Overview
Promoting inclusivity and active engagement in disaster risk reduction is crucial for a comprehensive approach. One widely suggested measure encourages households to enhance their preparedness by assembling a “grab bag” or “disaster kit.” These kits serve the dual purpose of providing essentials for either sheltering in place or evacuating to a safer location. By fostering a culture of preparedness at the individual and household levels, we can ensure greater resilience in the face of potential disasters. (Pickering et al.)
In this article, we will provide a comprehensive guide on building a proper Get Home Bag for emergencies. You will learn what a Get Home Bag is, its importance, and what items you should include. We’ll also cover best practices for selecting the right gear based on climate and terrain conditions. By the end, you’ll be well-prepared for emergencies like natural disasters that may leave you stranded without access to food, water, or shelter.
What is a Get Home Bag?
A Get Home Bag, also known as an emergency or survival bag, is a compact pack containing essential items to help you survive and reach home in unexpected events or emergencies. It is designed to keep you safe and sustained during the first 24-72 hours after a disaster or occurrence that separates you from your primary shelter.
It is important to note that the Get Home Bag should not have a military-style appearance. It’s recommended to blend in with others in the situation. Observing your environment and considering a bag that doesn’t stand out, such as a Gucci bag, is better than a 5.11 tactical.
The Get Home Bags
Timbuk2 Authority Laptop Backpack Deluxe
Timbuk2 is well-known for its durable and stylish bags. The Authority Deluxe has a padded laptop compartment, many pockets for organization, and a comfortable design.
Incase ICON Slim Backpack
This slim, stylish backpack has dedicated laptop and tablet compartments and many organization features.
THE NORTH FACE Borealis Commuter
This backpack has a dedicated, padded laptop compartment and is also designed for comfort during long periods of carrying.
Nordace Siena Smart Backpack
The Nordace Siena Smart Backpack has a spacious main compartment to hold all your daily essentials and a padded sleeve to protect your 15.6” laptop from damage on the go.
Samsonite Classic Leather Slim
This Samsonite backpack has a padded laptop compartment and easy-access front pockets for those who prefer a more professional look.
Kenneth Cole Reaction Manhattan Slim Backpack
This leather backpack offers a sophisticated look, a fully lined interior, and plenty of room for a laptop and other essentials.
Osprey Hikelite 18 Hiking Backpack
If you’re looking for a simple pack that provides excellent comfort, incredible ventilation, and added features like an integrated rain cover for less than bluebird days.
Bellroy Classic Backpack Premium
This backpack combines a classic look with modern features, including a padded laptop sleeve and a hidden pocket for valuables.
Briggs & Riley @Work Large Cargo Backpack
This backpack bag is Large and ideal for carrying a laptop and many essentials.
Learn the importance of having a Get Home Bag in emergencies. Discover the essential components and gear to include in your kit. Be prepared!
As an Army veteran and someone who has undergone primitive survival training, I draw upon my knowledge and expertise to think about challenging scenarios as thought experiments.
Scenario thought experiment
There are various scenarios where having a Get Home Bag can be incredibly helpful. For example, imagine you’re working in Washington, D.C., and a significant disaster disrupts transportation systems. If you are unable to rely on public transportation to return home to Northern Virginia, you must use your Get Home Bag and walk back home. Here’s how the situation unfolds:
Metro Shutdown: As you approach your regular metro station to return home, you notice a significant commotion. People are rushing out of the station, and there’s an announcement that the metro system is temporarily shut down due to a catastrophic event.
Assess the Situation: You quickly realize that relying on public transportation is no longer an option. Staying calm and assessing the situation before making any decisions is essential. Check for emergency updates on your phone, listen for information from official sources, or seek help from authorities nearby.
Activate your Get-Home Bag: Knowing that you have a well-prepared get-home bag, you retrieve it from your backpack and ensure you have all the necessary supplies. The compact nature of your bag is advantageous as it doesn’t hinder your mobility.
Map Your Route: Take a moment to plan your route back home. Given the circumstances, the most reliable option is to walk. Pull up maps on your phone or use a physical map if available. Consider alternative routes to avoid potentially crowded or dangerous areas.
