Things can get tricky when disaster strikes. You may have been well-prepared by stocking up essential goods at home during normal days to deal with unexpected events, but it amounts to nothing if you are away from your home empty-handed. This is why you should have a bag to carry the essential items with you. Above all, you should know what to pack in order to last yourself throughout your journey back home.
I strongly believe that we need to act positively to prepare ourselves in time of catastrophes. Just like our famous saying, “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure”, we never know when a disaster would come, so the best way to deal with this is to get prepared all the time.
This brings us to the purpose of this article. Through this article I will teach you what you need to have to increase your chances of survival when a disaster strikes in order to reach home safely and meet your loved ones. To do that, the first thing we will need is a Get Home Bag.
What is a Get Home Bag?
As the name tells you, a Get Home Bag (GHB) is a survival gear that carries essential items to get you home. This is designed to help users who are away from home when disaster strikes, most of us who are working 9-5 or studying fulltime would be able to relate to this. The possible scenarios may be a sudden chemical leak at a nearby plant, terrorist attack, civil unrest or an unexpected Electromagnetic Pulse disturbance from the Sun which causes electronic systems failures.
When someone is away from home, chances are, there will not be sufficient daily essential to last them throughout the chaotic time before they reach home. This is when GHB comes into place. With a Get Home Bag, all essential items are packed together to enable you to make your way home, all you need to do is to carry the GHB and start your journey back home.
Get Home Bag vs Bug Out Bag (BOB)
There is a fine difference between GHB and BOB. They serve the same function essentially but the purpose is what separates both bags.
First of all, Get Home Bag is designed for users away from home to go back home while Bug Out Bag is the survival gear you want to store at home and carry it with you when you feel your home is no longer safe to stay. So, the GHB should be the bag you carry with most of the time. Generally, you should keep the GHB at your vehicle or your workplace.
Second, a GHB is used with a shorter term in mind while BOB is intended for longer period use. A GHB typically lasts for 24 hours to 48 hours whereas BOB could last for days. As a result, a BOB would be bigger than a GHB as it needs to store more items. If you want to know more about BOB, I have written an in-depth analysis on it. You can read more about BOB here.
Who needs a Get Home Bag?
Everyone should have one. Like I mentioned, if you are:
- an adult working 9-5 away from your home;
- a full-time study in college campus;
- an active individual who travel constantly; or
- someone who spends a significant amount of time outside,
you should seriously consider to get yourself a Get Home Bag because when disaster strikes, you are most likely stranded at places miles from your home where resources are limited.
Of course, if you stay at home for most of the time, a GHB is not for you, but you might want to get a GHB for your loved ones.
Types of Get Home Bag
Although a Get Home Bag was often portrayed as a backpack, it does not necessarily come in that form. However, it is undeniable that best quality tactical backpacks are the most popular option out there considering their overall performance. Here are different types of get home bags you should consider.
Messenger Bag
I put messenger bag as one of the options due to its size and ease of storage. This would be ideal for urban use, especially for those works particularly near from home. The reasonably small size enables it to be stored easily.
However, its size is a double-edged sword. Due to its limiting size, not many items could fit in. Plus, the design of the messenger bag, often with single strap, may put pressure on a user’s shoulder, potentially causing discomfort when carrying for a long time.
All in all, although a messenger bag is not strictly ideal for usage that lasts 24 hours, it would be suitable for someone who looks for a shorter period of use.
Lumbar Bag
As the name tells you, the bag is to be carried around your lumbar area. It is around the waist and hip area. This means you would distribute most weights from the bag to your hip. This could alleviate unnecessary stress on your shoulder throughout your journey.
However, the downside is that it has a small room to stomach all your items which you intend to carry with you. It would be able to store some clothes, water supply, snacks, first aid kit but no more beyond that. So, unless the items I listed out would suffice, it shouldn’t be considered as your primary GHB. My advice to you is that you may consider keeping it as a secondary bag by packing it in your primary GHB.
