Bugging. Out or in?

My wife and I live in the middle of a very large city and I can't decide if we should bug out or bug in in case something happens.

Obviously if there is some kind of toxic gas or something similar it would probably make sense to get the hell out, but what about civil unrest, disease, war, etc?

Not a lot of natural disasters in this part of the country, but there are a lot of people who could make life very uncomfortable.

My instinct would be to bug in, we have pets (4 cats) that we would like to make part of our plan if possible, and we have no car. If our building is still a safe place to be I would prefer to stay put.

Should I have a detailed plan for either eventuality or focus on one over the other?

As I get older I find that I need to be prepared for these kinds of unlikely scenarios <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" /> Living in the city makes me uncomfortable on many levels, especially this one, but until we can get out of here I need a plan and some home defense options.

Would it make sense to organize with other like minded individuals?

What are your opinions on this?

MD,
As you know I live in OK but I live in the state's capitol and the largest city in the state. I used to say I would bug out but as I get older I don't think that as much. My parents are in their 60's and will not leave unless a total deal (father is handicap) and my wife's grandmothers who are in their 80's all live within about 3 miles......so see where I am at.

I would say find some like minded people in your area and start a plan. Best case is that numbers make it safer--to a point. One thing about it, I do not look forward to a BOO-BOO situation.

I pretty much agree with Jeff, and bugging in is my course of action. However, I live out in the country and my nearest neighbor is a mile away, so what works for me will not necessarily work for you. In your case M/D, I would suggest concentrating on bugging in; laying in water, food,blankets, first-aid supplies, and have a couple of firearms for defense if needed. I would also have a big bag or pack with similar items ready to go, just in case you ARE forced to leave. A small camp cook set or even just a canteen and cup and a few freeze-dried meals from Wal-Mart, along with a few snacks for energy, can go a long way if needed.
IF you know some neighbors whom you feel that you can trust, develop a group plan; there IS safety in numbers. After all, you have to sleep sometime, and if you have a group then folks can take turns keeping watch. NEVER OVERLOOK SECURITY!!! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

Most people Bug In until they can't and then they must Bug out.
I live in Los Angeles and I think (Geographically wise) I'm in a similiar situation. I would make a decision as to what you can handle until you know you must leave.
As far as like minded individuals...depend on how "like minded" the are. Do they support fire arms. Luckily I know who knows first aid and who has an "Emergency preparedness kit"

BTW, my Mom and Stepdad (they are in their 70's) were at a block party years ago and there was a young women not talking to many people, my step dad found out she was a nurse and promptly introduced himself.."finally a neighbor I can use!"...he even got her cell phone number



MM

We will be bugging in if at all possible just because my parents are a couple blocks away, the wife's grandmothers are a few miles away, and I do have a few buddies real local that I can count on.

Bug in makes the most sense unless there is an issue that makes my home dangerous. All my gear, food and supplies are already there and ready to go. I don't need to find shelter or fight traffic to stay. I have good neighbors and most would be a benefit rather than a hinderance.

Monsterdog, IF you can, maybe you could get to know, or DO know someone on the "outskirts" of town. That way you would be closer to being able to "Safely?" bugout if necessary. If not, get to know your neighbors, and concentrate on those that are like minded or that you can MAKE like minded.

have any of you guys read the book patriot by James Wesley Rawles? its a great book and also a survival guide of sorts. I would bug in for as long as possible in the country. But leave as fast as you can if your in the city. just think how nasty people will be when the have no food, no running water, and no order. you will not and cannot have enough firepower to stop them. they will shoot you, burn you, or find any way possible to take what you have. your first prep should be between you and GOD. I will be in the country with my preps, arms and my Busse kin blades. and will only bug out if forced.

looks like jwr has a new book coming out soon

gun dog...................where do you think those hungry, mad, masses of hatred will be heading when they figure out the country is "Utopia"?

Id bug out but then again i own 200 acres of off the beaten path land outside of my city dwelling

Man that sounds sweet <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

the smart ones will head out of the city and eventually make it to where you are at. But it gives a unique advantage to live and prep in the country. you know the land around you and what your neighbors are like. part of the advantage of living where I am at is the land around the house is very easy to watch/defend. and depending on the season of the event the country would be hard to live in with out proper shelter. I know that there is no perfect spot and that's why I am still ready to bug out but the advantages of being in the country are undeniable.

it is easier to raise food and hide it in the country and live of the land. but don't think that game will be plentiful. if every body decides its open season the local game will dwindle to nothing. if its in the winter the cold will add to the challenge for the preper and refuge. if its spring or summer the inevitable death of refuges will only be prolonged in till colder weather. it will be easier to grow and harvest animals and crops and do your best to live and practice self sufficiency before shtf. I don't want to sound harsh as a Christian I believe that you should help others using the give till it hurts method. but it will be harder to survive in the city.

