Bug out or hunker down

[Aim2Maim]

Like many others have said bugging in is the way to go unless other factors force a bug out. Im like you with a 3 y/o and 2 mo old. I currently have the heavy gear and essentials in my bob and my wifes pack contains redundancies and baby gear. That being said the food pack that I currently have in my bob weighs in at 8lbs. Now our bob is more designed for a week plus trek to our BOL but 8lbs for food is a lot. Vehicle breaks down or something happens that bug out gets a whole helluva lot harder with 2 little ones.

I do not live in a disaster zone so I don't have to worry about things like that and make my plans around a more substantial event. What I have done is gotten a few friends on board with the idea that if something significant were to go down that they make their way to our home. We live on a few acres out in the country and set up pretty well to survive long term. They are not what we would considered preppers but I am working with them to try to get some more stocks for food and water. What they do have is good survival skills like gardening and hunting as well as knowledgeable skills in construction and mechanics. It would bolster our group to 7 adults and 5 kids. We all have firearms and know how to use them well. What I am saying is you have some like minded people around you that you can come together if and when something truly serious happens where looters/gangs/theft, etc becomes a high probability you greatly increase your chance of survival. Having steady night rotations and extra hands to fortify your position and manage your preps goes a very long way. It also helps that if all hell breaks loose and you still have to bug out you have the added security of being in a manageable group.

[Aim2Maim]

Forgot to add that Raptor has a sticky up with a few good articles on the grey man approach.

[Survivalmamas]

thanks raptor! still finding my way around!

[Sheepdog-Z]

We have our own little number system for whether to GOOD or SIP when a major catastrophe occurs... This is only a tool to help us better understand our situation and would only be used when we think that bugging out is necessary. We've discussed it and it makes sense for us, considering our local factors (rural, but outside a major metro area, etc.) YMMV...

A. How heavy is traffic? Gridlock (10) Heavy (8) Light (3) None (1)
B. Local impact? None (10) Economic (8) Refugee (3) Direct (1)
C. Duration of emergency condition? A week (8) 1-2 weeks (5) 3+ weeks (1)
D. Which direction is the emergency? North (10) East/West (5) South (1)
E. Family all together? No (SIP!) Most (8) Yes (1)
F. Family health issues? Serious (10) Mild (5) None (1)
G. Vehicle reliability? Trouble (10) Questionable (5) Good (2)
TOTAL = _________
30-50 = SIP 15-30 = Discuss Less than 15 = GO

We've run through some scenarios and it seems to match what would work best for us.

[The Commander]

SHORT of a tidal wave hitting the gulf coast or Chinese tanks rumbling down I-10, I'm not going anywhere. To evacuate would be mayhem, but I would have a better chance than 90% of the masses, or at least in my head I do.

[LyraJean]

Definitely bugging out to relatives but they live in the next town over. About a 20 minute drive. There are also multiple ways to get their house, as in not just the interstate. If it was due to a hurricane probably going to the west coast of Florida where there are more relatives. Again there is an alternate route besides the interstate. If we have to leave the state completely then I have relatives in South Carolina. Would be harder but then that would definitely be worse case scenario.

We have a 3 month old but we live in an apartment complex with sketchy neighbors so we don't really trust any of them.

[Ye Olde Spook]

The wife and I had this discussion over dinner last night. Unless the house, barn and outbuildings burn down, we are staying put. Our location is a rally point for friends and family, so that is another consideration for us. We have a fallback BOL 150 miles from here, but that involves river crossings and going through a dozen towns and a decent sized city. Bottom line, unless forced to go, we stay. But we agree and adhere to having plans B and C.

Best,

Ye Olde Spook.

[RedneckReverend]

It really depends on what the "event" is and your location. Where I am any event that would force me to "bug out" probably killed me already unless it happened when I wasn't home. (reminds me, I need to update the vehicle packs)
But if you are in town then you have to look at the situation on a case by case basis. Loss of services and/or food availability can be ridden out with proper preps. But rioting mobs burning whole neighborhoods are a different thing entirely. The best preps in the world are of no use if they (and you) are on fire. That being said, I would only bug out from any location if hunkering down was, or was about to be, unsafe.
Questions to ask:
How long should I expect the situation to last?
Do I have food/water at home for that long?
Am I safe at home from civil unrest/military crossfire?
Is my location safe from nuclear, chemical, or biological hazards?
Are there any other immanent threats to bugging in (flood, fire, etc.)

[Willmark]

Bugging in for as long as its possible for all of the reasons mentioned. It's much like assault weapons, I might use mine of called on to in a PAW, but I'd try to avoid it first. Bugging out has too many variables. Kids are older (almost 8 and 6). So whole they can be mobile, be quiet and take directions it's still tough.