DIY Emergency Backpack!

With so much going on, it is definitely a good idea to have a DIY emergency backpack prepared or find a good emergency go bag to purchase. Just last night, while checking on the wildfire situation in Texas, a lady devastated by the wildfire had this to say.

“The DPS officer stopped by my house to tell me I needed to evacuate. I was the only one home, so I grabbed my husband’s breathing machine and heart medication. Then left with the clothes on my back – which was not much.”

When she was able to return to the area, the only thing left was the things she had left with (I will share a link to this interview at the end of this post). So, this is just one example of how a DIY emergency backpack, or an emergency backpack of some sort may be beneficial. This is a comprehensive guide, but by all means check with your local authorities to determine any additional recommended guidelines.

1. The Bag

This may seem like a no-brainer, but the bag that you choose for your DIY emergency backpack can definitely make a difference. This is especially true if you and your family have to actually use the bag. In an emergency, you never know how things will turn out, you may be traveling by foot, so you want a sturdy bag that is appropriate for you.

• Size – Choose a backpack that is the appropriate size for the individual. For example, a child in preschool, kindergarten, or elementary school may be able to carry a small backpack for children with some of the less important things that they need to lighten the parent’s load. On the other hand, an adult does not want a bag that is too small for them to actually throw on their back and carry comfortably.
• Quality – If appropriate for your size, get a large durable backpack. Once you start loading it up, the backpack may get heavier than you think it would. The last thing that you want is a backpack with such a low-quality that it starts falling apart on you.
• Features – There are backpacks with waist straps. The waist straps will give extra support and may take some of the pressure off of your back in the event you find yourself walking, not riding. Then too, there are backpacks with wheels. A backpack with wheels will allow you to roll the bag like a suitcase whenever the opportunity presents itself.

2. The Food

The food that you pack in your DIY emergency backpack should be (1) non-perishable, (2) easy to open, (3) lightweight (4) ready to eat, and (5) appropriate for you and your family’s dietary needs.

1. Non-Perishable – Non-perishable food items are foods that do not require refrigeration. Canned goods are non-perishable.
2. Easy-to-Open – While a canned good is non-perishable, it may require a can opener for you to open it. In this case, packing canned goods with a flip top opening would be a more convenient choice.
3. Lightweight – Canned goods are not lightweight. So, unless there are no other options, canned goods are not ideal for a DIY emergency backpack. On the other hand, you can consider packing lightweight non-perishable food items.
4. Ready-to-Eat – Some non-perishable foods are meant to be enjoyed cold. While others may taste better warmed. So, some ready to eat foods are a little more ready-to-eat than others. However, if you are hungry, you will gladly eat something cold that you would prefer to have heated.
5. Appropriate – Take any health concerns that you or your family may have into consideration. Then, if at all possible, avoid packing only food(s) that will make you or someone in the family feel bad. Instead, try to pack foods that will make you (1) feel good and (2) feel full.

3. The Water

If you are not accustomed to preparing for disasters, water may be something that is easily forgotten. Historically, when a hurricane hit our area, one of the first things to start arriving to the area is the water. However, this may not be the case nowadays. This is because we cannot live without water. According to research, a person can only go without water for about 3 days ^[1]. If the water had not arrived, many of us would have been in a predicament because at this point the city water is normally contaminated, undrinkable, and unusable for things like cleaning dishes or bathing for different lengths of time.

• Bottled – Bottled water is bulky and can be really heavy to carry in a DIY emergency backpack. But, by all means, bring some water with you! Even if you are carrying the water in your hands and not putting it in your backpack. Depending on the situation and where you end up, you may have to use some of the water for more than just drinking water.
• Emergency Water – The emergency drinking water pouches are a good idea to have inside your DIY emergency backpack just in case you forget to carry some with you in the event of an emergency.
• Water Filter – There are even things like personal water filters available.

4. First-Aid Kit

An emergency survival backpack will need at least a mini first aid kit. You may also consider adding aspirin, ibuprofen, and Benadryl. Aspirin is a blood thinner that can help with chest pains in a stressful situation. Ibuprofen is a pain reliever that is just a good idea to have for anyone. Benadryl is an antihistamine that can be useful in the event of an insect bite or sting. Or a good idea to have if anyone in the family has a problem with allergies.

