The Get Home Bag and It S Contents

The Get Home Bag and it’s Contents

First let’s figure out what constitutes a Get Home Bag.

I like to think of a Get Home Bag as a backpack, filled with enough tools and supplies to get me home. We may not have to hike a thousand miles, but some of us might end up on foot for more than 40 miles.

Backpack

You don’t have to use a backpack, but I want something I can strap on and go!

You’ll probably want to avoid anything expensive, fancy or tactical. I used an old computer backpack. You’ll want a backpack that looks very similar to what the other commuters would carry.

You don’t want the other stranded motorists to think that you may have anything that they don’t. People get real sketchy in life or death situations. See our Post: Covert Prepper Backpack

Get Home Bag Contents:

The contents of your Get Home Bag should contain these types of items:

 Flashlight or Headlamp (have extra batteries)  Knife. We’re talking about a survival knife. One that can baton wood, cut cord, skin game, and do all the things a good, rugged, outdoorsy knife can do. It doesn’t have to be expensive, but it should be decent. This is exactly why I have a Cold Steel Bushman knife. $15 for a pretty tough knife. We did a couple posts on knives: Budget survival Knife: Cold Steel Bushman knife and Becker BK2 Companion Survival Knife  Multitool  Military Poncho – Trust me, when you think it can’t get any worse, it’ll start raining. These ponchos work for rain gear and shelter. That’s right multi-use gear, 2 birds with one stone. I just blew your mind. Anyway if you can’t envision how a poncho becomes a shelter here are a few links to help you out: 9 Military Poncho Survival Shelter Configurations and Poncho and Tarp Shelters)  Rope / Cordage – pick up at least 100 feet of 550 paracord. You’ll need it to rig your poncho into a shelter and you’ll probably need it for a bunch of other things.  Duct Tape – I just take an old plastic card (library, shoppers rewards, etc) and wrap a decent amount of duct tape around it. I don’t want to carry a huge 8 inch thick roll of duct tape, but I want some, so I make sure to have about 1/2 inch thick roll of ductape, conveniently off the roll and around the flat card. This will fit easily in our GHB.  Backpack first aid kit – You can buy one or make your own.  Bandana or Shemagh - Head covering, sling, sediment water filter (will not purify water) and a trillion other uses. Trust me, these are awesome to have.  Hat - Keep sun off head, if winter have a stocking cap (WOOL).  Sunglasses – to protect eyes from sun and debris (goggles might even be good).  Work or utility gloves  Sensible Walking or Hiking Shoes - If you wear heels or dress shoes to work, keep a comfortable pair of sneakers or walking shoes in your car.  Sun Screen  Insect Repellent  Compass (or GPS) and MAPS! – Get the Delorme atlas for your state and keep one in your car.  Food and Snacks  Water / Water purification tabs or Water filter  Canteen or Nagalene water bottle and carrier (hook, connect or tie it to backpack). Pair this with a GI Cup or one of those cups that fit around the Nagalene bottles, so you can boil some water. Water Bottle Carrier.  Fire – Firesteel, waterproof matches or a bunch of Bic Lighters, just have some way to make fire.  Toilet Paper – Walking a long distance sucks, and you will have nature call.  Wet Wipes / Baby Wipes  PrePaid Calling Card (in case you need to use a payphone)  Cash  Prepaid Credit Card  Medications / Fever reducers

Bonus Items

 Personal Defense items (legal in your area) – Mace, Pepper Spray, etc.  Solar charger for phone (and GPS)  Small Binoculars – You’ll want to be able to check for obstacles and “situations” before you get to them. These don’t have to be pricey. I’ve linked to a small Coleman 10×25 pair for about $17.

You may also want to grab some extra gear from your Automobile EDC Supplies. You should probably make a list of these items and put it on your GHB so you don’t forget to grab them from the Car supplies.

Make sure to add any other item that makes sense for the season, your region, commute or personal needs!