In today's uncertain world, creating plans for the "end of days" has become a very popular topic. When you are creating your go bag, it is important to remember that no to bags will be the same. Whether you are concerned about nature disasters like severe storms and wildfires caused by global warming, or the impending threat of civil and political unrest, it is always a good idea to be prepared. Your bag should reflect your concerns and survival needs, and we will just be going over the important essentials necessary for any bag. Your personal go bag can be packed light with just the essentials for easy travel, or packed heavy to host everything you could possibly need to survive the long haul.
Regardless of what scenario you pack for, water should always be your #1 priority.
You can survive weeks without food, but only 3 days without water. Dehydration can set in quick, and can kill you before you even have a chance. Clean water is the most important and basic necessity for survival. A survival straw is one of the most important investments you can make into your go bag. A survival straw uses filters that turn dirty water into a clean drinking source.
After considering how you will acquire clean drinking water, your next concern should be shelter. Weather can be a deadly force of nature that can ultimately lead to your demise if you are not properly protected. A tent is way too heavy and cumbersome to carry in a survival situation, this is why you should pack tools that will help you create a shelter instead. A steel wire saw is a perfect tool for cutting down small trees and thick branches which can be used as the main structure for a strong shelter. Steel wire saw can be folded into tight circles, allowing you to store them in the smallest pockets of your backpack. Another tool that you should definitely consider is a foldable tactical shovel. Tactical shovels are compact and extremely durable. They are designed with versatility in mind, making them useful for a plethora of survival needs. Foldable tactical shovels are lightweight and easy to store, making it easy to attach to your go bag with a carabiner or rope. Building a shelter is an acquired skill, it is a good idea to practice in your backyard or while camping to get the hang of it and build the muscle memory.
Your next priority should be food. You should pack a few MREs in your go bag, but any amount of food you pack will inevitably run out in a survival situation. It is a good idea to pack gear that will help you acquire food for the long haul. A very simple and space-conscious tool that is a must have is a survival card. Survival cards are so thin and compact, they can be stored in your wallet. The cards feature punch-out style tools such as saw blades, arrowheads, spearheads, and fishing hooks. Being able to fish in a survival setting could be the difference between life and death. Another lifesaving tool to keep in your go bag is a proper hunting slingshot. It is easy to write off a slingshot as a "toy", but make no mistake, hunting slingshots are deadly weapons. With 6 high resistance bands, hunting slingshots are able to take down small and medium game at over 15 yards. Remember, David defeated Goliath with nothing more than a slingshot, don't underestimate the power of this compact weapon. Another great aspect about slingshots that make them extremely useful in a "bug out" world is their ammo of choice. Slingshots require nothing more than some small rocks or pebbles, allowing ammo to be plentiful and easy to find in any environment.
When you are creating a go bag, medical supplies should definitely be included. When you're in the wilderness, small cuts and scrapes are bound to happen. You should include a med kit that is suitable for most medium sized gashes and injuries.
Everything listed above is the most essential gear for a go bag, but you should include other small tools as well. A pocket multi-tool card is a great option if you are concerned about saving space. A multi-tool survival watch is also a great option, proving to be extremely versatile. As far as other supplies go, you should pack for your specific environment and needs. A go bag for the midwest should look a lot different than a go bag for Florida.
Remember to be prepared, but try to pack light.