What goes in One week go bag for a woman?
Posted by MonsterBongos@reddit | preppers | View on Reddit | 25 comments
Hello all. I recently put together a pretty extensive two suitcase set of go bags for me as we live in earthquake country here, and I like to stay on top of it. I've got pretty much everything I need, but what I'm looking for is a list of items, for an elderly woman, to put in a single suitcase as a go bag. Does anyone have one already, or Carol suggest one? It can be a very large size suitcase. I just want to be able to grab it, and her and head for the hills when the giant octopus finally attacks the Golden gate bridge. Thanks!
DiscombobulatedHat19@reddit
She’s probably on a bunch of meds so make sure you’ve got a month supply of everything, plus any eyeglasses, hearing aids etc she needs. Aside from the same stuff you’d need ask her about comfort or sentimental items that would make her feel better. That could be anything from make up to some family photos but probably best to ask her for specifics
Primary_Grapefruit99@reddit
Make up is not a necessity
auntbealovesyou@reddit
I'm loading up the pockets on my walker bag.
tdubs702@reddit
Are you in r/TwoXPreppers ? Lots of good info there
zenithopus@reddit
https://youtu.be/DZbUGM--2X4?si=xTnGl-R0Pzhcq88H
Ovbiously
Resilient_Historian@reddit
Oh, this is such a good question! I study historical resilience (how people get through tough times throughout history) and a few things immediately come to mind
First, the weight of the bag is a huge deal. If you can't move it easily, it becomes a liability. You dont want a 70lb bag that you want to dump 1/2 a mile down the road because it too heavy. Id aim to keep it under 30lbs—even with wheels, you might hit stairs or rough ground.
For an elderly person, I'd focus on a few key things:
One thing I've learned from studying past disasters, the people who fared best often had a small comfort item (a photo, a familiar blanket) as well the practical stuff. It sounds small, but stress is a real enemy too
Aust_Norm@reddit
You get an upvote just for "when the giant octopus finally attacks the Golden gate bridge".
And I thought Tuesdays were exciting.
Federal_Refrigerator@reddit
Last Tuesday I had a giant Golden Gate Bridge attack my octopus! I’m training him now to take revenge. Just wait, OP. You’ll have your day.
_still_truckin_@reddit
Whine
oldtimehawkey@reddit
It will probably take awhile but scan her photos to a flash drive. She will be comforted knowing she didn’t lose her history.
Make sure her medications are kept somewhere safe and all together. Then you can grab the bag or whatever too but she will still have access to them for taking them daily.
On an encrypted drive, put all of her information. Bank info, passwords, house info, social security info, etc.
Do you know what she needs in terms of daily care? Does she need help with the commode and stuff? Are you able to help her with her daily stuff? Write down all the things she does or needs done in a day or week. You’ll have to bring all her necessary things that she uses. Some of us can do without everything being perfect but some with medical needs have to have everything as perfect as possible.
You might want to get a collapsible wheelchair if she doesn’t have one already. You’ll want to also grab that. You won’t be able to carry her everywhere and carry two bags.
Really think about strategy of getting her out. Will you have to convince her to leave? Have you talked to her about what she wants or needs? Talk to her about your plans. She will be able to tell you what she wants and maybe have some ideas.
OBotB@reddit
Good suggestions already, but (assuming 'elderly' is more towards the late 70's/80+yr olds) would also recommend a couple things that should/could be in a purse for usefulness - hard candy/cough drops/sugarfree cough drops (6 of the sugar free ricola count as 1 fruit for diabetics, in case you care to know) because a cough or dry throat is a very vocal discomfort for the elderly I end up around; travel packs of tissues because they tear through them and the packs are light/small/pocket sized; hot-hands or a rechargeable warming item because poor circulation and arthritis make them feel colder and/or achey; extra scarf or shawl if you live in a cold area; something large print (playing cards, word search, book, magazine, coloring book and chunky crayons, whatever, some form of entertainment, if very elderly or infirm maybe a busy blanket) that doesn't rely on power; sleep aid/gummy; some toddler style snacks (apple sauce pouch, yogurt puffs, etc. that don't require tons of effort to eat, do not present high coking hazards, have appealing flavors that might encourage eating when they otherwise might not); high grit nail file for dealing with nails/hangnails; might be too big but a yoga mat or thin blow up mattress/pad to buffer anywhere they need to sit/sleep or add extra cushioning to something like a cot since they bruise easier and have a harder time getting up from low areas and that quarter inch can help prevent a lot of discomfort.
