While riding out a disaster in your home should be your first plan, when everything goes downhill, there are times when your only option may be to bug out. To ignore the fact that an evacuation may someday be inevitable is not only shortsighted, I think it’s a major hole in any survival plan. To truly be prepared, you must consider the possibility of having to evacuate from your home.
If you waited for your local government to issue an evacuation notice, it’s probably too late. The last thing you want in any emergency situation is to get caught up in the chaos of the crowd. Mindless morons will be everywhere, and mandatory evacuations almost never go well.
The highway system simply is not set up to handle the overwhelming influx of traffic caused by a mandatory evacuation order. Time and time again we see highways overwhelmed, so much so, that even during small-scale natural disasters it’s not uncommon to see people sitting in traffic for hours—only to have moved a couple of miles from their starting point.
Deciding when to go is an important part of your evacuation planning process and needs to be thought of now, not when you’re in the middle of a full-blown crisis situation. This one decision is probably the most crucial part of your plan and needs to be thoroughly thought through.
Identify what factors and threats will determine when and if you should leave your location. Write these down as part of your plan. For example, if you live in an area prone to wildfires, you may decide you will bug out when fires are sighted within a mile-specific radius of your home. Identify key cities or landmarks at the edge of that radius and as soon as you hear of fire reaching there, start your bug out plan.
In any evacuation, timing is everything. You must be able to recognize the signs of an impending disaster, and then have a plan in place to deal with it.
During an evacuation-causing disaster, the last thing you want to do is rely on your GPS. Doing so sets you up for disaster, as you will likely be funneled into a choke-point with tens of thousands of evacuees who are all following the same GPS routes.
Now is the time to plan your evacuation routes, and part of any good evacuation plan is to have multiple routes out of the area. During times of crisis, the roadways are going to quickly become congested. Depending on the situation, they may become impassable, either due to weather or government-issued roadblocks. Having multiple preplanned evacuation routes will ensure your safety and can help put you hours ahead of the mobs of unprepared evacuees.
If things get bad enough, you may have to get off the roads. That means you have to take into account alternative routes, which include off-road trails, service routes, and even hiking and mountain biking trails. I recommend plotting these routes out ahead of time using a tool like Google Maps.
Leaving without a place to go is not a plan. If you plan on bugging out, you need to have a predetermined bug out location or emergency shelter already in place. Planning on living in the wild, unless you are an extremely experienced outdoorsman, is a recipe for disaster. Wilderness living should only be considered if you have an adequate shelter already in place, and even then you are taking some serious chances with your life. Every good evacuation plan includes a list of locations where you would go during a disaster. The last thing you want to do is put yourself at the mercy of some government-run evacuation center. As we saw during Hurricane Katrina, you might be better off taking your chances on the street.
Your evacuation plan should include the following evacuation locations:
When it comes to buying a bug out location, location is the key. Here are some of the top considerations that you need to keep in mind when looking for the ultimate bug out property.
If you’re purchasing a piece of property to serve as a bug out location, you need to consider how far that property is from your current home.
A good reliable water source is one of the most important considerations when choosing a bug out retreat. From freshwater springs and rivers to underground well water, the need for a clean and renewable water source is one of the top factors when looking for bug out properties.
During a crisis situation, areas with the highest population densities will experience the most crime, the most social unrest, the highest likelihood for epidemics, and the highest death tolls due to lack of resources and sanitation. When choosing a bug out location, I suggest staying as far away from high-density population areas as possible.
You may need to conceal your site during an extreme bug out situation. Having a place that provides adequate resources to conceal your living quarters should be another factor in choosing your location.
A location where you can sustain your lifestyle is another important consideration for a bug out property. From having enough sunlight to support a solar system to picking a location that provides a good amount of firewood to heat your home, the ability to sustain your lifestyle needs to be one of the top concerns on your checklist. While these considerations may not be important during short-term evacuation situations, if you’re going to spend the money on a secondary shelter, you might as well do it right and prepare for long-term situations as well.
Consider the area’s natural resources when selecting a bug out property:
Unfortunately, most areas of the world are set up in a way that ensures you never really own your property. When considering your location, the cost of living needs to be factored into your plan. Property taxes, cost of local goods, and your ability to keep up with your payments are all things that must be considered.
Make sure you thoroughly investigate local zoning ordinances and find out exactly what you can and can’t build, what permits are needed, and how much trouble local zoning officials have been to local residents.
Most people who have a basic understanding of survival and preparedness understand the need for a good bug out bag. It’s probably one of the most talked-about items on survival websites and is something that has become a bit of an iconic symbol for preppers and survivalists.
If you’ve never heard the term “bug out bag,” it’s basically a bag filled with everything you need to survive an extended period away from home. It’s something you can grab at a moment’s notice should a disaster or emergency situation occur that would require you to immediately evacuate your home. It is an essential part of your evacuation planning.
