zzzippper
Member
Not everyone has land somewhere else. If the house burns my only choice is to bug out to Motel 6. In which case we'll be ready. If TSHTF while we're at work the complications multiply (wife doesn't drive).
Bug Out Bags
- Thread starter Muss Muggins
- Start date
Not everyone has land somewhere else. If the house burns my only choice is to bug out to Motel 6. In which case we'll be ready. If TSHTF while we're at work the complications multiply (wife doesn't drive).
I think we just got a peep at what things would be like in the Big Bug-Out this weekend. RVs, big pickups, and license plates from all 50 states and probably a few furrin countries. McDonald's looked like a refugee processing center.
It's all very well to say you're staying put in an emergency, but sometimes the situation requires a move. About 450 miles west of El Paso is the Palo Verde nuclear power station. It has three reactors, and is about 100 miles north of the border,in some of the most rugged border terrain you can find. If a bunch of terorists were to infiltrate from Mexico, and cause all the damping rods to be withrawn from the reactors, the radiation would be intense. I'm downwind, according to the prevailing winds, so if I stay put, I'll be exposed to intense radiation when the radioactive plume comes by. My choices are to move or to glow in the dark. I'm ready to move if I have to.
Ivan the Butcher
Member
I have had the "Be Prepared" mindset most of my adult life. It is popular with many people. But like most things, if you loose your self control or "balance", you end up wacko and stuck with a house full of camouflage everything. Yes, you will be prepared for almost everything you can think of; but there will always be that one more thing that pops up. The opposite way of life leaves you as a victim in even the slightest adverse situation. I worked around an entire people group in our society that made a lifestyle out of being professional victims. Regardless of what happened, they had their hand out for "relief". And some agency would give them "relief', usually at the expense of others, mostly taxpayers. During an extended period of power outage about 5 years ago, Taxpayers had to cough up more money to buy food for the victims because of lack of refrigeration, lack of cooking power, or lack of common sense. What most of the "Relief" workers didn't see was the stockpile of canned food and dry goods, that was kept from view, in a closet or cabinet. Most had 3 to 5 weeks (at a modest consumption rate) of food stored up. But relief was available and therefore had to be taken advantage of. At the same time, My home was without power, but it wasn't a crisis, it was an inconvenient 4 days.
What this is all to say is, It isn't about the pack on you back or the size of your bunker. It is about your mind set and willingness to take care of yourself, your family, and your community (that means neighbors, friends, and the like). I have broke down in snow storms, a few miles from home, it is nice to get in a friendly house to warm up and move on. (The reason it was friendly was because I was moving on not demanding shelter. Refugees are seldom welcome!) Most of the people you find on this forum think this way. The important thing is to keep your balance. Ivan
What this is all to say is, It isn't about the pack on you back or the size of your bunker. It is about your mind set and willingness to take care of yourself, your family, and your community (that means neighbors, friends, and the like). I have broke down in snow storms, a few miles from home, it is nice to get in a friendly house to warm up and move on. (The reason it was friendly was because I was moving on not demanding shelter. Refugees are seldom welcome!) Most of the people you find on this forum think this way. The important thing is to keep your balance. Ivan
EugeneNine
Member
Its the law of tools/gear. Whatever tool/gear you don't have is the one you will need. The corollary of that is to keep buying more tools/gear so the one you need is something really obscure 
OLDNAVYMCPO
US Veteran, Absent Comrade
Its the law of tools/gear. Whatever tool/gear you don't have is the one you will need. The corollary of that is to keep buying more tools/gear so the one you need is something really obscure
Sounds exactly like the excuse I have been looking for to buy more guns and gear.
Well I am with those that ain't runnin'. I don't live near no nuclear power plant and although there COULD be a reason that it'd be best for me and Miss Pam to bug out I can't think of it. This here is my home my fort, my castle and my domain. If I have to make a stand I'm best prepared to make it right here. I have nice assortment of guns and enough ammo to endure a short war. I even have a starlight scope for the AR-15 So if I just happen to be on the roof after dark I can pick off a few ninjas before they get me.
As far as the ammo supply goes I expect a fairly good size hoard or a few zombies could get me way before I run dry. History is replete with stories of individuals, families, and communities that perished while defending there homes. I may not be able to chose WHEN I die but I might be able to choose where.
If the SHTF when I'm at home this is where I'll survive or perish and I'm not so sure I would enjoy living in a post apocalyptic world or post breakdown of society anyway. I wouldn't do well I don't expect in the struggle against roving bands of thugs....especially not on the road. I wouldn't mind takin' down a few before they got me but perhaps it'd be best if the first nuke in would hit me right on the top of my shiny bald head.
