Mar82012
Survival Survey: What Are Your Plans For Bugging IN?
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PDFI got a question from one of my readers, Dee, and thought it would make a great Survival Survey.
I live on my own in a suburb of a large city and don’t think I’m going to be bugging OUT. I’ve been making preparations to bug IN, staying put and safe in my home. Yes, I know that certain situations may not make that the best thing for me to do, but it’s my only option. I know NO ONE who thinks about preparedness, and my family lives 1000 miles away, and they aren’t concerned either.
What suggestions do you have for someone like me who must bug IN if/when a big crisis hits?
Are you planning on staying right where you are, no matter what happens? What are your plans? What advice do you have for Dee?
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Jamie
I too will be staying put pretty much no matter what. My best suggestions sound paranoid, but are necessary: (1) be prepared to defend yourself, (2) OP SEC, and (3) get a dog!!
Cities and suburbs are rarely equipped to maintain order in a crisis. Being near a city, you’re likely to get plenty of overflow of the craziness. Expect to have no access to emergency services or law enforcement and plan accordingly (first aid, self defence, fire extinguishers, etc).
The more people know about what you have and are learning to do for yourself, the more risk you and your supplies will be in – especially when you know of no one else interested in prepping. Keep your efforts quiet and, if at all possible, invisible/ under the radar. Plan for how you will take care of yourself without attracting a line of people to your door demanding handouts.
Finally, I know it sounds odd but get a dog – at least a medium size one. If you live alone, no one has your back or can stand watch to give you a break. A dog will offer early alert of trouble, protection and calming companionship.
Henry Bowman
We will probably shelter in place…but have the capability to bug out.
Let me suggest the following.
Pre-cut wood window covers (interior doors can be used in a pinch)
Perimeter alarms (inexpensive dollar store )
Personal Protection (you make the choice)
Fire extinguishers (many)
Water, food and multiple cooking sources.
Dog (even little yappers are good early alerts)
Magpie57
I agree that it is usually better to shelter in place in your own home during a temporary emergency rather than risk getting stuck in your car on a crowded highway or having to depend on motel lodging in another town when many others with more money are competing for the same lodging. That said, if there was a mandatory evacuation order, like happened in New Orleans in the aftermath of Katrina, I would not stay in my home in violation of the order. To refuse to leave an area under mandatory evacuation means you risk running afoul of patoling groups of law enforcement officers (some of whom may have been brought in from far away and will have no idea for who you are and whether you belong in your neighborhood) and National Guard patrols. If you are apprehended by one of these groups you will either be taken to an evacuation point against your will and bussed out of the area (and no one will lock up your home or take care of your pets) or if found in possession of large amounts of cash or any consumer goods, such as food, for which you have no receipt you will be arrested as a looter and turned over to the local justice system (a hastily built jail of chainlink fencing and a temporary court persided over by a busy and overwhelmed judge). Good luck finding an attorney or getting a bail hearing. If you want to read a first hand account of how bad things can get in a US city for someone who ignores a mandatory evacuation order, I recommend you read the book Zeitoun published by Vintage Books in 2009. It is the true story of a nationalized US citizen who foolishly chose to stay in New Orleans after Katrina and was forcibly removed from his home by a group of law enforcement officers, placed in a temporary jail, then transferred a Louisiana prison where he waited months for a bail hearing. Don’t think you need to stay and protect your home from looters if the area is under a mandatory evacuation order. Get yourself and your family and any pets out of there. Let your insurance cover any property losses – that’s what it is for. Your can always replace stuff — your freedon and well-being and the well-being of your family members is far more important.
Andrea Lynch
Hi Dee. You and I are in similar situations. Though I live in a rural area, it’s smack-dab between 2 largish midwest cities and too close to the highway and an AF installation for my own comfort. That said, I too feel our best option is bugging in.
My first suggestion….get to know your neighbors. I’d be willing to bet there are some folk in your neighborhood who would be invaluable in a SHTF situation. Law enforcement? Former military? Volunteer paramedics? Nurses? Scouts? I’d also be willing to bet that there are people in your area who are prepping on the quiet, just like you are.
My next suggestion; learn a skill that would make YOU invaluable in a SHTF scenario. Foraging, food preservation, self-defense, knot-tying, cooking over a fire, anything!
Last, have your bug-out bag ready EVEN IF you plan on bugging in. We plan on staying put, but we’re also just 30 miles downwind of the Base. If there were a biological/chemical attack at that site, we’d have no choice but to evacuate. If you couldn’t make it to your family’s place, do you have any friends, distant cousins, college roommates, coworkers whom you could shelter with?
Andrea Lynch
PS- Learn some form of self-defense….whether it’s Karate, Jodo or a trained eye and smooth trigger-pull. Don’t expect anyone but YOU to take care of YOU.
Henry Bowman
Good advice Andrea. I like that you were not putting forth an alarmist attitude.
We all have read stories of what could happen.
