Inspired by Chicago Typewriters thread about bug out scenarios, I thought I would "steal" some info that was posted on the 2Aforum by a man that goes by GrantK. He has put a lot of effort into writing on this subject and always enjoys sharing this info with others. So, if you are interested in really being prepared for "Oh ****" situations. This is the thread for you.
There will be serveral posts... here's the first.
Bug Out Bags – Who, What, Where, When, Why, How
Those here that know me know I’m heavily into emergency preparation. A member asked me to do a write up on bug out bags, which I’m happy to do since a little preparation can save your life. Since I didn't want to hijack someone else thread, I decided to start a new one.
Even if you don’t think you need a bug out bag or think they’re a waste of time and money I ask you at least read this first post then re-evaluate your position (which I hope to sway.) Since this can get fairly involved I’m going to break this down into multiple sections to make it easier to digest.
Part I –
What (what is a BoB)
A bug out bag, GOOD (Get Out Of Dodge) kit or 72hr kit is a well thought out, well planed and balanced highly portable cache of supplies to sustain your life during an emergency when you might be forced to leave your home. It is intended to help you get safely from point A to point B and let you establish a somewhat normal life when you get to point B.
It is not a backpacking kit nor is it an arsenal with a thousand rounds of ammunition and a bunch or MREs to let you go play Rambo. Many times I’ve heard people brag about their emergency kit only to find out its nothing of the sort. It is very common to get carried away on one part because its fun or cool and ignore another equally important but not as fun part. Remember that you are creating a kit for the purpose of saving your life during an emergency, not something to keep you comfy-cozy while your out having a good time.
Who (who needs one)
Every man, women and child. Unless you are the POTUS with a team of Secret Service agents and millions of dollars spent to take care of you, you have two options, end up like the Katrina refugees in the Dome or take your safety into your own hands. Even FEMA recommends having a kit for each family member ready for emergencies.
Why (why do I need one)
For the same reason you carry a spare tire, have insurance policies and carry a gun, just in case. If you live within 5 miles of a railroad or express way you might have to evacuate do to a chemical spill. If you are down wind from an industrial area this hold true as well. A wild fire might threaten your home, tornados, blizzards, hurricanes and bad weather in general.. You could come home from work to find your home has burned down. And if you want to go extreme, terrorists could attack with dirty bombs, chemical or biological weapons, there can be riots, WWIII, or the government could have asserted martial law. If you wanted to you could make a list pages long describing things that would force you to leave your house in a hurry with nothing more than the clothes on your back and what you can grab with one hand.
Where (where do I keep it)
In a nutshell, keep a kit everywhere you can. I always recommend keeping a kit for each person in each vehicle as a minimum. Add another mini-kit in your bedroom, at work and at a couple of friend’s houses if you really want to cover all the bases.
Keeping a kit in the car means you have the kit with you where ever you are. What if you can’t get back home because it’s already in a danger? If you are at home, having it in your car might give you time to grab extras to enhance what you’ve already got packed in the car.
When (when do I bug out and to where)
The best time to leave is several hours before you think you should and at least 1 day before everyone else. In other words, by the time you think it might be time to go, you are probably already late. Obviously different scenarios have different lead times but remember that it’s the always the person that wanted to wait things out that you hear about dying during an emergency.
Once you decide to leave you better have a place to go or you’re just going to become another refugee waiting for the government to help you. For minor emergencies you might be able to go to a motel 10 miles away. For bigger emergencies you might have to go much farther. I have and recommend on having several destinations (I have three destiantions semi-local and two a couple days away) in different directions incase one direction is blocked or are in a worse situation. Set up with friends and/or relatives about 2hrs normal drive time away to come there during an emergency. Of course, you should extend the same offer to them should they need to evacuate. Have several different routes to each since it’s likely that one or more routes will be blocked by traffic or other problems.
How (how do I create my own BoB)
Well that’s what part II is going to cover. But first let me say that each kit needs to be personalized to your needs. What I have in my kits won’t be right for someone else. Also the pre-made kits are an OK starting point if you are having trouble getting started but remember that those kits are (A) intended to make money for the seller and (B) are someone else idea of what you need, not yours. What I’ll try to do in part II is to cover the areas and give some information on items that work, don’t work and are nice little perks.
Also, research recommendations from as many sources as you can find on what to include. FEMA has online information on putting together a kit as does the Red Cross, The Church of Latter Day Saints (Mormons) and many other sites. A Google search on “72 hour kits” will get you pointed in the right direction. There are also several books on the subject. Once I like is available form http://www.beprepared.com (Emergency Essentials) called, “How to Assemble a 72-hour Emergency Kit Book”
Lastly, once you have your first kit, don’t let it sit, try it out at home some weekend or take it camping. You should be upgrading, improving and filling holes as you learn what works for you and what doesn’t. Don’t forget to change things out based on the seasons, what works for summer will let you freeze in winter. When you are happy with your kit, look at creating an add-on kit that contains “nice to have” items that you will abandon in you are forced to go on foot and another add-on kit you keep at home if you have time to grab it or go back home to get it. Don't forget items for pets!!!
