72-hour emergency kit (go bag): the complete checklist
What goes in a 72-hour go bag as recommended by FEMA and the European Commission, how heavy it should be and where to keep it. A tickable checklist, explained item by item.
In short
- One bag per person, kept by the door, weighing no more than 20 to 25% of the body weight of whoever carries it.
- The essentials: water, no-cook food, first aid kit, flashlight, radio, power bank, cash, copies of documents.
- Check it twice a year: water, food, medicines and batteries.
- There is also a printable version of the list.
The emergency kit, or go bag, is what you grab when you have to leave home in a few minutes: after a strong earthquake, a fire in your building, a flood evacuation. It needs to keep you and your family going for 72 hours, the time it usually takes for organized help to reach those affected.
Want to see how much it weighs? Use the go-bag builder: tick what goes in, compare the total weight with what you can carry and get a shopping list.
This is now official advice on both sides of the Atlantic: FEMA in the US, the UK’s Prepare campaign and the European Commission’s 2025 preparedness strategy all recommend that every household has one. Below is the complete list, with the reason for each item. You can tick items off right here; your ticks are saved in your browser.
Water and food
- Water: 2 to 3 liters in the bag, plus the rest of 12 liters per person next to it
- Water purification tablets or a portable filter
- Energy bars, crackers, dried fruit, nuts
- Ring-pull cans (or a manual can opener)
- A metal cup and a spoon
- Baby food or special diet food, if needed
Choose food that needs no cooking and that you actually enjoy: in a stressful situation, something familiar matters. Avoid very salty food, which makes you thirsty.
Health and hygiene
- First aid kit (see what it should contain)
- Daily medicines for at least 7 days and copies of prescriptions
- Spare glasses or contact lenses, hearing aid batteries
- FFP2 or N95 masks (dust after an earthquake is dangerous)
- Disposable gloves and a pair of work gloves
- Hand sanitizer, wet wipes, soap, toothbrush and toothpaste
- Toilet paper, sanitary pads, diapers if needed
- A few heavy-duty garbage bags
Light, power and communication
- Flashlight, ideally a head torch, and spare batteries
- Battery or wind-up radio
- Charged power bank and phone cables
- A whistle, to signal if you are trapped
- A paper list of important phone numbers
The paper list sounds old-fashioned, but if your phone dies or breaks, you won’t remember anyone’s number.
Documents and money
- Copies of IDs, passports, birth and marriage certificates
- Copies of property documents and insurance policies
- All copies in a sealed bag; a scanned copy on an encrypted USB stick
- Cash in small notes and coins
- Spare house and car keys
Clothing and shelter
- A complete change of clothes for the season
- Thick socks and spare underwear
- Sturdy closed shoes (after an earthquake there is glass everywhere)
- Rain poncho
- Hat and gloves (winter)
- Light sleeping bag or blanket
- Emergency foil blankets, two per person
Tools
- Multi-tool or pocket knife
- Duct tape
- Cord or paracord, 10 meters
- Lighter and matches in a sealed bag
- Pen and notebook
- Printed map of your town with the family meeting point marked
For children and pets
- A small toy or book, something comforting
- Favorite snacks
- A card in their pocket with parents’ names, address and phone numbers
- For pets: food, water, leash, carrier, vaccination record
How to pack it
Put heavy items (water, cans) close to your back and in the middle of the pack so they don’t pull you backward. Things you need quickly (flashlight, first aid kit, whistle, documents) go in the top or side pockets. Group the contents in clear zip bags by category: easier to find and they stay dry.
Once it’s packed, try it: put it on and walk for 20 to 30 minutes. If it’s too heavy, remove comfort items, not essentials.
How to maintain it
Pick two dates a year, for example when the clocks change, and check:
- expiry dates on water, food and medicines;
- batteries (take them out of the flashlight and radio for storage so they don’t leak);
- that the power bank is charged;
- that the children’s clothes still fit;
- that documents and phone numbers are up to date.
Food nearing its date isn’t thrown away: eat it and replace it.
The bag isn’t everything
The go bag is for when you leave. For when you stay (a power cut, a snowstorm, a lockdown), you need bigger supplies for one to two weeks. They’re in home emergency supplies.
Recommended equipment
What to look for when buying. Links go to partner shops; if you buy through them we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.Details.
40-50 liter hiking backpack
The base of the kit. It doesn't need to be a special survival bag.
- Wide hip belt and padded shoulder straps
- Water-resistant fabric or a rain cover
- Several pockets so you can find things fast
Rechargeable head torch
Leaves your hands free when carrying things or giving first aid.
- At least 200 lumens
- USB-C charging plus the option of AAA batteries
- Red light mode so you don't dazzle others
Emergency radio with hand crank and solar panel
Keeps you informed with official updates when your phone has no signal.
- AM and FM bands (NOAA weather band in the US)
- Hand crank, solar and USB charging
- Built-in flashlight and USB output for a phone
20,000 mAh power bank
Charges a phone 3 to 4 times. Keep it topped up.
- 10,000 to 20,000 mAh
- Two outputs, one USB-C
- Charge level display
Emergency foil blankets
Weigh a few grams and keep in body heat. Pack two per person.
Frequently asked questions
How heavy should the bag be?
For an adult, ideally 8 to 12 kg (18 to 26 lb). Water is the heaviest part: 12 liters for three days weighs 12 kg, so put 2 to 3 liters in the bag and keep the rest next to it, plus a filter or purification tablets.
Which backpack should I buy?
A 35 to 50-liter pack with padded straps, a hip belt and water-resistant fabric. It doesn't need to be expensive or military; an ordinary hiking backpack is perfect.
Should children have their own bag?
Yes, but scaled down. A school-age child can carry a small bag with their own water, snacks, a change of clothes, a flashlight, a whistle and a card with their parents' details. Adults carry the rest.
Where should I keep it?
By the front door or in a hallway cupboard where you can grab it in seconds. Not in the basement or a storage unit you might not reach after an earthquake.
Sources and further reading
Preper is for general education and does not replace instructions from your local authorities or advice from a doctor. In an emergency, call your local emergency number.