Emergency GO BAG
Prepare yourself for natural disasters!
The GO BAG (or bugout bag), once thought of as a security blanket for the conspiracy theorist, has gained the status of a legit safety item that you need in your home.
In fact, government and city officials recommend having a GO BAG ready at all times.
The idea behind the go bag is simple. If an emergency happens, you grab your GO BAG and... go. It contains items that help you survive until you can return home. Here's everything you need to know.
Why you need a GO BAG
Think you needn't bother? Hurricane preparedness isn't the only reason you need a GO BAG. You may need to flee your home to find new shelter at a moment's notice because of:
- Earthquakes
- Tornadoes or hurricanes
- Flash floods
- Wildfires
- Mudslides
- Ice storms
- Zombie apocalypse
What kind of GO BAG is best?
The city of Chicago, no stranger to strong winds, recommends that each member of your household have their own GO BAG. If you're the parent of small children, however, you can use one big GO BAG to hold everything you and your children need.
Remember, the best kind of bag is the kind you can carry. Don't get a huge duffle bag unless you're very strong and can heft it. Also, you want a bag that will fit easily in your car. You don't want one that's so big you'll have to leave one of the kids behind to take it with you.
A hiking backpack with various pockets is your best bet. Make sure it's made from a strong canvas material and has a strap that secures around your chest. This will take some of the strain off your back if you need to walk a long way.
Also, look for a pack that has a water reservoir you can fill with drinking water. These are often called camelbacks.
Water is important, but make it, don't carry it
Though many experts recommend having a three-day supply of water in your home in case of an emergency, running with that amount of water can be impractical, especially if you don't have a car. The alternative is keeping a device in your go bag that can turn water from ditches, streams, ponds and other water sources into clean drinking water.
Be warned, though. Many emergency filtration devices like these need to be prepped with drinking water before they can be used as a filter for yucky water. Be sure to read the directions and prep your bottle before clipping it to your go bag.
Get GOOD LIGHTING that lasts
In an emergency, batteries may be in short supply, especially in a hurricane. That's why it's a good idea to put a lighting system in your GO BAG that can be powered by a renewable resource.
Here is what we recommend:
A well-built emergency go bag needs reliable lighting — flashlights, headlamps, and lanterns that work when the power goes out and keep working for hours or days. This page brings together the Fenix lights best suited for emergency preparedness, power outages, natural disasters, and evacuation kits. Headlamps are essential for hands-free use during an evacuation or when working in the dark. A compact flashlight provides focused light for navigation and signalling. A lantern lights your shelter, tent, or room during an extended blackout. When building your go bag, prioritize lights with long runtime on medium settings, compatibility with common rechargeable batteries, and durable, waterproof construction. Having at least two light sources in your kit provides redundancy if one is lost or damaged.
Fenix LR35R PRO - 10,000 lumens
Super Bright Palm-Sized Searching Flashlight
Discover the Fenix LR35R PRO, a high-performance rechargeable flashlight available in Canada. This palm-sized powerhouse delivers an astounding 10,000 lumens and a 500-meter beam distance, perfect for... To learn more about this product, please click here >>>
Fenix LR35R - 10,000 lumens
Super Bright Rechargeable Flashlight
Discover unparalleled brightness with the Fenix LR35R flashlight, now available in Canada. This rechargeable powerhouse delivers a staggering 10,000 lumens with a beam distance of 500 meters, making i... To learn more about this product, please click here >>>
Fenix TK20R V2.0 - 3,000 lumens
Rechargeable Dual Rear-Switch Multipurpose Flashlight
The Fenix TK20R V2.0 flashlight is a powerhouse of illumination for demanding tasks in Canada and beyond. With a staggering 3000 lumens output and a beam reach of 475 meters, this rechargeable flashli... To learn more about this product, please click here >>>
Fenix PD35R ACE - 2,000 lumens
Multi-Mode Tactical Flashlight
Discover the Fenix PD35R ACE flashlight, a robust and versatile lighting solution available in Canada. This rechargeable flashlight delivers an impressive 2000 lumens, casting a beam up to 380 meters.... To learn more about this product, please click here >>>
Fenix PD35 V3.0 - 1,700 lumens
High-Performance Tactical Flashlight
Discover the power of the Fenix PD35 V3.0 flashlight, now available in Canada. With its impressive 1700 lumens and 357-meter beam distance, this rechargeable flashlight is ideal for tactical, outdoor,... To learn more about this product, please click here >>>
Fenix LD30R - 1,700 lumens
High-Performance Outdoor Flashlight
Discover the power of the Fenix LD30R flashlight, a must-have for outdoor enthusiasts in Canada. Compact yet mighty, this Fenix flashlight delivers a stunning 1700 lumens with a beam distance of 267 m... To learn more about this product, please click here >>>
Fenix E28R V2.0 - 1,700 lumens
Discover the Fenix E28R V2.0 flashlight, the ultimate rechargeable EDC tool for Canadian adventurers. With a powerful 1700 lumens output and a remarkable beam distance of 273 meters, this compact Feni... To learn more about this product, please click here >>>
Fenix E-CP - 1,600 lumens
High-Performance Powerbank Flashlight
