Get home bags

[Drinkthekoolaid]

I think there was a thread about this but I searched and didn't find it. If there is let me know and mods can merge them.

What's in your get home bag?

I have 2 get home bags I keep in both my car and wife's car all the time in the trunks so whatever car someone is in they can make sure they get home. Our daily travels on work errands or leisure we typically are not more than 25 miles from home.

I prioritized keeping them light and simple with the expectation that quick movement and being home in give or take 8-16 hours is about right and that's more important than having every gadget and supply you "might want" but just sticking to some basic essentials. (They also double as car survival bags in winter)

Off the top of my head here is the approximate contents of my get home bags.

Water/hydration-
3 bottled waters in a gallon size ziplock bag in case they crack and leak.
A lifestraw
An empty sports water bottle
A can of orange juice in ziplock bag in case it leaks. Thought natural sugars might be helpful if you get tired or someone gets low blood sugar.


Food-
A liferaft survival bar
Hard candy


Misc.-
Change of dry socks also in ziplock bag
Emergency ponchos
Flashlight
Emergency ponchos
Multi tool
Small blanket

Fire-
Multiple match books, lighters, kindling, aluminum foil, candles, vaseline soaked cotton balls

Ammo-
50rd box of 9mm in case need reloads
50rd box of .22lr because it takes up no weight or space and who knows
(I have 2 spare mags in either vehicle)

Medical-
Ibuprofen, benedryl, bandaids, a couple large bandaids, gauze, tampons and feminine pads. I think I should also get torniquets for here I think that would be wise. That might be the next thing I upgrade.


I think that's about all. I would estimate the bag weighs in between 10-15 lbs. It's small light, easy to move in and just a streamlined black bookbag that looks very boring.

My bags purpose is to get home within a 25 mile radius.


What do you guys have?

 

[Celt]

I work anywhere from 50-60 miles away so i have a bit more.

-3 MRES
-Water, along with purification tabs, and life straw.
-Fire starting kit with lighter, waterproof matches, and ferro rod
-Knife
-change of clothes, extra socks
-poncho
-zip ties
-hand warmers
-Compass
-monocular
-First aid kit
-paracord
-laminated maps
-Emergency blankets
-headlamp with batteries out, and a handheld edc light
-Chap stick,
-crazy glue
-altoid tin with small items, altoid tin fishing kit --gloves

Im sure im forgetting a few things even though i just repacked it last month. But i keep many things in my truck too such as other tools, heavy coats, rain gear, case of water, and other food items.

Big question is does anyone exercise with their pack? I get on the treadmill 2x per week on a steep incline with backpack and 30lbs in it.

It gets tiring wearing a backpack for extended periods of time if youre not used to it.

 

[MilesTeg]

I saw a YouTube video of a guy that works quiet a few miles from his house. His main preps was EMP so he always had one of these in the vehicle.

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[Celt]

I've always thought of having something like that and keeping it in the back of my truck, but honestly I see so many bicycles in the city I could just grab one and be good to go

 

[tc556guy]

I'm semi-retired now, so I don't go long distances from home. AS a result the bags I keep in the car are not particularly expansive in their contents. Some basic supplies of food and water, some additional clothing items, personal hygiene items, basic medical items, etc.
There is always other stuff in the car that can be drawn from to add to what's in the bag; ammunition, other clothing , footwear and medical items, etc.
I don[t expect to have to travel a great distance

 

[Phauxtoe]

I dont know if you ever go into nyc, but if you do, make sure you remove the ammo from your bag.

 

[crunchberry]

Never heard of a get home bag. Is that the opposite of a go-bag?

 

[Celt]

Never heard of a get home bag. Is that the opposite of a go-bag?

I suppose they could be the same thing.

The bottom line is everyone needs to tailor their bag for whatever their priority is. For me, getting stuck in New York City is about a 60 mile hike for me to get home. That's more than likely 3 days of hardcore walking.

 

[togmaster]

I suppose they could be the same thing.

The bottom line is everyone needs to tailor their bag for whatever their priority is. For me, getting stuck in New York City is about a 60 mile hike for me to get home. That's more than likely 3 days of hardcore walking.

Or after day one you could stop at my house. We could barbecue some steaks have a few beers and I'll give you a ride the rest of the way.

 

[Celt]

No

Or after day one you could stop at my house. We could barbecue some steaks have a few beers and I'll give you a ride the rest of the way.

Now thats a plan!

