Preppers and Their "Bags"

Go Bags, aka Bug Out Bags (BoB) are all the rage, even Ashton Kutcher brags about the contents of his bag (he packs a Glock 9mm in his BoB just incase you can't go to bed without knowing).  If you are a 'proper prepper' then you need to put one together as well.

The Go Bag vs. The Get Home Bag

The Go Bag is specifically designed to be a grab and go full survival package that you take, along with any additional supplies you can reasonably grab, to get you from your house to your bug out location.  It's a much broader and deeper kit than a Get Home Bag (GHB).  Think deluxe vs. lite.  The Get Home Bag has a simple task, get your loved one home if they are away when TSHTF.

What's in Mommy's Get Home Bag?

Imagine you and your husband are at work and your kids at school, it's 1:45 PM.  Suddenly the office lights go out, computers go silent, the phone isn't working, neither is your cell phone.  Your peers joke about getting the day off, but as a prepper you add up the evidence.  No electronics are working regardless of power source, you know that the area was hit by an EMP.   You walk to your car, the remote doesn't work.  You unlock the doors, and find your car is dead too.  You can't call your husband or check on your kids.  What would you pack that would get everyone home safely? 

Before packing a GHB, you need to estimate how far from home you will likely be when you need your bag.  For most people, if they are not at the house, they are at work, the grocery store, the kids school, or church.  Plan for the longest of your likely treks back home.  

• What primary route would you take home?
• What back-up route would you take?
• How would you ensure your kids get home?
• What might you encounter hiking along this route?
• If you can't get home, what is your rendezvous location?

Have a plan for each member of the family. You may not be able to communicate with your family so it is critical that you have and stick to your route and your plan.

Here are some items to consider packing in a GHB:

1 K-Bar or Survival Knife (I use this one)
2-3 liters of H20 (keep a case of bottled water in the car, use and replace before you go under 2L)
1 Pouch of performance drink mix (My Favorite)

3 days MREs (Extreme MRE kits)
1 SteriPen (SteriPen Journey)
*Handgun (Springfield XD-M 40 in my case) 
*please ensure you have the proper license to carry a concealed weapon!
1 Small LED variable lumen flashlight (Rogue 2)
1 LED headband light with variable lumens (Irix 2 headlamp)
6 spare AA batteries
50 feet of paracord (Camo Paracord)
10 Large Zip Ties held together by a few rubber bands
1 Box Storm Proof Matches (Get them here)
Filtering Mask (N95 basic mask or full bio-chemical mask)
Tyvek Protective Coveralls
Work Gloves (Basic Gloves)
Hand Sanitizer (small bottle)
6 Nitrile Gloves
2 fire starter sticks
Emergency Thermal Sleeping Bag (Sleeping Bag)
In Cold Weather Pack a full zero bag with the thermal bag above (Zero Degree)
Laminated maps of areas traveled with primary and secondary routes highlighted
Next consider communication with your family, do you need a radio and solar charger?
Lastly for EMP events, you need to pack your electronics in a Faraday cage (look for my post on Faraday cages)

-pack loose items in zip lock bags of various sizes