5. The Survival Gear

If you are a gadget person, you may enjoy finding the survival gear that you want to add to the DIY Emergency Backpack. Even if you are not a gadget person, you may still enjoy deciding on what you think is best.

• Flashlights – There are all kinds of emergency flashlights with different features and functions. If you get a small battery-operated flashlight that requires small batteries, you can pack extra batteries without weighing your bag down too much.
• Radios – If you decide to get a radio, determine if you want a battery-operated NOAA weather radio, a hand cranked emergency radio, or a multifunction solar powered, hand cranked, battery-operated weather radio combo.
• Chargers – There are emergency flashlight, radio, and charger combinations. So, you may already be getting a charger with your flashlight or radio. However, there are more emergency phone charger options that may be of interest.
• Matches – From cooking a meal to keeping you warm, waterproof matches are another important emergency survival gear item.
• Multitool Set – At least a basic emergency multitool set that includes a knife, and a pair of scissors can be beneficial. Some emergency multitools include can openers.
• Whistles – A whistle can be used like a personal alert system in the event you need help from someone.
• Can Opener – While packing heavy canned goods in an emergency bag is not ideal, having a can opener is a good idea to have in an emergency situation.
• Tarp/Blanket – An emergency tarp can be a multipurpose item. It can cover you in the rain and shield you from the wind. An emergency blanket would be a nice extra in the cold.
• Fire Retardant Blanket – An emergency fire retardant blanket may serve a purpose as well in the event that there is a fire.
• Mask – You may also choose to add a few N95 Face Mask to your DIY emergency backpack.

6. Toiletries

In a true emergency, you may not know where you will be staying for a while, so having things to clean up and freshen up will assist with making the situation better. Since your DIY emergency backpack will already be loaded up with potentially life-saving essentials at this point, the toiletries may all need to be travel sized. These are really pleasant, really “nice to haves” in an emergency. So, this section may be the hardest section to pack if you are running out of room in your backpack.

• Feminine Products – You can pack whatever tampons and/or sanitary napkins that are appropriate for you. Packing sanitary napkin disposal bags may be a good idea.
• Toilet Paper – Instead of taking up space with an entire roll of toilet paper, you may find one of the toilet tissues to-go options to be a space saver.
• Hand Sanitizer – You may be able to place one of the hand sanitizers with jelly wrap caps on a strap on the outside of your bag.
• Wipes – There are personal body wipes that can be used to stay fresh or to freshen up. And then there are Clorox disinfectant wipes that may prove to be beneficial.
• Toiletry Bag – This toiletry bag contains bodywash, deodorant, shampoo, condition, comb, toothbrush, and toothpaste stuffed in a reusable bag. If this toiletry bag is not right for you, you can get an empty toiletry bag set. In this way, you can add your own products.
• Towel – One thing missing from the toiletry bag is a simple washcloth or loofah that you may already have around the house. However, there are more washcloth travel option to choose from.

7. Attire

The appropriate attire to pack can vary greatly from person to person. However, the attire that you pack in your DIY emergency backpack should be appropriate for the area that you live and the season. Therefore, you may have to periodically check your backpack to replace and update things as needed. You may also need to research what is recommended for your area.

• Change of Clothes – In general you may want to pack at least one pair of clothes that you can change into. If you have room to do so, pack multiple pairs of underwear.
• Rain & Flooding– If your area is prone to raining and flooding rain boots, raincoats, ponchos, small rain tarps, and perhaps an umbrella may be needed.
• Snow – During the winter months, it may be a good idea to have warm blankets, hand warmers, and emergency fire starters. In the event of an evacuation, if appropriate to do so, plan to leave with your snowshoes on your feet and with a warm coat on your back.

8. Medicines, Vitamins, & Special Needs

• Medicines – Pack your essential medications and supplies.
• Vitamins – A multivitamin does not take up much space.
• Special Needs – If you or someone in the family have special needs due to age or health conditions think about what each family member may need. With young children, you can add things that can comfort and distract them as the need may be. Packing things like travel-sized toys, coloring books, travel games, or noise canceling headphones.

In Summary

If you have multiple people in your family that you will need to prepare a DIY emergency bag for, you can prepare one bag at a time or make it into a family project to get it done. This is the video interview of the Texas resident mentioned at the opening. Have you had to leave for an emergency recently? Please share your comments with others. If you found this post helpful, please share, like, and subscribe for the latest posts. This completes the DIY emergency backpack guide.