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Yeah, I hadn't thought of shop towels but those are sturdy as all get-out compared to other paper products. I have a pack of travel tissues for face/fanny use.
 
This is my take on GHBs


In the UK in the last four years the preppers have been adapting and evolving their plans quite fast, the once held belief of most preppers was of bugging OUT if TSHTF has now evolved somewhat to a point where many (but not all) preppers now choose to bug IN instead.


This comes in two forms (1) the more fortunate prepper who can afford to move lock stock and barrel to a more suitable spot usually well out of town to a place that being self-sufficient can be achieved in one form or another. IE they go and live full time at their chosen BOL. (2) The other being the ordinary prepper who is unable to relocate but has realised that bugging out is no longer really a viable option.


Causes are often the simple massive overcrowding and movement issues that have developed in many towns and cities as the UK becomes grossly over populated.


Very heavy slow moving traffic and borderline traffic gridlock happening twice a day caused by heavy traffic flow is just accepted as normal now. In places the problems are worsened by the inevitable closures of the roads by speeding commuters crashing their cars due to reckless driving habits. Some cities report that average traffic speeds are now slower than they were in Victorian times.


This gridlock is often compounded by tourists, cyclists and caravans and traffic attending major public events causing traffic chaos across entire regions. Indeed the closure of public roads for large public events is more popular than ever and if we add the often appalling British weather to the mix the opportunity to Bug OUT appears ever more uncertain.


These informed preppers have now often decided to make their stand at home and adapted their plans and properties accordingly.


I must add that the bug IN community still retains a REDUCED but still valuable capability of bugging OUT if staying in place becomes untenable. It is just that they have now redirected or refocused their funds and efforts into upgrading their current homes rather that split their finite resources between home and a BOL.


(After all it is rather pointless investing time, money and effort in a BOL if you have no realistic chance of getting there after TSHTF.)


Which neatly brings us neatly round to the ubiquitous BOB (Bug out Bag) cornerstone of most preppers lives.


Many people realise that now they are bugging IN and no longer needing the capability of sustaining themselves for extended periods of time as they travel quite long distances to their BOLS. They are now gradually reassessing and adapting the loads they carry around with them. IE they now need to select equipment/ tools and supplies best suited to simply help them get HOME from SCHOOL / COLLEGE / WORK which normally involves shorter journeys but often THROUGH more built up URBAN areas.


Very often those adaptations that change BOBs into GHBs involve reducing in part the amount of food and clothing carried as people are no longer needing to carry a week or more’s supply of food and clothing to sustain and protect them .


The GHB choice of selected suitable clothing and footwear to keep you warm, dry and comfortable as you travel from one side of town to the other chosen to replace the suit or high heels you wear at work is generally about all the kit many preppers now elect to carry, though thin survival blankets and ultra-light sleeping bags often still find favour in the GHB. Fleeces, Soft shells, micro fleece and lightweight water proofs are very popular according to one recent poll on a prepping forum. Gloves, Hats, Bandanas, changes of underwear and socks also fit the GHB concept.


Food is often reduced from 7 days supplies to 48 hours of emergency rations or in some cases only 24 hours’ worth. EG just enough to sustain you walking home through a disrupted and possibly dangerous city by the longest possible route.


Many choose NOT to cut back to far on clean water as its likely the need for less drinking water in a city may be offset by a need for clean water to keep soot, debris dust and dirt from damaged buildings getting into your eyes. Puri-tabs and portable water filters like the LIFE STRAW still fit into most GHBs


The reductions in food and clothing offer the prepper the opportunity to replace the excess food / clothes with more TOOLS to help ensure a safe and successful trip home though overall the weight of a complete GHB is much less than the BOB it replaced.


Things like MINI PRY BARS used to pry open elevator or jammed doors, break windows etc that helps you to escape a blacked out or damaged structure are popular additions.


It could be more illumination gear (LIGHT STICKS / FLASHLIGHTS/) to allow you to better navigate through blacked out or damaged structures, tunnels, buildings etc.