Hydration Pack
The most outstanding feature of the hydration pack, differentiating itself from the normal backpack, is that it contained a ‘bladder’ to store liquid. However, the design sacrifices the room of the bag for storing other items.
With that said, it would be suitable for someone who travelled in places where water is the most precious resources. For example, it would be helpful to users who travel along the desert highways in the US.
Before we move into the part on get home bag list, here are some of the top bug out bags for sale which you can consider when building your get home bag.
Our Top Picks for the Best Get Home Bag
5.11 COVRT18 Tactical Covert Military Backpack
Characteristic
The bag may seem pretty normal at first sight but don’t let the appearance fool you. If you do enough research, you would discover that this bag is designed to carry concealed weapon (CCW). Yes, it was purposely designed as a normal and inconspicuous bag. It is equipped for survival and patrol use.
The bag has a height of 19” and width of 12.25”. This means the bag would have plenty of room. In fact, it did have a large storage capacity of 1841 cubic inch which is roughly 30 liter. It would be sufficient to carry items up to 48 hours.
Compartments
The most outstanding design of the compartment of the bag is that it has a side-entry TacTec system used to conceal the handgun. No matter you are a right or left-handed person, it is designed to let you get your gun out easier.
Other than that, this bag has a whopping 22 pockets so storing small items would not be a big deal. As for the big item, the main compartment would do the job. The size of the compartment is 19” x 12.25” x 6.5”. It has a built-in padded laptop sleeve which could fit a 15” laptop.
The sleeve is sewn to the bag, but, if you do not plan to take your laptop with you, you could consider cutting the sleeve out to make more room for bag. If the main compartment does not hold up, you still have the secondary compartment to use.
The front pocket is 11.5” x 9.5” x 3” so it is rather flat. It contained a number of strap designed to hang your pen, keys or other items of relevant size. There is also a spot for a hydration bag. The hydration pocket measured at 19” x 12.25” and could hold up to 1.5 liters of liquid. Besides, there is a pocket specifically designed to put the sunglasses.
Straps
The shoulder straps are manufactured to give comfortable compression via a yoke-style design. The shoulder straps are further supported by sternum strap which clips the shoulder straps together. Besides, the shoulder straps come with a reinforced grab handle which allows you to carry the bag with your hand without worrying about the handle getting destroyed.
Material
The material of the bag is 500D Water Resistant Nylon. As the name tells you, it is not 100% waterproof so it is not suitable to be submerged in water.
The zipper of the bag was made to be durable with the use of YKK Zipper Closure and duraflex hardware.
Feature
The COVRT 18 is a full-featured covert military main backpack. Besides the TacTec System I have mentioned, it has a R.A.C. (Roll-down Assault Compartment) that can house and conceal a full-sized firearm. In short, it is designed with the purpose of concealing weapon without getting suspicion from the people nearby.
Things to look out for
There is something that I want to point out:
- There is no padding at the bottom. Although the bottom part is unpadded, I still believe the bag could hold up well. However, there are users complaining that the bottom part causes a sagging feeling.
- The shoulder strap and grab handle are uncomfortable for a minority of people. Some felt that the shoulder straps would fall while some felt the grab handle hit their back too often.
- The bag is not compatible with a waist strap. Although I do not personally need it, some user considered it as a deal-breaker.
- The bag is not absolutely waterproof.
My take
The bag has plenty of room to store the essential items and it would be a perfect choice for someone who wishes to bring along weapon for his or her GHB without causing alert to the colleague.
REEBOW GEAR Military 3 Day Assault Pack
Characteristic
This REEBOW GEAR Military Tactical Backpack presents itself as the most valuable option for GHB due to its low price and reasonable quality. The products measures at 13″(W) x 20″ (H) x 11″ (D) and has the capacity of 40L. With this capacity, the bag can last the users for up to 3 days.