Well that’s it for part I.
There will be serveral posts... here's the first.
Bug Out Bags – Who, What, Where, When, Why, How
Those here that know me know I’m heavily into emergency preparation. A member asked me to do a write up on bug out bags, which I’m happy to do since a little preparation can save your life. Since I didn't want to hijack someone else thread, I decided to start a new one.
Even if you don’t think you need a bug out bag or think they’re a waste of time and money I ask you at least read this first post then re-evaluate your position (which I hope to sway.) Since this can get fairly involved I’m going to break this down into multiple sections to make it easier to digest.
Part I –
What (what is a BoB)
A bug out bag, GOOD (Get Out Of Dodge) kit or 72hr kit is a well thought out, well planed and balanced highly portable cache of supplies to sustain your life during an emergency when you might be forced to leave your home. It is intended to help you get safely from point A to point B and let you establish a somewhat normal life when you get to point B.
It is not a backpacking kit nor is it an arsenal with a thousand rounds of ammunition and a bunch or MREs to let you go play Rambo. Many times I’ve heard people brag about their emergency kit only to find out its nothing of the sort. It is very common to get carried away on one part because its fun or cool and ignore another equally important but not as fun part. Remember that you are creating a kit for the purpose of saving your life during an emergency, not something to keep you comfy-cozy while your out having a good time.
Who (who needs one)
Every man, women and child. Unless you are the POTUS with a team of Secret Service agents and millions of dollars spent to take care of you, you have two options, end up like the Katrina refugees in the Dome or take your safety into your own hands. Even FEMA recommends having a kit for each family member ready for emergencies.
Why (why do I need one)
For the same reason you carry a spare tire, have insurance policies and carry a gun, just in case. If you live within 5 miles of a railroad or express way you might have to evacuate do to a chemical spill. If you are down wind from an industrial area this hold true as well. A wild fire might threaten your home, tornados, blizzards, hurricanes and bad weather in general.. You could come home from work to find your home has burned down. And if you want to go extreme, terrorists could attack with dirty bombs, chemical or biological weapons, there can be riots, WWIII, or the government could have asserted martial law. If you wanted to you could make a list pages long describing things that would force you to leave your house in a hurry with nothing more than the clothes on your back and what you can grab with one hand.
Where (where do I keep it)
In a nutshell, keep a kit everywhere you can. I always recommend keeping a kit for each person in each vehicle as a minimum. Add another mini-kit in your bedroom, at work and at a couple of friend’s houses if you really want to cover all the bases.
Keeping a kit in the car means you have the kit with you where ever you are. What if you can’t get back home because it’s already in a danger? If you are at home, having it in your car might give you time to grab extras to enhance what you’ve already got packed in the car.
When (when do I bug out and to where)
The best time to leave is several hours before you think you should and at least 1 day before everyone else. In other words, by the time you think it might be time to go, you are probably already late. Obviously different scenarios have different lead times but remember that it’s the always the person that wanted to wait things out that you hear about dying during an emergency.
Once you decide to leave you better have a place to go or you’re just going to become another refugee waiting for the government to help you. For minor emergencies you might be able to go to a motel 10 miles away. For bigger emergencies you might have to go much farther. I have and recommend on having several destinations (I have three destiantions semi-local and two a couple days away) in different directions incase one direction is blocked or are in a worse situation. Set up with friends and/or relatives about 2hrs normal drive time away to come there during an emergency. Of course, you should extend the same offer to them should they need to evacuate. Have several different routes to each since it’s likely that one or more routes will be blocked by traffic or other problems.
How (how do I create my own BoB)
Well that’s what part II is going to cover. But first let me say that each kit needs to be personalized to your needs. What I have in my kits won’t be right for someone else. Also the pre-made kits are an OK starting point if you are having trouble getting started but remember that those kits are (A) intended to make money for the seller and (B) are someone else idea of what you need, not yours. What I’ll try to do in part II is to cover the areas and give some information on items that work, don’t work and are nice little perks.
Also, research recommendations from as many sources as you can find on what to include. FEMA has online information on putting together a kit as does the Red Cross, The Church of Latter Day Saints (Mormons) and many other sites. A Google search on “72 hour kits” will get you pointed in the right direction. There are also several books on the subject. Once I like is available form http://www.beprepared.com (Emergency Essentials) called, “How to Assemble a 72-hour Emergency Kit Book”
Lastly, once you have your first kit, don’t let it sit, try it out at home some weekend or take it camping. You should be upgrading, improving and filling holes as you learn what works for you and what doesn’t. Don’t forget to change things out based on the seasons, what works for summer will let you freeze in winter. When you are happy with your kit, look at creating an add-on kit that contains “nice to have” items that you will abandon in you are forced to go on foot and another add-on kit you keep at home if you have time to grab it or go back home to get it. Don't forget items for pets!!!
Well that’s it for part I.