(In the USA 3rd gen night vision goggles are gaining popularity in some quarters)


The extra illumination gear can often be issued to others who are being escorted by you to safety. The extra gear could be PERSONAL SECURITY equipment for obvious reasons or it could be better quality or more COMMS GEAR, LARGER MAPS, DISPOSABLE CELL PHONE, SILICONE BLISTER KITs anything you deem to be useful to help you get home safely.


I know one prepper who has a pair of BOLT CUTTERS in his GHB to make it easier to “Obtain” extra kit to get home quicker, I think he is considering “borrowing” a bicycle! The choice of kit is yours and you must choose for yourself what you feel is best suited to help you get home.


One interesting sub development is some people whose work place is not to far from home are making GHJs or GHVs that is multi pocket Get Home JACKETS or Travel VESTS with all the essentials to get them home already loaded in the garments pockets rather than stored in a bag or rucksack.


So if TSHTF and you need to access your GHB the FIRST thing to do sensibly at the earliest safe opportunity is to transfer those ABSOLUTELY ESSENTIAL ITEMS from your GHB to your pockets in the unfortunate case that you get separated from your GHB. Those essentials HAVE to be YOUR choice, but for me the first things I want on my person are;


Spyderfire X03 tactical flashlight with serrated bezel & CR123A Batteries

EE PAYG Cellphone

Byrd Tern UK legal Folding Knife

Bic Lighter

Casio Solar Watch with built in Compass

Gerber Multiplier

Script Eye Glasses / shades

Wallet with Credit Card tool

.

So currently I’m still evolving my Get Home Bag and the list of below will probably keep changing as circumstances demand. Please note that now I’m not planning on hiking huge distances cross country my Rucksack will be changed from a large camouflaged Jack Pyke bag to something smaller, single colour and more subtle.


(When I have to visit large cities and in a suit I often transfer my GHB contents to a black Uncle Mikes cordura attaché case so I look more formal)



Green Rucksack / Navigators bag containing (changed in June 2014)

Blade tech hunter lite folding knife 75mm clip point blade

4 X magnification binoculars

Multi tool with plier head (Gerber 600 / Legend)

Mini Pry Bar

Compass (how well a GPS works after TSHTF isn’t something I want to find out)

Flashlight (usually a Fenix L2DQ5) plus spare lithium AA batteries

Assorted 8 hour Chemical light sticks

Water Purification Tablets

Rations (mainly cereal and chocolate and energy bars now)

Titanium spork and small metal mug

Blade Tech sharpener

Maps and scans (OS Land ranger 1:50,000)

Silva Type 4/54 compass in mils and degrees (6400 & 360)

Survival instructions on printed sheet

Notebook and Pen (Sharpy)

Butane Lighter (Blazer PB207)

35 mm film canister filled with Vaseline soaked cotton wool balls

Medical kit (Now medium instead of large size)

3 disposable FFP 3 dust / escape masks

Spare prescription specs plus prescription shades

Para-cord 50 meters

Zip-lock bags

Telescopic baton (if circumstances require and law permits)

Bandana (and sometimes a BUFF as well)

Baofeng UV5RC Amateur / PMR transceiver / FM 88 -108 receiver

Tactical gloves (KONA)

Personal Hygiene Kit (soap, razor, toothbrush and paste, eye drops)

Pack of Baby Wipes (better than toilet paper)

Spare underwear, T shirt & socks (depending on season)

2 x 500ml alloy water bottles


I have a second bag that attaches to this one containing more clothes and grub if the GHB needs to be changed into a poor man’s BOB.


Supplementary

Coleman Minus-18 4 Season Sleeping bag

Rations and Hexi cooker

Barnett Banshee Quad 25 pound compound bow plus 18 arrows
 
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Could someone show their gear for a bob and ghb to compare to...

