The Fallacy Of Bugging Out – Are You Prepared To Be A Refugee?

SHTF Plan ^ | 4-19-2012 | Survival Acres

[LadyDoc]

actually, if I were convinced the society would collapse, I’d go back and live in Mormon country, where the tight society would survive by helping each other...Orson Scott Card has a few sci fi stories that give a realistic scenerios of the future that posit just this.

They remember their history...
when they were on their own in a hostile land.

[duffee]

There could be a time to “bug out”, that wouldn’t be when society was still functioning, when you still had a job, utilities, phone service, could go down the street and buy groceries, or if you had a tight neighborhood and area of strong willed, armed and prepared neighbors. In the event of collapse and invasion of your area, and would depend on the enemy, it would be prudent to “bug out” especially if you had a secure area to go to. In the kind of situation we are discussing most of the population would either end up as casulties or refugees anyway. Predicted natural disasters such as hurricanes or fires would of course be an exception and in certain areas you should “bug out” but should have an advance plan about where to.

[Rushmore Rocks]

We will shelter in place. Live in the forest. Lots of deer, elk, wild turkeys. Deep well, natural spring nearby and a salt lick. Long time storage food to last at least a year. Our very few trusted neighbors have the same thing.

[Farmer Dean]

In the worst case,there will be no relief.Just hold as long as possible.

[Reddy]

Good article that goes a long way in de-romanticizing the notion that bugging out will be like in the movies. Selco’s articles on SHTFschool.com also brought reality to the survival romantics ideas that they could go it alone during a shtf scenario. Glad this info is available because we all know that it’s all going to crash... sooner or later.

[familyop]

Avoid planning to “bug out” to government-owned park/camping areas in the West in the event of large disaster. Those would be forcibly evacuated and kept off limits due to the problems that would develop with overcrowding (lack of local resources for so many, lack of preparations by campers, likely conflicts, hygiene, winter conditions, etc.).

If you own vacant land free and clear, at least have a water well drilled and septic system built before planning to flee to it. Costs of water and waste disposal are complicated by fuel costs to fetch and dispose—very high costs per, say, month. There are also energy (brutal, long winters in parts of the West, with propane prices and other items for camping hugely high), food, and so on.

Refugees are inevitably provided for in camps or damaged cities by their relatives in the Guard (rations and entertainment given by polite, tired young men and women, oh, boy).

IMO, if I were in a suburb, I’d plan and prepare for staying at home. ...or staying with relatives, friends or the like, elsewhere, if staying at home were not possible (hurricane destruction, etc.). Stock-up, and provide for alternative energy, etc.

[PowderMonkey]

"Aren't all Americans descended from people that bugged out?"

I am. My mother's family fled Europe with the rise of fascism. They lost everything, and arrived in America with nothing but the clothes on their backs. In the fullness of time, they rebuilt their lost fortune. Worst case scenario bug out, I say we enlist the American descendants of Germans, Scots, and Irish, and take Mexico and Central America for our own. Best thing that could ever happen to the place. Worked for Texas. That should keep everybody busy for the next few centuries.

[Washi]

Were I in a survival mode, there would be many meals.

And many others hunters, also in survival mode, going after those meals.

[yarddog]

I live in a rural area of the Florida panhandle so staying at home which is what I would do, may not be a realistic choice for people in cities.

Actually, I don’t think there is a good option for urban dwellers. Get out of Dodge but where to go? just moving into the country with no preparation sounds like a disaster in waiting but still probably better than staying in the city.

[Iron Munro]

Kart - Check it out

[Harmless Teddy Bear]

You will be leaving behind your job (income), perhaps your family (wife, kids), your home (shelter), your friends (support network), your contacts (other people you know), your bank accounts (money), your credit (ruined), your retirement (pension), your property and everything you own (everything you cannot carry with you), your vehicles (except perhaps one, at least until the gas tank is empty), your future (prospects, employment, credibility, integrity). Don’t forget things also left behind, such as electricity, running water, Internet access, news and information, communications, telephone and even cell service, a warm, dry bed and other ‘essentials’, some more then others

Uh-huh.

But bug out time arrives after most if not all of that has already been lost.

The idea that bugging out is wrong and should not be prepared for or considered is ludicrous. It should be considered, it should be planed for and if the time comes that it is necessary then you don't have to try to do it under the worst of conditions.

And yes, those who plan to "bug in" should still be prepared to bug out. Your fellow humans are not the only thing you have to fear. Rising water doesn't care if you live in the boondocks. Neither does fire or wind or earth quake or any of the other delightful little gifts nature sends our way.

You should have bags ready and you should have at minimum four places where you know you can go.

Or you can wait until the water is rising and end up in a shelter with a bag of oatmeal, five mismatched socks and a bottle of sunscreen.