As with all types survival gear, there is no one-size-fits-all bug out bag solution. Having a good plan is really the only way to get started. In order to know what items you need to pack, you need to consider the following:
What are the most likely disaster situations you will face? Being prepared for anything means knowing exactly what situations you are preparing for. Before you buy any piece of gear for your bag, figure out what disaster situations you’ll most likely face. This will give you a good idea of what you need to pack, how long you need to pack for, and how much gear you will likely need.
What threats will you face during the evacuation? Understanding what threats you’ll face along the way is a crucial part of the bug out planning phase. Your threat assessment will help you figure out which items you need to pack, and which items you can do without. I highly advise performing the threat assessment and SWOT analysis, as described in chapter one, before putting anything in your bag.
Who will be traveling with you? Do they have any special needs or medical conditions that need to be addressed? Do they have their own bag filled with gear, and will that gear complement your own? This can help you determine what you need and what you can share with your companions.
Are you actually prepared to bug out? It may sound like a silly question, but I don’t think people realize what it’s going to take to survive in a real-life bug out situation. It’s one thing to talk about bugging out; it’s another thing to carry your gear ten to fifteen miles (sixteen to twenty-four kilometers) a day in dangerous and unforgiving conditions. You need to consider your overall physical ability, and if it’s a problem, address it now.
Do you need more than one bag? Since you have no way of knowing exactly when and where a disaster will strike, you might want to consider having a bag at home, at your office, and in your vehicle.
Water, food, shelter, and protection are the most important things you can focus on when deciding what gear you need to take in a bug out bag. They are the fundamental building blocks to any good bag and should be the foundation that the rest of your gear is built off of.
While some of the items on this list may be considered optional, this is one survival category that’s definitely a necessity. Simply put, without it you’re dead!
Gallon of water per day. While your exact needs will depend on a number of factors, including your environment, activity level, and overall health, a good rule of thumb is to carry a gallon of water per day, per person.
Water bottles. Having a way to carry and store water is essential to your survival. I recommend carrying an aluminum or steel single-wall canteen for its ability to carry and boil water right in the bottle.
Water filter. In my opinion a good hiking water filter is another important piece of gear. It helps you cut down on your overall water weight and gives you the ability to purify even the most disgusting sources of water.
While food probably won’t become a top priority in a short-term emergency situation, it is something that needs to be considered. Survival situations are stressful, and if you end up having to travel on foot, you’re going to need the extra energy.
When it comes to choosing the right type of survival foods, keep in mind that you will need far more calories during a bug out situation than on a regular day. Energy bars, trail mix, nuts, and seeds are all things that take up little room in your pack but deliver an enormous amount of calories, protein, essential fats, and energy-producing nutrients.
Just make sure you rotate the food out of your packs every couple of months, especially if you keep a bag in the trunk of your vehicle where extreme temperatures can cause food to spoil much quicker.
Hyperthermia (high body temperature) or hypothermia (low body temperature) can set in very fast, so having a way to protect yourself from the elements is a top priority. The type of shelter you choose will depend on your situation, your environment, and your overall ability to improvise shelter from local materials, but in general there are a few things you should consider packing:
Clothing. Although some people might not consider clothing to be shelter, I believe it’s one of the most important items in this category. In a survival situation the clothes on your back, combined with what’s in your bag, will be your primary source of shelter and protection. Clothing is your first line of defense against the elements and should never be overlooked.
Portable shelters. Some of the most common items include a small tent, a lightweight tarp, sleeping bags, a bivy bag, and even plain old plastic sheeting.
Insulation. In a survival situation, knowing how to properly insulate yourself and your shelter can mean the difference between life and death. Blankets, towels, foam, plastic sheeting, and clothes can all be used in a pinch to add insulation to your clothing or shelter.
Personal protection is an important but often overlooked bug out category. The great thing about this category is the items serve dual purposes, and in my opinion that’s an important factor when choosing any piece of survival gear. From hunting when things go really bad to protecting yourself from wild animals, criminals, and anything that wants to do you harm along the way, a gun is one of the most important things you can carry in your bag.
The key to building the perfect bug out bag is continuous testing and improvement. You can have the best gear that money can buy, but if you fail to learn how to use that gear, you might as well fill your bag full of bubble gum because it’s going to give you the same benefit during an emergency situation.
If you don’t know how to use your gear, don’t bother packing a bag. It’s really that simple; your life depends on your training, not your gear! The key to survival is knowledge, testing, and training. Take the time and learn how to use your equipment in a real-world setting. Reading about survival is one thing; knowing how to use survival skills and gear in a crisis situation can only be achieved through experience and rigorous training.
While children may not be able to carry a lot of weight, they still need to have their own bug out bags. Individual bug out bags for each family member, no matter how young, are essential. Natural disasters are extremely stressful situations that can severely impact a child’s state of mind and mental well-being. It’s extremely important for your child to feel as safe and secure as possible during times of crisis. Having his or her own personalized bug out bag, filled with familiar items and comfort foods, can be a lifesaver during a disaster scenario where you may have to leave the comfort of your home.
