. There are various types of survival go bags, but all of them assure safe survival during challenging scenarios.
Disasters are unplanned, and survival go bags are quite effective in emergencies. A well-packed go bag makes you ready to face an arduous situation. Hence, you can evacuate as soon as possible and ensure survival until the situation normalizes. Here are certain use scenarios where a survival go bag comes in handy:
Natural Calamities
A go bag can prove extremely advantageous during natural catastrophes like earthquakes, floods, and hurricanes. For example, if an earthquake occurs, a go bag protects against structural damage and enables quick evacuation.
Utility Outages
During extended power outages, you need alternative power sources. A go bag with essentials like a torch, flashlight, backup batteries, etc., can help. You can also include a Jackery Portable Power Station in your go bag to keep the devices charged while outdoors.
Travel Emergencies
Suppose you get stuck in a remote area in darkness due to vehicle breakdowns. In such a situation, a go bag can help you. This is because it usually contains navigation tools like local maps, headlamps, lanterns, etc., to ensure enough visibility. While hiking, you need enough basic supplies to survive, and this is where a go bag proves to be a lifesaver.
A survival go bag can be useful during pandemics when you need to relocate or quarantine to avoid infection. You would need to leave your area during protests or riots temporarily. Keeping a go bag accessible will help you survive with basic amenities during such scenarios.
How to Pick a Survival Go Bag
Go bag can be a lifesaver during a disaster, so you must carefully choose the one. An inappropriate choice can make your investment and money futile. Here are some tips you can follow before choosing a go-bag:
Step 1: Carrying Capacity
Firstly, you must evaluate how much load you can carry for a long distance. An average individual can carry nearly 20% more of their body weight. Determine your load-carrying capacity and accordingly choose a go bag. You must also determine how many people you are planning to evacuate.
Step 2: Durability
A durable go-bag survival kit is inevitable because you may need to use it in an unforeseen adverse situation. Make sure the go-bag is made of durable materials competent enough to withstand severe weather conditions. Choose one made from waterproof or water-resistant material.
Step 3: Determine Needs
Choose a bag that best suits your needs. Backpacks are generally suitable for mobility, whereas duffel bags provide spacious storage. If you need to pack plenty of essential items, focus on choosing a durable duffel bag with enough compartments.
Step 4: Structure
Organizing your essential gear in the go bag is inevitable. Look for a survival go bag with a compartment for a hydration pack and multiple pockets. These features help you neatly and efficiently pack all the essentials you need.
To ensure comfortable transport, look for the one with a waist strap and padding in the shoulder straps. The inclusion of the molle straps allows you to attach surplus supplies easily. Look for a go bag with durable zippers for easy access to the items packed inside.
Step 5: Design
Survival go bags come in various designs, creating confusion during the purchase. It is better to avoid buying a go bag resembling military or camouflage. Such go-bags ensure durability, but people around them (like police, robbers, government officials, etc.) may raise unnecessary curiosity.
It is better to avoid a bright-colored go bag and instead choose one in earth tones. Bright-colored bags can instantly attract the attention of robbers and create safety risks.
What Do You Put in a Survival Go Bag
Putting all the essential supplies in a go-bag survival kit guarantees easy and quick access to the things required on the go. You can consider carrying key essential items like water, food, clothing, a first-aid kit, medication, communication devices, navigation tools, accessories for shelter and warmth, safety tools, etc.
Let’s detail the key supplies you must carry in a go-bag kit.
Water
Access to clean water is inevitable during emergencies. During a survival situation, you can’t predict when you need water. Carry potable water in a go bag. It is always nice to store at least 27 ounces of water or more if you carry it in the bag.
Carry a water bladder or a water bottle that can safely be accommodated inside a go bag. You need to plan to source water supplies via purification chemicals or water filters.
Food
The lack of food severely impacts an individual’s physical and mental abilities, making survival tougher. To avoid such conditions, ensure the go-bag kit has sufficient food supplies for at least three days.
Some food items you can pack include ready-to-eat meals, fruits, vegetables, protein bars, etc. Don’t forget to carry spoons, forks, etc. Ensure the food items are ready to consume; they must not melt, expire, or fall apart.
Clothing
Usually, survival go bags comprise an extra set of clothes (like shirts, t-shirts, pants, etc.), socks, and undergarments. For example, you can pack warm socks and thermal underwear to survive in winter. The disaster may involve rain or floods, so carry some dry clothes and a waterproof pouch, too.
Medication
Carry enough medicines to last for at least three days. Label the containers for easy identification. You can carry your health insurance card for instant medical treatment when required. If necessary, you can include an N95 respirator.
First-Aid Kit
Your first-aid kit can include supplies like adhesive bandages, trauma pads, gauze, anti-itch ointment, pain relievers, and anti-diarrheal medication. You can also carry a thermometer to check the fever on the go. Remember to carry a first-aid manual.
