Everything for your emergency bag in one place

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Why did I create this list?

I wanted an emergency bag. Not a pre-assembled, low-quality kit. There are dozens of sites that tell you how to put your own bag together, but that approach wasn’t as easy as I hoped. I had to sift through a lot of options, consolidate inconsistent checklists, and fill in several big gaps. Many recommendations didn’t specify a brand, model or source, so I had to research all that as well. In the end, I spent several weeks on a task that should have taken a couple of days.

How did I do it?

Most items here were recommended by multiple expert sites. When I found conflicting opinions, poorly-considered recommendations, missing items, or discontinued options, I dug deeper into camping, survival, and emergency sites. I combed through hundreds of reviews, compared prices, and tried to find the sweet spot between quality and cost. Finally, I bought and evaluated actual products.

I also incorporated feedback from first responders in my local community, and friends who lived through natural disasters in Houston and Puerto Rico.

So: Here’s a faster, easier, more complete and maybe even better list. And you can get it all in one place. I also regularly audit and update when items are discontinued or new options become available.

What do I do with all this stuff?

The supplies on this page are meant to go into a large duffel bag or backpack. This is for an emergency that requires me to evacuate fast, like a major fire or earthquake. I keep my bag in my trunk, so I can also use it if I get stranded or need a particular supply on the road.

The bag is enough to get me through a few days, maybe a week. This is not for an apocalyptic scenario. If there is no local food, shelter, or medical care for weeks or months, and no transportation to those things, this bag won’t be enough. But even in a major disaster it’s very likely that I’ll be able to get to an emergency shelter, food bank, hospital, etc.

Check out my Assembling your bag page for packing tips.

I also keep a separate stash of larger, heavier supplies in my apartment for emergency scenarios where I can remain in my home, but may not have power and water.

Bag

Seems like a big oversight that none of the lists I read included a bag? I searched extensively and found this very reasonably-priced waterproof pack with roomy compartments. The quality is much better than I expected, and the size is perfect. I deliberately picked one without a padded laptop section — those bags tend to be heavier, and better for books and papers than oddly shaped supplies.

Water

Clean water is absolutely my most important supply. Unfortunately, this was also an example of a flawed expert recommendation that needed to be replaced with my own research. Wirecutter recommends a 24 oz. Kleen Canteen water bottle. While that’s a great choice for everyday use, that is the wrong bottle size for an emergency. Why? Because each Aquamira purifier tablet treats 1L (34 oz.) of water! Obviously I need a 1L bottle. (I don’t want to fiddle with bleach and eyedroppers and calculations to ensure I’m not poisoning myself.) I included a second, collapsible bottle in case I need to stock up. The LifeStraw works when I don’t have a few hours to purify a bottle. I like having multiple easy options when it comes to clean water.

Shelter

In a major widespread disaster, shelter may not be available right away. These lightweight basics can get me through a couple of nights if I absolutely have to rough it.

Food

Emergency rations taste pretty awful and take a lot of water to choke down. Clif bars come in many tasty flavors and have a 12-month shelf life. Adding an Emergen-C to my water bottle is an easy way to get essential nutrients. This is a very short list because I don’t think food is going to be a major problem. If can stay in my home, my pantry is already stocked. If I have to leave my home, I can probably still buy food. If my whole town is wiped out and I can’t get to friends or family, local emergency services and the Red Cross are typically ready to feed people.

First Aid

No quibble with the expert consensus on this one! The Whitetail is a highly-rated, affordable kit. It’s also much smaller and lighter than I expected. (If out of stock on Amazon, you can upgrade to the Bighorn or Grizzly version or try buying directly from the manufacturer.)

Light

I like having options when it comes to essential supplies. Glow sticks for ambient light, a headlamp for tasks, and a tiny but bright hand-powered lantern if I run out of glow sticks and batteries.

Health & Hygiene

I was very glad to have N95 masks on hand during the last two years of fires in Northern California. They were sold out locally — a good reminder to build a kit before, not during, an emergency. I’ve updated my previous mask recommendation based on continued use of the most basic model during the week when air quality was extremely unhealthy. The old recommendation turned out to be too flimsy and hard to fit properly, and the lack of a valve made them hot and stinky. The Protect Life masks are more durable, have a breathing valve, but still pack flat. I always have at least one in my day bag. Ladies, if you don’t like squatting on the ground or sitting on a questionable porta-potty seat, the pStyle is a great device that lets you pee standing up! You might want to get an extra for camping, outdoor festivals, your friend’s house with the bathroom that’s never been cleaned. Finally, a toiletry kit with just the essentials.

Batteries

These are expert-recommended batteries for the headlamp and emergency radio. See how to pack batteries so they don’t drain and leak.

Tools

The radio, gloves, emergency tool, and whistle are all consistently recommended, and far better quality than what I would get in a prefab bag. A physical map comes in handy if there’s no internet. Duct tape, for miscellaneous MacGyvering. Contractor bags are ideal for cleaning up debris, covering leaks and broken windows, making into rain ponchos, and maybe most importantly – can be set up as a makeshift toilet!

Electronics

I don’t think any of the lists I researched included cables and adapters?! This is essential travel gear in general, and I wouldn’t want to be without them in an emergency. Of course, you only need to get the cable types that match your devices.

Clothes

  • Comfortable shoes
  • 3 pairs of socks
  • 3 pairs of underwear
  • 1 pair of pants
  • 1 short sleeved shirt
  • 1 long sleeved shirt
  • 1 hooded rain jacket

My emergency clothes don’t actually fit in my bag. I could stuff them in if I had to, but instead I keep them in a Ziploc Big Bag next to my backpack.

Miscellaneous

  • Ziploc bags, various sizes
  • Packing list
  • Prescription medication (at least 1 week supply)
  • Copies of important papers (ID, certificates, insurance, accounts, etc.)
  • $100-500 cash in small bills