Thanks for doing a more realistic GHB review. I get tired of seeing people who work a couple miles from home and have a bag that looks like they’re ready to backpack in the wilderness for a month! And as you said, these bags are personally tailored - what one person wants isn’t going to be what someone else needs to walk a few blocks.
@@bledsoetx Truth! Before this video I saw a guy that keeps a large backpack and prepared for a fishing expedition, camp setup, bushcrafting, 3 course meals every day, 10 different fire starting methods and on and on. I work 50 miles from home and I'm well prepped with a Eberlestock hydration pack and 3600 calories worth of food bars, reflective tarp, and a poncho. I do keep cold weather clothes and boots in my car though, separately
might be pointless to comment on a 4 year old video, but I'm glad to see someone being practical minded with a get home bag haha. Before this one I saw a guy that keeps a large backpack and prepared for a fishing expedition, camp setup, bushcrafting, 3 course meals every day, 10 different fire starting methods and on and on. I work 50 miles from home and I'm well prepped with a Eberlestock hydration pack and 3600 calories worth of food bars, and a poncho. I do keep cold weather clothes and boots in my car though, separately
Nice and simple, very well presented. Everyone has there own environment to consider. I work 30 miles from home. So I add a few extra peices of equipment, for overnight.
Good job, fits you and your needs, Im 60 and work 30 miles from home, every few weeks I may have to cover another facility 60 plus miles from home so I set up for several days, If im just broke down Im staying where Im at and get a ride...I prepare for the hopefully never happens situation, I got more food, 4 days maintenance meds, and shelter gear, redundancy for all of it...As I mentioned Im 60, hip replaced, one knee bone on bone, Lumbar issues so hiking distance would be a last resort but one I would do if I had to...I keep extra MREs and a case of water in my truck at all times along with my get home bag, If its a situation I can wait out a couple days far from home I will hunker down in my truck...Im thinking of doing a real grey man load out video (Bald, arthritis, ect) We are out there, we may be slow, and walk funny but you got to be tough to get old! :)
Thanks for the great comments. You strategy sounds very good and makes a lot of sense for your situation. Please let us know if you create the grey man load out video. We would love to see it.
Great video! I have to suggest SOCKS. You can go commando, your feet - not so much. Clean dry socks are a morale booster, help prevent blisters (and worse), are CRITICAL as it gets colder, and can double as mittens in a pinch.
Nice points you make. I actually have 3 bags in my car.....the first is a sling bag which is pretty much similar to your bag, second is actually a fishing bag with a strap on it with additional items such as a rain suit, emergency mylar tent, stakes, a small folding saw, a folding stove, an additional flashlight, fire starting kit, and survival items. I have a third bag with winter clothing if I need to enter bad weather conditions, and two light weight trecking poles. I carry my CCW on my person and a full tang knife as well as a compass & map in the car. Just in case I can wear the clothing in bag 3 if necessary due to weather conditions and the 1st sling bag is my primary bag but the second bag is easily carried or left behind if not needed but it is lite and not a problem to carry if desired. Of course I also have my cell phone on me with GPS installed on it and a way to charge it with my crank flash light.
I use your 3 Day Tactical bag for my Get Home Bag. Great design. I love the three detachable pockets. Great way to keep kits separate but accessible. Love it!! Keep up the great work.
Nice segment, I sometimes travel as much as 250 miles from home, not infrequently, so my bag is larger but under 30 lbs. I actually have a 2nd bag as do other readers here for clothes only. Thanks
So, obviously got triggered by the 'Real' in the title, so had to watch it … then i also want to give some feedback, which may also make you understand why some bags are just huge and big, but if you got a small distance to go, and you want to be prepared for the 96% of emergencies, where 'an earthquake' is the biggest possible threat… some things i picked up from other people over the years and from theory crafting… Some things i genuinely think are missing (with some suggestions thrown in) : - Personal Protection Equipement, eyes, ears, mouth/nose, and hands. I tend to just have a module for this in my EDC bag; safety glasses, ear plugs, couple of M3 mask and work gloves. During a disaster you may need to get stuff out of your way, feel obliged to help somebody free themselves, break glass, touch something hot, etc (hence having some work gloves); have dust and fires all over the place (the masks); and sirens, shouting, panic all around you distracting your thoughts (earplugs), and if there are aftershocks and some building decides to cave in stuff flying everywhere (hence the glasses). - Seeing you mention 'earth quake' as the biggest threat, you may also want to consider some signalling devices, mainly to signal if you are stuck somewhere underneath a building. Think glowsticks, smoke signal and whistle, maybe not a signal mirror (though it may be smart to also have one of those, esp. if there is no mirror in your first aid kit to look for facial wounds or wounds on other places, so if you want a mirror anyways, why not a signal mirror. (or you may want to leave a signal, glow stick smoke with somebody you find but can't rescue yourself) - Add a couple of contractor bags and a hank of paracord. Weighs nothing, but still mighty useful for building a shelter, something to sleep on (browse bed, fill bag with leafs), can cover a body if needs be, close of a window, burns black smoke, etc and so on. - I am personally not fond of 'seasonal bags', because of Murphey's law, so perhaps consider getting a thermal base layer in there at all times; esp. in the spring and autumn temperature swings between the evening and day can be pretty big, having another layer to put on underneath your actual clothing incase you get stranded or need to make that detour (or if you forgot to update you bag in time) can make a lot of difference in regards to being entirely miserable (or getting hypothermic) and just roughing it. Also folds up small and is light... consider getting a small waterproof bag to keep it in (together with the hat), say you get soaking wet from the rain, get stuck, you will want something dry to put on after you got that shelter up and a fire going (or ya know, somebody offered you some shelter in their home (as surely there are still nice people in the USA), and a base layer 'can do for clothing' while the rest dries out, but only if it stayed dry! (there are like 1L or 2.5L small dry bags) - A small radio, can just be an ear plug thing, but having information about what is happening around you during an emergency on some local station is important, and if it's just a case of your car breaking down or a sunny day and you decide to walk back home, well some music is always nice … (but obviously it's for Information). - Somebody else already mention it, but consider taking a charger with AA or AAA batteries, these can also go in your radio, or your head flashlight, and can charge your phone, they are also easier to come by (hopefully) than a wall socket which may not even work ... Though while on the subject of lighting, if you are walking home (for all but mayor SHTF), you are likely going to use 'the road' to walk next to, and seeing how you mention darkness, consider getting one of those 'running' red light things, or clip on bike lights. There is a variety to choose from, but being visible for others while you walk in the dark (if you choose to do so) can be a life saver. - Maybe keep a list of important phone numbers in there as well, just in case you can only use a land line, and the phone broke. We aren't used to remembering these anymore, so having an analog list may proof useful. So yeah, you got a good start, you have a clear defined goal for the bag, have a plan. Now you just 'need' to add all the things that have to deal with the emergencies you want to be ready for, and for any eventualities that might come with it. Don't think i added kilos to your bag, nor taken up a lot of room in it. So please consider adding these items, for the described purposes...
