The Basics of Building a “Go” Bag
So, what the heck is a “Go” bag?
Your next action step on your journey to financial freedom is to create a “Go” bag. What exactly is a “Go” bag? A “Go” bag is any bag, like a backpack or duffel bag, that is light enough to carry, yet large enough to contain all of life’s necessities for at least three days. It contains items that you would need if you were forced to evacuate your home or community in the event of an emergency.
The Go bag, also known as a “bug-out” bag, is something that you will create with the hopes of never needing to use. Natural disasters, biological or chemical attacks by terrorists, or a wildfire are just a few examples of the potentially devastating events that can happen in the blink of an eye. If disaster were to strike your home or community right now, forcing you to flee for safety, how prepared are you at this moment?
Because of the uncertain nature of life, having a bag full of basic necessities is a vital component of being prepared and having a secure financial plan.
Building a “Go” bag is a fairly simple process, but it will take some time and money. Our advice is to start small with just the bare necessities, slowly building it over time. We personally have two “Go” bags: One inside our home, and one in our primary vehicle. Some of the most important items in our own bags include a water filter, food, a change of clothes, a fire starter, a flashlight, and a thumb drive filled with copies of our most important documents and family photos. One of our friends recently lost his home to a raging fire. The house was completely destroyed along with nearly everything inside. While he lost many things, nearly all of them were replaceable. Fortunately, the things that he could never replace like treasured family photos and videos were all backed up on a thumb drive in his “Go” bag. No amount of insurance money can ever replace your memories.
Below are a few resources that will help you get started in building your own “Go” bag.
Resources
Here’s a Great Article on What to Put In Your Go Bag (Written by FTMQuarterly staff writer, Rob Amagna)
Are You Ready? An In-Depth Guide to Citizen Preparedness (An excellent 204 page handbook on disaster preparedness.)
BOOK: Build the Perfect Bug Out Bag: Your 72-Hour Disaster Survival Kit (208 pages all about what to put in your “go” bag.)
The Checklist
Before proceeding to the next step, be sure that you:
– Begin slowly placing items into your “Go” bags as you are able.
| – Purchase at least two backpacks that can be used as “go” bags. |
In The Robinson’s Go Bag…
1. For Potable Water On The Move: Katadyn Pocket Water Filter
2. Must-Have Utility Knife: KA-Bar 1213 Black Fighting/Utility Knife
3. Alternative Payment Method: Silver Coins
4. Ultra Lightweight Tent: Sierra Designs Lightning 3 Person Tent
5. Outdoor Stove: Optimun Svea Climber Outdoor Stove
6. A Handy Multitool: Leatherman 830039 New Wave Multitool
7. First Aid Kit: Adventure Medical Kits Ultralight and Waterproof
8. Multiple Fire Sources: Matches in Waterproof Case, Magnesium Fire Starter, Stormproof Lighter
9. Multivitamins: Focus Factor
10. Kids’ Probiotics: Culturelle Probiotic Chewables for Kids
11. Hands-Free Light Source: Heavy Duty LED Headlamp
12. Pocket Data Storage Device for storing electronic copies of important documents: 32 GB Flash Drive
13. 72-Hour No-Cook Food Supply: Freeze Dried Foods (we prefer Thrive Life foods), Civilian MRE Meal Kits, Tuna Pouches, Trail Mix Packets, and Protein Bars
14. Wet Weather Gear: Waterproof Tarp, Rain Poncho, Umbrella.
15. Plenty of nylon rope, zip ties of all sizes, and reflective trail marking tape.
16. Communication tools: Two-way long-distance radio, hand-crank radio, and a pre-paid mobile phone purchased specifically for the Go Bag.
17. Education and how-to’s on-the-go: Urban Survival Guide Playing Cards give you a compact and lightweight way to have how-to’s and quick tips for survival, plus a fun family card game for entertainment during a disaster.
18. The Basic Necessities: travel-size toiletries, sunscreen, hand sanitizer, change of clothes, glasses and contact case and solution, 3-day supply of any medications (be sure to rotate these out so they do not expire)
19. Clean Up and Storage: ziploc bags of all sizes, aluminum foil, trash bags, napkins, toilet paper, and wet wipes.
20. Filled Water Bottles: We use these stainless steel bottles for the kids and these larger bottles for the adults.
When you have completed this step, you are ready to advance to the next step of Level One which is to begin creating a three-month reserve of food and water.
Step Three – Create a 3 Month Reserve of Food and Water >>
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