Compartments
The main compartment is approximately 12.5” (W) x 20” (H) x 5” (D). I have used some book to test it out and it can hold around 3 or 4 texbooks. Besides the main compartment, the bag also has a secondary compartment and I will use it to put my clothes.
Also, the front two pouches can house a number of small items. Not to mention the MOLLE system at the exterior to hold extra items.
Straps
The straps are comfortable. The underside of it is made with ventilated mesh. On both shoulder straps, there are rings on each side where you can hang your item.
Besides the shoulder straps, it comes with sternum straps and waist belt. The compression straps are also able to be found at the side of the bag. Not only that, the bag also comes with a grab handle that enables you to carry the bag with your hand.
Material
The bag is made of High-density 600D Polyester material. It is solid and waterproof as claimed by REEBOW. However, we cautiously advise you against exposing the bag under heavy rain pour. You can get a backpack rain cover. It is double-stitched to ensure its durability. The zippers are made for heavy-duty use.
Feature
The bag pretty much fits the bill of what a backpack should do. It has the standard compartments that have plenty of rooms. What separates it from the standard backpack is perhaps the exterior MOLLE system. The MOLLE webbing could be seen at the front of the bag. It is used for attaching additional tactical pouches or gear.
The other feature is that the bag is designed for 3 days use although it looks compact. I would be ideal for users who plan to carry it every day for work and commute.
Things to look out for
This bag is one of the cheapest options in the market. In fact, the low price tag may be the direct factor of it becoming the best seller on Amazon.
However, we normally say you get what you pay for, this bag is not really built to last. Some users found the bag to be malfunctioned after 2 weeks of trip while some reported this issue after a few months. The stitching was also found to be subpar.
My take
If you are a person who does not wish to compromise on quality, there are definitely other options in the market. However, most of the user would not mind considering this as their choice. After all, a GHB is not for everyday use.
Maxpedition Condor-II Backpack
Characteristic
The bag looks square with a rounder top. The overall size of the bag is 14.5”(L) x 9.5”(W) x 16” (H). It has the storage capacity of 1400 cubic inch (around 23 liter) and could go up to 1950 cubic inch. It is also capable of accommodating a 100oz/3L hydration reservoir. However, the necessary tube port was not included in the bag. Similar to the COVRT 18, it also contained a conceal carry pocket.
Compartments
The main compartment is measured at 17.5″(H) x 14″(W) x 6.5″(D), while the upper and lower front pouch is measured at 5.5″(H) x 9″(W) x 2″(D) and 8″(H) x 9″(W) x 2.5″(D) respectively. Although it may be small considered by some, the bag room is expandable using TacTie Attachment Straps to interact with a variety of Maxpedition external pouches, pockets, and accessories.
Straps
The shoulder straps are designed to be wide with high breathability backing to provide superb cooling characteristics. To enhance weight distribution, the bag is attached with a waist strap and sternum strap.
Feature
What makes the bag stand out compared with its earlier generation is the addition of PALS webbing. The increasing number of PALS webbing allows many different modules to be attached to the exterior and interior of the bag. Users are free to use their creativity to attach the items.
It is also more compact than some of its other models. It would not bulge out to the back as easily, but out to the sides and users can use the compression straps to help secure it more.
Things to look out for
First, there is no breathable mesh or venting on the backside like many other backpacks. It would be unthinkable as this feature is common amongst most bags nowadays. Without the mesh, the user could sweat easily.
Secondly, it is observed that the bottom straps are too short to the extent that it is hard to go around a normal sized sleeping bag. As an upgrade, it should have buckles for its next generation of product.
Thirdly, some felt that the shoulder straps need more padding. With a heavy load, they felt discomfort at the shoulder.
My take
This bag is ideal for a short period of use due to its size. If you had done your research and felt that it would not take you too long to get you home, you are encouraged to use it. Further, with the high number of webbings, you have more flexibility in choosing the item you want to attach on the bag.
