We’ve all heard the terms, B.O.B (Bugout Bag), G.H.B (Get Home Bag) and sometimes I.N.C.H (I’m never coming home again).
But what is the difference?
In many ways these bags carry the same things. But their intended use will ultimately dictate what and how much you have to plan to carry.
Get Home Bag
For most people a GHB will be pretty simple. Enough supplies to see you through a walk that that could last a day, two at the most. And for a great many, not even that long. In the early stages of a crisis there may be little need for a weapon and having one could be far more trouble than it’s worth. A pistol would be a good option for that, just in case, moment should you find yourself needing protection.
Food
Likewise, food wouldn’t be a major issue. Some energy bars or jerky, something that is shelf stable, requires no cooking and can provide some calories to see you through your walk would be sufficient. Water would be a larger concern depending on your location. If you’re in Phoenix for example, you’re going to need to make sure your bag contains as much water as possible as there will few opportunities to find natural sources. On the other hand, if you’re in Florida, there is water everywhere so carrying a filter would be a good option.
Footwear
Your GHB should also provide for appropriate clothing. If you must wear professional attire at work, having something on hand to change into would be important. As would footwear. Whether you opt for boots, hikers, cross trainers or what, having something other than dress shoes would be very important. Your choice of shoes would probably be the most important decision you made. This goes for all types of packs. No matter what, if you’re going to be walking, having the right footwear will either make you, or break you.
And since we’re talking about our feet, having extra socks and a foot first-aid kit is important. You can find these small kits at places like REI. They’re specifically designed to tend to hot spots, blisters and other associated foot issues when you’re on the move. Having a piece of moleskin could make the difference between being able to continue or having to stop and wait out a debilitating blister.
Rain Gear
Rain gear would be another important addition, again, depending on your area. Having a poncho that could double as a shelter in a pinch is a valuable asset. Unlike the long-range packs, we’ll discuss later, you probably do not need a dedicated shelter system. Having one piece that could pull double duty would save weight.
Sun Exposure
Another important consideration would be sun exposure. Most people do not spend that much time outside and as a result sunburns can happen in a short amount of time. If you find yourself having to walk home, even if it’s only a couple of hours, you could very well end up with a burn. Having a hat in your bag is good option for dealing with the sun. Also, sunscreen and sunglasses would be great additions. Sunglasses not only provide protection from UV rays, they also provide protection to the eye from foreign bodies. Have a way to protect yourself from the sun.
Radio
No matter which bag you’re packing, a way to keep up with what is going on is important. A small AM/FM radio or even a handheld HAM radio would be quite valuable. Being able to get news, weather and other updates pertaining to the crisis could prevent you from walking into trouble. Or walking ten miles towards home only to be stopped and told to turn around because of safety issues or road closures. A radio could safe you all those miles.
Now that we have an idea of what a basic, short-range, GHB looks like, let’s look at a longer-range bag.
In most cases a BOB is going to need more gear than a GHB.
After all, you designed it just in case you had to leave in a hurry. So, this bag needs to be able to sustain you for a longer duration. But bear in mind, some GHB’s can also fall into the category. If you travel great distances, your Get Home Bag could look a lot like a bugout bag. It really comes down to the distance you’re planning on having to travel and the potential resupply, or lack of, on the route.
Bugout Bag
For a bugout bag or something equivalent, your planning must be much longer in duration. Take water for instance. You know you will need resupply, so you will have to have a way to treat water. Not only that, but a way to carry it. Water is so important that you’ll want more than one way to accomplish both of these tasks. Having a quality filter is the first step for sure. But you’ll need a back-up. Your metal cup or pot is a good second level method.
Since you’ll need a metal container, as it’s the hardest piece of kit to manufacture out of natural materials, you can use it to boil water. But it will also serve as a cooking pot, foraging container, digging utensil, the possibilities are limited only by your imagination. But I would also have something like a life straw that is kept in a kit on your person should you lose the rest of your gear.
Tarp
Unlike our short-range bag, these longer-range kits will certainly need a shelter system. A good tarp is one option that will keep the weight down and provide a number of shelter configurations. I like to carry two, they are light weight and provide even more options, like using one as a ground sheet under the other. This gives you a dry place to work and makes keeping track of gear easier. Plenty of cordage is also important. The uses for this are also only limited by your imagination.
Food
Food is another category that will require some careful consideration. Like water, you will not be able to carry all you will need. So you will need ways to find more. Foraging is a good option but will only get you so far. Having a fishing kit will greatly improve your chances of keeping your belly full, again, depending on your environment. Snare wire would be a great addition as well, or even a few commercially made wire snares. These will allow you to hunt for larger game, but they require you to remain static. You can’t set a trap up and leave the area.
Hunting
Hunting is also a good option and since this is a long-range bag, firearms are definitely in the inventory. What you carry depends on your personal situation. Any weapon carried for self defense can be pressed into service for hunting. But you could also carry a sling shot for small game. Modern sling shots have come a long way and are very powerful and deadly in skilled hands.
There is no doubt you will need to acquire more food so plan ahead. Build your kit according to your environment, resources and skills. Whatever methods you plan to use, get out and practice with them. Learn primitive trapping and fishing methods. If you go with a sling shot, practice with it until you can hit a beer can sized target every time. Just having the tools is useless unless you are proficient with them.
First-Aid
First-aid is another category that will require more thought. While you can only carry so much,
having the materials to deal with wounds will be far important. Remember, we aren’t just trying to get home now. We could well be on our own for an unknown amount of time and an infection could take you out of the game. With first-aid, consider hygiene as they often go hand in hand. You’ll need soap at a minimum as it can be used to wash your body and hair when the opportunity arises. Plus it’ll allow you to keep cooking and eating utensils clean which will prevent the related issues from improper care.
Fire
Another major category that a shortrange bag may not need at all is the ability to build a fire. With a longrange bag it’s a given that fire will be necessary. You’ll have to cook, boil water and take comfort from a fire in the evening. Nothing will lift your spirits more than having a fire. The other side of that coin though, is that nothing will bring you down faster than not being able to get one when you want it, or worse yet, need it. So plan accordingly and have multiple ways to get a flame.
As we can see, the main difference in the types of bags we need to consider comes down to the duration we may need to reply on them. If the bag is simply to serve to get you home to the rest of your gear, you won’t need as much. But if the bag is the one you’ll grab on your way out the door and will contain everything you own from that point on, it needs to be considerably different.
Your environment, skill level and physical condition will also dictate just what and how much you can carry. No two people are exactly alike, and you need to consider your unique circumstances. Another consideration that could affect what you can pack is your job and the security concerns that come with it.
Decide what sort of kit you need to build. Consider how long you could need to rely on it for. Then consider the other factors mentioned earlier. Once you’ve determined the answers to these questions you will know what type of kit to build and can get started on it. Be honest with yourself as well. It’s easy to think you can carry 65 pounds and walk twenty miles a day from the comfort of your home. The reality of it can be quite harsh, so don’t kid yourself.
Conclusion
When you start building your kit, do so deliberately. Don’t toss thing in thinking, I’ll find a use for it, or this looks useful. Everything that goes into your pack needs to have a primary purpose and if possible, a secondary. Remember, you’re going to be carrying this equipment. You do not want to carry anything you really don’t need.
This article was originally published in Survival Dispatch Insider magazine Volume 2 Issue 4.
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