The Go Bag

[Staggerwing]

^Good Thinking.

If some friend or relative is planning a long car trip and has a history of getting in jams you could put one in their car before they leave.

[bayonetbrant]

if I was making these for family and friends, there are definitely a few other things I would consider. I should have mentioned that you should always add a bandana. And if you can add a magnifying glass, that's not a bad addition also, and you can pick those up cheap at a dollar store.

if these are intended to be used in the very near term, then I would also consider adding a couple of energy bars, a P38 can opener (which wouldn't be a bad idea anyway), a seasonal appropriate hat, and some antibacterial hand sanitizer.  I would be careful about the hand sanitizer in the energy bars unless I was about to use them eminently, as I wouldn't want spoilage or spillage inside the bag.

[GDS_Starfury]

LB would have a bag of Aveeno and a banana.

[Staggerwing]

  I would be careful about the hand sanitizer in the energy bars unless I was about to use them eminently, as I wouldn't want spoilage or spillage inside the bag.

If it's an alcohol-gel type sanitizer it should be good for a while, though it's not as great a sanitizer as many folks think. Get the small travel sizes and double bag them w/ freezer bags. If you leave it on your skin for several minutes, not rubbing it all in, it will be more effective. For surfaces you need bleach. You may not want to lug a bottle of that around but you could get some of these: https://www.clorox.com/products/clorox-disinfecting-wipes-on-the-go/

[bayonetbrant]

yeah, the "wet" stuff, like a pack of baby wipes, or trail mix, or hand sanitizer, etc would be stuff I'd add if I was ready to depart.  But mini-version of the bag that I built out of cheap stuff is all contents that can stay in the bag for the long haul, until you're ready to go.

[LongBlade]

Good points, Brant.

I'm working on a generic go bag (based on the pack you gave me) that incorporates some first aid along with other general stuff.

Ideally I'll work up to several bags.

All it takes is time and money...

[GDS_Starfury]

Good points, Brant.

I'm working on a generic go bag (based on the pack you gave me) that incorporates some first aid along with other general stuff.

Ideally I'll work up to several bags of Aveeno.

All it takes is time and money and lube...

fixed

[bayonetbrant]

[endfire79]

+1

[bayonetbrant]

OK, so here's another cut at the $20 Go-Bag, including the cost of the bag

The $20 Go-Bag

First stop - Five Below  (total $5)
Get a $5 backpack.  Nothing too fancy, just a bunch of space inside, and at least 1 outside pocket, plus a water bottle pocket


Next, Harbor Freight Tools  (total $6)
Use 2 of their "free with any purchase" coupons
Buy these 2
$2  Latex Coated Work Gloves (to your size, large is Item#90912)
$4  Emergency 39 LED Triangle Work Light (Item#62158)
get these 2 free
Swivel Lens Headlamp (Item#45807)
5'6"x7'6" Tarp (Item#953)
You'll need to watch the coupons because these don't always come up for free, so snag them when they do.


Dollar Tree for the cheap stuff  ($2)
$1 (duh)  Bandana 2-pack  SKU#: 218628
$1 magnifying glass


Then, Target  (total $3)
$1 First Aid Kit
$2 Emergency Poncho


Finally, Home Depot (total $4)
$4  50-ft roll of paracord


Now, add the stuff you've already got at home
     * things you already have, like the ziploc bags
1 quart ziplock freezer bag with
— bandanas
— magnifying glass
— toothbrush*
— packs of matches*
— small mirror (old makeup compact w/ makeup cleared out)*

1 gallon ziplock freezer bag with
— gloves
— poncho
— rope
— headlamp
— large trash bag (contractor-style bag if possible)*
— heavy pair of socks*


Pack the backpack:
Outer pocket: first aid kit, emergency flashlight
Main pocket:  tarp, both ziplocs, hat*
Side pockets:  water bottles (empty until you're ready to go)

[GDS_Starfury]

nice!

[LongBlade]

Not bad for $20.

[mirth]

Not bad for $20.

There's a joke here somewhere

[Mr. Bigglesworth]

Inflation.

[mirth]

Deflategate.