Get Home Bag | Urban Survival

This is an overview of my get home bag (urban setup). It's important to have redundancies on key items. Two is one and one is none. Always make sure you're prepared and you practice survival skills with the gear you have. Having the gear is not enough, you have to know how to use it.

[nateb]

This kit is clearly well thought out for a general (wilderness) survival kit, but might consider some ideas for an urban get-home...

First, how heavy is this bag? Have you hike 5 miles with it, more than once? I changed jobs and went from a wooded get home route to an urban route that was twice as long (~18 miles). The kit for the wooded route was similar to yours. The current job with very urban get-home route is probably two days, without SHTF detours. Therefore, my focus is speed and weight is the opposite of speed.

You mention a focus on speed as well. Would recommend only ready to eat food like energy bars. I doubt you want to draw attention or waste time stopping to cook noodles. If you don’t need to cook, then you don’t need a stove & utensils (outside a metal spork maybe just in case) If you swap Cliff bars and maybe an MRE for those foods and tools, then you can eat AND move and maybe carry more food. For a two day get home, food is actually optional, but it will help speed, help moral, and buffer against unknown situations.

You have a lot of good 1.0 kit, but things like the weather radio could be reduced with a much smaller unit or eliminated with a UV5R ham radio that could fill many capacities.

Bonus for speed: I usually carry a heavy duty razor kick scooter in the trunk, the model with welded joints rated for adult weight and use. My area is hilly, so walking up hills has to happen regardless, but going down hills is a breeze.
Just some thoughts.

[maverickmacgyver]

“If your get home back doesn’t have a Snickers, you’re doing it wrong!” That’s the best advice ever!!

[geoki]

about a month ago I built my get home bag with a Maxpedition Mongo Versipack with all the essentials you listed. Last week here in Chicago IL there was a big snow storm and my car broke down around 2:30am after work. I left my car in a target parking lot .All the public transportation/towing service was not available, I couldn't get a ride from friends. My cell was working but I even tried the ride sharing apps. Nothing. My anxiety almost got the best of me...stranded. it was at least 23 miles back to my apartment from where I was...but the essentials help me get back home safely...the bivvy, bunch of hand warmers, flashlight lucky I got snow boots in my trunk, etc. I was able to find a rest spot unnoticed along the way because the Streets were empty enough like it was completely deserted. I haven't seen a single police during my route. It took about a good 6 hour walk home. It wasn't easy but I made it home . Good thing too I was able to obtain my CCW 3 years prior. Things have changed . Carjackings and robberies has surged. Now I fully understand the importance of a Get Home bag. Should I have not been prepared, my life would had been at risk. Thank you James

[shadomane]

Gotta have a Snickers!!! Yes indeed!!! Thanks for sharing your GHB. And for your time and effort to make the video. Subbed.

[kennethkelly]

I like your thinking. I work in LA and live in OC 50 mile drive. I also have a roll of duct tape. You can put it around your feet to protect from blisters.

[HristoKolevMayvena]

As I work in a typical office environment, wearing dress shoes on daily basis, a must have in my GHB is a pair of comfortable walking shoes.

[canadafree]

Thanks for sharing your gear. My GHB has minimal sleeping gear (SOL Bivy, SOL Tarp Kit) as home is about a 2-3 hour walk home depending on weather. Our basic needs are going to be the same, but how much of the basics a person needs is dependent on distance and climate. I like to carry clear kitchen bags as well in all my kits for quick waterproofing.

[nicksun]

Hey man, EMT/nursing student/military cop. one thing i would suggest is put on your GHB and with 1 hand retrieve your tourniquet and put it on. you have 60 seconds. what will you do with your sidearm? train train train you won’t regret it when your get home bag gets you home

[javomw]

for the people saying "this will never happen" yeah you right probably won't but one thing i learned long time ago in a Hurricane in Puerto Rico is better to have and don't use it that don't have and really need it. be ready, be prepare.

[tomevans]

I put together a get home bag for my wife. Works 14 miles away. Shoes were a big deal got her great walking shoes, heels won’t cut it😂. Needed to keep it real light because she is well light.