One of the things to remember when comparing equipment brianjeffries44 be it BOB and/or GHB, each of us is faced with different challenges that we must overcome thus the items we place in our bags is to meet those challenges, equipment and packing weight is going to be different from one person to the other. I carry additional equipment because of the type of terrain and seasonal changes I am more likely to encounter in my geographics, my bag would be considered overweight and perhaps laughable in the states like Texas, Kansas, New Mexico etc... an axe with a 18-22" handle and a 18" machete wouldn't be overly useful in the plains to justify the weight ;)
 
Bug out Bags are just plain smart. I started a website a few months back to help folks purchase already made BOBs for a relatively low cost and so much more.

Please check out Pioneer Survival if you are interested in purchasing one of many prepared Bug-Out-Bags.

I also carry a great line of hand-made, knives from Triple J Knife Works.
 
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Ok, did some research before redoing my GHB and I work 3.5 miles away from my house. I have an alternate route that is right at 4 miles. I'm in a suburban area, so there are some woods but none that I need to go through. In any situation where I'd need to get home and can't use my car, I'm going to try and get home as quickly as possible. With that in mind, my GHB doesn't contain much in the way of shelter, firemaking, hunting/prep/cooking, or water purification. Between a short distance to travel and the fact that I'm starting from a restaurant, I don't really need much in the way of food/water, and I can scavenge before I leave.

So, in my GHB I keep:
SOG Fasthawk (more for urban entry/escape than wood processing but could fill that roll as well. Also my hand-to-hand weapon of choice.)
Buck 3in folding knife
Coleman LED flashlight (takes AAAs, and I keep extras in the bag)
Foam earbuds
1 Powerbar, 1 fruit leather, 1 bag Sport Beans, 1 smaller bag beef jerky
Emergency blanket
2 Bic lighters
Small multitool
Small sunscreen
1 Sharpie
Small First Aid kit (just the basics, needs to be improved)
2 500ml bottled water
75 ft 550 cord
Cargo shorts
Cotton long-sleeved thermal
Belt
Extra socks and boxers
100 rounds 22lr CCI Minimags
Henry US Survival 22

Not counting the rifle, the whole kit weighs 10 pounds. There's always another flashlight and a solid fixed-blade stashed in the dashboard compartment of my car, so those are available as well. This GHB is always in my trunk, which is also accessible from the backseat. I really want to practice the hike soon with the pack to see how long it would take me.
 
4 miles is about 10km right?

For an emergency, where there is that possibility that when you reach home, it might be compromised, you might want to consider

1. Metal Bottle - Klean Kanteen 32Oz/1L bottle
2. retractable slingshot (coz ammo is precious)
3. thin Titanium based cup (480ml)
4. Emergency Survival kit - fire gear (tinder,matches, lighter etc), sugar, salt, fishing gear (2 hooks, 2 floats, some line), small folding knife, small lr41 torchlight with a paper barrier to prevent leakage)
5. Lifestraw

What I am suggesting is for 2 scenarios.

1. You reach your BOL/Home and find that its compromised. Can you survive with whats in your pack?
2. For some reason, you had to flee and only can pick 1 item. ESK or PSK is the way to go.

just my 2cents.
 
Ok, did some research before redoing my GHB and I work 3.5 miles away from my house. I have an alternate route that is right at 4 miles. I'm in a suburban area, so there are some woods but none that I need to go through. In any situation where I'd need to get home and can't use my car, I'm going to try and get home as quickly as possible. With that in mind, my GHB doesn't contain much in the way of shelter, firemaking, hunting/prep/cooking, or water purification. Between a short distance to travel and the fact that I'm starting from a restaurant, I don't really need much in the way of food/water, and I can scavenge before I leave.