I would recommend reading the books {patriots} and {How to survive the end of the world as we know it} by James Wesley Rawles. he also has a book coming out Oct 4
that is called {Survivors} JWR's books focus on a social economic collapse.

also one second after by William R Forstchen about a EMP event.

Both are a great edge of your seat read to make you think.

The JWR book how to survive the end of the world as we know it as a guide to preparedness not a fiction read. JWR also runs survival blog and its full of great advise on preping.

"One Second After" is an excellent book that does a good job of portraying the effects of a major EMP strike. "How to Survive The End of The World As We Know It" is also good. I would recommend those books, as I have both. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

thanks for the backup PK

I encourage all my fellow Dogs to make preparations for the unexpected, whether it is man-made or from Nature. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" /> Whenever power goes out for a few days due to an ice storm, blizzard, or whatever, it's nice to be able to continue in relative comfort. It also feels good knowing that I will NOT get caught up in last-minute panic buying at the stores in case there is ora pending problem. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" />

Really it depends somewhat one your geography as well as the type of emergency.
Where I live if there was a major earthquake I would pretty much be stuck where I am at.
From my house you basically have 2 routes east and 2 routes west.
Both of these routes are classified as emergency response routes that mean in the event of an emergency only vehicles displaying the pass for the routes would be allowed to use the roads.
In addition to this I do not have a single route that I can go for more than 1/2 hour driving without crossing a bridge. Once again these bridges would be shut down for at least a few days if there was a major earthquake while authorities checked them out.

Here is a scenario I could face if the earthquake happened mid-day during the week
My wife works(north west) about 15 minutes from home , she would not be able to get home until the dam she needs to cross is deemed safe.
My oldest daughter works (south east) about 20 minutes from home, she would not be able to make it home until the bridge she needs to cross is deemed safe.
My youngest daughter and I are about 2 miles apart (my work, her school) both in a tsunammi/liquifaction area. If the power lines were ok we would probably wind up at the same shelter together or I would get her. We are about 70km (40 mile) from home and have at least 2 bridges to cross. My youngest only goes to school 3 days a week so if she was at home when it happened all 4 of us would be prevented from getting to the others

All of us would have to travel on an emergency response route so even if the bridges/dam was ok, we would still be stuck where we were at.

So what I would suggest to everyone is that they not only do a risk assessment of what type of emergencies they are likely to be faced with, but also find out how your local authorities plan to deal with them.
There is no point in planning to bug out if the authorities have the roads shut down and there is no point in planning to bug in if the authorities are going to force evacuation

As Tom stated above, be a scout, be prepared

Good advice Yote! Sounds like you have thought things out really well and at least have a plan, even if it would be hard to implement.

I am leaning more and more towards moving to a small town. I'm in a desert with several large cities. When the power when out for millions a few weeks back, the sheeple were panicking. All it took was a few hours and the stores were packed. Our heat caused many to head to the mall since it still had power. Our water levels and pressure dropped quickly. I went home. Water, check. Food, check. Guns and ammo, check. I was good. I set up a Fenix with a diffuser from my ceiling fan and had light. Used another Fenix with a diffuser to catch up on some reading. I got a few calls from panicking friends but told them to chill out. I knew it wasn't a big deal, but I dread the day a big earthquake hits. I'm heading to the mountains if I have enough gas in my car (which I try to keep at least a half tank at all times) and if the roads aren't crowded. So, I'm seriously considering leaving California.

Art, good to hear from you again! Sounds like you got a plan as well! I don't think they could pay me enough to move to California. UNLESS it was in a nice out of the way place in the Mountains!

You folks here have answered my question, not about bugging in or out but about being prepared. I have wondered what many of the folks here think concerning the state of our country? I was also wondering are these folks knife collectors or people who feel they need the tools to survive in an event they have no control over? Its nice to know like minded people are preparing for possible hard times. As for bugging out or in, I would stay put and have the food and water on hand that would get you by for a few months. Be very mindful on who you talk to concerning these topics. When I bring up this conversation concerning the possible collapse of our monetary system at work people look at me like on some kind of conspiracy nut. I'm not sure why many people just choose to ignore what is happening but I have chosen to have a plan in the event the crap hits the fan. I don't want to be in wally world when people make a mad rush to get the last loaf of bread.

Interesting post, please educate me on the use of a Fenix flash light with a diffuser. Thanks

Mark

I should have goggled it first concerning the fenix diffuser. That is a great idea. I have been eyeballing a fenix for awhile now so just one more reason to get one.

I read the book and it was OK. The first part was interesting but after that it went off the deep end for me. I thought realistically its a little far fetched. I ended up chucking the book.

Its fiction. but makes you think. every body will prep for there own scenario so
take peoples advise and see how it fits with your plan. it doesn't mean its true just because people claim they are experts.