selective focus photo of red hiking backpack on green grass

A Doctor’s Guide to Go Bags

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In my car sits an ‘insurance policy.’  In my wife’s car sit another.  These are far from the stacks of papers that comprise a typical insurance policy however.  Here at The Motivated M.D., we write a lot about the importance of asset protection.  From long-term disability insurance to term life insurance and beyond, it is important to protect against the unexpected. You have to be prepared to protect against disaster, be that financial or otherwise.  For this reason, I bring you A Doctor’s Guide to Go Bags!

One type of ‘insurance’ that I have never seen addressed in the physician finance community is what to do in case of a real emergency.  I am talking about a ‘leave on a moment’s notice’ type of emergency.  How do you leave your home or work emergently and still feel like you have the essentials to protect you, your family, and your assets?  What I am talking about is a ‘Go Bag.’  This may seem like a fringe topic to many, but hear me out.  I wouldn’t publish this post if I didn’t think it served an important purpose.  This is my personal, comprehensive, and unabridged guide to everything ‘Go Bag.’ 

What is a Go Bag?

This would not be a doctor’s guide to go bags if we didn’t start with the basics.  What is a ‘Go Bag?’  Go Bags are also known as ‘Bug-Out-Bags,’ or Survival bags.  The idea is to have a bag in an easily accessible location (in your vehicle, home, or both) that contains the essential items necessary to support you (and your family) in case of an emergency.  In other words, a bag you can easily grab ‘on-the-go’ that contains food, clothing, shelter, and identification. 

These bags generally should be kept in a safe place in the home, or in the car.  Go Bags should be light enough that you can remain mobile.  Go Bags should also be strong enough to weather most conditions.  What items take priority are largely based on your geographic location as well as personal preference.  Personally, living in a warmer southern climate, I have clothes that don’t retain as much heat.  You get the idea…

More than anything, a Go Bag allows you to leave a majority of situations in seconds, with some peace of mind.

Why own a Go Bag?

Why would anyone think a Go Bag is necessary?  I think it is appropriate to preface that I am not planning for the ‘zombie apocalypse.’  In all seriousness, I reached the conclusion that Go Bags are a necessity from personal research and living through an abundance of natural disasters.  I do not think that we are on the brink of nuclear war, nor do I think anarchy is upon us.  If anything, I pride myself on practical thinking and critical reasoning.  Much like in my medical practice, it is healthy to have a backup plan if the unexpected occurs.  Day-to-day life is no different. 

Recommended by the Department of Homeland Security

Ready.gov, an official website of the United States Department of Homeland Security does a great job listing out all the disaster scenarios where Go Bags are recommended… and believe me, no matter where you reside in the U.S. there is a reason to have one.  Further information can be found on this site for geographic recommendations and guidance on Go Bag considerations.  I encourage you to use this site as additional material if you plan to build a Go Bag of your own. 

I choose to build a Go Bag because it makes sense.  As a resident of a coastal city, the threat of hurricanes is ever present, and statistically becoming more frequent.  It is reassuring that should our state recommend an evacuation, or storm surges lead to catastrophic flooding… I am prepared.  No matter the vehicle we take, or even on foot, I have a bag at-the-ready for a worst-case scenario.

What is in a Go Bag?

What follows is a synopsis of how I personally choose to categorize the items in my Go Bag.  In each section I will discuss thoughts, ideas, and considerations for each respective compartment.  Each section will house supplemental material as well as the items I have personally chosen for each section with links to websites where these items can be found and purchased.  It is important to note that I think Go Bags are an incredibly important part of personal safety.  With that said, I opt for high quality products that can carry more expense.  I want items that will remain reliable for years, requiring little to no maintenance and worthy of the trust I place in them.  On a quantitative level, these bags are meant to support you for approximately 72 hours (give or take) to allow you to find sanctuary in the event of a true catastrophe. 

The backpack

To start, I think it best to talk about the bag itself.  A Go Bag needs to be housed as a single unit.  The bag should be strong enough to house (almost) everything that follows.  It needs to be somewhat inconspicuous, durable, and able to weather anything you throw at it.  From snow and dirt to torrential downpours and blistering heat… it needs to function. 