It’s important not to overwhelm newbies, but to assure them of the right path.
Paula S
Hate to get too personal….but it sounds like we might be neighbors. Are you in Missouri?
Dee
No, sorry. Western PA,
John
Dee… I am a retired police officer and know full well that if the SHTF that all police and emergency services will be overwhelmed and probably not available. You may have everything you need to stay put but none of that will matter if you aren’t able to defend it! Get firearms and know how to use them. Keep in mind that if things really get serious there are going to be a lot of gang members gathering in urban areas initially and eventually spreading out to the suburbs and country when supplies run low and just taking what they want by force, not to mention that most prisons will probably empty out so there will be a lot of the criminal environment out there you may have to deal with. You have to consider whether you are going to be able to defend what you have from a small army of degenerates that are presently being kept at bay and in prison by police. You want paranoid, I think this about takes the cake from my viewpoint.
Steve
+1 John. +1.
Pat
We live in a community that has much rual areas. We happen to live in that area though I am 8 minutes from the bank and grocery I would rather stay here. I am 3 hours from new Orleans and I can testify as to what happened in my town due to evacuees. You honestly could not move any where, traffic was horrible. I have made every provision here. My cars all havevget home bags with the idea to get home. There I am safe and can defend it. We grow our own food and I am a canning freak..take it from a woman who cans her own butter and waxes cheese for the long term. After hurricanes Katrina and gusaf we stayed put. All around us people freaked out due to lack of water, electricity, we had 10 people in our home and lacked for nothing. After the storms we made sure everything we borrowed from my safe room was replaced. I believe no one makes a good refuge.
Terri
I live three hours east of N.O. too. We are like minded on this issue.
glennasgarden
I noticed that you said you had family 1000 miles away- that’s pretty far, and you said they weren’t survival minded; however, is it possible that you could manage to get there and stay with them? One idea might be to rent a storage facility near there to pre-store supplies? You wouldn’t even have to tell them about it. If something pretty bad happened, you might not have to worry about making “believers” of them by that time, and the provisions would be stored close to where you might be needing them. That way, you could G.O.O.D. with what you could carry, knowing your stores and provisions were already waiting close by. Of course, the only problem might be getting there, so you would want to decide quickly if it’s your best option, then make sure you’re one of the first ones on the road. Just an idea, might or might not help you but I hope this at least gives you something to ponder. Good Luck!
Dee
Please appreciate the humor in this response, but I hate Florida even to visit. And for a survival spot—well, just let me say that I don’t think that any place with the water table lower than my IQ or the highest point in the state being the top of an amusement park ride is safe at all. And seriously, what does G.O.O.D. stand for? Get out of Dodge??? Just came to me as I typed question.
floridaborn
Ha! I live in, and am a Florida native. Totally agree with you. After my last son graduates this year, we are going on some fact-finding missions to decide where to get out to.
SweetJeanette
I, too,am a Floridian. I’ve been scouring the web trying to find someone, anyone, who is a prepper. I am so new to this (honestly, it wasn’t until after Doomsday Preppers on NATGEO that I became aware! )
I guess if there are preppers near me, they’re all pretty closed mouthed, because I come up empty handed all the time. I just want to learn from them, not leach off them. What area of Florida might you be in?
thesurvivalmom
Jeanette, Welcome!!! You are definitely among a huge group of like-minded people. Check out http://preppersnetwork.com/ to locate a forum for Florida preppers, a blog, and possibly even meet-up groups!
maggi
sweet j, im in tampa. what area are you located in???
Dee
I live in Central FL. Would like to connect with someone myself. Females & males are welcome to contact me at my e-mail. Perhaps we could share ideas.
Dee
I live in the Orlando area. Contact me at slvrslpr@msn.com. Also please put Fl Prepper in the subject line
maggi
im in tampa and i do have to agree with you about florida. loved the iq remark. hahaha anyway, ive been in a number of hurricanes and only ran from one – and that was in texas. there are a few areas inland that will be okay for awhile unless we have a big a## tsunami. look at the map and see where macdill air force base is – home of central and southern commands. it is surrounded by water on 3 sides. good luck getting out of here, but…….its my home and i love it.
okiewife
We are also in the bug-in group, but have bobs ready in case of wildfire which is one of our biggest threats since the drought has become so severe. I agree with the value of having a dog, ours is small but very vocal. No one comes close without a warning from him. All comments have good advice, and especially the keep quiet about your preps one. Good luck and keep prepping.
Karen
I will also be staying put for the same reasons. While we would love to buy a large piece of land, it’s just not going to happen. We feel prepared to defend ourselves, have a few months food supplies stored (obviously we need more), and are gardening/nurturing our citrus trees. The list of things we still would like to do includes a solar generator, rain barrels, a well with a hand pump and so much more.
