My EDC bag is also set up a bit to be my "get home" bag, as the only real scenario that means home is a bad place to go, means survival is generally unlikely. For me that means extra water carrying capacity, as I would possibly have a 60-80 km hike. For that I keep a 1L platy bottle rolled up, as well as use a .5 or 1L nalgene for daily use. I also keep a UV buff for sun protection, (although I'm pretty religious about having a wide brim hat with me as well) Although with the temps we get here, up to low 30's *C, I would probably have to do most of the trip in the dark. So I do have lights in my bag (and would almost definitely be able to stock spare batteries from where I work before leaving)
Probable disaster scenario is localized flooding. With that in mind, its possible that I would be trapped wherever I am, as walking through flood water, not high on my list of survival good ideas. However I could also be on the right side of the flood, so then getting home is just a matter of walking. Second to that is major, long term blackout. While our local grid is fairly robust, there is always a chance of a major long term outage anywhere. Wildfire is a fairly low risk, and one that would again likely involve sheltering in place, or being evac'd by authorities.
Consumables are rotated by use, as I don't feel the need to carry something that would be helpful everyday, but hold on to it for the tiny chance I "need" it. It comes from throwing out far too much stuff that I've justified saving instead of using, and then has gone off.
I don't need much for extra convenience as I don't have kids needing toys, meds or entertainment.
And of course, the thing that doesn't get mentioned often enough, documents. Even if its just digital copies on a reliable USB stick. Its so much easier to get things done when you have records.
Finally BOB storeage. Where you keep your BOB is important. Is it on a high shelf, or in the back of a closet? Is it between you and the exit if the room is full of smoke? Can your youngest get it out the door if the fire alarm goes off? or will it do your back in if you grab it one handed in a panic? Is it compatible with your community's evacuation plan? Can you hold it on your lap in the back of a police car, if that's the only way out, of worse, while getting winched into the chopper?
Most BOBs are built with the idea of a slow moving disaster, so you would have at worst, an hour to get sorted and start moving. But what happens if the disaster that hits means that the house next door is burning? In most of north america that means your have less than a minute to leave, because by the time you notice the neighbor on fire, your house will be burning. Sure a rainstorm might bring a flood, and if you are in a flood prone location, you should have warning. But what if the water main on your street fails? or a gas line? The nice gentleman at the door telling you its time to go isn't going to want to stand around while you get your apocalypse gear on.
In my case, the only real threat to my house would be so catastrophic, it hardly bears thinking about. However lots of places I work are much more vulnerable, and I can't rely on being able to drive home. When BOB planning, you really need to think about what the likely reasons you'll need to evac your local area, what time frames those will happen on, and what gear you will want to have with you in that case. Then layer your plan from the shortest notice (house on fire at midnight, is it worth grabbing the keys to get the car out of the driveway, or do you leave it in the garage and just look for pants?) to the longest. (power goes out in winter, start draining pipes, and packing a bag to head to the warming center, or a relative outside the blackout. ) And at what point or in what scenario does bugging out happen, and when do you make that call. If you do live in a wildfire area, are you the guy who had the valuables moved out weeks ago, and are ready to move when the fire comes over the hill, or are you the guy who has flames in the rear-view?
So in your case SVT, you need to look at, can you walk home, and if you have to, whats the plan then? What direction is the exit, do you have multiple routes to safety from your home, are there any foreseeable incidents that will determine your direction of travel (chemical plants, rivers etc) How many others are going to be on those routes, and what response is likely from your local authorities? Also you need to think about what your needs are going to be. What is your plan if you cannot return home, and what scenarios might lead to that eventuality? What does the rest of the family do?
Don't get bogged down in planning for the end of civilization, there are much more likely scenarios that will interrupt your routine.
ErikD, you may have already thought of this, but I've had occasion for impromptu hikes in snow and slush. Have a plan to keep your feet dry. frostbite gets toes fastest when walking in tight shoes and wet feet. Even if its some waterproof socks, or the old bread-bag-in-the-shoe routine, keeping your feet warm is much easier when you can keep them from the outside world. Even in places where people should know better, it happens a lot. Obviously proper footwear is best, but just keeping that little detail in mind can save you heaps of pain. I used to always carry spare socks when living in Calgary. you never know when you might need to walk somewhere, and having dry socks can make all the difference in the world. And if your feet are warm, the odds are, the rest of you is too.
