A go-bag is a pre-packed bag that contains everything essential to survive and function for 72 hours away from home. It is grabbed on the way out in an evacuation and requires no packing decisions in an emergency — those decisions have already been made.
The principle is simple: if you needed to leave in under 5 minutes, what would you need? The answer to that question is your go-bag. The challenge is keeping the bag stocked, accessible, and practical in weight.
The 72-Hour Standard
The go-bag is designed for the first 72 hours of an evacuation. By this point, emergency services typically have established supply and assistance systems. The 72-hour window is the most critical — when you are most on your own.
Everything in the bag should answer one of these questions:
- Does this keep me alive? (Water, food, shelter, warmth)
- Does this keep me informed and connected? (Communications, power)
- Does this enable me to continue functioning? (Documents, medications, tools)
- Does this address specific household needs? (Infant supplies, pet needs, medical equipment)
The Core Items — Every Go-Bag
Water and Hydration
| Item | Why | Specification |
|---|
| Water | Immediate survival | 1L per person minimum; 2L preferred |
| Water purification | Extending supply | Chlorine dioxide tablets (10-pack minimum) or Lifestraw filter |
| Water bottle | Reusable container | 1L stainless or BPA-free plastic |
Food
| Item | Why | Specification |
|---|
| Emergency food | Caloric sustenance | 1,500–2,000 kcal/person for 3 days |
| No-cook food | No heat required | Energy bars, nuts, dried fruit, peanut butter |
| Eating utensils | Basic food access | Spork or spoon; no knife required for most no-cook food |
| Item | Why | Specification |
|---|
| Photo ID copies | Identity verification | Passport, driving licence — copies, not originals (keep originals separate or in waterproof pouch) |
| Insurance documents | Claims, identification | Home, car, health insurance — policy numbers |
| Emergency contact list | When phone is dead or damaged | Printed; include out-of-area contact |
| Bank and card information | Account access if cards lost | Account numbers; bank emergency number |
| Medication list | Medical care away from home | Current medications, doses, prescribing doctor |
| Medical information | Emergency medical care | Blood type, allergies, known conditions |
| Cash | When cards don't work | £50–200 minimum; small denominations |
Document storage: Use a waterproof, ziplock bag or a purpose-made waterproof document pouch. Documents destroyed in a flood or fire significantly complicate recovery.
Communications and Power
| Item | Why | Specification |
|---|
| Charged power bank | Phone longevity | 10,000–20,000mAh; full charge before packing |
| Phone charger cable | Standard charging | For each phone type in household |
| Battery-powered or hand-crank radio | Information when networks fail | Receives AM/FM and ideally DAB or weather band |
| Whistle | Emergency signalling | Pealess (Fox 40 type); on lanyard |
Shelter and Warmth
| Item | Why | Specification |
|---|
| Emergency space blanket | Warmth retention | Mylar; single use is fine; one per person |
| Emergency bivvy bag | Full-body warmth | Better than space blanket; reusable |
| Small tarp or emergency shelter | Cover | 2x2m minimum; lightweight |
| Warm layer | Immediate warmth | Fleece or down layer; season-appropriate |
| Waterproof layer | Rain protection | Compact rain jacket |
| Hat and gloves | Heat retention | Wool or synthetic |
| Item | Why | Specification |
|---|
| Torch (flashlight) | Navigation in dark | LED; waterproof; spare batteries |
| Head torch | Hands-free light | Particularly useful; spare batteries |
| Multi-tool or Swiss Army knife | General utility | Pliers, blade, screwdriver minimum |
| Lighter (2) | Fire; lighting | Disposable; stored in ziplock |
| Duct tape | Repair, improvised solutions | Small roll; 10m minimum |
| Cord / paracord | General utility | 10m; 3mm or thicker |
First Aid
| Item | Why | Specification |
|---|
| Basic first aid kit | Minor injury management | Plasters, dressings, triangular bandage, antiseptic wipes |
| Medications | Personal requirements | 7-day supply minimum of ALL regular medications |
| Pain relief | Basic symptom management | Paracetamol, ibuprofen |
| Oral rehydration sachets | Dehydration management | 4–6 sachets |
Hygiene
| Item | Why | Specification |
|---|
| Hand sanitiser | Infection prevention | 100ml minimum |
| Wet wipes | Basic hygiene without water | 1 pack |
| Toilet tissue | Basic sanitation | Compact; 1 roll |
| Basic toiletries | Comfort and function | Toothbrush, toothpaste (travel sizes) |
| Rubbish bags | Sanitation | 2–3 heavy-duty bags |
Weight Management
A go-bag that is too heavy will not be taken — or worse, will slow you down and exhaust you. Target weights:
| Person | Target Weight |
|---|
| Adult (fit) | 10–15kg maximum |
| Adult (elderly/less fit) | 5–8kg |
| Child (10–14 years) | 4–6kg |
| Child (under 10) | 0–3kg (token items only; adults carry their supplies) |
Where to cut weight:
- Reduce food to 1,500 kcal/day (survivable; not ideal)
- Choose lightest versions of shelter items (space blanket over bivvy)
- Eliminate redundancy — one torch, not three
- Water weight is non-negotiable — 2kg per litre is unavoidable
Household-Specific Additions
| Household Type | Additional Items |
|---|
| Infant | Nappies (3-day supply); formula if applicable; baby food; changing mat |
| Pet owner | 3-day pet food supply; leash; vaccination records; portable water bowl |
| Medical equipment (CPAP, insulin) | Portable versions; batteries; ice packs for medications |
| Elderly household member | Comfort items; incontinence supplies if needed; medication list prominently placed |
| Children | Small comfort toy or book (psychological support); copies of school records |
Maintenance Schedule
| Task | Frequency |
|---|
| Check power bank charge | Every 3 months |
| Rotate food and water | Every 6–12 months |
| Check medication supply and expiry | Every 6 months |
| Check batteries in torch | Every 6 months |
| Update documents | When anything changes |
| Review and practice with family | Annually |
Quick Reference — Core Bag Checklist
| Category | Done? |
|---|
| Water (1–2L) + purification tablets | |
| Food (1,500–2,000 kcal per person, 3 days) | |
| Documents (ID copies, contacts, medical) | |
| Cash (£50–200, small notes) | |
| Power bank (full charge) + cable | |
| Battery radio | |
| Emergency space blanket (1 per person) | |
| Torch + spare batteries | |
| First aid kit + personal medications (7-day) | |
| Multi-tool | |
| Lighter (2) | |
| Whistle | |
| Warm layer + waterproof jacket | |
| Hand sanitiser + wet wipes | |