Discover the Fenix E-CP flashlight, a versatile powerhouse perfect for Canada’s diverse landscapes. Delivering an impressive 1,600 lumens, this rechargeable flashlight offers a 222-meter beam distance... To learn more about this product, please click here >>>
Fenix HM71R - 2,700 lumens
High-Performance Rechargeable Industrial Headlamp
Discover the Fenix HM71R, a powerful rechargeable flashlight designed for industrial use in Canada. With an impressive 2700 lumens, this high-performance headlamp ensures optimal visibility in any env... To learn more about this product, please click here >>>
Fenix HM61R V3.0 - 1,800 lumens
Multifunctional Rechargeable Headlamp
Discover the power of the Fenix HM61R V3.0 rechargeable flashlight, a top choice for Canadians seeking high-performance illumination. With an impressive 1800-lumen spot beam and a versatile flood beam... To learn more about this product, please click here >>>
Fenix HM60R V2.0 - 1,600 lumens
Outdoor High-Performance Metal Headlamp
Discover the Fenix HM60R V2.0 headlamp, a top choice for flashlight enthusiasts in Canada. This versatile headlamp offers three lighting modes: a powerful 1600-lumen spotlight reaching 170 meters, a 3... To learn more about this product, please click here >>>
Fenix HM50R V2.0 - 700 lumens
Rechargeable Multipurpose Headlamp
Discover the Fenix HM50R V2.0, your ultimate rechargeable flashlight solution in Canada. This compact headlamp delivers up to 700 lumens, reaching a beam distance of 115 meters. Powered by an included... To learn more about this product, please click here >>>
Fenix HM23 V2.0 - 300 lumens
AA-Powered Multipurpose Ultralight Headlamp
Discover the Fenix HM23 V2.0 flashlight, a versatile headlamp perfect for Canadians seeking reliability and lightweight convenience. This ultralight headlamp features a powerful 300 lumens output with... To learn more about this product, please click here >>>
Fenix CP50R - 5,500 lumens
Multifunctional Vehicle Camping Lantern
Discover the Fenix CP50R, a powerful rechargeable flashlight designed for camping and vehicle use in Canada. With an impressive 5500 lumens output and a beam distance reaching 450 meters, this multifu... To learn more about this product, please click here >>>
Fenix CL28R - 2,000 lumens
Rechargeable Lantern With Color Adjust
Discover the Fenix CL28R, a powerful rechargeable lantern perfect for outdoor adventures and work environments in Canada. Offering an impressive 2000 lumens output, this Fenix flashlight lights up a 1... To learn more about this product, please click here >>>
Fenix CL27R - 1,600 lumens
Spot-And-Floodlight Multifunctional Outdoor Lantern
Discover the Fenix CL27R, a robust outdoor lantern perfect for camping and industrial use in Canada. This versatile flashlight delivers an impressive 1600 lumens of brightness. Equipped with a recharg... To learn more about this product, please click here >>>
Fenix CL27R BLUE - 1,600 lumens
Spot-And-Floodlight Multifunctional Outdoor Lantern
Discover the Fenix CL27R BLUE lantern, a powerful flashlight designed for outdoor enthusiasts in Canada. This rechargeable lantern delivers a brilliant 1600 lumens, combining spotlight and floodlight ... To learn more about this product, please click here >>>
Fenix CL30R - 650 lumens
Discover the Fenix CL30R, a premium rechargeable camping flashlight designed for Canadian outdoor enthusiasts. With a powerful maximum output of 650 lumens, this versatile lantern ensures comprehensiv... To learn more about this product, please click here >>>
Fenix CL26R Pro - 650 lumens
Discover the ultimate in outdoor illumination with the Fenix CL26R Pro flashlight, a must-have for camping enthusiasts in Canada. This powerful, rechargeable lantern delivers up to 650 lumens, ensurin... To learn more about this product, please click here >>>
Other essentials
Water and light should be at the top of your list, but there are plenty of other things you should toss in your bag:
- Nonperishable food. Meals ready to eat (MREs) are a popular choice, but freeze-dried items work, too. Just be sure they're light, provide a lot of calories and protein, and have a shelf life of months, if not years.
- A good multi-tool that includes a knife, pliers, a can opener and other tools.
- Paracord, also called 550 cord, can hold up to 550 pounds and is compact, so choose it instead of regular rope.
- Carabiners: These metal loops with a spring-loaded latch have a million and one uses, like latching gear to the outside of your go bag.
- A whistle to signal others if you need help and can't yell.
- A poncho and a change of clothes.
- Your family's prescription medications for a week and copies of your prescriptions. You'll probably want to toss these in the go bag as you leave, since keeping extras in your bag will be impractical for most people.
- A small first aid kit with bandages, antiseptic, pain killers and gauze.
- Personal care items such as soap, a toothbrush, toothpaste, toilet paper, feminine hygiene products and so on. Put these items in waterproof baggies.
- Your extra house and car keys.
- A warm blanket. Put it in a plastic bag, use the hose on your vacuum to suck the air out of the bag and quickly seal it to save room.
- A recent family photo for identification purposes, also in a plastic bag, to keep it safe from moisture.
- Cash in small denominations and coins.
- A regional map so you can find your way without a phone when cell towers and GPS are down or busy, or you've run out of battery.
- Paper, pens and tape to leave messages for others.
- A dust mask.
- Copies of important documents such as insurance information, IDs, proof of address and passports, all in a waterproof plastic bag.
- Your family photos and document copies on a USB drive. This one is optional, but I like the security of knowing I have some of my family's precious memories with me.
- Pet supplies such as a leash, collapsible water bowl and food.
