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You are here: Home / Preparedness / EDC/Bug Out/72 hour kit / Dad’s Get-Home Bag: So He Can Get Home to Us!

Dad’s Get-Home Bag: So He Can Get Home to Us!

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March 14, 2019 By Prepared Mom Team 36 Comments

If you work and travel within a few walking hours of home, consider a get-home bag instead of hauling a massive survival bag in the back of your car. With a get-home bag, there’s not quite as much to pack, it’s convenient to carry, and it makes traveling back home to your family fast!

Why Would You Need a Get-Home Bag List?

Having a basic get home bag list is essential to your survival at work or in an unfamiliar place. Have you ever been in a place with limited water and food? If so, it was probably a stressful situation for you.

However, an urban get-home bag list provides all the essentials you need in the event of a terrorist attack, earthquake, tornado, or just getting lost in a new place on your own. In such events, you’ll need protection in the form of shelter, hygiene items, and helpful gear to aid your survival.

How Much Food and Water Do We Need?

The most obvious point to make is that you can’t carry heaps of gear around with you, as you’ll potentially be carrying this bag around for long periods of time. To aid your survival, we recommend enough food and water to last three days.

Usually, within this time, you’ll either be rescued or your absence will at least have been reported to the officials. Remember, a get-home bag isn’t the same as a survival bag, but it’s something that gets you home safely and healthily. Should you find that transportation at your work has been cut off, you’ll need adequate supplies to stay safe.

We recommend two liters of water over this period of time to offer good hydration. Water purification is essential for maintaining a healthy standard of water and limiting chemicals that can enter without a water filter. Without a water filter, the water won’t be as clean. You can also store purification tablets too, as these safely dissolve chemicals and bacteria found in water.

What to Include in Your Get-Home Bag

A get-home bag checklist is important to ensure you have all the essentials you need. Take some comfortable shoes with you. A pair of sneakers is a good choice. Although you’ll need to make sure they’re sturdy enough to last hours of wear.

Also, a mylar blanket is lightweight, cheap, and will keep you warm in cold conditions. Most people carry a cell phone with them on their daily errands. But, if you don’t have a spare charger or power source to charge it, there’s little use for it. Instead, we suggest carrying a spare cell phone in your bag to contact authorities (if necessary), or for communicating with your family.

Ensure you have food and drink which will provide you with energy for at least two days, as well as spare money in case you come across a store.

Finally, keep personal hygiene items in your bag for personal comfort. Baby wipes and tissues are some ideal hygiene items to keep yourself clean.

Dad’s Get-Home Bag Story

My husband works about 15 miles away from home. In the event of a regional or national disaster, he might not be home in 30 minutes as his normal routine usually has it. And if that regional disaster meant that no transportation was working, he’d have to walk back home. 15 miles is a long walk – especially if you’re not prepared with a get-home bag.

A get-home bag (read more about emergency bags here) is like a survival kit box specially packed to get you home. Unlike a bug out bag that lasts for days and maybe months, the get-home bag has a survival kit inside to help you survive for a day or two. The bag will get him home from work, assuming a very conservative 6-8 hour hike.

•  Learn to create your own 72-hour kit for more extended emergencies or evacuations

While he should be able to get home at that time, we do plan for variables and pack personal hygiene items and extra food and water. This bag stays in his car at all times. His car is in an open parking lot, and he keeps this emergency kit inside should he ever forget it one day. He has a small kit in his office under his desk as an extra survival kit at work, too (you can read more about one here).

If he’s traveling farther for some reason, he grabs his BOB (bug out bag) to throw in there, as well. He also has a small car kit, so he’s got all the essential gear he needs.

When we first began preparing, all the different designations of each bag confused us and made us feel like we were doing bag on bag on a bag of the same stuff. Then I saw this video on Youtube by Sensible Prepper (Sootch) and so much made sense, and we were able to begin creating bags for their purpose.

While Sootch’s bag is a great idea, the type of bag you use also will make a difference in regards to the amount of gear you pack, lending itself to different organizational ideas based on its structure. The following is a rundown on my husband’s new Get Home Bag.

Dad’s Get-Home Bag

See what you need to pull this thing together.