andrewa101@reddit
For an older woman, I’d include meds, quick snacks, a filter straw, blanket, pads, flashlight, whistle, and a charger. Being warm, hydrated, and able to signal for help is crucial.
Realistic-Motorcycle@reddit
Don’t for get the go- girl.
MonsterBongos@reddit (OP)
Good point! Is there a prepper dating site? maybe it's time for one! Lol.
MonsterBongos@reddit (OP)
Thank you all so much!
Basically we live in the middle of an urban area, and one that might become ::ahem:; "Lively:" in the case of a disaster, and so, we have plan A, plan B and plan C. (This is assuming that the "comet" 31/Atlas does not bring a race of violent grudgeful otherworldly beings with superior technology, to crush us like bugs, or what seismologists are calling "The Cascadian fault" (Juan de Fuca tectonic plate, because of that hits we're all Fuca'd) doesn't hit when we're all peacefully resting, or that the "Christian Metal" band Stryper does not stage a comeback. Lord save us all)
A: (This would mean we sill have some basic agency) Throw our go-bags in the car and drive to a relative's place only a few miles from, here, (also hikeable for her , that would take a day or two) but far removed from any city type action, on a cull-de-sac where most of the people are retired cops and military, and hole up there for a spell. We have also built a decent hoard of goods and water there in one of his sheds.
B: In the case that we are forced to stay put either by some curfew order, or, but for some reason the house is made unhabitable by either fire, collapse, or other damage, we have a separated backyard area with high walls, and would be basically camping out at home.
C: If we cannot stay at home, and can't make it to our relative's place for some reason, and are forced to go to a shelter, as people smarter than me here, (basically everyone here) have mentioned, a couple of lighter, "go-backpacks", that could sustain us for a few days would be used. I have finished making several copies of all vital documents, and also loading some to the cloud, if the internet is even available)
So, what I am picking up from you here I think, is that it might best to have one one but two go-bags, one for staying at home or and our relatives, and one more mobile version for on the road and the possibility of a shelter.
You know, I always did like how helpful and knowledgeable the people in this group are. It's inspiring because that is exactly what will be needed if there is a history-defining disaster in the United States.
THANK YOU
Spiley_spile@reddit
I have two list posts that might be helpful. They were built as idea generators.
The second list is nested within the first list. The second list is not minimalist, nor lightweight.
The first list, directly linked below, is a 3-day "on foot" summer bag. Weighs 25lbs including consumables. It fits into a 45L bag. It can be modified into a 1 week winter bag. But you would need bag larger pack (or suitcase) to carry it in. Winter supplies are bulkier and heavier.
Im a disabled, wilderness backpacker and disaster first responder. During disasters, roads arent always intact. And lots of people get injured. When injuredand on food, heavy evac bags can work against being able to evacuate with any expediancy and they can increase risk of further.
The linked evac bag works best when you dial it in to suit your specific needs and resources. Rather than recreating it exactly as presented.
For this bag, I focused more on budget supplies when building it for reddit. Budget = accessible to more people. If someone wanted an even lighter set up than this, it's doable. My personal kit is around 10lbs lighter. But it cost a few thousand dollars, unlike the supplies linked below.
https://www.reddit.com/r/preppers/s/heEf16bIVF
(Sometime this winter, Ill build a 3-day winter evac bag for reddit. And probably review the summer one to potentially update it.)
allabout1964@reddit
Iknow this didn't have anything to do with this post, but I'm looking for prepper communities in Massachusetts, Ontario, and Quebec. Are there any?
