In this article, you will learn how to make a long-distance get home bag from nothing.
No matter where you are, being prepared for anything is key to success in preparedness.
If your car went out of commission in a time of crisis, your GHB could save you. The get home safe bag contains the things you’ll need to get back home if a disaster strikes when you’re away from home.
As a reminder, this is very different from a bugout bag. A bugout bag is for leaving to a safer destination, while a get home bag is just for making it back home to your loved ones to prepare further.
As always, we encourage you to be prepared for anything and an easy-access bag in your car is typically good practice anyway.
Let’s cover how to make it right now.
Why You Need a Get Home Bag
If you travel, then you need a get home bag.
It’s on the same level of basic preparedness as getting two weeks worth of survival food and filtered water. That is why everybody should also have a get home bag. Following a widespread disaster, a get-home bag will assist you in returning home to your supplies and loved ones.
Especially if it prevents you from using modern transportation. A major tragedy forces you to abandon your car and walk home. But how many situations exist where you can’t simply drive home?
Quite a few, in reality… A major transportation lockdown is the most possible scenario.
Bridges that have collapsed or roads that have been damaged can become permanently impassable. The most likely “get home” scenario is if you (or a loved one) work in a different city.
A work where you spend almost a quarter of your waking hours. That is why, in the event of a widespread catastrophe, you can create a get-home bag to assist you in safely returning home.
What You Need
Here is exactly what you should have for your Get-home bag. With our recommended gear, this should not take up that much space in your bag is packed properly and should weigh about 25 pounds. However, if your gear does not fit the recommended gear linked below, it may be slightly higher or lower.
- The bag – here
- Basic first aid kit – here or learn how to build a survival first aid kit.
- Gasmask – here
- Water
- Stainless Steel Water Bottle – here
- Water filter – here
- 20 Water purification tablets – here
- Freeze-dried food – here
- X2 survival lighter – here/here
- Headlamp – here
- Field Knife – here
- Multitool – here
- Parachute Cords – here
- Compact tarp – here
- Cash Currency($400)
- Condensed soap – here
- Compact toilet paper – here
- Jacket
- Underwear
- Socks
- Shirt
- Bandana
- Two-way radio – here
- Waterproof storage bags – here
- Tactical Pen – here
- Paper
- Cellphone
Rules to Follow
1. The first is when setting up your bag, make sure you layout your get home bag correctly in the following order:
2. Replace and refill the bag at least twice a year when applying water or filtration items to prevent water stagnation.
3. Bring foods that will not spoil quickly, but rotate them as well. Put it another way, eat what’s in the bag but substitute it right away, so you still have fresh food. To ensure your survival, read our article on the best emergency food kits and MREs to pack in your backpack.
4. Change out the clothes in the bag every couple of years: Remember, the size changes, and clothing only lasts so long before it starts to shrivel, shrink, and waste away.
5. To avoid crushing something, keep heavy items out of your outer bag pocket and on top of your bag.
6. Don’t use the items in your bag, then forget to replace them. Keep the bag just for safety’s sake.
Conclusion
Once you get started, you’ll see that some of these survival exercises aren’t all that difficult! So, practice using your equipment!
There are plenty of options available if you’re unsure how to put together a get home bag. All you have to do is keep it light (unless you’re keeping it in your car) and make sure it’s still full of high-quality things.
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This blog appeals to me. I start with two full liters of water in my backpack, so I don’t have to go out and buy any, and a rain jacket, which is a smart item in my bag.