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#246017 - 05/19/12 11:18 PM Re: building a get home bag - article [Re: ViamFec]
BBQ_Pork Offline
Stranger

Registered: 04/27/12
Posts: 19
Loc: Scappoose, OR
Originally Posted By: ViamFec

2) I've never seen a kit that contains what I need for my particular environment and lifestyle

Absolutely true. Put any ten of us together and we'll probably have at least 8 unique sets of "get home" challenges. Commercially-obtained bags will fit the need for someone to quickly check off the I'm Prepared box if they want to trade money for time and effort, but probably won't fit their needs perfectly.
Maybe "better some good stuff vs. having nothing", maybe "bad equipment does nothing but build false confidence". I dunno.

But I do know that my kit fits what I expect to need in a Get-home-bag. To fit it behind the seat of my truck, it's split in three units. I expect that if I need to walk with it, I'll have enough time to assemble it from the three components.
1) A sleeping bag in a cinch-bag. If weather permits, or I can at least drive partway home, I'll leave this in the truck.
2) A 4-gallon bucket with food, water and a little bit more, labelled with the expire date of the first thing I'll have to rotate out.
3) My old Army rucksack with everything else.

If I can drive home, great. But there's only a couple routes by car that get there and they have high potential of being blocked. So the GHB will get me the rest of the way, should there be a landslide on HWY 30 or whatever.
.

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#246114 - 05/22/12 08:19 AM Re: building a get home bag - article [Re: TeacherRO]
bigreddog Offline
Enthusiast

Registered: 07/02/06
Posts: 253
I have a 45 mile journey home from work. Mix of suburbs and farmland and heath. Although I find it hard to create a scenario where I needed to walk the whole way home (and that was the right option) I do like the idea that I can if I need to.

I've found some of the ultralight backpacking sites a good resource for this - travel quick, not much kit, maybe one night holed up. Decent shoes and clothes, tarp, water bottle, map, some snacks and cash, plus my usual edc.

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#246368 - 05/28/12 08:37 PM Re: building a get home bag - article [Re: ViamFec]
Mark_M Offline
Enthusiast

Registered: 11/19/09
Posts: 295
Loc: New Jersey
Originally Posted By: ViamFec
For me, it is far better to make my own kits rather than purchase pre-packaged items and for two main reasons:

1) Most people are so price-conscious these days that companies are forced to skimp on quality in order to stay in business. So I buy high-quality individual items and combine them for my own kits.

2) I've never seen a kit that contains what I need for my particular environment and lifestyle


I agree on both points, but don't entirely dismiss pre-assembled kits as a means of building your own. For example, start with a decent FAK and a PSK then build-up from there.

When I was new I looked at the stuff for sale and said "no way, I can do that for less." Turns out it cost me more, much more, but it was tailored to the types of risks I felt were most probable.
_________________________
2010 Jeep JKU Rubicon | 35" KM2 & 4" Lift | Skids | Winch | Recovery Gear | More ...
'13 Wheeling: 8 Camping: 6 | "The trail was rated 5+ and our rigs were -1" -Evan@LIORClub

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#246370 - 05/28/12 09:56 PM Re: building a get home bag - article [Re: Mark_M]
Bingley Offline
Veteran

Registered: 02/27/08
Posts: 1585
Originally Posted By: Mark_M
When I was new I looked at the stuff for sale and said "no way, I can do that for less." Turns out it cost me more, much more, but it was tailored to the types of risks I felt were most probable.


Something similar happened to me with my car kit. I ended up spending perhaps four times the cost of a pretty comprehensive pre-packaged kit. But then of course I got good quality items, including some that are not commonly available. The sturdy Carhatt bag alone was $40 or more.

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#246371 - 05/28/12 10:17 PM Re: building a get home bag - article [Re: Bingley]
Mark_M Offline
Enthusiast

Registered: 11/19/09
Posts: 295
Loc: New Jersey
Originally Posted By: Bingley
Originally Posted By: Mark_M
When I was new I looked at the stuff for sale and said "no way, I can do that for less." Turns out it cost me more, much more, but it was tailored to the types of risks I felt were most probable.


Something similar happened to me with my car kit. I ended up spending perhaps four times the cost of a pretty comprehensive pre-packaged kit. But then of course I got good quality items, including some that are not commonly available. The sturdy Carhatt bag alone was $40 or more.


Yes, quality does cost, but if you want to buy it once and more or less forget about it until needed, you need to spend more for quality.

Oddly enough, it was the small items that wound up contributing heavily to the cost. For example, braided fishing line, which I have no general use for, cost me $4.00 for a 100' reel when I only needed 25'. I might want four gauze pads in my kit but had to buy a box of 10. Or paying $5.00 shipping for something that costs under $10.00.

At first the DR PSK seemed overpriced to me. But since I've bought 5 of them to use in additional kits. Still waiting for an opportunity to use the foil, though. smile
_________________________
2010 Jeep JKU Rubicon | 35" KM2 & 4" Lift | Skids | Winch | Recovery Gear | More ...
'13 Wheeling: 8 Camping: 6 | "The trail was rated 5+ and our rigs were -1" -Evan@LIORClub

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#246866 - 06/11/12 12:06 AM Re: building a get home bag - article [Re: TeacherRO]
TeacherRO Offline
Carpal Tunnel

Registered: 03/11/05
Posts: 2574
I like the lightweight option...and the leave stuff behind option. No 45# packs for me.

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#246901 - 06/11/12 03:06 PM Re: building a get home bag - article [Re: TeacherRO]
Russ Offline
Geezer

Registered: 06/02/06
Posts: 5359
Loc: SOCAL
My primary survival kit is in Rubber Maid containers and in Igloo cooler in the back of my truck. There are two Camelbak backpacks with those containers -- a Mule and a Rim Runner the RR being the larger of the two at 1,342 cu in and the Mule having just 763 cubes.

Depending on time of year and conditions one of those two packs will be my GHB if I choose to leave the truck. If it's summer and very hot I may take both for the water.

The Rim Runner has an MSR mini-Works water filter and compatible Nalgene bottle, MSR MicroRocket Stove and Ti pot for cooking, plus other gear. The smaller pack is empty.

If I start walking the heaviest item(s) will be the water bladders.
_________________________
Better is the Enemy of Good Enough.
Okay, what’s your point??

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