Bugging Out vs. Bugging In

Bugging Out vs. Bugging In

(SurvivalDaily.com) – When disaster strikes, is it better to hunker down at home, or evacuate? This is a debate that has raged in the prepping community for years. In truth, there are benefits and drawbacks to both options that must be carefully considered before a decision is made.

Bug Out, or Bug In?

There isn’t a one size fits all answer for this question — it’s going to depend on a number of factors such as the situation at hand, your family size, and access to resources. Is it safe to stay where you are, do you have a choice?

If a natural disaster is imminent and you are in the path, you’ll likely need to bug out. In the event of a viral outbreak, you may want to bug.

What if the power has gone out due to an electromagnetic pulse (EMP) from a nuclear blast and communications are down? Can you be sure your bug out location isn’t a radioactive wasteland, or that you won’t have to pass through one to get to it (possibly on foot as an EMP will disable most modern vehicles)?

Prepare to Bug Out

There are a lot of events that may drive you to get out of dodge, such as a natural disaster, a chemical spill, nuclear events, or even a war.

Bugging out does have some benefits — it can get you out of immediate danger or to someplace with more resources to sustain you and your family. Also, you can keep moving if things go bad. If you choose to leave, there are a few things you’ll need to consider.

One of the first questions that should be answered before you bug out is, do you even have somewhere to go? If you don’t have a safe, well-stocked place, you may want to consider getting one — if it’s feasible for you to do so.

If you do have a bug out location or are about to acquire one, make certain that it has water access. If it doesn’t have a reliable water source, you may consider having a well dug. Consult with local soil experts in the area as they’ll be able to pull up your plot of land exactly and show you where the best spots are to dig.

After you’ve determined that your bug out location has reliable water, you’ll want to consider a pathway to it. How will you get there? Are there roadways you can take that aren’t major highways? Rural roads are not always as direct, but in an emergency situation, they’ll likely be easier to navigate than the bigger roads.

How far away is your bug out location, can you even get there? In an emergency event, fuel stations are likely to be empty, overrun, or swarming with looters that could jeopardize your safety. Keeping at least two five-gallon fuel tanks in your garage can aid you in getting to your bug out location — giving you the ability to travel at least 100 to 180 miles (depending on your vehicle’s fuel mileage). Another option to consider is a spare fuel tank in the bed of a truck.

Do you own weapons to protect yourself and your loved ones during your journey to the bug out location? Is each member of your family familiar with them? How often do you practice? If the S has really HTF, you may have to fight your way to your new home.

Hunkering Down

Bugging in will give you a multitude of advantages that bugging out will not, starting with home-field advantage — all of your gear and supplies are right there at hand (unless of course, you have it at your bug out location). Also, you know the territory which gives you the upper hand over invaders.

Staying put gives you a psychological advantage as well. Your memories are there, your belongings are there, and it is home. Bugging out means leaving all of that behind, knowing some stranger is going to ransack it all.

Another bonus to bugging in is that you will sleep better in your own bed than on the rocky ground as you hike out of town. Good sleep will help you make better decisions, will improve your mood, and will help you heal from wounds you may suffer.

One benefit that should not be overlooked is the community around you. In times of crisis, your neighbors are likely to band together. This will give you added security and a team to work with. Sure, they could turn on you, but at least you will know who it is you’re dealing with.

Bugging out, when compared to bugging in, is a discussion that could be carried on for days. There are so many factors to consider before making a final decision either way. Evaluate your options and resources, and make the best decision for you and your family.

Do you have a plan in place to bug out, or bug in, following a major disaster? Have you ever had to evacuate during an emergency? Reply to your email and share your thoughts, we would love to hear from you!

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