So, in my GHB I keep:
SOG Fasthawk (more for urban entry/escape than wood processing but could fill that roll as well. Also my hand-to-hand weapon of choice.)
Buck 3in folding knife
Coleman LED flashlight (takes AAAs, and I keep extras in the bag)
Foam earbuds
1 Powerbar, 1 fruit leather, 1 bag Sport Beans, 1 smaller bag beef jerky
Emergency blanket
2 Bic lighters
Small multitool
Small sunscreen
1 Sharpie
Small First Aid kit (just the basics, needs to be improved)
2 500ml bottled water
75 ft 550 cord
Cargo shorts
Cotton long-sleeved thermal
Belt
Extra socks and boxers
100 rounds 22lr CCI Minimags
Henry US Survival 22

Not counting the rifle, the whole kit weighs 10 pounds. There's always another flashlight and a solid fixed-blade stashed in the dashboard compartment of my car, so those are available as well. This GHB is always in my trunk, which is also accessible from the backseat. I really want to practice the hike soon with the pack to see how long it would take me.

What about keeping a bicycle at your employment location if possible (if you don't already ride one to work?) or keep it in the vehicle if you drive.
 
Ok, did some research before redoing my GHB and I work 3.5 miles away from my house. I have an alternate route that is right at 4 miles. I'm in a suburban area, so there are some woods but none that I need to go through. In any situation where I'd need to get home and can't use my car, I'm going to try and get home as quickly as possible. With that in mind, my GHB doesn't contain much in the way of shelter, firemaking, hunting/prep/cooking, or water purification. Between a short distance to travel and the fact that I'm starting from a restaurant, I don't really need much in the way of food/water, and I can scavenge before I leave.

So, in my GHB I keep:
SOG Fasthawk (more for urban entry/escape than wood processing but could fill that roll as well. Also my hand-to-hand weapon of choice.)
Buck 3in folding knife
Coleman LED flashlight (takes AAAs, and I keep extras in the bag)
Foam earbuds
1 Powerbar, 1 fruit leather, 1 bag Sport Beans, 1 smaller bag beef jerky
Emergency blanket
2 Bic lighters
Small multitool
Small sunscreen
1 Sharpie
Small First Aid kit (just the basics, needs to be improved)
2 500ml bottled water
75 ft 550 cord
Cargo shorts
Cotton long-sleeved thermal
Belt
Extra socks and boxers
100 rounds 22lr CCI Minimags
Henry US Survival 22

Not counting the rifle, the whole kit weighs 10 pounds. There's always another flashlight and a solid fixed-blade stashed in the dashboard compartment of my car, so those are available as well. This GHB is always in my trunk, which is also accessible from the backseat. I really want to practice the hike soon with the pack to see how long it would take me.

I tend to keep what is necessary in my bag and not plan on bare minimums based on distance. What if you travel 30 or 100 miles from home?
Pack for longest you need to plan for not the shortest distance and come up lacking things you need.
 
Good comments all, but there is a reason for the small size of the kit. Again, four miles maximum isn't very far. I should point out that I live "across town" from where I work so pretty much anywhere I go in town has me at a 4-5 mile radius from home. If I need more than 100 rounds of ammo to walk 5 miles than I'm probably dead anyway. If I get home and my house is compromised than I'm dead anyway as I will certainly die trying to reach my wife rather than abandon our meet up point. If I can't retake the house, she certainly can't either. Also, I live in a small house in an unimportant location, strategically. Even if we get a "Red Dawn" type situation (unlikely as that is) no one is going to want to occupy my house.

When I travel out of town, I tend to move my BOB to the car but I don't have the resources to essentially build two BOBs, which to me is what some of you are talking about. In my philosophy there's a distinct difference between GHB and BOB. If for some reason my car is broken and my phone is dead, this bag is just designed to get me back home as quickly as possible where I will rendezvous with my wife and we will continue from there. We don't have many situations that would cause us to bug out anyway, though we do have a bug out plan and a bag each should the need arise.

As far as extreme distance, I could probably count the number of times I went 100 miles away from home on one hand. When I do travel that far, I'm traveling intentionally, so I have lots of food, water, etc with me already for the trip. The above described GHB is literally always in my trunk and takes up very little room at all, nor does it raise any questions.
 
