Hello my friend and welcome back to another one of my post. You probably know what a Bug Out Bag is, but what about a Go Kit? It is just as important yet you never hear much about them. In today’s post, we are going to look at what they are, why you should have one and what you should put in them, so grab yourself a cup of coffee and have a seat while we visit.
As we all know, the Bug Out Bag is designed to allow you to be able to grab it on your way out the door. It should have everything you will need to survive for 72 hours. The go kit is similar, but is usually setup for a particular purpose such as Communications or first aid. The idea is that when you need it, you don’t have to go looking for everything, but rather have it all together in one place so you can grab it and go. As to why they are important for you to have, just imagine that someone come running up to you and say’s a member of your group is hurt and needs you right away. You are the group’s medical specialist and as such are expected to be ready to handle emergencies. Do you want to start looking for all of your supplies that you might need or would it make more sense to have everything together in a container so you can just grab it and go? I think the answer is pretty obvious.
So what kinds of Go Kits should I have? Here is a short list of the ones I keep ready to go at all times:
- Medical Go Kit – In my opinion, this is the most important go kit that you can have. You need to have Trauma items as well as First Aid items in this kit. Just remember that you are going to be using it for emergencies and not everyday use. If you weight it down with things you may not need like tubes of skin lotion or sinus medicine, it may become too heavy to effectively carry while running to help someone. Just remember that go kits are for quick emergencies and not for everyday use.
- Communications Go Kit – While communications at your base camp maybe set up as permanent use, you will also need a collection of radios, power supplies and antennas that you can grab to take to the field should the need arise. You may find times where you need something more powerful to reach someone else where a hand-held radio just won’t get the job done. You want something that is pushing 50 to 100 watts of power to really get out there. In cases like this, you will want a case with powerful 12 volt ham radios as well as batteries and charger of some type, such as a solar charger. The idea is to have whatever you may need in the field handy and ready to go. Just so we are clear, when I say 12 volt battery, I am not talking about a car battery but rather the smaller ones that are used to power riding lawn mowers or deer feeders. Take your time and plan it all out and you will be able to grab it and go whenever you need to.
- Shelter Go Kit – This is one that is often overlooked and yet it could save your life if you were forced to abandon your base camp in a hurry. What should you have in it? Items like extra tarps and small pop-up tents that can be used for shelter should you need it. I would also add a few extra tent stakes and a couple of hanks of Paracord just in case you need it. Being forced for your home or base camp will create enough heartaches for you without having to sleep out in the open and getting sick. It would be a good idea to have dry socks and even a set of clean clothes in case you get wet and need dry ones.
While I am sure that there are others, but these are the ones I can think of off the top of my head. Just remember that the goal here is to be able to grab a bag of some type that is already loaded with everything you need to survive. Having these just may save your life or the life of someone you care about. Well, I hope this will get you started with Go Kits and provide you the information you need. Until next time, stay safe, stay strong and stay prepared!
-The Sargent-
You Gals are Great. Great site Sargent, Thanks.
I am a 71 yr old woman, retired cop and a prepper. I need a GHB for my car which is a chevy Sonic. ie, small, minimal truck space, ok back seat but it’s for the occasional grandkid, or 2. So, I carry with me .38 revolver, loaded and 1 speed loader, a folding knife and a small first aid kit (working on improving it). Planning a LifeStraw, candle in a can/w matches, extra warm clothes. (Live 25 miles south of St.Louis,MO). Have 2 flashlights, a poncho, 2 pair socks, cap, umbrella , survival blanket and mylar sleep bag. Any suggestions in case I’m 20 miles from home and an EMP happens.?
Sounds like you have a good start! I wold definitely add the Life straw for one. Other things that you may want to add are some cotton balls soaked in Vaseline in a small bag with a good butane lighter for starting fires. Sometimes you might not want to draw attention with the smoke from a campfire so you may want to pick up one of those little folding stoves that use the little squares. You can get them with the stove for about $5 at some places. This at least give you an option to building a fire in the open. You may want to get a canteen with a metal cup so you will have something to heat your food in or you may want to pick up a couple of MREs to add to your pack as well. What about medication that you take? You should be sure to keep some of your medication in your bag as well. If you haven’t added it already then I would suggest that you add a small cheap tarp and a hank of Paracord as well. They take up little room and weigh hardly nothing but can save your life when needed. I hope this helps. Keep on Prepping!
-The Sargent-
thanks….have more planning to work on.
I use a school type back-pack. I figure it won’t stand out as much as a hiking back-pack might. At least 2-3 ways to start a fire (lighter, flint and steel, matches) I also use the Vaseline cotton balls – stuffed and sealed in straws. I store stuff in nestled cans, one can be used for small fire, other for cooking in. I made a soda can stove, with rubbing alcohol fuel. I always have water in the car, but rotate all the time. I have rice, freeze dried chicken and oatmeal, but also have the long term survival bars (they don’t need any prep and you can munch while walking). I have various medications that might make the trip smoother. I also carry a Baofeng ham radio (wrapped for EMP protection). They are really cheap on ebay. I have a hand crank/battery am/fm/weather radio. Paracord and the largest trashbags (drum liners) you can find (shelter, rain, warmth, etc) Of course extra batteries for everything you bring. I also have a little fold up rolling thing for old school luggage. It’s very small and light. It probably would hold up on a long trek, but at least might help my back out a bit. As a retired cop, back not in greatest shape. If you pack carefully and nestle items, you can get it all into a small back pack. I always have cloth shopping bags in my car. Plan to use those as needed to bring anything else from my car or that I gather along the way. …Oh, also extra cash and maybe a REAL silver dollar or too.
I forgot to list – I keep a clean white sheet in a zip lock bag for multiple use. It can be shade, strips for bandages, cut into triangle bandage for sling, a picnic blanket…. and facemask and few first aid supplies. I also have one of those scarf face covering thingies. I don’t know what they’re called, but mine is a scary skull one… just cause.
Could it be the Breathe Healthy mask from http://www.breathehealthy.com. I use those. I am not affiliated with them. The masks are great. The guy that makes them is an Iraq War vet.