Get home bags

[Saltwater60]

I have something called a Life raft, in case i ever have to get over a body of water. When rolled up and packed, it is about the size of a loaf of Wonder bread. It does NOT need a pump to inflate it either. Simply unravel it and snap it out in the air, like you would a garbage bag to "inflate" it, and it will fill up with air and then close and secure the one end, like a common water proof bag used on a kayak or small boat. It is very sturdy and strong. Although small and convenient, it is also durable, and not easily popped, and reusable as well.

Has more uses than crossing the water IMO.

 

[Robin]

There are three of them. You can make it!
Robin

 

[Celt]

30 pounds on a treadmill. It’s a start but are you wearing the same shoes or boots you would have on such a trek?
Due my age, injuries etc I think 30 pounds would be my limit. My get home bag is modular in concept. I plan to ditch a lot of it before staying out. I have it set up in case I am dressed in less than proper clothes like a suit or need more clothes like in winter.
My stuff looks like stuff I would take to the gym as not raise eyebrows and blends with the other people.
If I take the train into NYC , I can’t carry much but I really don’t need much that matches/ lighter, duct tape, plastic contractor garbagebags, change of clothes and perhaps shoes, survival candle, lifeboat ration or millennium bars, water filter, water purify tablets, single wall metal water bottle, Mylar blanket/ bag, rag cloth/towel in addition to my EDC (knife, smartphone, headphones, firearm , ( my retired LEO permit is good in Nyc) spare mag , phone charger/ flashlight, small medication/ boo boo kit, Kleenex pocket tissues, matches,wallet items like ID, cash, credit cards etc, multi tool). I have my shoe laces and belt for cordage if needed. A coat depends on the weather.
I need to travel light if something happens. This can change depending on perceived circumstances or if I am driving all the way in.
River crossings, I doubt I would even attempt it unless I find someone with a real boat or an open bridge. It’s not a realistic scenario in my mind to need to do it with a get home bag.

Hiking the distance home in one day would be a pipe dream. I have some friends along the way I think would put me up for a night or two.

Youre right, its a start. Ive also been a life long athlete and have always maintained a higher than average level of fitness. My current commute is about 50 miles, if i was desperate i think i could do it in 2 days, but i plan for 3. This is why I am going to do some tests to see how my body holds up.

I have all of the same things in my bag, I also have a small monocular for scouting, a compass,mre's, and i keep alot of extra stuff in my truck to supplement depending, including sneakers, although the boots i wear for work are hiking boots and quite comfortable. My bag is a NON tactical black backpack. Along with first aid I have advils which im sure I would need on such a trek. Ive had many 10 mile walking days in my "work boots". I also change up my bag for winter and summer.

The one thing Im not happy about is no firearm. I usually work in some pretty bad areas so depending on the time of day a shtf scenario hits I may have to wait until first light of the next day to get moving, but my plan is to get out of the city ASAP before things get too violent. I do have other tools that can be improvised weapons but id be avoiding trouble like the plague. Also situation dependent, Id try to find some other people to walk out with, at least until im past yonkers.

 

[MilesTeg]

I still think for a long commute like that, one of the collapsible bikes are the way to go.

 

[speedkills27]

no firearm is a tough pill in a scenario that's very urban

 

[Truebeliever]

I still think for a long commute like that, one of the collapsible bikes are the way to go.

Just remember, if you are driving into NYC , it’s the old rules again. Nothing valuable can be seen through the car window. They will break in and steal it if they see it.

 

[Truebeliever]

no firearm is a tough pill in a scenario that's very urban

Yeah, that sucks but the good news is that most of the major SHTF events were not targeting individuals if they kept their heads down and walked away from trouble. It’s the micro-SHTF and targeted events like regular robberies or being targeted for another reason would be my concern at this point.

 

[MilesTeg]

Just remember, if you are driving into NYC , it’s the old rules again. Nothing valuable can be seen through the car window. They will break in and steal it if they see it.