As far and the bags and their contents I've read about in this thread I can tell we don't have no real preppers in here.
Unless I over looked it or someone posted up after I began this diatribe NO ONE HAS SAID A WORD ABOUT CHEETOS. In planning for a disaster the ability to prioritize is crucial. That's all I'm gonna say about that............... 
As far as the ammo supply goes I expect a fairly good size hoard or a few zombies could get me way before I run dry. History is replete with stories of individuals, families, and communities that perished while defending there homes. I may not be able to chose WHEN I die but I might be able to choose where.
If the SHTF when I'm at home this is where I'll survive or perish and I'm not so sure I would enjoy living in a post apocalyptic world or post breakdown of society anyway. I wouldn't do well I don't expect in the struggle against roving bands of thugs....especially not on the road. I wouldn't mind takin' down a few before they got me but perhaps it'd be best if the first nuke in would hit me right on the top of my shiny bald head.
As far and the bags and their contents I've read about in this thread I can tell we don't have no real preppers in here.
Unless I over looked it or someone posted up after I began this diatribe NO ONE HAS SAID A WORD ABOUT CHEETOS. In planning for a disaster the ability to prioritize is crucial. That's all I'm gonna say about that............... 
jlrhiner
US Veteran
Now my plan is for the wife and the cat (Gen. Fitzhugh Lee) to tote all the gear. I'll walk in front and blaze the trail, ala MOGAMBO. The cat will carry the cheetos. (he eats as many as I do)
kamloops67
Member
I plan to shave my head into a mohawk, paint my face and drive my bike up and down the highway terrorizing all I meet with my crossbow
i may also remove one sleeve from my leather jacket and wear some sports type armour ...havent quite decided ..
of course ill have my 44 for stopping semis
Seriously though, you guys should consider packing some fishing tackle .
Its light, doesnt take much room .
Good source of food and recreation
Guess youll need some onions too lol
i may also remove one sleeve from my leather jacket and wear some sports type armour ...havent quite decided ..
of course ill have my 44 for stopping semis
Seriously though, you guys should consider packing some fishing tackle .
Its light, doesnt take much room .
Good source of food and recreation
Guess youll need some onions too lol
nawilson
US Veteran
Just as an aside, you may want to try putting in some miles with all your stuff on your back. One of the ways the Army still breaks people down is the ruck march. Add blisters to sore, cramping trap muscles and dehydration (most civilians really don't know what it takes to get and stay hydrated), and 12 miles quickly becomes a long way.
I recommend tailoring each bag to the person that carries it. Each should also stand alone in the event you become separated. Instead of adding names, maybe you could use numbers. So maybe you have bag #1, your wife is bag #2, and so forth. That way you don't have advise everyone you meet what your children's names are.
I recommend tailoring each bag to the person that carries it. Each should also stand alone in the event you become separated. Instead of adding names, maybe you could use numbers. So maybe you have bag #1, your wife is bag #2, and so forth. That way you don't have advise everyone you meet what your children's names are.
EugeneNine
Member
Our Camelbak's are our hiking, biking, etc bags. We've taken them plenty of places.
I still see some saying they will bug in, are you going to burn up with your house?
That is one of the more likely risks we face now a days and I've had two neighbors go through it.
The most recent was in a suburb neighborhood. Father saw a blanket fall behind the dryer in the basement and catch fire and got the wife and kids and cat out. Neighbors all gave them raincoats and a cat carrier and such.
Previous time was when I was a kid growing up in the country. We were awakened in the night by knocking on the door. Teenaged son from the mile away neighbors ran barefoot through the snow to get to our house to call the fire department. The wood stove in their living room caught fire and they jumped out the windows. This is what your BOB is for, something by the window with clothes, shoes, raincoat and vehicle keys so you can get out of a burning house and get to shelter if needed.
I still see some saying they will bug in, are you going to burn up with your house?
That is one of the more likely risks we face now a days and I've had two neighbors go through it.
The most recent was in a suburb neighborhood. Father saw a blanket fall behind the dryer in the basement and catch fire and got the wife and kids and cat out. Neighbors all gave them raincoats and a cat carrier and such.
