Go-Bag Checklist: Emergency Essentials
A go bag is a portable emergency kit containing the essentials you need to stay safe, comfortable, and self-sufficient during the first 72 hours of a crisis.
Wildfires, hurricanes, floods, earthquakes, extended power outages, evacuations, and other emergency situations can force people to leave home with little notice. A go bag gives you a head start when every minute matters.
The goal isn't to survive alone in the wilderness. The goal is to help you and your family safely navigate real-world emergencies.
There are thousands of emergency preparedness products online - many of them are unnecessary. Our goal isn't to build the biggest bag, it's to build a bag that works.
How We Choose Gear
We recommend products based on five criteria:
Reliability — Will it work when you actually need it?
Simplicity — Can an average person use it without specialized training?
Portability — Does it make sense in a bag you may need to carry for hours or days?
Value — Is it worth the cost compared to available alternatives?
Real-World Utility — Does it solve a problem people actually face during emergencies?
We don't recommend gear because it's tactical, trendy, or marketed as "survival" equipment.
We recommend tools that help people stay safe, informed, hydrated, powered, and comfortable during stressful situations.
Our Recommended Go Bag Gear
At DoomsDaddy, we believe preparedness should be practical, accessible, and useful for everyday people. That's why we've spent hundreds of hours researching, testing, and reviewing equipment to identify gear we trust.
Below you'll find our recommended products for building a reliable go bag. Whether you're building your first emergency kit or upgrading an existing one, this guide will help you focus on the gear that matters most.
How to Use This Checklist
Pack items in one grab-and-go bag
Store it near your exit
Review and refresh every 6–12 months
Practice grabbing it during drills
💧 Water & Hydration
Clean water is one of the first necessities affected during many emergencies. We recommend carrying both a reusable water bottle and at least one backup method for water filtration.
Recommended Gear:
🔋 Power & Charging
When the power goes out, your phone becomes your connection to emergency alerts, maps, family members, and critical information. Redundant charging options can make a significant difference during prolonged disruptions.
Recommended Gear:
🔦 Lighting
Reliable lighting improves safety, mobility, and comfort during outages and evacuations. We recommend carrying both a hands-free light source and a backup flashlight.
Recommended Gear:
⛑️ Medical & Personal Protection
Disasters often bring poor air quality, dust, smoke, mold, and crowded conditions. Personal protective equipment can help reduce exposure to common hazards.
Recommended Gear:
🧻 Hygiene & Sanitation
Maintaining hygiene becomes increasingly important during evacuations, sheltering situations, and extended disruptions. These items help preserve comfort, health, and dignity when normal facilities are unavailable.
Recommended Gear
🪛 Tools & Utility
Small tools solve big problems. From opening packaging and making repairs to handling unexpected situations, these are among the most versatile items you can carry.
Recommended Gear
📡 Communications
If cell networks go down in an emergency Meshtastic, GMRS, and FRS radios are great options for short-range communication. NOAA radios can be used for emergency updates in addition to weather bulletins.
Recommended Gear
📑 Documents & Security
Recovering from a disaster is often easier when important documents, keys, and critical information are protected and readily accessible.
Recommended Gear
🫂 Comfort & Resilience
Recovering from a disaster is often easier when important documents, keys, and critical information are protected and readily accessible.
Recommended Gear
About DoomsDaddy
DoomsDaddy creates practical disaster-preparedness education focused on real-world skills, community resilience, and mutual aid. Our goal is to help people feel resourced—not scared—when systems are strained or disrupted.
Affiliate Disclosure
Some links on this page are affiliate links. If you purchase through them, DoomsDaddy may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. These commissions help support our preparedness education, training programs, and community resilience initiatives.