Careful thought and preparation needs to go into any
evacuation plan. Among the most important aspects of a sound plan is your
supply checklist. When disaster strikes, you won’t have time to gather the
essential supplies and provisions, so it’s not enough just to make a
list. Everything you will need, with consideration for all of the
contingencies and alternative modes of transportation (vehicle, biking,
walking) needs to be ready to go at a moment’s notice.
One of the most important pieces of equipment to consider is
your bug-out bag. Duffle bags and regular backpacks will fall short of your
needs if you’re forced to go by foot or bike. A full-frame hiking pack is
the recommended type because of its sturdiness and its multiple pockets and
features.
Your bug-out bag needs to be chosen based on its features as
well as its fit to your body. Carrying a heavy bag for long distances can be
debilitating after awhile unless it is physiologically compatible with your
body size and type. It’s important that your hips bear the bulk of the weight
of a fully loaded bag so that your back is spared unnecessary stress.
It is also recommended that you choose your pack only after
thoroughly trying different sizes. It’s best to load them fully when trying
them on so you can get an accurate measure, and know how the belts will feel
when the pack is attached to your body.
Even though you may be bugging out in your vehicle, it is
recommended that you have with you a bike or pedestrian cargo carrier, or some
way of towing your supplies long distance should you be forced to walk or bike.
Even a wheel barrow or jogging stroller will enable you to tow a fair amount of
supplies.
What to Pack
For the most part, the situation will dictate what you can
and should take. There is no way to know ahead of time the nature or
extent of the disaster you will face. It is difficult, therefore, to
determine whether you should prepare your pack for a one-day hike to a shelter
or a one-week excursion to get to a safe retreat. A safe bet would be to have a
three-tiered packing plan that includes contingencies for bug out by vehicle,
bicycle and walking.
Everything you might need for any situation ought to be
organized in one place so that you can make the necessary packing adjustments
within a very short period of time. Bugging out due to an anticipated weather
event may allow you a little more time to adjust your packing than if your area
comes under in a sudden emergency. Be prepared for either situation.
The contents of your bug-out bag are of great importance
because it could be used in any contingency. I recommend your ‘stand by’
preparation be for a 3-day trip. If, after you evaluate the situation,
you find that you need more or less, adjustments can be made quickly.
The core essentials for your bug-out bag should include:
* A water filter
* A complete backpack camping kit including a butane stove
* Plastic garbage bags
* 6 high calorie MRE-type meals
* Battery powered emergency radio
* Solar battery charger
* A backpacker’s tool kit including a multi-purpose tool
* Extra thermal underwear and wool linings for shoes and
gloves
* Emergency blankets
* Sleeping bag and ground cover
* A poncho
* Extra pair of hiking boots or shoes
* A complete medical kit
* Insect repellent
For biking, add the following:
* 2 extra tubes per bike
* Bike tool kit
Essential supplies for your vehicle (stored within close
proximity for quick loading):
* 1 to 2 weeks of food
* Clothes
* Document safe, along with a water proof satchel that can
carry the documents if walking becomes necessary
* 7 to 10 gallons of gas
* 12 to 16 gallons of water
* Full set of cooking gear, including propane stove
* Extra propane
A cargo carrier that can be used when biking or walking if
the vehicle breaks down.
This three-tiered approach to packing for a bug out covers
all of your contingencies while providing the most flexibility for situational
adjustments. Should a quick evacuation be necessary, it would take less than 20
minutes to load the car. And, as always, I recommend that you practice!
Decide on a moment’s notice to pack up and head out the door, giving yourself
just 10 minutes. Hike down the road or around the countryside for a
morning, then stop and have lunch, or maybe even camp out for the night.
I promise you that 12 hours of real-life practice will yield a number of
lessons learned.
(Source)
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