Parents!!! Bug Out, Hold up?

[Motley]

I just have a vague plan, and then react as needed as the situation changes.

I have a 5 year old daughter, so that limits my options a bit. My Plan A is to hunker down and stay put. However, I never want to be in a situation where I am on my roof/looking out my windows defending the house, as then I am pretty much screwed. My hope is that my neighbors will work together to keep some kind of order, if not I move to plan B and GTFO of town. If I cannot bug out using my car, I have a bike with a chariot for my daughter/supplies.

All in all I think it is better to have planned reactions to various situations and adapt as needed. IMO for long term survival, there has to be some kind of rebuilding of society as hiding in the wilderness with just my daughter isn't much of a future.

[45XD]

I've seen a lot of SHTF scenerio's. ALL are suggested by individuals or at best couples. Anyone come up with a "Family" disaster plan?
I've always leaned toward a survivalist nature. as much as a family person could in the suburbs. Water, First Aid, MRE's. Firearms and ammo. Family instruction. But in reality, "Bugging Out" to the wild blue younder seems impossible, or at least prohibitively difficult.
Any ideas?

It's not a simple question... depends on what happens, where you live, and where you are when it goes down. Would be more difficult to stay put if you are in the center of a town that's going down the crapper than if you live in a more rural area.
It's all about options...

[Rapid Fire Bunker]

It's not a simple question... depends on what happens, where you live, and where you are when it goes down. Would be more difficult to stay put if you are in the center of a town that's going down the crapper than if you live in a more rural area.
It's all about options...

So true. I constanly wonder/worry about what to do to meet up with my family if SHTF happens.
Wife and I are across town from eachother. How do I get to her? Do I drive? You all know that the highways will be a cluster and a killing zone. I have even entertained the oprion of getting a foldable mountain bike to keep in the SUV should I need to bail on the automobile.
What if our fall back position is compromised? What of they all are compromised?
Head to the hills? Well there will be only. Few major routes to get there. I70 and 285 will be a nightmare unless you get on those roads EARLY.

I know I need to sit down and work out a more comprehensive plan, not tomorrow, but know.

Hope for the best. Plan for the worst.

Sorry this is a crappy post but I am using my droid. Forgot my laptop at the shop. Guess I need to plan better.

[SpikeMike]

The rules we have for my family are pretty simple. We bug-in unless there is a compelling reason to bug-out. We're well situated in a good neighborhood that is fairly well shielded from anything that could happen in downtown Denver. It is a defensible postion well outside a potential blast zone's outer ring.
We do have rules that apply in case we're not at the house. We have designated rally points that are easy to get to and means to communicate if no one is there and what to do next. Short of a complete surprise attack by terrorists, most events are going to be telegraphed by the opposing side. Learning to recognize that is important. When you start seeing the serious warning signs of a possible outbreak of hostile action, you need to hunker down and be ready. As a practical exercise, it is important to practice making your rally points in differing scenarios. Any of you who are ex-military will know the value of training exercises. Practice long enough, often enough, it becomes a habit when you are forced to respond.
Should you have to bug-out, you need to know where you are going to go, how you are going to get there, what you will be taking, and how to be flexible and still make your objective. The real first rule is Murphy's Law, which means you have to be able to adapt and overcome. The best laid plan, no matter how well thought out, how well physically planned can always go FUBAR.
In our house, if we have to bug-out, we will cache a lot of things deemed unnecessary for later recovery, like a squirrel hiding nuts if you will. Basic but-out kits in our home is:
1. Appropriate sized backpack
2. sleeping bag bivvy
3. 10 days LRRP rations
4. 4 liters of water
5. Personal water filtration system
6. MOPP Suit
7. Gas mask w/spare filters
8. Large roll of duct tape
9. Compass
10. Waterproof maps
11. Appropriate clothing
12. 200 rds. 9x19mm
13. 200 rds. 5.56mm
14. 50 rds. 12 ga. 2-3/4" OO Buck
15. 50 rds. 12 ga. 2-3/4" #6 shot
16. 10 Cyalume sticks
17. Mk. 4 signal smoke/flare
18. Flint & Steel
19. wire saw
20. Combat knife
21. Medical Kit
22. Medicine pack (antibiotics, pain, BP, etc. -- talk to your physician)
23. Monocular
24. 50 12" zip ties (these are very very useful)
25. Snare wire
26. Hand-fishing kit
27. Self-inflating sleeping mat
28. Whistle
29. Eating utensils
30. Large steel camping mug
31. Steel dinner plate
32. Cooking pot
33. Chemical/Biological agent detection kit
34. 12 ga. pump shotgun
35. 9x19 mm semiautomatic pistol
36. 5.56 mm semiautomatic rifle
37. cleaning kit & oil
That's pretty comprehensive and maybe a bit on the heavier side of things for some people (a good excuse to start exercising now so you can hump it)
my two cents per usual....

