Should I Stay or Should I Go
Should I stay or should I go,
Not to rip off a lyric from the Clash, but a thought to keep in mind at all times. Lots of people romanticize about bugging out into the woods/forest/hills, etc. However, is that the best choice for you and your family/group? And are you prepared to handle the competition for resources (food, water, basic needs), with all of those others out there with you in the boonies? Just think of the accidental shooting that are going to happen because everyone is out there hunting. Just going out into the wilderness is not good plan, so how about making a plan to cover the disasters that worry you the most and have a set location to go to like a cabin by the lake that you own or family, friends own (some place you are familiar with). And does the disaster warrant you leaving your home right now or can you hold out for some time?
Examples of Disasters that “May” require immediate bug out:
- Eruption at Yellowstone or other Volcanic event
- After an Earthquake
- Event that affects a nearby Nuclear power plant
- Before the Hurricane hits your location
- Before the Wildfire/ Fire approaches your property
- Before the Tsunami arrives
Examples of Disasters that may “NOT” require immediate bug out:
- Regional power outages
- Pandemics
- Civil unrest not in your general area
- Economic Collapse
- Labor Strikes
- EMP if you are not near a Nuclear power plant
Other considerations to think about when leaving your home for the unknown:
- Small Children- how will they be affected under such a stressful environment, can they be entertained during the trip and at your destination, and they may require more rest-stops.
- Pets-are you taking them with you or putting them “down”, they can give a feeling of normalcy and reduce stress especially for children, but they need food, water
- Pregnancy-can adequate care be given to reduce the chances of death from giving birth for mother and child?
- Babies-Food, Formula, Diapers, Medications
- Health Issues/Medications-do you have adequate medications for a long-term bug out?
- Elderly-any special needs, diet, medications/medical supplies?
- Fuel-Does your Bug-Out vehicle(s) have enough fuel to make it to your destination and do you have a plan for refueling? During an emergency your fuel consumption may double or triple especially if driving off-road.
- Is your Bug-Out vehicle(s) in good working order, will it (they) make they make the trip and take you where you need to go?
- Protection-how are you going to protect your group and vehicle(s) and make it safely to your destination.
- Communication-how will you be able to communicate with members of your group and is there a back-up plan?
- Stealth-be able to move about without detection, have quiet vehicle(s), driving without lights, no loud radios/music, not let everyone know what you are doing (being a big mouth).
- Routes-how are you going to get there, highways/freeways may be plugged up with other people trying to get out, can you go off-road?
What also is important is who and what are you taking with you, and do you have enough supplies (including clothes, laundry supplies, hygiene products, etc.) to care for all that are going with you (including pets). Or do you have all supplies that are needed at the bug out location?
Staying at Home
At your home, you should have all the needed supplies for all members of your group for at least 6 months and a resupply plan (gardening, raising rabbits, chickens). You could get a support group with your neighbors and build a community and have a defendable area if it comes to that. Being at home does provide some comfort in trying times and having family and close friends nearby can help with security of your home or your bug-out site. So it is important to have your plan include both staying and leaving. Try to have your emergency supplies ready to be loaded and ready to go, maybe a trailer that can be partially loaded with “camping gear” can cut down the time it takes to load up to get out.
There may be a time when you have “NO” choice but to leave and in a hurry, be ready for it.
I know it’s hard to practice this, but you should. Prepare for the scenario, do at least one practice scenario, than you can see what really happens, and what worked and what didn’t.
That’s the BEST way to learn!
Right !! There is no time to practice and plan after the SHTF. “Preparedness Insures Victory”
if you do get knocked out, at least take 3-6 with you….:)