Suit Adaptation: Wearing a suit can be challenging for a long walk, especially in potentially adverse conditions. To make your journey more comfortable, consider adjusting your clothing. Roll up your sleeves, loosen your tie, and if necessary, remove your suit jacket, but keep it with you in case the weather changes or you need to appear professional later.
Prioritize Essentials: Since you have limited space in your backpack, ensure you prioritize essential items. Some key items might include a water bottle, high-energy snacks, a small first aid kit, a flashlight, a multi-tool, a map, a fully charged portable phone charger, and any necessary medications during the journey.
Stay Aware of Your Surroundings: As you navigate the crowded streets, remain vigilant and monitor your surroundings. Be aware of any potential hazards, crowds, or signs of unrest. Trust your instincts and maintain a low profile to avoid drawing unnecessary attention.
Pace Yourself: Walking a considerable distance can be physically demanding, mainly if you’re not accustomed to it. Pace yourself and take regular breaks to rest, rehydrate, and refuel. Monitor your energy levels and adjust your pace accordingly.
Utilize Local Resources: Look for any available resources along your route. If you’re lucky, community centers, emergency shelters, or other organized assistance programs may be set up to provide aid, information, or even transportation.
Help Others and Seek Assistance: If you come across fellow commuters or struggling residents or need assistance, lend a helping hand if it’s safe. Remember that strength lies in unity, and cooperation can increase everyone’s chances of reaching their destinations safely.
Adapt to Changing Circumstances: Be prepared for unexpected situations along the way. Road closures, diversions, or other obstacles may force you to adjust your route or find alternative transportation methods. Stay adaptable and remain focused on your goal of reaching home.
Maintain Communication: Keep your loved ones informed about your situation and progress whenever possible. Use your phone to send messages or make calls when you have a reliable signal. Inform them of your intended route and estimated time of arrival.
Remember, this scenario is a fictional representation of a survival situation. In real-life emergencies, always follow the advice and instructions of local authorities, as they will have the most accurate information for your specific situation. Stay calm and resourceful, and prioritize your safety while returning home.
Overview
This article will provide you with a comprehensive guide on building a proper Get Home Bag for emergencies. You will learn what a Get Home Bag is, its importance, and what items you should include. We’ll also cover best practices for selecting the right gear based on climate and terrain conditions. By the end, you’ll be well-prepared for emergencies like natural disasters that may leave you stranded without access to food, water, or shelter.
What is a Get Home Bag?
A Get Home Bag, also known as an emergency or survival bag, is a compact pack containing essential items to help you survive and reach home in unexpected events or emergencies. It is designed to keep you safe and sustained during the first 24-72 hours after a disaster or occurrence that separates you from your primary shelter.
It is important to note that the Get Home Bag should not have a military-style appearance. It’s recommended to blend in with others in the situation. Observing your environment and considering a bag that doesn’t stand out, such as a Gucci bag, is better than a 5.11 tactical.
The Importance of Having a Get Home Bag
Disasters can strike at any time and location, whether natural calamities like floods, hurricanes, or earthquakes or emergencies like terrorist attacks. These situations often lead to communication breakdowns, power outages, and roadblocks that make it difficult to reach home safely.
A well-equipped Get Home Bag can provide security and reduce stress in such scenarios. It could be the difference between life and death. The right gear will help keep you warm, fed, hydrated, and oriented toward safety until rescue arrives or until you can make it home independently.
Definition and Purpose
A Get Home Bag, also known as a “Get Me Home” bag, is a smaller version of the Bug Out Bag (BOB). The idea behind this bag is to have it within reach at all times while away from your home in case of an unexpected event. This could be as simple as getting stranded in your vehicle due to adverse weather conditions or more severe scenarios like terrorist attacks, riots, or natural disasters.
A Get Home Bag’s primary purpose is survival, comfort, and convenience. Unlike a BOB, which requires you to carry everything on your back for an extended period, a Get Home Bag offers lighter-weight options that allow for better mobility while still providing essential items that will enable you to return home safely.
Differences between a Get Home Bag and Bug Out Bag
Although similar in concept, there are notable differences between the two types of bags that require different preparation strategies. While both are designed for emergencies, they serve other purposes.