Vertx Gamut 2.0
Characteristic
Vertx Gamut 2.0 is one of the most rugged bags out there. The product is 20.5” (H) x 11.5” (W) x 7.5”(D). It is able to store up to 25 liters of items.
Compartments
The main compartment is able to be opened 180 degrees to easy load and access of gear. This makes near to 100 per cent use of the room in the main compartment. Inside the main component, it has an adjustable padded laptop sleeve, four gear slots, and two zippered mesh pockets which are abrasion-resistant.
You need not worry about the bag when some big items were put in the bag as the G-hook straps allow the front flap to be converted to a sling.
Besides, the main component contains strategically located loop panels and other hook and loop-compatible accessories. You can hook some small items through this panel.
Straps
The shoulder strap is filled with 3D molded foam back panel to enhance the airflow. This would give the user maximum comfort. It is adjustable with 1919 webbing and sternum straps. The bag also has an adjustable waist belt which can be tucked away when not in use.
Material
The bag is made of 500 Denier Cordura Nylon. It is water repellent and is able to dry itself quickly. The zipper is made with YKK self-repairing nylon coil zippers. They are heavy duty and rugged in nature.
Feature
Like most tactical bags, the Vertx Gamut 2.0 has a weapon-compatible concealed carry platform with loop lining. It comes with a Rapid Access Pull tab which enables the user to take out the firearm quickly. To hold the firearm, the bag uses the Velcro system called Tactigami to secure its place in the bag.
The bag has dual snaps on its main compartment to prevent it from opening more than the user desires. The zippered side compartments are also designed to open toward the body. This would enhance the security of the bag and deter the action of stealing.
The bag also comes with MOLLE attachment system to allow users to carry additional stuff when the bag is full.
Things to look out for
The bag is considered as the pricier option. If you do not wish to spend near to 150 bucks just to get a bag, you might be interested to look at other bags we recommended.
The bag is also heavy by default. Even if the bag is empty, it still looks bulky and like it is full of gear.
The other thing is it has a rather small side pocket. Some user complained that they could not fit in the water bottle. This is perhaps due to the way the bag is packed, causing it to expand to the side and squeeze the room for water bottle.
My take
Overall, this is a sturdy bag for heavy-duty. I would recommend this for someone who cannot get home within 24 hours. The big room of the Vertx Gamut 2.0 would be able to sustain user with enough items for more than 24 hours.
Condor Compact Assault Pack (small)
Characteristic
The small Condor Compact Assault Pack is designed for 24-hour use. It comes with 4 individual compartments. The bag has the dimension of 18″H x 10″W x 10″D and could carry up to 1362 cubic inches (or 22 Liters). Hydration bladder is compatible with the bag but it does not come with the purchase.
Compartments
The main compartment includes storage deep storage space, with a mesh pocket and top zipper closure pocket for quick access to personal items. It measures at 18″H x 10″W x 5″D.
The second compartment contains a document pocket, 2 retention mesh pockets, and pen holsters. It has the dimension of 15″H x 8″W x 2″D.
Besides, there are two front pouches. The top pouch is 4″H x 7″W x 2.5″D while the bottom one is 10″H x 8″W x 2.5″D. There are 3 pen holders and 2 pockets at the bottom front pouch.
Straps
The shoulder strap is padded to suit with long time carry. Sternum strap and waist straps are included to ensure maximum safety and comfort.
Material
Although there was no official word from Condor on the material, I do feel the fabric is the 600D Polyester Fabric. The fabric has water-resistant ability. Since there is no promise from Condor that it is waterproof, it would be safe not to purposely submerge the bag in water.
Feature
Similar to the REEBOW Gear bag, this is designed to look inconspicuous. It fulfils what all GHB needs to achieve, although at a smaller size. The bag also has plenty of Molle mounts to put extra things on, in case all 4 compartments were full.
Things to look out for
The major concern is at the shoulder straps of the bag:
- They don’t seem to hold their position very well
- The padding is only on the middle third of the strap, not the entire straps. So, there is only thin padding at the shoulder.