We have precut styrofoam panels for most of our windows and black paint for the rest. We’ve collected several different things to help us make fire and know how to improvise a working solar oven. We’re keeping our septic in good condition and keeping ourselves in good condition as well since medical care may become extremely spotty if there is any at all. I’m collecting things like dental floss, toothpaste and soap, and I also know how to make soap in a pinch. Although I have never made it with wood ashes, I know the principal and know how to make soap from scratch if I have the lye.
Hubby and I also brew beer and mead and can make some fairly powerful brews which we can use as a trade item. If I can perfect the soap I can also use that.
We are considering getting chickens on the sly and hope they don’t make too much noise.
SWVAMary
Hi Karen-
About the chickens. A great investment for future eggs and meat, however, keep in mind they are noisy, dirty and smelly. If you get hens only and forego the rooster, that definitely cuts down on the noise but of course all you get is eggs and can’t reproduce once they die (and chickens don’t live very long). Just FYI not sure how well this would work for you on the DL.
Karen
Thanks for the info about the chickens. They may not be the best investment for a suburban situation and as you said, a rooster would be required to keep it going. I think the neighbors would complain about that! What I really wish is that we could buy the 28 acres about 20 minutes from us, but that’s not going to happen.
Nicki
I’v had 4 chickens for four years now. And although they are hens, one of the hens started behaving as a rooster. she was making a lot of noise in the morning. I later heard it happens more often. So I would suggest you look for a species? which is well known for not making a lot of noise. And you can also look for chickens which are small. In proportion they still give a good size egg.
Cindy
We live in the country and just got chickens a few weeks ago. I got 5 hens. They give us about 2 eggs each day. They are pretty quiet. We can only hear them if we are outside near them. Also they are not stinking yet. I will use their waste for enriching the compost pile for the garden. If you have close neighbors they will probably know you have chickens, but I think you can hide them from the road in most cases. So far I love having chickens. They are not much work once you have their shelter and run built.
rainy
Get some Bante chickens, I have a le fleur bante and she never makes a sound. Also, rabbits are great, quiet and make good manure, we had them in the city when I was younger.
Russ
I am also of the Bug In mind set. We live in a coastal area of Georgia and our evacuation route would take us right through the areas in our small city that during the best of times are not good places and totally avoidable areas during the worst. Our family is over 325 miles away and requires passing thru one of 2 major cities. The only exemption is for a hurricane. My advice is to have your preps ready, plenty of food, water, meds. etc. Have a way to protect yourself. Keep your plans very low profile and when an event happens draw upon your support network if you have one. During the first week stay out of sight, make your home look unoccupied. You may have to sleep during the daytime and stay on guard at night, this is the time most gangs will be out and about.
maggi
well said.
george milton
I concur with Henry Bowman in first comment as an excellent “short list” for you to go through. Water being most crucial I’d think about a pool in your yard if you dont already have one, Even a small hundred dollars 3 foot tall 12 foot wide kiddie pool can store thousands of gallons. If you are in an apartment or someplace without a pool option (no yard) use Rain barrels or the tub(s) and maybe a tiny 1ft wading pool for reserve water to be filled at the time it is needed. as for food storage I like to peel, slice and dehydrate apples, store few days supply of nuts, ensure drinks or other nutritionally complete (dry powdered milk and vitamins tablets may keep longer). Start a garden – stock a few sets of extra good seeds. Learn what weeds in your yard are edible. If none are then add new ones that ARE edible like chickweed etc to complete with inedible ones (this simplest survival knowledge was mostly lost over the centuries – because people don’t eat random weeds much lately). Serious SHTF time isnt the first week or first 30 days – it is after all the “prepared for a week or month” people run out of supplies in your region. You can prepare for six months but after a month others will come to try and make you share and at that point the self defense options are limited to your defense training, ability to conceal and ability to impress others with your level of preparedness (kevlar jacket with helmet and simple holstered sidearm goes a long way toward saying I was expecting you and I’m in charge of my location – become aggressive at your own peril)
rainy
Speaking of weeds, I have learned to appreciate dandelions of all things. They are good for salads, make great poultry and rabbit food as well. I no longer kill the dandilions. Also, you can roast dandelion roots and grind them for a type of coffee flavored drink.
Heather
I thought I’d add a few thoughts I had. Keep in mind that there will be certain situations where you cannot possibly bug in. For instance your house could be totally destroyed by tornado, fire, or flooding. You should probably make a BOB for everyone in your household. In your BOB keep physical copies of phone numbers you might need (family/friends in another city that you might can stay with). If you have someone you can stay with in another city, consider finding a location that you might can stash some supplies. Maybe consider putting some supplies in a storage unit in the town they live in if they aren’t on board with prepping. If you can financially that is.
Also you may be able to find people through the internet on prepping sites that live close to you that you might can network with. There are some forums that have local pages where you can find others in your location.
I’m a newbie to prepping, so I hope that I’ve given you some good advice. I hope others will correct me if I am wrong. These are just some thoughts I have after spending many hours researching information on prepping.