Thank you for the great, well thought out comments. We will definitely be adding some of your suggestions to the bag. They make a lot of sense. Thank you for taking the time to write and explain your thought process and logic behind the suggestions.
"Dutch" I agree with everything you stated, this is another case of not realizing how bad things can get. He has perhaps a first step, but much more thought had better go into his gear....just my thought
Thanks for the information, I live in Tokyo and as you know, we deal with earthquakes on a regular basis. My EDC is very similar and I have had to walk home even if a train line is delayed during a lightning storm. It’s nice to be prepared.
I bought the out law sling pack about 3 years ago. It was edc bag. I kept first aid , fire kit, self defense and some other items. On the second day the thin nylon divider in the top front pocket came apart. The only things that were in there was small O light a tooth pick holder and a travel size mouth wash. The rest of the bag held up great.
Thanks Paul for the comments. I am sorry to hear about the nylon divider coming apart. We are always working hard to make our bags better and I will pass on your comments to our product development team.
I like some of the ideas you had behind your selection for each item. I am trying to design two bags for an elderly couple that want them but have some significant limitations. They can walk but what most of us can walk in an hour or two is a day long hike for them and they will be sore the next day. I have to keep the bags light but also have everything they will need for that multi-day challenge for them. I would expect that each day they will probably travel less than the previous day. They also will be limited to traveling on improved surfaces, no sneaking behind the foliage for them so I also have to make it look like their "gear" is junk. A "Dora" back pack not quality gear like your company sells. My brain is straining to figure this out, light, durable but look cheap so it doesn't make them an unnecessary target. I'll go crazy figuring this one out.
Rick Kephart I feel your frustration. I am not able to walk miles and miles at a time. Slow but sure. I went to amazon and purchased a walker that has a seat and hidden small basket in seat. It’s weight limit is 250lbs. My bag is an osprey regular size back back it’s perfect for me. I have used the walker and “hiked”. With my bag. And in a pinch you can use zip ties to brace an umbrella to walker. It’s just an idea for you. Necessity is the mother of invention
I suggest you have two bags. The first one has all the clothing items that you will need to change into to get fit for the traveling you will do. That bag you will empty and leave behind. That leaves only the consumables and other items you need on your day or two journey. That bag can be light and unobtrusive, and not be a big neon sign that says "come rob me, I've got lot's of stuff". The style of bag you chose is just such a sign. You'd be better off with a shopping bag. The s
I work from home and I do have a get home bag for those times when I drive a distance away from home . I was debating on making this bag or just a bug out bag for extended periods such as an evacuation.
I hope if anything ever goes down, you're at work. Four miles isn't bad at all. It would suck if you were at temple square looking at the lights during Christmas and it hit the fan.
If you are not doing periodic maintenance on your bag, your battery pack may not have a charge. I suggest switching to a AA or AAA battery charger. You can always pick up extra batteries. Also the lithium AA and AAA batteries will not lose their charge as fast as a power bank.
Great look at a "get home from work a short distance bag". Unfortunately, I have to plan my "Car Emergency Bag" expecting to spend more time on foot. My work is only 5 miles from home, but three times a week I have to travel 25 miles from home for other activities, and at least twice a month I travel 70 miles away to visit my daughter and her husband. I choose to build an emergency bag around the furthest that I travel on any "routine" basis. Seventy miles is then what I plan for. Of course, if something happens while at work, I'll simply take things out that won't be needed. But if I am up to 70 miles away, it is better to have what I need, including sheltering, and lightweight cooking options. The stuff that I need barely fits into the Paratus pack.
Good vid.. I'm just curious. Have you ever considered the "catastrophic event" might occur when your away from home in which case you would need your i.n.c.h. bag with you. I asked myself this question and decided to replace my g.h.b with my i.n.c.h. bag. Earthquakes, major natural disasters my leave nothing left of your home or i.n.c.h bag.
Your own personal GHB. You criticize other bags and contents yet you say the GHB depends on my situation, yada, yada. It was so refreshing to have an expert tell us how to build a "Real" Get Home Bag.
