Bug out or hunker down

[ZombieWarfare]

In my younger days I was all about bugging out.
I have my bag and all the necessary tools and equipment. Now I have a wife and two kids. I live in rural south Mississippi. Lately my prepping has been leaning towards hunkering down at the house because my two month old baby girl and 2 yr old son are with us. It take a ton of gear just to go to Wal-mart much less bug out. I was wondering what other parents thought about this

[harleytrypp]

Definately hunker down "Bug-In". The bug out is a last resort option. IMHO.

[raptor]

Bugging in is IMO a preferred route to plan around. It makes a lot of sense for many risks. A bug out entails a lot of risk for a wide variety reasons.

That said there are instances when a bug out is mandatory and thus you should plan accordingly. These instances can include among others: Hurricanes in low lying coastal zones, wildfires in mountainous and rural areas, floods, chemical and radiation leaks to name a few. In these instances your safest course of action is to get some distance between you and the risk. The risk associated with staying far exceeds your risk of bugging out.

Obviously not everyone is exposed to all of these risks but these are examples when a packed BOB will come in handy. Even if you plan to bug in take some time to analyze the risks you face and determine whether or not there are risks where a bug out would be preferable.

[FrankisSteezy]

yeah for me and my girl its our last resort to leave our home

[ZombieWarfare]

Yeah roger that Harley. I live in hurricane alley so I have a bug out plan that my wife has used twice since we have been married. "I'm a cop so I gotta suck it up and stay" but it has allowed me to implement both plans but if the disaster was more than regional I just can't see loading up and driving across country except as an absolute last resort.

[raptor]

BTW welcome to the forum ZombieWarfare. When you get a chance please go by the introduction thread and introduce yourself.

[funkychicken]

Bugging in as long as you can is the best option with kids. Especially with 2 and 2 months old. One isn't mobile the other is but not for long distances, and niether is able to stay quiet for long. Not to mention the diapers and other supplies needed. It's a legistics nightmare. Like you said, it takes a ton of gear to goto walmart. If I had to bug out with small kids I would make sure I had a cart or jogging stroller or something like that so the kids and all of their supplies could be carried. I have 3 kids myself and although they are not as young as yours bugging out would still be an act of congress. (One of them would fillabuster until we couldn't vote) My youngest is almost 4, middle almost 6, and oldest is 12 on 1/10/2012(tomorrow). I worry more about them than I do about myself or the wife. Especially the wife.

[duodecima]

As a parent I agree bugging in is Plan A. As raptor points out, Plan A sometimes isn't an option, and this is where I pray for vehicular bugging out - it would be bulky but managable with the existing supplies. Bugging out on foot is my absolute last plan, and and would suck in more ways than I can easily count.

Bugging out of a localized/regional disaster (flood, tornado, house burnt down, power's out too long) gets a lot simpler, as we have a couple BOL's well stocked for simple disasters (ie grandparents, other relatives) we could go to.

[vetvet]

Yeah roger that Harley. I live in hurricane alley so I have a bug out plan that my wife has used twice since we have been married. "I'm a cop so I gotta suck it up and stay" but it has allowed me to implement both plans but if the disaster was more than regional I just can't see loading up and driving across country except as an absolute last resort.

If you have had to bug out during a hurricane, than you know how panicky, stupid and dangerous other people can be. Continue to revise and improve on your bug out plans, maybe share some of your successes and failures with us. But plan to bug in unless you absolutely have to leave. In even the worst situations I can imagine, laying low until the dust settles is wise advice.

[AwPhuch]

Just remember...the Bug Out is NOT off the table...situation dependent...but it should be your LAST option

[raptor]

Just remember...the Bug Out is NOT off the table...situation dependent

QFT

Always have a Plan B and if Plan B is run like hell; then a BOB will be handy.

[phil_in_cs]

Just remember...the Bug Out is NOT off the table...situation dependent...but it should be your LAST option

the wild fires in my area this summer really drove that home to me.