A bit exaggerated for effect but you should get the point.

[Greysard]

I’ve already come to the realization that if this were come into being, I would most likely not survive. At the very least, I’d lose all of my possessions and financial well-being.

If SHTF you will lose all of your financial well-being simply because the almighty USD will not be very valuable when items being traded are essential for survival. Most of country's money is recorded (not even stored!) in banks, and with collapse of communications you can't get to your money even if you wanted to. Where would banks get the cash for you?

Some of your property will also lose value. Widescreen TVs aren't very useful if the TV stations are offline. Sports cars aren't practical if you can't get high octane fuel for them, or if roads are flooded, damaged or blocked. A multi-million dollar mansion is not much better than a hut when you are all alone against an armed gang.

Your survival, of course, depends on the severity - and proximity - of the event. No need to bury yourself yet. And in the end none of us will survive anyway.

With regard to bugout, for most people the only viable bugout plan is the vehicle on the road toward the nearest border. I personally would go to Canada if I'm forced to leave. But even Mexico might be a reasonable choice if the alternative is worse.

The article is somewhat correct saying that bugging out won't work for most people. Indeed, even most [fair weather] hunters will not survive winter in most of the US territory. A hoplophobic lawyer or an accountant has no chance (wolves were released there for a reason, I guess.) Skills that are necessary to build a cabin, prepare basic food (not just meat) and indefinitely survive in wilderness are largely lost. A single individual may be unable to even cut enough trees - assuming that he has the tools. Trees are heavy.

However as other posters pointed out, there may be reasons to leave that do not depend on your choice. Fire, flood, disease, nuclear contamination - you only can stay and die. Other group of bugout cases involves indefensible positions - which most city houses are. Cardboard walls, glass doors, no basement, no fence, no water, no power - you can't defend such a home, especially if it is too close to the "inner city." Perhaps defense of the entire block can be organized, but that depends on who your neighbors are. I know that all my neighbors are armed, but I don't live in the city. Most city dwellers are not armed; so even if you want to set up some defense you have no tools to do it with. An occasional 9mm H&K is not sufficient. If that's the case then your best option is to move elsewhere. This will buy you time right away - and perhaps a few weeks will be sufficient for the riots to die down, along with many rioters. If the troubles persist you will still have one big advantage over many of those who stayed - you will be alive.

[Mad Dawgg]

I am sure you have all heard of BOB (Bug Out Bag) we have Bags Sorta Like that but they are for Getting Too a specific point be it Home or designated Rural Sites apart from our own.

[SnuffaBolshevik]

I’m too old and decrepit to go out stomping through the woods with a rifle and backpack (that’s so 1st CAV mid-seventies).

I’m stocking up on everything and will make my stand in my own home, if required.

Que sera, sera.

[omega4179]

Right, bugging was always supposed to be a *last resort* but recent TV shows imply its an option if you don’t like what’s going on., go somewhere else.

[SuzyQue]

Welcome to Texas.

[netmilsmom]

XD

[justa-hairyape]

You should have bags ready and you should have at minimum four places where you know you can go.

Waiting until the last chance for a bug out, may not be the safest move in certain areas. Can tell you stories I heard from actual native Kalifornians about their SHTF plans. One guy said he would come out of his house, armed to the teeth shooting everyone he could see just to clear a path. Anyone that got close to him when bugging out would be shoot. He had enough weapons to take down police helicopters and was planning to use them. Then of course there was also the other native Kalifornian who stated he would have no problem stealing to support his family. No problem at all. Clearly if you know its coming, best to bug out whilst it is still relatively easy to accomplish. That is the conclusion I came to. And if the bug-out is caused by nuclear radiation or biological contamination, your area might end up under quarantine.

[blam]

My plan is similar to yours (rural area)...my friends and neighbors (most of us are in our 60's) have already agreed that we'll stay and fight if necessary. We have the provisions and etc to make a good stand too. We have additional supplies to support some of the younger (unprepared) members of our community too...we'll need those younger members when TSHTF.

I have also made underground caches of supplies within walking distance to my house. These caches contain 3-4days worth of food, medical supplies, a gun and supplies of ammo.

If I'm driven from my home I have a 'retreat' spot or two where I can survive and gather my wits for a possible retake of my house. These cached supplies will afford me that opportunity. Those caches are my 'bug-out bags.'

[bgill]

Perhaps we need a new term - bugging to. Many who bug out are in reality bugging TO a safe place rather than playing Rambo in the piney woods.

The article is a bit wonky on the paying the mortgage and such. Excuse me, but if enough hits the fan there won’t be anyone to collect the mortgage. And who leaves their family behind?

But, yes, in certain circumstances one may have to pull up stakes but that would be my last choice. My first choice is staying put beside my water well.