You're hundreds of miles from home during a national disaster with martial law, massive inflation, tight supplies, anarchy, city checkpoints, and bandits, worsening over time. You'll drive until the fuel runs out, covering several hundred miles, then hike the final distance through the woods to avoid threats.
There is nothing better than Google
Maps to plan your route
The Get Home Bag is designed for 3–7 days of survival, prioritizing self-defense (as you can "die in 3 seconds without security"). The backpack weighs ~35 lbs, is green, brown, or camouflage to blend into nature, and includes several specific items: a large stainless steel bottle, highly filtered water straw, headlamp with red/green modes, a hand-crank radio and Motorola MURS/FRS bands, Glock Pistol with laser sight/light (concealable under poncho), fishing hooks and green SpyderWire fishing line (for food and trip wire with bear bell), minimal first aid kit, and large bandana. Cash and silver (pre-1965 U.S. dimes/quarters and Silver Eagles) in case of a currency collapse.
Your Prepper Vehicle should be stocked with extra fuel, food, water, ammunition, first aid supplies, batteries, pepper spray, and other essentials, so that pack supplies are not consumed while driving, allowing you to save the pack contents for hiking. You can also fine-tune your pack contents or supplement them before departing on foot based on your observations while driving.
Backpack Contents
A 30–40-liter backpack ( ~3 lbs) in green, brown, or camouflage to ensure discretion. The total weight goal is ~35 lbs for hiking endurance (less clothing).
1. Self-Defense and Security (Priority 1)
- Firearm: Glock Pistol (9mm ~2 lbs) with extra 100 rounds minimum (~3 lbs). Concealable under a poncho in your hand for ready access. Ensure training and legal carry.
- Laser Sight/Light: Weapon-mounted (e.g., Streamlight TLR-2, ~0.3 lbs) for illumination (200+ lumens) and aiming in low light.
- Knife: Fixed-blade (e.g., Gerber Coyote Brown Survival Knife, ~0.9 lbs) for utility/defense.
- Trip Wire: Green SpyderWire fishing line (50–100 ft, ~0.1 lbs) with bear bell (~0.1 lbs) for camp perimeter alerts and survival fishing.
Why? Bandits and anarchy require a robust defense. Concealment under a poncho ensures quick, ready access if needed. Trip wire enhances camp security.
Weight: ~6.4 lbs (Glock 2 lbs, Ammo 3 lbs, laser/light: 0.3 lbs, knife: 0.9 lbs, line + bell: 0.2 lbs).
2. Water and Hydration
- Stainless Steel Bottle: 40 oz (e.g., Klean Kanteen, ~0.5 lbs empty, ~3 lbs full with 1.2 liters) for carrying/boiling water.
- Water Purification:
- Filtered water straw (e.g., LifeStraw Peak Series, ~0.1 lbs) for drinking from streams.
- Purification tablets (e.g., Potable Aqua, ~0.1 lbs) as backup.
- Collapsible Pouch: 1-liter (~0.1 lbs empty) for extra water capacity.
Why? Water (Rule of 3) may be scarce or contaminated. Bottle and straw help ensure safe hydration.
Weight: ~3.8 lbs (bottle: 0.5 lbs + 2.6 lbs water, straw: 0.1 lbs, tablets: 0.1 lbs, pouch: 0.1 lbs).
3. Food
- Non-Perishable Food: 3–5 days (~1,000–2,000 calories/day, ~6.5 lbs):
- Energy bars (10–12 Long Shelf Life, ~1.5 lbs).
- Freeze-dried meals (15 Mountain House, ~4.8 lbs).
- Trail mix/peanut butter packets (~0.2 lbs).
- Fishing Kit: Hooks (assortment, ~0.05 lbs) and SpyderWire (shared with security, ~0.05 lbs) for fishing.
- Utensils: Spork (~0.05 lbs).
- Stove: Optional - Compact butane stove (e.g., Coleman, ~0.5 lbs) with canister (~0.5 lbs). Could use firewood instead.
Why? Food scarcity requires lightweight rations. A fishing kit enables food procurement, so you can carry less weight in food.
Weight: ~6.65 lbs (food: 6.5 lbs, hooks + line: 0.1 lbs, spork: 0.05 lbs).
4. Shelter and Warmth
- Emergency Bivvy: Mylar (e.g., SOL, ~0.3 lbs) for warmth.
- Poncho/Tarp: Dual-purpose (~1.0 lbs) for rain, shelter, and Glock concealment.
- Fire-Starting Kit: Matches, ferro rod, lighter (~0.2 lbs); tinder (cotton balls with petroleum jelly, ~0.1 lbs).
- Clothing: Base layer, fleece, waterproof jacket (~2 lbs); wool socks (2 pairs, ~0.3 lbs); hat/gloves (~0.2 lbs).
