The "To Keep Up" Wiki

This is a bag you can grab as you run out of the house in an emergency. Emergencies like: flooding, fire, hurricane, etc. What would you put in it? What kind of bag to use (maybe a backpack)? Maybe more than one bag?
You're basically looking for things to bring as you escape to a safer place, realizing that it might take a day or three to get there and you might be stranded in your car for a while (e.g., in a traffic jam).

Consider places you might go to if you have to run for some reason.

Bag type to use

• Best would be a bag that doesn't look like a go-bag.
• Hiking backpack for example.
• No to camouflage or military type bag (too obvious).
• You don't want to stand out from the crowd, you want to blend in.

First set stuff to pack

• Medications. Your medications, maybe in a zip lock bag. Non-perishable ones. (Else put in cooler.)
• Car keys
• House keys
• Wallet with credit cards
• Reading/distance/bifocal glasses and a spare

Zip lock bag (keeps them dry and together) holding

• Photocopy of passport, drivers license, birth cert, social security card, healthcare cards. Leave these in the bag (in case you forget the originals).
• Passports
• Drivers licenses
• Birth certificate copies
• Social Security card
• Health care cards; Medicare, Supplemental, Drug, Dental, Vision
• Important medical information (allergy info, etc)
• Checkbook
• Stamps (& envelopes?)
• Cash
• Your password list
  • Better is to store this in an encrypted file using free software; I use KeePass to hold passwords and other important data. See my thoughts on password storage

Technology

• Your computer
• Power for your computer
  • Your backup for the computer (for Mac: TimeMachine disk)
• Your cellphones
  • Cellphone external battery (and keep it charged – so you can have power in your cellphone on the run)
  • Cellphone charger
• Your Kindle/Nook/whatever electronic book
• USB battery pack
• Consider: fold-out small solar panel for USB charging
• Batteries
  • For flashlight(s) and other items needing them
  • Mind dates – monthly replace old ones (maybe those within 1 year of due date)
  • Consider putting in zip lock bag, so they're not loose and in case of leakage
• NOAA Weather Radio
• GPS
• Your hardware crypto wallet

Food & first aid

• Energy or granola type bars
• Prepackaged nuts, trail mix, beef jerky, peanut butter (protein)
• Crackers (don't go moldy like bread. Matzoh if you have some.)
• Sports drinks or water
• Water purification tablets, mini-filters, or reusable water bottle equipped with a filter
• First aid kit
• Handy wipes
• Bug spray
• Face mask
• Rubber gloves
• Can/bottle opener
• Swiss army knife
• Matches

Protective

• Mace
• Firearm (&ammunition)
• Survival knife (maybe)
• Loud whistle

Secondary

• Couple days clothing (Put one change clothing in bag with extra socks and underwear. Use 2nd bag for additional sets clothing.)
• Good pair of sneakers & extra pair socks
• Rain jacket & hat (warm weather)
• Winter coat, scarf, hat, gloves (cold weather)
• Plastic utensils (knife,fork,spoon)
• Paper towels, napkins
• Plastic trash bags (use for dirty laundry, trash, etc)
• Cooler with ice pack(s) and also frozen food, cold cuts, bread, etc (to use while traveling to safe spot)
• Wrench or pliers

Needed medical equipment

• ankle & back braces
• cane

• Top off (recharge) rechargeable batteries
• Cycle food and medication
• Recharge any electronics in the bag

• https://www.simplemost.com/36-items-you-should-have-in-your-emergency-bag/
• https://www.survivalsullivan.com/best-car-bug-out-bag/
• https://www.mentalfloss.com/article/504252/what-put-your-go-bag-case-emergency

https://www.aarp.org/health/healthy-living/info-2017/packing-your-emergency-preparedness-kit-fd.html

1. Basic electronics
   Pack an extra phone charger in case you’re fortunate enough to have electricity, and a portable battery pack in case you’re not. Also stash a long-lasting LED flashlight. Pack a small hand-cranked or battery-operated AM/FM radio (with extra batteries).
2. Personal needs
   While getting ready for a typical day, list every toiletry you use, then buy a travel-size version of each. Pack backup eyeglasses, as well as a first-aid kit, baby wipes and a multipurpose tool with a knife and can opener.
3. Clothing
   Pack a few days’ worth. Include layers you can add or remove, plus lightweight rain gear and waterproof boots.
4. Your meds
   Pack about three days’ worth of each of your prescriptions, which should last until you can get to a pharmacy that’s open. If you need larger items, such as an oxygen tank, make sure you have a portable version.
5. The perfect bag
   Think small and portable. A backpack is ideal, but a lightweight suitcase with wheels will also do. Just remember, you may literally be running with it.
6. Paperwork
   Fill a zip-top waterproof bag with photocopies of your birth certificate; driver’s license; Social Security and Medicare cards; power of attorney and will; any marriage, adoption or naturalization certificates; proof of address; insurance, medical and immunization records; and information about your credit and ATM cards.
7. Food and drink
   Bottled water is essential. Granola or energy bars are great because they are small and filling, and they come in a variety of flavors.
8. Cash
   In addition to enough money for a few days, include small bills and a roll of quarters. If you need to buy something out of a vending machine, you don’t want to start asking equally desperate strangers for change.