Everyday Carry Items (EDC)

This is what he carries inside it at all times. You’ll see a few of these items duplicated in the bag for extra safety precautions:

  • Knife – choose a versatile one that can cut and chop man-made materials

Gerber Freeman Guide Fixed Blade Knife, Fine Edge, Drop Point...
Gerber Freeman Guide Fixed Blade Knife, Fine Edge, Drop Point...
  • 5Cr15MoV SS blade, glass bead finish
  • Full fine edge blade
  • Large finger grooves, tachide on lay, full tang and lanyard slot
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  • Flashlight – don’t settle for a cheap brand, and make sure you have batteries

No products found.

  • Multitool – this versatile tool is the perfect size to keep in your backpack

Gerber Suspension Multi-Plier [22-01471],Titanium,Medium
Gerber Suspension Multi-Plier [22-01471],Titanium,Medium
  • Suspension Multi-Plier multitool with 12 integrated components
  • Saf.T.Plus component locking system guarantees safety
  • Lightweight open-frame stainless steel handle
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  • Lighter – don’t go without fire or ever be alone in the dark
  • Phone – make communication with your family if your current cell phone runs out of battery or has no service
  • Pistol – for emergency uses only. Keep in an appropriate case for optimum safety
  • MP3 player – while this might be considered a security issue for some, for DH, it is a big comfort for a long walk home, or in case there are limited people around
  • Various other geeky things that are personal and unique to him – gotta love him

The Get-Home Bag

This is a nondescript black backpack. We keep many of the small items in little bags we’ve found along the way. This keeps them from getting lost at the bottom of the get-home-bag. It has few straps so we can hook things or tie things to it.

One day, we’ll upgrade to a better-designed hiking backpack. But we certainly don’t want our pack to scream, “HEY! This dude is ready, and he’s got the stuff you want!” Your survival kit should be moderately muted so other people don’t ask for your gear.

UPDATE: We have upgraded his backpack to the one above. We found that with normal wear and tear in the car, that small, nondescript backpack wore out after a while, so I upgraded him.

G4Free Tactical Shoulder Backpack Military Survival Pack Army Molle...
G4Free Tactical Shoulder Backpack Military Survival Pack Army Molle...
  • CAPACITY: The tactical shoulder backpack is 35L; Size approx: 11.81*10.24*17.72(INCH),30CM*26CM*45CM(L*W*H)
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  • MOLLE SYSTEM & PROFESSIONAL DESIGN: The molle help you expand more room and the comfortable padding back area....
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• Want to get a peek at my EDC? Check here.

Organization of the Get-Home Bag

We initially took Sensible Prepper’s Zone idea and built our bag with Zone 1 to start, and expanded as we could to create a full bag for my husband. We’ve packed close to this need as well so that the things that are the most essential for survival are the easiest to grab.

However, my husband has worked with it a while and reorganized it to fit this model for him. He thinks this way makes more sense to know where to quickly grab the item he needs. It’s something you’ll want to play with a few times to find the best model for your own needs. If your emergency kit makes it hard to locate things you need, you’re in trouble.

Get-Home Bag Zone 1 – Quick Safety

  • Flashlight – this small, portable flashlight is in his bag at all times, but he also has a larger one in his car

No products found.

  • Headlamp – he wants to be hands-free if he’s walking at dusk or in the dark. His hands can then be carrying other tools that are necessary, and still available to defend himself. He chose this one for himself,

No products found.

  • Bucket hat – this is a collapsible hat that will cover more of his neck to keep him warm during a long walk and to keep more of the sun off of him.

MG Brushed Twill Aussie Side Snap Hat w/ Chin Cord (Khaki, Small)
MG Brushed Twill Aussie Side Snap Hat w/ Chin Cord (Khaki, Small)
  • Crown measures 9.5cm deep, Brim measures 7.5cm deep.
  • Side Snaps and Chin Cord.
  • Imported
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  • 2 Bandanas – one for draping across the back of his neck to tuck under the hat, the other for use as a sweat rag/dust mask if needed
  • N95 Mask – two options to protect his face against dust and debris

Get-Home Bag Zone 2 – Defensive Gear

  • Gun Cleaning Kit – easy to carry around and handy accessories to keep your gun clean

