After a major earthquake, help may not arrive right away. Power and water can fail, roads can close, and rescue teams can take days to reach everyone. That's the reasoning behind the 72-hour rule that PHIVOLCS and the NDRRMC promote: every household should be able to survive on its own for at least three days. The tool for that is a go-bag — a sturdy, waterproof backpack you can grab and carry in seconds.
Here's a complete, category-by-category checklist. Pack one bag per person where you can, keep it near your exit, and you'll never scramble for essentials in the dark.
💧 Water & food (3 days)
- Drinking water — at least 3 litres per person per day
- Non-perishable food — canned goods, biscuits, energy bars, instant noodles
- Can opener and basic utensils
- Snacks with long shelf life; food for infants if needed
🩹 Health & first aid
- First-aid kit — bandages, gauze, antiseptic, plasters
- Maintenance medicines — plus meds for fever, pain, cough/colds, diarrhea
- Face masks, alcohol / hand sanitizer, and gloves
- Personal hygiene — soap, toothbrush, sanitary items, tissue/wet wipes
🔦 Light, power & communication
- Flashlight with spare batteries
- Power bank and charging cable for your phone
- Battery or hand-crank radio — for official advisories when networks fail
- Whistle — to signal for help if you're trapped
📄 Documents & money
- Photocopies of IDs, birth certificates, land titles, insurance — in a waterproof pouch
- Cash in small bills and coins (ATMs and cards may not work)
- Emergency contact list written on paper
- A recent family photo (to help identify members if separated)
🧥 Clothing & shelter
- Sturdy shoes and a change of clothes per person
- Jacket or blanket / emergency mylar blanket
- Raincoat or poncho
- Dust mask and work gloves
🛠️ Tools & extras
- Multi-tool or Swiss knife
- Rope or paracord, and a few heavy-duty garbage bags
- Waterproof matches or a lighter
- Notebook and pen; local map
👶 Special needs (add as they apply)
- Infants: formula, bottles, diapers, wipes
- Elderly / PWD: extra medication, mobility aids, spare eyeglasses
- Pets: food, water, leash, and a carrier
Keep it ready, keep it current
A go-bag only works if it's maintained. Store it somewhere easy to grab near your main exit. Check it every six months: rotate water and food before they expire, refresh medicines, and update documents and children's clothing sizes. Keep the bag light enough that the person carrying it can actually run with it.
Where to keep your go-bags
Have a bag at home near the door, and consider smaller kits in your car and at the office — earthquakes don't wait until you're home. Make sure every family member knows where the bags are and can lift their own.
🗺️ Know your risk first →Check the live map for recent quakes and whether a fault runs near your home.
Pair this with our earthquake safety guide (what to do before, during and after), and tsunami safety if you live near the coast.
Sources: PHIVOLCS community & family earthquake safety guide; NDRRMC / DOST go-bag guidance; Philippine Red Cross preparedness materials. Adjust quantities to your household's needs.