A universal evacuation pod is deployed either from a storage location on top of a mattress of a bed or from a canister mounted on a wall. The pod includes straps to hold it in place on top of a mattress, and a chamber accessible by opening opposed side zippers which, when open, facilitate access to portions of the pod that are laterally deployed in advance of inflation. The pod is inflated by a small gas cylinder. The portions of the pod pulled laterally outwardly from the chamber include straps that may be pulled over a person between them to hold the person in place. They may also include handles allowing the pod to be easily gripped for transport. Additional straps may be provided to facilitate carrying or dragging the inventive pod.