No GHB - Why?

[JackDW]

I do not carry a Get Home Bag. I am 68yo and still working because I want to and not that I have to. I work about 8 miles from home with easy secondary roads the whole way. If something happened while at work, I do not wanted to be loaded down with big-ole bags. I will grab a couple bottles of water from work. Before leaving, I would try the ole truck, just to see. If not good, I will grab a small multi tool and a fire starter that I can put into my pocket. These are items I carry in the truck anyways. Depending upon the weather I also have a couple tarps, a light rain poncho and a blanket under my back seats. I will take ONLY what I need. The less I am carrying, the better off I will be, especially at my age.

I expect to be able to complete this walk in a couple hours. There are several places where I can refill the water bottles along the way, if necessary. In my opinion (and I have been known to be wrong), during the first few hours, people will be concerned but not dangerous. I expect my biggest delay will be people who want to talk. What is happening, when will things come back, etc. During these first few hours, I think a GHB will hinder me more than help.

Again, each person is different. It I worked a long way off, then, yes, I may want a bag. But, even in this case, I would have to consider how much luging a bag may show me down or reduce my travel distance before having to rest.

This is just my situation. But, I have at least considered it, which is BIG step number 1.

 

[Brent S]

I do not carry a Get Home Bag. I am 68yo and still working because I want to and not that I have to. I work about 8 miles from home with easy secondary roads the whole way. If something happened while at work, I do not wanted to be loaded down with big-ole bags. I will grab a couple bottles of water from work. Before leaving, I would try the ole truck, just to see. If not good, I will grab a small multi tool and a fire starter that I can put into my pocket. These are items I carry in the truck anyways. Depending upon the weather I also have a couple tarps, a light rain poncho and a blanket under my back seats. I will take ONLY what I need. The less I am carrying, the better off I will be, especially at my age.

I expect to be able to complete this walk in a couple hours. There are several places where I can refill the water bottles along the way, if necessary. In my opinion (and I have been known to be wrong), during the first few hours, people will be concerned but not dangerous. I expect my biggest delay will be people who want to talk. What is happening, when will things come back, etc. During these first few hours, I think a GHB will hinder me more than help.

Again, each person is different. It I worked a long way off, then, yes, I may want a bag. But, even in this case, I would have to consider how much luging a bag may show me down or reduce my travel distance before having to rest.

This is just my situation. But, I have at least considered it, which is BIG step number 1.

I think your under the impression that a get home bag needs to be large or comparable to a bug out bag. I’ve always felt that prepping is a customized process, and whatever you feel is right for you is right for you. I agree that most preppers have way too much gear to carry. I have amassed enough stuff that I probably couldn’t carry it a mile. Of course if I did have to evacuate I would pare it down quickly, but I’m mostly prepping with the idea of sheltering in place here. As far as a get home bag, I keep a kit in the vehicles. I like a portable water filter, some kind of snacks, multi tool, and some sort of fire starter. There are other considerations, like if forced to walk, do you have comfortable shoes and seasonal attire? Vehicles are great as you can carry a decent amount of stuff without feeling it in your back. If you are forced too hoof it you can just carry what you feel you need at that time.

 

[KateMTx]

My standard GHB is just an EDC backpack with the basics like "bottles of water" you mention and the other things I want at all times. But I also keep a few extra things there too because, for example, at work I often wear professional or business casual, which often includes heels, skirts, other clothes I don't necessarily want to be wearing after SHTF. Having something more appropriate for the walking distances will help me prevent a Bryce Dallas Howard in Jurassic World situation. But it's not like my GHB has all my preps in it or something.

 

[WGregMiller]

Me too, except for the skirt and heels, unless it’s Friday night.

I’d have to go around 20 miles, so dressy shoe replacements are in there, with a small med/blister kit. Water bottle, filter, other season specific stuff.

Oh yeah, fire starting stuff too. Perhaps a bit of weaponry, if I had such stuff

It weighs about 10 pounds, pack and all.