Dee
This was my question, and I want to thank ALL of you for your input. Some things I have planned, but other suggestions were a total, and welcome, surprise, like protecting windows. Some of you I wish I could communicate with personally to pursue some of your suggestions. I live in a 2-story with a wonderful basement with much storage space, and here is another question I have. Is it NECESSARY to bring, say, the blankets from the upstairs linen closet to the basement? Is it OK to leave many things where they already reside in the house? Yes, food, alternate cooking supplies, some ‘safety’ supplies, major medical,etc are already stocked in basement. Thanks
Russ
In response to Dee’s question, most experts recommend that your supplies be located not in one location but several. More specifically don’t put all your eggs in one basket. A two story house with basement gives you many options. The basement would be my safe-room, their I would have a large portion of all my supplies in every category. Ensure that any outside windows and doors leading to the basement are hardened and secured. The basement is now my Alamo. Do store other supplies throughout the rest of the house, try to keep them out of sight this way if any one location is discovered you still have other stashes in other secure locations. Many of use would give their eye teeth to have a basement, so take comfort in a very valuable asset at your disposal. ” Keep your Powder Dry and God Bless”
d5280
Our family has nowhere to go, either. I’ve been reading up a bit from survivalblog.com, which has a LOT of info. Most of it I can’t afford or store, so… basics: water, food, weapons. Can’t last long without any of ‘em, I think. So my basement and crawlspace are filling with plastic juice bottles that were washed and filled with water (not optimum, but cheap and I can flush a toilet…). Got some food-grade buckets from the restaurant supply and filled ‘em with beans/rice from Costco, and regularly stock up on whatever’s canned and on sale. I keep the propane tanks filled for the BBQ and have some wood to burn on the side of the house. And guns, yup, got a few choices with a fair amount of ammo. I’m also stocking on medical stuff and other items as I can. And we had two rabbits that turned into 8 a few weeks ago, so now I’m thinking of keeping a bunch of ‘em around to entertain and teach the kids, until/unless we’ve got to eat ‘em. Just some food for thought…
John
Karen… just for your information… I found that only the roosters are the noise makers, and they are loud and not just in the morning.
John
Dee… another point about the basement. Is it dry? If you plan to store many of your items down there you want to be sure that they remain dry and mold free. Also, try to have a second entry/exit capability, you never know when your house may catch fire and you will need to get out, not to mention if your house is over taken by intruders and you are forced to leave to stay alive. Like Russ said, having a basement is a great place for a safe retreat, especially in storm ridden areas.
Bets'
I have a trailer 35 miles away, just in case, but would prefer to Bug In. I also have a one page detailed list for bugging out so the 3 of us can load the car at maximum efficiency, one person takes care of the pets and their needs, one gets all the kitchen/food items loaded and one gets important papers and all the clothing, bedding, tent,etc
If you get a dog, make sure you also get a muzzle. Whether you’re bugging in or out, there might be times when you don’t want a peep out of your beloved yapper!
Pat
We too plan on bugging in as all of our family is too far away. I figure that if you can’t get to you destination in one tankful you are risking disaster. There is no guarantee that gas stations will be operating along the way or even if they will have gas. This year we are replacing our roof with a steel roof which is fire proof as well as stronger. We will also be adding a hand pump to our artesian well to continue getting water when the power grid fails. We have always stocked food and we have some means to defend ourselves. We are fortunate to live on a dead end road with wetlands to our east and south and hills and woods to our west. We live outside a small city but I still anticipate people possibly working their way out in our direction. If need be, I’m sure we can block the only entrance onto our road.
Maribel
Hi im new to prepping and i live in west Texas, im not sure where i should begin… I have been stocking up on canned food and my money is limited, so looking for suggestions on prepping for beginners… And also ideas about weapons, cant afford a gun but i know if someone wanted to hurt my kids or grandkids i could do some damage… Also what is a bob and shtf and g.o.o.d?
Bets'
My first year of prepping was difficult. I kept doubting myself and my abilities to provide a stockpile. Lisa’s tips are so sensible and practical, I often search her archives to review the preps I’ve made.
I know I have lots of -flashlites, protein bars, peanut butter,tuna,blankets,water and more water,coffee,rice, beans,nuts,bisquick,toothpaste,first-aid, to name a few and have spent years gathering this stuff. But you may have entirely different needs. Gather what you have, take inventory and try to add what you use the most of. I know a woman who only puts ketchup in her list when she grabs the last one from her shelf. I can’t live that way, if one is good, ten are better!
I started with simple things like canned goods and expanded. Waxed cheese, farmers honey, etc. Only the Best wishes to you Maribel.
A B.O.B. is a Bug out Bag, something that is already packed and ready to go if you have to go fast, it should have provisions for 24-72 hrs away from home, can be a backpack or duffel or a bin/cardboard box or the bob could already be in your car just in case
SHTF is when ‘**it hits the fan, just like TEOTWAWKI is ‘the end of the world as we know it’. And GOOD is Get out of Dodge, as in the event of a wildfire, or disaster that prevents you from staying put.
