Packing a Go Bag (Part 3 of 3)

In my previous two “go-bag” articles we covered the basics of why you may want a “go-bag” with the 1^st article covering why you may want one, how to pick the right bag, and the necessities of shelter and fire.  This was the 1^st layer of the R3 foundation or my 3-part “go-bag” guidance based on the Rule of Three (R3) – the human body can survive three minutes without air, three hours without shelter, three days without water, and three weeks without food. In the 2^nd article we covered the 2^nd layer of the R3 foundation, food and water. In this article we will talk about the 3^rd layer of the R3 foundation, ancillary and morale items.

So, we’ve covered the basics of your “go-bag” and we’ve taken care of the bag, shelter, fire, water, and food; now, it’s time to move onto the other items that you’ll need / want to consider. While the 1^st and 2^nd layer of the R3 foundation are your “must-have” items there are other items that can be just as important and those items comprise the 3^rd layer of the R3 foundation.

Let’s start with tools, tools can be a very important aspect of survival and comfort and for anyone who has seen an episode of “Naked and Afraid” we all know that most of these jokers can’t even use a fire starter properly that knowing how to use a tool can make a huge difference between success and failure.  So make sure you spend some time practicing with the tools you pack in your “go-bag”.

As a basic set of tools, I recommend the following: a good quality knife, a multi-tool, a flashlight, and a compass. When picking out a knife think of a knife that can serve numerous duties while maintaining a sharp edge. My personal favorite is the Helle Odel from Norway. This is a great knife that can serve multiple duties from game prep, to camp kitchen work, to basic camp duty, etc. Again, I’ll stress that you don’t need a 12” Rambo knife to have a tool that can be used effectively; think about what you need and the associated weight…ounces add up and pounds get heavy. In regards to a multi-tool, there are a wide variety of tools out there from great companies such as Multi-Tasker, Gerber, and Leatherman. Again, think about what you need and the associated weight; I’ve found that the Leatherman Juice S2 at 4.6oz is a great option and encompasses many of the sub-tools that you might need from a bottle opener to pliers. Flashlights are great tools that can serve numerous purposes from alerting rescuers to your location to being used as a defensive tool. I use nothing but Surefire flashlights; I’ve put almost all of my Surefire flashlights through some crazy stuff and every one of them works every time (assuming you have fresh batteries). I am partial to the E2D Defender series with the latest version being the best yet at a whopping 4.2oz with batteries. Lastly, make sure you have a compass and the ability to use it; in other words have maps of where you’re traveling or expected to travel. I am a fan of all Suunto compasses from their basic wrist mounted M-9 compass to their upper end mirror compasses like the MC-2 compass. However, a compass is worthless unless you know how to use it and best way to gain that knowledge is through practice.

All right, we’ve covered some of the basic tools that you’ll want to consider as part of your 3^rd layer of the R3 foundation. Some other tools you may want to consider depending upon the capacity of your “go-bag” and the weight of said items include: a portable solar panel, a Sven Saw, some 550 cord or bundle of 8mm climbing rope, a small sharpening stone, a rescue whistle, carabiners, etc. Remember to balance weight with need.

Next let’s talk about medical gear or first aid-kits; there is a lot of information and misinformation out there on medical gear and what constitutes a first-aid kit. I’ve seen first-aid kits that have everything from Band-Aids to field surgery kits. Now, one of the main things I teach when it comes to first-aid is, “do not operate above your paygrade” (pun intended). What that means is only use first-aid items that you’ve been trained to use; watching a four minute YouTube video on how to perform an emergency tracheotomy is not adequate training!

This is a really important rule that I cannot stress enough and a rule that is pounded home as you get more and more medical training, because you can truly do more harm than good if you operate above your paygrade. Having said that I do know people who pack stuff in their first-aid kit, with the thought that although they have not been trained on specific equipment/procedures they believe that someone more skilled than them may be able to use it in an emergency and there is credence to that thought process. Having said that, I think basic first-aid kits should comprise the basic elements needed to treat cuts, abrasions, burns, and discomfort. This means Band-Aids, gauze, absorbent pads, medical tape, burn gel, pain killers, Antihistamines, antacids, etc. This list can be expanded as needed. Look to Adventure Medical  Kits as a good starting point. Try to avoid buying a “tactical” Individual First Aid Kit (IFAK) as your first aid kit because those are typically geared towards penetrating trauma (i.e. gun shots) and lack many of the basic first aid components that you will definitely want in your “go-bag”. However, if you do want to add some IFAK components into your first-aid kit, please do so.

