College Students 'Grab & Go' Bag

This list was developed by a ReadyMoms Alliance member, who is also a teacher:

College Students 'Grab & Go' Bag
http://mindspinner.net/docs/collegegobag.pdf

Note: “Go Bag” needs will vary according to evacuation plans and environments to be encountered. Plan bag contents accordingly but do not discount the fact that the best-laid travel plans may fall apart, requiring a student to be resourceful and well prepared for a variety of scenarios. Having a Plan A (for getting home) and a Plan B (for harboring in a safe place that’s easier to reach) is advisable.

Bag Choices:
Rolling bag, large duffle bag, backpacking pack -
consider possible routes and circumstances in
choosing bag type

Don’t forget:
• Wallet with ID, credit/debit cards
• Vital papers
• Cell phone
• Seasonal outerwear

Keep in the bag:
• Go Plans A, B, and C with Essential Contacts
(Develop fill-in-the-blank form.)
• Maps needed for Plans A, B, & C. Put these inthe gallon sized Ziploc bag, too. Handheld GPS helpful, but requires batteries, so maps are backup.
• Emergency cash (in small bills)
• Pad of large post-its or a small notepad, pencil and/or Sharpie (for notes and paper trail re whereabouts, left at points along the journey)
• Survival Guide (Suggestion: bookmark essential information in advance.)
• Surviving A Disaster, Evacuation Strategies and Emergency Kits For Staying Alive, by Tony Nester (64 pages, succinct guideto essentials, with a focus on bugging out)
• Survival: A Manual That Could Save Your Life by Chris Janowsky. (208 pages, covers essentials effectively, especially for colder climates)
• How to Survive Anything, Anywhere: A Handbook of Survival Skills for Every Scenerio and Environment, by Chris
McNab (320 pages, covers all environments, best illustrations)
• When All Hell Breaks Loose: Stuff You Need to Survive When Disaster Strikes, by Cody Lundin (450 pages, detailed, matter of fact, entertaining)
Note: Keep all documents in a 1-gallon Ziploc bag so that they will stay dry.
• Cell phone crank charger with correct adapter for current cell phone
• Small emergency crank radio
• Flashlight or lantern (crank-style or pack extra batteries)
• Folding knife or multi-tool
• Sunglasses
• Folding binoculars
• Whistle
• Compass (Look for whistle/compass combinations.)
• Mirror (compact)
• Watch
• Fishing line, hooks, weight and bobber, lures suited to the area, and one small can of whole kernel corn if in crappy/bluegill country
• Camp saw or hacksaw and/or hatchet
• Work gloves
• Change of clothes (think layers) and walking shoes
• Extra socks and underwear (4 pairs)
• Strong, thin rope, such as nylon paracord and/ nylon twine
• Two lawn-sized garbage bags or barrel liners (for rainwear or keeping sleeping bag dry)
• Tarp or backpacking tent if student may have to bike or walk some manageable distance.
• Clear plastic sheet and aquarium tubing (for solar still, include directions)
• Two drawstring tall kitchen garbage bags
• Blanket or backpacking sleeping bag
• Space blanket(s)
• Water disinfection tablets or a small bottle of iodine (with instructions)
• Sturdy water bottle or canteen with wide mouth for easier cleaning (2 recommended)
• Box of gallon-sized Ziploc freezer bags for water collection and other uses
• Duct tape - travel-sized roll or partly used roll is best, to save space and weight.
• Nonperishable high energy foods - Crackers, peanut butter, single-serving jellies, dried fruits, trail mix, candy (M&Ms, jelly beans, hard candy), muesli or granola, instant oatmeal, instant rice, dry soup mixes, cocoa mix, tea bags, coffee, powdered milk, Tang. MREs or Mountain House meals offer another alternative.
• Matches (in Ziploc bag), lighter, Blastmatch, or other firestarter (not to be used in dorm)
• Heat Cell or EcoFuel (not to be used in dorm, but safe to use indoors, 1-2 cans), plus fold down cook stand.
• Also consider - minimum fuel camp stove plus fuel
• Mess kit (Cooking pot with lid, camp plate, cup, utensils)
• Small travel bottle of dishsoap or dish wipes
• Small pack of hand wipes or baby wipes
• 2 camp towels (one for body, one to dry dishes),
• 2-4 prewashed bandanas (multiple uses - washcloth, folded for potholder or water filter, headband)
• Travel-size soap, shampoo, toothpaste, toothbrush
• Roll of toilet paper
• Tampons and sanitary pads (women)
• Insect repellant
• Sunscreen
• Travel sewing kit, safety pins
• Basic first aid kit, including wrap and adhesive bandages, padded dressings, antiseptic, butterfly bandages, medical tape, tweezers and scissors.
• Medications (OTC and prescription)
• Latex or nitrile gloves (5 pairs)
• N95 masks and fit instructions (5+)

Looking back to my college days of dormitory living, storage space was at a premium. Ideally, a student has room for a fully stocked bug-out bag. If not, an option may be to have a scaled-down version.

