What is a Get-Home Bag and How Can it Help You Survive?

Most
preppers
are
already
acquainted
with
the
idea
of
bugging
out
in
response
to
major
trouble,
leaving
home
and
hitting
the
road
in
order
to
survive.

But
have
you
considered
that
trouble
may
strike
when
away
from
home,
and
that
you
might
need
to
get
home
first
in
order
to
better
prepare
for
what
comes
next.

To
do
that,
some
experts
recommend
a
get-home
bag.
What
is
a
get-home
bag,
and
how
will
it
help
you
survive?

A
get-home
bag
is
a
smaller,
more
portable
version
of
your
regular
bug-out
bag
designed
to
help
someone
make
it
back
home.
GHBs
typically
contain
supplies
to
sustain
a
person
for
48
hours
or
long
enough
to
move
home
on
foot

(food,
water,
clothing,
tools
and
first-aid
and
shelter
supplies).

There
is
much
more
to
learn
when
it
comes
to

packing
and
selecting
a
get-home
bag.
Keep
reading
to
learn
more!

You
Might
Be
Away
from
Home
when
Trouble
Strikes!

One
of
the
main
reasons
to
have
a
get-home
bag
is
that
you
might
not
be
at
home
when
trouble
strikes.
Natural
disasters,
accidents,
or
other
emergencies
can
occur
without
warning
and
leave
you
stranded
away
from
home.
Having
a
GHB
with
you
will
give
you
the
best
chance
of
making
it
back
safely.

Think
about
it:
Even
though
we
are
all
serious
preppers
we
have
jobs,
responsibilities,

lives
that
just
don’t
get
to
push
‘pause’
while
we
wait
for
The
Big
One
to
occur.

You
might
be
on
a
business
trip,
out
camping
with
the
family
or
away
at
college
when
an
earthquake,
hurricane
or
other
major
disaster
strikes.

If
you
live
in
Los
Angeles
and
are
visiting
New
York
City
when
an
EMP
attack
takes
out
the
power
grid,
what
are
you
going
to
do?
You
can’t
just
‘bug
out’
because
you
don’t
have
your
bug
out
bag
with
you!
This
is
where
a
get-home
bag
comes
in
to
play.

A
Get
Home
Bag
is
Not
a
Bug-Out
Bag

Now
that
we
have
established
that
a
get-home
bag
(GHB)
is
essential
for
any
prepper
who
might
find
themselves
away
from
home
when
trouble
strikes,
it’s
important
to
understand

the
differences
between
a
GHB
and
a
BOB.

A
bug
out
bag
is
designed
for
long-term
survival
away
from
home.
It
contains
more
supplies
than
a
GHB
and
is
meant
to
help
you
live
self-sufficiently
in
the
wilderness
for
an
extended
period
of
time.

A
get
home
bag,
on
the
other
hand,
is
meant
to
help
you
make
it
back
home
in
the
event
of
an
emergency.
It
contains
fewer
supplies
than
a
BOB
and
is
designed
to
be
portable
so
that
you
can
carry
it
with
you
wherever
you
go.

A
GHB
should
not
be
used
as
a
substitute
for
a
BOB.
They
are
two
different
bags
meant
for
two
different
purposes.
Make
sure
you
have
both
in
your
prepper
supplies!

What
to
Include
in
a
Get-Home
Bag

The
supplies
you
include
in
your
get-home
bag
will
vary
depending
on
your
specific
needs
and
situation.

However,

most
bags
should
contain
the
usual
survival
items
like
food,
water,
clothing,
tools,
first
aid
supplies
and
shelter
materials
with
careful
attention
paid
to
packing
light;
remember,
you
are
probably
going
to
be
moving
home
on
foot!

Since
a
get-home
bag
is
designed
to
supply
you
with
just
enough
equipment
and
supplies
to
make
it
home
in
an
emergency,
you
will
need
to
be
selective
about
what
you
pack.
The
watchwords
are
light,
low-profile
and
easy
to
use.

You
don’t
want
to
sacrifice
capability,
but
you
are
also
not
trying
to
pack
for
a
situation
full
of
uncertainty:
you
will
generally
know
where
you
are
and
where
you
are
going,
and
you
are
trying
to
get
there
at
best
speed.

Your
GHB
loadout
should
reflect
that.

You
want
to
keep
your
speed


up

as
much
as
possible
while
supplying
all
of
your
survival
needs
in
a
pinch.

Food:
You’ll
want
something
that
will
provide
energy
and
sustenance
for
the
journey
ahead.
Choose
high
calorie
foods
that
won’t
spoil
easily
or
take
up
too
much
space,
like
granola
bars,
nuts
and
beef
jerky.

Water:
A
person
can
only
survive
a
few
days
without
water,
so
it
is
essential
to
include
at
least
a
couple
of
bottles
of
water
in
your
get-home
bag.
If
possible,
choose
purified
or
distilled
water
to
avoid
getting
sick
from
contaminated
water
sources.

Clothing:
Pack
clothes
that
are
seasonally
appropriate,
will
protect
you
from
the
elements
and
help
you
blend
in
with
your
surroundings.

Choose
neutral
colors,
and
avoid
bright
colors
and
patterns
that
will
make
you
stand
out.
Don’t
forget
to
include
footwear
that
is
appropriate
to
a
long
hike
if
you
don’t
wear
them
daily!

Tools:
Include
a
few
basic
tools
that
will
come
in
handy
on
your
journey
home.
A
knife,
multi-tool,
flashlight
and
headlamp
are
all
essential
items.

Compass/Maps:
If
you
find
yourself
lost,
a
compass
and/or
map
of
the
area
can
help
you
get
back
on
track.
A
regional
map,
city
map
and
atlas
are
good
inclusions.

First-Aid
Kit:
A
small
first
aid
kit
is
a
must-have
in
any
get-home
bag.
Make
sure
to
pack
supplies
for
common
injuries
like
cuts,
scrapes
and
blisters.
Include
bandages,
antibiotic
ointment,
pain
relief
medication
and
anything
else
you
might
need
to
treat
minor
injuries

Shelter:
If
you
are
forced
to
spend
the
night
outdoors,
you’ll
need
shelter
from
the
elements.
Pack
a
tarp,
tent
or
sleeping
bag
to
stay
warm
and
dry.

Definitely
Pack
a
Get
Home
Bag

A
get-home
bag
is
a
smaller
and
lighter
variation
of
a
bug-out
bag
intended
to
support
a
single
person
while
they
return
home
from
a
distant
location
should
disaster
strike.
It
is
an
essential
part
of
any
prepper’s
supplies.

By
having
one
on
hand,
you
can
increase
your
chances
of
making
it
home
safely
in
the
event
of
an
emergency.
Be
sure
to
pack
yours
with
care,
paying
attention
to
the
specific
needs
of
your
situation.

Do
you
have
a
get-home
bag?
What
items
do
you
include
in
it?
Let
us
know
in
the
comments
below!
And
don’t
forget
to
check
out
our
articles
on

bug
out
bags
for
more
information
on

long-term
survival
gear.
Stay
safe!