[jimmyjack]

I also live in rural South MS and have been preparing contigency plans for both scenarios.

I beleive that bugging out is the most efficient idea for me. However, remembering the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina I am reminded of the streets filled with cars and buses, stuck for days. Even more disturbing though was the looting, burglarly and lines of cars and people at walmart and other major food distributors and being without power for a week without proper preparation. (makes you realize that TEOTWAWKI could be much worse then that)

If you detect early warning signs before the media causes widespread panic get out. Especially if it will effect Northrop Grumman, Ingles, Chevron, Mississippi Power, or the Chemical Plants nearby. Remember offcoast drilling, naval shipbuilding, a naval and airforce base, a large army base (camp shelby), a large civilian hub biloxi casinos, as well as power and water treatment facilities are located in south Mississipi. This isnt including the influx of civilians on disaster routes from Louisiana, Mobile, and the movement of people from East to West as our beautiful state is flooded by people who think Mississippi is full of thick wooded forests for miles.

While we did have approximately 1.7 million deer in 2007 an influx of idiots during a disaster that leaves food lines burdened and the drive of hunter/gatherers native to our state to provide for their families will greatly diminish one of our greatest food sources.

Also remember that prison hubs of more than 400 offenders from the MDOC and local county and city law enforcement in the event of a government shutdown will be free to roam. Our major gangs being the Vice Lords, Black Gangsters, Simon City Royals, and Latin Kings which have had a giant increase since the immigration of Louisianners and other refugees from the gulf coast... will be running free.

However, making the decision to bug out should be one made before widespread panic begins. Getting stuck in traffic, out on the road, or being on foot with gear and small children is in my opinion is far more dangerous for your family. I think the decision is based on far more then the flip of a coin and depends on many different scenarios. You should look at the disaster routes for your area, is staying even optional or will the local law and national guard force you to bug out like they did so many people during hurricane katrina. These are things that you likely wont know until your options have been made for you.

[Gixxer1237]

I got a 3 year old, 10 year old and a 12 year old. I am going to bug in unless forced otherwise. If I bug its going to be by vehicle. I took em all camping on a pretty much no frills deal and my Jeep was FULL. Factor in that I am the pack mule, and the little one can't run very fast and it pretty much means that a bug Out is going to require 4 wheels. This is part of the reason I'm looking for a INCH pack to use to bug. Give the wife my old BOB and have the kids use there backpacks for school(my 10 year old boys is a pretty tough pack) just to carry the bare essentials.

[raptor]

Welcome to the forum JimmyJack. When you get a chance please go by the introductions thread and introduce yourself.

[Maast]

I'd like to chime in here that IMO the desirability of bugging out has a direct relationship to the density of the population around you:

If you're in an area thats mostly apartments and chock-full of people, especially towards the lower end of the economic scale things are going to go to hell at the first sneeze of trouble and there'll be no hiding from it and your only real option is to scoot on out as soon as you can.

On the other hand if you're in an area of single family homes where most lots are half an acre or bigger then you'll probably be able to wait out just about anything with if you harden your home to a decent extent. Of course area-effect disasters (wildfire, flood, etc) that'll physically render your home unlivable will still prompt a bug-out.

I dont think surviving in a neighborhood in anything less than half acre lots is even POSSIBLE in a true PAW scenario, there are just too many people around you and no matter what you do, a prepper will stand out as the one thats not starving, dehydrated, filthy and freezing to death. All it'll take is one rumor - substantiated or not - that you've got food when nobody else does and your home will be swarmed and unless it's a concrete bunker it WILL be breached sooner or later, no matter how many weapons you have. You have to sleep some time.

IMO in a standard urban single home neighborhood with .15 to .2 acre lots you wait a few days to week after the store shelves go empty for things to settle down a bit (the panic hasnt quite set in yet) - and then get the hell out of there to an area without that many people.

You MAY be able to survive in a urban area if you and a few other well-prepared families join up & consolidate at one location and guard each others backs. But I wouldnt count on it.

