Go-Bag design concept

As I stated one of my goals for this year is to design and construct a set of Go-Bags for my family.  I have been carrying a Go-Bag since I was a kid and just didn't know it.  I learned early and often to always be prepared.  I want to make sure that whether I am with them or working my way to them that my family members have the items and skills to be safe, comfortable and make it through any situation (within reason). 

A first step towards this goal is the actual bag selection.  I already have a few bags that we use for hiking and day trips and I know that they are a good fit for my wife and daughter.  I plan to use these bags for my first iteration of the Go-Bag for each of them.  I have made this decision for a few key reasons. 

First as I said they are already comfortable with the packs.  Secondly I have them on hand so I do not have to spend money on them.  This frees up more resources for other necessary purchases.  Thirdly they do not look tactical in anyway.  We live in the Midwest in a decent sized city.  So these packs help them blend in better than one of the tactical packs would.  A final consideration was the colors.  I chose a different color for each of us and based on that color I can identify at a glance where each person is.  This helps me to keep them in sight without having to think about it too much.

As far as contents go this is what I am thinking of at the moment.  I believe that the packs should contain the following core areas:

• communication
• medical
• fire
• mess kit
• food
• water
• shelter
• tools
• comfort items
• important documents
• self defense items
• food procurement

I will break down my thoughts on possible items for each grouping now.

Communication

• cell phone with headset, adapter, data cable
• 2way radio/hand held cb radio
• crank powered emergency AM/FM/SW weather band radio
• extra batteries for radios if needed
• radio frequency guides and schedules for contact

Medical

• IFAK (Individual First Aid Kit)
• OTC medications
• Prescription medications
• prescription glasses/contacts
• medical history (could be in important documents as well)

 Fire

• weather proof matches (strike anywhere)
• butane lighter(s)
• emergency candle(s)
• Magnesium firestarter
• fero rod with striker
• tinder kit
• lint with petroleum jelly in baggy

Mess Kit

• canteen and cup
• spork
• esbit stove
• esbit tabs for stove

Food (X3 days)
breakfast

• instance oatmeal packet || breakfast bar || peanut butter
• crackers
• dried fruit
• carnation drink mix
• tang drink mix
• vitamin packet

lunch

• tuna || packaged meat || TVP
•  crackers with cheese
• gatorade mix
• protein bar
• fruit roll-up

snack

• granola bar
• trail mix
• drink mix
• gum 

dinner

• rice & beans|| cup of noodles|| tuna/packaged meat || TVP
• tea || coffee

Water

• purification tables
• filter straw
• liter cache/collection bag
• liter canteen (see above)

 Shelter

•  tarp
• poncho/liner
• AMC emergency bivy

Tools

• flashlight - rechargable or with extra batteries
• fixed blade knife
• multi-tool
• folding saw
• wire
• duct tape
• electrical tape
• rubber bands/old innertubes

Comfort Items

• TP
• extra socks
• extra underware
• extra tshirt
• rain gear (pants and jacket)
• hat (style depends on weather)
• sunglasses
• work gloves
• weather specific items
• book
• ipod type device
• family photos

Self Defense

• mace/pepper spray
• asp baton (depends on child versus wife)
• firearm and ammunition (again depends on whose bag it is in)

Food Procurement

• fishing kit
• snare wire
• mouse type traps
• slingshot
• mesh bag

So these are some of the things I have been thinking of including.  I also want to get some feedback from my wife and daughter to customize their kits to their needs and level of comfort.  The overall goal should be to have everything they need without over burdening them.