Topic: When ya gotta get home!!!!!.....

[therealsteamer]

My gear is not so much a bug out bag as it IS a Get Home Bag.  My intent is to keep the necessary gear on and around me to get home.  My gear could be used to bug out, but that is not its primary purpose.
 
For starters, I keep a minimum of handy “stuff” on me at all times.  Sure I Jingle more than your average bear but it really does not take much getting used to.  The comfort factor far out weighs any negatives…

Wallet with utility knife blade and wax paper wrapped waterproof strike anywhere matches inside
CRKT Bear Claw
Gerber multi-tool
Pocket key set
Belt hooked keys w/ magnesium/flint bar
Dorsey 1 AAA battery White LED flashlight W/ spare battery
Too much pocket change
Carmex lip balm (Works just like petroleum jelly for fire starting)
Eye Drops
Bic Lighter
Small coin compass
Cheap lock back knife

My “Get Home Belt’ as seen here was produced by Arm Chair Tactical.  In the beginning it only had shoulder straps to aid in distributing the load.  Several weeks after my initial review thereisnospoon asked me of I was interested in an add on back panel that would allow me to incorporate a hydration bladder as well as an additional pouch/pack.  When the back panel arrived it was an even better addition than I could have imagined.  See, my gear set is such that I actually had two components that complimented each other.  I had the Get Home Belt but I also had a smaller cross shoulder pack that I kept a smaller amount of gear in.  This is what I would grab if I might be traveling in someone else’s vehicle and did not want to take the whole gear bag.  This smaller pack was set for just me (more on that later).  Think more socially acceptable.  The back panel can not only be worn attached to the Get Home Belt but it can be worn as an independent backpack as well. 

The contents of my panel pack…

Winchester mini multi-tool
Cheapo lock back knife
Sharpening stone
Hydration bladder
2 x 16.9oz bottled water
1 bag of homemade hard candy
Food (Ready to eat Red Beans & Rice, Tuna, Herring in hot sauce, lots of granola bars, hot chocolate mix, chicken/beef flavored soup cubes, gum)
Map of county and surrounding counties w/ compass
Instant hand warmers large and small
Assorted fishing supplies
Radio w/ ear buds & spare batteries (AM,FM,TV1,TV2,Weather)
Binoculars
Mylar emergency blanket
Industrial strength 55 gallon drum liner
Emergency poncho
Waterproof match container with flint striker on bottom (waterproof strike anywhere matches inside)
First Aid/ oddball container (cayenne pepper, unlubed condom, charcoal capsules, 6 packaged of Gerber Instant Electrolyte Mix 36 oz, Potable Aqua Tabs, Tums, ibuprofen, Acetaminophen, caffeine tabs, Pepcid, Benadryl, Imodium, super glue, alcohol pads, antiseptic wipes, assorted Band-Aids and sterile pads, absorbent pads.)
Black Duck Tape
AAA flashlight w/ spare batteries

Exterior Pack view


Top Pack View

The panel pack has a heavy duty carrying/grab handle in the top.  The top opens to receive the bladder…

Side Pack View

Extra attachment points on side of pack…

Front View of Empty Belt


Back View of Empty Belt


This is the beginning of the contents of my “”Belt Pack”..

6 Packages of Gerber Electrolytes mix
4 x 16.9oz Bottles of water..
One G.I 1 Quart canteen
1 small bottle of bleach..
Assorted Granola bars
Cans of cheap meat stuff
More homemade hard as hell candy (This stuff takes forever to dissolve)
2 rolls of gauze
First Aid kit
Baggie containing, sharpie markers, pencils, pens, cigars
Long M&M mini tube containing Crayon stubs
Notepad
Heavy duty enclosed cotton pads
Film canisters of petroleum cotton balls & dryer lint
M&M mini tube containing factory reflector and bulbs for minimag light
Ramen noodles (Yum)
Sawdust & wax fire starters
Fire Starting & candle bags

More stuff in the Belt Pack

Spool of nylon twine
Energy Solutions B-Total Concentrated B12
Duck Tape
Additional nylon rope/string
Snare wire
Ball and LOS compass
More instant hand & body warmers
TP
Fork, spoon, spork, etc.
More TP
Emergency ponchos
IWB Sheath for CRKT Kasper Polkowski Companion
Magnifying glass
Small Automatic needle nose multi tool
Gloves
“Plant books”

Now this is where some unconventional thinking comes in.  We have two children who must be considered should the situation call for it.  So with that in mind I keep “extra” baby supplies in the belt pack.  These infant related supplies are isolated in one of Arm Chair Tactical’s “Stuff It” gear bags.  Should the time come that I need to move out on foot and the children (infant) is/are not with me I have the option of dumping the stuff to save on weight.