With this in mind, it is natural that most evolve to use hiking backpacks for their Go-Bags.  Hiking and outdoor related bags tend to be built with quality and durability in mind.  There are many bags from companies like Orvis, Osprey, Patagonia, REI co-op, and more, that offer peak level performance.  I chose a bag from 5.11 Tactical.  Yes, they can look militant, but that is not something I shy away from when needing performance and durability.  Speaking personally, the bag is well made and feels secure when completely packed.  It comes in a variety of colors and has continued to look brand new after five years of use.  Lastly it has endless locations for modifications on the exterior of the bag.  No matter which backpack you choose, I recommend a bag no smaller than 30L (preferably 55L) to safely house all items. When it comes to a doctor’s guide to go bags…you want the best.  Here is the backpack I have chosen:

Fire and heat

Next let’s talk about fire, its creation and utilization.  Being able to create a fire is critical to survival.  My philosophy is that, in a scenario where you are truly unsafe, the last thing you want to do is rely solely on outdoor survival skills.  With many things I incorporate into my Go Bag, simplicity and ease-of-use are central.  Fire is no different.  If you need to build a fire, either for warmth or cooking, it shouldn’t require much thought.  Further, you need to have tools at your disposal that will help facilitate this no matter the conditions… even rain. 

This section houses all the necessary items to both create a fire as well as maintain a fire.  For starters, every bag should have Bic lighters.  Standard lighters should do just fine.  These are long lasting and can create a flame in an instant.  I choose to include Wetfire tinder and storm matches too.  Lastly, I have found a ferrocerium rod to be essential for a complete fire kit.  From creating heat, to cooking, or just having a hearty location to gather, fire is critical.  Here are the fire tools I house in my Go Bag:

Water purification

This section is relatively self-explanatory.  Part of survival in a disaster scenario includes readily available potable water.  Many sources recommend needing as much as a gallon of water a day per individual during survival situations.  Unfortunately, a gallon of water is heavy, space occupying, and impractical to carry with regularity.

If carrying around large quantities of water is not a realistic option, the safest step would be to have tools available that can both sanitize and purify a water source.  Natural disasters can lead to power outages, disruption of sanitation, and hoarding of supplies.  I have selected supplies that offer ways to reasonably house water, as well as purify and filter fresh water you may interact with.  It should never be assumed that water is decontaminated.  Boiling water is an important option should you have the time and equipment, however the items that follow will further help you find reassurance that the water you consume has been appropriately purified and decontaminated.  

Of note, if you choose to utilize a backpack with a location for a hydration bladder, I suggest you purchase one.  For the 5.11 Rush 72 tactical backpack I recommend above, there is a compartment dedicated for a hydration bladder.  I personally choose to keep a hydration bladder and have the mouthpiece exit and attach on my left shoulder strap.

I have chosen the following water purification tools for my Go Bag:

Clothing and shelter

I have fewer formal recommendations for this section as it is depending on your geographic location and climate.  However, it is important to be prepared, no matter the conditions.  As such, there are some universal recommendations that I think are applicable to everyone. 

Footwear

First and foremost, a sturdy pair of boots are a must.  No matter the conditions, hot, cold, wet, or dry, a quality pair of boots can weather everything…no pun intended.  I personally keep my boots outside my Go Bag as they take up much needed space.  Also, in the event of a disaster, I will be wearing them, not carrying them.  Secondly, between 2-3 pairs of calf height merino wool socks are also important.  Multiple pairs allow you to cycle out socks to avoid having wet feet. 

Pants

A solid pair of pants is also important.  For those in warmer climates, pants that can be converted into shorts can help regulate body temperature…but also leave your skin exposed.  Keep that in mind.  I do think a belt is important not only for keeping loose clothing tucked in, but also offering another location to hook or hold items.  The pants you choose to keep should be able to take a beating and still not deteriorate quickly.  Oh… don’t forget a few pairs of underwear too.  For those in cooler climates, a base layer is recommended.

