Bug Out Bag

Let’s consider the “bug out bag”, also called a “72 Hour Kit”, for a flee/short-term/localized type of disaster. This might be caused by fire, flood or hurricanes, or even a local power outage. Typically, someone could do pretty well with a few essentials that could last for a few days to a week or two.  Having more than one “bug out bag” wouldn’t be a bad idea, as each wouldn’t cost that much, but at least start with one in the best place.  Since most public resources will still be intact in the area you flee to, things like cell phones will still work. Cash will be necessary if land lines are down and you wanted to buy gas or other amenities where credit cards and checks can’t be processed. Keep your tank full if there is anything impending.  The short list for the “bug out bag” would be:

If you’ll still be working at your regular job, you’ll want to get normalcy in place quickly as though nothing happened.  Losing a job would only add to your woes.  Something like a motel will be a good landing place.  Depending on the time of year, daily rates for a “cheap” motel are about the same as for a full hookup RV park.  You could ask about longer term rates if you expect your situation to last a couple weeks or more.  How much is the Motel 6 in your area?  During summer months, many motels are booked solid.  Most motels won’t have resources to cook in your room, and won’t allow it for building code reasons, especially with fire/flame, but you could ask about a microwave, either community or in your room.  Most motels have ice, so you could keep a cooler for lunches and such.  You can manage a breakfast of milk and cereal, and be able to prepare a good bag lunch.  You may be living half in and half out of your car.   You’ll probably prefer paper plates over something you need to wash.  If there is a picnic table, you can gracefully cook something up in style and daily clean up, leaving no trail.  Probably the most efficient type of stove to have for short term usage would be gelled alcohol, propane or white gas.  The fuel source will store indefinitely, so you can pack some away and forget about it.

If the motel thing is not possible, you will want to make sure you can cover your bases for the essentials.  Do you know where either state or national forests are?  How low can you go?  Do you have a tent?  Is there a hostel where you ended up?  Can you shower at work?  If you have family, where can they all clean up?  Can the kids stay in school?  Are they trained to camp?

If you don’t have money to buy your way through the incident, or have more familial considerations, you might want to pre-plan on a TEOTWAWKI approach.  It should give you a better margin for success.