There are several considerations:

a) During a bug-out event, it should be assumed that at least some hiking will be required.

b) Unless you are exceptionally fit, it is advisable to not carry more than 10 to 15 percent of your body weight if you plan to travel at a reasonable speed without overly exerting yourself. Unfortunately, we frequently overestimate what we are capable of carrying. A general rule of thumb is that you should be able to pick up your backpack with one arm without straining. Limiting yourself to this weight is a challenge especially when you consider the weight of water.

c) The food you pack should be easy to make and packed with calories. If possible, do not attempt to ration your food intake as you will be burning a great deal of calories as you hike.

d) Fire is essential for retaining body heat, cooking, and water purification. Have three ways of starting a fire.

e) While extra clothes and hiking boots are desirable, they will probable add too much additional weight. But, be sure to carry an additional pair of wool socks, underwear and a light weight poncho.

f) Many people would recommend including a tent, sleeping bag, and a foam pad. A tent and sleeping bag can easily be the heaviest items you carry. While these items are very desirable, they may push the packpack’s weight over your ability to carry it for long distances.

Ideally your backpack should sustain your for three days. What you carry is a personal decision based upon your specific needs, environment and potential requirements. Following are some generic recommendations.

- Sturdy Backpack: During the panic caused by a major crisis, a large backpack may draw unwanted attention and make you a target. You and your backpack should look as boring as possible. Therefore, avoid backbacks that have a military look or bright colors. A backpack similar in size and appearance to that traditionally carried by students would be appropriate. Goal is to make yourself blend into the crowd.

- Bivvy Bag (also known as a Bivi or Bivonac Sack): Protects you from rain, snow and rain when a tent is not available.

- Emergency Mylar Blanket: Also sometimes called a space blanket. Compare products and do not always buy the cheapest.

- Wool blanket: Optional item due to weight but sure is desirable. As can be costly, look for military surplus. When traveling make sure to pack it within a heavy duty trash bag and tie to the bottom of your pack.

- Water: Recommended intake of water is 3 liters per day (or 9 liters for three days) when a person is exerting themselves. As 1 liter of water weighs 2.2 pounds, a three day supply is about 20 pounds. For many people that alone is their maximum carry weight for long distances. As carrying enough water for three days is impractical, you must have a means to sterilize more. First, a stainless steel canteen is desirable as the contents can be boiled over a fire. Also recommend carrying water purification tablets and a filtering system such as “LifeStraw” or “Sawyer Mini Straw”. How much pure water to start your journey with is a personal decision based upon local availability. Remember this is one item not to skimp on.

- Food: Recommend emergency food or energy bars (tons of calories), MREs, Mountain House freeze dried meals designed for camping, or peanut butter in plastic packs. Also desirable to include a few tea bags, bouillon cubes, and hard candy. Avoid heavy canned items.

- Map of the Area

- Knife (a good quality. non-folding knife is preferred)

- Head Lamp and extra batteries

- Multi-tool with can opener

- Small camping pot or cooking kit

- Plastic fork, spoon and knife

- Clothing: Include wool stocks (2 pairs), extra underwear (1 pair) and either a rain cover or poncho which can also be used as emergency rain shelter or ground cloth

- Fire Making Kit: Matches, BIC lighter and a ‘ferro/magnesium rod’. Recommend to also include cotton balls dipped in petroleum jelly as a great fire starter.

- Hygiene: Toilet tissue, bar of soap, toothbrush, toothpaste, chap-stick and hand sanitizer.

- Bandana: Multiple usages including washcloth or initial filtering of debris from collected water

- Basic First Aid Kit: Don’t go overboard due to weight constraints. Critical to include foot care (“mole skins” for blisters), anti-diarrhea medication, band aids and antibiotic cream. Of course, any personal prescriptions should also be added.

- Nylon Cord: Also known as paracord

- Plastic Garbage Bags: Bags have a surprising number of uses including keeping items dry during heavy rain.

- Means of Defense: Personal decision.

Unfortunately, the above items will max-out the ability of most people to carry for any significant distance. Given your own physical condition you may have the luxury of adding items, or if the weight is too great you may need to delete less essential items.

Traveling during an emergency will be far from easy. But, these items may increase your chances of reaching your destination safely.