Shelter in place Vs Bugging out

     As preppers we need a variety of emergency plans. One plan is never enough. No matter what we will never know what situation we may find ourselves in. So always make several plans. Then when the time comes we will have to make that vital decision, Do we shelter in place or do you bug out and head for the hills?

     One of the most important decisions we have to make is whether it is advisable to “shelter in place” or “bug out” when there is an emergency. Most of us would like to choose to shelter in place to be close to our emergency supplies. Staying put would be the ideal situation but any good prepper has a backup bug out plan for their family. Sheltering in place or bugging out really all depends on the type of situation you are facing, so there is no definite answer to the shelter in place versus bugging out question. Even though we would all rather stay at home, there are situations that could force you to bug out:

1. Natural disaster. When hurricanes approach, people are asked to evacuate if they are in the direct path of the storm. We’ve seen from previous disasters that in some cases, people in the worst hit areas who decided to stay put and become stranded and drowned.

2. Wild Fire’s . If you live in an area prone to wildfires, and one is headed in your direction, you will be asked to evacuate. Authorities go around the neighborhood announcing the threat and give residents about 15 minutes to pack up belongings and head out.

3. Industrial accident causing chemical spills, poisonous emissions or nuclear disaster. We’ve all heard about the recent anniversary of the Fukushima, Japan earthquake and many of the areas affected have still not recovered.

4. Infrastructure has widespread damage. If you live in an area that was hit by a disaster and has no electricity or water, with no estimate on when the fix will be made, you may want to get out and stay with relatives or friends for a while if you can. If there is no water for a long period of time, sanitation will become compromised. Similarly, if you live in an area where it gets hot or cold enough to endanger your health, and there is no power to make the house livable, then you will be forced to leave the area.

5. Post disaster, widespread looting/crime with no law enforcement available. If you decided to stay put during a disaster but later find that there is no longer any “rule of law” being enforced in the area, then it will become too dangerous to stick around. You may want to stay and defend what’s yours but if there is a risk you become overrun by a greater number, then you must consider bugging out.      No one wishes for any of these situations to happen, but the possibility exists. The choice whether to stay put or bug out is entirely personal and will change according to circumstances. Picturing various scenarios and what you would do in each one will help you make your own decision when the time comes.