Should You Stay Put or Bug Out?

Should You Stay Put or Bug Out? 

There are 2 basic philosophies that most people adhere to when preparing to face a disaster situation. One is staying put and sheltering in one place and the other is getting the heck out of Dodge (bugging out). You have to decide which one is best for you and then acquire the resources necessary to carry it out. Your plan could actually be created around a little of both of these scenarios. 

That way you can play it by ear as the situation unfolds. There are a few questions you'll need to answer to make a proper determination. Are you living in the city, the suburbs, or a county? 

Do you see your neighbors as potential allies or threats? Would you be capable of forming a defensive perimeter around your property and have the weapons to defend and protect it? Would you be able to safely remain there for as long as you need to? Are there any special circumstances within your family that would prohibit you from bugging out? 

These are all very important questions that require solid answers. It depends on your answers to those questions as to whether or not you should consider relocating once disaster hits. That would mean taking as many of your survival sustaining items with as you can possibly carry. If you live in an area with a high crime rate you could also be facing additional threats regardless of whether you choose to stay there or bug out.

People who live in shared buildings will face the problem of the panic and chaos that naturally ensues when people get spooked. People tend to lose their ability to reason and they act unpredictably. Survivalists who live in these types of settings should have their escape route laid out in such a way that they encounter the least resistance after the trouble begins. 

EMERGENCY GEAR

 Regardless of how your survival plan is laid out you'll need emergency gear ready to ensure you at least survive for the short term. Know in advance that you won't be able to take everything you want with you. In a disaster situation you have to be able to make due with what you have. Make room for your most valuable survival assets, tools, and resources. 

The load you carry will be limited to what you're able to carry on you or put into a vehicle. If you're traveling with multiple people or vehicles you'll be able to take more food and medical supplies as well as other life-sustaining items. Below is a list of some of the most common, practical, and storable items to add to each person's survival kit 

- A Good Sharp Knife 

Paracord 

Multi-Tool 

Signal Mirror

Duct Tape First Aid Kit Compass Waterproof Matches/ Fire Starter Local Map Sewing Kit Cook Stove Compass Work Gloves Sunglasses Plastic Sheet/ Tarp Crow Bar/ Pry Bar Change of Clothes Mess Kit Poncho/ Lightweight Raincoat Zip Ties Toilet Paper Resealable Bags

and anything else you believe will make a difference. This is just a basic list of common things most preppers include in their survival kits. If you stick with these items and maintain the intent of carrying a minimal survival kit (for staying alive until you find refuge or get rescued) you'll do well. 

Avoid Detection While on the Move

For those who choose to bug out you want to keep a low profile. Don't draw attention to yourself. Each disaster crisis has its own unique challenges and you'll have to adjust to the situation. Staying out in the open may put you in a risky position both environmentally and from human interaction. Unruly mobs can break out anywhere at anytime. 

They will rob and kill to survive and making yourself too visible is just an unnecessary risk. Always remember that being concealed and taking cover are two totally separate things. 

Cover means you're utilizing some form of barrier, either natural or man-made, to help protect yourself from bullets. Your cover could be anything from a tree to a vehicle or concrete wall. Concealment, however, means that you are hidden but this type of hiding offers no protection from attack if you're discovered. 

This would be things like bushes, tall grass, shrubs, or some form of natural foliage that can conceal you from being seen. When you're under attack your best bet is to seek cover. Only resort to concealment when cover is not an option. Understand that not all types of cover will protect you. It will mostly depend on what kind of attack you're under. 

Cinderblocks can stop some handgun or rifle fire but not all of them. Some high-caliber firearms are able to totally obliterate a cinderblock. The same can be said for car doors, trees, and dirt mounds. They are not bullet-proof. Overall, you need to do your best to maintain a low profile during a disaster. Never let anybody know exactly where you're going. Move with efficiency and do it constantly, changing camp often, and always watching your perimeter. 

HOME BUNKERS 

As far as keeping your family and property defended during a crisis, your best offense will be your defense. You have endless options as far as fortifying your home and securing your perimeter to ward off unruly mobs and intruders. There are many preppers who will swear by having a solid, fortified bunker that is well stocked with ammo, food, and water. 

A home bunker can hold additional survival resources as well. Sadly, not everyone can afford to get everything they need in these types of situations and not everybody wants to use a home bunker in the first place. In Europe and the U.S. today there are new manufacturers popping up who specialize in building bug-out bunkers, underground bunkers, and in-home bunkers. 

These bunkers come equipped with enough survival supplies to sustain families of 4 for at least a year or more. Having a well-fortified bunker gives you peace of mind. You can rest at ease knowing you have a few weeks or maybe even months of supplies readily available. This gives you a distinct edge over those who are not prepared. 

These new survival techniques are very impressive in their design and functionality. However, many times they're too expensive and impractical for the average family to take advantage of. While purchasing one of these is a personal decision, you may be much better off putting your money to work on fortifying your home. You can use what you already have and learn about self-defense and proper survival skills.

FALLOUT SHELTER FLAWS 

While fallout shelters are viewed as being nearly impenetrable, it's simply not true. A lot of preppers choose to purchase prefabricated bunkers instead of building their own. They can be buried underground or set up as a form of defense on any perimeter. They come in the forms of specifically designed survival-pods, shipping containers, or even school buses. They're packed with water, food, weapons, and various other supplies. While water always takes the #1 spot on the 'most critical' list for survival, it is actually oxygen that is the most vital element to secure. That's why a bunker needs to be outfitted with several ventilation systems in order to circulate fresh air and rid the area of dangerous carbon monoxide. 

Regardless of how hard you try to hide these systems, the hoses, vents, and tubes suddenly become the most vulnerable points in your shelter. Should an intruder make it past your perimeter defenses to your shelter, they will no doubt have 1 of 2 things in mind - Eliminating any threats inside and moving along or taking all you have and claiming that shelter for themselves. Both scenarios are unfavorable outcomes for you. You may have a bunker that is flame-retardant, able to withstand high pressure, and bullet-proof to boot. However, anything that restricts your ability to breathe is life threatening. 

Having your breathing attacked can render all your hard work and preparations useless. There are several ways that an attacker could try to flush you out by attacking the space inside and around you -

1. Smoke This is the most commonly used method for getting someone to come out from a closed-in space. 

2. Fire Intruders hell-bent on getting into your shelter could put gasoline or some other flammable liquid down into your vents. 

3. Water Most shelters are built to withstand harsh weather conditions. However, if an intruder can get water through your ventilation system they could force you outside. 

4. Explosion Homemade bombs can be dropped down into your bunker or set off outside to blow the entrance open. 

5. Earth Anyone with access to a bulldozer can bulldoze your shelter over and bury you alive in the process. The dirt would also block off your ventilation access points leaving you without oxygen.