Previous time was when I was a kid growing up in the country. We were awakened in the night by knocking on the door. Teenaged son from the mile away neighbors ran barefoot through the snow to get to our house to call the fire department. The wood stove in their living room caught fire and they jumped out the windows. This is what your BOB is for, something by the window with clothes, shoes, raincoat and vehicle keys so you can get out of a burning house and get to shelter if needed.
no place to run
To the OP,
In my opinion, yes each bag should have the essentials for Individual survival, but each bag could be configured slightly different for survival as a group. For example different ways to start fires, different kinds of foods, etc.
If people are bugging out to where we live, the rest of the country is already gone... I'm staying home where I can defend myself and family from home and not on the run.
SWCA #1834
To the OP,
In my opinion, yes each bag should have the essentials for Individual survival, but each bag could be configured slightly different for survival as a group. For example different ways to start fires, different kinds of foods, etc.
If people are bugging out to where we live, the rest of the country is already gone... I'm staying home where I can defend myself and family from home and not on the run.
SWCA #1834
I did a search warrant at a house where a meth dealer and two strippers lived. They had bug-out bags and were convinced the zombie apocalypse was imminent. Their bags did not contain much other than ammo and explosives. I guess they planned to take what they needed from others, or perhaps barter? 
rojodiablo
Member
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I think you seriously underestimate the security plans for these sites; if they are under threat, they have a set of protocols which go into effect automatically, and once the first step is initiated, the system becomes very, very difficult to tamper with and override.
As in- it's probably easier to get the codes for the nuke football from the POTUS than it is to turn a nuke power plant on its' head via violence.
With this said; again I will emphasize that fuel will be non-existent. Whatever you have is what you will have access to. To the end that were a really nasty hurricane or tornado wipe out your area, or say there was some kind of civil unrest...... you will not be able to move as you THINK you will. (I got mah truck, she's got 350hp and 650ft. lb of torque..... I'm gonna hitch the 5th wheel trailer to her and we are going to get out of here.....)
You will find roads blocked by nature. Blocked by blockheads out of fuel. Blocked by LEO/ National Guard. I hate to say this, but people REALLY need to learn to travel on foot. You, the missus, and the kids need to take a nice, long walk in a given general direction, to a friends' house with nothing more than a couple bottles of water and a couple snacks in a backpack. Find out just how long it takes to cover say a measured 2 miles. 5 would be better. With the crew in tow, and no extra weight, you will quickly realize just how much more important it is to look to your surroundings and really figure what is possible close to home. It's slow, slow going when packing gear, a single firearm, food and some clothes..... especially when the kids get tired and you are now humping along with a rugrat on your shoulders.
Trust me; try it, just once. You will seriously look at your plans of leaving differently. You will alter your ideas of destination, quickly. You will have to figure what will be left behind, what will be taken along, what will be burned, and what will be buried for later retrieval.
Raider
SWCA Member, Absent Comrade
Someone once suggested that a wheelbarrow was a great way to tote your stuff. Or maybe a raft to float down the nearest river to safety. Just saying.
Seriously, I live near a freeway and remember the day when Hurricane Ike came through. Cars clogged the freeway and feeder roads. Nobody, nobody was moving an inch and the people in the cars/trucks just sat there with their engines idling so they could stay cool. I went home and popped a cold beer from my ice chest and listened to the radio. There was no way to escape except on foot.
Charlie
Seriously, I live near a freeway and remember the day when Hurricane Ike came through. Cars clogged the freeway and feeder roads. Nobody, nobody was moving an inch and the people in the cars/trucks just sat there with their engines idling so they could stay cool. I went home and popped a cold beer from my ice chest and listened to the radio. There was no way to escape except on foot.
Charlie
On the boat, we suggest a "ditch bag". it has a VHF, GPS, EPIRB, ( spare batts),mirror,compass, knives, flare gun, 2x mylar shield/ rain catcher, kevlar line & fishing jigs, a hand operated desalinator, and a stainless S&W 4046 + 3 mags. Weight= ~ 20lb. Right next to it is 3 1 gal water jugs. Next to the life raft is water jugs. Fresh water is important. The ditch bag is made of stuff that it floats, btw.
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MOONDAWG
US Veteran
Don't forget one critical essential...
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Alpo
Member
You thinking of Gun Kid and his tactical wheelbarrow?
mc5aw
Member
In the Fall of 2011, I was introduced to Pennsylvania Beachfront living. The rain came nonstop for three days and the Mighty Susquehanna rose over 25' in my town ... actually, my backyard. Here are a few photos from the event:
Photo #1 shows my home (yellow house dating from 1813) as the flood waters were ready to crest. Literally a few more inches and the house would have been lost. As it was in this photo, the basement was filled to the ceiling insulation (7') with the river water nearly touching the 200-year old pine boards of the main floor. The orange barrels had been used to close the road, but began floating away. I grabbed them and strategically placed them so that helicopter rescue crews could see us.