- Large Bandana: (~0.1 lbs) for sun protection, dust, or improvisation.
Why? Exposure (3-hour survival limit) requires shelter. Camo Poncho aids concealment.
Weight: ~3.8 lbs (bivvy: 0.3 lbs, poncho: 0.7 lbs, fire kit: 0.3 lbs, clothing: 2.5 lbs, bandana: 0.1 lbs).
5. Navigation and Communication
- Map and Compass: Topographic map and Suunto compass (~0.3 lbs).
- Hand-Crank Radio: MURS/FRS bands (e.g., Midland GXT1000, ~0.5 lbs) for broadcasts or ally communication. Monitor the area for potential threats and adjust plans as necessary.
- Headlamp: Red/green modes (e.g., Petzl Tactikka, ~0.2 lbs) with batteries (~0.1 lbs).
- Notebook and Pencil: (~0.1 lbs) for route tracking.
Why? Disrupted networks require analog navigation and MURS/FRS for updates.
Weight: ~1.2 lbs (map + compass: 0.3 lbs, radio: 0.5 lbs, headlamp + batteries: 0.3 lbs, notebook: 0.1 lbs).
6. First Aid and Medical (Minimal)
- Minimal First Aid Kit: (~0.5 lbs) Bandages, antiseptic wipes, antibiotic ointment, ibuprofen, personal medications, hemostatic gauze.
- Sunscreen/Insect Repellent: Travel-size (~0.2 lbs).
Why? Minimal kit addresses critical injuries (e.g., from bandit encounters). A bandana doubles as a hat or mask.
Weight: ~0.7 lbs (first aid: 0.5 lbs, sunscreen/repellent: 0.2 lbs).
7. Tools and Miscellaneous
- Multi-Tool: Leatherman/Gerber (~0.4 lbs).
- Paracord: 50–100 ft (~0.3 lbs).
- Duct Tape: Small roll (~0.2 lbs).
- Ziploc Bags: (~0.1 lbs).
- Sewing Kit: (~0.1 lbs).
- Solar Phone / Battery Charger: Optional
Why? Tools support self-sufficiency and bartering.
Weight: ~1.1 lbs (multi-tool: 0.4 lbs, paracord: 0.3 lbs, duct tape: 0.2 lbs, bags: 0.1 lbs, sewing kit: 0.1 lbs).
8. Currency and Barter Items
- Cash: $500–$1,000 ($1, $5, $10 & a few $20, ~0.5 lbs) for early transactions.
- Silver: 10–15 oz (~0.7–1.1 lbs):
- Pre-1965 U.S. dimes/quarters (50–100 coins, ~0.4–0.7 lbs, 90% silver) for small trades.
- Silver Eagles (5–10 1-oz coins, ~0.3–0.6 lbs) for larger trades.
- Hidden in pouches (e.g., sewn into clothing).
- Barter Items: Lighters, mini liquor bottles, tampons (~0.3 lbs).
Why? Paper dollars may become worthless (e.g., Russia's 1995 collapse). Silver and barter items retain value.
Weight: ~1.1–1.5 lbs (cash: 0.1 lbs, silver: 0.7–1.1 lbs, barter: 0.3 lbs).
9. Personal Items
- ID/Documents: Copies in waterproof bag (~0.1 lbs).
- Hygiene Kit: Toothbrush, toothpaste, soap, sanitizer (~0.3 lbs).
- Sunglasses: (~0.1 lbs).
Weight: ~0.5 lbs (ID: 0.1 lbs, hygiene: 0.3 lbs, sunglasses: 0.1 lbs).
Total Weight
- Self-Defense: 6.4 lbs
- Water: 3.8 lbs
- Food: 3.6 lbs
- Shelter/Warmth: 3.8 lbs
- Navigation/Communication: 1.2 lbs
- First Aid: 0.7 lbs
- Tools: 1.1 lbs
- Currency/Barter: 1.1–1.5 lbs
- Personal Items: 0.5 lbs
- Backpack: 3 lbs
- Total: ~28.65–29.05 lbs (add 1-6 pounds of things you need to hit ~35 lbs).
Travel Plan
Phase 1: Pre-Disaster Preparation
- Route Planning: Map backroads and for Plan B, wooded areas to avoid checkpoints/bandits. Use paper (in a freezer bag) or plastic coated water proof maps. The average adult walks 3-4 miles per hour, which is not sustainable all day carrying a 35 lb pack, nor walking with caution. Two (2) miles per hour (mph) is realistic on easy terrain like roads and trails. This is a reasonable estimate if gasoline is out of supply but social order remains calm. You might hitchhike and get a ride in this case. IF however there is a breakdown of Law& Order and civilization, 1 mile per hour through the woods (avoiding trails) is more likely. Traveling for 10 hours per day, stopping to eat, boil water, sleep, etc. this would have you traveling 10 to 20 miles per day.
