Advanced preparation is important. It cuts down on time if you are physically ready to leave on a moment’s notice and have your bug out bag packed. Check your bug out bags at least once a year to see if anything requires replacement or if you need to update the contents. Be sure everyone’s bag is light enough for them to carry on their own. Put bulkier items in a car kit as needed. When it comes to documents, everyone needs to carry a copy. Keep the originals stored away in a safe, fire resistant place. Send copies to trusted friends and non-local contacts. Upload scans and originals of photos to cloud storage and duplicate them on external hard drives for easy mobility. This is all preparation work. You can do it months and even years in advance. However, like bug out bags, be sure to update all information as it changes. Keeping it current and accurate will help you when you need to use this information.