Have you practiced your bug out?

Hello, I'm more of a lurker than a poster. Recently it's occurred to me that while many folks have planned and maybe bought supplies for a bug out scenario, I expect many have not gone farther than that. For those who haven't, I suggest you do, go out and spend some time, even if only a weekend, living with what you have, for those of us who have, please share your experiences. I personally already "bugged out" in a sense a year and a half ago. Some friends said "Wow! You're off the grid!" But I'm not. I live in an old RV, no running water, solar powered, I still rely on being able to buy propane, kerosene, gasoline, groceries and water from stores/gas stations. This is all because I have been planning to leave the area I've lived in the last 15 years and didn't want to keep throwing my money down the rental hole. Without rambling on, many people have come up with plans for "just in case." But without practice, it's all theoretical.

Well I got my bugout bag more than ready, but if SHTF the plan is to head to a family spot between my fathers and uncles house which is on a dead-end road where together they own just over a hundred acres complete with livestock, ponds, a natural spring and plenty of deer, i think we'd do fine.

originally posted by: rexsblues
Well I got my bugout bag more than ready, but if SHTF the plan is to head to a family spot between my fathers and uncles house which is on a dead-end road where together they own just over a hundred acres complete with livestock, ponds, a natural spring and plenty of deer, i think we'd do fine.

Sounds good, a place where folks know you. For a lot of the plans I've heard over the years: "Run for the hills!!!!" I've had to point out that there are people already living there, many of whom are going to "bug in" and have plans for strangers showing up. Having a rural area that you have family roots in is a definite plus. The only question then is do you have a significant seed bank, or access to livestock, even just a few chickens for eggs, that you wouldn't inconvenience your relatives? I only ask this because in my own scenario I'm moving back home and for how some folks are... Well I have to be sure no one feels I'm stealing food from their mouths.

Nope, why bother?... I'm pretty sure where when and how it will happen now, so I've spent some time to find the perfect place to watch it all go down...

Those last few moments are going to be truly epic.

Isn't there a bunch of survival schools that just do that? Take you out on weekends to live completely off the grid? Do have an incomplete bug out bag, only a few minor items I'm missing yet that wouldn't be missed too much but kind of would make things like hunting and carving meat easier.

originally posted by: ausername
Nope, why bother?... I'm pretty sure where when and how it will happen now, so I've spent some time to find the perfect place to watch it all go down...

Those last few moments are going to be truly epic.

ah I admire your grit and know what you mean. But if you survive the moment, do you know how to find food? Have you ever spent a few weeks of winter waking up with snow caving the sides of your tent and all of your clothes soaking wet simply due to the condensation of your breath while asleep? This is why I've asked Who's done their practice. Because there are a whole lot of miserable realities you may experience if you haven't gone out and tried it. Practice makes perfect.

a reply to: ThickAsABrick

I know how that feels, power went out for a week on Christmas, I was freezing, I've actually thought Braxton that when packing my bag and put in an extra set of clothing just as extra layers. Light but heavy duty bicycle stuff, be amazed at how durable that is, I've scraped myself up good and my skin looked worse than the clothing lol.

originally posted by: misterhistory
Isn't there a bunch of survival schools that just do that? Take you out on weekends to live completely off the grid? Do have an incomplete bug out bag, only a few minor items I'm missing yet that wouldn't be missed too much but kind of would make things like hunting and carving meat easier.

yes there are places that will teach you some of the knowledge for a price. I was lucky enough to grow up in an area where living in such a fashion was considered normal. "Let's go fishing," meant loading up supplies and paddling and portaging a canoe a hundred kilometres or so into complete wilderness. When I was a kid I kinda thought it sucked, but now, I'm thankful.
Whatever you have for a setup, test it out. Even if only for a weekend. You 'll learn a lot.

a reply to: ThickAsABrick

As I've said, it's not complete, I need to stop being so lazy and sleeping all day and start finishing that, though some items I'll need to wait till I move out of my parents house. #27andstillwithparents haha

originally posted by: misterhistory
a reply to: ThickAsABrick

I know how that feels, power went out for a week on Christmas, I was freezing, I've actually thought Braxton that when packing my bag and put in an extra set of clothing just as extra layers. Light but heavy duty bicycle stuff, be amazed at how durable that is, I've scraped myself up good and my skin looked worse than the clothing lol.