Communication Devices & Navigation Tools
If communication is disrupted, your family members will suffer the most. Hence, to stay in touch with your family during emergencies, you must pack communication devices in your go bag, including rechargeable batteries, an emergency radio, and a cell phone.
You can carry a Jackery Solar Generator in your go bag to ensure reliable emergency backup for your devices. It provides an efficient power supply that keeps your devices running long.
Your go-bag survival kit can also contain accessories like an LED flashlight, lanterns, and glow sticks for easy accessibility. For signaling, you can carry a mirror, air horn, or whistle. Make sure to carry a map, compass, and GPS device for easy navigation.
Shelter and Warmth
Proper shelter is essential, especially in unaccompanied places with limited facilities. Carry a waterproof, durable tent/tarp shelter that provides easy accommodation at outdoor places.
You can carry an emergency blanket, sleeping bag, and insulated jacket. These accessories provide enough shelter and upkeep your body heat. You can also carry gloves, a hat, and wool socks to protect against hypothermia.
Personal Accessories
Pack personal accessories like hygiene products, face masks, towels, toiletry kits, garbage bags, hand sanitizer, wet wipes, etc. You can also include contact lenses or eyeglasses if you wear them regularly and can’t feel comfortable without them.
Other Essentials
Your survival go bag can contain cash, allowing you to buy some inevitable items on the go. The bag can also include accessories like screwdrivers, pocket knives, power banks, etc.
Jackery Portable Power Stations Explained
When an emergency hits the area, everyone is left without power for days. That's where the portable power stations come in handy. They can supply stable electricity to the emergency appliances such as smartphones to ensure you get real time updates from the officials. Jackery is one of the leading solar energy brands that manufactures solar generators, solar panels, and portable power stations.
The portable power stations are compact enough to fit your backpack and charge small appliances on the go. You can easily charge them with the help of solar panels, car chargers, and wall outlets anytime and anywhere. In addition, they feature multiple ports to charge multiple appliances, such as fans, lights, and radios, at the same time. Here are some of the best portable power stations for survival go bags:
Jackery Explorer 100 Plus Portable Power Station
The Jackery Explorer 100 Plus Portable Power Station is one of the smallest power stations that can fit right in your palm. It weighs only 965 grams and can charge multiple small devices for hours. Whether you're traveling on foot or on a plane, the mini portable power station can be your ideal companion to charge devices on the move.
Appliances Running Time
- Tablet (50W) = 1.6H
- GPS Tracker (0.25W) = 336.6H
- Camera (9W) = 9.3H
- Phone (20W) = 4.2H
- Radio (5W) = 16.8H
Customer Review
“Works really well so far. Charge my phone multiple times with plenty of charge left. Holds its charge. Will definitely use it during hurricane outages. Can’t wait to use it for camping.” — Nicola.
Jackery Explorer 300 Plus Portable Power Station
If you are looking for a mid-size charging solution that can power various small appliances, you may want to consider the Jackery Explorer 300 Plus Portable Power Station. It weighs only 8.27 lbs and features a foldable handle that allows you to carry it seamlessly anywhere. Its multiple output ports ensure you can charge multiple outdoor appliances simultaneously.
Appliances Running Time
- Tablet (50W) = 4.8H
- GPS Tracker (0.25W) = 979.2H
- Camera (9W) = 27.2H
- Lights (20W) = 12.2H
- Phone (20W) = 12.2H
- Radio (5W) = 48.9H
Customer Review
“I bought the Jackery 300 after Hurricane Beryl left us without power for several hours. I found out that we need a power source to keep our routers, phones, and laptops charged.” — Jose L Perez-Sanchez.
How to Make a Kid’s Survival Go Bag
Preparing a survival go bag for kids ensures they always stay prepared for emergencies. Although not too responsible, developing a habit of packing go-bag essentials makes them aware of the significance of a go-bag survival kit. The following tips can help you prepare a kid’s emergency go bag.
Step 1: Determine the Load Capacity
When preparing a kid’s survival go-bag kit, prioritize immediate survival and comfort. Keep the go bag lightweight because kids must not carry more than 10-15% of their weight. If it is bulky, they will find it quite challenging to carry.
Step 2: Pack the Key Essentials
Pack some ready-to-eat food items, a water bottle, and essential clothing. Include the kid’s family photograph and essential documents to ensure safety in case the kid gets lost during emergencies. You can carry a Jackery Explorer 300 Plus Portable Power Station that provides reliable charging for multiple devices.
Step 3: Familiarize Kids With Go Bag Essentials
Let the kids take out the contents and pack it again by themselves. This approach will make them responsible and aware of keeping the bag always ready to carry along, so they will understand its significance.
Step 4: Personalizing the Go Bag
You can personalize a kid’s go bag with items that are familiar or cheering to the kid. For example, you can pack their favorite toy or a favorite photograph that refreshes their mood while on the go.
