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This is why everyone should have a bugout bag and possibly radio training. This isn't some prepper crap, I wager 99% of people simply have no way of surviving m

This is why everyone should have a bugout bag and possibly radio training. This isn't some prepper crap, I wager 99% of people simply have no way of surviving more than a few days without core services. The internet failing kinda sucks, but thats what a charged kindle is for.

tejohnso 5y ago
Why would you need to bugout when core services are down? Wouldn't a well stocked pantry and / or cold cellar be more appropriate? You don't have to leave your home with a backpack just because the supermarket is empty.
- nvelty 5y ago
  It depends on the nature of the event and the area you live in. Preppers who plan on "bugging out" are usually concerned with local unrest following the loss of services. They would also (hopefully) already have a destination in mind rather simply going "innawoods". Provided you have a safe community, having a reasonable stockpile of basic supplies and neighbors you can trust, remaining in place is usually a better option. A firearm or two would also be advisable in either case.
helen___keller 5y ago
> This is why everyone should have a bugout bag and possibly radio training. I don't know about you, but for me the vast majority of possible disaster situations would not include fleeing my home and city. Local disaster (e.g. fire) would flee my home but use city services. Regional disaster (e.g. blizzard, civil unrest) would involve staying at home for the protection / amenities it provides. Personally, I think fleeing to the wilderness is an anti-pattern and I have not seen a situation for me that would necessitate it besides the end of the world as we know it (e.g. nuclear war), but IMO that moves into "some prepper crap" territory. If you live in a region with seismic activity, earthquake preparedness might necessitate a bugout bag, but that's hardly 'everyone'.
- ensignavenger 5y ago
  Flood/Hurricanes are a great example of regional disasters where large numbers have to leave their homes. Your region may not be susceptible to these events, though. Civil Unrest/War can also lead to folks fleeing their homes- see the massive numbers of refugees fleeing warzones. Staying in your home in such a situation may not be the wisest course of action. Earthquakes as you mentioned can be another cause- also, tornados- but tornadoes are usually fairly localized.
  - helen___keller 5y ago
    The point of the bugout bag, from my understanding, is to assist in an unexpected and sudden departure from home. Earthquakes certainly fit the bill, I hadn't considered tornadoes but sure I can see that. I don't know how many of the other ones realistically call for a bugout bag. Big storms have days advance warning - you don't need to be ready to leave at a moments notice, you need to decide days beforehand whether you're evacuating or boarding up your windows. Most civil unrest does not warrant evacuation in the United States, and if it got to that point, it would probably not be a sudden and unexpected departure. Maybe I should clarify: In my previous post I wasn't so much against the idea that someone should need to possibly evacuate, as that you need to prepare to make a sudden and unexpected evacuation from society as a whole (like a "take the bugout bag and make a run to the woods" situation)
    - ensignavenger 5y ago
      Okay, if that is what you mean by a bugout bag... I think many ordinary folks just need a 72 hour bag with basic essentials to get them through until they can get more permanent help. Your right, bugging out of society as a whole isn't really practical for most people. As for big storms- ideally, yeah, but it seems that a lot of folks try to ride it out, it ends up being worse than they expected, they get flooded out, and now have to be evacuated in a hurry.

tejohnso 5y ago

Why would you need to bugout when core services are down? Wouldn't a well stocked pantry and / or cold cellar be more appropriate? You don't have to leave your home with a backpack just because the supermarket is empty.

nvelty 5y ago
It depends on the nature of the event and the area you live in. Preppers who plan on "bugging out" are usually concerned with local unrest following the loss of services. They would also (hopefully) already have a destination in mind rather simply going "innawoods". Provided you have a safe community, having a reasonable stockpile of basic supplies and neighbors you can trust, remaining in place is usually a better option. A firearm or two would also be advisable in either case.

helen___keller 5y ago

> This is why everyone should have a bugout bag and possibly radio training. I don't know about you, but for me the vast majority of possible disaster situations would not include fleeing my home and city. Local disaster (e.g. fire) would flee my home but use city services. Regional disaster (e.g. blizzard, civil unrest) would involve staying at home for the protection / amenities it provides. Personally, I think fleeing to the wilderness is an anti-pattern and I have not seen a situation for me that would necessitate it besides the end of the world as we know it (e.g. nuclear war), but IMO that moves into "some prepper crap" territory. If you live in a region with seismic activity, earthquake preparedness might necessitate a bugout bag, but that's hardly 'everyone'.

ensignavenger 5y ago
Flood/Hurricanes are a great example of regional disasters where large numbers have to leave their homes. Your region may not be susceptible to these events, though. Civil Unrest/War can also lead to folks fleeing their homes- see the massive numbers of refugees fleeing warzones. Staying in your home in such a situation may not be the wisest course of action. Earthquakes as you mentioned can be another cause- also, tornados- but tornadoes are usually fairly localized.
- helen___keller 5y ago
  The point of the bugout bag, from my understanding, is to assist in an unexpected and sudden departure from home. Earthquakes certainly fit the bill, I hadn't considered tornadoes but sure I can see that. I don't know how many of the other ones realistically call for a bugout bag. Big storms have days advance warning - you don't need to be ready to leave at a moments notice, you need to decide days beforehand whether you're evacuating or boarding up your windows. Most civil unrest does not warrant evacuation in the United States, and if it got to that point, it would probably not be a sudden and unexpected departure. Maybe I should clarify: In my previous post I wasn't so much against the idea that someone should need to possibly evacuate, as that you need to prepare to make a sudden and unexpected evacuation from society as a whole (like a "take the bugout bag and make a run to the woods" situation)
  - ensignavenger 5y ago
    Okay, if that is what you mean by a bugout bag... I think many ordinary folks just need a 72 hour bag with basic essentials to get them through until they can get more permanent help. Your right, bugging out of society as a whole isn't really practical for most people. As for big storms- ideally, yeah, but it seems that a lot of folks try to ride it out, it ends up being worse than they expected, they get flooded out, and now have to be evacuated in a hurry.