If I didn’t have my gun to protect me I would be hard pressed to think of what I could use to defend myself…(Think Pooh Think!) Fire? Sharpened sticks? Broken glass? Rag bottle bombs? Anger?!!!
workingonit
Weapons… a long piece of metal rebar from the home store, cans of wasp spray that can spray from 20 feet away, motion detectors as deterents, dogs-of course, self defense classes. In an even bigger pinch; scissors, concealed knives- know how to handle them, a hammer, baseball bat, pry bar, ink pen- aim for the center of the throat…. okay you get the idea. Good luck!
Bob
you can buy a Hi-Point C9, 9mm pistol for under $200.00. 9mm ammo is inexpensive.
Russ
In response to West Texas getting started, their are so many list of lists’ you can get info from at times it will confusing at times. Remember keep it simple for food buy what you eat, buy 2 put one up. Store water, use 5 gal buckets from Home Depot, Lowes etc; When it comes to weapons you don’t have to spend a lot. Start with a simple pump shot gun, I like either a Remington 870 or Mossberg 500, either 12 or 20 gauge. Nice back up hand gun .22 auto or .38 revolver. You don’t need a hand cannon, most people can’t shoot them because of the recoil and any well placed double or triple tap (shooting 2-3 times) with a smaller caliber weapon will get the job done. Start slow. Start today. Good luck and God bless.
Dp
One thing I’ve heard is that people are buying large amounts of dries beans, noodles, legumes, etc. This is a good idea, but we should also consider the water it will take to prepare these along with the amount of fuel (propane, oil, wood) to boil the water long enough and hot enough. I’ve been working on setting my spare room up as an emergency “stock pile”. Researching many many options for food supplies I worry that dried, dehydrated, and freeze dried may be great option elsewhere but I live in the Mojave desert. If/when something happens I would rather cook a can of refried beans over the camp stove and let my family have the extra water for drinking.
Weapons are must in the event of a societal collapse. If youre not comfortable with a gun, or putting a gun in your child hand, think about a bow and arrow, crossbow, or tomahawk. Theyre easier to use than you think, and you may be able to find an instructor through your local 4H club.
My personal opinion is that if the ***t hits the fan you must be prepared to defend yourself, your family, and your food/water supply. Otherwise all of your effort prepping will only benefit the first person to force themselves into your home.
Grace
These comments make me so sad.
I write this in hopes that “newbies” will stay that way. PLEASE be careful of this path, THIS is where the danger is…not in what disaster may come.
Certainly there’s nothing wrong with having food supplies, flashlights, batteries, etc. in case of an emergency, in fact it’s VERY WISE! But when the talk crosses the line into weapons, fighting off neighbors, “secretly storing” so others can’t have, in a word: hate… you begin to create your own living hell, not only in how you act, but more importantly how you think. What kind of life is that?
If a disaster occurs, my neighbors are welcome to my supplies. If “gangs” come to attack me for my Campbell’s Soup, it’s not necessary, I freely give it to them. If “they” are after my life, so be it, I’m not afraid to die. I have a Father that promises me a future of love, freedom, joy and rest. I can access Him and all he offers today and so I do. You can too. Enjoy the gift of life one day at a time the way it was intended, depending on Him for your every need, in peace.
Russ
I don’t think any one who prepares for possible hard times is embracing greed or violence to our fellow man but human nature is what it is. My faith tells me to show kindness and charity to my neighbor but my life experiences tells me also to prepare for the worst and pray for the best. I have lived all over the world and have experienced what desperate actions people will take to survive. I have seen food and water shortages that have led to riots. Peace-full countries that overnight have gone to war. Neighbor turning on neighbor. Be a lifeboat in the storm but remember your first obligation is to family. When the gangs do show up they will not ask first if you are willing to share they will just take and if your lucky not harm you and yours. God bless, hold on to your faith but most important of all take care of your family.
thesurvivalmom
It’s easy to say that criminals will be welcome to your food,etc. when sitting in a comfortable, safe environment. Humans have been fighting tooth and nail to survive since the dawn of time.
Grace
With all due respect, we must be careful not to project our own fortunate circumstances on to others.
I am neither comfortable or safe living in this inner city with gangs/drug dealers literally outside my window as I type. I face danger daily, but I refuse to live life in fear now or in the future for any reason.
In my first comment I simply offered an alternate way of life. A life without worry or fear. A way to smile at the current storm because He is with us. He can do more for me than I could ever do for myself, and He does.
All the best to you and your readers. I will not be returning to this blog. Peace.
Grace
I’m a “Survival Mom” too. We just have drastically different ways to “survive”.
