All kidding aside, I would appreciate your inputs.
Posted on 03/20/2026 11:47:50 AM PDT by Towed_Jumper
I've recently gone back to keeping a Bug Out Bag (Get Home Bag), in my truck. I thought it a prudent step given that I live in a rural area, drive a very old pickup truck and note that the world in general appears to be getting even more crazy.
I've perused the internet and found multiple GHB/BOB lists covering the basics. However, I thought it would be informative to get input from my fellow FReepers who also have GHB/BOBs.
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All kidding aside, I would appreciate your inputs.
I wish I had put my emergency bag in the car instead of the closet where it all burned up. I thought I was prepared... I was so wrong.
I put briefs in my brief case.
(Snickers bars)
I have 3 in my cooler right now!!
$5k Cash
$5k Prepaid Visa
9mm Walther PPQ M2
9mm Walther PPQ SC (I’m a lefty and these can have lefty slide and mag releases
250 rounds.
Change of socks/skivvies
Small toiletry kit
Compass
Kbar knife
100 ft parachute cord
Compact poncho
100 Potable Aqua tabs
Extra I.D.
Extra shoes.
Forgot the box of Barebells protein bars. Have to confess I ate them recently so I need to restock my bag, lol.
Dammit, and an old military compass. And that really is it.
.
I just used the fire department recommended stuff - plus the normal female needs like Reeses pieces candy, airline adult beverages, you know, the essentials.
“And that really is it.”
Flashlight with USB
Socks and a good .22
Off the top of my head, in the back pack. Water, Life boat rations, water, first aid, poncho, mylar blankets, CB radio, compass, flashlight, fire starter, sport oxygen bottles, instant coffee, bunch of other stuff.
About 3 gallons of extra water in cargo area of vehicle.
Flares, gloves, coat +.
We live in a tsunami & coastal mountain area.
I lent my truck to my daughter once when she had to go to Portland for work. She had to leave all that stuff home because where she parked in town it would have gotten broken into by the street democrats if anything is visible.
We tend to concentrate on what we need to ‘Bug IN’ for a lengthy period. That seems more likely in our situation.
I hear that...my wife and I thought WE were prepared on September 26, 2024...then Helene came calling the next morning. ALL preps (and house) GONE...ALL of it. Just as yours were burnt up, ours were all washed away.
Really good topic. I’m in the process of working thru this at the moment. I’m working on the mission statement. What mission is your get home bag trying to fulfill?
Something we see with BOB is guys filling them with mountain man stuff for living in the forest and living off the land, which is silly.
The BOB should fit the purpose, for most people that would be going to a government shelter like we see during forest fires, floods and such, think what you would want in those conditions of the basic needs of life being supplied but what you need to make it more comfortable and what gaps need to be filled, and of course thinking of the wife and kids, snacks, cards, headlamps, a fleece blanket and throw, extra underwear, TP, whatever.
While I like to have at least a week’s worth of everything in the car for living in the car, the car and office BOB should be based on the long hike to home, is it a one day long hike in summer or winter, or is it a 2 day hike?
One forty-five caliber automatic; two boxes of ammunition; four day’s concentrated emergency rations; one drug issue containing antibiotics, morphine, vitamin pills, pep pills, sleeping pills, tranquilizer pills; one miniature combination Russian phrase book and Bible; one hundred dollars in rubles; one hundred dollars in gold; nine packs of chewing gum; one issue of prophylactics; three lipsticks; three pair of nylon stockings.
< /obligatory>
Great list. I need to carry water as well given the hot climate here. Water really adds on the weight for the bag (@ 8lbs./gal).
Water filter. MREs. Some paradord. Knife. Cheapo bic lighters. Warm clothes. You don’t need much in a bug in bag. Face it. We aren’t fit and young to carry a 100 lb bag to go live in the wilderness. The best bet is just getting home.
I don’t know anyone who wears nylons anymore...and you’d probably be more popular if you carried 3 charged power banks instead of lipsticks.
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