[gitmo]

There’s a downside to carrying a cellphone - at least, one with the battery charged and in place: you can be found. Assuming he cellular network is still up, you might want to make a call when you first set out. After that, depending upon the circumstances, it could be a risk.

If you are fleeing an oppressive government (or escaping the law because you are a criminal) that would be true. If your bug-out kit is being used to escape a hurricane, a wildfire, civil unrest then it could mean the difference in life or death. In the former case, throw the phone in the back of a moving vehicle.

I think it's a mistake to prepare your evac kit for one situation only.

[Noumenon]

Right. Depending on the circumstances, I will either retain my cell phone or toss it on a southbound BNSF freight.