SPIKA Compact Pistol Cleaning Kit for 9mm/.357/.38 Cal.40/.41 .44/.45...
SPIKA Compact Pistol Cleaning Kit for 9mm/.357/.38 Cal.40/.41 .44/.45...
  • Suitable for Multiple Calibers: 9mm/357/.38 cal,.22 cal,.40/41 cal and .44/45 cal.
  • The hand-gun Cleaning Kit including: bronze rod, aluminium handle, 4 bronze brush, 4 cotton mop, 1 muzzle guard, 4 brass...
  • Multiple Combinations of Recycling: A variety of tools can be combined,and the kit can be recycled multiple times.
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  • Ammo – bring spares if you need to use your gun
  • Extra magazine – an extra magazine for your gun

Get-Home Bag Zone 3 – Tools

  • Knives – utility knife, combat knife, and folding serrated knife
  • Rain Poncho – you could easily use a trash bag to shelter from the rain, but we’ve opted to go a full rain poncho to cover man + pack if need be.

FROGG TOGGS Men's Standard Ultra-Lite2 Waterproof Breathable Poncho,...
FROGG TOGGS Men's Standard Ultra-Lite2 Waterproof Breathable Poncho,...
  • Ultra-Lite2 Rain Poncho includes a packable, waterproof poncho
  • Made with Frogg Toggs breathable, non-woven fabric that is waterproof, wind-resistant, and lightweight
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  • Binoculars (or a monocular) – this helps you to see ahead to avoid potentially dangerous things you’ll cross in your path (large crowds, etc.).
  • Trash Bags – kept for ground cover or shelter.
  • Cash – small denominations and coins.
  • Paracord – he keeps a short length of paracord tied to the outside

PARACORD PLANET 550 Assorted Colors of Paracord in 50 and 100 Foot...
PARACORD PLANET 550 Assorted Colors of Paracord in 50 and 100 Foot...
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  • Extra batteries – this is just for his flashlights. He carries the same flashlight in his EDC that he has in his get-home bag so that he doesn’t have to pack multiple kinds
  • Map – while he knows his route if he’s relatively close to home, if he happens to travel to a part of the area he doesn’t know well, the map will come in handy
  • Compass – for the same purposes as above

SUUNTO A-30 L Adventure Compass
SUUNTO A-30 L Adventure Compass
  • Mini Mali table and uncomplicated
  • Fast, simple use(application)
  • reliable functions for demanding conditions
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  • Eating Utensil – probably never needed, but it’s one of the very first kit items we bought years ago, and he loves keeping it handy
  • Zip Ties – tie them around your shoes to help your feet grip to the floor in icy conditions
  • Duct Tape – repair any ripped clothing and use as a bandage for injuries
  • Striker fire starter and waterproof matches and lighter – get a fire started for heat and light if necessary
  • Road Flares – attract attention if you’re alone in the dark
  • Chemical Light Sticks – a short-term light source if your lighter runs out
Victorinox Swiss Army Classic SD Pocket Knife, Hunter Green, 58mm
Victorinox Swiss Army Classic SD Pocket Knife, Hunter Green, 58mm
  • A CUT ABOVE THE REST: Compact, agile and ready to face any adventure head-on. Our range of Swiss Army Knives have been...
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Gorilla Black Duct Tape, 1.88' x 35 yd, Black, (Pack of 1)
Gorilla Black Duct Tape, 1.88" x 35 yd, Black, (Pack of 1)
  • Heavy duty and double thick, Gorilla Tape offers over-the top results; It’s like duct tape on steroids
  • Great for indoor or outdoor use and made to stick to rough, uneven, unforgiving surfaces like wood, stone, stucco,...
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Get-Home Bag Zone  4 – Life

