Loadout Suggestions for your Get Home Pack

The 2024 Election and other news events are leading me to believe you should be prepared for civil unrest.

Depending on where you live, that means you need to plan for how you will get home when the SHTF and a big part in making sure you do, is to always carry a Get Home pack of some kind in your car, or if practical, on your body.

Please note that the loadout and purpose for your Get Home pack, is different than what you may have heard preppers refer to as a “Go Bag.” Oftentimes there are similarities and overlap in recommended loadout items, but instead of “bugging out” to another location, you’re trying to get back home.

As such, you will hopefully be able to get home in under the 72 hours recommended for packing a “Go Bag.” Therefore, your loadout for a Get Home pack will always depend on factors such as:

1. Are you traveling by car or on foot?
2. Where do you live?
3. How far are you from your home?
4. How long will it take for you to get home?
5. What season are you in and will the weather conditions change while you make your way home?
6. Are there local laws that impact your loadout?

This list below was compiled after studying years of prepping, survival, tactical training and recommendations made on other blogs. At the end of the day, only you can determine what supplies are best for your Get home bag.

While you may want some kind of hard case in your car with these supplies like a Pelican V300, Pelican V200, or Pelican 100, all of which can be locked, in some situations, you may be required to abandon your car and do the rest of the journey on foot.

In those circumstances, you want a solid, rugged and reliable backpack that can properly support your back and shoulders with an adequate loadout. I also remind you give thought to two key considerations for survival in situations when the SHTF:

• the adage taught to me by many experienced operators—“ounces equals pounds.”
• adhere to the grey man philosophy

While many bags look nice, you’ll need to determine if you want a tactical looking one or one that blends for EDC and these types of circumstances. Not all bags are equal or fit for this mission or inclement weather, so do your homework. Personally, I believe you need to look at stitching, weight recommendations, shoulder strap configurations and if the zippers are meant for protecting your supplies from weather. Here are some companies that specialize in good and high quality EDC/Get Home bags for your consideration

• Eberlestock Bags
• Vertx Babs
• 5.11 Bags

And if you’re looking for a quick med kit to keep in your car or make a part of your Get Home or EDC loadout, I would highly recommend the EVERLIT Advanced Emergency Trauma Kit which appears to be quite robust. Others I shown it to in the prepper/tactical space, agree.

LOADOUT LIST FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION

I’d appreciate your feedback on any items you think are lacking. I’ve organized them by category and will provide links shortly. Some items are for the car while others should be in your pack.

SPECIAL NOTE–The quality of the products you purchase good mean the difference between life and death so be smart, not cheap. Unfortunately, I have not had the opportunity to vet many of these products so please do your own due diligence.

NUTRITION

• Snack bars
• MREs or similar
• Anti-bacterial wipes
• Sweetener for your coffee/food (if applicable)
• Caffeinated Gum
• Water
• Hydration supplements

MEDICAL–You may want some items in your “Go Bag” and others in a med kit

• Supplies listed in an earlier post First Aid & Medical Supplies I recommend – Professional Evangelist
• Any medication you need for 3 days
• Tourniquet
• Israeli bandage
• Mylar blankets
• Anti-bacterial wipes
• Med Kits
• First Aid spray
• Icepacks
• Sharpie
• Tylenol
• Ibuprofen
• Antacids
• Bepto bismal
• Lip balm
• Eye wipes for your glasses
• Imodium
• Allergy Pill (Zyrtec/Benadryl)
• Eye Drops
• EyeWasher
• Chest Seal
• Emergency Shears (don’t skimp)
• Surgical gloves (nitrile)
• COVID Masks
• Band-aids
• Split wraps
• Buy spray (if applicable)
• Sunscreen (if applicable)

AUTO

• Gerber seat belt tool
• Emergency mechanic gloves (yellow or orange)

• Car Jump Starter
• Tire pressure monitor
• Tire pump
• Flares (electric)

SURVIVAL

• Firearm (Pistol, carbine or both)
• 2 to 4 mags (minimum–at least 30 to 60 rounds and possibly double)
• Holster
• Sling for the carbine
• If using an optic, make sure your carbine has backup sights.
• pocket Knife
• Gerber utility knife
• 100mph tape
• Flat tape

• A high quality, weatherproof Flashlight
• Whistle
• Gerber survival kit
• Compass
• Lifestraw/Water purification
• 4-way water key

• Lighter
• Waterproof matches
• Firestarter–Ferro rod
• Batteries(varies based on your flashlight, firearm optics and other items)
  • 2x CR123a
  • 2xAA
  • 2x AAA
  • 1x CR1620
  • 1x CR1632
  • 1x CR2032

MISCELLANEOUS

• Poncho/Raincoat

• Winter jacket (if weather requires it)
• Rite in Rain Pen
• Rite in Rain Notebook
• Zipties
• Bungee cords
• Figure 9 carabiner and rope
• Shop cloths
• Garbage bags (At least 3)
• Ziploc bags (gallon and quart size-at least 2)
• Toilet paper (you’ll determine your own needs)
• Paper towels (for the car)
• Pelican Case or Backpack
• Shovel (entrenching tool)

COMMUNICATIONS

There are specific considerations that need to be given before purchasing any of these items. Preference, Experience, subscription plans and whether or not you intend to get a HAM Radio Operator’s license.

• Cellphone
• Sat phone
• HAM RADIO