- They felt flimsy
My take
This bag is certainly good for value considering its price. Due to the small size, I would recommend this to someone who does not work far from home. It would be suitable for users who are certain about what items to be put in the bag since the bag is already small and there is no room for trial and error.
The shoulder strap issue seems to differ from person to person. After all, whether one bag is comfortable it is a subjective call.
Get Home Bag Contents (Checklist)
Before I go into the Get Home Bag contents you should have, you should know your Get Home Bag must suit your own use. Before choosing the items you put in your Get Home Bag, there are a few things you should keep in mind (in fact, you can even consider this checklist as your edc list). For example, the distance between your workplace and your home, time taken of the journey, the climate of your area, your residence community – whether it is urban, suburban or rural communities, your daily commute to and fro your home, just to name a few.
Getting all these considerations correct is crucial to building your own Get Home bag. No one would think that packing tennis shoe in a Get Home Bag is useful when you are trapped in the Florida swamps. One useful tip is that you should keep your eyes open during your journey to understand what items you would need to pack into your Get Home Bag.
For the following list, I had categorized the items based on their relevant function. In fact, you can even consider these items as your edc backpack list. So the items closer to each other are considered to be in the same category.
Item 1: Water supply- water bottle
Water supply is crucial to keep you alive. The general rule of thumb is that one can survive without water for 72 hours. While this might be longer than the 24-48 hours, you will need to bear in mind that during this period you will undergo long-distance walking, so your body would need more water than usual. Besides, you must make sure that the water supply is clean and free from any contaminant. This is an essential item that I would recommend including in your everyday carry list as well.
One way to kill or inactivates bacteria in the water is by boiling it. To do, you will need a water bottle that works well over a fire. With that said, we would not go for plastic bottle or double-walled insulated bottle as they would be harmful when exposed to high heat. A single-walled stainless steel water bottle would fit the bill.
Try checking out the TRIPLE TREE Stainless Steel Water Bottle which is great for bushcraft water boiling. It comes with different sizes, ranging from 17oz to 34oz, depending on your needs. The premium BPA free stainless steel ensures the quality and safety of the users. Besides, the specially designed lid provides the bottle with a strong seal, even under rugged condition.
Item 2: Water supply- water purification
Travelling along with a natural water source on your way home greatly increases your chances of survival because you can get access to water anytime you want.
The pre-condition is that you need to do it right. Drinking from rivers, lakes, or streams would be risky without proper filtering. An easy way to overcome this is to get yourself a water filter. Either Lifestraw or Sawyer produces great water filter as they are able to remove close to 100% of bacteria and protozoa from the water you drink. The small size of the product would not sacrifice much of the room of your bag.
Item 3: Clothing
The purpose of bringing clothing with you is to keep you warm at night. For this, my advice is to prepare 2 sets of outfit with one set being made of wool material. Woolen clothing is an excellent insulator as it keeps you warm by trapping air between the fibers.
Besides, if you are in rain prone areas, your GHB should contain rain gear or poncho. Temperature can drop drastically when the rain pour and it is best if you could maintain your body temperature. Also, by wearing a poncho, a large part of you is not exposed to rain and this reduces the chances of you catching a cold.
You should also consider taking Bandana with you. Besides organizing your hair, it can be used as a sling, towel, and eyepatch. Other than that, it could keep your neck warm if you surround it to the neck. If you are in hotter places, it could be used to block the sun. Most importantly, it can be used as a signal for rescue if you faced with a difficult situation.
Item 4: Gloves
A pair of gloves would come in handy as you will be using your hands a lot at outdoor. A good pair can protect your hands from scratches and injuries. Your choices would vary according to different seasons. If the climate is cold, get the SIMARI Winter Gloves, which is designed for rugged usage and keeping you warm at the same time. Other than that, a pair of utility gloves should be able to keep your hands protected.