I was in an earthquake in Mexicali Mexico right in the border, it was a 7.2 magnitude it lasted 45 seconds but it was a really strong one, we had no cell service for four and a half hours, you couldn’t cross to the US for sometime. The water got cut out for a day and half and we had no electricity for 2 days. Some bridges got collapsed and many roads and streets had fissures some almost 1 meter wide, many people couldn’t get home because of the damages in the areas. A lot of underground pipes from clean water to dirty water broke, it was a mess. How about adding a small packet of Kleenex tissues, you can use it from blowing your nose to wiping the bottom dry.
I’m exactly 26 miles from home when I’m at work probably more like 22-24 if I can take short cuts. So my pack has a ton of stuff in it. If I had to and set my mind to it I could probably get home in one day.
Smaller med kit. Blister kit, band aids, etc. leave the big one in the car and fluff up with a ton of gauze for car wreck victims you find. Yak trax for winter. If you need a shelter that doubles as clothing a USGI poncho, with a Woobie blanket for comfort. Head lamp, one you can run with.
We're lucky to live in utah the majority of the people will all work together to help one another but my friend you live in the Salt Lake valley a couple miles might not be that easy.
@Star Gazer1212 hahaha ha. It's funny because you're accusing Mormons of doing exactly what you just did to Mormons. We're a distant second only to the Jewish people in persecution. And you obviously either know a few bad Mormons or just believe what every drunk asshole says he heard was true about Mormons.
What about particulates in the air; smoke, concrete dust, burning fuel, etc.? Do you need a filtering mask? What about eye protection? Do you have a trauma kit? At least a tourniquet? If you have a cut artery you've got about 60 seconds to get one on. Can you get out of your building if the exits are blocked? Break glass? Are you always on the first floor? A lot here should be re-thought...
Thanks for the great comments. Yes, there is a trauma kit as part of the med kit. Our building only has one floor with about six different exits. Getting out should not be a problem. The bag is constantly evolving and changing. Thanks for the food for thought.
just a thought, just because you only live about 3 to 4 miles from work doesnt mean thats where you will be in a bad situation....in my opinion you should think about how far away is friends houses, the local mall, the gun range, places you frequently go and pick the farthest one away and build your bag off of those distances....like i said just my opinion!
Correct. I think Kirk does mention that most of his trips are with seven miles. Obviously, there probably are times when he is traveling further than that and I believe he is/has adjusted his bag based on a lot of the comments. Thanks for watching and for making your suggestion.
3V Gear Different people like to have different things, but as somebody that has put my get home bag to the test regularly, I carried a multi tool for years and never used it once. A multi tool can't do anything that can't be achieved some other way. My bag is set up for 6 days and thru trial and error has been reduced from 25lbs to 18lbs with decent comfort for a bad situation.
Face it, most people have never walked from sunrise to sunset. If you haven't walked the distance from work or shopping to home, try it sometime. A healthy person can keep up 2-4 miles per hour over paved roads and sidewalks for hours. If you are in good condition you can cover 10 miles in two hours, but not wearing a pack unless you are in great condition and practice with it. Over trails, through fields, over fences, it can get slower. Wearing a pack it gets slower. Up to 25 miles, that's a single day walk with a very light pack. Stop a couple times to grab a bite to eat, get a drink, hit the can. I've walked those distances, during the day, at night, it was a safer time back then, and there were more people walking regularly just to get places. If you don't regularly wear comfortable shoes, put a broken in pair of shoes, boots, sneakers with your GHB, and maybe some good socks too. And leave the uncomfortable shoes behind. You don't need the weight. Unless it is brutal hot , a little dehydration or hunger won't kill you. Most days you won't need more than 3 liters of water and a couple snacks to cover 25 miles. Sure, you may need some recovery time once you get home, but don't overpack, that will slow you down. So will stopping to make a fire, filter water, skin a rabbit, build a bridge. Just get home. Other points, go through your bag to ensure you are packed for the right time of year. Replace the snacks once in a while. Summer, a wide brim hat will go a long way. If you think you will be going past riots, tear gas, fires, prepare for it. If you think you will need a bump cap or a gas mask, sure, but if you don't need it, leave it behind. Stash cash in multiple pockets. Ten bucks for the thugs, thirty bucks for that last ride out of Dodge, a donation to the church where you hid out from the weather, et cetera.
Thanks for the comment and we are glad to hear the Posse is going strong. The Versa Flow does not remove heavy metals or chemicals. You need a filter with activated carbon to remove those things. Hydro Blue does make a straw filter called The Sidekick that has activated carbon and hollow fiber. hydroblu.com/sidekick-3-stage-straw-water-filter/ Another brand out there that is doing some cool stuff is Renovo Water. They are making some really intersting filters. renovowater.com/
Well thought out vid, great job. I too am getting tired of massive get home bag vids, some may need it, most don't. I'd ask you to consider... - Socks - immediate relief from soaked feet AND double as mittens. - Multitool - you never know. - Cash & Coins - not all get home scenarios are primitive. I personally have not embraced the sling bag but that's personal preference. I would suggest not using a "military style" bag. I'm sure you're familiar with but would recommend you revisit the "grey man" concept. Again, thanks much!
I like that you carry extra protein bars and mention that you could hand some out to someone in need. Disasters often times require us going above and beyond our own needs. I think we sometimes forget the need to help others. We are stronger together. I'm going to start to carry more than my immediate needs. Also, I have kids and sometimes they might be with me so it makes sense for me to have some provisions to share with them.
