Found Wanting: Get Home Prep Failure

[Falstaff]

I had a sudden unexpected need for a Get Home Bag last week, and found my kit was so widely spread and unfocussed that I had to go without.
You never know when or how, and this is how it came about this time:

An unexpected eye consultant opportunity at 1 hours notice, at a hospital some 30 miles away. Opportunity grabbed with both hands, but whilst I could drive there, if eye drops were given I would be unable to drive home. Sitting it out was a no go, it can take more than a day for the eyes to recover enough to drive.
Weather lousy, cold, wet, bus and train services unknown, and almost certain to involve a lot of waiting around and walking. Might take all day, not a lot between towns.
I rapidly recognised I needed warm wet weather protection, and the sort of tech, rations and goodies that should be in a Get Home Bag, and a brolly. I'm in trainers, I have a warm coat and a bag but what to put in it and where was the kit?

I was like a puppy in a wood, unable to decide what tree to wee on, and precious time running away. The usual limited van kit was not accessible, sufficient, or viable to carry.
Missing an appointment at this hospital is strict, and like snakes and ladders, puts you back at start of the GP process.
In desperation I left with nothing but the coat, beanie and OAP bus pass/debit cards. Oh, and small backpack, empty except for a large heavy appointments diary.

How it turned out - I was lucky.
I arrived late, pleaded alien spacecraft or something. Relenting, I was shuttled through 3 examinations and the consultant with military efficiency and shot out the door, in probably not much more than an hour. But thankfully no eye drops...this time...so was able to drive home.

Looking at on-line Get Home Kit lists, they seem to be obsessed with end-of-civilisation/guns, knives, zombies scenes. I.E not civilised unexpected strandings, which are far more likely to happen. (regretfully I'd even include Bondi incidents in that category). I found one which seemed to more sensibly focus on needs headings and was adaptable.

But what do you think the correct headings/kit are, for a portable, Get Home Bag?

In the absence of a car kit - imagine car stolen, travel by public transport or with a friend who's left/got lost at the event. What will you take/carry ?

 

[Toddy]

Well, I call it a handbag....but then I'm a little lady and I get away with a lot

How about a small day pack ? I used to carry one of them when I was working. It was only 15L but that was more than enough for the usual necessities....FAK, health kit, water bottle, cheapo cagoule, wipes and hankies and bin liners. Just 'stuff'. Usually mints, some dried fruit in a zip bag; that kind of thing.

 

[Keith_Beef]

Mobile phone, bank card, €135 in cash (two €50 notes, a twenty, a ten and a five), a little AAA torch and spare battery, train and bus card.

That's enough to get me home by public transport or by taxi from anywhere in about 35km from home and get me a hot meal even if I need to pay cash.

 

[Ozmundo]

I do have a PUFO (Pick Up Leave off) bag that sits by the bed ready to go.

Basically a 20L daysack half full, deliberately so, with some basics plus copies of certain documents. All the kit in it is non contentions for public transport or having to go through a security check. Water, emergency bivi bag, sit mat, mug and bcb fire dragon, energy food etc.
Some warm clothes that look relatively casual. Trousers have vapour barrier liners and non tactical, for example.

Unused space is for anything I decide to grab on the way out or so I can stick my coat in it.

I may be a little paranoid.

 

[OrangeSport]

I always carry my little bag with cash, cards, phone, power bank, pocket knife, pen and water. I add snacks if needed (protein bars are small and filling). I dress appropriately for the weather / situation.

Never needed anything more than that in an urban environment.

 

[TeeDee]

I've had those eye drops , if its the ones I'm thinking of a few times now - dilates the Iris fully open and all the light in the world is turned to 11. Glad it didn't happen and also glad it was in the dark Winter months. Dealing with that in Summer is a nightmare.


