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The Ultimate Starter List For Every Get-Home Bag

winter get home bag

Image source: gazettenet.com

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Image source: gazettenet.com

As events this winter have proven, it’s a good idea to have a “get me home bag” (GHB) at all times. That 15-mile drive to work will feel a whole lot further away if you are ever forced to make the trek on foot.

Although determining every item that should be included in a get-home bag will differ from person to person, the basic tools and gear needed are the same. When planning a bag supply list, carefully consider the types of natural disasters which are common in your region and address those needs first when budgeting for bag contents. A power grid down scenario, terrorist attack, or civil unrest can occur everywhere, but severe winter storms, tornados, and earthquakes are more prone to specific regions of the country and should be primary concerns when determining how preparedness funds will be spent.

How Long Will It Take To Get Home?

After deciding the likely emergency scenarios you could face while away from home, it is time to move onto the next important task on the get-me-home bag consideration list, and it involves doing a bit of math. The average person can walk about 3 miles per hour when on a flat surface and mild terrain. A physically fit person might be able to keep that pace up for 12 hours and walk a distance of 36 miles during that time. But even physically fit people will have to adjust their pace to accommodate the pack on their back and breaks. An average person walking with a pack over varying terrain can most logically expect to cover between 10 to 20 miles per day maximum. Estimating traveling distance at a 2 miles per hour rate should give most folks a reasonable figure to work with when determining food and water needs.

What Kind Of Bag Should I Buy?

GHB bags should be lightweight and only large enough to hold all of the supplies absolutely necessary to help you get home safely. Ideally, a get-me-home bag should weigh about 20 pounds, if packed with items needed to aid you during a single to two-day trek on foot.

The pack for anybody who wants to be fully prepared for an unexpected emergency

Backpack capacity is typically measured in liters. A bag of approximately 35 liters should be appropriate for a walk no longer than a few days. The pack needs to be sturdy, and zipper pockets for organizational purposes are always a plus.

Here is a starter list for any get-me-home bag:

There are dozens of smaller items which can also be useful and can be added to your get-home bag after the essentials have been stored away. Other popular items include zip ties, pens and permanent markers, small camping kindling saw, toilet paper, walkie talkie, whistle and paracord bracelet – just to name a few.

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