- Vehicle Prep: Keep the gas tank half full, carry a siphon pump, 5–10 gallons of extra fuel (if permitted), and a vehicle kit (including jumper cables and tire repair tools). Also have a pair of Binoculars for scouting ahead, and wear them around your neck while walking.
- Caches: Pre-position food/water/ammo along routes, if possible.
- Training: Practice hiking with 35-lb pack, Glock use (with laser/light), fishing, and trip wire setup.
Phase 2: Driving Phase
- Start Immediately: Civilians should leave work upon Warning Signs of disaster onset.
- Avoid Checkpoints: Use backroads, and discreetly monitor MURS/FRS radio for potential threats. Use a headset to avoid noise.
- Conserve Fuel: Drive efficiently, and use cash for fuel early.
- Stay Discreet: Conceal Glock under poncho, avoid and/or comply at checkpoints with ID/cash bribes. Be aware that there is a risk they will kill you and take all your supplies. For this reason, you should avoid them, even if they are wearing professional uniforms like those of law enforcement or the military.
Phase 3: Transition to Hiking
- Abandon Vehicle: Hide the car off-road when the fuel supply runs out.
- Gear Up: Transfer 35-lb bag. Fill the bottle, ensure Glock access.
- Enter the Wilderness: Navigate the woods with a map/compass, using a red/green headlamp for nighttime travel.
Phase 4: Wilderness Survival
- Travel Tactics: Move at dawn/dusk with red/green headlamp. Stay off the trails and camp in hidden spots.
- Security: Set SpyderWire trip wires with a bear bell. Keep Glock ready.
- Water/Food: Ration food (1,500–2,000 calories/day). Refill the bottle, boil, or use a straw. Fish when safe.
- Shelter: Use a poncho for shelter/concealment. Limit fires.
- Progress: 10–12 miles/day (300 miles = 25–30 days).
Phase 5: Reaching Home
- Scout Home: Approach carefully at night.
- Regroup: "Bug in," share resources with trusted allies.
- Cash ($500–$1,000, ~0.1 lbs): Use early for fuel/bribes. Paper dollars may lose value.
- Silver (10–15 oz, ~0.7–1.1 lbs): Pre-1965 coins for small trades, Silver Eagles for larger ones. Hide to avoid theft.
- Barter Items (~0.3 lbs): Lighters, liquor, tampons for quick trades.
Sources and Rationale
- Prepper Handbook: Guides lightweight gear, defense, and barter strategies.
- Web Sources (e.g., TruePrepper, Ready.gov): Support water, food, and minimal first aid.
- Author Specifications: Concealable Glock, MURS/FRS radio, laser/light, fishing kit, trip wire, minimal first aid, large bandana, camouflage backpack, 35-lb target.
- Weight Estimates: Based on manufacturer data (e.g., Klean Kanteen, Streamlight) and prepper lists.
Summary: The likelihood of this happening is small, but if it does occur, the consequences would be severe. Reading this is free, having a backpack and supplies costs a few bucks, but could prove to be priceless someday.
Your comments are welcome in the chat box at the bottom.
Blog Table of Contents
Topics: Scroll down to view
Beginners
Training – Children
Advanced
Food & Water
Edible Wild Plants
Disaster Preparations
Fire Arms & Security
Shelter
Medical
Wilderness Survival
Other
Political
Beginners:
Top Rated Prepper Handbook Posts of all time
Top Rated Prepper
Websites
Prepper
Handbook Recommendations (low cost/must have)
Knowledge
is FREE
Best
Series
Beginner Prepper List;
The Rule of 3 (set priorities by
this);
The SHTF Day One What do you do now?
US Government
Recommended Preparations;
Step-by-Step Prepper
Plan
Building your food
stores the right way
Emergency Water Supply
Best Bug Out Pistol 22 Mag 30 Rnds
Best Handgun Selection Criteria
Top 15 Prepper Movies or Shows
Why we are ALL Preppers (for skeptics)
The First 5 Things to do after a Crisis
5 Tips to stay safe during civil unrest
Prepping important now more than ever
How to save on
Emergency Supplies
National Preparedness
Month
Sewer disposal when the
SHTF
EDC Survival (Every Day
Carry)
Top 3 EDC Survival
Knives
EDC-Men
EDC-Women
Inexpensive
First Gun
Backpack
Selection Criteria
Handgun
Introduction
What is a Prepper?