[williamneal]

Great work! In a situation as you've described getting home to your family is paramount and the first order of business. My get home back is actually a break-out section (day pack) of my larger INCH bag, because when I do get home it may be I need to gather my family immediately and bug out with them for good or (and this is the more likely case for my family if it takes me longer than 12 hours to get home) I find they already bugged out hours ago and I got to hit the road immediately if I am to catch up with them or meet them at the farm in a timely manner

[andrewallason]

A couple of differences I’d make are replacing the gas bottle and stove with flameless ration heaters and carrying more MRE pouches. Having said that, I live 45km (30mi) and two mountain ranges ( between each it’s near sea level to around 650m elevation) from work, and would probably take 3 days to hoof it, mostly in rural and bush areas.
My other change is swapping the crowbar for a Stanley demo hammer. It still has a crowbar, but with multiple other options of use.

[slickslabmcknabful]

I've started to migrate over to those camping meals that come with the water packs inside of them for cooking. Wouldn't have to worry about using my drinking water especially if I happen to drink it all out of necessity.

[stayreadyjustincase]

I like the fire crackers taped to a rock idea. Haven't seen that one before

[MegaMastiffman]

Best iv seen yet smoke and m80s are a great idea, nice one

[AmericanDrifter]

Hello @G. Victor Paulson. First off, thank you for taking the time to provide this detailed description about your set up. I found it insightful and I think it will add value and give people options for setting up their bag. Given your environment, I would say our priorities differ a little in what we would want to have as the focus in my layout was more on the urban setting. You’ve got some great points here and it’s more of an indication for me that I need to make a video focused on a “Field GHB” as there are many people out there who live in a similar environment as yourself (living further away from home, adapting to inclement weather).



1) One thing I need to mention is while there are core needs, many other options will be subjective. Light and fast is the priority given the situation. Some may argue about bag weights and say our bags (25-30lbs) is too much. But in my experience, it’s much better than having to carry double that. Hydration is key, and easier to lose track of in colder weather. People can operate on little to no food but as you said, not as well. Quick meals are a plus, energy gels, Probar (as you mentioned)... heck I’ve even used Twizzler bites on long treks before.I mentioned a Snickers because it really does give energy and sustainment and can be found almost anywhere in an urban setting. As you said though, it’s not the best item to have in the heat. I’d rather have a firearm but I also hope I’d never have to use it. It’s a last line of defense, but as you said avoidance would be the focus.



2) Clothing is very important. I made my decision based on my environment, but for those living in more remote environments, I would definitely go with something more suited to that climate. PPE is situation dependent. For a field set up, it may not even be needed.



3) That’s a good setup for water. I like the storage factor as well. I think it’s good to have a bladder especially if you’ll be taking a route that will take you away from known/natural water sources. I like my water filter, although I am looking at alternatives to filter it faster. Highly recommend the CNOC water bag, it makes it so easy to collect natural water and store it. I’ve been on hikes before where I’ll collect water and filter it as I walk, it saves time. I’ve been more open to steel containers lately, although I still prefer titanium (thin walled) as I’ve found it boils water faster. Steel is more affordable and possibly more versatile though. So good that you know of places to stop and collect water along your route.



4) I’ve heard good things about Aqua Quest and I’ve looked at their offerings in the past. I have a tarp in my bag, but personally I prefer a little more protection from the elements...again location dependent. SOL makes good stuff. I used the TAC Bivvy many times and was pleasantly surprised with the warmth and compactness of it (and price). I think a tarp and bivy combo is a great way to go for the purposes of this bag. I’ve also used and recommend the standard military bivy, made of gore-tex, but it’s heavier.



5) Yes, I probably used my ferro rod the most. I also have a lighter as a backup and recently added the Fresnel lens. I do the same thing. I use natural resources and the man made stuff in harsh/wet conditions. For that, I’ll use Blackbeard or the old homemade cotton ball and vaseline fire starter.



6) A compass and map are key, like you said. Depending on how stressful the situation is, anyone could easily get turned around. Not many people know how to use them so it’s good you’re familiar with it. I’d also go with a monocular, just personal preference.



