BUG OUT OR NOT BUG OUT

TO STAY OR TO GO- WAIT, HOW DO YOU KNOW?

If the proverbial SHTF, and a disaster strikes us, we will be faced with many decisions. One of the most important will be whether or not we need to stay and survive in place, or whether we need to “bug out” and go to a pre-determined location. This is something that everyone must decide for himself. Here are some of the questions that you need to ask yourself-

What kind of disaster is it?
Will I have everything I need to ride out the disaster if I stay?
Will it be dangerous for me to stay where I am?

If you live in a busy urban area, bugging out may be the wisest way. It is more likely that looting and rioting will begin after water and food become scarce and such things as water, sewer systems and garbage collection services fail. If the police are over extended and things become lawless, it can get very frightening very fast. In large urban centers, people are less likely to know or look out for one another . In small towns and rural areas, where everyone knows his neighbor, most have a place for a small garden, septic tanks, well water and many are fairly self-sufficient. They know how to can their own produce and they might know how to forage, hunt and fish. They may also know how to dehydrate or even salt their food to preserve it. I suspect that avoiding the rioting and looting if things become lawless is the number one reason to bug out. Another reason might be to avoid Martial Law by our own military or particularly an occupying force’s military. However, you must still consider where you might go, what you will be able to take with you and how far in advance you can afford to plan and prepare. Preppers have been known to place pallets of supplies on land that they will use as their bug out location. I would not suggest that you try this unless you own the land and have a house or shed on the land that can be locked. I have heard of people who placed pallets up in a tree in a forest some where undisclosed- probably not the best idea. Age and health must also be considered. If you are older and not athletic, hiking miles to a bug out location, carrying a bug out back pack on your back may not be realistic. If you are able but you have elderly or disabled persons with you, then surviving in place may be the best idea. One great advantage to this is that you can keep more useful gear with you and have a closet full of supplies and big bottles of water, etc. that you can’t carry out of town, at least not on your back! If you do decide to leave, it is key to PREPARE! Do your homework now and plan the place to bug out to. Have your maps ready and know the best routes. You may decide to stay home but why not have a location chosen, just in case?

WHAT DO WE NEED TO HAVE IF WE STAY AND SURVIVE AT HOME?