 

[crunchberry]

I suppose they could be the same thing.

The bottom line is everyone needs to tailor their bag for whatever their priority is. For me, getting stuck in New York City is about a 60 mile hike for me to get home. That's more than likely 3 days of hardcore walking.

You just reminded me of the 2003 North East black out which affected NYC. There were tons of people walking home whether that meant walking over the bridges or through some train tracks. Then there was the other ton of people who decided just to camp out wherever they were and wait for it to pass.

 

[Drinkthekoolaid]

You just reminded me of the 2003 North East black out which affected NYC. There were tons of people walking home whether that meant walking over the bridges or through some train tracks. Then there was the other ton of people who decided just to camp out wherever they were and wait for it to pass.

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Do. Not. Wait.

Do not be in with the group that acts helpless waiting for things to get back to normal or someone save them. These are not the people you want to be surrounded by if things don't go back to normal for some time.

 

[spat]

You just reminded me of the 2003 North East black out which affected NYC. There were tons of people walking home whether that meant walking over the bridges or through some train tracks. Then there was the other ton of people who decided just to camp out wherever they were and wait for it to pass.

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I remember that.

And the '91 ice storm.

I am very glad I was not around NYC for those.

Out here they were not such a big deal. People are a lot more more self sufficient than in the city.

 

[livingston]

 

[1075tech]

If I do leave the house, it's generally just around town.

If I go anywhere for work, it theoretically could be anywhere in the country.

If I do go anywhere, no one but the dog would care if I don't come back

 

[Phauxtoe]

You just reminded me of the 2003 North East black out which affected NYC. There were tons of people walking home whether that meant walking over the bridges or through some train tracks. Then there was the other ton of people who decided just to camp out wherever they were and wait for it to pass.

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I was working in the city that day, the key is to stay away from highways!
I drove up thru the center of the city into bronx, into westchester and got on the tappan zee right un Tarrytown. Took me an extra 1/2 hour to get home that day

 

[dwa12479]

Do. Not. Wait.

Do not be in with the group that acts helpless waiting for things to get back to normal or someone save them. These are not the people you want to be surrounded by if things don't go back to normal for some time.

Egggg- Zackary. People survived for 10,000 years without electricity, and are suddenly completely helpless without it in one century.

 

[Celt]

Just another thought. Did the treadmill again today with pack on and ended up getting chafed. Whats the best stuff to use for chafing? Couldnt imagine having to walk for 10 hours after getting chafed after 30 minutes.

Anyone need to cross a waterway for their get home route, what if your primary get home route is not possible, do you have a back up, have you scouted it?

 

[Saltwater60]

Here’s what I have. Two water bottles, life straw, water purification tablets, latex gloves, head lamp, flashlight, socks, socks, underwear, light weight warm sweatshirt, space blankets, signal mirror, food of various things, candy, hand soap, hand sanitizer, matches, lighter, large knife, small knife, paracord, extra shoe laces, hot hands, hand saw, and a rather nice first aid kit. I’m sure there are a few things I’m forgetting.

If I’m not working I have a pistol and a few spare mags with me. I normally have 3-4 mags on me.

 

[Criticalt]

We just have medical kits and fire starters, everything else is provided by mother nature.
If youre going to use torniquets make sure you know how and when to use them. You can stop a lot of serious wounds with just pressure. Torniquets should be saved for open arteries. People may be surprised how bad of a wound can be stopped by pressure.
Once you completely stop blood flow with a torniquet, the limb is short lived.
Many people panic and tourniquet any heavily bleeding wound, not a great idea.

 

[GOPerfect]

Never heard of a get home bag. Is that the opposite of a go-bag?

They are different, actually, quite different. Well, kind of the same as well depending on the situation.

If you are rather close to home, or will be; it would be a get home bag. Getting home to the place where all the real stuff is. Usually, they are a bit smaller and the contents are on the basic needs lists.

Water/food for maybe a day. Something to keep you warm as your trucking it home(via your feet). Bare essentials is all most would need.

A go bag is a much larger, more thought out and intended to last quite sometime.

 

[GOPerfect]

Just another thought. Did the treadmill again today with pack on and ended up getting chafed. Whats the best stuff to use for chafing? Couldnt imagine having to walk for 10 hours after getting chafed after 30 minutes.

Anyone need to cross a waterway for their get home route, what if your primary get home route is not possible, do you have a back up, have you scouted it?