But you have to imagine you may not be at work !! You are returning from the grocery store, or returning from a friends house or a sporting event. What if you do need to travel 20-30 miles to get back home or to your #2 spot. I believe you do need to prepare for a day or two's travel.
You have walking shoes? You have body glide? You have a way to get clean water? You have some electrolytes? You have some protection from the elements? You have a way to protect yourself? You have a way to make sure you don't trip in the dark?
Hi Brett, Thanks for the comment. This video was made for Kirk's needs. Most of your questions were answered in the video. You have walking shoes? (He wears them everyday.) You have body glide? (No. He is is a active runner and doesn't use glide for running multiple hours. If it was going to take days to get home he would probably add some.) You have a way to get clean water? (Yes, it is in the video. Water bottle and water filter.) You have some electrolytes? (No. If this was a bug out bag he would add them.) You have some protection from the elements? (Yes, it is in the video.) You have a way to protect yourself? (Yes, but you don't need to tell people that.) You have a way to make sure you don't trip in the dark? (Yes, it is in the video. Headlamp.)
Thanks for the comment. The Versa Flow water filter is made of hollow fiber tubes and unless there is water in the tubes that freeze, the filter will be fine. But you are correct that it would be safer to keep it indoors just in case.
This doesn't really seem like a get home bag. Dont get me wrong mine is quite large (videos on the channel) but i also prepared for a 50mile worst case scenario. It seems like this is a sunny day prep. Your plan is that your gonna be 6 miles and the weather is gonna be mild enough to wear a light jacket....definitely not the approach most people take which explains why their bags are larger(and more prepared)
If I'd work 3 miles from home, I'd go there by bike or electric scooter, no need to worry about the car. A cheap 2-way radio will work in case of cell failure for that distance, and your wife can have one too.
I just ran across your "vid". I too live in the West, so somewhat familiar with your mind set, However, even IF you have only a "short way" to go to make back to your home, when things go bad, the really go BAD! I might suggest you improve your Med kit, make it an "Ifak", a TQ, Blood Stopper Gauze, Pressure Bandage , face mast and eye protection. Never rely on just ONE source of light, what about "self protection", are you armed? Just think about how bad things can get, it might improve you outlook on what you put into you bag. Oh, one other thing, maybe you might want to "think' about giving away any of your gear that might NOT be a good idea....there are bad people, even in Utah!
Carry 2 smaller water bottles. Get a hole in your big container and that’s all your water gone. Having a big bottle on view is going to make you a target. People do stupid things when they are dehydrated. What you gonna do if some big guy asks you to spare some water?
IMHO...By your own admission, you are only a 20-30 minute walk from home. Why do you need anything other than maybe a water bottle and a bit of cash? You also state that most bags you see online are overkill in the same breath you say that they need to personalized to a persons individual needs and wants.
Agreed . . . still a lot of useless stuff. And his "communications" are sad. You would think he and his wife at least had technician licenses so they could use 2 meter, 70 cm VHF/UHF ham radios. Oh well . . . guys like this will just provide gear to others as they drop it along their path . . . . just like overburdened foot soldiers all throughout history. ;o)
You are correct. It is more for the times when maybe something happens and you need a few "tools" or the four miles no longer becomes a direct route. If it is distance alone, few of us would really need a bag.
Or you could put a bag together for a two month, 1,000 mile walk. Now that would be a "real" get home bag. Sarcasm aside, everyone has a different situation. Build a bag that is right for you. I'm sorry if your commute would take you three days to get home.
Thanks for doing a more realistic GHB review. I get tired of seeing people who work a couple miles from home and have a bag that looks like they’re ready to backpack in the wilderness for a month! And as you said, these bags are personally tailored - what one person wants isn’t going to be what someone else needs to walk a few blocks.
Thanks for the great comment! Couldn't agree more.
@Leslie B Thanks for the comment.
So you acknowledge that the bags are personally tailored yet you get tired of seeing people ..." Makes sense to me.
After watching years of ridiculous "get home bags" I just refer to those guys as "Johnny Junk Trucks".
@@bledsoetx Truth! Before this video I saw a guy that keeps a large backpack and prepared for a fishing expedition, camp setup, bushcrafting, 3 course meals every day, 10 different fire starting methods and on and on. I work 50 miles from home and I'm well prepped with a Eberlestock hydration pack and 3600 calories worth of food bars, reflective tarp, and a poncho. I do keep cold weather clothes and boots in my car though, separately
might be pointless to comment on a 4 year old video, but I'm glad to see someone being practical minded with a get home bag haha. Before this one I saw a guy that keeps a large backpack and prepared for a fishing expedition, camp setup, bushcrafting, 3 course meals every day, 10 different fire starting methods and on and on. I work 50 miles from home and I'm well prepped with a Eberlestock hydration pack and 3600 calories worth of food bars, and a poncho. I do keep cold weather clothes and boots in my car though, separately
Nice and simple, very well presented. Everyone has there own environment to consider. I work 30 miles from home. So I add a few extra peices of equipment, for overnight.
Nice loadout! Nice point of view about having a realistic GHB! That was great. Cheers from Rio, Brazil!
You deserve more subscribers,really good channel
Great video! Love seeing what variations in gear people carry in their go bags.
Good job, fits you and your needs, Im 60 and work 30 miles from home, every few weeks I may have to cover another facility 60 plus miles from home so I set up for several days, If im just broke down Im staying where Im at and get a ride...I prepare for the hopefully never happens situation, I got more food, 4 days maintenance meds, and shelter gear, redundancy for all of it...As I mentioned Im 60, hip replaced, one knee bone on bone, Lumbar issues so hiking distance would be a last resort but one I would do if I had to...I keep extra MREs and a case of water in my truck at all times along with my get home bag, If its a situation I can wait out a couple days far from home I will hunker down in my truck...Im thinking of doing a real grey man load out video (Bald, arthritis, ect) We are out there, we may be slow, and walk funny but you got to be tough to get old! :)
Thanks for the great comments. You strategy sounds very good and makes a lot of sense for your situation. Please let us know if you create the grey man load out video. We would love to see it.
