If you don't have a GO Bag, you're wrong.
Most people aren't ready for an emergency that could last days, let alone weeks.
It could be a natural disaster, a major power outage, civil unrest, an evacuation order, or something nobody saw coming. The reason doesn't matter much when you're standing there with nothing packed and nowhere to start.
I'm not saying you need to become a hardcore prepper, build a bunker, or spend thousands of dollars on equipment.
I'm saying you should be prepared to take care of yourself and your family when things go sideways.
Something is better than nothing.
What Is a 72-Hour Go Bag?
A go bag is a portable collection of supplies you can grab quickly if you need to leave your home. The goal is to have essential items available for approximately three days without depending entirely on outside assistance.
A 72-hour bag isn't meant to replace a complete emergency plan or the supplies you keep at home. It's equipment you can carry when leaving becomes necessary.
Every kit should be built around the person carrying it. Your physical abilities, climate, medical requirements, transportation, and family responsibilities all matter.
72-Hour Survival Kit Checklist
Water and Hydration
- Drinking water appropriate for the weight you can carry
- A durable water bottle or hydration container
- A compact water filter or purification supplies
- Knowledge of how to properly treat questionable water
Water is heavy, so a portable go bag cannot always carry three full days of drinking water. Maintain additional water supplies at home and plan where safe drinking water may be available during an evacuation.
Food
- Ready-to-eat, nonperishable food
- Energy bars, nuts, or other compact foods
- Food suited to any dietary requirements
- A manual can opener if your food requires one
Choose food that doesn't need refrigeration or elaborate preparation. Rotate supplies before they expire.
First Aid and Medical Supplies
- A basic first aid kit
- Necessary prescription medications and copies of prescription information
- Any essential personal medical supplies
- Bandages, dressings, and appropriate wound-care materials
- Personal hygiene items
Make sure everyone in your household has the supplies they personally require. A generic commercial kit won't cover every medical need.
Light, Power, and Communication
- Flashlight or headlamp
- Spare batteries or a rechargeable power source
- Charged power bank and compatible charging cable
- Battery-powered or hand-crank weather radio
- Written emergency contact information
- Whistle for signaling
Clothing and Protection
- Extra socks and underwear
- Weather-appropriate clothing
- Rain protection
- Sturdy footwear
- Emergency blanket or suitable insulation
- Work gloves
- Seasonal supplies for heat or cold
Tools and Essential Items
- Multipurpose tool suited to your needs
- Small amount of cordage
- Local paper map
- Copies of important identification and documents, stored securely
- Emergency cash in small denominations
- Notebook and pen
- Sanitation supplies and sealable bags
- Necessary supplies for children, older adults, or pets
Don't pack equipment just because somebody on the internet says it's essential. Understand how to use what you carry, and avoid loading your bag with unnecessary weight.
Build Your Survival Kit Without Spending a Fortune
At the very least, get yourself a basic starter kit.
You don't need the most expensive equipment on the market. Start with a reasonable bag and the essential supplies you can afford.
Then improve your equipment every paycheck or two. Replace cheap components with better ones when your budget allows.
Check what you already have at home before buying duplicates. A reliable flashlight, spare clothing, and first aid supplies may already be sitting in a drawer.
A well-planned, affordable kit that you can actually carry is more useful than an expensive collection of gear you never practice using.
Should You Buy a Preassembled Survival Kit?
A preassembled emergency kit can be a convenient starting point, particularly if you currently have nothing prepared.
Just don't assume that everything inside it is good quality or that it includes everything you personally need.
Examine the contents. Add necessary medications, appropriate clothing, drinking water, and any other supplies missing from the package.
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View the starter survival kit on Amazon
Use it as a starting point. Build a kit that works for you instead of assuming the manufacturer has thought of everything.
Don't Forget Your Home Emergency Supplies
A go bag is designed for situations where you need to leave. Staying home during a prolonged emergency requires a different approach.
Store additional drinking water, food, lighting, batteries, sanitation supplies, and other essentials at home. Make sure you have a plan for outages, extreme weather, and loss of normal services.
It's also worth knowing multiple evacuation routes and having a way to contact family members if normal communications are disrupted.
Inspect Your Kit Regularly
A bag you packed five years ago and haven't opened since isn't necessarily ready for an emergency.
- Check food and medication expiration dates.
- Inspect batteries and recharge power banks.
- Replace damaged or unreliable equipment.
- Adjust clothing and supplies for the season.
- Update contact information and important documents.
- Make sure your bag is still comfortable and manageable to carry.
Periodically unpack your bag and make sure you know where everything is.
Preparation Is Your Responsibility
Emergencies rarely happen when it's convenient. You may have very little time to make decisions, gather supplies, and get moving.
Don't wait until the shelves are empty or the power goes out to start thinking about it.
This isn't about becoming a prepper. It's about being prepared.
Start with what you can afford. Add to it when you can. Learn how to use your equipment.
Something is better than nothing.
Additional Survival Resources
For additional military and historical preparedness reference materials, visit our Survival, Food & Water Manuals Library or search the Military Manuals Directory.
Originally published July 2021. Updated October 2026.