Your Readiness Score
Readiness score 0 of 100 0 / 100
Getting started
Check the items you have. Your score updates as you go.
Build one bag per person. The list below is the contents of one bag. Shared items — documents, cash, the radio, maps — go in one adult’s bag. See why these 29 items .
Checklist Printable
Categories
Water 0 of 2 Water (3L in bottles/bladder)
3 liters 3 liters × 1 person
Carry weight caps water. The filter covers the rest.
Backpacking water filter
1 unit 1 unit × 1 person
Turns any source into drinking water.
Food 0 of 1 Ready-to-eat calories (bars, pouches, MRE)
6,000 calories 6,000 calories × 1 person
About 2,000 calories a day for three days. No cooking.
Medical & prescriptions 0 of 4 Compact first aid kit + personal meds (7-day)
1 kit 1 kit × 1 person
The most-forgotten go-bag item.
N95 masks (2)
2 masks 2 masks × 1 person
Smoke and dust protection.
Sunscreen + lip balm + insect repellent (travel size)
1 kit
Sun and bug protection.
Potassium iodide tablets (KI, 14-tab course)
14 tablets 14 tablets × 1 person
Only works if it's already in the bag.
Power & energy 0 of 1 USB power bank + cables
1 unit 1 unit × 1 person
Phone life for the road.
Light 0 of 1 Headlamp + spare batteries
1 unit 1 unit × 1 person
Hands-free light with spares.
Communications & information 0 of 3 Emergency whistle
1 unit 1 unit × 1 person
Three blasts means distress.
Printed maps + written contacts/rally points
1 set
Navigation and contacts that work with a dead phone.
Hand-crank NOAA radio (compact)
1 unit
Official broadcasts, cranked by hand.
Shelter, warmth & cooling 0 of 3 Mylar blankets (2)
2 blankets 2 blankets × 1 person
Warmth that weighs nothing.
Rain poncho
1 unit 1 unit × 1 person
Stay dry, stay warm.
Change of clothes + broken-in walking shoes
1 set 1 set × 1 person
Swapped each season. Broken-in shoes only.
Sanitation & hygiene 0 of 2 Hygiene kit (toothbrush, wipes, sanitizer, TP)
1 kit 1 kit × 1 person
Toothbrush, wipes, sanitizer, and paper.
Earplugs + sleep mask
1 set 1 set × 1 person
Shelters are loud and lit all night.
Cooking 0 of 1 Stormproof matches + lighter
1 set
Fire when everything is wet.
Tools & safety 0 of 6 Documents & cash 0 of 3 Backpack (comfortable, 30-45L)
1 pack 1 pack × 1 person
Fit it to each person, including kids.
Document copies + cash ($100+ small bills)
1 folder
Copies only. Originals stay home in the safe.
Notepad + pencil + permanent marker
1 set
Leave notes at rally points.
Personal protection & security 0 of 1 Pepper spray (compact)
1 unit 1 unit × 1 person
Adults carry it.
Reference library (print books) 0 of 1 Pocket survival guide (SAS pocket edition or laminated cards)
1 book
Survival reference that weighs ounces.