Lurial@reddit
Literally suitcases?
Stealthy, but a messenger bag or backpack frees up your hands.
An elderly woman may have arthritis and may not be able to help haul it. Something with wheels may be handy.
Does she have dentures or diet restrictions? If so build food around that.
Does she have stamina? Can she walk great distances or is she losing mobility?
How is her mind?
What is her status of mind?...is she even willing to leave?
Do you have a rout that you can get out of the area?
slightlyfoodobsessed@reddit
Sneakers in case she happens to be wearing impractical shoes when you have to evacuate.
Cute-Consequence-184@reddit
Planning on going by car?
Have a tote separate from the bag.
2 days of clothes in a bag.
3 pairs of underwear and socks
Wool socks if it is fire country. Wool doesn't burn so get 100% wool if possible
Medication in the bag with documentation why they are being taken and dosage
List of phone numbers in the bag
List of websites and passwords
Thumb drive with videos and pictures of home, scans of all important documents, marriage certificates, mortgage, rental contracts, birth certificates, etc
Water filter, fire starter
In a tote.
3-5 days of meals
Water
A way to cook
Cook pot
Puppy pads if needed
Tarp, at least 2. A small one and one larger in case you need to cover the car or make a tent.
Basic utensils and knife
Self defense
Rest of medication along with first aid kit
Aust_Norm@reddit
Digital copies of any documents she may need. Keep a set on your phone as well.
Copies of any scripts, medical insurance docs and if possible medical history.
Sounds childish but your details and her details on a card she can keep in her pocket. It is a short step from old to really old and can't remember stuff in a crisis. Allow for the two of you being separated. Also an alternate persons details in case something happens to you. Make sure the bag is labelled as well.
allahyokdinyalan@reddit
You would find it very difficult to navigate a disaster struck area with a large suitcase, instead opt for a rather large backpack if you can carry that. If you are old or frail, dont pack a lot. Make sure to pack clothes for summer and winter. Include the usual stuff, first aid kit, headlamp, batteries/dynamo, fire starter, whistle, wipes and toilet paper, radio, meds, ID, cash, passport, multitool, pen and paper, masks, gloves, food (and utensils) and water. You can omit some of these stuff but it would be a good starting point. Don’t forget socks, boots, coat, poncho and a blanket for winter if it gets cold where you live.
allahyokdinyalan@reddit
Anything above 15 kg would be too much. Don’t forget that you can last several weeks without food (depending on your health and body of course) but only a couple days without water.
You can include self defense items if you that could be a concern during the aftermath.
sfbiker999@reddit
When my wife and I lived near SF, we prepped for 2 evacuation scenarios.
One was where we had to leave our house and go to a shelter. This go bag was a small backpack (each) that contained essentials to let us survive for a few days without support (so things like food, water (plus water straw purifier), flashlight, rain poncho, lightweight tarp for shelter), as well as a couple lightweight changes of clothes and some toiletries for the shelter. We'd rotate in some essential medicines every 3 months to keep them fresh, including an asthma inhaler.
Our second scenario was to prepare for a longer term evacuation out of the area, for that we didn't have a go-bag at home, we kept a sealed plastic crate there with some clothes, copies of important documents, etc at a friend's house who lived a few hours out of the area.
The drawback of a large go-bag is that it's hard to cart around with you on the go, and you may be in for a long walk if your house is uninhabitable.
kuru_snacc@reddit
For a woman of any age: 2-3 pairs Thinx panties, a few unscented single-packaged wipes, any necessary medications with some additional ibuprofen thrown in, and basically the rest is the same that any other human would need.
Thinx panties are good for women who mensturate in addition to those going through menopause / spotting, and may even help with an elderly woman approaching incontinence. If she is fully incontinent, you will want a package of adult briefs. Other concerns for the elderly include a pill organizer, compression stockings, backup eyeglasses / other medical stuff that may be specific and a greater concern than a young lady.
We women also like our grooming-related creature comforts, so travel-size nice-smelling lotions/soaps are an additional possible luxury.