 

[KateMTx]

Me too, except for the skirt and heels, unless it’s Friday night.

I’d have to go around 20 miles, so dressy shoe replacements are in there, with a small med/blister kit. Water bottled filter, other season specific stuff.

Oh yeah, fire starting stuff too. Perhaps a bit of weaponry, if I had such stuff

It weighs about 10 pounds, pack and all.

I might definitely keep my dagger in there.

 

[bigpaul]

all my GHB stuff is in a small waist bag(know as a bum bag over here) very small and very light, kept under the drivers side seat permanently so its there when I need it.

 

[Brent S]

I might definitely keep my dagger in there.

I know not everyone likes or feels comfortable with firearms, but especially for a woman traveling alone it’s the best way to keep you safe. There are considerations for keeping it safe around children and such, but if anyone ever intends to do you harm it is a lot more effective than a knife.

 

[bigpaul]

the point of a GHB is to carry enough-but just enough- to get one home, its not like a bug out bag, its just enough supplies to get one back home in an emergency.
i'd hate to live in a country where I had to carry a gun all the time because I was so afraid of other people.

 

[JackDW]

Wow, thanks for the feedback. As you can see from my Profile, I just joined this forum and trying to "wrap" my mind around all of the considerations when/if an emergency pops up. As I start reading the comments, I now realize that I actually have it fairly easy. I had not considered what a female had to go through or even a male who's job requires them to dress "professional". One of the "takeaways" from this conversation, I will make sure I assist others less fortunate before I run out of the office. My only issue is my age as I know I have slowed down and not as durable as I used to be. But, even at my age, 8 miles is very doable so I can take time to assist other coworkers to give them the best possible start.

 

[Brent S]

Wow, thanks for the feedback. As you can see from my Profile, I just joined this forum and trying to "wrap" my mind around all of the considerations when/if an emergency pops up. As I start reading the comments, I now realize that I actually have it fairly easy. I had not considered what a female had to go through or even a male who's job requires them to dress "professional". One of the "takeaways" from this conversation, I will make sure I assist others less fortunate before I run out of the office. My only issue is my age as I know I have slowed down and not as durable as I used to be. But, even at my age, 8 miles is very doable so I can take time to assist other coworkers to give them the best possible start.

A big part of prepping for me is to be able to help others too. Lots feel that it’s it’s just survival of the fittest, but some are beyond help, but I believe in trying to take care of each other too.

 

[tmttactical]

the point of a GHB is to carry enough-but just enough- to get one home, its not like a bug out bag, its just enough supplies to get one back home in an emergency.
i'd hate to live in a country where I had to carry a gun all the time because I was so afraid of other people.

I carry 24/7/365 and I do not have to be afraid of other people. As it is said, Samuel Colt made us all equal. Young and old. Thug vs. Senior Citizen.

 

[KateMTx]

Wow, thanks for the feedback. As you can see from my Profile, I just joined this forum and trying to "wrap" my mind around all of the considerations when/if an emergency pops up. As I start reading the comments, I now realize that I actually have it fairly easy. I had not considered what a female had to go through or even a male who's job requires them to dress "professional". One of the "takeaways" from this conversation, I will make sure I assist others less fortunate before I run out of the office. My only issue is my age as I know I have slowed down and not as durable as I used to be. But, even at my age, 8 miles is very doable so I can take time to assist other coworkers to give them the best possible start.

I believe this too; I always want to help others. But remember what they teach you in first aid classes - make sure you're safe first. You can't help others if you're dead.

 

[bigpaul]

I've been around too long and seen too much to trust people now, having seen how some people behave in a crisis("fuel protests", "London Riots") to want to have anything to do with them in such a situation, those that don't prepare, who "poo-poo" those that do, as far as I am concerned have made their bed and they can lie in it, it was after all their decision, my only DUTY is to me and mine, everyone else is on their own.