Bob
Sorry to see Grace leave, even if she has some views different than mine. I live in south Florida in a gated. well off community and I plan to bug in if at all possible. Having gone through hurrricane Wilma in 2005, as well as Gloria in NY in 1985, as well as Hugo in 1990, I can tell you that the first invaders of your supplies will not be outside theives,but your desperate neighbors who did not plan,do not plan, and feel they are entitled to some of what you have because you did plan. My neighborhood quickly became the “haves” and the “have nots” with regard to generators and emergency supplies. After five or six days with no electricity, the have nots acquired generators and quickly realized there were no gas cans in south Florida. Those of us with gas were quickly put on the spot and hard feelings survive to this day.This is despite offers of ice, barbecue food, to take a hot shower, recharge cell phones, and watch TV news when our generator was running. No amount of helping your neighbors is enough when they want what you have! I did not know what opsec was, but now I do. Keep your mouth shut, your profile low, and be prepared to tell your neighbors that your plan does not include taking care of them because they do not care to prepare. Today, half of the newly acquired generator folks, compliments of Uncle Sam, still have not put gas or oil in them, and the rest have not tested the generators in several seasons.The arrogance prize went to the neighbor who kept other neighbor’s child’s mediclne under refrigeration, but recieved a complaint because the generator ran all night.
Kay
For us we are bugging in for anything shorter term and bugging out for long term. Short term for us is up to 6 months.
Our home is naturally extremely defensible. Outside walls are reinforced concrete over 3 feet thick. Windows are small panes of security glass (shatterproof) that people could not fit through. Our living room window has 25 such panes and the window posts are steel centered throughout our home. 2 windows are larger and regular glass, both easily barricaded but provide emergency exits. None of this was installed for the express purpose of defence from people but for weather protection.
My brother and his wife would join us. We all hunt (except the 10 year old) so we all have guns and can handle them with ease.We night hunt so we have night vision gear. I study karate and have taken up boxing, my husband is a kickboxer, my brother trains Krav Maga, his wife is a boxer and our 10 year old does karate. I´m also an archer, my brother sling hunts and my brothers wife trained in a form of knife fighting for years.My husband and my brother occasionally work as bouncers so they have kevlar vests and gloves and during their training courses they sprung the extra cash for basic bodygaurd training. I have a kevlar vest and we are on the look out for vests for our 10 year old and my brothers wife. We also have military issue helmets and gas masks that were a gift from an uncle who runs a military surplus store. We are all very peaceful and non violent people and none of the above was only for SHTF purposes but rather the forms of physical training that interested us and if the time comes that we have to defend ourselves or our home I truly hope that we just look scary enough for people not to mess with us. However I have had to use self defence when I was attacked and I had no qualms with doing so.
We have supplies laid in for sheltering in place for up to 9 months, after that it is off to the bug out location.
Water we easily have a 5 month supply as well as means to purify any gathered water. We can easily set up rain gathering barrels but as we live in a country overflowing with water we dont do so now. But we have the barrels and can easily divert gutters into barrels. Food we have a good 9 month supply as well as fuel for cooking. We have the ability to cook on gas as well as we have a indoor wood burning stove in storage as well as firewood. We have installed several of these elsewhere and have all needed supplies with almost all power tool work already done except for some very minimal drilling. We keep our drill and its spare batteries fully charged and we have a old fashined hand drill (it is a PAIN to use on concrete but it can be done) so we should quickly be able to install it.
We also have ash screens fitted for all windows that open that can basically just be clicked into place.
Our need for heating is minimal as our home has a lot of small rooms and of course thick walls.We have extra insulation to insulate 2 rooms so we could get away with no heating if we had to lie extremely low.
The main problem is waste disposal if we are completly housebound and we are working on solutions.
Im a wilderness medic and my brother has done training with search and rescue. We are both raised in the apothecary tradition. The female line of my family have been herbalists for generations (written records 7 generations and verbal stories even further back) and I started being trained at a very young age.I always keep a very well stocked home when it comes to first aid and herbal remedies as well as sutures and more advanced medical supplies.
We have enough books and boardgames to keep us entertained for a long time, we all knit or crochet, sew or do woodcarving.
I have no worries about sheltering in place. For our bugout location we would have to hike for 2-3 weeks if we dont have transport. There is a halfway place with shelter, fuel and extra stockpiles where we could rest and spend a few days. We have hiked to the halfway point before, last summer when kiddobug was 9. We all can build overnight shelters, even the 10 year old, we hunt and fish and know every single edible plant in our area and regularly live off the land during summer time on hiking trips through our gorgeous wilderness.
