Hey everyone so I’m finally working on a get home bag. A bag that’s used to get home if you’re stranded or vehicle is broken down and you need to walk home. This bag is going to have the essentials you need to make it there.
It came in and it’s a lot smaller than what I thought it was. So everything that I had in mind to put in that bag went to scratch.
So currently I put my holstered Glock 43 in there, thinking about getting a Glock 19 and Crossbreed holsters Pacmat for it but that’s for a later time, I put a digital camera and binoculars in the back pocket. In the pocket on the front I put some daytime and night time flares.
Which also come with a whistle, so in the event I need to use my gun, my phone is dead and nobody is around. I still have a way to call for help.
I’m still looking to get a flare gun just don’t have the money for it right now, the only thing I’m looking at getting currently is a few good flashlights, batteries, a water bottle that I can hook to the top of it and maybe get some beef jerky in there or some kind of food that’ll last a while.
Sounds more like you’re going hiking or sailing to me. Hard to advise not knowing the unplanned walk, but I’d jettison the binocs, flares,camera and gun in favor of a space blanket, hi calorie food bars,and more water.Lifestraw for emergency water filtration. Beef sticks are protein and fat, good for the long haul, but you want instant energy. Pack a lighter,and a windbreaker,maybe spare socks…plastic baggy of dryer lint as a firestarter…weighs nothing, consumes no space…cell phone has your camera and often a gps. Spare cell battery or portable charger, again, takes little space, weighs 3 ounces.
I assumed you carry a EDC as it is.
The USCCA Kit is a good start. I also have one and customized/personalized mine to make it a simple IFAK Trauma kit for the auto to match one that I have with me at the range.
Sure, the USCCA kit has some extras that might go elsewhere for a hiker or camper. But as is, it has some good things in it. What I appreciated about the kit is that the bag itself can hold more than what they put into it. So I added some extra first aid supplies to supplement what they already had.
These kits are not a one size fits all. You have to make it your own and “mission specific” for where you live and what your daily routine might be.
A get home bag should be constructed in accordance to the area you are traveling. Mine is set for the area I live. The problem I have is,… I work 10 minutes from my home. In a straight line, down the road. I live in Washington State so, I have a rain poncho, Thermal underwear, socks, as well as, power bars, compass, ammo, two knives, flashlight, matches, lighters, space blanket, and first aid kit.
I always carry a first aid kit in the truck as well as my everyday bag. Think food water and being dry. If you have an EDC, which I am guessing most here do, add a small flashlight some socks and carry it a mile. If your comfortable add whatever else you feel is a necessity for you to get home. One item most don’t think about is an extra house key, weighs nothing and if you lose or don’t have a key, it will come in very handy.
I have an iPhone. There is no spare battery. I’ve been thinking about getting an out doors blanket and putting it in the very back pocket. And maybe put socks food and stuff in that.
portable charger, battery with usb ports. I’ve had one that’s lasted years, and will recharge my phone 3-4 times. Aweome for a week out hiking/canoeing, or being stuck in an airport or side of the road.
I recommend the lighter, baggy of dryer lint, lifestraw etc., as they take up next to no room yet can prove to be invaluable.
Edit to add,my Thrunite C20 3800 lumen flashlight can be charged off an Android cell connection, so this charges both my phone and the flashlight.
In all actuality I don’t need a get home bag to walk home from work because work is only half a mile away. My concern would be car breaking down 30-40 miles away in a road trip
I work 25 miles from home and can use a freeway or three backroads that run parallel to the it.
I don’t put much thought to what if I get stranded—I always manage to find a way.
Road trips are different. I have a checklist to ensure I’m not missing anything.
I’m glad I spent a lot of time on the road with my kids when they were little. I see them now making their own lists when they take hiking trips.
This is my EDC just on my person. Phone, Glock 43, 2 spare mags and a wallet, Streamlight HL-X flashlight, a Buck knife, and a USCCA tactical pen.
Currently I’ll keep the Glock 43 in the bag because I’m not allowed to carry at work, and put it on when I need too. I was thinking about doing the same with the Glock 19. Because bigger gun, more rounds, and I’m on foot so there’s a likely hood of getting jumped. I can walk really well. I think atm all I’m really looking for besides the Glock 19 is a Med kit, Walmart has them and one of the kits they have actually come with an emergency blanket and has everything I need for bites, deep cuts and whatever else.
Currently what I need or looking for is
-Water bottle that holds a lot of water, if we’re talking about a civilian environment I’m pretty sure I can walk into any business and ask them to fill it up for me.
-Cheap spare flashlights that are at least 400 lumens
Food I can eat on the way home.
I already put a garbage bag in the back pocket just incase I have to sleep on cold hard ground.
A poncho seems like a really good idea.
Also
Space is not limited to just inside the bag, I can put attachments outside the bag.
I think there are a lot of good suggestions above. Everyone’s trip home will be different and you may end up having to get home from a place you weren’t planning on being so think of all the possible scenarios and what you might need to deal with them.
Our house is about 20 miles from town so all I need to get home is a good pair of shoes and some warm cloths in the winter. But I often work in the desert several 100 miles from home. If the sun burps I could end up with a very long walk home. So my “get home bag” has a decent first aid kit, fire starter options, food bars, space blanket, tarp, rain jacket, water containers capable of holding a couple gallons, life straw, headlamp, and a few other items.
I prefer a non tactical looking bag in dull but not black or military looking colors. Should be big enough to carry your kit and some extra cloths and water but not so big that you fill it full of stuff you don’t need. My mini survival kit for hiking and back country travel fits in a one quart ziplock bag.
One MRE contains around 3000 calories, probably more. I used to stretch one over 3 days. I saved the rest for later - just in case. You need a knife, space blanket, flashlight, infinity match, water filter straw, tourniquet, socks, I’d put pain meds, needle and thread and antibiotic cream. I always wear a hat. I’m sure you’d be carrying EDC. I’d like to have a handheld CB or equivalent. Your cell phone is good. But bring power batteries. Used them in the military. They go fast. A portable solar cell is helpful. All of which would fit easily in a bag.
I agree with pretty much all everyone has said. All I can add is that I keep two get home bags in my truck. A small one with first aid, a couple snacks, I also found some water ‘pouches’ that are small enough I can carry a couple and an extra mag for only being a few miles away from home. I also keep a larger pack with pretty much everything everyone has listed in case it would be a couple days walk home. In my big kit I also have several feet of 20lb test fishing line with several bare hooks and several simple lures. I also carry paracord that one of the internal strands is a fire starting strand. I figure by having both bags not only can I pick the bag best suited but can move things back and forth between bags as needed.
