GHB (Get Home Bag) and What It Should Include

backpack in desert

The Get Home Bag bridges the gap between “winging it” and a full-scale bug-out bag.

It allows you to make a short trip from work to your home or bug-out bag without having to lug around an entire survival kit; here is what you need to know.

Important Things to Consider

• How far do you work from home? How far do you usually travel for routine errands? Knowing how far you might have to walk in an emergency is a great baseline for determining your bag’s contents. In addition, are you physically able to travel this distance on foot. Generally speaking, the average person walks about 3 mph. Based on these numbers, how long will it take you to walk home. Do not forget about important factors such as: typical climate, your physical abilities, terrain and rest times.

• Although I briefly mentioned your physical abilities above, I want to reiterate the importance of this for several reasons. Your physical abilities will determine the weight and supplies you will carry. The length of time it takes you to get to your destination is also depends on your fitness level.

• There are 4 major components to survival: Food, Shelter, Water & Defense. Your bag should cover all of these components at a minimum.

Get Home Bag Checklist

• Backpack. The first and most important item is the BAG itself. Find a bag that is sturdy and reliable. Straps break easy on inexpensive back packs. I personally believe that military surplus is better than name brand equipment in most cases. There is also a debate about using military style packs, some people believe that wearing military style packs make you look like a target.

• Footwear is second on my list of importance. Keep a good pair of sneakers in your bag along with a pair of socks.

• Water. Make sure you have ACCESS to enough water to last throughout your journey. Whether you are carrying it or stealing a sip from peoples hoses, water is vital to survival. The average person needs about 1 gallon of water a day. This does not take in to consideration, water for food preparation, current temperature or the difficulty of your trek.

• Proper Seasonal Clothing. Carry a comfortable change of clothes as well as protective clothing such as: Poncho, jacket, hat and gloves. Pack clothes that are seasonally appropriate.

• Food and Nutrition. always count on your journey taking longer than expected. Pack food that us high in nutrition and is easily prepared. Originally I had several packs of Mountain House meals stashed in my bag until I realized that I needed to carry all the equipment to prepare it with. I finally opted for 3 days of ration bars.

• Communications. Always make sure your phone is charged and you have a way to charge it. Carry an extra charging cord, one that can be charged by both an outlet and a car is best. In addition, you may want to consider a handheld radio.

• Defense. You have taken the time and energy to build a proper GHB only to have someone come and take it from you.. or worse. Think about defense, what options do you have for personal protection.

The chief difference between a bug-out bag and a GHB is what is included in the kit.

A bug-out bag has (hopefully) everything you need within reason to travel multiple days and have the survival supplies and equipment you need, no matter what you encounter.

A GHB has the supplies and equipment you need to make it from wherever you are to your home, provided your home is within a few hours of your present location (at most.)

To learn more about GHB's and how to set them up, check out Homestead and Prepper.


3 Comments

  1. Shane Landers said:

    I would say what’s in you GHB would be determined by how far from home you are.
    I regularly work hundreds of miles from home and have to carry a pretty complete bag to complete that trip if need be.

  2. Steven LaRose said:

    All I can say is ” Plan to bug out”.. And not to put anyone down.. These little “KITS” are great if you have to run from the “LAW” for a few days or a few nights in the woods.. But when SHTF and you have to Bug Out it is more likely going for a few weeks if not months… So pack like your going on a 3-4 day hiking/camping trip Learn some skills like building a fire with a shoe lace and some sticks, Building long term shelter, setting snares/traps for small game ( Killing a Deer with no means to store/preserve it is just freaking stupid) 3-4 MRE’s should be enough until you get set up…. Think light but LONG TERM…..

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