Bug Out Bag… Bugging out from what?

[2@low8]

Bug Out Bag… Bugging out from what?

I’m fairly new to this bugging out concept and it seems mostly directed to SHTF and disaster scenarios. Am I missing the point or are there other situations where bugging out would be a viable method for self preservation rather than maintaining a defensive position at home.

From some of my reading I’m gathering that the b-o-b is used while you are on foot. Does anybody bug out in a vehicle like an ATV or a lightweight dirt-bike type motorcycle? Being on the backside of sixty with a few low back problems, I’m not a candidate to be a “ground-pounder”.

A little help with some of these concepts would go a long way to getting me oriented into the right direction. Thanks….. Frankie

 

[taliv]

SHTF and bug out stuff is off topic here. pls read the rules. plenty of other places on the net you can discuss this.

-reopened so OP can restate question

 

[jmr40]

I live in a fairly good location, and am set up to survive off the grid so to speak for a few weeks, not long term like some guys. We camp and backpack regularly and already have the gear to survive for quite a while. I keep a few items in my truck in a small pack that would help me get back home on foot if necessary. Natural disasters, floods, hurricaines, forest fires, earth quakes etc., could block roads. But getting back home on foot may be an option.

For others getting out in a situation like hurricane Katrina may be more of a concern. During that situation most areas 100 miles inland were pretty normal. Instead of waiting a week for rescue, I could have walked the 100 miles in flat terrain in 3-4 days with each family member carrying our normal backpacing supplies. For me it wouldn't have been anything special. We already own packs, water filtration systems, camping equipment, backpacking food etc.

 

[19-3Ben]

I keep a few items in my truck in a small pack that would help me get back home on foot if necessary. Natural disasters, floods, hurricaines, forest fires, earth quakes etc., could block roads. But getting back home on foot may be an option.

Yup. My Bug HOME bag is more important to me. I travel around for work, as much as 200 miles from home pretty frequently. I want to make sure I can get home.

As for the other questions, I don't know how deeply I can go into this before running afoul of THR rules, but I'll say that since I do travel out of state, I do have to keep firearms laws in mind for my vehicle bag that I'd use to bug home. It makes things tough because if I ever got pulled over, I don't want to have a gun illegally in the car. But on the other hand, if there really was a disaster, those rules will all be out the window anyway. I do obey the laws though, and will just have to make due with my field knife, hatchet, etc... as improvised weapons until I could get my hands on one.

 

[MErl]

Think emergency, the creek is rising and you have 5 minutes to get to high ground. Lots of people take meds. Have to grab them fast and whatever other essentials.

Having that setup as a quick grab bag gives you the essentials in 30 seconds giving you minutes for the non-essential but irreplacables. (or getting you out in seconds instead of minutes)



ps, I think Taliv was right the first time this isn't gun related.

 

[22-rimfire]

Frankie, I think you got it right. If you are forced to leave your home, then obviously you turn to your automobile first (greater storage capability), then a motorcycle of some sort, and finally on foot. Preparation is different for each scenario and it means different things to different people depending on where you live and the potential disasters that might typically befall that area.

 

[19-3Ben]

Frankie, I think you got it right. If you are forced to leave your home, then obviously you turn to your automobile first (greater storage capability), then a motorcycle of some sort, and finally on foot. Preparation is different for each scenario and it means different things to different people depending on where you live and the potential disasters that might typically befall that area.

I really really hope I'm not going too far down the road of a SHTF thread here, but I'll add that bicycles make a good go-between rather than going straight from car to foot. I actually have a good Cannondale touring bike that I keep ready to roll because I know it can carry me and 100lbs of cargo in the front and rear panniers. I have kevlar belted tires, and spare tubes/pump to keep me rolling. It will go off road and on narrow paths where cars cannot, doesn't require any fuel (except food for me to keep the bike going) and can maneuver on roads that are otherwise blocked by abandoned vehicles and/or debris. I also know that even loaded down, 50miles per day is not difficult, and unloaded I have done as many as 120mi. in a day.
I haven't bought a trailer for it yet, but that's next on the list.
Even if I just want to walk, I can hang stuff on the bike rather than carry it. Think about those old war pics of the Vietnamese that did things just like that. Just a little food for thought.

 

[wgaynor]

It's an emergency 24 hour or whatever time frame you want, bag to ensure you have what you need. I had a car leave me stranded for a while. Used my bag to rehydrate (keep some water in there) while waiting a couple hours for help.

Use the first aid kit if you see a wreck.

Use the bag to prepare or what life may throw at ya.

It's not too bad of a concept and not fairly new. I use to bag groceries at Krogers growing up and noticed alot of the senior folks kept emergency gear in the trunk of their car. Same thing with storing food. Our grandparents did it out of necessity and common sense... American's have lost the habit.

 

[wgaynor]

To keep this gun related. My bug out bag has an old cheap single action .22lr and a small 50 round box of ammo. This is a knock around revolver.

My friend keeps his compact 9mm in his.

Pistols/rifles/shotguns and bug out bags go hand in hand. Anybody else want to share what firearm is in theirs?

 

[ColtPythonElite]

Bug Out Bag… Bugging out from what?

Reality...

 

[jim243]

Quote:
Originally Posted by 2@low8 View Post
Bug Out Bag… Bugging out from what?
Reality...

I bugged out from that a LONGGGGG time ago. Mine is a bug-in bag (LOL)

Jim

 

[OldMac]

Be prepared to bug out from danger that negates any protection your home may provide. Earthquakes, tornados, hurricanes, wildfires, floods, or aftermath of those natural or even unnatural disasters are potential reasons to be armed, prepared and mobile. 22lr, .380s, .410 are light and may be sufficient to let folks know you are not an easy victim. Tokarev is cheap and powerful enough for greater danger or food. If you must surrender it an official checkpoint or roadblock or toss/stash it just before, the hurt is not as bad as your $2k custom 1911.

 

[hso]

Nope, you're not missing the point, but as pointed out, THR doesn't do SHTF so there's not much reason for belaboring the point.

That said, there have been some good discussions in S&T on this pointing out that too many people sound like they'd need a tactical wheelbarrow to carry all their ammo.


Thanks to zombiehunters for the tongue in cheek pic