[tmckay2]

unless you have a concrete house that is reinforced, or a bomb shelter in your basement, id bug out. bugging out is more annoying, no doubt, but you have endless options and can really go somewhere remote where no one in their right mind would come looking to steal things. the problem with any house in any semi metropolitan area is that there will be a lot of looters and it won't be that long til they come for you. even if you have guns to protect yourself, people can just burn down your house. it would be hard to make the decision because i would want to hold out as long as i could, but frankly if you wait too long you may then be stuck.

if you are bugging out though you need specific supplies. i have a large tent that is 12x12x8 and allows a wood stove. my stove is a good quality, air tight one that can heat a 12x12 to a comfortable temp down to -30. it can handle wind and snow. so in theory, as long as i can cut wood down, i can survive the elements. i also have cots, heavy duty fleece lined below 0 degree sleeping bags, coolers, guns, ammo, axes, sharpenders, etc. i also have some long term storage foods. all of this stuff fits in my suv. as long as i can find small game and/or fish and am located in a wooded area (both of which are likely) i should be able to make it indefinitely. its not as comfy as a home no doubt, but its awfully safe.

all that being said, when i build a house i will likely build a bunker in it. they aren't much more expensive, easy to hide, and can be pretty self sufficient if you do it right. in that case i would stay.

[asmo]

During the mass chaos that would ensue during a real SHTF scenario I don't really believe people are going to respect property boundaries or property rights.

I know I won't..

[Skully]

During the mass chaos that would ensue during a real SHTF scenario I don't really believe people are going to respect property boundaries or property rights.

I know I won't..

That is why a place the mountains or in the middle of no where would be good. My house is a defensive disaster too many windows even if boarded up and the thin walls. Would be hard for me and the wife to maintain security.

The one thing I miss about Rural Nebraska, nothing out there of interest to anyone.

[tmckay2]

That is why a place the mountains or in the middle of no where would be good. My house is a defensive disaster too many windows even if boarded up and the thin walls. Would be hard for me and the wife to maintain security.

The one thing I miss about Rural Nebraska, nothing out there of interest to anyone.

true, but there are tons of nuggets out in the mountains that it would be nearly impossible for people to find you. the one thing i need is a great off road vehicle so i can get to really remote places. but even with regular vehicles there are so many places that have absolutely nothing within 30 miles. if some sort of disaster really did happen it would be years before they came out sniffing around that far.

[Skully]

true, but there are tons of nuggets out in the mountains that it would be nearly impossible for people to find you. the one thing i need is a great off road vehicle so i can get to really remote places. but even with regular vehicles there are so many places that have absolutely nothing within 30 miles. if some sort of disaster really did happen it would be years before they came out sniffing around that far.

Depends on what time of the year, middle of the mountain winter some if those really deep remote areas are impassable by auto or even a major offroad jeep. You need a snowmobile or artic cat, but then you not only have to deal with a scenario but the unforgiving old man winter. I guess have multiple possible places depending on what and time of the year.

[roberth]

Unless there is a specific threat which is forcing me out, I'm bugging in with the wife and kids. Bugging out is something that should not be considered lightly, with or without family.

I think bugging out "to the wild blue yonder" is an absolute last ditch option (but one that should be considered and planned for).

And I would say you are correct. I spent a few years preparing for staying at home. It was only after I was at a point that I could stay here that I ever thought about leaving.

I am at the point that I could but if you look through the posts you will find that I am also at a stage that leaving would be for what? I am 53 and have lived a full life. The leaving part becomes less attractive as the years go by.

all the kids are grown and only a couple have any interest in being prepared. If you are 39 or under and have kids then you need to plan. You and your children would be the future.

There have been generations before us and there will be generations after. In all honesty the last big scare was in 61. We are marching to a different kind of threat these days.

Just some thoughts.

Yup, bug in. No point in leaving only to get bogged down with everyone else who is leaving.

Imagine what the freeways would be like...total chaos.