What about keeping a bicycle at your employment location if possible (if you don't already ride one to work?) or keep it in the vehicle if you drive.

The wife and I want to get bikes even for getting around town of all the cars go out. Don't have a vehicle that easily allows for keeping one on hand but at least having one in the shed seems like a worthy investment. If the grid goes down for too long, we're about 3 miles from two rivers and a spring that we could get water from, and a bike would make that process a lot easier and quicker.
 
My BOB is pretty much my GHB and vice-versa.

It's a GHB, but with the TOOLS to help me adapt should it need to be a BOB.

Since we've done it so many times, no need to go into detail on the list, but some of the more GHB items include (and some of these are in my vehicle):

1. Coded map to get home with alternate vehicle and land routes (I have to travel at max, about 50 miles to get home), this map ends prior to my actual location (in case it falls into other hands). At the end of this map is a small cache, so most will simply assume THAT as the destination on the map, not my family and home. Map also includes possible places where I can find gas, medical supplies, food, water, etc. (all color coded dots on map)

2. Pry bar tool

3. Car entry tools and siphon kit (for getting into other vehicles, and for siphoning their gas)

4. Lockpicks

5. Bolt-cutters

6. Foods that can easily be eaten while walking (don't want to stop until I have to)

7. Binoculars (I want to see trouble before it sees me)

8. Multi-tools (may need to make repairs, or take a car battery, etc., etc.)

I also subscribe to the idea of Get Home Clothes as mentioned above. I keep a pair of cargo shorts and a fishing shirt in the truck, and each has pockets stuffed with small kit items. Also keep a pair of hiking boots in there. Come SHTF, and I have to abandon my vehicle on the way home, I'll change clothes, grab my bag and go. (I'll probably change clothes while sitting in traffic, until I have to abandon the truck, but I'll use it to get as far as I can).

Big downside for me, is that most ways home involve going over a bridge. These are bound to be jammed in a SHTF scenario....so, my SHTF routes are those that don't use bridges, but do add miles to the trip (so up to 50 miles total trip). However, I can likely get most or all of that distance in the vehicle, taking those routes.

I keep even more supplies (food, water, and tools) in the truck too. However, if it came down to it, I could ditch the vehicle, even ditch my GHB, and still have plenty of little things in my clothing to make it home just fine.
 
there's lots of talk here about g.h.b's and b.o.b's..but there's always something to think about,in which i haven't taken a real notice to seeing in this thread..now here comes the WHAT IF'S? what if you can't get to your vehicle or locker for whatever reason(s),and get your b.h.b.? what if you do get to your vehicle or locker and it's on fire,or been blown up if not something else? what if you get to your vehicle,but not safe enough get everything out?will your edc=everyday carry get you home?and if not,why not? i've been thinking of this lately.and yes there are things that i do need to add to my edc.i have a folding knife in my pocket.but chances are.it wont protect me enough to keep me alive and not enjured.so i need something extra for protection.i always have a lighter on me.but things could be wet out.so i need a edc fire starter of some kind.
 
Pretty much any weapon on your person is going to (legally) require a concealed carry permit, so if that's the case, should just get a firearm to always have. Now, I don't mean strapping on a .45 or something...but I personally like a small (and I mean small) .25 where I can carry it literally in a jeans pocket. Just to be safe, I carry the magazine in a separate pocket. It only holds 6 shots a clip, but safe and small enough for EDC purposes.

If that's impractical, a decent stun gun can be a welcome (and inexpensive) solution. But, these too usually require a CCP, at least legally. (Its why I used to carry one that was disguised as a cell phone). I'd simply carry it openly (when I walked downtown), so no legal issue...but just looked like I had my phone out...LOL).....
 
Pretty much any weapon on your person is going to (legally) require a concealed carry permit, so if that's the case, should just get a firearm to always have. Now, I don't mean strapping on a .45 or something...but I personally like a small (and I mean small) .25 where I can carry it literally in a jeans pocket. Just to be safe, I carry the magazine in a separate pocket. It only holds 6 shots a clip, but safe and small enough for EDC purposes.

