Have you practiced your Bug Out?

[prepguide]

I am currently a member of an active preparedness group and have been a member of two others prior to this group (changed groups due to moving). Something that we did in one of the groups I was in previously was to once a year do a full on complete bug out practice. By that I mean you actually load up the physical goods, supplies and equipment you intend to take with you if you are forced to bug out.

Now I fully acknowledge that there are those who do not have a Bug Out Location to evacuate to. I currently live at my full time BOL which is a go to place for several other families, all of whom have some supplies already pre- positioned here. But we do have a fall back location about 90 minutes away if needed.

When we did our exercise with the group here were the rules: you had to load the actual goods and supplies, no cheating, you had to time yourself from start to finish and you had to keep a list of three things that went well and three things that didn't go well to share with the group.

At the next group meeting following the test we discussed the results which were very interesting. The main point that folks discovered was that it took much longer to load out than they thought it would. My ex-wife and I had much of our gear pre-packed and stored and it took quite awhile. For me the biggest surprise was discovering that we couldn't haul all the goods we wanted to bring. I had a full size pick up truck and she had a mini van and we could only accommodate about 60% of what we had planned on bringing for our family of five. Made for some interesting choices in what stayed and what went. Another factor that was a downside for some of the members was not having a written checklist of what they planned on bringing. It added time as they looked for certain items. The amount of effort it took to load everything up was another issue for many, myself included. It can be physically demanding to move and load all the goods. So it was a very eye opening experience to say the least.

Have you ever loaded up all that you are planning to bring with you to see for yourself? If you haven't I HIGHLY recommend that you do, it will not be a waste of your time.

[Echo2]

Many times.....different routes.

It is a PITA....but necessary.

We keep enough supplies at the BOL.....If we showed up on foot and naked.....we'd be fine.

We have done a full load out in the trailer....but in all honesty....other than a few of my guns and comms gear (field locker)....I'll leave it if the threat is dire.

The kids have their own BOBs.

If I sense a true "Disturbance in the Force"....we'll load up in darkness and roll ASAP.

One of the bigger things to practice is solo....with out contact with your SO. You need to have a plan on who does what and know where your rally points are.

Test your comms gear for true distance/range from said rally points....and at different times of the day....it changes.

If there are folks at your BOL.....you need to practice with them too....what range do your comms work from them....do they have a way to come retrieve you if necessary...etc.

How do you approach your BOL? Do you have a signal to show friendly.....does every one in the family know it?

Young adults.....do they know the directions to the BOL...by heart? could they help a younger child? Do they know the rally points? Do they know how to work the radios?

If you have cashes....do they know where to find them? Have you went over "time frames" with them.....when it is OK to move from rally point? and where they should go from the rally point?

These are some of the questions that we have addressed....because the BOL is 2.5 days by foot....I pray we have the gift of some type of heads up....luckily most sheep will hang around and hope for it to get better for a few days.....and if we haven't already....we will leave.....quickly.

[prepguide]

GREAT post Echo2 ! Thanks for adding that important information. BTW LOVE your signature line

[rentprop1]

does dipping into it to steal the beef jerky on a long trip count as practicing ??? :p

I use my bag quite a bit, and thus I keep changing the configuration and pack order, I think everyone should use it rather than practice, just opinion

[realist]

A full bug out would be a PITA, with the amount of ammo that I have it would really take two trips with the truck and trailer, weight wise. That is the problem with some of my preps it is not the bulk but the weight. That said everything else that is not in the pantry is prepacked ready to go. I guess I could get a bigger truck..........nope the boss said no.

I did conducted two limited bug outs this summer on what was just in my truck. The first one was a train wreck. The second one was a vast improvement. After the second trip I think now I have it pretty squared away. Well that is what a list if for and I am constantly revamping things. Then again the best laid plans.........

[The Stig]

Honestly no.

Only way we're leaving is if a chemical spill happens, a wild fire is a'commin or the house blows away in a hurricane. All these are very localized and temporary. We can muddle our way through and have enough family and contacts in the area that we could get by until the all-clear is given.

If there's a total catastrophic meltdown of society. Well....I've got a couple options there.

But as far as a complete "load up and head out" drill. No, I've been very lazy with that.

[bacpacker]

I've never done a full scale bug out drill. We have done a couple of partials. Latest one was this past spring. It went pretty well, but took way to long to complete the loading process. I have worked on a reorginization of gear and goods. I am doing inventory right now and making plans for doing a full on reorg once that's complete. Will do another partial BO later this month and a larger one in Dec.