Why
we Prep
Vote
for the Prepper Handbook and see other Top Sites
Training – Children:
Home Schooling for Preppers
Getting your kids off the Internet
Sex Education - Role of Parents, not schools
Advanced Prepper Resources:
Prepper Handbook Table
of Contents
Prepper Incremental
Strategy
The right amount of
Ammo
Group Security Drills
Actionable Intelligence
Red flag warnings its
time to Bug Out
PVC Survival Tube
Bees for Prepping
Investing for Preppers
Prepper
Savings Plan
Latest
Ammo Prices
Thermal Vision
Prepper Handbook
Salvaging Supplies (plan now)
Oath Keepers, true
protectors of freedom
Seeds for Survival
Preppers Garden
Top 10 Barter Goods
Prepper Gift List
Budget Garden
Preparations
Riot & Looting
Preparations
Intruder Detection
Preppers New Years
Resolutions 2017
Night Vision vs.
Thermal Vision
Nomadic Prepper
Strategy
Neighborhood
Watch
Lessons Learned - Alone Survival Show
Lessons
Learned - Pandemic
Introducing
Skeptics to Prepping
Prepper
Vehicle Supplies
Vote
for the Prepper Handbook and see other Top Sites
Food
and water:
Building your food
stores the right way
Getting Started (Water)
Emergency Water Supply
Food Preparation and
Preservation
Solar
Distillation
Best Prepper Chicken
Breed
Bees for Prepping
Gardening Links
Gardening101 – Soil
Basics
Green House for
year-round food supply
Vegetable Planting Dates
Vegetable Days to Harvest
Budget Garden
Preparations
Seeds for Survival
Preppers Garden
Food Shelf Life
Aquaponics
Growing your own food from seed
Preppers Horse
Survival Fishing
3 Odd Techniques for
Primitive Fishing
How to catch your own
live bait
Me Maw's Goulash
Flatbread
Recipe
Sustainable
Meal Planning - Breakfast
Sustainable Meal
Planning - Lunch
Sustainable Meal
Planning - Dinner
Sustainable Meal
Planning - Snacks
Sustainable
Meal Planning - Nutrition
Sustainable
Meal Planning - Calories
Understand
Best By Dates
ICE
Fishing for Survival
Vote
for the Prepper Handbook and see other Top Sites
Green briar (cat briar)
Disaster Preparations:
Natural & Man Made Disaster Preparation
The End of Free America
The
Government and You
Severe
Storm Preparations
Emergency Essentials Disaster Preparations
Maps for Survival
Vote
for the Prepper Handbook and see other Top Sites
Firearms and security:
Night Vision vs. Thermal Vision
Red flag warnings its
time to Bug Out
Investing for Preppers (Financial Security)
Best Anarchy Investment: Seeds
Best Handgun Selection Criteria
Why I avoid doing business in Gun Free Zones
Security Patrol Pack (or Bug Out pack)
High Rise Apartment Security Plan
.338 Lapua
Handgun
Introduction
Create a home defense plan that works
Build
your own AR
Archery
Vote
for the Prepper Handbook and see other Top Sites
Shelter:
Best Camp Sight Selection Criteria
Prepper links for skeptics:
Why we are ALL Preppers (for skeptics)
Backup Power Supply
Best
Prepper Retreat
Medical:
45 uses for Alcohol
Understanding
Pandemics
Pandemic Preparations
Prepper
Sanitizer
Medial Masks (& what you need to know)
Wilderness Survival:
Survival Pack (Security Patrol or Bug Out pack)
Wilderness Survival Pack (Video)
Best Survival Knife
Alone Season 1 Pack
List
Alone Season 2 Pack
List
Alone Season 3 Pack
List
Alone Season 4 Pack
List
Alone Season 8 Food Harvested by tool
Alone
Winners Pack List
Alone:
The Beast S1 E1
Alone:
The Beast S1 E2
Alone: Show Records
Alone Survival Plan
Naked & Afraid
Survival Plan
Survive on a deserted
island
Wilderness
Survival - TEST
Day 100 - 1 Millionaire Remains (Alone Show)
Green briar (cat briar)
Large List of Edible Wild Plants
Best Camp Sight Selection Criteria
3 Odd Techniques for
Primitive Fishing
How to catch your own live bait
How to Make Your Own Clay Pots
Quickly Craft Sharp Stone Tools
Primitive Fire Building
Backpack
Selection Criteria
How to build the Ultimate Disaster Survival Kit
Dual
Purpose Items
Vote
for the Prepper Handbook and see other Top Sites
Other:
Political:
Immigration History
False
Flag
Do NOT turn the Internet over to the United Nations
5 Things Hillary Says She Will Do To Your Rights If She Wins
How Native Americans lost this country
Immigration Depresses Wages & Costs Taxpayers Billions
Support our Right to Bear Arms: NRA
US Poverty from a global perspective
Ammo Shipments to CA Illegal Soon! Please Help!
What should I do after having to defend myself?
Why I avoid doing business in Gun Free Zones
The State of Gun
Control
America
- SOLD
Gun Confiscation - the Biden / Beto Plan
AMMO PRICES