7) Great supplies listed here and well said! I’m missing the chest seal but it’s so important to have. QuikClot is invaluable. I always have a tourniquet, even for edc, it’s a necessity. Those supplies and medication will cover a multitude of medical needs. I’ll check out that IFAK. Like with anything else, once you’ve been through the ringer, anything less feels like a luxury. I do agree extra pieces of clothes are a morale booster, but given the situation I could still go without them. Having gone weeks without a shower, I can make it work for a few days. Even to this day on camping trips I take minimal changes of clothes for a week or more. You’ve got some good choices for hygiene as well!



8) Full tang is the way to go for this set up. I’ve heard good things about that Leatherman too. Having a good set of picks and knowing how to use them could help with shelter or supplies. Like you said, I don’t condone it, only in the event of a real emergency.



9) I’ll check out the Kevlar Thread. I like Titan Survivor cord for what it offers and it’s really easy to take it apart. But given the situation, I probably won’t be taking it apart.


10) You’ve got everything covered with signaling. You can’t go wrong with Fisher space pens and Rite in the rain paper (their pens are great too!). Headlamps are so helpful, I’m glad you got one with a strobe. Yes lol I’m more of a fan of bright colors that you can bring out when needed and then conceal.



11) It’s more of an item to have for those urban scenarios. Also it goes back to my reasoning for having a cook kit. Even if I was only ten miles from home, in an urban setting, there may be situations where I’d have to hold up somewhere for a couple of hours to avoid a violent situation (possibly making it to where it would be safer to wait and travel overnight). You don’t know how bad things can get until they do. It’s just my way of having some options in that event.



12) I like your thinking on having electronics that use AA and AAA batteries. Easy to replace and you can find them pretty much anywhere. I think 10k mah is a great size to have that should hold you over for the time it takes to get home. Lately I’ve been open to some items that are rechargeable, it really depends on what it is. For example, as a backup flashlight, I’ve been happy with the Aurora A1. It’s very small, and can hold a charge for months with occasional use in my experience. I think it’s ok to use them as backups but I also think it comes down to using your gear to find out what works best for you. I recently picked up a large solar powered battery for an upcoming trip. I chose not to go with the roll up just because I wanted something more compact. Great feedback on the Ham. I’ll look into ARRL. It’s so important for all of these categories to not just have the items, but to practice and know how to use them.



Great feedback all around! As I mentioned before, there are some differences in our environment but maybe I will end up making a “field edition” video once I’m (mostly) comfortable with a layout for that environment. Everyone's a critic, but I can tell the difference between someone who is contributing to the discussion and someone who just wants to be right (thankfully not the case here lol). It is a process, we’re constantly trying our gear and seeing what works best for us. But I think you’re right, I often overthink things and ultimately, I’d still be ok in most situations. I think it’s so good that you’re thinking about these things and finding ways to improve. I’ve had some experience, like most people in this category, but I’m definitely not an expert.

I think this commentary will have a positive impact on anyone who reads it (and people would probably benefit if you did make a video lol)

Stay safe out there! I’m looking forward to more feedback and suggestions from you in the future. -James

[GreyManPrepping]

Stumbled across the channel like the content! Florida Native here! I myself have a get home bag as well as a full bugout bag as well. Carry some of the same gear! Look forward to seeing more of your videos.

[SuperSkunkWorks]

​ @American Drifter Excellent video and well thought out GHB with the caveats and comments made by a few here. My GHB is similar in contents to yours with a few variations. One thing I would like to point out to everyone though, is the fact that when presented with chaos, civil unrest, and general disaster conditions, the worst in some people can come out especially from those with evil in their mind already, A backpack (GHB) of ANY color or size will no doubt signal resources inside to bad folks and will certainly make you a target. While a Gray Man approach is helpful in delaying being noticed, you will be a target. I would suggest staying away from people and prying eyes while you make your way back home. It may not be easy, and it may require you to take a path through wooded areas to conceal yourself and taking additional time from your destination, but it's preferred to being jumped and relieved of your bag with possible personal injury or even death.

[darylthomas]

Just when I thought I seen the ultimate items then you came along. I like the fire crackers ideal. I would advise you to add a Kimber pepper blaster and night vision monocular at Walmart one sells for $128.99

[ryewhiskeyfan]

Never underestimate the uses of a fencing tool even in urban situations.
Smoke is a good thing. Never crossed my mind for the fireworks option.
Well done.