Think you probably know what you need for your bag - as to if thats an Overnight Hospital bag or if its more of a 'get home bag' I guess you can answer - There probably will be more to add to the get home bag but how much more of that is essential as opposed to anyones fanciful requirements I suppose can only be proved or disproved until its actually required. Or not.

I think everyones suggestions above are all worthy of considering inclusion - Ideally , it needs to be suited however to your capability and requirements - by that I mean , respectfully I have no idea of your physical capabilities ( no point packing walking boots if walking is an issue ) , the general location you live in or your routine.

If your normal routine is to work or find your self 30 miles away from home on a semi consistent basis then that will be something you need to factor in. If you look back at the year and realise for the majority you've only been 5-10 miles away and its all semi rural vs urban I think that can change the basic requirements and keep pack weight down.


I think Toddys suggestion is a good starting point and keeps the weight down - think , I need day pack but with the possible extras of staying overnight under cover. Plus whatever Meds you may or may not need and enough "options" ( Cash , card , Bus pass , Train card - assuming these maybe still working ) to get you homeward bound.

 

[OrangeSport]

I have a few more bits in my car, as I guess that it's more likely that if I'm stuck somewhere remote and far away from home unexpectedly it's more likely to be because of a car problem / accident than a planned trip on foot / public transport.

 

[Toddy]

Work could be anything from two miles to three hundred away from home....and here that means over mountains/hills. The car was well stocked, but my personal, at hand stuff...that was in the bag.

My 'bag' was just stuff I knew I used. There's still one of those folded up space blankets in it. Still in it's zip pouch, and the cheap cagoule in it's own pocket too. Stuff that doesn't weigh anything really, but if it was utterly miserable, such good things to have.

FAK, was pretty basic, just clean up stuff, plaster over stuff, steristrips and wrapped up in a tubi-grip (I ripped tendons on my ankle, tripped over a Neolithic clearance boundary hidden in tussocky grass ) and the tubi-grip ends up multi purpose antihistamines, anti inflammatories.

The 'health' pouch....I use pouches to keep stuff organised... had hand sanitising wipes, couple of really good paper napkins, folded up small bin liners, the kind with handles, so you can use them as a carrier bag if necessary, a zip bag with a few toilet wipes, small manicure set (don't laugh, a broken or snagged nail is a major annoyance when you're working) and tweezers are at times just what you need, I changed out the scissors for better ones, and a tick lifter tool. A wee mirror, comb, dental floss.
Small stuff, but when you need it, it's at hand. I fitted a couple of threaded needles into that kit too, but there is a small hussif with buttons and a thread pleat in it...again in a mini zip bag.

I usually have cash stashed around the bag....often just pound coins dropped in the bottom. Change, sort of thing, nothing notable.
A little maglite torch (I think I'd change that out now for an LED one) Wee notebook and pen and pencil.
Usually some sheets out of a puzzle book (I get bored, a bored me is a bad idea)
Couple of metres of paracord.

My phone and my purse (and my pocket knife if it were appropriate) went into the bag as I went out the door.
Winter time there were hat and gloves too.

That was pretty much it.
Weighed maybe three pounds in total. No burden, just slung over my shoulder.
My Bag.

 

[Van-Wild]

Be ready for the unexpected is always going to be a bit of a challenge. You can end up going right down the 'what if' and 'apocalypse long trek' rabbit hole....

I have a small get home bag in my car, but as you have asked what folks would carry sans vehicle kit, I guess it comes down to what you actually carry every day, and that really means with what's in your pockets. This will mean that your EDC will need to be small, light, and ideally multi-purpose.

I carry the following every day, my work is 32 miles from home. I could walk it in one night, but that would totally exhaust me, and by the time I got home, I may as well get in the car and drive straight back to work! . So realistically, Id rely on public transport to get home. In this scenario, we are really looking at the short term (6hrs or less). With the stuff I carry in my pockets, im going to have to make sacrifices, or just accept im going to get wet if it rains, or im going to get a bit chilly if its cold. Unless of course Im always going to be wearing an insulated waterproof jacket every day of the year.

