Bugging Out Tips

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Dec 17, 2018 Paul Pinkerton

Bugging out is definitely one of the more popular concepts when it comes to preparing for disaster. Many people have this idea that when things get extraordinarily bad in their city, they need to bug out to a remote location outside of any urbanized areas.

In reality, bugging out is rarely the best option to take. This is because it’s inherently more risky than bugging in. You’re leaving your home and supplies behind to the looters, you’ll be vulnerable out on the open road, and your “bug out location” may not even be very well defendable.

This is why the only time it would be wise to bug out is if either of these two scenarios happens:

1. You are ordered to by the authorities, so you have no choice
2. Death is certain or near certain if you stay where you are

If either of those scenarios occurs and you have no choice but to bug out, here are some top tips for you to follow:

Be Sure You Want To Bug Out

First and foremost, you need to be absolutely sure that bugging out is the wisest strategy for you to take. As we just went over in the introduction, bugging out is rarely safer than bugging in.

When you decide to bug out, you need to be absolutely certain that it is the right decision to make. If neither of the above scenarios is your current reality, then bugging in will most likely be the wiser choice.

Bug Out Ahead Of Everybody Else

If you don’t, you’re going to get bogged down in traffic and there’s nothing you can do about that.

The best way to bug out ahead of everyone else is to be aware of what’s happening and to make the decision before other people do. So, for example, if you live on the coast and there’s a hurricane headed your way, you need to keep tabs on the development of that hurricane so you can take action before other people hit the road as well.

You can apply these same principles to any kind of disaster – with the exception of disasters that happen suddenly without warning such as EMP or terrorist attacks. In this scenario, the best thing you can do is simply to bug out as soon as you can.

Have A Designated Bug Out Vehicle

Choose which of your vehicles will be your bug out vehicle. Take note that it does not necessarily need to be a decked-out truck like you may see in the Mad Max films. A simple car can work as well.

That being said, the ideal vehicle would fulfill many qualities, including each of the following:

1. It should be AWD or 4WD
2. It should have suitable ground clearance
3. It must have enough space to carry each family member and your supplies
4. It should be well maintained
5. It should have a full tank of fuel available

Have A Designated Bug Out Location

Bugging out means that you need to know exactly where you’re going to be bugging out to. Your location can be a friend or relative’s house (with their permission), a cabin out in the woods, a piece of property you own, etc.

However, as with your vehicle, your location needs to fulfill several qualities, including each of the following:

1. It must be outside of any urbanized areas, or at least outside of the danger zone
2. It must be within a reasonable driving distance
3. It must have an abundance of available resources (food, water, etc.)
4. It must be well hidden and easily defendable

Have Multiple Routes For Getting To Your Bug Out Location

You should have a minimum of three routes for getting from your home to your bug out location. Failure to do this means that if one route fails, you could be completely out of luck, and that’s the last thing you want. Be sure to have routes for getting between those routes as well.

Carry Supplies With You

You should always bring supplies with you. The best solution is to have a bug out bag prepared for each member of your family and to throw those bags into the back of your car. Alternatively, you can keep supplies in your car at all times.

Examples of what you’re going to need include a few days’ supplies of food and water, shelter items (tarps, sleeping bags, hammocks, etc.), fire-starting devices, a first aid kit, self-defense weapons, and so on.

Conclusion

Bugging out is really a relatively simple process, but remember, it all really begins with making the decision to bug out in the first place. It carries a lot of inherent risks and should only be done if you are forced to by the authorities or if death is certain otherwise. But if you are forced to bug out, the above tips will definitely increase your chances of survival.