The Go-Bag

After watching thousands of Ukrainians forced to flee their homes with barely the clothes on their backs, it seemed like the time to finally put together the go-bag I should have created years ago. I know everyone should have one, but it’s just so unpleasant – like setting up a will.

So far, I have the bag. That’s a good start, right? Someone suggested putting some small denomination bills inside. I had some change from the store, so that got added. (Almost done now, right?)

After that I kept getting bogged down thinking about photos and memories and passwords. Some people suggest keeping password written down on paper. Others recommend using a thumb drive. I found a few companies that will give you a small amount of free, secure online storage. I’ve wondered about the risk of storing my passwords there and only having to remember one password to access them. Someone suggested that these smaller companies might be less likely to be hacked than Google. Something to think about.

What about pictures? Many people use Google Drive, but Google mines your photos for advertising. Is it worth having my memories snooped through? Or should I pack a hard drive? A thumb drive? Are paper pictures better in case of a technology crash? How do you decide which life moments are worthy of saving?

I am torn when it comes to packing things like ”extra socks” or ”extra shoes”. I don’t really have extras of those lying around, ready to not be used. Yet, would I have the presence of mind to grab spares before fleeing a tornado?

Is anyone out there more prepared than I am? Do you have a favorite book or cherished item already packed for an evacuation? Do you have pet food set aside and rotated regularly? I can’t picture being able to store food for Toby where it would be handy for me yet inaccessible for him. (That boy can climb like a monkey when food is involved.)

My head hurts just thinking about this. I am going to go to bed and hope no disaster finds me while I sleep.

As long as you pack me, you’ll have everything you need!

26 Comments

  1. ITS NO BIG DEAL REALLY ! WE LIVE IN TORNADO ALLY !! SO SOME SORT OF PREP IM THE SEASON IS VITAL ! ALL VITAL DOCUMENTS ARE IN A FOLDER READY TO GRAB AND GO. AS TO THE REST FROM THE COMPUTERS. BEST INVESTMENT EVER IS AN EXTERNAL HARD DRIVE. I BACK UP EVERY M0NTH ON TO IR ANYWAY THAT IS A PICKUP THROW IN HE BAG AND GO. SO WRITE DOWN A PLAN B AND STICK WIIH IT AND IT ISNT SO INTIMIDATING !

    HUGSSSSSSSS

  2. Toby is SO right! (Love, PATS and RUBS to Toby!)
    I hope you all are safe tonight (and EVERY night), too!
    We’ve lived where there were earthquakes, and where there were summer fires…people packed up Go-Bags to put in the trunk of their cars during those “seasons”. We still live where there can be summer fires…but we currently don’t have Go-Bags ready to go…I need to do so.
    In the earthquake-zones, parents had to have food and water (enough for a week) “hunker down”-bags kept at their kids schools just in case they were needed. Often with earthquakes you can get stuck somewhere (like at work, at school, etc.) for awhile until it is safe to go back home.
    (((HUGS)))

  3. We live near a nuclear power plant and were told to have one in case of relocation. But I don’t. I do have enough cat carriers for both cats (deliberately) and Chester’s food is in a smallish container anyway (the rest is in the freezer due to moth concerns. But this is actually a really good reminder. I agree that it would be good to have one. Do you store the socks that fit well and don’t fall down? or the ones that you don’t really like? too many decisions!!

  5. You’d have to prioritize. I don’t live in a general area or specific neighborhood with any real disaster potential. Natural weather disasters are rare and I don’t live near any creeks or rivers that potentially might cause flooding. Being prepared here or even a “prepper” consist of supplies and resources on hand. That might mean bleach for sanitation, water, a generator, canned food, pet food, meds, keep gas tank full, cash, documents in safe place, flashlights, batteries candles, and anything you deem necessary. If the zombie invasion does come, then weapons, ammo and a certain skill set might come in handy, too.
    Keep in mind most (if not all) Red Cross shelters don’t take dogs, so for my personal prioritizing I’d stay in my lovely house. I’d sleep in the gutter looking at the stars rather than leave my pup behind. The truth is I’d walk through fire for her. I personally don’t own a mobile phone (even the Amish and incarcerated jailbirds have cell phones!), but the copper wires underground seem far more reliable than any cell phone would ever be.

    Oh, and as far as the socks go, just wear whatever, it won’t matter once you beat them against rocks to clean them anyway. And who wears cotton socks in the summer? They hold twice their weight in sweat and hold the dampness and stink. Even while hiking in the height of the heat in June down the Grand Canyon it was wool socks all the way!

  8. Yes. Yes, it does! Maybe just take candy, snacks and Toby’s flash cards.
    It seems like your parents might be nearby, so bring them along too if disaster should strike.
    Your $5 loose change might do well in a cotton sock. You can tie it to a stick like a hobo and use it to beat off any ne’er-do-wells who might be after your candy rations! And eventually use it to buy more candy!

Leave a Reply to Anony-mouse Cancel reply

Fill in your details below or click an icon to log in:

Gravatar
WordPress.com Logo

You are commenting using your WordPress.com account. ( Log Out /  Change )

Facebook photo

You are commenting using your Facebook account. ( Log Out /  Change )

Cancel

Connecting to %s