What follows is a list of the contents to my Get Home Bag. Always a work in progress feel free to comment and make suggestions. It was originally published in the Projects section.
With my kit I am prioritizing light weight so I can move quickly. If I am on foot I need to travel as fast as possible to get home. This is a medium to short range kit.
Teton Sports Talus 2700 Backpack
Mountain House Freeze Dried Food – several pouches
Yukon Outfitters Hammock Rainfly with Stakes
Plastic Camping Spoon(2)
Mini 22 Lumen LED Area Lights(2)
Sanitation Kit – Wet Wipes, Toothbrush,
Olight S1 Baton LED Flashlight with Extra Batteries
Stanley Steel Cooker Camp Set w/Cup
Camp Cup
Hand Towel, small
Cheap Emergency Poncho
Fire Starting Kit
Spare Glasses
Baofeng UV5R with Extended Antenna
Backup Baofeng Battery – AAA Battery Powered
Ruger SR22 .22LR pistol w/ 3 magazines and 100 rounds CCI Mini Mags
Helotex Flashlight w/spare batteries(AA)
I see the Israeli battle dressing. But, what about cuts or blisters, diarrhea, etc.? No mini first aid kit? Or, did I just miss it? (Wouldn’t be the first time).
Hi Rourke, You may want to look at the North American Rescue Emergency Trauma Dressing. It may be personal preference, but I find this to be a better bandage.
Thanks Paul.
I like the hammock and spare ht aa battery additions, nice simple kit. Up here we’re looking at single digit temps so more gear is required. Ones area dictates what you carry.
I see the SR22 pistol, but what about a rifle? Even if just testing out your kit you could carry an airsoft for experience. I do love your kit, but being a former Field Corpsman I agree with Heidi and would want a bit more in the line of medical supplies my friend.
I am going to have to try the hammock. I am a fan of the idea of being off the ground, but how warm is it when temps are down?
Brad M – the pack is on the small side and as stated this kit is formatted for speed so lightweight is critical. It is a work in progress and I am putting together a couple more kits with different purposes. As far as medical supplies I did miss a small basic kit that is included which has bandages, anti-diarrheal, and a bit of gauze.
Hammock’s are not great for cold weather unless a sleeping bag is used – and still the heat reflecting off the ground is gone and is just flat out not as good. The kit described is for warmer weather. Eno just came out with a winter insulation kit. Expensive but would like to try it out.
For the last few years I’ve been using a poncho liner slung beneath my hammock to work as a underquilt during cold season in Northern Ohio. It stays attached to my get home bag 24/7. I can’t see spending $100 plus for a underquilt. A friend I use to go camping with, he would string his hammock through his sleeping bag so it becomes a top and bottom quilt, in cold temps he’d just wear thermals to bed and be cozy. I’ve been very comfortable down to 20F using a USGI bivy sack with the black 10F bag, poncho liner underneath and a properly erected Yukon outfitters tarp overhead.