You don’t need a bag....you need a helicopter
Great video! I have to suggest SOCKS. You can go commando, your feet - not so much. Clean dry socks are a morale booster, help prevent blisters (and worse), are CRITICAL as it gets colder, and can double as mittens in a pinch.
Really good job. I drive for work and am often 30 to 40 miles from home. Coupled with Chicago weather I carry extra clothes and shelter items.
Great video about a great sling bag. Thanks for pointing out the medic pouch. I was wondering about that.
Nice points you make. I actually have 3 bags in my car.....the first is a sling bag which is pretty much similar to your bag, second is actually a fishing bag with a strap on it with additional items such as a rain suit, emergency mylar tent, stakes, a small folding saw, a folding stove, an additional flashlight, fire starting kit, and survival items. I have a third bag with winter clothing if I need to enter bad weather conditions, and two light weight trecking poles. I carry my CCW on my person and a full tang knife as well as a compass & map in the car. Just in case I can wear the clothing in bag 3 if necessary due to weather conditions and the 1st sling bag is my primary bag but the second bag is easily carried or left behind if not needed but it is lite and not a problem to carry if desired. Of course I also have my cell phone on me with GPS installed on it and a way to charge it with my crank flash light.
Great ideas. It is always interesting to see what other people are carrying and using.
I use your 3 Day Tactical bag for my Get Home Bag. Great design. I love the three detachable pockets. Great way to keep kits separate but accessible. Love it!! Keep up the great work.
Nice segment, I sometimes travel as much as 250 miles from home, not infrequently, so my bag is larger but under 30 lbs. I actually have a 2nd bag as do other readers here for clothes only. Thanks
So, obviously got triggered by the 'Real' in the title, so had to watch it … then i also want to give some feedback, which may also make you understand why some bags are just huge and big, but if you got a small distance to go, and you want to be prepared for the 96% of emergencies, where 'an earthquake' is the biggest possible threat… some things i picked up from other people over the years and from theory crafting… Some things i genuinely think are missing (with some suggestions thrown in) :
- Personal Protection Equipement, eyes, ears, mouth/nose, and hands. I tend to just have a module for this in my EDC bag; safety glasses, ear plugs, couple of M3 mask and work gloves. During a disaster you may need to get stuff out of your way, feel obliged to help somebody free themselves, break glass, touch something hot, etc (hence having some work gloves); have dust and fires all over the place (the masks); and sirens, shouting, panic all around you distracting your thoughts (earplugs), and if there are aftershocks and some building decides to cave in stuff flying everywhere (hence the glasses).
- Seeing you mention 'earth quake' as the biggest threat, you may also want to consider some signalling devices, mainly to signal if you are stuck somewhere underneath a building. Think glowsticks, smoke signal and whistle, maybe not a signal mirror (though it may be smart to also have one of those, esp. if there is no mirror in your first aid kit to look for facial wounds or wounds on other places, so if you want a mirror anyways, why not a signal mirror. (or you may want to leave a signal, glow stick smoke with somebody you find but can't rescue yourself)
- Add a couple of contractor bags and a hank of paracord. Weighs nothing, but still mighty useful for building a shelter, something to sleep on (browse bed, fill bag with leafs), can cover a body if needs be, close of a window, burns black smoke, etc and so on.
- I am personally not fond of 'seasonal bags', because of Murphey's law, so perhaps consider getting a thermal base layer in there at all times; esp. in the spring and autumn temperature swings between the evening and day can be pretty big, having another layer to put on underneath your actual clothing incase you get stranded or need to make that detour (or if you forgot to update you bag in time) can make a lot of difference in regards to being entirely miserable (or getting hypothermic) and just roughing it. Also folds up small and is light... consider getting a small waterproof bag to keep it in (together with the hat), say you get soaking wet from the rain, get stuck, you will want something dry to put on after you got that shelter up and a fire going (or ya know, somebody offered you some shelter in their home (as surely there are still nice people in the USA), and a base layer 'can do for clothing' while the rest dries out, but only if it stayed dry! (there are like 1L or 2.5L small dry bags)
- A small radio, can just be an ear plug thing, but having information about what is happening around you during an emergency on some local station is important, and if it's just a case of your car breaking down or a sunny day and you decide to walk back home, well some music is always nice … (but obviously it's for Information).
- Somebody else already mention it, but consider taking a charger with AA or AAA batteries, these can also go in your radio, or your head flashlight, and can charge your phone, they are also easier to come by (hopefully) than a wall socket which may not even work ... Though while on the subject of lighting, if you are walking home (for all but mayor SHTF), you are likely going to use 'the road' to walk next to, and seeing how you mention darkness, consider getting one of those 'running' red light things, or clip on bike lights. There is a variety to choose from, but being visible for others while you walk in the dark (if you choose to do so) can be a life saver.
- Maybe keep a list of important phone numbers in there as well, just in case you can only use a land line, and the phone broke. We aren't used to remembering these anymore, so having an analog list may proof useful.
So yeah, you got a good start, you have a clear defined goal for the bag, have a plan. Now you just 'need' to add all the things that have to deal with the emergencies you want to be ready for, and for any eventualities that might come with it. Don't think i added kilos to your bag, nor taken up a lot of room in it. So please consider adding these items, for the described purposes...
