A get home bag is a survival kit you can carry. The purpose of a get home bag is to have supplies that will help you get home when you are stuck in an emergency situation.
If you are away from home when disaster strikes, you need critical supplies immediately! Depending on the situation there may be no stores open or in close proximity.
When you take the right supplies with you, it is possible to keep yourself safe, comfortable, and hydrated until you reach your destination or get help from emergency personnel if it is needed.
Buy the right equipment and pack it in your bag. Keep it with you in the car, office, school and before heading out on any new adventures.
First-Aid Kit
One of the first and most important things to add to your get home bag is a first-aid kit. There are dozens of different ways that you could end up getting hurt or dealing with some discomfort during a disaster or while on an outdoor adventure.
You could trip over something and end up with a laceration, experience a headache, or even have a stomach ache while you are out. If you have a first-aid kit consisting of some health essentials, you can keep yourself in the best condition possible while you are out.
Some of the items to include in your first-aid kit are:
- Water resistant bandages in assorted sizes
- Thermometer
- Gauze pads
- Antiseptic Spray
- Peroxide and/or alcohol
- Small scissors
- Various medications
You can add some pain relievers to your first-aid kit, such as Excedrin and Advil, just in case you end up needing relief from pain at some point.
Non-Perishable Foods to Eat
Bring some non-perishable foods with you in your get home bag. Because you may not have too much space to pack large non-perishable food items, it makes the most sense to pack protein bars or energy bars in different flavors.
These bars are good to have because they do not go bad and act as a significant protein source for you while you are out. It is vital to have protein because then you will have the energy to keep going while outdoors.
Besides packing protein bars, you may also want to bring bags of crackers, nuts, including peanuts and almonds, both of which can leave you full and energized. Tins of meat that do not require a can opener can work too but they are heavier.
Hydration For Your Bag
Adding a hydration pack to your get home bag is the best way to make sure you do not end up suffering from dehydration. A lack of proper hydration can quickly cause dehydration to occur. If you become dehydrated, your vision may get blurry, and it might be hard for you to focus on anything around you.
Your body needs to have water to survive, so make sure you do not run out of it wherever you are by bringing a hydration pack full of water. You might also want to pack a portable water filter just if you run out of water from your hydration pack.
Water purification tablets or a Life Straw can be great options too. These options are lighter than carrying something to boil water.
Compact Lightweight Tent
If at all possible, pack a compact, lightweight tent in your get home bag. There may come a time where you need to have a shelter. If you have the small tenet in your bag, you can pull it out and set it up to ensure that you have protection from the elements.
Small shelter options are available at affordable prices, meaning you can get what you need without spending too much on it. While you may not think it is a must-have, it will get put to good use if you find yourself stuck outdoors in poor weather conditions.
Flashlight With Backup Batteries
Always have a large flashlight that you can carry around with you in your bag. The flashlight will help you see what is happening around you, even if it is dark outside. While street lights illuminate the roads, you may end up in a deserted area surrounded by many trees and shrubs, making it a lot harder for you to see.
If you have a flashlight, you can avoid tripping over tree branches and other objects that could get in your way. You should bring a flashlight with you and add several extra batteries in your get home bag because you might need them.
After all, what good is a flashlight if it is not working because the batteries are dead? You will be fully prepared when you have those extra batteries packed.
Compass
Having a compass can help you figure out which direction you are in and which direction you should go to get to a specific area. You can use the compass and a map to determine which route to take while you are out.
The great thing about using a compass is that it is such a simple yet useful device that you can carry around with you in your pocket or the get home bag. It will not take up that much space but will come in handy when you need it.
Printed Map
While we live in a technologically advanced world, it is still a good idea to have a printed map of your visiting area. Although you can access maps via the internet using your phone or a tablet, you may not have luck accessing those maps if you do not have a reliable internet connection.
If all else fails and you cannot use your electronic devices to see where you are at or where you need to go, you can rely on the traditional method of checking the map.
The traditional map may be a bit harder to use, but it does come in handy in dire situations when you are without internet access and need to figure out how to get out of the unknown area.
Is A Get Home Bag Different Than a Bug Out Bag?
A bug out bag is used to evacuate your home or any situation. A get home bag does exactly what is says…gets you home. Both are important to have when a disaster strikes.
What Kind of Get Home Bag Should I Use?
You want something compact enough that you can carry if you need to walk home or for long distances. But it has to be big enough to carry all your supplies.
A light backpack or messenger bag can work well.
Additional Items to Consider
- Cash
- Cell Phone Portable Battery
- Emergency Radio (this one has a hand crank)
- Pepper Spray
- Duct Tape – check out the book Duct Tape 911
- Lighter / Matches (in case you need to start a fire)
- Multi Tool
- Comfortable walking shoes and socks – you won’t get far in sandals or flip flops
Life Saving Get Home Bag
Creating a get home bag is quite simple. It would be best if you found a large bag with enough room for assorted supplies that you should bring with you when you go on different outdoor adventures. The purpose of having a get home bag is to make sure you get home safely.
It is for that very reason that you should pack your bag with a first-aid kit, non-perishable foods, a hydration pack, and more. Although it might seem like you are packing a lot of items, most of these items are incredibly compact and can easily fit inside of a bag.
Make sure to check your bags often for battery failures, expiration dates, etc.