 

[Arcticdude]

the point of a GHB is to carry enough-but just enough- to get one home, its not like a bug out bag, its just enough supplies to get one back home in an emergency.
i'd hate to live in a country where I had to carry a gun all the time because I was so afraid of other people.

Not all of us carry a gun because we're afraid of other people. Most of the US is extremely safe with little to no crime. Sure, if you spend a lot of time watching the news shows on TV it would look like the world is going to hell.
I don't normally carry a gun on my person, unless I'm on the trap line or hunting, but I always have one within reach and in all of our vehicles. For me it's not for protection against people, but for vermin or in case I hit a deer, elk or cow on the road.

 

[bigpaul]

similar to the UK, you'd think the country was full of knife crime but in fact its only parts of London and the odd stabbing in one of the northern cities, other than that most crime is opportunist, I live in a low crime almost no crime area and its mostly "domestic" related and the odd cannabis bust.
I've only ever hit a deer once and that was 15 years ago, had a sheep jump onto the car hood once though!

 

[Brent S]

I do carry 99% of the time. It’s not from paranoia, just being prepared. Odds are I will never need to pull a gun in my life time, but just in case I ever did, I like knowing I could.

 

[Kevin L]

I don't carry a get home bag per se, but my EDC stuff can get me through, as I live in Florida, and most of my activities are within 10 miles of my house.

I have a small flashlight, spare batteries, a stainless Walther PPK/S with 2 spare mags, a compass, a cigarette lighter, assorted knives, paracord, lockpicks, a survival water filter straw, cash, and some other stuff.

If I want to get back home, I need to be high-speed and low drag.

 

[Kevin L]

Speaking of BOB and GHB, there is a product that I saw advertised on a late-night infomercial relevant to the BOB, and I regret not buying at the time.....and now I can't find anywhere....even on the Internet.

Basically, it was accordian-style collapsible tupperwear.

The idea was that you could have a compact shape, and pull it upward and fill it with food, liquids, whatever....and since you only accordianed it up to match the level of food in the container, it took up less space.

I want the accordian style plastic bottles, as it seems like I could fit a whole bunch of collapsed empty ones in the BOB and--if I was trapped or confined to an area, I could fill them up from a water source and stash them in my hidey-hole for later.

I've found similar products, but not what I'm looking for. Any ideas?

This is somewhat similar to what I'm talking about....but this company will only sell in lots of 200.

I would appreciate ideas.

The original product was clear, and collapsed a lot smaller than this example that I found.

Any help would be appreciated.

Thank you.

 

[Arcticdude]

Speaking of BOB and GHB, there is a product that I saw advertised on a late-night infomercial relevant to the BOB, and I regret not buying at the time.....and now I can't find anywhere....even on the Internet.

Basically, it was accordian-style collapsible tupperwear.

The idea was that you could have a compact shape, and pull it upward and fill it with food, liquids, whatever....and since you only accordianed it up to match the level of food in the container, it took up less space.

I want the accordian style plastic bottles, as it seems like I could fit a whole bunch of collapsed empty ones in the BOB and--if I was trapped or confined to an area, I could fill them up from a water source and stash them in my hidey-hole for later.

I've found similar products, but not what I'm looking for. Any ideas?

View attachment 9430

This is somewhat similar to what I'm talking about....but this company will only sell in lots of 200.

I would appreciate ideas.

The original product was clear, and collapsed a lot smaller than this example that I found.

Any help would be appreciated.

Thank you.

I think I know what you're talking about. The type that I've seen lay flat and just pop out in to a bowl or plate. They even make one for a dog's water and food dish too.
Can't remember where I've seen them either.
If anyone finds a source I'd be interested in getting a few also.

 

[Kevin L]

I think I know what you're talking about. The type that I've seen lay flat and just pop out in to a bowl or plate. They even make one for a dog's water and food dish too.
Can't remember where I've seen them either.
If anyone finds a source I'd be interested in getting a few also.

Thank you.