Thank you for the great, well thought out comments. We will definitely be adding some of your suggestions to the bag. They make a lot of sense. Thank you for taking the time to write and explain your thought process and logic behind the suggestions.
@@3vgear NP :) … stay safe out there.
"Dutch" I agree with everything you stated, this is another case of not realizing how bad things can get. He has perhaps a first step, but much more thought had better go into his gear....just my thought
Thanks for the information, I live in Tokyo and as you know, we deal with earthquakes on a regular basis. My EDC is very similar and I have had to walk home even if a train line is delayed during a lightning storm. It’s nice to be prepared.
Great video man 👍🏻cool bag and good utility.
Still love my outlaw that I bought 3 years ago!! This video is really helpful on what to put into the next one I buy for this purpose
Thanks @cheezyweezz. Love to hear this and glad to hear that this kind of content is resonating with you.
I bought the out law sling pack about 3 years ago. It was edc bag. I kept first aid , fire kit, self defense and some other items. On the second day the thin nylon divider in the top front pocket came apart. The only things that were in there was small O light a tooth pick holder and a travel size mouth wash. The rest of the bag held up great.
Thanks Paul for the comments. I am sorry to hear about the nylon divider coming apart. We are always working hard to make our bags better and I will pass on your comments to our product development team.
You get what you pay for.
Very informative and educational, thank you very much
I like some of the ideas you had behind your selection for each item. I am trying to design two bags for an elderly couple that want them but have some significant limitations. They can walk but what most of us can walk in an hour or two is a day long hike for them and they will be sore the next day. I have to keep the bags light but also have everything they will need for that multi-day challenge for them. I would expect that each day they will probably travel less than the previous day. They also will be limited to traveling on improved surfaces, no sneaking behind the foliage for them so I also have to make it look like their "gear" is junk. A "Dora" back pack not quality gear like your company sells. My brain is straining to figure this out, light, durable but look cheap so it doesn't make them an unnecessary target. I'll go crazy figuring this one out.
Rick Kephart I feel your frustration. I am not able to walk miles and miles at a time. Slow but sure. I went to amazon and purchased a walker that has a seat and hidden small basket in seat. It’s weight limit is 250lbs. My bag is an osprey regular size back back it’s perfect for me. I have used the walker and “hiked”. With my bag. And in a pinch you can use zip ties to brace an umbrella to walker. It’s just an idea for you. Necessity is the mother of invention
@@bonniesplace3937 That sounds like an excellent idea. Much appreciated.
as long as you have the "core 4" food water fire shelter you should be good to go bro.
I'm also from Utah so I can relate to what your saying
I suggest you have two bags. The first one has all the clothing items that you will need to change into to get fit for the traveling you will do. That bag you will empty and leave behind. That leaves only the consumables and other items you need on your day or two journey. That bag can be light and unobtrusive, and not be a big neon sign that says "come rob me, I've got lot's of stuff". The style of bag you chose is just such a sign. You'd be better off with a shopping bag.
The s
Yep
I work from home and I do have a get home bag for those times when I drive a distance away from home . I was debating on making this bag or just a bug out bag for extended periods such as an evacuation.
Great vídeo!, all you need is there!
I hope if anything ever goes down, you're at work. Four miles isn't bad at all. It would suck if you were at temple square looking at the lights during Christmas and it hit the fan.
If you are not doing periodic maintenance on your bag, your battery pack may not have a charge. I suggest switching to a AA or AAA battery charger. You can always pick up extra batteries. Also the lithium AA and AAA batteries will not lose their charge as fast as a power bank.
Thanks for the great suggestions.
Fair point. What I do is continuously rotate my 2 charger units. Always pretty much up to charge.
Great look at a "get home from work a short distance bag". Unfortunately, I have to plan my "Car Emergency Bag" expecting to spend more time on foot. My work is only 5 miles from home, but three times a week I have to travel 25 miles from home for other activities, and at least twice a month I travel 70 miles away to visit my daughter and her husband. I choose to build an emergency bag around the furthest that I travel on any "routine" basis. Seventy miles is then what I plan for. Of course, if something happens while at work, I'll simply take things out that won't be needed. But if I am up to 70 miles away, it is better to have what I need, including sheltering, and lightweight cooking options. The stuff that I need barely fits into the Paratus pack.
Thanks for the comments Alan. Your planning sounds good to us. You could even make the Rapid Deployment Pack on your Paratus the "quick" get home bag.
Thanks for sharing
I could not find the water filter you are using. Can you provide the name (Versaflo)
The filter is the Versa Flow water filter by HydroBlu. Here is the link: hydroblu.com/versa-flow-light-weight-water-filter/
Thank you!
Good vid.. I'm just curious. Have you ever considered the "catastrophic event" might occur when your away from home in which case you would need your i.n.c.h. bag with you. I asked myself this question and decided to replace my g.h.b with my i.n.c.h. bag. Earthquakes, major natural disasters my leave nothing left of your home or i.n.c.h bag.
What is an I.n.c.h.?
Great video
Your own personal GHB. You criticize other bags and contents yet you say the GHB depends on my situation, yada, yada. It was so refreshing to have an expert tell us how to build a "Real" Get Home Bag.
I was in an earthquake in Mexicali Mexico right in the border, it was a 7.2 magnitude it lasted 45 seconds but it was a really strong one, we had no cell service for four and a half hours, you couldn’t cross to the US for sometime. The water got cut out for a day and half and we had no electricity for 2 days. Some bridges got collapsed and many roads and streets had fissures some almost 1 meter wide, many people couldn’t get home because of the damages in the areas. A lot of underground pipes from clean water to dirty water broke, it was a mess.