My personal first-aid kit includes all the items mentioned above plus some more advanced trauma items including, but not limited to: tourniquets, hemostatic agents, airway tools, fracture stabilization tools, and suture kits. I’ve been trained on all of these items and I highly recommend that you learn as much as you can on the subject of first-aid. There is a high correlation between needing to use a “go-bag” (i.e. an emergency situation) and physical injuries, so keep that in mind…in other words, please pay this subject some attention.

In regards to first-aid training, a great place to start is the National Outdoor Leadership School’s (NOLS) Wilderness First Aid (WFA) class. The NOLS WFA class covers the basics of first-aid but, digs a bit deeper and covers topics that are very applicable to vehicle-based overland trips and off-road adventures. If you like the NLS WFA class, then I definitely recommend pursuing the NOLS Wilderness First Responder (WFR) class. In addition, look to your local Red Cross first aid classes and your local Fire Department as they may offer citizen training and/or the opportunity to train you to become a volunteer Emergency Medical Technician (EMT).

So, we’ve now covered some additional elements that you may want to add into your “go-bag” that have a specific use…so, let’s talk about the final few elements, records and morale.

In regards to records I think it is a good practice to have key pieces of information in both soft and hard copy. Think birth certificates, marriage licenses, financial information, tax returns, key personal contacts, copies of driver licenses, voter registration cards, concealed carry permits, passports, medical records (including applicable x-rays), etc. I personally load all of this information in PDF format onto an encrypted USB drive and then store that USB drive in a waterproof and compact Pelican case. I am personally a big fan of the 1010 Micro Case by Pelican. Again, believing in the rule of “one is none and two is one” you may want to have two USB drives, just in case. In addition, I use a hard-use tear resistant and waterproof paper to make copies of key documents and keep those in the Pelican case to ensure that I have all the information that I need on me and readily available for a wide variety of contingencies.

Lastly, let’s talk morale items and I include personal hygiene in morale items because everyone is a bit happier when they are clean. Make sure you pack a small personal hygiene kit into your “go-bag”, a small microfiber camp towel/washcloth is a great tool to have and can be used for a wide-variety of purposes. Sea to Summit makes some great travel soaps and Dr. Bronner’s liquid castile soap (in peppermint) can’t be beat when it comes to a field shower and a pick-me-up. Add in your favorite toothbrush, toothpaste, deodorant, disposable razor, cotton swabs, and some wet-wipes/toilet paper and you should be good to go. I also have found that a general purpose handkerchief or bandana can be a life saver; my personal favorite is the ExOfficio Bugsaway Bandana which is not only a bandana but, it also acts as an insect repellent. Please remember that good hygiene can also reduce the chances of getting sick…so, while you are at it don’t forget to throw in a tube of hand sanitizer which can also be used to clean your utensils/tools in a pinch. For the females out there, don’t forget the necessary lady accessories that would make things easier for you – one thing to remember if you use any sort of product that is absorbent, please be sure to store those products in a dry bag…think LokSak vs. Ziplock.

All right we have knocked out personal hygiene, let’s talk other morale items. I would highly recommend sticking in a book by your favorite author, a magazine, or a notebook…something to keep you occupied in case you find yourself with downtime. Also, a small MP3 player/iPod can be a great resource as well – just remember that if it is electronic it will need power. As such, find a cheap one online that takes batteries vs. one that has rechargeable batteries and stick in a few extra batteries. Just remember that if you’re lost or awaiting rescue, listening to music may not be the best option…but, if you’re waiting out a forest fire or a hurricane in a shelter…some music may be exactly what you need.

Some other great ideas from the morale perspective are a deck of cards, a Sudoku or crossword book, remember that you may want to print your puzzles on some waterproof/tear proof paper. Some chewing gum, lip balm, sunscreen, an inflatable travel pillow, etc. can all be considered morale items that you may want to add into your “go-bag”. Remember that all of these items have weight to them and ounces equal pounds and pounds equal pain.

This is a lot of information to absorb and I highly recommend reading through these articles holistically and thinking through what you really need in your “go-bag”. Shop around and put your bag together deliberately and remember that your needs can change from season-to-season or even faster if you add someone into your family. The key is to start thinking from a “prepared” perspective rather than a “reactionary” perspective. Preparing for a disaster or other contingency where you may need your “go-bag” is easier when you’re not faced with the real-world stress of an event. I hope that these articles help you shift your thought process and help you and your family become more prepared for the curve balls that life will surely throw at you one day.