Plastic bottle liners
Feeding bottle w/ ring, nipple, and cap
4oz feeding container (nipple and ring will fit)
4oz Gerber Infant Apple Juice
Aquaphor ointment
Baby lotion
Compact Hammock (not baby related but.. ya never know..)
Petroleum jelly
Baby formula w/scoop
Dry gauze baby wipes
6 diapers
Sharpening stone
Cloth Diaper
ACT Stuff It Sack
Eyeglass repair kit
Daisy chained 550
1.5 liter canteen
55 gallon industrial drum liner

Here are a few unconventional things to keep in my kit.  The first are a few small stuffed animals for the girls.  These are to be comfort items.  Also included is a length of clear tubing (from an O2 mask).  This can be used to assist in water collection


This is the loaded Belt..


Both the Panel and Belt together


Again, Panel and Belt, Ready to go..

[NineseveN]

Looks like a great deal of thought went into that setup, I like it. How does it wear? Comfortable? How's the balance? ACT makes some truly killer stuff.

[thereisnospoon]

If the poop hits the oscilating device...you'll be ready, eh?

[JandJ13]

Do you have a canteen cup and stove for the Ramen? I saw a spoon or two. Oh, here's a quickie: don't toss out the extra flavor packets if you combine 2 or more packs of noodles, 'cause they help make grub and worm stew taste just like chicken.   

Thanks for showing your stuff and especailly the kid supplies. Seems like they're often left out or overlooked as "her problem".

[therealsteamer]

Looks like a great deal of thought went into that setup, I like it. How does it wear? Comfortable? How's the balance? ACT makes some truly killer stuff.

Actually it is very comfortable...  The "ass bag" droops a little but I think that is partly because I have jammed sooo much stuff in there and my specs for the pouch have a decent percentage of the gear just sticking out the back too far.  This does not inhibit its use or wear.

I have been very happy with my ACT gear so far.  Great construction, top quality materials, excellent personal service and a manufacturer that is willing to take input from the customer really makes a difference. 

If the poop hits the oscilating device...you'll be ready, eh?

I hope so!!!  In all reality though I hope I never get to use any of it except under recreational situations.  Unfortunately, If I did not truly believe there was or would be a need for this type of gear I would not be where I am today...

Happy Thoughts........

Do you have a canteen cup and stove for the Ramen? I saw a spoon or two. Oh, here's a quickie: don't toss out the extra flavor packets if you combine 2 or more packs of noodles, 'cause they help make grub and worm stew taste just like chicken.   

Thanks for showing your stuff and especailly the kid supplies. Seems like they're often left out or overlooked as "her problem".

I don't have a canteen cup to cook in...  I honestly did not think it would be necessary.  I do have a can or three (w/lids) stashed in the gear bag and trunk that can be used for cooking, but if it is just me I have no problem eating them as the super bland crunchy belly filler that they are.  In the short term I am concerned with "filling the hole and providing fuel".  Taste and warmth are just not that important to me.  If the children are with me then I might have to worry about heating water or food, but I know for the short term I can improvise with what is kept in the car.

From what I have seen most people tend to overlook children when it comes to "movement preps".  It's easy to do.  However, our offspring are an important part of our lives now and should be thought of for the future.  Not just don't smoke, don't talk to strangers, stay in school, go to college, share, think, but the basics of survival.  Both knowledge and practical application....  Until they have reached the point that they can carry "some" of their own gear, let's not forget to carry it for them...

[JandJ13]

Good thinking with involving the kids. If they grow up with preps and the mindset as normal, then you've won 1/2 the battle before its begun.

[therealsteamer]

Good thinking with involving the kids. If they grow up with preps and the mindset as normal, then you've won 1/2 the battle before its begun.

This Christmas we have out a few pair of beginner BoBs.... It was Stubby (our daughter) who wanted to tell what they were and what they were for....  Something heartwarming hearing a 5 year old tell Grand-Ma and Grand-Pa that they had just recieved a bug out bag and that is was to keep in the cars for emergencies...  She was all ready to start talking about the contents, but then she got distracted by the other presents...  In a year or so i think she will be old enough and responsible enough to have her own mini pack.. (ACT Maybe...)... 

We are getting flooded here in Ohio right now.  Stubby saw video on TV of the city where A4C works being all flooded and the river there going nuts...  Her response to it was "Good thing Momma has her bag in the truck so she can get home...!" 

Start them early...  It can't hurt!!!

[Ire]

Dry crushed ramen isnt half bad...

I like the way you stored your rope in the 8th pic down. Never seen it like that before but it lookes easier for storage.
That 1.5 lter canteen looks interesting.

I cant see anything wrong/missing here... Nice job man!