How about adding a small packet of Kleenex tissues, you can use it from blowing your nose to wiping the bottom dry.
I’m exactly 26 miles from home when I’m at work probably more like 22-24 if I can take short cuts. So my pack has a ton of stuff in it. If I had to and set my mind to it I could probably get home in one day.
Smaller med kit. Blister kit, band aids, etc. leave the big one in the car and fluff up with a ton of gauze for car wreck victims you find. Yak trax for winter. If you need a shelter that doubles as clothing a USGI poncho, with a Woobie blanket for comfort. Head lamp, one you can run with.
Thank you! Finally some common sense! I’d ad a firearm and some cash.
Thanks for sharing!
Great Video!
UPDATE EDIT: I need to check my hearing, xD
A water-bottle Bocket?
We're lucky to live in utah the majority of the people will all work together to help one another but my friend you live in the Salt Lake valley a couple miles might not be that easy.
I was thinking the same thing. That'd be the last place ide wan't to be. Glad i live further north but it does get brutally cold in the Utah winter
@Star Gazer1212 hahaha ha. It's funny because you're accusing Mormons of doing exactly what you just did to Mormons. We're a distant second only to the Jewish people in persecution. And you obviously either know a few bad Mormons or just believe what every drunk asshole says he heard was true about Mormons.
Nice Loadout the only thing I would add is a dozen or so zip ties and two big heavy little trash bags
What no TP?
Im not running in Utah Arizona California or any oter state
Good video indeed. I'd add a small mirror. While in a survival situation you may need it. Sorry for my vocabulary. English isn't my main language.
Thanks for the suggestion. Your English is quite good.
What about particulates in the air; smoke, concrete dust, burning fuel, etc.? Do you need a filtering mask? What about eye protection? Do you have a trauma kit? At least a tourniquet? If you have a cut artery you've got about 60 seconds to get one on. Can you get out of your building if the exits are blocked? Break glass? Are you always on the first floor? A lot here should be re-thought...
Thanks for the great comments. Yes, there is a trauma kit as part of the med kit. Our building only has one floor with about six different exits. Getting out should not be a problem. The bag is constantly evolving and changing. Thanks for the food for thought.
Thanks for the info... I subscribed
just a thought, just because you only live about 3 to 4 miles from work doesnt mean thats where you will be in a bad situation....in my opinion you should think about how far away is friends houses, the local mall, the gun range, places you frequently go and pick the farthest one away and build your bag off of those distances....like i said just my opinion!
Correct. I think Kirk does mention that most of his trips are with seven miles. Obviously, there probably are times when he is traveling further than that and I believe he is/has adjusted his bag based on a lot of the comments. Thanks for watching and for making your suggestion.
So in a crisis you're planning to go shopping at the mall, or shooting at the range???? Re-think your process. ;o)
Get a radio baufang or something like.
Thanks for the great suggestion!
A multitool perhaps ?
That is a great suggestion Kurd.
3V Gear
Different people like to have different things, but as somebody that has put my get home bag to the test regularly, I carried a multi tool for years and never used it once. A multi tool can't do anything that can't be achieved some other way.
My bag is set up for 6 days and thru trial and error has been reduced from 25lbs to 18lbs with decent comfort for a bad situation.
Face it, most people have never walked from sunrise to sunset. If you haven't walked the distance from work or shopping to home, try it sometime. A healthy person can keep up 2-4 miles per hour over paved roads and sidewalks for hours. If you are in good condition you can cover 10 miles in two hours, but not wearing a pack unless you are in great condition and practice with it. Over trails, through fields, over fences, it can get slower. Wearing a pack it gets slower. Up to 25 miles, that's a single day walk with a very light pack. Stop a couple times to grab a bite to eat, get a drink, hit the can.
I've walked those distances, during the day, at night, it was a safer time back then, and there were more people walking regularly just to get places.
If you don't regularly wear comfortable shoes, put a broken in pair of shoes, boots, sneakers with your GHB, and maybe some good socks too. And leave the uncomfortable shoes behind. You don't need the weight.
Unless it is brutal hot , a little dehydration or hunger won't kill you. Most days you won't need more than 3 liters of water and a couple snacks to cover 25 miles. Sure, you may need some recovery time once you get home, but don't overpack, that will slow you down. So will stopping to make a fire, filter water, skin a rabbit, build a bridge. Just get home.
Other points, go through your bag to ensure you are packed for the right time of year. Replace the snacks once in a while. Summer, a wide brim hat will go a long way.
If you think you will be going past riots, tear gas, fires, prepare for it. If you think you will need a bump cap or a gas mask, sure, but if you don't need it, leave it behind.
Stash cash in multiple pockets. Ten bucks for the thugs, thirty bucks for that last ride out of Dodge, a donation to the church where you hid out from the weather, et cetera.
I would add good walking shoes if you normally wear dress shoes to work, and a spare pair of glasses if you wear glasses or contacts.
Thanks for the great suggestions.
Thermal imager would be a priority
three years rockin my EDC Posse Sling bag for day hikes. does your filter remove voc's, heavy metals, and chemicals? thanks for sharing.
Thanks for the comment and we are glad to hear the Posse is going strong. The Versa Flow does not remove heavy metals or chemicals. You need a filter with activated carbon to remove those things. Hydro Blue does make a straw filter called The Sidekick that has activated carbon and hollow fiber. hydroblu.com/sidekick-3-stage-straw-water-filter/ Another brand out there that is doing some cool stuff is Renovo Water. They are making some really intersting filters. renovowater.com/
yes i know. i already have a sidekick and survivor filter.
