Evacuation Bags

Ready to Grab Bags

Waterproof premium kit A welded roll-top shell that keeps the contents dry, with the tools held in a labelled insert rather than loose in the bottom. Built to be thrown in a car. 2 people60+ toolsWaterproof Uncharted Supply Co. SEVENTY2 Pro See on Amazon Packed bag for two A conventional pack rather than a dry bag, carrying the gear list a good bag is judged on rather than the cheapest set of items that fills the space. 72 hours2 peoplePrepacked Sirius Survival Bug Out Bag, 2 people See on Amazon Packed bag for one Water, food, blanket, light and a phone charger for one person for three days, under a Red Cross licence. The bag to hand somebody who has never owned one. 1 person72 hoursRed Cross American Red Cross Basic Emergency Kit, 1 person See on Amazon Packed bag for four Three days for four adults out of one bag: rations and water, first aid, lighting, tools, and the hygiene items a family kit is almost always short of. 4 people72 hoursHygiene Sustain Supply Comfort Kit, 4 person See on Amazon

Earthquake Bags

One person, three days Water, food, filtration, light, radio and shelter for one person, already packed. The fastest way to go from owning nothing to owning something that works. 72 hours1 personPrepacked Complete Earthquake Bag, 1 person / 3 days See on Amazon Two people, three days Three days of water, food, light and shelter for two. Two is the size most households actually need, and the size most often bought one person too small. 72 hours2 peoplePrepacked Complete Earthquake Bag, 2 person / 3 days See on Amazon Four people, three days Packed for a household: food and water on a five-year shelf life, first aid, hygiene, shelter, light and a way to hear the news, for four people for three days. 4 people3 days5-year food Complete Earthquake Bag, 4 person / 3 days See on Amazon Vehicle kit Coast Guard approved food bars and sealed water pouches, which survive a boot in summer where most packed food does not. Bought for the car, not the hallway. 2 people72 hoursUSCG rations Ready America 70280, 2 person / 3 days See on Amazon

Empty Backpacks

Empty tactical pack Bought empty and packed yourself, which is the only way to know what is in it. Thirty-seven litres, MOLLE webbing, a laptop sleeve, 1050D nylon throughout. 37 LMOLLEEmpty 5.11 Tactical RUSH24 2.0, 37L See on Amazon Plain-looking pack Reads as a commuter bag rather than as equipment, which is worth more in a crowd than webbing is. Water repellent, laptop sleeve, a bottle pocket each side. 30 LLow profileEmpty The North Face Recon, 30L See on Amazon Budget tactical pack MOLLE webbing and twenty-five litres at the bottom of the price range. The honest answer when a second bag is needed this week rather than eventually. 25 LMOLLEEmpty XMILPAX Tactical Backpack, 25L See on Amazon Heavy-duty pack A three-zip front that opens flat, so the contents are laid out rather than dug through. A removable waist belt, and a maker whose day job is firefighting packs. Three-zipWaist beltBuilt to last Mystery Ranch 2 Day Backpack See on Amazon

What to consider

Water bottleStainless steel or durable plastic. Doubles as a container for boiling.
Water filterPortable gravity or pump filter. LifeStraw, Sawyer Mini, or equivalent.
Purification tabletsBackup to your filter. Iodine or chlorine dioxide tablets. Light and compact.
Collapsible water carrierWeighs nothing empty. The bottle covers the walk, this covers the first day at the other end.

Energy bars (6+)High-calorie, compact, no preparation needed. Rotate every 12 months.
Freeze-dried meals (3+)Just add hot water. Lightweight and calorie-dense.
Trail mix or nutsQuick calories, good shelf life, no preparation.
Electrolyte packetsPrevents dehydration, especially in hot climates or during physical exertion.
Dried fruit and nutsCalorie dense, no cooking, no water. Rotate every six months.
Instant coffee or teaCosts nothing to carry and holds a routine together on the third bad day.

Emergency bivvy or space blanketReflects body heat. Weighs almost nothing. Can save your life in cold weather.
Lightweight tarpRain protection, ground cover, improvised shelter. Versatile and compact.
ParacordShelter construction, gear repair, clothesline, tourniquet in emergencies.
Warm layer (fleece or puffy jacket)Packable insulation. Choose based on your climate.
Rain ponchoKeeps you and your pack dry. Can double as a ground sheet.
Sleeping bag (season rated)A space blanket keeps you alive for a night. A bag lets you sleep, which is what the second week needs.
Sleeping mat (closed cell foam)Ground steals more heat than air does. Skipping the mat is the most common mistake in a packed bag.
Wool hat and glovesCheap, tiny, and the difference between cold and losing the use of your hands.