  • TP – because you never know when nature will strike, and like Sootch, we keep the core full of tinder to start a fire. Be sure to keep it in a zip-top bag. He could use a newspaper, leaves, grass, or even sacrifice a bandana, but it’s a comfort thing. It’s just a small roll, not a full-sized one
  • First aid kit – this is a relatively small kit for any survival situation. It’s got a variety of adhesive bandages, ace bandage, antibiotic ointment, alcohol wipes, a few rag strips, pain reliever, acid reducer, topical allergy cream, super glue (for small wounds), scissors, fishing line (plus needle), and a little roll of duct tape
  • Sunscreen & Bug Spray – being in the South, there are only about six days a year when you might not need either of these
  • N95 face masks – protects the face, blocks out any harmful chemicals, and prevents you from getting sick
  • Gloves – who knows what he’ll have to do, from climbing a fence to moving debris. If it’s winter, an extra pair is handy to keep warm
  • Extra socks – rainy or wet terrain calls for this
  • Lighter & Fire Starter – we duplicate here because rain may be an issue. While he may not need these because he’s close to home, he keeps them in case. Plus the kids made him an extra fire-starting pill bottle just in case (they wanted to make sure he was well taken care of)

SE FS374 Full Magnesium Body Fire Starter, 3' x 1', Sliver
SE FS374 Full Magnesium Body Fire Starter, 3" x 1", Sliver
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  • 3" x 1" solid magnesium fuel bar with flint
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  • Water – emergency water bag (2)
  • LifesStraw Water bottle – acts as a water filter and keeps water tasting fresh.

LifeStraw Go Water Filter Bottle with 2-Stage Integrated Filter Straw...
LifeStraw Go Water Filter Bottle with 2-Stage Integrated Filter Straw...
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  • Protein bars, trail mix – nutritious food to keep you energized
TRENDOUX Winter Gloves, Knit Touch Screen Glove Men Women Texting...
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Get-Home Bag Zone 5 – Outside the Bag

  • Sleeping Bag – he carries SOL Bivvy sack. He also has a blanket he can grab in case the weather is disastrous

S.O.L. 90% Reflective Lightweight Emergency Bivvy
S.O.L. 90% Reflective Lightweight Emergency Bivvy
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  • Carabiners – a few of these are on the outside of the bag to carry things like a collapsible water bag, his water bottle, and anything else he may find along the way to use. Having water on hand is important to survive
  • Hatchet – again, more of a ‘comfort’ item for him. He wants the added protection and tool for cutting firewood if necessary. There is a designated paracord loop built in to carry this
  • Sturdy Shoes (socks stored inside) – a pair of sneakers isn’t ideal for a long walk
Coleman Sleeping Bag | Cold-Weather 20°F Brazos Sleeping Bag, Navy,...
Coleman Sleeping Bag | Cold-Weather 20°F Brazos Sleeping Bag, Navy,...
  • KEEPS YOU COZY: Stay warm in temperatures as low as 20°F
  • LIGHTWEIGHT: Hollow polyester insulation for better heat retention with less weight
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Other items we want to add to the Get-Home Bag

  • Ham radio – while operating a ham radio to transmit without a license is illegal, listening in is always okay, and if it is a real emergency, transmitting is allowed. *This has been purchased and is on the way!
  • Pepper spray – (he wants this for animal control more than people control)

SABRE RED Pepper Gel Spray for Runners – Gel is Safer – Maximum...
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  • Collapsible hiking pole – (both has helped for walking and a weapon. He knows he can get a stick or branch most places, but would rather have something he can grab from the start)

EarthTrekGear Folding Collapsible Travel Hiking Trekking Pole
EarthTrekGear Folding Collapsible Travel Hiking Trekking Pole
  • Compact, packable, folding, and easy to carry, adjustable
  • Makes fishing, wading, hiking and walking easy
  • Folds compactly to 12" (much like a super strong tent pole)
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Even though it seems there’s a lot here, the bag is relatively lightweight at just over 16 pounds at this time. This is within the 25% bodyweight limit so he can be light on his feet.

NOTE: Of course, if you’re expecting weather that is going to be harsh, be sure to adjust your bag to what you’ll need in your situation!

Share Your Thoughts: What do you carry in your own get-home Bag? Have you created one, yet? Do you have an emergency car kit?

Add this article to your preparedness board on Pinterest!

Last update on 2021-03-07 at 09:07 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

Filed Under: EDC/Bug Out/72 hour kit, Preparedness Tagged With: Bag, bug out bag, Dad, Dad's Get Home Bag - So He Can Get Home to Us!, get home bag, Home, Home Bag

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