At least one gallon of water per person per day. That is bare minimum because this is used for drinking, bathing and cooking. Two gallons would be more realistic!
food – you want food and water to last at least one week. If you are traveling you usually want 2-4 days worth, but at home, you can store more. You do not have to use all 25 yr. shelf life freeze-dried or dehydrated foods for emergencies, but it is wise to have some on hand. If you stock pile canned goods and boxed goods like cereal, cookies, crackers etc., put a date on the bag and cultivate the habit of checking the dates every week or so and use the items that are nearing their expiration date and replace it with new food. It is a good but time consuming idea to place crackers and dried boxed foods in a double zip lock bag, one out side, one inside bag. Leave the crackers in their sealed inner envelope, but take them out of the box. Put an oxygen absorber in the bag or container you seal them in. This keeps moisture from ruining them. You can tear off the name of the crackers from the box and drop it in so you know what you have in the bag. Oxygen absorbers are used in foods, electronics, drug containers and electronics. They can be purchased on line. If you store canned goods from a big 1/2 price sale, make sure to check out the dates on them. Most things will go beyond the expiration date without making you sick but it does lose it’s color and flavor more and more. NEVER eat food from a swollen, puffy can! This indicates that bacteria has gotten in and is fermenting. Throw it out, no matter if the date has expired or not. Remember that you may not have refrigeration, so dry and canned foods are best to stock pile. Having dehydrated foods, trail mix and protein bars and small mylar bags of water is a good idea, as you might have to leave eventually if you are told to evacuate the area. Paper Towels , plastic wrap and foil are good to extra of, also oils for cooking
First Aid Supplies –you can never have too many medical supplies on hand! This is especially true if you have children or the elderly staying there with you. You need a REAL kit, not just a box of bandaids! 4×4 sponges(gauze pads) , 2×2 sponges, kling wrap- a stretchy gauze roll that is used to hold dressings on, You will need plenty of that, tape- paper, silk and adhesive are all good, a sharp pair of bandage scissors, bandaids in various sizes and widths, triangular bandages to use to hold dressings on and as slings, they have many uses, a thermometer, blood pressure cuff- automatic is good if you have plenty of extra batteries, if not, have a traditional one with a stethoscope and learn how to use it, bandages that are treated with clotting medication to help slow or stop bleeding, ACE elastic bandages in various widths, sterile irrigating solution to clean wounds and rinse debris from eyes- saline eye drops are probably best, safety pins, bandages for eyes, a tube or so of eye ointment over the counter that is moisturizing and soothing, particle masks, masks with eye shield, inflatable splints for arms and legs if you can afford them, a very good first aid book- take a class in first aid!! You should also take basic cardio-pulmonary resuscitation for adults and children, burn dressings of various sizes, and big fluffy ABD pads for larger heavier bleeding wounds. You should also have several mouth shields for using for CPR, alcohol, hydrogen peroxide, antibiotic ointments, anti-itch cortisone ointments, burn gel, betadine, tourniquet, toothache drops, a dental kit is a good idea also. There are many other supplies that would be very helpful- snake bite kit, minor surgery kits (take an EMT class or get a very good text book, use only if there is no hope of finding a qualified Doctor before the patient bleeds to death). It is a good idea to purchase a fairly inclusive kit and then begin adding to it as quickly as possible. Don’t forget a good supply of gloves, vinyl and/or latex.The list can keep on going! Why? Because if we have an EMP attack, or if war breaks out and many people are injured or if there is a pandemic, there may come a day when there just isn’t any dentist or doctor for miles! Preparing means that you try to aim to be self-sufficient as much as possible, and your first aid kit could save someones life, including your own.
Full Face Respirator that can handle aerosols, particles, gases, a half face one is cheaper but may leave your eyes vulnerable to hot ash from a fire, volcanic eruption or fall out particles.
Environment Suit- Because of the possibility of a war, it is a good idea to have protective clothing, to cover your body, head, shoes. You should have a good pair of gloves as well. One company to check with is ULINE, and they do have a catalog if you need to price all of this. They also have faraday bags and anti-static bags and tape to protect electronics in the case of an EMP attack.
Clothing– Even if you plan to stay at home during the disaster, make sure that you have season specific clothing and protective clothing. Water proof rain wear such as ponchos and rubber boots for a flood or a heavy rain storm, warm clothing such as sweats to change into if you get soaked. It is good to have a good comfortable pair of hiking boots and sneakers, warm socks that cushion. The idea is to have layers to wear if you have no heat or air conditioning, even at home or while outside if you evacuate. Hoodies and hats to keep off the sun are both good, as well. Don’t forget sunglasses ! It is good to keep such things as a change of sweats, rain ponchos and boots with your survival gear so they are easily available.
Solar oven and Camp stove and/or grill– Even if you stay home, if there is a power failure or an extended power failure such as an EMP attack, you will need another way to cook or at least heat up foods. I happen to have a camp stove that is one big gas burner that is big enough to handle even a huge skillet. It is controlled by one knob, easy to adjust and is like having your stove outside. It uses a small cylinder of butane fuel. There are a number of stoves on the market now that are very similar. I have tried several others and this is best for me. Sterno cans and a Sterno type stove just doesn’t get hot enough to perk coffee, and the heat isn’t even enough. Have heavy duty foil on hand to use, also, if you cook out side. Sterno or “canned heat” as it is called, is great for an emergency, though. Several cans in a deep pot with a grill top over it to sit your pan on will do in a pinch. Have extra fuel on hand.
Flash lights, Headband LED lights, LED lanterns that are adjustable– YES! We should all have these and enough extra batteries to keep them going for a while. The more the better! Candles in metal containers or deep glass containers are helpful but they have to be watched very carefully as they are a fire hazard. Oil Lamps and Kerosene Lamps are dangerous too, but give off a fair amount of light. You can save odd pieces of candles and melt in a double boiler that is used only for melting wax. Buy wicking from a craft store, and fix the wick (according to directions) in a paper milk carton. Put the carton in a cookie sheet covered with foil. Pour the hot wax in and allow to cool and harden. You will have a large square candle with perhaps 2-3 wicks as needed. Place it in a metal pot or pan when you burn it, for safety. I am sure on line directions are available for basic candle making and this is a good way to use up small pieces of candles , wax fragrance squares and even crayon nubs.
When the Loo Lets you down– If the sewer system is down , and you can’t flush, or if you don’t have the water to flush with, what can you do? You can buy a hassock style toilet that has a tank that mixes your waste with chemicals. It is still liquid and is small and must be emptied often. Another idea is a 5 gal. painters bucket with a snap on lid available at Wal-Mart and other camping stores, “Honey Bucket” is one website, then put a strong black trash bag in, fill it partially with kitty litter. Each time you go, add more litter on top. When you feel the need, change the bag, tie it up and at the end of the emergency, you must find out where to dispose of it, probably the landfill. I think the dry option is best, and chemicals tend to be expensive.
Weather radio with solar and crank options when batteries die
Cell Phone with extra charged battery
A Weapon– a gun or any kind of weapon(s) is a good idea, you may need it to defend your family or to hunt. Learn to use it and practice it at a firing range! Learn gun safety! Taking self defense is not a bad idea
Fishing gear– this may come in handy if food is scarce

Surviving In Troubled Waters