Item 5: Mask
The need for a mask really depends on the situation you are in. If you foresee that smoke, dust, and sand are likely to be causing headache to you, then, by all means, you should get a respirator mask. An N95 mask would do a decent job to protect your respiratory system. If you are interested to know more about respirator mask, I have written an article on this.
Item 6: Footwear
The primary consideration when choosing your footwear is that it must be capable of lasting a long-distance walking.
Other consideration includes the terrain you will be passing through. For example, if your need to pass through a mountainous area, you will need a good pair of hiking shoe.
Besides, you would want your shoe to be comfortable to wear. No one would want to go home with blisters on their feet.
Item 7: Tact Bivvy 2.0 Emergency Sleeping Bag as shelter
The Tact Bivvy 2.0 Emergency Sleeping Bag weighs just 4.8 ounces and is able to be compressed into a tiny sack. The product is waterproof, windproof and due to its material, it could retain heat, giving you the comfort you need at night.
Item 8: Lighter for fire making
Fire is essential to keep you warm, boil your water, and possibly fend off the wild animals. With the help of current technologies, we do not need to start the fire through an ancient way. Everything is easier; you just need to get the right tools.
The most basic tool you will need is a lighter but there are some caveats to it. What you need is a waterproof and windproof lighter. The last thing we want in the wilderness to have a lighter that does not do its job, which would be frustrating or even life-threatening. Survival is key the moment you carry the GHB with you and you would want everything to function as smoothly as possible.
Item 9: Stove for fire making
If you do not mind an upgrade in your fire making, consider using a solo stove for a more consistent flame. The flame produced by the stove should be able to keep you warm throughout the night. The stove is fueled by sticks, twigs, pine cones and other biomass, and it should be easy to start as long as you have basic scout knowledge.
Item 10: Binoculars as a vision aid
A pair of small and compact binoculars would come in handy especially when you want:
- To find an escape route
- Spot possible threat in front
Also, being able to see far enough gave you hope and courage to continue your journey!
Item 11: Vision Aid for night
If you are eager to reach home earlier and wish to continue your journey at night, then you will need headlamps or glow stick to help you find your way home.
The advantage for a headlamp is that by wearing it, your hands are free to carry other stuff. If you don’t want to carry extra batteries for the headlamps, you would likely prefer to use glow sticks.
Item 12: Multi tool
A multi tool is a brilliant option to save space in your bag. It combines a number of individual functions of handy tools in a single unit. This means you would not bring the entire toolbox with you.
The multi-tool I would recommend is the LEATHERMAN – Wave Plus Multitool. It contains 18 tools you may need for your journey, which includes knives, scissors, pliers, wire cutters, bit drivers and even can opener. With this, you should be able to cut ropes, cut twigs and small pieces of woods, and do some basic drilling work.
Item 13: Duct tape
A small roll of duct tape is also considered useful due to its multiple purposes. Always take it with you because you will never know when you will need it. Of course, we are not going to bring an entire roll of duct tape with us. A useful way is to wrap the tape around a pencil or unused plastic card. The tape in this way still function just fine but we have saved the space by taking away the hollow middle part of the duct tape.
Item 14: Paracord
Similar to the duct tape, a paracord is a multipurpose item. With a paracord, you can tie different knots to strengthen the create different items. For example, it can be used to make a stretcher to carry an injured person, a sling, a dragging gear, or simply to make a knot around your bag with you to make sure no one can take the bag easily.
Item 15: First Aid kit
First aid kit could cover plenty of injuries. The purpose of using it is to prevent your injuries from getting worse. You can consider Surviveware Small First Aid Kit as part of your essential GHB item. The Surviveware Small First Aid Kit weighs only 1 pound and comes with 100 life-saving items, which is compact and easy to carry.
Item 16: Self-defense related
Bad time shows the dark side of people. During the disaster, you would not be surprised with civil unrest and looting of properties so keeping our safety is also important. Personally, I would prefer to pack my bag with firearm and ammo so I can protect myself from bad guys at a distance. I am not sure whether there is any firearm regulation at your place but if is does, I would advise you to take taser or pepper spray as a self-defense tool. The other popular ones include pepper spray key chains and mini stun guns. If you’re interested to get something useful and unique, just click on the link below!