Well thought out vid, great job. I too am getting tired of massive get home bag vids, some may need it, most don't. I'd ask you to consider...
- Socks - immediate relief from soaked feet AND double as mittens.
- Multitool - you never know.
- Cash & Coins - not all get home scenarios are primitive.
I personally have not embraced the sling bag but that's personal preference. I would suggest not using a "military style" bag. I'm sure you're familiar with but would recommend you revisit the "grey man" concept. Again, thanks much!
Thanks for the great comments and suggestions.
Get a big picture of a skate park and boards for camo of the bag
I like that you carry extra protein bars and mention that you could hand some out to someone in need. Disasters often times require us going above and beyond our own needs. I think we sometimes forget the need to help others. We are stronger together. I'm going to start to carry more than my immediate needs. Also, I have kids and sometimes they might be with me so it makes sense for me to have some provisions to share with them.
Thanks for the great comments.
i can run 3 miles in just under a week and a half...lol....gotta work on that fitness!
But you have to imagine you may not be at work !! You are returning from the grocery store, or returning from a friends house or a sporting event. What if you do need to travel 20-30 miles to get back home or to your #2 spot. I believe you do need to prepare for a day or two's travel.
Nice kit, put a battery bank , in a emergency the phone is very important
Sorry you have it
You have walking shoes? You have body glide? You have a way to get clean water? You have some electrolytes? You have some protection from the elements? You have a way to protect yourself? You have a way to make sure you don't trip in the dark?
Hi Brett, Thanks for the comment. This video was made for Kirk's needs. Most of your questions were answered in the video. You have walking shoes? (He wears them everyday.) You have body glide? (No. He is is a active runner and doesn't use glide for running multiple hours. If it was going to take days to get home he would probably add some.) You have a way to get clean water? (Yes, it is in the video. Water bottle and water filter.) You have some electrolytes? (No. If this was a bug out bag he would add them.) You have some protection from the elements? (Yes, it is in the video.) You have a way to protect yourself? (Yes, but you don't need to tell people that.) You have a way to make sure you don't trip in the dark? (Yes, it is in the video. Headlamp.)
@@3vgear I know. I watched the video. The comment is for the commentors. 7 minutes of attention span and all that.
If the water filter freezes it is ruined forever. Don’t leave it in the trunk. Better to keep it in a drawer or locker at work.
Thanks for the comment. The Versa Flow water filter is made of hollow fiber tubes and unless there is water in the tubes that freeze, the filter will be fine. But you are correct that it would be safer to keep it indoors just in case.
hi new sub good video thumbs up
This doesn't really seem like a get home bag. Dont get me wrong mine is quite large (videos on the channel) but i also prepared for a 50mile worst case scenario. It seems like this is a sunny day prep. Your plan is that your gonna be 6 miles and the weather is gonna be mild enough to wear a light jacket....definitely not the approach most people take which explains why their bags are larger(and more prepared)
Thanks for the comments. The bag does change constantly, as should yours, depending on your situation, like, climate, etc.
If I'd work 3 miles from home, I'd go there by bike or electric scooter, no need to worry about the car.
A cheap 2-way radio will work in case of cell failure for that distance, and your wife can have one too.
I just ran across your "vid". I too live in the West, so somewhat familiar with your mind set, However, even IF you have only a "short way" to go to make back to your home, when things go bad, the really go BAD! I might suggest you improve your Med kit, make it an "Ifak", a TQ, Blood Stopper Gauze, Pressure Bandage , face mast and eye protection. Never rely on just ONE source of light, what about "self protection", are you armed? Just think about how bad things can get, it might improve you outlook on what you put into you bag. Oh, one other thing, maybe you might want to "think' about giving away any of your gear that might NOT be a good idea....there are bad people, even in Utah!
Thank you for the great suggestions.
Carry 2 smaller water bottles. Get a hole in your big container and that’s all your water gone. Having a big bottle on view is going to make you a target. People do stupid things when they are dehydrated. What you gonna do if some big guy asks you to spare some water?
That is a great suggestion. Thanks.
IMHO...By your own admission, you are only a 20-30 minute walk from home. Why do you need anything other than maybe a water bottle and a bit of cash? You also state that most bags you see online are overkill in the same breath you say that they need to personalized to a persons individual needs and wants.
Agreed . . . still a lot of useless stuff. And his "communications" are sad. You would think he and his wife at least had technician licenses so they could use 2 meter, 70 cm VHF/UHF ham radios. Oh well . . . guys like this will just provide gear to others as they drop it along their path . . . . just like overburdened foot soldiers all throughout history. ;o)
You seem to cover most everything excluding a fire arm. I'm sure Utah has predatory animals
What You have here is a fun bag. No real thought put into a real effort to travel to your location.
3 miles 20 min. Come on 😂
Your video doesn’t back up your title claim at all
4 miles you don't need a bag
You are correct. It is more for the times when maybe something happens and you need a few "tools" or the four miles no longer becomes a direct route. If it is distance alone, few of us would really need a bag.
So this is a "real" bag for a 5 mile walk? Try putting one together fr one to three days, depending on where you're working. Those are "real" bags.
Or you could put a bag together for a two month, 1,000 mile walk. Now that would be a "real" get home bag. Sarcasm aside, everyone has a different situation. Build a bag that is right for you. I'm sorry if your commute would take you three days to get home.