I love gold bond. When I walk on the treadmill with my body armor, I gold bond first.

 

[spat]

Egggg- Zackary. People survived for 10,000 years without electricity, and are suddenly completely helpless without it in one century.

Well, we survived for millenia as hunter gatherers. But that requires small tribal groups.

Mega cities are kinda difficult without power and sewer and so forth (although some ancients did manage them)

 

[MilesTeg]

I love gold bond. When I walk on the treadmill with my body armor, I gold bond first.

Agreed gold bond. Another thought would Vaseline in the get home bag because it has the added value of a fire started aid. But I would hate to use it everyday in the fashion.

 

[tc556guy]

Just another thought. Did the treadmill again today with pack on and ended up getting chafed. Whats the best stuff to use for chafing? Couldnt imagine having to walk for 10 hours after getting chafed after 30 minutes.

Anyone need to cross a waterway for their get home route, what if your primary get home route is not possible, do you have a back up, have you scouted it?

AS far as the chaffing goes, I've found from years in the military and backpacking that boxer briefs with an 8 inch inseam protects the parts of my inner thighs that would chafe when wearing other types of underwear. I don't use any sort of fancy backpacking brands for underwear, just OTC Champion branded sports underwear.
If you do find yourself starting to develop hot spots on your feet or chafing of the thighs, its pretty important to stop and deal with the problem before it grows into a huge problem that immobilizes you. Even something as simple as a stick f body glide or some Gold Bond kept in your pack will resolve the problem.

 

[Celt]

I love gold bond. When I walk on the treadmill with my body armor, I gold bond first.

I recently switched from armor to 30lb pack. The pack is harder because the weight isnt balanced. But armor is still a good way to go. And ill try the gold bond.

Also, @Saltwater60 good call on the shoe laces. I have extra in my truck but i am gonna put them IN the bag. In a rush im sure id forget them.

 

[Saltwater60]

We just have medical kits and fire starters, everything else is provided by mother nature.
If youre going to use torniquets make sure you know how and when to use them. You can stop a lot of serious wounds with just pressure. Torniquets should be saved for open arteries. People may be surprised how bad of a wound can be stopped by pressure.
Once you completely stop blood flow with a torniquet, the limb is short lived.
Many people panic and tourniquet any heavily bleeding wound, not a great idea.

While I agree the current stop the bleed training says the complete opposite and essentially says tourniquets for everything. I think they have a 15 minute window before nerve damage happens.
I’m totally onboard with you and I have gauze and tape. I will get some stop bleed packets as well. They say not to use these in the stop the bleed training too because the doctors don’t like cleaning these wounds after the use.

 

[Saltwater60]

I recently switched from armor to 30lb pack. The pack is harder because the weight isnt balanced. But armor is still a good way to go. And ill try the gold bond.

Also, @Saltwater60 good call on the shoe laces. I have extra in my truck but i am gonna put them IN the bag. In a rush im sure id forget them.

That and they are basically small bits of para chord anyway. Useful for many things honestly. Easy to use for a quick tie down of my space blanket for rain cover too. I have a space blanket poncho as well.

 

[Criticalt]

While I agree the current stop the bleed training says the complete opposite and essentially says tourniquets for everything. I think they have a 15 minute window before nerve damage happens.
I’m totally onboard with you and I have gauze and tape. I will get some stop bleed packets as well. They say not to use these in the stop the bleed training too because the doctors don’t like cleaning these wounds after the use.

They must save a life at all costs so they error on the side of caution.
Even when there is a 100% chance to save the life and the arm, they say tourniquet.
Deep wounds can look very bloody but most clot quickly and with proper pressure stop completely.
Just like doctors and the stop bleed, they can also tell you how many times they have seen tourniquets on injuries that dont need them.

 

[IrishMick]

@crunchberry The get home bag should be based on getting back to your Base of Operation (your home) They should be light and contain the bare essentials you think you need to get home. The Philosophy of Use should be getting back to where you are strong and well supplied from a relatively short distance and not extended travel, camping, and long term survival. You want to go light and move quick. A "Go Bag" can also be called a GOOD (Get Out Of Dodge) or Bug Out Bag The POU is the inverse of the get home bag. You will be leaving your position of strength to move to an alternate location if your stronghold position becomes untenable. It should be more robust as the travel distance may be greater and you will need to be more sustainable for your journey. Bug Out systems should be broken down to vehicle, human movable through added means and the last; man portable.