7d • Tradecraft
The Anatomy and Purpose of Essential “Go Bag” Types: WUSH, EDC, Get Home, Bug Out, and INCH Bags
In an unpredictable world, preparedness has become a central tenet for individuals and families alike. One manifestation of this preparedness ethos is the well-packed “go bag”—a portable collection of essential items ready for immediate use in various situations. Over time, distinct types of go bags have evolved to suit different scenarios, each with a specific function and set of contents. This article unpacks five key go bag types: the Wake Up, Shit’s Happening (WUSH) Bag, Every Day Carry (EDC), Get Home Bag, Bug Out Bag (BOB), and I’m Never Coming Home (INCH) Bag. By understanding their purpose and appropriate contents, you can build a comprehensive readiness plan tailored to your needs.
1. Wake Up, Shit’s Happening (WUSH) Bag
Purpose:
The WUSH bag is designed for immediate, unexpected emergencies—those moments when you wake to sirens, alarms, or chaos and have seconds to act. It is a minimalist, grab-and-go solution, focusing on survival essentials for the first few minutes or hours after a crisis begins. While many people’s normal lives don’t require having this in place for every day application at their primary domicile, I recommend this to always be in place when traveling away from home.
Make-up:
The WUSH bag’s defining feature is speed and simplicity. It is often a small bag or pouch—compact enough to be kept at your bedside, under your bed, or hanging on a doorknob. The contents are intentionally limited, aimed at helping you escape imminent danger and reach your next safety checkpoint.
· Identification and Documents: Photocopies or waterproofed originals of IDs, emergency contacts, medical info, etc.
· Keys: Car, and any critical access keys, possibly on a breakaway lanyard.
· Cash/Card: Small denomination local currency for immediate needs (payphones, transport, food).
· Flashlight: Preferably super bright, or a headlamp for hands-free use.
· Potentially with Basic Clothing: A sturdy pair of shoes, socks, weather-appropriate outerwear, and hat.
· Personal Protection: Assuming you’re primary defense tool isn’t already on your nightstand, this is the location for extra mags, knife, knuckles or your weapon of choice.
· Comms: If your phone/other devices are charging, perhaps having them in an unzipped pocket etc, so you don’t have to grab anything else during the chaos.
Typical Scenario: Fire, earthquake, home invasion, or a scarry dog barking next door. (it’s ok to laugh, my daughter did…)
2. Every Day Carry (EDC)
Purpose:
Your EDC is not a bag per se, but rather a collection of items always within arm’s reach—on your person, in your pockets, or distributed between wallet, keychain, and a small pouch, escape belt, or boots etc. (See Sole Survival article) The EDC’s intent is to increase your resilience during everyday disruptions, from minor inconveniences to sudden emergencies. It can be tailored to your primary concern or priority. Defense, survival, escape, evasion/navigation etc.
Make-up:
EDC items are highly personalized but share the theme of utility, portability, and frequency of use. They should blend seamlessly into your routine without attracting undue attention or being cumbersome. These should be scaled up or down depending on your situation, as an example, for most days I carry 1 spare mag in a sidecar on my IWB holster, when working security at events however, I often exchange this for a level 2 holster with 2x spare extended mags.
Here’s a brief example of some of my favorite EDC items.
· G-19 with optic and light, carried IWB appendix with sidecar extra mag
· X2 Voyager Cold Steel 6 inch folding blade
· Signal Leatherman Multi-tool
· Olight Flashlight
· Cash and Identification
· Cell Phone
This works in concert with my “Man Purse” 511 satchel that houses an IFAC, lighter, Garmin Inreach etc. that lives in my car and is carried on occasion. Helps me scale my loadout up or down depending on situation, (i.e. swimming, hiking etc.)
3. Get Home Bag
Purpose:
The Get Home Bag (GHB) is prepped for the specific event of an emergency or disaster occurring while you are away from home—often at work, school, or commuting. Its aim is to supply you with enough gear, food, and water to travel from your location to the safety of your residence, generally within 24 hours.
Make-up:
Typically stored in a backpack kept in your vehicle, office, or locker, the GHB is meant for foot travel through possibly hazardous or disrupted environments. Its contents reflect the need for mobility, potentially stealth, and personal protection. Of course, your bag should hopefully not be military issued multicam with molle everywhere, (unless that’s what all the locals are using and helps ID you from a distance as a “good guy”) The key with this style of pack is to be as “Grey” as possible.
· Water: At least one liter, with portable filtration or purification methods.
· Food: Lightweight, high-calorie snacks (energy bars, trail mix, jerky).
· Clothing: Weather-appropriate layers, sturdy shoes, hat, gloves, poncho or rain gear.
· Navigation: Local maps, compass, and a GPS if possible as well as maps preloaded on cell with backup power source.
· First Aid Kit: More robust than EDC, includes trauma supplies like an IFAC and any medications you may want or need.
· Cash and potentially Spare Keys: For public transport or alternate routes.
· Multi-tool or Knife: For defense, and survival uses and basic utility.
· Flashlight: I prefer headlamp style for most applications.
· Personal Hygiene: Dude Wipes, hand sanitizer, travel toothbrush/paste.
Typical Scenario: Natural disaster, transit shutdown, civil unrest, or sudden environmental hazard.
