By Mike Fawkes
In emergency situation it should be your top priority to keep you and your family safe. Whether that emergency is an EMP, earthquake, tornado, or a Clinton presidency, it is always important to be prepared. Welcome to Mike Fawkes' Question The Answer! guide to go-bags!
In emergency situation it should be your top priority to keep you and your family safe. Whether that emergency is an EMP, earthquake, tornado, or a Clinton presidency, it is always important to be prepared. Welcome to Mike Fawkes' Question The Answer! guide to go-bags!
Need-to-Knows
When stockpiling any supplies for emergencies, make sure you have essentially two of every supplies.
In other words, make sure you have a backup for every supply, or pack as much as you can of a vital supply. But don't waste your space.
Why a go-bag?
I personally think for any beginning prepper is to start small. Act small but think big. But to elaborate on that point, packing a go-bag, and making sure you have all the necessary supplies, helps you to know what is needed for a larger scale prepping operation.
Picking your go-bag
I personally use, and recommend a bag that can has about a 70 liter capacity. But most importantly pick a bag that is comfortable, appropiate for your size and stature, and one with a decent amount of pockets.
Water Supply
Water is obviously a necessary for any prepper or survivalist. That's why it's at the top of the list.
Pick a water filter that is compact, and cleans your water thoroughly. I personally recommend the Propur Scout with G2.0 Slimline filter. I personally pack mine in a small stuff sack, so all the parts stay together, and pack an extra filter with it. If you want extra security on your water supply you can also get a Survival Spring or a LifeStraw.
- Water Storage
Food Supply
For a go-bag I would advise going with a 72-Hour Food Kit. The food kit I have linked can be stored for up to 25 years. Two of these kits can last between 6-8 days. The only downside to the kit is that there are no breakfast options. But you can easily fix that by vacuum sealing bags of instant oatmeal with a Food Saver.
Clothing
When picking clothing for your go-bag, make sure you have clothes that work both in the winter and summer, so you don't have to keep changing inventory. For example, I wrap two pairs of socks, one pair of underwear, two shirt, and one pair of jeans, all tied together with a belt.
Another article of clothing I pack in my bag is poncho, which I always pack two of.
Ponchos provide more uses than just protection from wind and rain. Ponchos can be made into a tarp, or used to keep your body heat in, either during the day, or at night when you're sleeping.
For a go-bag I would advise going with a 72-Hour Food Kit. The food kit I have linked can be stored for up to 25 years. Two of these kits can last between 6-8 days. The only downside to the kit is that there are no breakfast options. But you can easily fix that by vacuum sealing bags of instant oatmeal with a Food Saver.
Clothing
When picking clothing for your go-bag, make sure you have clothes that work both in the winter and summer, so you don't have to keep changing inventory. For example, I wrap two pairs of socks, one pair of underwear, two shirt, and one pair of jeans, all tied together with a belt.
Another article of clothing I pack in my bag is poncho, which I always pack two of.
Ponchos provide more uses than just protection from wind and rain. Ponchos can be made into a tarp, or used to keep your body heat in, either during the day, or at night when you're sleeping.
Shelter
For shelter it is good to buy a one person tent, like a Eureka or Magellan tent. It's also good to have a backup shelter, and I would ultimately choose a hammock as a backup, due to it's small size and weight.
First Aid
I recommend the one-person kit from Adventure Medical Kits. But a first aid kit is more of a personal judgement choice. But four things to add to your first aid supply are:
Fire Starting
You can make your own Altoids tin firebox, or you can buy the SOL Fire Lite Kit.
Miscellaneous / Accessories
Here are a few videos for info and ideas:
For shelter it is good to buy a one person tent, like a Eureka or Magellan tent. It's also good to have a backup shelter, and I would ultimately choose a hammock as a backup, due to it's small size and weight.
First Aid
I recommend the one-person kit from Adventure Medical Kits. But a first aid kit is more of a personal judgement choice. But four things to add to your first aid supply are:
- Insect Repellent
- With our awareness about the diseases that mosquitoes and other insects carry, it's important to defend yourself from those diseases.
- Iodine
- Iodine is proven to promote your overall health, and to defend your body from toxins. It's also the active ingredient in water purification tablet
- Disclaimer: I'm not claiming that a drop of iodine will purify dirty or toxic water.
- Iodine is proven to promote your overall health, and to defend your body from toxins. It's also the active ingredient in water purification tablet
- Vitamin B-12
- Much like Iodine, B-12 attributes to overall health. B-12 is also a good source of natural energy.
- Vitamin C
- Everyone should know by now that Vitamin C is essential to our immunity. And that's it's on this list.
Fire Starting
You can make your own Altoids tin firebox, or you can buy the SOL Fire Lite Kit.
Miscellaneous / Accessories
- Eagle Camp Mug
- Reflective Rope
- Paracord
- 55 Gallon Drum liners
- Survival Blanket
- Carabiners
- Stainless Steel Cookware
- Compass
- Eye-glasses
- Magnesium Fire-starter
- Fishing hooks and Fishing line
- Pocket-knife
- Firearm (4-10 shotgun recommended)
- Ammo
- Shortwave Radio
- Runner's Belt
- Collapsible Backpack
- Shemagh
- Bandanas
- Headlamp
- Personal Medication
- Duct Tape
Here are a few videos for info and ideas:
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