With children, comfort items are a top priority to ensure their overall mental health during a time of crisis. While I generally don’t like to make gear lists, I make an exception when it comes to children.
While the most important items should always be carried in an adult’s bags, I believe involving children in the packing process gives them a sense of power that’s important to their mental health. That’s why carrying some basic survival items is something that should be included when planning the contents of their bag.
These survival items are appropriate for pretty much all age levels:
Remember, survival is largely a mental game, and with children this is even more the case. Make sure the comfort items you select are lightweight, age appropriate, and familiar to them:
Remember, a kid’s bug out bag is not meant to be an adult’s bug out bag. Its sole purpose is to provide comfort to your child during a stressful situation and give him or her a feeling of control. With younger children, comfort items are a top priority and will help to ensure their overall stability throughout the crisis.
Make sure you customize the bag for your child’s age, personality, and overall fitness level.
During disasters that require you to evacuate, vehicle preparedness becomes even more important as your vehicle will probably be your primary means of getting out of town.
Staying on top of your vehicle’s regular preventive maintenance needs including tune-ups, oil changes, battery checks, and tire rotations goes a long way toward preventing problems. But to really be prepared, you need to take vehicle-related safety just as seriously as any other part of your preparedness planning. For example, according to the National Weather Service, 70 percent of all winter storm-related injuries result from vehicle accidents. If that doesn’t show you how important vehicle safety issues are, I don’t know what will.
Before you hit the roads, there are a number of things you want to do to ensure your safety.
The first step in being prepared is trying to prevent problems before they start. With vehicle safety, that starts with making sure you stay up-to-date on your vehicle’s regular preventive maintenance.
Regular preventive maintenance is probably the single most important thing you can do to ensure your safety while out on the road. While gimmicks used by a lot of unscrupulous mechanics and oil change shops are nothing more than a waste of money, there are some things you need to do to make sure your vehicle is in proper working order.
Do your own inspection. While it’s important to routinely have your vehicle checked by a good certified mechanic, you should also have a basic understanding of how your vehicle works and be able to catch anything that looks out of the ordinary. Every couple of weeks, give your vehicle a good once-over, checking fluid levels, tire wear and air pressure, and looking for leaks.
Check your windshield wipers. It may seem relatively unimportant, but having a faulty set of windshield wipers can severely impact your vision during a storm. Your visibility during summer and winter storms relies on having a good working set of windshield wipers and a full reservoir of windshield wiper fluid (during the winter months, switch to a non-freeze wiper fluid formula).
Know when to call a professional. If during your routine inspection you find anything that looks damaged or out of the ordinary, it’s a good idea to have your vehicle checked by a certified mechanic. Putting off preventive maintenance or obvious problems like defective tires, leaks, or weird sounds will inevitably lead to problems that could jeopardize the safety of you and your family.
A backup copy of your evacuation plan, get home plan, and communication plan should be inside your vehicle at all times. When traveling anywhere, you need to be prepared for the possibility of running into danger. Your plans and supplies will do you no good if they aren’t with you when you need them.
Just like most prepackaged survival kits, most of the commercially available emergency road kits are complete garbage. They are usually filled with cheaply made tools or equipment that does very little to help during an actual emergency.
I suggest taking the time to build your own handpicked emergency road kit and fill it with the items you need to survive roadside emergencies and breakdowns. The kit should take into account where you most often travel and the local weather conditions you’ll most likely face. Routinely inspect your kit and rotate items in and out as the seasons change or when you travel to areas with different considerations and threats.
Some items you may want to consider including:
Never let your gas fall below half a tank. During an emergency situation, you may need to get as far away from the threat as possible. Making a habit of never letting your gas fall below half a tank will help ensure you always have enough fuel to make a quick getaway. It also ensures you never run out of gas.
Don’t forget survival supplies. It really doesn’t matter how far away from home you’re traveling; to be prepared for roadside emergencies and disasters that may hit while away from home, you need to keep some basic survival supplies in your vehicle at all times. This means making sure you have the four key items of survival: water, food, shelter, and protection
Invest in a dedicated cell phone charger. There aren’t many roadways in the world where you can’t hit some sort of cell tower, but if your cell phone is out of juice, it does you very little good during an emergency. To be able to always call for help, make sure you invest in a good vehicle cell phone charger.
Install a CB radio. Most truckers still rely on these radios while out on the road. This makes having a good CB radio an important part of being prepared for roadway emergencies. Not only can you receive important road-related alerts during a storm, but in an emergency where cell towers are down, you may be able to get in contact with a helpful trucker or a local truck stop that may be monitoring the radio. (In most areas, channel 19 is the most frequently used channel by truckers. In the United States, channel 9 has been designated by the FCC as an emergency contact channel.)