Emergency Go Bag Water Considerations
When disaster strikes and you have to leave home quickly, your go bag becomes your lifeline. It should include food, first aid, and clothing—but don’t overlook one of the most critical components: water.
For most families, water preparedness starts at home with long-term storage. But evacuation requires a different mindset. You can’t carry gallons, so your focus should shift to smart, compact, and multi-use water solutions. If you haven’t already, check out our Emergency Preparedness Water Guide for an overview of what every household should know before building their go bag.
Let’s break down what you should pack to ensure safe hydration and sanitation on the move.
You Can’t Carry It All—So Be Strategic
The average person needs at least one gallon of water per day. But when you’re on foot, that’s just not practical. Your goal is to supplement with lightweight, flexible tools that can help you find, filter, and use water safely until you reach a stable location.
Don’t think of your go bag as a water source. Think of it as a water access kit.
Essentials to Pack in Your Water-Ready Go Bag
Here’s a table to help you visualize the most important water-related items to include:
| Item | Purpose | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| Collapsible water containers | Store and refill on the go | Take up less space when empty |
| Water purification tablets | Kill harmful bacteria, viruses, and protozoa | Compact and effective with proper instructions |
| Straw or pump filter | Filter water from lakes, streams, or rain catchers | Doesn’t require electricity or bulky equipment |
| Stainless steel bottle | Boil water if needed | Can double as a cooking container |
| Pre-filled pouches | Shelf-stable drinking water for immediate use | Good for first 24–48 hours after evacuation |
| Small cloth or coffee filter | Pre-filter sediment before purification | Extends life of tablets and filters |
| Resealable plastic bags | Transport and store clean water or dry equipment | Multi-use and lightweight |
Special Considerations for Families
If you have infants, elderly family members, or people with medical conditions, you’ll need to customize your go bag even further. Consider packing:
- Extra sterile water for baby formula, medications, or cleaning wounds
- Flavor additives if someone in your family has difficulty drinking plain water
- Syringes or droppers for accurate water intake when swallowing is difficult
Each of these items takes up minimal space but adds critical flexibility to your emergency response.
Rotate, Refill, and Review Regularly
Water-related items—especially purification tablets and pre-filled pouches—have expiration dates. Check your go bag every 6 months, rotate out old supplies, and update your kit based on any new family needs.
If you’ve had a baby, started new medication, or relocated to an area with fewer natural water sources, your go bag should reflect those changes.
Train for the Worst, Hope for the Best
It’s not just about having the right tools—it’s knowing how to use them. Practice using your purification tablets and filters ahead of time. Let family members know where water supplies are packed in the go bag. The more familiar everyone is, the faster and more calmly they’ll respond when it counts.
Hope Force International equips families with practical, life-saving knowledge like this because we’ve seen firsthand what happens when clean water isn’t available. If you’re ready to serve others in crisis, get trained as a Hope Force Reservist.
Or, if you want to help provide emergency water and supplies to families facing disaster, make a donation today. Your support turns preparation into peace of mind for those who need it most.