As far as comms go (in reference to Echo), he is exactly right. Having spent years doing EmComm, I can verify how important it is to make sure of your gear's capabilities and to know fully how to operate your gear. If you spouse and you are both planning comms while seperated, you BOTH need this knowledge and skill.

[izzyscout21]

Never have practiced a full blown bugout. The plan is just to grab as many critical elements as will fit in the 2 vehicles and go. Hopefully, whatever has to be left behind can be done without.

Since we have a Tornado watch tonight, it may be one of the Tornado drill evenings.

[Baker]

No, because I live in my bug out area. For now anyway.

Next year at school I'm going to have to though. Not a full on one because that'd be multiday to get home. But I will give that a shot a few times.

But I think my options will be limited for bugging out since I'll be in ROTP and might have to stay an save sheep lol.

[Jerry D Young]

Got one planned for Oct 13, 2012 with all but the firearms. I'll let you know how it goes, if I remember to afterwards.

[Kodiak]

Another factor that was a downside for some of the members was not having a written checklist of what they planned on bringing.

Good reminder, I can imagine the chaos of bugging out and how critical a list would be, it would suck to be on the road and realize that you forgot an important piece of gear. :confused:

[prepguide]

Kodiak I completely agree, if a situation arises that requires you to bug out then the stress level will be high enough and if something important is left behind, oh man it could get really bad.

[Echo2]

I don't see how you could even think of a bug out with out a list.....cause if you gotta go....the S has HTF....and you will be moving at a quickened pace....and forgetful.

[Brownwater Riverrat 13]

GUILTY!!!!!! All I can say is "READ AND HEAD" great post all should do this, the election is upon us, stupid things are happening, I'm not going into politics, military air traffic is has increased tremendously in my area over the last few months like never before and we've lived here for 5 years. Look at who I am....I would not point out this observation if I did not think it important. This is a good drill, this is good for the family, pre-stage, get your family used to it, make it a game. Learn how to "Combat cargo load"# your gear, What get's set up first goes in last. Weight distribution is crucial, especially with trailers. Your kids can participate and have fun with this and have fun, make it a game, help mommy and daddy.

Set up, Do a couple of drills (load out), then hit the road to a camp ground, do a weekend campout (overnighter) with the kids so they won't think it's all in vain. Then do your AAR/lessons learned before it get's cold. HINT: ELECTION IT WHEN IT GET'S COLD........................Deep thought by Brownwater Riverrat.............


HEY PREPGUIDE!........Great post.............got any fire? let's put it under their arses...................

*NOTE* Tennessee Grip-n-Grin was a good drill for us lot's of lessons learned.

[Brownwater Riverrat 13]

I don't see how you could even think of a bug out with out a list.....cause if you gotta go....the S has HTF....and you will be moving at a quickened pace....and forgetful.

Not quite sure I follow what you said Echo2 but I would think you'd have a (laminated) check off list with an attached grease pencil maybe? Which I don't....yet all bag or boxes Numbered with that being the order i which they get get thrown in there. That's if you were anally organized. As a Combat Cargo Loadmaster.......I wore many hats........you had to mange many a crisis and had to rely on those skills for many situations/missions. They all came back in one form or fashion. Once the fog cleared you'd be suprised at what you'd have learned over the years.

I'll be questioned about all this later by the LadyHK!.........trust me..........

[Echo2]

A clip board with the list taped to it....and a pencil.

As I've stated in my previous post....I'm not planning on taking everything....the list is for essentials.

All food...there is a stack of totes in the utility room just for this.

A lot of gear we already have in totes....due to the fact it stays there for Scout camping.

We keep the toiletries in totes...and draw from them as necessary....TP is a filler of dead spaces

The safes have a list of what to leave....everything else comes with us.

But the list if for junk you wouldn't normally get.....

All the flashlights, spare batteries, batteries out of remotes, smoke detectors, towels and wash cloths, cast iron, canners, etc....

It turns into a big list....and you will forget a crucial gear if you don't have a list.

How realistic does this line sound?...."oh crap....those extra cartridges for the water filter are in the shelf next to the....."

You can gather it in trash bags for all it really matters....sort it out later.

BTW....your list should have a priority to it also....."have to haves" at the top...."want to haves" after that. Never know when your packing could be cut short.

[bacpacker]

Good point on orginizing your load. Last in first out of a Suv, trailer, or covered truck. Whar you need first has to be easy to get to. For me shelter, water, major med stuff. Prolly more weapons and ammo after that. I just assume everyone would have weapons handy all the time a a fair loadout of quick ammo to grab

[Echo2]

When I write about this....it's about leaving my home and going to the BOL for an extended period......not "holy crap the house is on fire"