[mcwes3]

Welcome to the ZS fellow Mississippians! I have been putting some thought in to the whole bug in vs bug out. I have been reading several what if books lately (poor mans war college). Prepers are going to be rich targets. People will lose there mind the first night them and their loved ones go hungry. There definitely is strength in numbers, but you take on the lowest common denominator of the group. Like momma said "Choose who you hang around with wisely." I have been making small changes to fortify my home. Stay in touch maybe we can finally get enough people together from Mississippi to form a chapter. Out from Hattiesburg.

[Urbansurvivor]

Buging out would be the absolute last resort just as most of you said. I cant take all my food and supplies with me. Sure I can take enough for a week or two maybe a month but then what? I would end up like everyone else, starving. I have a bug out location with family in the High Sierra mountains at there family cabin but I live near the city of LA and with no traffic it takes 7 hours to get there. So for now all I can do is stay in place and hold out for aslong as my family and friends can. I have even considered inviting a few friends to my location just to help with security. I just hope nothing happens while im at work down south near the boarder I would have a hell of a time getting home.

[Mission_Survivor]

IMO it is dependent upon the situation. Since you live in a rural area, unless there is a natural disaster nearing, then staying there is the best option for you and your family.

[raptor]

IMO in a standard urban single home neighborhood with .15 to .2 acre lots you wait a few days to week after the store shelves go empty for things to settle down a bit (the panic hasnt quite set in yet) - and then get the hell out of there to an area without that many people.

You MAY be able to survive in a urban area if you and a few other well-prepared families join up & consolidate at one location and guard each others backs. But I wouldnt count on it.

IMO as has been said by several posters. It really is situation dependent. Some instances are clearly bug out mandatory. Wildfire and CAT 4 or 5 hurricane in your backyard are clearly reasons to leave ASAP.

Others such as say a flu pandemic or a prolonged power outage (with potential for resulting street violence) are not so clear cut. In instances such as these the evacuation route may either be officially closed (in the case of a pandemic) or may be inherently unsafe due to street violence. You also may simply be safer bugging in a well prepared home in both instances

Instances of social unrest is another example of ambiguity. No one wants to be at ground zero of a riot or urban street fighting. Nevertheless trying to leave while such an event is going on is very dangerous.

Each person has a set of unique risks based upon their family, location and preparation levels. This also has to be taken into consideration in planning. I think most people here will say grabbing a back pack and running for the bush at the first sign of trouble is not the most desirable approach in most cases.

The point is though, if you are prepared at home to bug in and also prepared to bug out, you will have far more options available in a SHTF situation. The one lesson I have learned over the years is that planning is great and very important; but you have be ready to throw the plans out the window and make up a new plan to deal with unanticipated events. Random SHTF events generate chaos. Chaos generates confusion. Confusion destroys plans. Options and adaptation are a good defense against confusion.

This is a long way of saying plan to both bug in and bug out.

[unslung]

quoted for truth

Random SHTF events generate chaos. Chaos generates confusion. Confusion destroys plans. Options and adaptation are a good defense against confusion.

This is a long way of saying plan to both bug in and bug out.

[Azraeleternity]

Bugging in is always the preferred way of doing it, especially with kids IMHO. The only time one should bug out is if it is unsafe to remain in the area of your Bug In Location (i.e. flooding at your primary residence).

[Survivalmamas]

I say both! You have to be flexible in your plans. Clearly your not gonna bug in while wild fires consume your home! I say 3-6 months stored food and you can make a decision to leave after the mass hysteria has calmed down. What I don't see people mentioning and it could be cause I'm new here is about keeping a low profile while bugging in??

[raptor]

What I don't see people mentioning and it could be cause I'm new here is about keeping a low profile while bugging in??

We do have other threads about maintaining a low profile in a SHTF situation. If you search for OPSEC, and low profile as well as gray man you will turn up many threads on the subject.