Torso

As for your torso, many vital organs reside here.  It is critical they remain protected and warm.  A weatherproof long sleeve shirt (preferably with intrinsic SPF) is something I recommend.  A warm overcoat that is waterproof should be included.  Again, the overcoat of your choosing should be durable, weather proof, and easy to put on and remove.  I do recommend a pair of multipurpose gloves also.  These gloves should support manual labor and still provide a level of warmth.  Again, for those in cooler climates, a base layer is recommended. 

Head and neck

For your head and neck, staying shaded and protected from high winds is vital.  I recommend a waterproof brimmed hat.  You should also have a pair of sunglasses (prescription if necessary) to shield your eyes from constant sun exposure.  Lastly, I choose to include a shemagh and a balaclava to protect against windburn and the blistering cold.

Shelter and sleeping

It is important to also have something between you and the elements.  Full size, multipurpose tents can be large and cumbersome.  In keeping with the goal of remaining mobile, having a ‘tent’ that is both effective and light-weight is helpful.  The Life Tent by Go Time Gear fits this purpose well enough.  It is simplistic, but effective none-the-less.

I keep all of my clothes in a Sea-to-Summit dry bag.  The last thing you want is to reach for your clothes and find they are damp or worse.  I personally have chosen the following items below for clothing and shelter:

Hygiene

Another facet of coping with the unexpected remains maintaining some semblance of hygiene.  Do not expect your Go Bag to afford you a spa treatment, but having the means to keep clean and sanitary are important. 

I keep a microfiber towel alongside my clothing for drying off.  I have included a very concentrated version of body wash that lasts a surprisingly long time if used sparingly.  Lastly, keeping your bottom clean and dry are crucial if you are walking or hiking for portions of the day.  Including commodities that allow you to wipe comfortably can have unbelievable impacts on your mental and physical health too.  Below I have included all of the personal hygiene materials used in my Go Bag:

Food and cooking equipment

Akin to water purification and storage, food and preparation equipment can be tricky.  A Go Bag should house the necessary tools needed to cook a rudimentary meal, but it also has to do so without accruing a significant amount of weight.  No easy feat. 

Quick calories

For starters, I do recommend keeping a few small portions of food on hand.  Certain brands of granola bars that are dry sealed can last years in a Go Bag.  I recommend keeping a few on hand for a quick calorie fix. 

Pertaining to food, there are a few items I think are beneficial to keep in your bag.  There are lightweight multi-purpose utensils that are helpful to have on hand.  Stanley also makes a compact and durable pot that contains two cups/bowls as well.  The ones I keep on my Go Bag have weathered many a fire and still work well. 

Food preparation

Lastly, part of food preparation involves the safe and efficient way to contain a heat source (fire).  I have had great experiences with two products in this niche.  I cannot recommend one more than the other so I have included them both.  The Solo Stove mini is great for using biomass fuel (sticks and twigs) for keeping a fire going for the use of cooking.  On the other hand, the Biolite camp stove intelligently creates energy through heat capture and simultaneously fans the flame, allowing your fire to burn smokeless and at a higher temperature.  I keep the following food and meal preparation products on hand in my Go Bag:

Tools and power

There is a comfort in having the tools needed to tackle any task.  With a healthy bit of intelligence and the right tools, many obstacles can be overcome. 

Shears

I think the most appropriate tool to start with includes the Leatherman Raptor shears that I keep attached to the exterior of my Go Bag.  My bag generally sits within arms reach in my car.  Should I be in an accident, I have them in arms reach to quickly remove my seatbelt if I cannot unlock it.  Further, as many emergency physicians and nurses know, shears are highly effective at clothing removal if necessary for trauma triage.  I never leave home without them.

Multipurpose tool

Another Leatherman tool I swear by includes their multi-tool.  This is what Leatherman is most known for…and rightfully so.  These tools are scratch resistant, rust resistant, and basically life proof!  From bottle openers to nail clippers and beyond, these tools can truly help you in a pinch.  These are a must for any Go Bag.

Carabiners

A carabiner is another essential tool.  I am not advocating for any rock climbing when navigating a disaster scenario, but having a few on hand never hurts.  From carrying paracord to hanging hammocks, a trustworthy carabiner is important.  I only recommend real rock-climbing carabiners, not ones created for the aesthetic.  For this reason, I use Black Diamond products.  This tool should be built for any challenge…not a keychain. I keep my carabiners attached to the exterior of my Go Bag.