Charley
I’m a middle aged, single, female, living on the edge of a smallish city. The closest larger city is 30 minutes away, and even it isn’t huge. It’s my intention to shelter in place at all costs. Bugging out is saved for an absolute last resort. I don’t tell anyone that I’m a prepper. (That just invites beggers or thieves in the event that it all goes south) My “plan” is to be self sufficient to the point that I could shut the blinds and slide under the radar, virtually unnoticed for at least a year….if need be. I have family close and I’m working on making converts out of them. (it’s uphill on all but one) . My supplies would dwindle fast if I had to share with others due to their lack of planning. I started by just planning for any event that would either shut down the supply chain, raise prices beyond affordability, or make it generally unpleasant to venture out….such as a flu pandemic. I think I have addressed all my needs for myself and my dogs. Now I spend time scouring the internet for suggestions from others, tips, and anything I might not have thought of. My main suggestion for anyone planning on making sheltering in place their first line of defense would be ‘DON’T ADVERTISE”. Don’t do anything that might draw attention to your situation. Example- a generator might be nice but it will only last as long as your gas supply and in the meantime will be a giant ‘welcome’ sign to others hoping to get whatever you’ve got. I’m not saying that I wouldn’t be willing to share with others in need, after all, we are human beings and no matter what, if anything, happens, we are all in this together. But there is no need to invite trouble or the ill prepared. I don’t have any lethal weapons. I’m not prepared to kill someone over some canned stew. Better that they don’t know I have it in the first place!
Chrissie
Hi All-
I just read through all the great replies. I’m a newbie as well and live about 30 mins from Seattle.
My hubby mentioned something to me the other day that I haven’t seen in any of these replies & I thought it was worthy of sharing- especially for the folks who can’t afford a firearm.
Buy a flare gun & you can buy a special insert that will allow you to shoot bullets, in case of extreme emergency. Hubby told me the total cost for this is roughly $100. I thought this was pretty reasonable. Personally, we have plenty of firearm power, but want to have a variety of ways to protect ourselves. This flare gun w/insert gives us plenty of options- who doesn’t need a flare gun, right?
Mary Antal
I too have just started prepping. I will be bugging in for as long as possible. My family and closest friends will be welcome, and I have started stocking up on certain items for them also (such as instant coffee, I never drink it). I hope I never need to make use of the supplies. I have started to learn much about food prep, such as canning and dehydrating. I am also learning to use a gun. My husband, although he thinks I’m crazy, does indulge me. Including buying me extra supplies of toilet paper and zip lock bags as little gifts instead of candy or a new magazine.
Linda
I’m another one who will be staying put unless my home is no longer inhabitable.
So: How will you cook if there is no electricity or gas? In my case, I bought a solar oven for spring thru fall and a one burner stove with fuel for 4 months for winter.
Water: Unless you live near a water source will become a major problem. I have 2 bathtubs, so I bought 2 water BOB’s for $20 ea., they hold 125 gls each, an inflatable child’s pool for another 300 gls.and am saving (after cleaning) all my juice & soda bottles. We had a water main break not too long ago and I learned that realistically I need 10 gls per day!!! Not 1 or 2!!!! Granted, that included flushing the toilet 2/day. Bottomline, you will need more of everything than you think.
Winnie
Linda, I think you would be surprised at how little water you can get by on. We lived for a few months at our cottage in the winter with no running water and wood stove for heat. I did do a lot of my slow cooking on the wood stove. Just get a grate from a gas stove at the dump to keep the cast iron pot off of the stove – so no rust.
As for the water, if you flush with an ice cream bucket of water poured into the bowl, you use much less water than using the toilet tank. You learn tricks like taking the soapy water from after washing dishes and pour that into the toilet tank for your next flush, or putting the second dish rinse water into the bucket for your bath. If you use a glass to pour water over yourself, you can take a bath in a very small amount. Check out hints from campers for tips.
Mike
I am new to prepping. My wife and I gave up any gifts (except Christmas) and use the money to put towards prepping. We have a few acres in Northern Va. We will bug in and have no plans to bug out. I don’t see the point of planning to bug out to a place that you don’t know if it is worse than where you already are. We have a well and are adding a manual pump for water. We are stocking food and other supplies (medical, etc.). Next will be an alternative heat source and cooking source.
I can understand bugging out for certain localized situations (flood, wild fire, local earthquake, etc.), but how are you planning to ensure you won’t use that last tank of gas and get to somewhere worse then where you already are if the event is more wide spread (solar flare or other national power outage, terrorist attack, economic collapse, etc.)?
thesurvivalmom
Mike, my sister once said that for most people, their “bug out location” will be wherever they run out of gas! It sounds like you and your wife are making some pretty smart choices. For most people, bugging out should be an absolute last resort.
Charley
the flare gun is a great alternative. I have a number of small hand held fire extinguishers too. A shot is the face at someone trying to come in the front door or through the car window isn’t lethal but it will sure slow someone down. and owning them doesn’t draw attention like a weapon or even pepper spray.
Zach
Owning weapons doesn’t draw attention to you unless your outside announcing and practicing at home and flare guns are a very unsafe home defense choice. Most people around the world who are killed by a gun (execution style) are shot with a .22 because the terminal velocity won’t allow it to exit the skull after it enters and it just bounces around and pulps the brain.
