How many folks have prepared bug out plans? My friends are regularly working to strengthen our plan. Of course - "The Best Laid Plans of Mice and Men..." Still - it's better to plan and risk failure than to fail to plan and guarantee failure.
We are straddling the fence to invest in things that will bring value whether or not it all goes to crap. Some things are only useful in the "goes to crap" territory, but most items are stuff we will naturally consume over the course of a few years anyway.
Remember in the old days how they had those things called “paper roadmaps”. This seems to be one of the most overlooked bug out asset. When aSHTF, gps and other nav systems probably won’t work.
An internet influencer who is a Vet, I don't know his name but old white haired gentleman with a beard, said he keeps getting asked how come he doesn't have a bug-out bag ready. His answer is same as mine- I am where I will fight. I will not run, I will fight right here.
If you bug out you only have what you carry, you will be travelling and so at risk, and you will forfeit any advantage of home turf.
If you have a farm or some place that you are familiar with and have prepared it's different but get there early.
I understand the worry urbanites have, I will not be in a city just because they are filled with Enemy, with monsters and criminals of all sorts. So if I were trapped in one I'd run when the shooting starts but in many cities it is already a war zone, so WHY are you in there?
Anyhow, we prepared our Alamo and we'll fight here, the urbanites will have a very hard time getting to us, we have prepared as we could and are Ready.
I urge everyone to stand and fight, don't run, fight where you are for your Homes. If you are surrounded by Enemy WHY are you in there? But if you have a few like minded neighbors, stay and fight. If it IS your home defend it.
Same.It’s better to shelter in place, esp in crowded areas like Tampa where I wouldn’t get out due to traffic.
Good one
My Plan A is "bug in"... hunker down with enough food, water, and (ahem) "supplies' to outlast blackouts, insurrections, etc.
Plan B, I have a bug-out bag to make it to a close relative who lives in a very remote, very rural area, and who believes like I do.
Im not going to run. I will fight for every inch of territory even if it costs me my life. I have grandchildren I want to grow up free and unfettered.
Bugging out, more often than not is not feasible. You bug out, sure okay, where to? How long? Is there fuel, water and food reserves there that are secured and unmolestable? How isolated is it? How many are going to the same location? How long to get there? Is it accessable without the use of major roads, highways, or interstates?
There are even more variables than that to plan for. It's complex, and requires a significant time commitment and monetary expense.
Best plan is to make a castle of your current residence. If you're renting, i understand that there's not much you can do besides building a good food, fuel, and water storage. Start there with essentials. Do you have food to eat in a prolonged emergency? Do you have water to drink in a prolonged emergency? Do you have enough fuel to light your home, cook your food, and keep you warm in an extended emergency? Do you have sufficient guns and ammunition? Medical supplies? How about emergency cash enough for three months of essential living expenses? What about essential medications like Tylenol, Advil, and basic antibiotics? Do you have Independent communication ability, like a ham radio? Think three to six months worth of supplies for everything.
There's a lot of things you can do now that can put you in a very good place not just for emergency response, but if you just loose your income. You have food, water, money, and can start a job search with peace of mind. :)
Your point about bugging in is excellent... but I cant. Unless an EMP takes out my vehicle, Im gone like the wind.
I live in a condo at the moment, so bug-out ability is critical to me. Therefore, paramount in that plan is having a destination already set up and expecting me. I keep the tank 3/4 or higher at all times, and that is 2x as much gas as I need to make it to the bug out destination, my best friend's tiny farm about 150 miles away. He lives there permanently and is fully bug-in prepped including chickens, rabbits, goats, greenhouses, and enough adult family to defend it all. He is expecting me and knows that I may not be able to control the day/date of arrival, but that I will be 'backing' down the long driveway in whatever vehicle I am in (if not my own) at a VERY specific time on the clock.
Everything I need to be a contributing member of the farm is prepacked in bags, boxes, tubs, packs etc and staged in my spare bedroom closet. It can all fit in the trunk and back seat of the car and can be loaded in less than 15 minutes. Route has been test driven with paper map only, and no interstate / no 4 lane / no going through towns larger that 1000 population.
Notable prepacked items;
6 cases of MREs
Wise gun options; .22breakdown for hunting, 12gaAuto-Magfed for siege defense & .40cal pistol sidearm... and plenty ammo (AR10 reach-out-rifle is already there)
2 gallon seed bank (265 varieties of non-GMO seeds) I built this myself, and have test sprouted about 3/4 of the varieties.
3 cases of ceramic Water filters (5gal buckets can make the tanks)
2 pairs extra boots (new in box, the exact perfect boot for me)
Fishing pole and Zebco 330 + basic fishing gear; hooks, weights, line (ready for game fish on pole and roughage on trot/limb lines)
Constitutional Silver
Solar charger
Horse meds of all kinds; antiseptics, antibiotics, antivirals, etc
Trade Goods; Paper water filters, sewing needles, glasses, cheap whisky, cheap cigarettes, rolling tobacco, rolling papers.
Id say Im ready. We've had this plan and agreement for over 20 years, and talk about it at least 2-3 time per year.
I am in awe. Good work fren. i wish everyone had the forethought to plan like you have, starting 20 years ago.
Thank you. I credit my old Scoutmaster. Not that he was a prepper or taught me to prep... but he kept his boot in my ass and pushed me across the finish line.
Eagle Scout 1985
The absolute best prepper books in the world are the two book set; Boy Scout Handbook, and Boy Scout Field Guide. Be sure to get pre-1980 versions. Something was lost about the time mothers became scout leaders.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/133949188256?hash=item1f2ffe68a0:g:rRIAAOSwelBg~HB5
https://www.ebay.com/itm/185029619156?hash=item2b149fedd4:g:8xUAAOSwk7lhMQtc
It’s funny how the younger generations don’t know how to read a map, and in some cases don’t even know what a map is. A gazette is even more baffling to them.
They don’t understand the directions, north, south, east, or west. How to determine the direction by your using your own body.
They don’t understand the term landmarks, for traveling around. I’m not talking buildings, or manmade objects. I’m talking natural landmarks that have been there for generations and will be there for generations to come. Even flat laying areas have landmarks if you know what to look for.
Unless you have a bug out location I would bug in.
Yea, we have a nice, secluded property, but I fully agree - we will "bug in" until the dust settles. I think I worded it wrong. It's not really a bug out plan, but a plan to be part of a community if they start doing forced vaxxes or round ups or if supply chains break down.
https://www.chron.com/news/houston-texas/houston/article/Hurricane-Rita-anxiety-leads-to-hellish-fatal-6521994.php
This is what happens when panic ensues. Shelter in place. Obviously, for a hurricane you sometimes have to evacuate. But if shtf, this will happen. Gridlock everywhere.
Yea, that is a very good point too.
Bugging out isn’t a realistic option for most. One of the smartest things everyone should be doing right now is establishing a neighborhood defense league. Safety in numbers. Make a stand where you’re at. You’re gonna encounter a lot of bad actors and snipers on those back roads trying to take your stash when the sky starts raining turds and you’re trying to get to your hideaway in the Ozarks.
Seriously all I need is fentanyl