Headlamps

Navigating in the dark as well as remaining visible is also important.  In keeping with my endorsement of Black Diamond products, I keep a Black Diamond headlamp in my bag at all times.  This particular headlamp can cycle both bright white as well as red wavelengths of light.  The headlamp can be locked to avoid accidentally turning on and wasting your battery. 

Knives

This section would not be complete without addressing the importance of a knife.  Every Go Bag should have a reliable knife.  I keep two on the exterior of my Go Bag, one is a Kershaw folding knife, the other is a full-tang ESEE 6 survival knife.  No matter the choice of knife, it should be one you are comfortable with and feel can be used safely.

Power generation and utilization are critical during disaster scenarios.  A charged cell phone can literally be the difference between life and death.  For this reason, I have included a small(ish) electric power generator that I keep housed in my truck.  This is not something that resides in my Go Bag, nor should it.  However, if you have the space and money to afford a power generator, it is a worthy investment. 

First aid

Briefly I wish to touch on first aid.  Despite being written by a physician, this section is relatively straight forward.  The challenge with building a comprehensive Go-Bag is balancing necessity with weight.  Your Go Bag needs to be full, organized, but not overly cumbersome.  First aid is no exception.  There are fortunately well made, prefabricated first aid kits that contain the essentials.  Below I include the first aid kit that I choose to use in my Go Bag.

I have also employed a trauma tourniquet in case of emergencies.  I recommend North American products as they are battle tested and standard issue for many government agencies and EMTs. 

Navigation and mapping

Let’s face it.  In a world of smartphones, augmented reality, and self-driving cars, personal navigation and mapping can seem archaic.  However, in a scenario when cell towers are down, or you are without power, understanding navigation and using a map can come in handy.  As such I do include a Compass as well as a pen and paper in my Go Bag.  From taking notes to doing simple math, you can never go wrong with a pen and paper.

I also recommend you purchase a map of your city and state.  Even if it does nothing other than help you navigate interstates and highways without cell service, it will have served its purpose.  These can be purchased at bookstores, gas stations, tourist centers, and online.

For those that wish to go the extra mile, Garmin makes an incredibly compact and powerful handheld GPS system.  This is by no means a necessity, but can prove beneficial when navigating an unfamiliar area.  It is important to note that Garmin products come with secondary costs associated with using their satellites for navigational purposes.  However, I have included this device should you wish to include it in your Go Bag.

Information and communication

Hey, here is something that can save your life…knowledge and the ability to communicate.  I briefly touched on this earlier when discussing the Garmin navigation tools.  There are so many more tools that are essential to your Go Bag, however. 

NOAA Radio

First, as recommended by Ready.gov as well as the NOAA, every Go Bag should have a standard issue NOAA radio.  I have selected an NOAA multi-purpose crack radio.  This particular radio can be hand cranked, solar powered, or battery powered.  It has access to 7 emergency weather stations as well as AM and FM frequencies.  It also has USB inputs and outputs so you can charge essential electronics. 

Solar power bank

I also include a handheld solar power bank in my pack.  This is essentially a small solar panel mounted on a large lithium-ion battery.  Power banks can charge your cell phone to completion a handful of times.  The one I recommend below is lightweight, durable, and able to be attached to a carabiner and worn on the exterior of your pack, charging as you walk. 

Wrist watches

A solar powered wrist watch fits perfectly into this category as well.  I have researched two quality solar powered watches that I advocate for with regularity.  The first is made by Casio and the second by Garmin.  I own both and can personally recommend both.  My Garmin Solar watch is my everyday wrist watch, including in the hospital, and the Casio remains mounted to the top of my Go Bag incase of emergencies. 

A few housekeeping items for this section.  I also keep a storm whistle mounted to the top of my bag alongside my Casio watch.  If I need to make a lot of noise quickly… a loud whistle can achieve this goal.  Secondly, both the NOAA radio as well as the solar power bank can connect to certain electronic devices… if you pack the correct cords.  Don’t forget to pack the cords!