Photo #s 2, 3, & 4 show my house and the neighbor's (dating from 1830), engulfed in flowing Susquehanna run off. The lane between the houses is where I park our vehicles. The green house sits exactly 18" lower than mine, and thus endured a foot + of river sludge running from back door to front door. The neighbor and his wife had bugged out early enough, and went to higher ground, so they did not witness this sad result. Less than 100 yards behind me (from where the photos were taken) is the Susquehanna's sibling river, the Chemung. The flooding saw the former rise then dump into the latter.
Photo #5 shows the high water mark of the Susquehanna at the edge of my yard, < 50 yards from the back porch. Normally, the water level is 20'-25' lower, and there is a bank to scoot down amongst the weeds.
As the river broke through, enveloping various backyards and houses, we prepared to bug out and run for it. By the time we were ready, we had missed the evacuation and could not get 100 yards from the house in either exiting direction. We stayed and prayed. Someone was listening.
As to bug out bags, I learned a valuable lesson from the Flood of 2011 ... Be prepared, and be ready to exit stage left asap as needed. As much as one may be determined to hold his ground, conditions may require evacuation from home and hearth.
One amusing anecdote ... I had never experienced a natural disaster of this magnitude before, and was gripped by terror and panic as the waters rose quickly around us. My wife was screaming to save the cats, to which I distinctly remember responding: "Blank the cats! Let 'em climb a tree! What do I do about the guns and ammo?!"
Never underestimate the power and wrath of Mother Nature.
Photo #1 shows my home (yellow house dating from 1813) as the flood waters were ready to crest. Literally a few more inches and the house would have been lost. As it was in this photo, the basement was filled to the ceiling insulation (7') with the river water nearly touching the 200-year old pine boards of the main floor. The orange barrels had been used to close the road, but began floating away. I grabbed them and strategically placed them so that helicopter rescue crews could see us.
Photo #s 2, 3, & 4 show my house and the neighbor's (dating from 1830), engulfed in flowing Susquehanna run off. The lane between the houses is where I park our vehicles. The green house sits exactly 18" lower than mine, and thus endured a foot + of river sludge running from back door to front door. The neighbor and his wife had bugged out early enough, and went to higher ground, so they did not witness this sad result. Less than 100 yards behind me (from where the photos were taken) is the Susquehanna's sibling river, the Chemung. The flooding saw the former rise then dump into the latter.
Photo #5 shows the high water mark of the Susquehanna at the edge of my yard, < 50 yards from the back porch. Normally, the water level is 20'-25' lower, and there is a bank to scoot down amongst the weeds.
As the river broke through, enveloping various backyards and houses, we prepared to bug out and run for it. By the time we were ready, we had missed the evacuation and could not get 100 yards from the house in either exiting direction. We stayed and prayed. Someone was listening.
As to bug out bags, I learned a valuable lesson from the Flood of 2011 ... Be prepared, and be ready to exit stage left asap as needed. As much as one may be determined to hold his ground, conditions may require evacuation from home and hearth.
One amusing anecdote ... I had never experienced a natural disaster of this magnitude before, and was gripped by terror and panic as the waters rose quickly around us. My wife was screaming to save the cats, to which I distinctly remember responding: "Blank the cats! Let 'em climb a tree! What do I do about the guns and ammo?!"
Never underestimate the power and wrath of Mother Nature.
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GreyRider
Member
There are as many philosophies regarding this subject as there are preppers. Many say staying put - if that's an option - is your best bet. That means a large source of water or a significant stockpile. It does need to be rotated. If bugging out is the plan, assume that gasoline will not be readily available. Have enough on board to get where you're pointed. If you plan on roughing it, you'd better know how to set a snare. Ammo will be limited and you won't be getting more from any LGS. Somebody mentioned labeling bags. It's a good idea. Assume you'll be stressed. When the time comes you may be in the shower, knee deep in the garden, sound asleep etc. When Sandy hit we lost power for 10 days. We were lucky. I had a genny but had to string extension cords. In order to function even partially I had to back feed my electrical panel. And although I knew exactly what I was doing, it taped signs to the cords saying DISCONNECT MAIN BREAKER. I did not trust myself not to do something stupid in a sleep deprived state. I advocate the KISS method. You won't likely have the opportunity to sit on the porch wondering what you forgot.
Good luck to all of us!
Good luck to all of us!
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