Item 17: Radio as a Communication tool
When disaster strikes, it is very likely that internet, land-line phones, and cell phones signals are all going to be affected. The most viable way to communicate may be through AM/FM radio. By matching frequencies, we might be able to pick up the relevant news about the disaster telling us which place is safe to go and to receive the alerts from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).
The radios come with different features; some come with LED light, while some are capable of two way communication. The radios also use different ways to charge up; ranging from solar-powered, hand-cranked, and the use of batteries. Do take all of these considerations into account before you get a radio. If you would like to have a radio that is akin to walkie talkie, you might be interested in this.
Item 18: Whistle / Signalling mirror / Flare as communication tools
All of the listed items could be used to signal the rescue team to let them know you are in need of help. Amongst all, the flare would be the most noticeable, so you should keep it until you are positive the rescue team would miss you.
Item 19: GPS or Topographical map as a navigation tool
A detailed map outlining your way home may turn out to be your best buddy throughout your journey. With the help of a map, you might discover some new route that shortens the distance and it would also show all information you need, such as the nearest water source, place to shelter or nearest gas station.
While a map can provide you with the topographical information, a handheld GPS provides you with more information. It could tell you the direction you are heading, forecast the weather condition, NOAA Hazard, and the Garmin in Reach Explorer can even allow you to communicate with the family members.
I hope that this list of get home bag essentials can help you tremendously in building the best get home bag.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is a Get Home Bag supposed to last?
A Get Home Bag typically lasts for 24 to 48 hours. The design assumes that you should be able to get home within that period.
How heavy should you carry?
It really depends on your own body condition. Generally, an adult could carry up to 40 pounds but you should be able to tell if you could do more (or less) than that. To do so, try practice carrying your GHB from time to time with different weight to find the perfect combination.
How to organize your Get Home Bag?
Like packing your luggage, the advisable way to pack your Get Home Bag is to put the stuff you need more frequently on the top level of your bag. You should also back heavier item at the lower part of the bag as the hip would help to distribute some weights of the bag. Other than that, try to cover a layer of water-proof material around the non-water resistant items to reduce the chances of them getting wet.
Where to put your Get Home Bag?
Storing the Get Home Bag may be a headache for some who prefers a big bag. When considering this issue, remember, the point of getting a GHB is that it should be with you most of the time.
The first thing you need to consider is your transportation medium. If you travel in your motor vehicle most of the time, you should consider putting your GHB in the trunk of your vehicles. However, this would work only if you are easily accessible to your vehicle. This way of storage may apply to taxi, Uber, or Lyft drivers but may not apply to most workers.
The other consideration may be to store your GHB at your office/school locker or a public locker. You should be able to find one suitable locker if you take notice during your commute. Other than that, the most economical way is to put your GHB at under your work desk. Of course, the risk of it getting stolen is undoubtedly higher.
Conclusion
Despite the many get home bag ideas that I shared, experience tells me that simulations help me to solve foreseeable problems and I think the same applies to test your Get Home Bag by practising.
Normally, I visualized a disaster and put myself in a different situation, such as in the officer, in public space or in the wilderness. Then, I will consider the impact of the disaster, accessibility of the GHB bag, time taken to get home, effect on traffic, the weather condition, and any other relevant factors that could potentially affect my journey back home. After that, I will come with different plans to solve the issues and put my thoughts into paper to compare the quality of the solution. Then, I will choose the best overall plan. If I ever get free time, I will get my plan in action.
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Of course, I would understand most would not have the luxury to spend time to put Get Home Bag in actual use. My advice to you would therefore be, take note of your journey to and from home and come out with the best possible plan. In case anything happens (knock on wood), you will be better prepared during chaotic times.
