Rethinking my Get Home Bag (GHB)

The GHB is just for getting from there to home. That's it. And in most scenarios I'd be riding, not walking. So light and useful is the key here:

No fishing kit, no machete (No jungles in Cleveland), no tent/sleeping bag/ pad.
No stove.

Just a little backpack or briefcase with enough to overcome a 2-10x longer commute.

I don't have a GHB. Because I work from home, and that's where I am 90% of my life (for better or worse!)

But I would think good things to have would be:

• A street map - useful if you're driving or walking from an unfamiliar location
• Spare cellphone battery
• A pair of walking shoes and appropriate socks, if your normal shoes/socks are dress items not suitable for a long walk
• Waterproof windbreaker jacket
• Sunglasses
• Sunblock
• Insect repellent
• Snacks, capable of long storage times
• Water
• Handgun (for people that don't already carry one as an EDC item)
• LED low-output-lasts-forever flashlight
• For the ladies, toilet paper and feminine hygiene products
• Whistle, maybe even an FRS radio to go along with it
• List of family/friends contact phone numbers (in case your cellphone address book dies with its battery, and you need to borrow someone else's cellphone)

I've never really thought much about a GHB at all. Maybe I should. Work is not the only place you may have to "get home from", so a GHB might be beneficial even for us home-workers.

FAK with moleskin (blisters), Ace bandages (sprains), and duct tape (footwear repair). You're primary asset is mobility, and extra attention should be paid to anything that could threaten it.

Spare flashlight battery

Rain gear

Waterproof writing implement(fisher/roller ball, pencil)

Extra cash

Consider rolling luggage, like the trolley carts used by little old ladies to go shopping. You are on pavement, and rolling beats carrying for energy expenditure and injury probability (like twisted ankles).

Swap the FRS for a pocket AM/FM/Weather radio. In an emergency, information is probably going to be diseminated(sp?) through radio broadcasts. Being able to walk around problems is preferrable to walking into problems. Flash floods, tornadoes, and civil unrest are notoriously detrimental to your continued good health.

My GHB doubles as my day hike bag, and I also consider my GHB a couch surfing bag, in case of an unexpected overnight at friend or co-worker's place, or even staying the night at work.

The group's suggestions about my laptop bag kit may be helpful: http://forums.equipped.org/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=237263#Post237263

That is my concept for my EDC,GHB as well. I carry it all the time, and modify it for the activity and location.

I have changed my planning to go with much more water; 2-3 bottles so 1.5-2.5 liters.