A Bug Out Bag (BOB) is meant for long-term survival situations where you must evacuate your current location and take refuge elsewhere, possibly indefinitely. On the other hand, a Get Me Home bag focuses on getting you back to safety by providing necessary items like water filtration devices and mini first aid kits with bandages and medicines, which allow you enough sustenance until you can return home.
This brings us to another difference: size. A Get Home Bag is generally smaller and lighter than a BOB.
The Get Home Bag should be small enough to take on your daily commute without being cumbersome. A BOB, on the other hand, is much larger and contains significantly more gear.
Components of a Get Home Bag
The contents of a Get Me Home bag can vary depending on the individual’s specific needs and requirements. Some essential components must include water, food, first-aid supplies, shelter items like emergency blankets or ponchos, and navigation tools like maps or compasses. Additional items to consider are weather-appropriate clothing like thermal underwear and gloves for cold weather conditions, sunglasses for sunny days, duct tape for quick fixes when repairing clothing, or gear helmets in case of bombings or riots.
When packing your Get Home Bag, it is essential to keep in mind that space is limited. Consider only necessary items that will provide comfort while being lightweight and easy to carry around.
The Importance of Having a Get Home Bag
Emergencies and disasters can strike at any time, anywhere. It’s essential to be prepared for unforeseen circumstances that could leave you stranded and need survival resources.
Having a Get Home Bag can be critical in these situations. A Get Home Bag is an emergency kit containing everything you might need to Get Home safely if stuck somewhere unexpectedly.
This bag should contain food, water, first aid supplies, and navigation tools. Being prepared with a Get Home Bag ensures you have the necessary resources to survive an emergency or natural disaster.
This could include anything from a sudden snowstorm or flood to a terrorist attack or civil unrest. A well-stocked Get Home Bag can help you stay alive until help arrives or until you can make it home safely on your own.
Examples of Situations Where a Get Home Bag Would Be Useful
As I mentioned at the beginning of this article, there are many scenarios where having a Get Home Bag would be helpful. Some other examples are if there is an earthquake while you’re at work and the roads are blocked with debris, making it impossible to drive home.
In this case, having a backpack filled with essentials such as food, water, first-aid supplies, and shelter materials can make all the difference in whether or not you survive. Another example is if there is civil unrest in your area due to protests or violence breaking out unexpectedly during your commute home from work.
In this situation, having a well-stocked bag with food rations, water purification tablets, and navigation tools like compasses and maps can help ensure your safety while navigating unfamiliar terrain on foot. In both cases above – being prepared by carrying a Get Home bag will significantly increase the chance of survival when dealing with emergencies where securing basic needs like food & water becomes difficult, which results in people finding themselves stranded without any means of survival.
What to Include in Your Get Home Bag
- Water: Carry a refillable water bottle or a few small water pouches to stay hydrated during your journey. Aim for at least 1 liter of water per day.
- High-Energy Snacks: Pack non-perishable, calorie-dense snacks such as energy bars, nuts, dried fruits, or granola bars to keep your energy levels up.
- First Aid Kit: Include a basic kit with band-aids, antiseptic wipes, adhesive tape, pain relievers, and necessary personal medications. (Annis et al., 2016)
- Flashlight: A compact flashlight or headlamp with spare batteries will be helpful if you encounter low-light conditions or need to navigate in the dark.
- Multi-Tool: A versatile multi-tool with pliers, knives, screwdrivers, and other essential tools can come in handy for various tasks or emergencies.
- Map and Compass: Carry a physical map of the area and a compass to navigate if GPS or digital maps are unavailable. Familiarize yourself with alternative routes in advance.
- Mobile Phone and Charger: Keep your fully charged mobile phone with you for communication, emergency updates, and accessing important information. Carry a portable charger to ensure your phone remains powered throughout the journey.
- Weather-Appropriate Clothing: Include a lightweight rain jacket (Men) (Women) or poncho, a hat or cap, and extra socks if you encounter inclement weather or need to adapt to changing conditions.
- Personal Documents: Carry copies of important documents such as identification, emergency contact information, and relevant medical information in a waterproof pouch.
- Cash: Keep a small amount of money in your bag, including small bills and coins, in case electronic payment systems are unavailable or you need to purchase essential items.
