The overwhelming distance between these two.
The Bag.
The Location.
In prepper lore, the bug-out plays an enormous role. A bug-out seems to be the solution to all our problems for many people. If things go nuts, and we have to go, then we’ll look to our bug-out place. We’re going to get our families together, grab our bags and go. Maybe we’re going on foot, or maybe we’re going to use some other kind of transport, but we’re going up sticks, and we’re heading somewhere we know is secure.
There is an immense focus on the types of items in a bug-out bag that should be included. There are even articles outlining what kind of bug-out locations you should think, and what you should have waiting for you at your bug-out location.
Personally, I believe many preppers, when it comes to bug-out plans, fall short. I believe it needs a lot of time and preparation for the whole process. I’m talking about written plans, different locations, dry runs, resource mapping in these surrounding locations, and several other items that are important for a bug-out to work.
Your chances of failure are high if you have one spot, and you draw one line from point A to point B. It doesn’t matter what instruments or weapons you have attached to your pocket.
Perhaps the greatest swathe of uncharted bug-out terrain is WHEN. When is the time to bug out right? You might say, “In a financial collapse,” but what does this mean? No one’s going to get in front of a camera and proclaim,’ It’s time to bug out.’ It’s just as important to know when to bug out as anything else.
Related: How To Make A Bug Out Bag Jacket
REDOUT Concept
You can lean on a concept known as REDOUT to decide when the time is right to bug out. I prefer this because it creates some rules about when the time is right that are hard and fast. You’re just playing guessing games without that.
You have to be able to gather intelligence in many ways that will help you make decisions before you can take full advantage of the REDOUT concept. Survival intelligence is a massive component of disaster preparedness. Sadly, it’s something many preppers forget as well.
The following tools will help you gather intelligence after a disaster.
- Emergency Radio
- Police Scanner
- Talking with community members
- Drone with HD Camera
All these tools will help you verify the items on your REDOUT checklist:
- Resources
- Environment is unsafe
- Destination
- Overwhelming force
- Unprepared
- Threat has increased
REDOUT Bug-out Signs
1. Resources
Mapping resources in your area and on the route to your bug-out location should be part of your bug-out and urban survival process. In times of need, you need to know what you may have access to. These resources, such as rivers and streams, as well as retail outlets and other resource centers, should include natural ones.
A time will come when resources are running low or completely running out. Note, the more open and common a resource location is, the cleaner it is likely to be chosen and probably occupied.
If your resources are running out at home and in the surrounding world, then it is legitimate to consider bugging out.
Related: Top 20 Things You Need To Grab Before The SHTF Journey
2. Environment is unsafe
What has been done by the disaster to your house and the surrounding areas? This may mean things like gas leaks, radiation and flooding when we talk of an unhealthy climate. An unsafe atmosphere can also mean that it has also been rendered unsafe by other people or the elements.
If by remaining where you are, you put your life and the life of your family at risk, the time has come to bug out.
3. Destination
You got a place to go? The idea of a bug-out begins and stops with the bag, for many. Some people don’t have a chosen location/s. If you are lucky enough to have planned a location, it comes down to where you are, or where you have planned to go, which is the better position.
Are you better off at home, or are you better off at your new destination? Your bug-out location could be stocked and hidden from the world with goodies. Or, a quiet spot in the woods could be your bug-out location.
The condition of your destination or BOL will dictate how the bug-out goes, so understanding the area around it and any likely threats should be included in your intelligence gathering.
4. Overwhelming Force
You could very well face a time when in your area a hostile force takes power. This might even be the government following a serious collapse. You will only have two options if you are faced with overwhelming force: kneel or evade.
The ability from a distance to acknowledge overwhelming force is what will dictate your success. This is where your intelligence for survival will come into play. When it gets down to your front door, you don’t want to recognize the overwhelming force.
If you hear word that your town or city has been controlled by a powerful gang and they rule by force, then it’s a clear sign that you need to get out of there!
5. Unprepared
We hate to admit, as preppers, that we might be unprepared for something. It’s in the name, sort of. The truth of the matter is, for everything, we can’t be prepared. You can’t prepare if an asteroid lands on your house. You can’t prepare if you live 20 miles south of Yellowstone, and it blows. You can’t prepare if North Korea gets crazy and lucky with a missile landing in your town.
A time or a situation that you are unprepared for could come. Remove the ego and be prepared to understand the fact that you are unprepared for this specific situation. In order to consider what comes next, this will give you a clear head. This means it’s time to bug out in most cases.
Related: 50 Prepper Items To Shop For At The Thrift Store or Yard Sale
6. Threat has increased
You could find that you are getting along just fine with your preps during or after a disaster. Your home’s protection may be all that you need. This is the case for millions of Americans following hurricanes and other disasters.
Often, however, the danger from the accident can rise. Things can get worse in a hurry after a serious disaster. Look at Puerto Rico. Although some may have been able to escape the situation after the storm, it was a different story once the crowds of desperate individuals turned up.
You have to take it into account if the threat from the environment, people or anything else rises, and if you can not cope with the increased threat, it’s time to bug out.
The BUGOUT Plan
You will have to rely on a solid bug-out scheme until one of these triggers has been engaged. Do not wait until you need to abandon your strategy to sew up the gaps. From start to finish, you need to follow the full process.
- You need to write your process.
- You need to war game your process.
- You need to be your biggest critic
If you aren’t considering things like rally points and survival caches, your bug-out process is likely not complete.
