VE6AB Technical

VE6AB Emergency Preparedness Go Box

The primary purpose of a emergency preparedness go-box is to allow one to evacuate quickly if a disaster should strike.
Having said that, It is therefore prudent to gather all of the materials and supplies that might be required, in a go-box, not unlike the one that I use, and shown in this photo..

The recommendation that a go-box should contain enough supplies for seventy-two hours arises from advice from organizations responsible for disaster relief and management that it may take them up to seventy-two hours to reach people affected by a disaster and offer help. The go-box contents may vary according to the region of the user, as someone evacuating from the path of a hurricane may have different supplies from someone who lives in an area prone to tornadoes or wildfires, or winter blizzards.

In addition to allowing one to survive a disaster evacuation, a emergency go-box may also be utilized when sheltering in place as a response to emergencies such as house fires, blackouts, tornadoes, and other severe natural disasters, such as the floods that occurred here in southern Alberta in 2013.


The suggested contents of a emergency go-box vary, but the following are included in my go-box.
Enough food and water to last for 72 hours. This includes: Water for washing, drinking and cooking. The recommendation is for 2 to 3 litres per person per day for drinking plus an additional 2 litres per person per day for cleaning and hygiene.
I use a 10 liter Scepter military water can for my needs (see link below.)
Non-perishable food (see link below.)
Water purification supplies ( I also have a water filter pump )
Cooking supplies ( I have several choices of stoves stored in my emergency go-kit and survival kit.)

A first aid kit ( choose one sized for your group )
Fire starting tool ( matches, ferrocerium rod, lighter, etc.)
A disaster plan
Professional emergency literature explaining what to do in various types of disaster, studied and understood before the actual disaster but kept for reference
Maps and compass with travel information ( a gps device is nice, but back it up with a map and compass )
Standard camping equipment, including sanitation supplies
Weather appropriate clothing ( poncho, headwear, gloves, gum boots, etc.)
Bedding items such as sleeping bags and blankets ( bags rated for at least -25C if you are travelling in the winter months in Alberta.)
Enough medicine to last an extended evacuation period
Battery or crank-operated radio ( also, if a ham, a full compliment of ham gear )
Lighting (battery or crank operated flashlight, glow sticks)
Cash and change, as electronic banking transactions may not be available during the initial period following an emergency or evacuation
Positive identification, such as drivers license.
Birth certificate and/or passport
Fixed-blade and folding knife, as well as a camp hatchet.
Duct tape and rope/paracord
Plastic tarps for shelter and water collection
Wire for binding and repair of equipment.

I could make due for several weeks or longer with my go-box, and indefinitely with a extra 20 minutes of preparation before heading out.

I also carry food-stuff not shown in the photos, and in the winter months, a full complement of clothing required for survival when the un-expectant happens and your stranded. I also carry a snow shovel that packs away until needed, as well as a snow saw for building snow shelters.

If your someone new to assembling your first go-box, it can seem like a big task. Everybody you read about has been tweaking their go-boxes for months or even years and has a pile of gear built up. It may be hard for you to know where to start, but if you cover all of the basics with a kit such as this one, you will still be much better off while out and about, than 99% of the people out there.

Water and Food Storage

http://www.jerryclement.ca/HamRadio/HamRadio/i-vZmqWLQ

Emergency Preparedness - The First 72 Hours.....

http://ve6ab.blogspot.ca/2013/09/advanced-survival-bug-out-vehicle.html

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