Zach
Our plans are to stay put as well. I live in a town with a population of less than 400 people including my family. I have more than enough ammo to deal with any threat. My home is one of the largest homes in town and we can compartmentalize the home if need be. I have myself, my wife, and our four kids to care for. We are totally unincorporated so we can do what we want. I raise rabbits and chicken and am looking into tilapia. We currently have about a 6 month supply of food for our family. We have two GSDs and they’d buy me the time I need to take out any threat. I’m looking into a wood gasification generator to keep power going as well as solar options. My wife and kids and myself all know how to shoot and I can put every round I fire into a tin can or an orange, and I’m not taking forever to aim. I think the best defense for anyone who is staying put is trying to be preparred for every situation. I even bought tanning goggles because they could be used in summer or winter and won’t fall off your face. We’re pretty prepared, though I’m not worried about civil unrest, our town has no cops and the nearest is half an hour away so you need to be prepared for anything anyway.
teabag
i would love to bug in, and will if possible, but i don’t stay home all the time! some of the places i go on a regular basis are almost 20 miles away–in case the shtf while i am away, i keep a three day bag in the car so i can survive long enough to get home. probably should have more than three days of supplies, but i couldn’t carry that much on my back.
nazala
I’m new to this site and fairly new to prepping. When I read ONE SECOND AFTER,which is about an EMP attack, I realized just how little time we might have for our last minute preparations and even the difficulties involved in getting home to bugin. I have two single daughters in their mid 30′s each many miles from me and with their own home.My first effort was to get them set up with bugin/bugout bags depending. I am now working hard to prepare our home to bugin and hope they might at least reach us.
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Linda VZ
Dee,
Lots of good replies. Different strokes works for different folk. Being a bug in person instead of fleeing and bugging out requires a lot planning in “ADVANCE” and mental processing so when SHTF, your mind will automatically switch over to survival mode instead of panic. Lots of issues to be addressed.
Defense skills. Weapons. Firearms and ammo would number 1 choice. Others is Lg cans of Bear spray as a detergent, baseball bat, axe, hammer, taser gun, knives and BB guns. That would be like taking a knife to a gun fight but whatever you have, is better than nothing at all.
Water. 55 gallon drums with hand pump or 5 gallon food grade buckets, cases and cases bottled water. Containers like liter pop bottled for disposable water needs for hygiene or flushing toilet purposes. If you have a tub, Amazon sells sells BOB bags that hold 125 gallons of water in your tub.
Food that requires little water or none a all. Can’t have too much food, being prepared can make all the difference. First time you leave the residence, you are a target. MRE’s ,canned foods, jar foods, lots of juices, cliff energy bars and or mass full scale food storage. Get creative where you store and hide ALL you prep’s.
Door and window issues. All points of entry must be addressed and NOT overlooked. If you have a roll of heavy duty black plastic and duct tape- it helps prevent someone seeing in and light seen. Plywood pre-cut to size and a screw gun is also another option. If all windows had plywood on all 3 sides of your dwelling that leaves only 1 direction if you hear breaking glass and its no question where your aim should be.
Trash-since you won’t be disposing of it outside-maybe a couple plastic garbage cans and several boxes at least of large heavy duty yard bags. You could use the garbage cans meanwhile to store bedding or sleeping bags.
Hygiene long term is another creative process. I’d go to K-mart and buy large boxes of baby wet wipes and a solar shower bag that you could put heated water into if necessary. LOTS of toilet paper ,cases or large packaged options.
Having pre packed bags stored in one common area is always good.You won’t have to go hen pecking here and there through the house for various items at a time when you need to be focused and alert.
A bag for pet items. One for lighting options-candles, oil lamps & oil, lanterns , LOTS of batteries. One can buy a case of the very small mason jars, oil lamp wicks or string, a oil ( olive oil ) works in a pinch. Also large Crisco shortening cans with a long wick can burn up to 45 days of light. A inexpensive stock item. Flashlights. Don’t forget the matches, lighters, or BQ grill lighters.
Separate bag or box for paper plates in stockpile qualities, along with paper bowls, cups, plastic eating utensils to conserve on water use. Foil inexpensive throwaway pans of various sizes.
Remember sound travels and bugging in requires constant control. Eliminate loud noises and pets barking-muzzle handy. You never know when someone will be lurking around.
Preparation for pets to duty their inside. Guess a indoor ZEN mediation box of sand wouldn’t be a bad idea?
A smart prepper that doesn’t have a extended prepper support is better to be SMART than SORRY. “NEVER”. tell your neighbors you are a prepper. I don’t think its wise to give up your game plan to neighbors that can prey on you in a time of need or crave under pressure. What they don’t know, cannot be revealed! Out of sight, out of mind theory. Hide all preps.
Pre planning is a big part of preparedness. Details. Skills that you mentally and physically adapt too.
In closing– have a back pack all packed and ready should the situation change and you decide to go bug out mode and flee.