Here's what I carry in my pockets every single day....

My mobile phone. Comms, navigation, the Internet. I can check public transport times and routes, call family for a pick up, book a cab, train or bus. And it has a torch.

My wallet. ID, bank card, about £100 cash at all times, and a laminated card with NOK phone numbers. I can pay for transport, food, lodgings if needed. If I really need a coat, I can buy a cheap one. If I lose my phone, ive got important numbers on me.

A slim battery bank. It slips in my pocket behind my wallet. It has an integrated cable and will fully charge my phone once.

A small torch on a pocket clip. More handy than you'd think. Because when you need it, you really need it. Also good for lighting up dodgy looking folk and temporarily blinding them...

A leatherman multitool. I use it in my trade almost daily, and if I need to open a letter, a bottle of beer, unscrew something.....

A cotton hankie. Well its actually an old sweat rag. Rather handy actually. I can wipe my hands, or a wet seat, wipe my eyes, use it as a kinda scarf. Or as a sling or torniquet in extremis.

And that's it... not a lot but its all in my pockets every day. I dress appropriately for the weather conditions. I always wear a lightweight decent pair of boots.

If youre interested, I can post links to all my pocket edc or upload a picture for reference.

 

[Falstaff]

Thanks people, gets the grey matter tickled huh? I think TeeDee's summary is about right, my bag needs to be something like Toddy's and Van Wilds. The packed plastic cagoule or similar is a good one.
I did consider Keith's minimal approach, and whilst it covers most aspects, a) I'd need more cash and phone apps,- taxi, bus, train are not cheap nor the food options. (I was not aware on the day that I had only £10 in my wallet). b) you need weather protection, especially rain.
While I accept Van Wild's pragmatism about getting cold and wet, I once started getting hyperthermia while waiting to get an answer on one of those motorway rescue phones. I'm not prepared to risk that again.
My working area is a mix of urban and fairly empty countryside, but is usually all 20-40 miles from home, and buses and taxi's are not frequent. I'm reasonably fit and able but my realistic walking distance is probably 6 may be 10miles, which is enough at a pinch. Walking on country road verges is not easy or quick, espercially if they are busy roads or quite blind.
I usually include a couple of plastic rubble sacks and cordage, and have needed them a few times. Grey Cat's analysis of likely events is spot on, sounds like my life story!

 

[Toddy]

I think in your case I'd add one of those lightweight dayglo vests and a head torch. You get ones that flash a red light at the back of your head as well as the see where you're going white one at the front.
We have roads like those around here, last thing you want to be doing is walking them at night with nothing to show you're there.
Again, the dayglo vests cost very little and weigh just a couple of ounces. Like this...

https://www.screwfix.com/c/safety-workwear/hi-vis-vests/cat850540

 

[Falstaff]

Thanks, good reminder. I have those, hadn't thought to include them. Friend of mine has a big fluorescent velcro patch to go on the back of his backpack for the same reason.

 

[FerlasDave]

I had a somewhat similar situation recently when I had to go and collect our new car it took two trains, a bus journey and a 3 mile walk. (The latter really confused the salesman, 3 miles to him was like walking to the moon!)

I was prepared to turn around if I didn’t like the look of the car and do the journey in reverse. And there was also the possibility the car could let me down on my way home.

I only took a small bag and a few things; a waterproof jacket, a few snacks, water, a head torch and a powerbank for my phone were the main contents. I figured I could get lunch on route between trains but the most important tool for me was my phone. It did everything from maps to railway tickets, and I could contact the dealer along the way if anything changed.

Other than food, (I get bored and hungry on train journeys) the powerbank was the next most important tool. If I ended up eating the battery in my phone or my head touch needed recharging it would be worth its weight in gold.