Definitely a different world here in CNY. My commute is 25ish miles one way. So If I needed to get home on foot it would take some doing. Especially considering I wear hard sole boots everyday and the terrain is very hilly. I still have yet to put together a bag of my own, maybe it will be a good winter project.

 

[Truebeliever]

Definitely a different world here in CNY. My commute is 25ish miles one way. So If I needed to get home on foot it would take some doing. Especially considering I wear hard sole boots everyday and the terrain is very hilly. I still have yet to put together a bag of my own, maybe it will be a good winter project.

Where I live, we can keep things in our cars with little fear of crime. Park at the mall or the railroad , it’s a different story.
Occasionally we get “travelers “from other neighborhoods but that is few and far between.

 

[Celt]

I still think for a long commute like that, one of the collapsible bikes are the way to go.

I've been debating on keeping one of my mountain bikes in the back of my truck, but I currently don't have a bedcover and it will end up stolen. I'll be getting a new truck next year and I will get it with a bedcover and likely keep 1 of my bikes in there. But, being on a bike can also make me a target although that is why it is important to get moving as yeah to get moving as soon as something happens rather than waiting. There are also plenty of bikes in the city and I could possibly grab one in an emergency.

 

[MilesTeg]

I've been debating on keeping one of my mountain bikes in the back of my truck, but I currently don't have a bedcover and it will end up stolen. I'll be getting a new truck next year and I will get it with a bedcover and likely keep 1 of my bikes in there. But, being on a bike can also make me a target although that is why it is important to get moving as yeah to get moving as soon as something happens rather than waiting. There are also plenty of bikes in the city and I could possibly grab one in an emergency.

Depending on how much stuff you keep I think one of those collapsible bikes can fit behind a truck seat.

 

[speedkills27]

Yeah, that sucks but the good news is that most of the major SHTF events were not targeting individuals if they kept their heads down and walked away from trouble. It’s the micro-SHTF and targeted events like regular robberies or being targeted for another reason would be my concern at this point.

the chances of running into a "mostly peaceful protest" are much greater then a wide spread SHTF scenario. Personally id be much more worried about the former then the latter as it might be more likely to need the firearm

 

[Celt]

no firearm is a tough pill in a scenario that's very urban

Absolutely, Hypothetically speaking, someone could try to make a hidden compartment in their vehicle to store a handgun/spare mags. But here is the problem, if the vehicle were ever stolen the handgun would then have to be reported stolen and there is a possibility it would be discovered that the firearm was within New York City limits. Or if you had an accident and or a vehicle fire. Its entirely possible a crappy situation due to no fault of your own could lead to you being charged with a felony and a life time loss of 2a rights.

If a shtf scenario happened, it would be a few days before people became desperate by and large so moving iut of urban areas quickly is the key.

 

[Celt]

Depending on how much stuff you keep I think one of those collapsible bikes can fit behind a truck seat.

I have a tundra, and my back seat does not fold down, but it does flip up so I keep extra gear under the seat where its out of sight, but a fold up bike would not fit.

 

[speedkills27]

if you were really hell bent you could set up a cache either at a friends place or rent a small storage unit that is on the route home. IDK how much storage costs in NYC or how practical it is in comparison with the route you need to take but its an idea

 

[Celt]

the chances of running into a "mostly peaceful protest" are much greater then a wide spread SHTF scenario. Personally id be much more worried about the former then the latter as it might be more likely to need the firearm

This is a big reason why reason why I have tools in my vehicle, I keep myself physically fit, and I have experience in self defense. Im not a black belt in anything but I was a wrestler, and i have extensive street experience. Although nothing will really help you if you're facing a large group of attackers and you're all by yourself. It's possible a gun could help if the group you are facing is a little less determined and once you drop a few people the rest would run, but in a desperate situation being out numbered is bad news. Its best to find a few people to move with, move quickly and avoid trouble areas and choke points where possible.

 

[Celt]

if you were really hell bent you could set up a cache either at a friends place or rent a small storage unit that is on the route home. IDK how much storage costs in NYC or how practical it is in comparison with the route you need to take but its an idea

Ive thought about a cache, and there are some other options ive considered.