In an emergency, every second counts. A go bag — pre-packed with your family's essentials — can help you stay safe during disasters, evacuations, or power outages and give you peace of mind.

In this article, we’ll show you how to pack one and why Trustworthy is key to your disaster plan.

Choosing the Right Go Bag

Q: What kind of bag should I use for my emergency kit?

A: A backpack is often the best choice because it offers mobility and comfort. Duffel bags provide more space but can be harder to carry. Rolling suitcases are useful for heavy loads, though they lack flexibility on uneven terrain.

Whichever you choose, avoid bags that are uncomfortable or impractical to carry during an evacuation.

Q: How heavy should my go bag be?

A: Your bag should be light enough to carry comfortably while still holding essential items. A well-balanced, portable bag promotes mobility and prevents fatigue. A general guideline is that the bag should not exceed 20% of your body weight.

Q: Does my bag need to be waterproof or durable?

A: Yes. Emergencies often involve unpredictable conditions, so durability and waterproofing are important. Choose a high-quality bag that can withstand tough weather and handling.

Instead of storing critical documents in your bag, keep them safe in a secure digital vault like Trustworthy. With Trustworthy’s Family Operating System®, you can upload, organize, and instantly access important files even if your physical belongings are lost or damaged.

Essential Items for a Go Bag

Q: What are the basics I need for survival in an emergency?

A: At a minimum, your go bag should include supplies to help you survive for at least 72 hours. Here are the essentials:

• Water: One gallon per person per day is recommended. Include bottled water, collapsible bottles, and water purification tablets or filters.

• Nonperishable food: Choose calorie-dense foods like ready-to-eat meals, energy bars, nuts, and dried fruits. Avoid heavy canned goods unless necessary.

• First aid kit: Include bandages, antiseptics, pain relievers, and any prescription medications.

• Cash: Include at least $100–$200 in small bills in case electronic systems aren’t available.

Q: What do I need for shelter and warmth?

A: Emergencies may force your family to leave your home. Be ready for different weather conditions by packing:

• Compact emergency blankets or sleeping bags.

• Durable, weather-appropriate clothing and shoes.

• Lightweight tent or tarp for protection from the elements.

Q: How can I stay informed and communicate during an emergency?

A: Pack tools that help you stay connected when conventional communication fails, including:

• Battery-powered or hand-cranked radio.

• Extra phone charger or solar power bank.

• Extra batteries for electronics.

• Physical map and compass (and know how to use them).

Q: What hygiene and personal care items should I pack?

A: Maintaining hygiene is essential for health and morale:

• Wet wipes, napkins, and hand sanitizer.

• Toothbrush, toothpaste, and other toiletries.

• Prescription medications (seven-day supply) and extra glasses or contacts.

Q: What tools and safety gear should I include?

A: Include multipurpose items that can help in various situations:

• Multi-tool or Swiss army knife.

• Flashlight (with extra batteries).

• Duct tape and zip ties.

• Personal safety items (like pepper spray, if legally allowed).

What to Do With Important Documents

Q: What financial documents should I pack in an emergency?

A: You may want to carry your IDs, birth certificates, and insurance policies with you. However, storing originals in a go bag comes with risks of loss and theft.

Instead, use Trustworthy to securely store digital versions of your important financial documents, such as insurance policies, estate plans, account numbers, and medical directives.

Trustworthy offers helpful tools like:

• A built-in document scanner in the mobile app.

• A Chrome extension with drag-and-drop uploads.

• Secure sharing with bank-level security like AES 256-bit encryption, multi-factor authentication, biometric logins, tokenization, and threat detection.

Personalizing Your Go Bag

Q: How do I customize a go bag for my household?

A: Think about your family’s unique needs. That may include:

• Pet food and supplies (for your pet’s go bag).

• Baby care items.

• Mobility aids for elderly or disabled family members.

• Small toys or books to help young children cope.

• Seasonal clothing and weather-specific items like ponchos, sunscreen, or thermal gear.

Storing and Maintaining Your Go Bag

Q: Where should I keep my emergency bag?

A: Store it in a safe but easily accessible location. Make sure everyone in your household knows where to find it. Some people keep additional kits in their cars or workplaces.

Q: How often should I check or update my go bag?

A: Review the contents of your bag every six months. Replace expired food and dead batteries, and update your documents. Rotate seasonal clothing as needed.

Trustworthy’s reminders can help track expiration dates and prompt you to review your emergency information.

Q: What’s the best way to practice emergency readiness with my family?

A: Run periodic drills so your family knows how to locate and use the go bag. Create an emergency communication plan and designate meeting points.

With Trustworthy, you can securely share updated contact info and plans with collaborators or via expiring SecureLinks™ to people outside your household.

Start Emergency Planning With Trustworthy

Having a go bag can make a significant difference in how you respond during a crisis. But it’s not just about supplies—you also need to protect your documents, communication channels, and family plan.

Trustworthy helps you prepare for any emergency with secure document storage, organizational tools, and instant sharing options. Get started for free and download the free disaster planning guide to strengthen your emergency response today.