If you’re thinking about starting or expanding your emergency kit, it’s easy to get lost in a sea of terminology: Bug Out Bags (BOB), Go Bags, Get Home Bags (GHB), and INCH Bags (I’m Never Coming Home). Understanding the differences between these kits and knowing when and how to use them can significantly increase your safety and peace of mind.
In this blog, we’ll explore each type of bag and why adopting a tiered emergency preparedness system is both practical and versatile.
Why Use a Tiered Emergency System?
A tiered system is all about having a range of kits that can serve different purposes and be tailored for specific scenarios. It’s a structured approach that ensures you have the right tools on hand, whether you’re handling a minor inconvenience or a full-blown crisis. For instance, a small Go Bag might suffice during a brief disruption, while a more comprehensive Bug Out Bag is suitable for longer, more intense emergencies.
This approach is especially relevant for UKSN members, as it allows for a seamless integration of outdoor skills, bushcraft knowledge, and practical self-sufficiency. By organising your preparedness into multiple tiers, you’re ensuring that you’re ready for anything—from an unexpected delay on a hiking trail to a community-level disaster.
Let’s dive into each type of bag, its purpose, and what to include.
Bug Out Bag (BOB)
What is a Bug Out Bag?
A Bug Out Bag, or BOB, is a kit designed to sustain you for about 72 hours during an emergency evacuation. It’s often intended for situations where you may need to leave your home due to a natural disaster, fire, or other immediate threats. The purpose is survival away from your normal surroundings, providing enough supplies to get you through the critical first few days of a crisis.
What to Include in a Bug Out Bag:
A well-thought-out BOB should cover the essentials of survival:
Water and Filtration: Bottled water or a portable filtration system like a Lifesaver Bottle.
Food: Non-perishable, high-calorie foods like energy bars, nuts, and dried fruits.
Shelter and Warmth: Emergency bivy bags, mylar blankets, and extra clothing layers.
First Aid Kit: A robust first aid kit tailored to handle common injuries.
Fire-making Tools: Waterproof matches, a fire starter, and tinder.
Navigation and Communication: Maps, compass, and a power bank for your phone.
Multipurpose Tools: A sturdy knife, multitool, and basic repair items.
Remember, your BOB should be lightweight yet comprehensive. Regularly updating and maintaining your Bug Out Bag is crucial, especially as you learn more about your personal needs and the environment around you.
When to Use It: A Bug Out Bag is perfect for situations requiring an immediate evacuation with no guarantee of returning soon, like a widespread power outage, or a flood.
Go Bag
What is a Go Bag?
A Go Bag is typically smaller and lighter than a Bug Out Bag, designed for more frequent or short-term situations. Think of it as a quick-grab pack with just enough essentials to handle a brief evacuation or unexpected delay. Go Bags are often used for daily commutes or travel, providing essential items without the bulk of a BOB.
What to Include in a Go Bag:
Go Bags are often compact, containing only the most crucial items:
Basic First Aid Supplies: Bandages, pain relievers, antiseptic wipes.
Snacks and Water: Energy bars and a water bottle.
Portable Phone Charger: A small power bank to keep your phone charged.
Cash and Identification: A small amount of cash, ID, and essential documents.
Weather Protection: A lightweight waterproof poncho or jacket.
The idea behind a Go Bag is simplicity. It’s lightweight, allowing you to move quickly while still covering essentials.
When to Use It: Go Bags are ideal for less severe scenarios, such as public transport delays, unexpected overnight stays, or short-term evacuations where you know you’ll likely return soon.
Get Home Bag (GHB)
What is a Get Home Bag?
A Get Home Bag is a compact emergency kit designed to help you reach home in case of a sudden disruption while you’re out. This is particularly useful if you work or frequently travel away from home, as it’s tailored to help you bridge the gap between your location and your primary shelter.
What to Include in a Get Home Bag:
A Get Home Bag should focus on tools and supplies that aid in mobility and self-sufficiency:
Comfortable Walking Shoes: Essential if you’re likely to be on foot.
Basic Navigation: Maps of your usual routes and a compass.
Minimal First Aid Kit: Basic medical supplies for small injuries.
Water and Snacks: Enough to sustain you for the journey home.
Personal Protection Gear: Weather-appropriate clothing, gloves, and a hat.
For those who commute long distances, especially in areas prone to disruptions, a Get Home Bag ensures you have what you need to navigate back to safety.
When to Use It: This is an everyday bag, ideal for commuters who want the peace of mind that comes from knowing they have what it takes to get home in case of disruptions like public transport failures or extreme weather conditions.
INCH Bag (I’m Never Coming Home)
What is an INCH Bag?
The INCH Bag is the most comprehensive and robust of all, designed with the assumption that you may never return home. It’s built for indefinite self-sufficiency, containing everything necessary to survive long-term without resupply. This bag is only for the most serious of situations where resuming a “normal” life isn’t possible.
What to Include in an INCH Bag:
An INCH Bag should be thorough and packed with long-term survival essentials:
Water Purification: A large, durable filter capable of handling extensive use.
Long-Term Food Supplies: Freeze-dried meals, cooking equipment, and fishing supplies.
Advanced Shelter Options: A durable tent, tarp, or other robust shelter material.
Self-Sufficiency Tools: A hatchet, large knife, small saw, and foraging supplies.
Medical Supplies: A comprehensive first aid kit, including trauma supplies.
Clothing and Footwear: Weatherproof, multi-season attire and durable footwear.
An INCH Bag is heavy and demanding to carry, which makes it practical only in the most extreme of cases. The bag’s purpose is to allow you to live off the land and sustain yourself without the need for further resupply, making it a challenging but powerful tool for self-sufficiency.
When to Use It: The INCH Bag is only for extreme emergencies, where there’s a serious breakdown of normal society and the likelihood of returning to your usual life is very low.
Building Your Tiered System: A UKSN Approach
Rather than relying on a single bag, adopting a tiered system allows you to pick the right level of preparedness for any situation. Start with a basic Go Bag for daily commutes or minor inconveniences. From there, expand into a Bug Out Bag that can cover you for several days away from home, and add a Get Home Bag to ensure you can make it home during disruptions.
The INCH Bag can be seen as the ultimate level of preparation for those who are deeply committed to long-term self-sufficiency. For many UKSN members, mastering bushcraft and wilderness skills can make the prospect of using an INCH Bag seem more feasible, but it’s essential to remember that this is a last resort.
By understanding each bag’s purpose and developing a personalised tiered system, UKSN members can be confident in their preparedness—whether they’re tackling an outdoor adventure, an unexpected delay, or a more serious emergency. This structured approach aligns with UKSN’s ethos of preparedness, self-sufficiency, and a commitment to safety and resilience within the UK community.
Final Tips for the Prepared UKSN Member:
Regularly Update Your Kits: Swap out expired items, seasonal clothing, and reassess needs.
Practise Using Your Gear: Familiarity with your kit can make all the difference in an emergency.
Stay Informed: Monitor local news, stay updated on UK-specific preparedness guidelines, and join UKSN events and Charters to expand your skills.
UKSN’s tiered system approach enables members to be ready for life’s uncertainties with a calm and confident mindset, rooted in resilience and self-sufficiency. Start building your tiered system today, and feel more prepared for whatever life may bring.
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