It's a prepper basic. For those of you who may be new to prepping, or debating about your current living arrangements, there's no plan better than the shelter in place plan. Most bug out plans put you in the status of refugee. That is never a good position to be in. Think about it for a minute. Even in the BEST case scenario for bugging out, with days worth of warning and a large vehicle, you're still very limited in what you can take to survive. How much food can you really fit in your bug out vehicle? If it's well packed rice and beans, maybe a month's worth, MRE's, maybe a few weeks worth; canned goods, you might have 2 weeks of food in the car. Plus water, there's a basic. How much water do you really think you can pack in that vehicle? 1 week's worth of drinking water? 2 weeks? If you haven't found a place to settle by the time all that runs out, then what? There are always going to be situations where leaving is safer than staying. Yes, there are, but I really think you should try to push it as far as you can to stay in place.
For Shelter in Place information, go to my Shelter In Place page.
If the conditions require me to leave the area, I will use my BOB
(Bug Out Bag) and and equipment. For a setting up a
Bug Out Bag check this section.
Relocate to another location. I have (4) 5gal containers of gas, and 4 for water ready. The gas has fuel stabilizer in it, but still rotate it and the water out with fresh twice a year. I have 2 large boxes of non perishable food, a couple sleeping bags, and other basic camping gear items set aside. These are to allow me to be able to have options. Here is my page for Planing to Relocate
With any type of emergency, it is always good to be able to monitor the radio to keep informed on what is taking place, and if there are areas to avoid. Some type of programmable radio or scanner would be a great asset to have with your gear. This brings something to power it into consideration. For short term actions, batteries will usually suffice. If longer, some type of solar power is a great thing to have. There are many small solar panels that will hang from you back pack, and keep all or your battery powered items charged if you plan properly. I will add a section on this very soon. I am using a Baofeng UV82HP hand held radio for my outings and any type of SHTF activities. It is a VHF and UHF radio, that will also receive the FM Broadcast band. This allow monitoring of most useful frequency's to stay up to date on any activities that are in your area, to be able to help, or what to avoid.
During a disaster, the GPS system that most have become use to
counting on, may be inoperative. This is why you should have a decent printed
map of your area to be aware of the terrain and any sources of water. This will
also help in any planing for moving to another location, or even defending the
location you are at.
To help you keep up with what is taking place around you, here is a listing of radio frequencies
that are of interest during emergencys. FRS radios or family radio service is a powerful but short-ranged service that you can use to communicate with your family within your house or camp site. This is a good option to add on your emergency survival kit because it is inexpensive and very easy to use which means that everyone in your group or family can use it.
No matter where you end up being located, you will need to be able to Defend yourself and family.
I spent 22 years in the US Army, and in most cases prefer surplus Military Gear, unless
for something special. The below is a excellent backpack. I prefer using a Army type
pistol belt with a pack, so I will attach part of a set of army suspenders to the lower part
of this, then attach a pistol belt to it. This will allow me to carry ammo magazine pouches,
a bayonet, and other items to the belt.
shtf gun.
Where I Ordered My Back Pack |
This is my rapid deployment SHTF Gear. It is Vietnam era LBE,
pistol belt, suspenders, 2 M16 ammo pouches with (4) 30 round
mags in each, compass, bayonet, spare mag holder for my
9mm pistol, LED flash light, a 8x10 cammo tarp, and a butt pack
with dry food, 30 days of meds, dry underwear and socks, 1st
aid kit, spare parts for guns, and a couple of maps. Another
small pack above it with water filtration kit, and misc items,
also a water bottle attached. Also on the pistol belt is my
9mm S&W with a 2nd spare magazine. I also have a small
duffle bag with light weight ammo cans with extra carbine
and 9mm ammo, and some other bulk stuff.
I keep a modified magazine pouch with a strap on it, that
holds (4) 30 round magazines, hanging on a door near the
other gear for quick access. I can grab this up, and put it
over my shoulder or around my neck, grab one of the Carbines,
and I am ready for some serious action.
When to use your pistol instead of rifle
These are Very Well Made and Comfortable. The material is rip-stop, and
they are double stitched, and reinforced in stress areas. I was originally
going to wear these to Reunions, and stuff, but most are during the Summer and these are a little heavy duty for Summer, but perfect for the rest of
the year. Selecting what cloths you wear depends on the situation, and if you are trying to avoid being seen in your bug out location, or be rescued from a flood. It is all about having options.
I wanted to get something to keep my UV82HP 2 way radio, cell phone,
flash lights, etc charged, so picked up a Solar Charger that can be mounted
to my backpack to charge things on the move, or set on the ground to charge.
It has both a 12 volt and a USB 5 volt charging ports. This should work out well, since I have it hanging on the back of my backpack, and it will trickle charge one of my spare batteries during any daylight.
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Have a way to Defend Yourself
Planing a Bug Out Bag
Setting up a Bug Out Bag
Radio Gear and Frequencies
Shelter in Place information
Defense Pistol
The M1 Carbine
Guestbook