This resource is provided free of charge by Jim McConnell, Principal Owner, Ask McConnell, LLC — a Converged Security Services Provider with 36+ years of experience. It is a starting point, not a legal standard. Please consult your legal counsel and insurance provider for requirements specific to your organization.
Jim McConnell | info@askmcconnell.com | askmcconnell.com
Go Bag Checklist
Updated: 10 July 2023
A “Go Bag” is a bag or backpack containing critical items needed during an emergency, evacuation, or loss of access to normal resources — power outages, severe weather, natural disaster, or extended absence from home. This checklist reflects Jim McConnell’s personal and professional experience as a 36+ year security professional and volunteer first responder. It is a starting point, not a definitive standard — customize it for your family’s specific needs, medical requirements, and environment.
Go Bag Items (A–Z)
- 10′ Accessory Cord
- 10′ Duct Tape (small roll)
- 1‑inch Nylon Tubular Webbing (20′)
- 30 Gal. Trash Bags (2)
- Basic First Aid Kit + Disposable vinyl gloves
- Bath Towel + Toiletries
- Batteries / Charger
- Belt
- Black Sharpie Marker
- Brush / Comb
- CamelBak / Hydration Bladder / Canteens (2 qt)
- Camera
- Cash
- CAT Combat Application Tourniquet (×2)
- Cell Phone + Charger Bricks
- Charger Cables
- Checkbook
- Clock
- Compass (orienteering recommended)
- Cooling Towel
- CPR Mask
- Credit Cards
- Critical Food (electrolytes, gluten-free, no nuts)
- Critical Medicine — EpiPen
- Deodorant
- Dial Soap
- Dirty Clothes Bag
- Dog / Cat / Pet food and supplies
- Duct Tape
- Durable Work Gloves (multiple sets)
- Ear Plugs
- Electric Razor
- Essential Oils
- Facemasks
- Feminine Hygiene Products (if needed)
- Fire Starter (all-weather)
- Flagging Tape — Orange / Pink
- Flashlight with UV
- Flip Flops / Shower Shoes
- Foil Emergency Blanket
- Food (2 days)
- Gaiter Face / Neck Shield
- Glasses / Sunglasses
- Glow Sticks / Chemlights (8)
- Goggles
- GPS (USB interface, Garmin preferred)
- Hair Restraints (if needed)
- Hand Sanitizer
- Hand Towels
- Hat
- Headlamp with Spare Batteries
- Helmet
- IFAK vs. Family First Aid Kit
- Insect Repellent
- iPad / Chargers
- Israeli Bandages (×2)
- Jacket / Coat
- Kleenex
- Knife / Multi-tool (Leatherman Raptor recommended)
- Light Weight Jacket
- Luggage Tags + Ribbons
- Machete
- Marking Paint
- Mess Kit and Utensils
- Money Bag
- Nitrile Gloves (15 pair)
- Note Pad (Write-in-Rain preferred)
- Paper Towels
- Paracord (100′)
- Passports
- Pen + Pencil
- Personal First Aid Kit
- Personal Medication (OTC / Rx)
- Pillow
- Plastic Zip Ties (50)
- Prussic Cord (10′)
- Quart-sized Zip Lock Bags (10)
- Rain Suit / Poncho
- Reading Materials
- Rescue-Rated Locking Carabiner
- Rope
- Safety Glasses (clear lenses)
- Safety Lights / Flares
- Safety Vest (blaze orange or reflective)
- Shaving Kit
- Shoes + Tennis Shoes
- Sleeping Bag + Sleeping Pad
- Small Bar of Soap
- Small Measuring Tape (18″ min)
- Snake Gaiters
- Snacks
- Socks (multiple, including boot socks)
- Spare Glasses
- Spare T-shirts + Underwear
- Sterno / Small Camp Stove
- Sunscreen
- Tarp
- Telescopic Hiking Pole / Walking Stick
- Thermal Food Bag
- Toilet Paper / Baby Wipes
- Toothbrush + Toothpaste
- Trash Bags
- UV Tie Wraps (lots)
- Wash Cloth
- Waterless Hand Sanitizer
- Whistle (pealess preferred)
Before You Leave: House Shutdown Checklist
- Alarm set
- Blinds closed
- Close any online stores / businesses
- Empty trash
- Fire-resistant safe contents grabbed first?
- Hold mail / Paper pickup
- Hide house keys
- Key to housewatcher
- Leave contact info
- Lights on timers
- Lock garage
- Lock up laptops, backups, firearms
- Locks verified / keys accounted for
- Mail any letters
- Set AC thermostat
- Set up Alfred Camera App
- Sprinklers scheduled
- Turn off hot water heater
- Turn off icemaker
- Turn off water to house
- Turn off water to toilets
- Turn off water to washer
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