Identification and money

Maintaining documentation supporting your identity is another critical aspect of protecting your assets in an emergency situation.  I advocate for a few things in this category. 

For starters, I personally think keeping a photocopy of your passport, social security card, birth certificate, and driver’s license in your Go Bag is necessary.  This affords you all the commonly used versions of identification should you need to prove your identity.  It is necessary to be able to confirm your identity so you can successfully access personal accounts, documents, and holdings.  If you have any children, make sure to include their identification documents in your Go Bag also.  It can be anxiety provoking to keep copies of these documents in your car or a location in your home.  So often these documents are utilized for identity theft or fraud, however I still remain firm that it is vital that you have multiple identification documents on hand should you need emergent evacuation. 

Protect your documents

Similar to the clothing section mentioned above, I utilize a Sea to Summit dry bag to keep these documents protected from the elements.  If you can laminate them, that is also another layer of protection.

Cash

If evacuation is difficult, or a last-minute flight is necessary, it can be critical to have cash on hand.  I have a durable Maxpedition wallet that I use to house the money in my Go bag.  It is water resistant and keeps the cash behind a zipper.  The amount you feel comfortable keeping in your Go Bag is up to you.  I have found that between $1000 to $3000 seems like a healthy amount of money to keep on hand to cover most emergent expenses or travel.  The larger your family, the more cash you may need to consider having on-hand. 

  • Copy of your passport
  • Copy of your social security card
  • Copy of your birth certificate
  • Copy of your driver’s license
  • Copy of dependent family members documentation (passport, social security card, birth certificate, etc.)
  • Recent photos of all family members with their faces clearly visible for identification
  • Sea to summit dry bag
  • Maxpedition wallet
  • Cash

Miscellaneous items

This last section houses largely items that do not fit in any of the sections mentioned above, but are still considered important.  I have included these items below.

How to pack your Go Bag

I have included a photo below of how I choose to pack my Go Bag.  I would recommend doing your best to effectively compartmentalize each section mentioned above.  The purpose of the Go Bag is to be able to ‘grab it and go’ quickly.  I think this same principle should be applied with accessing tools needed within the bag.  If you are able, keep each section mentioned above together, or in its own compartment in the bag.  Think through life-saving items… these should be the easiest to access.  For me this includes items like whistles, flashlights, shears, or first aid.  Your Go Bag’s organization should receive the same amount of thought as the items you choose to place in it!

Below I have included a photo of a PDF I keep for organizational purposes so my family knows what is contained in all compartments:

Maintenance

My hope is that your Go Bag does nothing but collect dust.  The best Go Bag is one that you do not have to use.  However, your pack should be prepared at all times.  Therefore, I have adopted a practice of going through my bags thoroughly once a month (at least once a quarter).  The purpose of this is to account for all items and to monitor their power supply.  I generally take an hour on a weekend where I will empty out each compartment of my Go Bag, perform inventory, and make sure everything works. 

For items like flashlights, headlamps, radios, power banks, etc. I make sure they are fully charged and the batteries or power supply does not show any signs of corrosion.  For food items, I make sure there are no areas of compromise in the wrapper.  For water supplies and purification, do all tools appear to be intact and without wear?  Make sure that all identification documents are accounted for and that all cash necessary remains on hand.  If you incorporate this into your monthly routine, it will become a habit. 

Take home points

I view Go Bags similar to any other insurance policy that I advocate for.  It is protection you hope to never use, but glad to have.  With the threat of natural disaster and future uncertainty ever present, I find comfort knowing I can grab my family and evacuate on a moment’s notice.  There is relief knowing everything I need for survival, as well as the tools to prove my identity (and those of my loved ones), are on hand.  I have recently put my Go Bag into action when a tree pierced my home during a severe storm.  You can read all about it on My Emergency Fund in Action, featured on The White Coat Investor.

I hope each and everyone one of you reading this never finds yourself in a situation where a Go Bag is needed, but by all intents and purposes, you likely will at some point in your life.  When that time comes, I hope you have one.  It is for this reason I have worked tirelessly to publish A Doctor’s Guide to Go Bags.  Thank you for reading a doctor’s guide to go bags and I hope you found this helpful.   

Stay motivated!

The Motivated M.D.

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