- Personal Hygiene Items: Include travel-sized toiletries like hand sanitizer, wet wipes, tissues, and toilet paper to maintain cleanliness and personal hygiene during the journey.
- Emergency Blanket: A compact or space blanket can provide warmth and insulation if you are in a cold environment or need shelter.
- Whistle and Signal Mirror: These signaling devices can help attract attention and communicate your location to others.
- Protective Gear: Consider including a dust mask, gloves, and goggles to protect yourself from environmental hazards or airborne particles.
- Extra Batteries: If you have any electronic devices or tools that require batteries, carry spare batteries to ensure they remain functional.
Remember to periodically check and update your get-home bag to ensure that items are in good condition and expiration dates are not overlooked. Personalize your bag according to your specific needs and the potential challenges of your commuting route.
Water
Water is essential for survival, especially in emergency situations. Having a sustainable water source in your Get Home Bag is vital.
A portable water filter or purification tablets are great options for filtering water from natural sources such as rivers and streams. The Sawyer Mini Water Filtration System is a compact and efficient filtration system that can filter up to 100,000 gallons of water and removes 99.9999% of bacteria.
It is also lightweight, small enough to fit in your pocket, and has a convenient straw attachment. In addition to a filtration system, having at least two liters of water per person daily in your Get Home Bag is essential.
Pack multiple containers that can be easily refilled, such as water bottles or hydration bladders. A collapsible water container is another option that can store large amounts of water without taking up too much space.
Food
Enough food that provides energy and sustenance should also be a priority when packing your Get Home Bag. Energy bars or snacks with high protein content, such as jerky or nuts, are excellent quick on-the-go energy boosts. MREs (Meals Ready to Eat) are pre-packaged meals used by the military and come with everything you need including utensils, heating elements, and main courses with sides like crackers, cheese spreads, peanut butter spreads, etc. They provide total nutritional value while being easy to prepare, making them an ideal choice for any emergency situation.
Freeze-dried food packets like Mountain House Meals are another great option. They provide high-calorie meals that require only boiling water, making them easy to prepare while maintaining the nutrients needed for survival. By ensuring you pack enough food items and clean drinking source options, you’ll set yourself up for success in a crisis situation.
Navigation Tools
The likelihood of getting lost while trying to Get Home during an emergency is high, especially if the routes you use are blocked or impassable. Carrying navigation tools in your Get Home Bag can be a lifesaver. The following navigation tools should be included in your Get Home Bag:
1) Compass – A compass is a must-have tool for any outdoor adventure and an essential component of a Get Home Bag. It helps you determine your direction and navigate through unfamiliar terrain or areas.
2) Map – A map of the area you are going through can be indispensable during an emergency. It lets you plan the best route, locate landmarks, and avoid obstacles.
3) GPS device – GPS can give more accurate location data than maps and compasses. It also has altitude readings, breadcrumb trails, and waypoints that help track progress toward the destination.
Conclusion
Preparing a Get Home Bag may seem daunting, but ensuring safety during emergencies or disasters is essential. With careful planning and preparation, anyone can build a reliable kit that will provide the necessary resources to survive until they reach home. Remember to ensure that all bag components are in good condition and up-to-date.
Regularly check expiration dates on food items, ensure electronic devices have fresh batteries, and update maps frequently with new information. By having a well-stocked Get Home Bag that includes food, water, clothing appropriate for the weather conditions as well as first aid kits, and communication devices alongside navigation tools such as compasses or GPS units- You will have peace of mind knowing that you will be equipped for whatever comes your way when trying to return home safely!
Bibliography
Pickering, C. J., Morris, A., Mark, C., McQuirk, D., Chan, E. Y., Guy, E., Chan, G. K., Reddin, K., Throp, R., Tsuzuki, S., Yeung, T., & Murray, V. The Promotion of ‘Grab Bags’ as a Disaster Risk Reduction Strategy. PLoS Currents, 10. https://doi.org/10.1371/currents.dis.223ac4322834aa0bb0d6824ee424e7f8
Annis, H., I. Jacoby, and G. DeMers. 2016. Disaster preparedness among active duty personnel, retirees, veterans, and dependents. Prehospital and Disaster Medicine 31(2): 132–140. doi:10.1017/S1049023X16000157.