Lighter (2+)Primary fire source. BIC lighters are reliable and cheap. Pack two.
Waterproof matchesBackup fire source. Store in a waterproof container.
Headlampundefined
Batteries, spareundefined
Small flashlightBackup light source. LED for battery life.
Fire starter (ferro rod or tinder)Works when lighters fail. Pair with cotton balls and petroleum jelly.
Glow sticks or chemical lightNo batteries, no flame, no off switch. Useful for marking a room or a child.

Basic first aid kitBandages, antiseptic, gauze, medical tape, pain relievers, antihistamines.
TourniquetStops life-threatening bleeding. Learn to use it before you need it.
Prescription medications (7 days)Whatever you take daily. Rotate regularly for freshness.
Moleskin and blister careYou will be walking. Blisters can be debilitating.
Insect repellent and sunscreenClimate-dependent but often critical.
FFP3 or N95 respirators (2+)Smoke, dust and building collapse. The mask you own is the only one available on the day.
Nitrile gloves (5 pairs)For treating someone who is not you.
Hand disinfectantWater for washing runs out long before water for drinking.

ID and passport, plus copies for the householdundefined
Cash in small denominations, plus coinsundefined
Bank card, kept separate from the restundefined
Family crisis plan and emergency contacts, printedundefined
Medical summary and blood typeundefined
Encrypted copies of key documentsundefined

Multi-tool or knifeCutting, prying, screwing, can opening. A quality multi-tool covers many needs.
Duct tape (small roll)Wrap around a pencil to save space. Repairs almost anything temporarily.
Zip ties (assorted sizes)Lightweight fasteners for gear repair and improvised solutions.
WhistleSignal for rescue. Louder and more sustainable than shouting.
CompassNavigation when GPS and phone batteries die.
Local area map (printed)Know your evacuation routes. Digital maps require power.
Work glovesBroken glass and hot metal. The first thing anyone clearing debris wishes they had.
Sewing and repair kitA torn strap ends a walk. Needle, strong thread, safety pins, adhesive patches.

Toothbrush and toothpasteSmall tube. Oral hygiene prevents infections.
Wet wipesBody cleaning when water is limited. Multipurpose.
Hand sanitizerWhen soap and water are unavailable.
Trash bags (2-3 heavy duty)Rain protection, waste disposal, improvised poncho, gear waterproofing.
Toilet paper (compressed roll)Vacuum-sealed or compressed. You will want this.
Menstrual suppliesNot optional, not improvisable, and never stocked in an emergency shelter in useful quantity.
Bar of soapOutlasts every gel and works in cold water.
Quick-dry towelPacks to the size of a fist. Staying dry is warmth.

Power bank, chargedCheck it twice a year. A flat power bank is luggage.
Emergency radio (hand crank and battery)Crank as well as battery. Sirens and broadcast radio are still how an alert reaches you when the network is down.
Walkie-talkies (pair)The phone network fails first and is the last thing restored. Short range radio needs no infrastructure at all.
Spare batteriesIn the sizes your torch, radio and hearing aids actually take.
Charging cables for every deviceOne cable per device, kept in the bag and never borrowed from it.
Pen and waterproof notebookAddresses, registration numbers, names of officials, times. You will not remember any of it.

Seasonal clothingAdjust for your climate. Extra socks are always worth the weight.
Glasses or contacts (spare)If you depend on corrective lenses, pack a backup pair.
Baby supplies (if applicable)Diapers, formula, wipes, medication. Pack for 72 hours.
Pet supplies (if applicable)Food, leash, medication, carrier. Pets need evacuation plans too.
Self-defense toolSituational. Know your local laws and your own capabilities.
Spare underwear and socksDry socks outrank almost everything else in this list.
One personal itemA photograph or a keepsake. It weighs nothing and it is what makes a shelter bearable.
Spare house and car keysKept in the bag, not on the hook by the door you just left through.
Sturdy footwear, already broken inundefined
Printed family photoundefined