If that's impractical, a decent stun gun can be a welcome (and inexpensive) solution. But, these too usually require a CCP, at least legally. (Its why I used to carry one that was disguised as a cell phone). I'd simply carry it openly (when I walked downtown), so no legal issue...but just looked like I had my phone out...LOL).....
Pepper or bear spray is a good idea too. I think most situations requiring a ghb are going to require a good security measure, so I'm still going for the ccw with a fire arm.
 
Excellent information.
I work approximately 50 miles away, mapped out to walk is exactly 18 hours and 59 minutes. :eek:
GHB is exactly what I need, as we live outside of town a way and planning to bug in. I've started building it over time, but really need to get going on getting this together.
The one issue for me is I am unable to bring a firearm on campus - the hospital is a no weapon zone. Even if I have it in my car, I can get in trouble if someone finds out. So I'm thinking a knife and pepper spray is my best option at this point.
There are several streams and rivers on the way. Unfortunately for me, I would have to pass over 2 bridges and no way around it.
 
I keep a GHB in my car at all times. I am fortunate to work 2 miles from my home, and I am within 10-20 miles of my home 95% of the time.

My GHB is oriented toward urban survival. I do keep the five C's, and what most of us would consider the basics: flashlight, and headlamp with spare batteries; multitool; fixed blade and folding knife; bandanas; TP; pens, sharpies, note pad. Some toiletries. I have an IFAK. A minimal amount of food and water, and means to purify. Personal protection. A couple of things I keep are cash in small bills and change; and a Silcock (water) key.

If power is down you probably won't be able to access an ATM or use a credit card; and nobody is going to give you change. The Silcock key will allow you to use an external water spigot that may not have a handle.

Everything is kept in a medium size backpack that is easy to carry.
 
Excellent information.
I work approximately 50 miles away, mapped out to walk is exactly 18 hours and 59 minutes. :eek:
GHB is exactly what I need, as we live outside of town a way and planning to bug in. I've started building it over time, but really need to get going on getting this together.
The one issue for me is I am unable to bring a firearm on campus - the hospital is a no weapon zone. Even if I have it in my car, I can get in trouble if someone finds out. So I'm thinking a knife and pepper spray is my best option at this point.
There are several streams and rivers on the way. Unfortunately for me, I would have to pass over 2 bridges and no way around it.
Hospital or no, I would consider a concealed carry in my car. I wouldn’t advertise it to anyone and on the off chance you ever did get discovered you could always claim you forgot about it and were ever so sorry... I feel that if things get bad enough to have to walk 50 miles to get home then they would likely be bad enough to warrant some self protection.
 
I keep a GHB in my car at all times. I am fortunate to work 2 miles from my home, and I am within 10-20 miles of my home 95% of the time.

My GHB is oriented toward urban survival. I do keep the five C's, and what most of us would consider the basics: flashlight, and headlamp with spare batteries; multitool; fixed blade and folding knife; bandanas; TP; pens, sharpies, note pad. Some toiletries. I have an IFAK. A minimal amount of food and water, and means to purify. Personal protection. A couple of things I keep are cash in small bills and change; and a Silcock (water) key.

If power is down you probably won't be able to access an ATM or use a credit card; and nobody is going to give you change. The Silcock key will allow you to use an external water spigot that may not have a handle.

Everything is kept in a medium size backpack that is easy to carry.
Great idea on the silcock key. I think my multi tool would open one but maybe not an old stuck one.
 
Hospital or no, I would consider a concealed carry in my car. I wouldn’t advertise it to anyone and on the off chance you ever did get discovered you could always claim you forgot about it and were ever so sorry... I feel that if things get bad enough to have to walk 50 miles to get home then they would likely be bad enough to warrant some self protection.
Yeah believe me I've thought about it. Just worried as my car is left unattended for 12+ hours... :/
 

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