Step 5: Check the Go Bag Kit
Check and update the content of the go-bag survival kit every few months. Remove the expired first-aid kit and medications. This will ensure that all the content inside is in decent condition and safe for the kid.
Here are the basic essentials to pack in a kid’s survival go bag:
Basic Supplies
The kid’s go bag kit must include non-perishable food items and water for up to 72 hours. You can pack dried fruits, granola bars, peanut butter, etc. Keep a change of clothes, underwear, and extra socks. Pack a lightweight blanket or an emergency thermal blanket. Make sure to pack a first aid kit, too.
Safety Accessories
Include a flashlight with extra batteries, a whistle, gloves, and basic medications (as recommended by the doctor). These supplies will ensure good health and protection during adverse situations.
Communication and Navigation
Include a prepaid cell phone (with charger) to contact the kid during emergencies. The go bag must also include an emergency contacts list and local map (for easy navigation).
Entertainment
Pack books, puzzles, small toys, etc., to entertain the kid. Wisely choose these items based on your kid’s hobby and interest. Refrain from including heavy toys or other toys that can pose safety threats.
Cash
Ensure there is cash in the go bag to help them buy something during adverse situations. Put the cash in a ziplock plastic bag to avoid water damage. Before putting the cash, educate the kid about the significance of spending money wisely on essential items.
Other Essentials
The kid’s go-bag kit can also include items like wet wipes, face masks, recent family photos, copies of the child’s birth certificate and passport, and other essentials you may find necessary.
Where Should You Store a Survival Go Bag
An emergency can occur anytime and anywhere. Preparing for swift evacuation is mandatory, and therefore, a survival go bag is inevitable. It is vital to safely store your go bag for easy and quick access. Here are tips for storing a go bag.
Check the Safety of the Location
Store a go bag in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight. This will protect the bag from mold growth and moisture damage. Avoid storing a go bag in a region prone to extreme temperatures or floods.
Ensure Easy Access
Keep your go bag easily accessible to avoid any delay when carrying it. Some common storage locations include the front door, in a car, or in a closet. Store a survival go bag in a car, specifically in an area where you can easily and quickly access it.
Choose the Storage Location
A go-bag survival kit is inevitable whether you are at home, workplace, or traveling in a car. The following tips clarify how to choose a storage location for quick access effectively.
● HomeStore your go-bag survival kit in a safe place where you can quickly access it. All family members must know about this place to avoid any delays during emergencies.
● WorkThe emergency may require staying at your workplace for several hours. So, the kit must be stored in a “grab and go” case. Make sure this case is durable enough to hold all the key essentials properly. It must also be quickly accessible whenever required.
● CarKeep a go-bag kit in your car for quick survival while traveling. You can store it in the passenger seat (if traveling alone) or in the rear compartment of the car. But make sure this kit is easily and quickly accessible.
Survival Go Bag FAQs
How big of a portable power station do I need for an emergency?
The size of the portable power station required to power appliances during an emergency will depend on the total wattage consumption of these appliances and how long you will need to charge them. Let's take a scenario to understand: Suppose there is an emergency alert in your area, and you are asked to evacuate the place. Now, you need to charge a smartphone (20W) and portable fan (50W) with the help of the Jackery Explorer 300 Plus Portable Power Station. The working hours can be calculated as:
Working Hours = Battery Capacity in Wh × 0.85 ÷ Operating Wattage of the Appliances = 288Wh × 0.85 ÷ 70W = 3.4H
Note: We have multiplied by 0.85 to account for the power loss that happens when charging the appliances.
Is having a go-bag a lifesaver?
A go bag is a lifesaver because it ensures survival for at least 72 hours during an emergency. Usually, it includes items like water, food, clothes, a first aid kit, and medicines that keep you sustained until you reach a safer place or help arrives.
How many days should a go bag last?
A go bag must have sufficient basic supplies to last for at least three days. The duration may depend on the kind of emergency you are preparing for and the average time a rescue team needs to reach you during an emergency.
What is the difference between a bug-out bag and a go bag?
A bug-out bag is larger than a go bag and is designed to sustain you for over three days. A go bag is smaller than a bug-out bag and is designed to suffice your short-term needs, typically up to three days during emergencies.
How to make your own survival food kit?
Firstly, you must determine your fundamental needs and any explicit dietary requirements. Prepare a meal plan to last for at least 72 hours. It can include foods that require little or no preparation. Store the food items in airtight containers and label them with expiry dates.
Final Thoughts
A survival go bag incorporates all the essential supplies for safe survival during an emergency. A well-prepared and easily accessible go-bag survival kit can ensure peace of mind and help you tackle challenging situations confidently.
The essentials to keep in your go bag come down to personal preference. But make sure to carry all the necessary supplies for safe survival. Carrying an uninterrupted power supply is vital to keeping your devices charged and running. You may invest in a Jackery Solar Generator, which can efficiently charge most of your devices for hours.
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