Hello my friend and welcome back! In today’s post, I am going to address a subject that I get a lot of emails about and that is whether to bug in or out? It seems to be a point of a lot of confusion for many people. Grab yourself a cup of coffee and have a seat while we visit, OK?
Readers are always asking me what I think they should do and whether or not they should bug in or out. While I always tell them it is a personal choice, I usually add a few of my own thoughts on how best to decide. Here is the basic question that you must ask yourself:
“Can I safely stay where I am and provide security, water, food, and shelter as well as possible medical attention for myself and my family for up to a year or more?”
If the answer to this question is no, or I’m not sure, then you may want to consider bugging out to a place where you can do these things. Now don’t get me wrong, bugging out will have its share of dangers as well, so you need to be honest with yourself when you answer these questions.
Another obvious question that you need to ask yourself, is do you have a place to go where you can provide those things? Can you afford to purchase and equip a place if you don’t? If the answer to these two questions is no, then you may want to look into joining a survival group that has such a place and shares the cost. It may actually be a better option than purchasing your own land as there would be more people to share the work load when the time comes.
Here is something else you might consider as well. When it all goes to hell and the government decides you need to be in a work camp rather than in your own place, where will they look for you at? My guess it will be the first place that they will look will be your mailing address or your listed place of residence. This is not where you want to be when they come.
Now I know that many Preppers, have well-fortified places where they plan to make their last stand against the Government. Someone once said that the best way to win a fight is to not be in a fight. There is a lot of wisdom in those words and simply put, don’t be where they expect you to be. If you try to go head to head with government trained forces, you will lose. They will have more firepower and training and most people will not be a challenge in the least.
Something else you might want to consider is whether it will be the Government or gangs of people who come looking for you? To my way of thinking, if it’s the government, your best chance is to hide and not let them find you. However, if it is gangs of people who are coming to take what you have, then you will definitely have a good chance of defeating them if you are well prepared and have not just the supplies, but the skill to repel them.
Now, back to bugging in or bugging out, the overarching question here is can you survive where you are no matter who comes looking for you? Failure to answer this simple question truthfully and honestly could well determine whether or not you and your family live or die or spend the rest of your lives in a work camp. Personally, I just really don’t see how anyone could survive for more than a few months in the big cities but that’s just me. I have met many people who insist that it can be done, but their arguments are usually based on certain things happening in a certain way. I worry that if the variables do not fall the way they think they will, they will be lost to us all. Now please don’t pound me with your letter and emails saying “I can do this, or I can do that!” The trouble with that is that “I” is always the exception rather than the rule. I’m sure that there are some who have the training and the equipment to survive in those situations, but most people will not, no matter how much they prepare.
Finally, no one will be able to survive by themselves in a major collapse of society for any extended length of time, while constantly watching their own backs. We are all going to need help and support to get through these dark times and we really need to accept that now rather than later. When the world is crumbling around you, it’s a really bad time to have an “Oh Crap!” moment because you can’t do what you thought you could.
Whatever you decide is completely up to you and you will live or die based on the decision you make now. We only get one shot at life, so choose wisely.
I guess that is it for today and I hope you have enjoyed today’s post. Until next time, please stay safe, stay strong and stay prepared. God Bless America!
-The Sargent-
I think the first question should be, do you have a place to go and what are the chances you can actually get there? The worst thing to be is a refugee.
Also, remember, if you can get there so can any one else.
Right on! Thanks!
Living here in the San Francisco Bay Area has probably zero advantage when things happen. I cannot fathom 10-15 million people clogging highways here. Remember in Beijing they had a traffic jam for 11 days! I also feel deeply that unless you ALREADY have a place in the boonies that it may be better just to stay. Bug out where, to the forest, to do exactly what? I hike daily and would NEVER be able to survive, even though I go camping frequently and practice what I’ve learned.I don’t know people what to do anyway, but I have plans to eat and drink.
I agree that “if it’s the govt it’s better to hide”! I agree!
Thank you this perspective for thought was compelling! Frankly though I really don’t know what to do.
In 1973 in Chile the Military committed their coup d’etat and then went door to door. My extended family heard them kicking down doors of their neighbors…no one had guns, people disappeared…
Thank you for your comments, they are always appreciated. Never give up your guns!
Sarge, bugging in with your supplies is the best option unless there is a NBC attack in your area. You are definitely correct about not by yourself so have friends and family with you. If a government attacks become a mobile sniper/ pain in the a$$. Obtain one of their uniforms and infiltrate and destroy. Knowledge is the greatest weapon and timing is everything.