Hahahaha! Glad you mentioned bicycles. I've watched the whole bug out vehicle posts for a few years and unless I missed a thread, have been surprised that no one has realized that they are the perfect vehicle. I"m going to do a quick search to make sure it hasn't been covered, otherwise stay tuned for a new thread.

a reply to: ThickAsABrick

I had everything imaginable, I was prepared for survival, but have seen the futility in it. Makes it easier to accept fate/destiny.

I have a place selected in the rockies. It's perfect.

I have everything I will need for that particular time. No more, no less.

It is, in a way, planned like a wilderness vacation.

a reply to: ThickAsABrick

Yep. All the time. Modifying, added to supplies, reducing others etc.

MStranger
EMT/ERT-1st Responder
Advanced Disaster Life Support
Dept. of Homeland Security/FEMA
Region 2 South
Wayne County, Michigan USA*

*I put my credentials in my replies wherever pertenent to the topic

a reply to: ThickAsABrick

I meant the clothing, but yeah; I've got a cross bike (they call it a hybrid bicycle but that makes pro scratch their heads these days) that's been through the worst my county can provide, and a fall at my fastest sprint. New seat made it oh so comfy for five hours straight on it on all terrains plus space for your water bottles. Need a tire kit and pump yet if it would be my bug out vehicle.

originally posted by: mysterioustranger
a reply to: ThickAsABrick

Yep. All the time. Modifying, added to supplies, reducing others etc.

MStranger
EMT/ERT-1st Responder
Advanced Disaster Life Support
Dept. of Homeland Security/FEMA
Region 2 South
Wayne County, Michigan USA*

*I put my credentials in my replies wherever pertenent to the topic

Thank you, on behalf of folks you may have already helped, and those that you will.

a reply to: ThickAsABrick

I have no plans to "Bug Out".

I have plans to "Get Home" if I am away.

Bugging out only works if you have someplace prepared to go (in a shtf situation that is, not taking into account standard disasters).

The Fallacy of Bugging Out – Are You Prepared to Be a Refugee?

www.shtfplan.com...

a reply to: ThickAsABrick

Another good idea is checking your bug-out equipment to make
sure everything is in good working order.When we had a black out,
that is what I did.

originally posted by: infolurker
a reply to: ThickAsABrick

I have no plans to "Bug Out".

I have plans to "Get Home" if I am away.

Bugging out only works if you have someplace prepared to go (in a shtf situation that is, not taking into account standard disasters).

The Fallacy of Bugging Out – Are You Prepared to Be a Refugee?

www.shtfplan.com...

Well now you have brought up the point perfectly. Where are we? A large portion moved away from home to find work. Which is why. Though I have been Away so many years,, I'm going home. I don't want to go into my own story, but I know there's other folks who just want to go home!

originally posted by: infolurker
a reply to: ThickAsABrick

I have no plans to "Bug Out".

I have plans to "Get Home" if I am away.

Bugging out only works if you have someplace prepared to go (in a shtf situation that is, not taking into account standard disasters).

The Fallacy of Bugging Out – Are You Prepared to Be a Refugee?

www.shtfplan.com...


Well yes, that is part of the problem too. A large majority of people that one has met over the years are quite willing to see you "go under the bus," though I spent spent a number of years trying to help the Local community, after 15 years, these people equate me with some undescribable plague.


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a reply to: infolurker

Truth!!

Unless you've got some land someplace with a cabin, or the wherewithal to build one, you're better off under most circumstances staying put at home.

Unless society completely disintegrates, it's safer to shelter in place, then to hit the road where you're at the mercy of environment, and people who may want to steal your BOB stuff.

a reply to: seagull

Now, if you have a fully stocked concealed underground bunker full of food and a clean water supply that is off the map, with little chance of being discovered, then by all means "Bug Out" or "GHB" to it quickly.... preferably within hours after the event has started.