I have nearly none of this and I love the list so thank you very much for sharing. I am just wondering....where is everyone planning to go (and is wandering through the wildness really safer than just fortifying your home)???? Maybe I'm just a big homebody but if shtf I was planning to just hunker in with my nuts and seeds and almond butter and compost pile and candles and books. Meditate more. Fast more. Consume less. I have some concerns about long term water (I have short term supplies stocked) but otherwise why not just stay home or group together with friends or families in a home/safe place situation instead of wandering in the wilderness? I am probably very naive so not trying to criticize anyone for these great suggestions, just maybe having trouble imagining a world where we are all sneaking around and hiding from each other.
So a bug out bag is kind of a double edge sword. It is generally safer to stay put at home. If you think about it, what are the chances something happens in your neighborhood? Most likely slim to none. The bag is more of a oh shit, we have to retreat last ditch effort. Lets be real, you are not running at the first sign of trouble. Or even the fourth sign. You are going at the point you know you have to go. Like the wild fires are a block away type thing.
No one smart will tell you where they are going. That is their family secret. In regards ro wandering the forest, no it is more dangerous in the forest then your home.
Fortifying your home and getting family friends, and neighbors to form a small group is ideal. Each one looks after the other. Your home is ideal because it has all your stuff in it.
I generally say the stuff in your bug out bag should be in your home in a bag. That way you know where it is, its all in one place, and if you need to run, you grab the bag and run. No looking for shit, no checklists, no nothing. I have a bag. But my bag has 10% of the stuff. The rest is in a bin in my house. I use my bag daily so i dont need to carry fire starting or compass or a rifle in it.
If you start collecting the stuff on this list, it is more important to be able to use it then to actually have it if that makes any sense. If you are not trained in trauma, get trained. If you cant shoot for shit learn. If you think looking at a compass is all you need to tell where north is, you are wrong.
I’m in San Diego , was thinking the same thing! Wish I was living in Tenn or somewhere safer , but where to go? If I am in the woods hope I run into one of these guys lol
I am thinking just the opposite that I hope I don't run into anyone like this! From a preparedness and skills standpoint it is awesome to have someone like this on your team if you plan for that in advance and they know and trust you but in shtf situation I imagine people's mindset defaults to suspicion and fear and mistrust so I would rather not encounter anyone who is likely to quickly form a judgment that I am a potential threat to them or a liability....I can think of worse things than having them view me as a threat or liability too but I don't want to let myself go there now. I'm still in shock and even denial, I think, at what is unfolding in our beloved country. But that is not an excuse for inaction so I will direct more energy to learning and preparing in some way every day. Thanks again for the list and ideas, original poster.
All i am missing is 22lr and a safety mirror. Yay im prepped almost.
I have nearly none of this and I love the list so thank you very much for sharing. I am just wondering....where is everyone planning to go (and is wandering through the wildness really safer than just fortifying your home)???? Maybe I'm just a big homebody but if shtf I was planning to just hunker in with my nuts and seeds and almond butter and compost pile and candles and books. Meditate more. Fast more. Consume less. I have some concerns about long term water (I have short term supplies stocked) but otherwise why not just stay home or group together with friends or families in a home/safe place situation instead of wandering in the wilderness? I am probably very naive so not trying to criticize anyone for these great suggestions, just maybe having trouble imagining a world where we are all sneaking around and hiding from each other.
So a bug out bag is kind of a double edge sword. It is generally safer to stay put at home. If you think about it, what are the chances something happens in your neighborhood? Most likely slim to none. The bag is more of a oh shit, we have to retreat last ditch effort. Lets be real, you are not running at the first sign of trouble. Or even the fourth sign. You are going at the point you know you have to go. Like the wild fires are a block away type thing.
No one smart will tell you where they are going. That is their family secret. In regards ro wandering the forest, no it is more dangerous in the forest then your home.
Fortifying your home and getting family friends, and neighbors to form a small group is ideal. Each one looks after the other. Your home is ideal because it has all your stuff in it.
I generally say the stuff in your bug out bag should be in your home in a bag. That way you know where it is, its all in one place, and if you need to run, you grab the bag and run. No looking for shit, no checklists, no nothing. I have a bag. But my bag has 10% of the stuff. The rest is in a bin in my house. I use my bag daily so i dont need to carry fire starting or compass or a rifle in it.
If you start collecting the stuff on this list, it is more important to be able to use it then to actually have it if that makes any sense. If you are not trained in trauma, get trained. If you cant shoot for shit learn. If you think looking at a compass is all you need to tell where north is, you are wrong.
Thanks for taking time to address this question and for the great ideas about the bin and the bag and becoming more skilled. I appreciate it.
No problem. My pleasure
I’m in San Diego , was thinking the same thing! Wish I was living in Tenn or somewhere safer , but where to go? If I am in the woods hope I run into one of these guys lol
I am thinking just the opposite that I hope I don't run into anyone like this! From a preparedness and skills standpoint it is awesome to have someone like this on your team if you plan for that in advance and they know and trust you but in shtf situation I imagine people's mindset defaults to suspicion and fear and mistrust so I would rather not encounter anyone who is likely to quickly form a judgment that I am a potential threat to them or a liability....I can think of worse things than having them view me as a threat or liability too but I don't want to let myself go there now. I'm still in shock and even denial, I think, at what is unfolding in our beloved country. But that is not an excuse for inaction so I will direct more energy to learning and preparing in some way every day. Thanks again for the list and ideas, original poster.