Let's talk about your get home bag. First, you need to understand, this is not a bug out bag. A get home bag is exactly what is stated, a bag designed to get you home or to your designated safe area. Now,the contents of this big will differ in terms of environment and/or geographic locations. In this article, we will cover what we feel are basic necessities, to any location.
Let's start with pack or bag selection. There are many articles and videos that talk about what kind of bag you should or shouldn't use, but from our perspective, it doesn't matter as long as you have the gear you need at the moment of an emergency. I prefer to be as low profile as possible. I do not want to draw any unwanted attention to myself, so for me a mid-tear hiking pack works just fine for what i want to achieve. There are decent packs out there that don't scream "LOOK AT ME, IM RANGER RICK! I HAVE ALL KINDS OF EXPENSIVE GEAR ON ME!" We do not condemn these types of individuals, we just prefer the lower profile. If you can avoid the conflict, then do so with extreme prejudice. In worst case scenarios, the contents of this bag will be the difference in life or death. Just remember, you get what you pay for and if your life depends on it, then it's worth spending a little extra.
Hydration/Water Purification
Okay, let's get into the contents of your Dora the Explorer pack. In no particular order, we will start with hydration. The human body can go weeks without food. In most scenarios, you have 3 days to be without water before your body starts to shut down. I'll say it again for the ones in the back, 3 DAYS!!! You should have multiple ways of hydrating yourself. I, myself, keep a case of waters in every vehicle i own. This act alone gives me a head start on any emergency situation that may result in me having to grab my shit and go. Keep a hydration bladder (empty) in your bag, which most hiking packs normally have a slot for inside the pack. Now, you should also have ways of filtering water from outside sources. Sawyer filtration systems are typically the gold standard, but do not rely on just a single system. Life Straws are another good option for filtration, but lack the ability to store the filtered water. Water purification tablets are also good to have. If you have the space, I highly recommend a small pot to store in your pack. When all else fails, you will have a way of boiling water, the ole tried and true method. Keeping a water key in your pack is very important if you travel through industrial areas, you can easily top off your water supplies.
Medical
Next, make sure you have a roided-out booboo box. Leave that terminator mindset at the house. Your medical kit or IFAK (Individual First Aid Kit) is one of, if not the most essential item in your pack that will determine life or death. Small cuts can become infected quickly, and your chances of survival decrease significantly. Have multiple tourniquets and be sure you have training on how to use them. An improperly placed tourniquet can actually cause more damage to a victim than the initial wound. Next will be Liquid IVs and stimulants. These are good items to include in your med gear, they help with hydration and replace lost electrolytes from rucking. We highly recommend taking a Wilderness First Aid Course. They are fairly inexpensive and you obtain good information.
Navigation
While most people are fairly knowledgeable about their immediate areas of travel, what if roadways become impassable? What if these areas become hostile environments? This is where navigation comes into play. Remember, this is worst case scenario, that fancy $1300 iphone doesn't work. This is where paper maps and/or topo maps of your area come in. Navigation is as difficult as you decide to make it. Learn how to read maps and use a compass. This skillset alone can help you avoid unnecessary contact and get you home quickly.
Working Tools
These next items are pretty self explanatory. Having tools, such as a durable multitool, that can be used for multiple tasks will make life a lot easier. A basic pair of wire cutters and a couple screwdrivers will go a long way my friends. Lights are also in this category. Get a dedicated head lamp that has red light for night travel and a durable and dependable flashlight. Always have multiples of these items if possible and have spare batteries also. There is a huge market for multi-purpose solar charged lights that we recommend you look into. Power banks are also a good investment. Electrical tape is a great item to have on hand and also packs down easily. Obviously 550 cord is a must, we'd be here all day talking about the uses and benefits.
Shelter
Shelter is a very underrated item for these get home bags. A simple rain fly or a grommeted tarp system mixed with some 550 cord makes a hell of a difference when stuck in a downpour. This item is packed down easily and provides many uses on the trail.
