Bugging Out: How, Where, Why

When last we left the subject we had begun to think about what we would need to bug out from our urban home. We developed a list of scenarios that would cause such a bug out (that was your homework) and we developed a tentative plan (your homework also).

Let us assume then that the scenario you have developed for yourself is occurring but to add a bit of fun to the discussion I will add an atmosphere akin to the LA riots in the early 1990's along and surrounding your escape route.

What in your plan covers such a contingency? Did you plan to take both cars? Who is driving and who is riding shotgun (renewed meaning to the word)?

The argument could go a dozen ways over whether to take both cars or one; I come down on the side of one for this reason. In the husband and wife team likely only one of you is the better driver - in this case I am talking about the person that can make split-second decisions, rapid maneuvers if required and avoid at all costs stopping the vehicle anytime and anywhere you do not choose. Maybe it is the man, maybe the woman but it is probably not the person you as a married couple have determined that when driving causes the least amount of arguments - it just might be the most offensive driver in ordinary times that gets this job. Two cars, with a nervous driver in a bad situation might get you all killed.

Whichever of you is the choice, you need to talk about it in advance and the other person needs to fully understand their job as well. No matter what the circumstances of your evacuation when you decide to leave your driveway you should consider the trip a "combat patrol" from the onset. You cannot predict human behavior in any other terms than to say that people do nasty things to other people in nasty times. Leave thinking that way and travel that way.

The driver in in complete control of the space in and around the vehicle for 100 yards or so; meaning specifically that in any high stress situations that arise the very last thing needed is an additional driver shouting instructions. Everyone in the vehicle should be alert to all around them and they should verbalize things they see, but not to the point of telling the driver to do X or Y. You have to get that point - if need be, in the proper situation - the driver's job is to keep the vehicle moving. Minor fender damage or an casual approach to traffic regulations do not matter at that point if the potential exist for folks to be yanked from vehicles like a scene from 1992 LA.

The person riding "shotgun" is the navigator, responsible for the next turn, and for space beyond 100 yards. You have to get this division of labor down to routine. This person needs to be able to read road maps, operate the GPS (better yet READ the map) and if you are inclined to take my sage gun advice - shoot to kill.

Of the two the driver is most important, he/she must be the coolest under pressure and the quickest thinker. And remember this is absolutely no time for road rage - and it is no time to allow yourself to get pinned in between the car in front of you and behind you. The driver has to be very aware and attune to his surroundings.

So what are you driving? Well obviously one of what you own and unless you plan to make a purchase at some point you have what you have.

I would argue that a 4WD is very important for a bug out vehicle. Many will argue the point but here is how I see it. Any interstate used for an evacuation will get bogged down by numerous things. I would like the option of turning off the interstate, going up that embankment and moving on and away from that crowd. A 4WD is perfect just for that. The upside is that so many folks already have SUV's with 4WD - that they never engage - this piece of advice is just a bonus. A SUV is not terrible to sleep in and it is easy to pack with your stuff without advertising like my Jeep.

Now for a dynamic that kills preparation - one of the couple gets it and the other may not. I am about to suggest a few items that ought to be standard in the escape vehicle, but if this happens to be your wife's SUV - well good luck.

-CB Radio - to ease the pain of this look at one of the micro versions you could hide in the glove box (MIDLAND 75-822 MICRO HANDHELD CB RADIO). My wife laughed that she was "not a trucker" and would not have one of these things until I found the micro version.
-Full size spare tire
-Roadside repair kit with full jack and fixaflat
-Motorola UHF Radios -one per family member (T9680RSAME Rechargeable Two-Way Radio) for mom and dad, (Mini USB Car Charger) x 2, (FV700R NiMH Rechargeable Two-Way Radio) for the kiddies. Never leave the car without communication, never leave the car without someone in the driver seat with car running, and pistol close by.
-an AC/DC power inverter
-an extra 12v battery
-snow chains? only you know where you live

Putting extra fuel in the vehicle is problematic and suggesting to the wife that you want to mount brackets for fuel cans on her SUV could be deadly, but stowing them on the luggage rack when the time comes - that is just good business. The extra tire can go there as well.

That covers how, remember it is a "combat patrol" from the time you leave your house until you get to a place that you feel safer. Every stop, every vehicle on the road with you, every encounter with someone else in the "panic zone" must be addressed by your SOP discussed above and worked out in detail- be ever vigilant. Remember constant radio communication between vehicle and the person outside the vehicle when you stop, leave a driver in the vehicle with the engine running, every time, everywhere until you are out of the craziness.


So where are you going? That depends upon your level of preparation and the level of the event you are running from. I believe it prudent to resolve early on that you will not become a refugee, you will not go to a shelter or a camp.

Here are two suggestions that you may do with as you please. (this assumes you do not want to go so far as to buy a survival retreat)

Buy a used travel trailer and store it at a self storage facility several miles outside of your city. When you bug out, go first to your storage lot and pick up your new temporary home. One of these things can be had very cheaply, remember you are not looking to impress the neighbors at the campsite with your home on wheels, you just need shelter that is not provided by the government. Map out in advance campsites near your storage area but away from the panic zone.

Many will say that this is an inadequate solution, particularly in a long-term national crisis such as an economic collapse but I argue that for those that do not want to go full into the survival mode this is a viable alternative. Even if the plan is to travel on to relatives and stay there, you would likely be more comfortable with the option of occasionally sleeping away from the crowd (love nest anyone?)

An alternative to this plan is to rent storage space at the facility mentioned above and cache items that you may not bring with you or may lose/use/damage along the way, extra tires, clothes, storable food. I would go so far as to suggest stocking this place with cots, a heater, and blankets in the event you decide to bed down in your storage space after a long trip out of the city.

A third option is to do both of the above. Pre-stage a cheap camper and rent storage space for a cache of good to have items. This is all dictated by budget but $4-5K for a camper and $38/month for a storage container does not seem like a lot. Just make sure you get your escape vehicle configured to haul the camper long before you need it. Also ensure to rent from a place with 24 hour access, and preferably not via a caretaker who may not be there when the panic comes.

Lastly - why exactly are you leaving? You must know this, depending upon the circumstances it may be obvious. Other times it may not be. Decide to leave only if you know or reasonably expect that where you are going is better than where you are. Think about that. Recommended evacuations and panic are not reasons to leave - particularly if you do not have a good plan. Becoming a refugee is your fate without a plan. There could be benefit to weathering the initial rush to leave in place - so long as you can provide for your family and defend yourself. This is of course situationally dependent but you have to be prepared to ask yourself why you are considering a particualr option and you have to prepare to actually give yourself a second option.