 

[MrEd]

I carry just some basics
Small torch and a spare battery
Small pocket knife
Bank cards x 2 (credit and debit)
Modest amount of cash - £100
500ml Drink bottle
Phone
Reading book
My ‘can’t do without’ medications (just a couple)


I dress for the weather, but in the cooler months I will put a pair of gloves, beanie and scarf in the bag to - makes a huge difference if you have to say stand on a wet cold dark train platform for a while due to delays or whatever. In summer it’s a lightweight rain coat.

If I need snacks/meal I will buy them, cash or card. If everywhere is shut but I have some water, I can put up with being hungry.

I would feel quite happy with that for upto a few hours away from home, every 3-4months I have to go to a specialist hospital for treatment and it’s 2.5hrs from my house. Might take me ages to get home and be uncomfortable but I would survive and be okay.

 

[Keith_Beef]

Oh, I forgot that I always, or 90% of the time, have a Leatherman Supertool and another torch on my belt. The Leatherman gets left at home if I know that I'm going somewhere like a museum, gallery or government building.

A broken nail sounds like an annoyance, but when it snags on your clothes, pulls and becomes a wound that can get infected, you'll wish you'd had a file and had taken the time to smooth it.

The torch is a more powerful one with an 18650 battery, and serves as a front light when I'm riding my bike.

In these winter months I wear a ski jacket, well insulated with a hood, plus a woolly hat.

I've had to walk home on a few occasions... I was in the RER B train on the way home from work when the train ahead was blown up by terrorists.

1995 Paris RER bombing - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

I walked from Cité universitaire to Montmartre, around 10km.

Other times I've had to walk shorter distances because of technical or other problems (no power, brakes stuck on, assaulted staff walking off the job, animals on the line, suspect objects left on trains or on stations).

 

[Chris]

Depends on where I am going and by what transport medium. My car always has some warm clothing and a blanket, and a decent waterproof jacket. Plus a 5L box or bottle of water, ration pack and a Jetboil. If I am not in my car I probably have a backpack.

Bag:
Warm layer
Waterproof
Small snack (granola bar or perhaps a snacks from a ration pack)
Water bottle
First Aid Kit
3 days’ supply of any meds I am currently on, if applicable
Power bank with charging cable

Wallet, SAK and small torch always on me. My daily cards and £100 cash as standard. Most scenarios in the modern world, given we are usually not in the wilderness, can be resolved with some money (shelter/food/transport/use of a phone).

If I’m not expecting to be stuck somewhere and it’s an urban environment, I just assume I can buy a toothbrush and toothpaste for a couple of quid if necessary. If you have even a small bit of cash, I really don’t think you need much beyond the essentials of staying warm, dry and hydrated in a country this urbanised. It’s easy to overthink and still be left wanting with a bag full of ‘useful’ but irrelevant kit. Money can be used to buy most of the things you know you need in the moment.

 

[Crac]

I've given an outline as a personal message.


I'd like to lean into the idea of mandatory kit for adventure racing?

A lot is basic sense like a wind proof shell layer, hat, headover and gloves, food, water, map, watch and compass... A good outline can be found here:

https://res.cloudinary.com/utmb-world/image/upload/v1752166072/arcofattrition/Arc_of_Attrition_Mandatory_Kit_V2_0_846a02b0f6.pdf.pdf

The other thing I found was this:
£15 and 136 grams for a little person care... I like the look of it.
https://www.myracekit.com/myracekit-multi-stage-personal-care-travel-kit-p878#attribute[1]=82

 

[Van-Wild]

Depends on where I am going and by what transport medium. My car always has some warm clothing and a blanket, and a decent waterproof jacket. Plus a 5L box or bottle of water, ration pack and a Jetboil. If I am not in my car I probably have a backpack.