Fire Starters and Materials
Fire starting material is a big one. While ferro rods are essential, you can't beat a good ole BIC lighter. Have multiple tools at your disposal. Lighters, ferro rods and weather proof matches are just a few options. Be sure to have some sort of tinder or accelerator material to help get fires started, make this process as easy as you can. You want to keep these items in separate bags or containers. Ziplock bags are a cheap and easy way to keep these materials dry and safe.
Food Rations
Damn, i'm getting hungry. You? Don't forget to pack food rations. The goal is to have items that have a high caloric and protein value without cooking steak and shrimp everynight. There are several options to consider. If you have the discipline to maintain and swap out rations when needed, there are several protein bars and multigrain options for snacks and pick me ups. There's nothing wrong with loading up on beanie weenies or cans of mystery meat. Stick to what works for you financially. Just make sure you have the ability to replenish calories lost, if you don't, it's going to be a rough ride embracing the suck. We recommend the S.O.S Rations. They are vacuum sealed and easily packable. Not to mention, these bricks offer 3500 total calories. These rations are the best bang for your buck.
Change of Clothes
Time to move into basic comforts. Have you ever had swamp ass? You know, the death waddle? It sucks ass FYI. Depending on how far you have to travel, it is best to have at least a single change of clothes and at least 4 extra pair of socks (decent wool socks, not the cheap crap at Walmart). SOCKS WILL SAVE YOUR LIFE! We will die by that statement! We can't forget wet wipes, these are a must in this category. A simple hobo bath and basic personal hygiene can make a huge difference in your moral and mental health. If you've ever spent an extended amount of time on the trail or a multi day FTX, you understand this whole heartedly.
Rain Cover
We cannot control the weather, no matter how many X-Men movies you've watched. It is a good idea to have a lightweight rain jacket, preferably Gore-Tex.These jackets pack down very small and take up very little space in your pack. Believe me, rucking while soaking wet is an experience you will never forget. Good or bad, it is better to be prepared. Also, depending on your choice of pack, it is more than likely not waterproof. Waterproof and water resistant are not the same thing. Go ahead and invest in a waterproof pack cover, these are fairly cheap and you can ensure everything in your pack stays nice and dry.
Communication
We recommend you have a secondary source of communication. Depending on how far your daily commute is and the natural or man-made structures surrounding your area, these factors will dictate what comms system you will need. We won't get into the arguments for which system is better. We only urge you to do your own research on the different systems available and choose one that works best for you and your situation. We also recommend you set specific channels and frequencies for you and your loved ones to use in these emergency situations. Again, make sure you have backup batteries for these systems.
Cash
In a situation where all cell towers are compromised and electrical grids are down, be sure to have a contingency in place for goods and materials. Having cash on hand is a great way to be able to buy or barter for needed materials. We now live in a world of credit cards and imaginary money, when that is no longer a viable option, have that backup stash. This doesn't have to be a massive amount of cash, but enough to possibly get you out of a bind.
Security
Being the 2A lovers that we are, we HIGHLY recommend you have the means to protect yourself...... and then have a backup! It is our God given right to protect ourselves by any means necessary and we will survive by the same means. We won't deep dive into the vehicle setup for now, we'll save it for another article or upcoming video. Just know that the one that normally loses is the one with less ammunition and less training. Speed and Violence are a necessity that you must possess, that's it.
So in closing, remember, all topics we have discussed are just our opinions and inputs based off of our knowledge and experience. Everyone's situation or environment can change all of the above topics. The point is to provide a basic blueprint that helps someone who wants to be better prepared.
Another aspect that we did not discuss is compassion and grace. While the human race can be the most destructive force on the planet, do not dismiss the ability to show compassion. We are in this together. Preparedness, compassion and grace are all aspects of life that we can sharpen like the edge of a blade.
That being said, how sharp are you?
As always, Stay Safe and Stay Vigilant.