The Revolution Will Be Duct-Taped
You Already Have What You Need: Building a Go Bag From Nothing
A mutual aid guide to rapid response go bags (even if you’re broke)
“You don’t need to be tactical. You need to be ready—and so does your neighbor.”
A go bag isn’t about gear—it’s about readiness. And most of what you need? You already have it.
Mutual Aid, Not Military Gear
You don’t need to be tactical. You need to be ready; & so does your neighbor.
We’re not prepping for doomsday. We’re prepping for community. For when ICE shows up unannounced. When police flood a protest with gas. When someone in your building gets taken & nobody knows who to call. That kind of moment doesn’t give you time to order a fancy kit off Etsy. You’ve got to grab what’s close & go.
So let’s talk about what you already have, & how it can save someone’s life.
Start With What You Have
(From the junk drawer, not the gear store)
“Your gear doesn’t have to be expensive. It just has to be useful.”
You can throw this together with things found in most homes, cars, or neighbor’s garages. What matters is being ready to move & to help. Here's what to include:
Protection:
Swim goggles / old ski goggles / safety glasses
→ Even scratched-up ones help keep tear gas & pepper spray out of your eyes.Bandana / old t-shirt / coffee filter in a mask
→ Fold into layers and tie over your nose/mouth. Soak in water (or water + tiny splash of vinegar/lemon juice) if you're gas-exposed.Dish gloves / gardening gloves / work gloves
→ Anything is better than bare hands when dealing with hot gas canisters, rough pavement, or bodily fluids.Ear plugs (in case of flash bangs or sound weapons)Baseball cap / hoodie / knit hat / bike helmet
→ Keeps hair from catching chemical particles and protects from rubber bullets to the head.“Your gear doesn’t have to be expensive. It just has to be useful.”
First Aid (makeshift but mighty):
Clean socks / strips of cloth
→ Emergency bandages or pressure wraps.Saline (eyedrop bottle or contact lens solution)
A ziplock bag with baking soda
→ Mix with water to neutralize pepper spray on skin (not eyes).Maxi pads / pantyliners
→ Absorbent for blood or blisters, not just periods.Plastic grocery bags / newspaper / foil
→ Use for makeshift cold packs, insulation, or wrapping wounds.Burn cream / cooling gel (aloe vera is great)
Instant cold packs
Old water bottle filled with tap water
→ Use to rinse eyes or clean wounds.
Support / Supplies:
Notebook + pen / junk mail envelope with notes
→ Write down badge numbers, details, names. Paper survives when phones don’t.Phone charger, old power bank
Old flannel shirt / hoodie
→ Use as backup clothing, padding, or to help someone injured.Water + salty snack
Your $1 tote bag from the farmer's market
→ Carries everything and says “I care.”Extra masks or cloths to give away
Legal rights card (handwritten or printed from a PDF)
“I do not consent to a search. I want a lawyer. I am remaining silent.”
(Write it out in English and Spanish.)
If that’s all you’ve got? That’s enough.
“If all you’ve got is a backpack, a scarf, and a heart that won’t quit? That’s enough.”
This isn’t about perfection—it’s about presence. If you can show up, show up.
Can’t Be There But Want to Help?
You don’t have to be on the front lines to be part of the defense. Some of us are caregivers. Some of us are immunocompromised. Some of us have a job that won’t let us leave without risking eviction. That’s real.
If you’ve got a little $ but can’t be boots-on-the-ground, you can still stock a responder’s bag.
So here’s how to help from the sidelines:
Buy + Send Supplies
Local groups always need:
Goggles (sealed, no vents)
N95 or KN95 masks
Gloves (nitrile, work gloves)
Cooling burn gel / pepper spray wipes
Electrolyte packs / shelf-stable snacks
Mini first aid kits / trauma supplies
Cheap power banks
$5-$10 gift cards for gas, Lyft, food
Check in with:
Local bail funds
Immigrant rights orgs
Mutual aid collectives
Street medics
Community defense crews
Let them tell you what’s needed most right now. Then ship what you can or Venmo what you’d spend on a Target run.
The Revolution Will Be Duct-Taped
We don’t need to out-arm them. We need to out-care them. And we already do. You’ve got something in your house right now that could help someone walk away from a raid or a protest safely.
Gather it. Pack it. Share it.
And if you can’t be there, fund someone who will be.
We take care of each other. That’s the plan.
(See something I missed, got a hot tip on how to help? Add it in the comments below!)
~AK