Never heard of it?
Dont worry its just like it sounds.
What Is It?
The farther you live from home, the more difficult one of these events might make the return.
You might wonder what kind of event would prevent you from hopping in your car and driving home.
Here are two examples that you may be familiar with.
Freeways collapsed and fires broke out.
Many cars were damaged or destroyed from falling buildings and debris.
Mass transit was offline.
Getting home suddenly became a major ordeal.
No American alive and aware on September 11, 2001, will forget the attacks.
When the World Trade Center towers collapsed, so did most of the New York City non-emergency infrastructure.
In each of these incidents, a portable kit can make a huge impact on getting you home successfully.
Lets take a look at what you should consider including in a get home bag.
Scott Conditt put together an article titled Building Your 24-Hour Get Home Bag.
It is well worth the read.
Im not a high-speed operator with multiple deployments.
The base for your get home kit is the bag itself.
For me, that bag is the Maxpedition Condor-II backpack.
It is exceptionally durable and resistant to scuffs, stains and abrasions.
It is also large enough for me to pack everything I need into it.
You should design your get home bag to serve in a variety of emergencies.
Some of those emergencies will include the necessity of self-defense.
For me, I like theSpringfield Armory XD Service Model.
This full-size pistol offers a 4 barrel for improved accuracy and velocity combined with large sights.
A get home bag should enhance your ability to live your life not be a financial drain.
This pistol provides additional security without crushing your budget.
With the pistol, you need a quality carry rig.
Id recommend taking a look at the Safariland 6378 ALS holster.
It locks the gun securely into place with a natural release mechanism that is easy to learn.
Further, the rig includes a paddle back to make it very fast to get on.
I understand that paddle holsters frequently get a bad rap as being weak and insecure.
Those are legitimate complaints for some designs.
However, paddle holsters from Safarliand are very secure and solidly anchor a gun to your belt.
When used as directed, this rig is extremely reliable.
Another item you need in your bag is a quality flashlight.
It should be bright enough for tactical use and durable enough to handle various impacts and the elements.
You want a handheld light instead of a weapon-mounted light as navigation is a probable use.
Even if you carry a flashlight normally, I recommend adding one to your get-home bag.
These tend to hold their charge for a longer period of time than rechargeables and alkalines.
The Streamlight ProTac HL is an excellent choice.
Ive tested this model extensively and it proved to be extremely durable.
Consider adding a lightweight pair of athletic shoes and socks to your bag.
A pair of Nikes or New Balance shoes can make all the difference.
Also consider having water and dried snacks on hand.
Water is heavy, but it is also critical for staying hydrated.
Heat and dehydration can take you out quicker than many other things.
Plus, water can be used for washing down a couple of Tylenol or cleaning out a wound.
First aid is another concern that should be addressed in your get home bag.
I recommend two kits: a bleeding control kit and a boo-boo kit.
The bleeding control kit should include a tourniquet, compression bandage and a hemostatic agent.
A map of the area is a good idea.
Many people work in one location for years but never really get to know the surrounding area.
A poncho is another good thing to have in your get home bag.
When walking out, it can keep rain off of you and retain body heat.
Final Thoughts
Bad things happen to good people all the time.
When you put together your get home bag, think about your daily activities and commute.
As you think about your plan, helpful gear items will naturally suggest themselves.
If there is something you feel you oughta add, go for it.
Just remember that every item you adds will weigh you down over a long hike.