4. Bug Out Bag (BOB)
Purpose:
The Bug Out Bag is the quintessential go bag—a backpack or duffel with supplies to survive and thrive for a limited time, (usually 72 hours-ish) away from home. More commonly it serves as an operational enhancement bag, used by first responders, especially SAR and the like.
Its name comes from the military term “bugging out,” meaning to leave quickly and decisively in the face of imminent danger. The BOB can also be tailored for temporary evacuation scenarios where returning home is a possibility.
Make-up:
The BOB is larger and more comprehensive than the GHB, balancing survival essentials, operational gear, and redundancy. It should be organized for easy access and distribute weight for long-term carry. I’ll provide an example here of what it could look like, but keep in mind when tailoring your own, I highly recommend you keep in mind your 5 basic survival needs as a guideline to optimize for your particular purpose/environment. (see previous article of “Packing Principles (5 Basic Survival Needs/ PACE / MLCOA - MDCOA)”
· Water: 3 liters minimum, with filter, purification tablets, and collapsible containers.
· Food: 2,000–2,500 calories per day per person, including ready-to-eat meals (MREs), energy bars, and dehydrated foods.
· Shelter: Lightweight tent, tarp, bivvy sack, and emergency blanket.
· Fire Starting: Multiple methods—waterproof matches, lighters, ferro rod, tinder.
· First Aid Kit: Comprehensive kit with trauma support, medications, and instruction manual.
· Clothing: Change of clothes, socks, underwear, seasonal gear, hat, gloves, sturdy boots.
· Tools: Fixed-blade knife, multi-tool, duct tape, paracord, small sewing kit.
· Lighting: Headlamp, flashlight, glowsticks, and spare batteries.
· Hygiene Supplies: Toothbrush, toothpaste, soap, small towel, feminine hygiene needs.
· Navigation: Compass, maps, GPS, signaling mirror.
· Communication: Whistle, small radio (crank or battery powered), backup phone charger.
· Cash and Copies of IDs: For emergencies and checkpoints.
· Personal Security: Anything over and above you Optional—pepper spray or defensive tools, depending on legal jurisdiction.
· Notepad and Pen: For notes, directions, or messages.
Typical Scenario: Wildfire, flood, hurricane evacuation, or civil instability requiring you to leave home for several days.
5. I’m Never Coming Home (INCH) Bag
Purpose:
The INCH bag is the most extensive of all go bags, meant for situations where returning home is not expected—such as total societal collapse, forced migration, or permanent evacuation. INCH stands for “I’m Never Coming Home,” and the bag is designed to support long-term survival and self-reliance.
Make-up:
Larger than a BOB and often closer to a hiking expedition pack, the INCH bag contains not just survival items, but tools for establishing a new life elsewhere. It prioritizes durability, redundancy, and adaptability.
· Water: Large-capacity containers, filters, purification chemicals, collapsible buckets.
· Food: Several weeks’ worth of high-calorie, shelf-stable foods—freeze-dried meals, rice, beans, and fishing or trapping equipment.
· Shelter: Sturdy tent, tarp, sleeping bag rated for all seasons, compact pillow, ground mat.
· Cooking Equipment: Portable stove, cookware, utensils, fuel, fire-starting gear.
· First Aid/Medical: Advanced trauma supplies, antibiotics, water disinfection means, medical manual.
· Clothing: Multiple changes for various climates, durable boots, rain gear, gloves.
· Tools: Axe, saw, shovel, large fixed-blade knife, multi-tool, wire, fishing line, paracord.
· Hygiene: Comprehensive kit—soaps, wipes, toothbrush, feminine products, razor.
· Self-Defense: Here’s where it could be appropriate to have full battle rattle. Your choice here, as varied as BOB’s and EDC choices.
· Navigation and Communication: Maps, GPS, radio, signaling devices, solar charger.
· Repair Supplies: Sewing kit, duct tape, superglue, spare parts for gear.
· Barter Items: Small tradable goods (batteries, seeds, lighters, precious metals).
· Critical Documents: Waterproof copies of IDs, land deeds, anything else you’d want to have for later.
· Personal Items: Photos, small mementos, morale boosters (e.g., cards, books).
Typical Scenario: Major disaster, war, uninhabitable home, systemic collapse—when self-sufficiency is essential for the indefinite future.
Conclusion: The Layered Approach to Preparedness
No single go bag covers all possible scenarios; they are best seen as layers of readiness, each building on the other. The WUSH bag prepares you for immediate escape, the EDC handles daily surprises, the Get Home Bag bridges the gap to safety, the Bug Out Bag supports short-term evacuation or operating in the wild, and the INCH bag represents a last-resort, long-term contingency.
At every level, consider what are your Communication, Health, Personal Protection, Sustenance and Travel needs. (CHPST)
Assess your risks, environment, and resources, and tailor your go bags to suit your unique situation. In doing so, you’ll gain not just gear, but confidence and peace of mind for whatever life throws your way.
As a final thought, I recommend asking the Holy Spirit what you should plan for and take or not take. I’ve heard that still small voice when it comes to both small and big decisions when I ask. I have found however for me personally, that Heavenly Father seems to care more about my attitude than what I pack or don’t.
It’s great to be prepared, but it’s more impactful and important to be listening. That’s my take on it anyway.
Stand Ready and Be Prepared.
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The Anatomy and Purpose of Essential “Go Bag” Types: WUSH, EDC, Get Home, Bug Out, and INCH Bags
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