Bag:
Warm layer
Waterproof
Small snack (granola bar or perhaps a snacks from a ration pack)
Water bottle
First Aid Kit
3 days’ supply of any meds I am currently on, if applicable
Power bank with charging cable

Wallet, SAK and small torch always on me. My daily cards and £100 cash as standard. Most scenarios in the modern world, given we are usually not in the wilderness, can be resolved with some money (shelter/food/transport/use of a phone).

If I’m not expecting to be stuck somewhere and it’s an urban environment, I just assume I can buy a toothbrush and toothpaste for a couple of quid if necessary. If you have even a small bit of cash, I really don’t think you need much beyond the essentials of staying warm, dry and hydrated in a country this urbanised. It’s easy to overthink and still be left wanting with a bag full of ‘useful’ but irrelevant kit. Money can be used to buy most of the things you know you need in the moment.

I'm of similar thought. The stuff I EDC is the absolute minimum for me. My car is an extention of capability I suppose. In my car is always 5lt of water and a rucksack containing:

Big insulated, goretex jacket
warm hat and gloves
A thermal survival blanket
Poncho liner
Paracord
Head torch
Knife, folding saw
Lighter and a fire steel
Jetboil
Brew kit and snack pack
Power bank and cables
Medical kit (1 small IFAK in a hip bag, 1 larger kit in its own bag)

My EDC will see me through about 6hrs (anything else ill need short term like food or clothing I can buy). My car bag will get me through up to 24hrs easily. If i have to leave my car in emergency (stranded, broken down etc, and as a last resort) ill take the car bag and walk. But to be honest and realistic, im generally in an urban environment so things like food, lodgings, transport can all be obtained pretty easily. If my car breaks down say, on the way home from work, im doing what everyone else does. Ill call my breakdown service and wait by the roadside. A minor inconvenience for me. If the car cant be recovered until the following day, im gonna call my wife/family/friend and they'll pick me up for sure.

 

[GreyCat]

The car vs bag thing is an issue. If you leave stuff like clothing in a car over a soggy UK winter, it will get damp, no matter how well sealed the car is. This was a constant challenge when I had a camper van.

I leave some things in a vehicle, other stuff willl go in a bag I take with me. I can pack quickly as I have key equipment in small packages, e.g. my overnight kit is in a woollen pencil case. That includes soap/toothbrush/essential meds etc and also bits and bobs like nail clippers, needles and thread, plasters/sudocrem, USB C charger and a small knife- minimal in size but comprehensive. That has evolved over several years and contains enough for at least a week away. I will tend to pack other stuff in relation to the weather (current and forecast- at home, at destination and enroute to destination). Powerbanks are packed each time so that I can maintain them charged in as favourable an environment as possible.

It's worth thinking about how much cash you take if going a long way from home. £50 won't get you much these days- whether that be fuel, train tickets, accommodation or alternative transport. £150 is a better minimum.

Also worth considering the level you maintain your car fuel at. I fill up between 3/4 and 1/2 tank, usually just under 3/4. When I am out for work in the East Mids, I top up when halfway, then just before my destination- at this point in worst case scenario I have enough to get home. I have established stop points on the trip where fuel can reliably be bought and always carry enough cash to pay for fuel for the whole trip plus some food. It's a habit and may seem a bit paranoid, but it's been useful on many occasions when routing around traffic or in poor conditions because it means I am not stressing about running out of fuel.

GC

 

[Toddy]

When I worked away from home, Himself insisted that I had 'get you and the car home' insurance.

I don't know about any others, but AutoNationalRescue has done just that, from a single track road in the wilds of the Western Highlands, to Dumfries and Galloway. They even came and charged my flat battery for me in a hospital carpark when Son2 was so very ill.
Not expensive and honestly the reassurance is worth every penny.

They use a network of local garages scattered right throughout the UK, and if you have access to a phone signal, they'll find you, and get you home.

I gain no benefit from this link; it's just an honest recommendation from someone who has been using them for over twenty years, and has literally no complaints.

Home - Autonational Rescue

www.autonational.co.uk

M