Bug out or bug in? The age-old question revisited may leave you with more questions than answers

(Bugout.news) Some of you may have noticed that, in the past few years, there has been a dramatic increase in the tenor, tone, and utter ridiculousness associated with “bugging out.” Some believe that this comes from the commercialization of bug-out gear, like bags, storable foods, technology and whatnot. Some believe that sites intentionally stoke fear among readers in order to sell items.

In the end, there has been the development of a huge conundrum – Do I stay or do I go? scenario, if you will. Honestly, there is no good way to answer that question. And here’s the truth: There may never be a good answer before a “stuff hits the fan” scenario develops.

Many people, like this blogger at Backdoor Survival, believe that the best thing to do in virtually all cases is to bug in – remain in the “comfort of your own home” with “all your preps.” And that may be just fine. In one of our own posts, we argued that, under many circumstances, bugging out might not be the best idea.

But what event – or events – should prompt you to leave your home and, perhaps, risk life and limb “out in the world?” Let’s discuss some potential scenarios and pose some questions for you to consider. Again, this is just a primer designed to get you thinking about your current situation or the situation you may possibly find yourself and your family in.

At a moment’s notice, and often without much warning, the situation at your home could turn unsafe. This is particularly true in the city or suburbs. When the logistics chain breaks down and the grocery stores, Walmart’s, Walgreens’, and pharmacies all begin running out of stock (the average grocery store only has a few days’ worth of stock), then the situation on the ground will turn ugly, and quickly. The chaos will quickly overwhelm local law enforcement and emergency services, and there will be little the federal government can do, especially if the chaos is spread throughout the country. Chaos will lead to outright anarchy.

After a few days or perhaps only after several hours, roving bands of dispossessed people – many who were already living on the fringe of society – will begin to form loose associations (gangs, if you will), with the aim, first, of feeding themselves. As time goes on, and if there is no government intervention (via military or federal agencies), you can expect two things: The gangs themselves will begin to disintegrate due to desperation and infighting; and two, those that are left will become larger and more powerful after absorbing the remnants of the other groups.

At this point, if you’re in an urban environment, you should have already bugged out. In a major city full of chaos, nothing will be sacred. Everything will be up for grabs, and resources – available food, water and medicine – will disappear quickly, horded by the powerful. Deprivation will become rampant.

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If you live in a suburb, your situation may be much different because of a couple of factors. First, you are more likely to know (and trust) your neighbors. Second, as you learn of the chaos in the cities, it’s likely you and your neighbors will have begun making preparations for what is to come: The roving bands, out of supplies in the city and desperate, will eventually make their way to the suburbs.

Again, this could occur within hours or it may take a week or two. But eventually, in a prolonged period of anarchy, your neighborhood will be overrun.

So, are you prepared to defend yourself and your food, water and property? Are you prepared to help your neighbors defend themselves as well?

If so – what are your numbers? You could face dozens or even hundreds of looters. Can you handle that many? Does anyone in your neighborhood have any military or police experience (or are most of them doctors, lawyers, and professional people with no hands-on)?

The looters coming for your neighborhood are likely to be armed as well, so you have to ask: What does your “arsenal” consist of? Do you have any firearms at all (besides those belonging to you, the prepper)? A few small arms and a couple of hunting rifles may not do you much good if the looters are armed with semi-automatic rifles and shotguns they looted in the city.

The same is true for those who live in rural areas; eventually the looting gangs – using stolen transportation, of course – will get to these rural areas too. If you aren’t hosting a group of people yourself by then, you’re likely to find yourself outnumbered and outgunned very quickly. What do you do? Stay and fight? Of course not – you “bug out” (if you can see them coming) and live to fight another day.

Now, there is a difference between rural and remote – meaning, you’ve got a pre-determined “bug out” location that is literally off the beaten path, and you’ve stocked it, supplied it and made sure it had its own water source. These locations, by design, are going to be much more difficult to locate (and get to). From here, you are going to be much more able to wait out the chaos.

So, have we answered your questions, or are you more confused now than ever? If it’s the latter, that’s understandable because the point is, it’s going to be difficult to know in advance when, or even if, you’ll have to run for your life.

Here are some basics to consider if bugging out is something you think you may consider doing at some point:

— Have a place to go. And don’t waste any time getting there.

— Try to know when you will go. We know, that is the question, but think about it: Will you wait for the authorities to tell you to leave, or, knowing that a Cat 4 or 5 hurricane is heading you way, will you decide to leave on your own? “The answer to these questions will find their foundation in your existing preps as well as how well you were able to pre-determine somewhere to go to,” says Backdoor Survival.

— Prepare your bug-out supplies in advance. This should be obvious but to many it is not. You cannot possibly put enough thought into what you’ll need to take with you in 10 minutes, as danger is approaching. So get this step out of the way in advance. Store these items in one place in your home – some place that is out of the way but easy to get to.

Knowing where you will go will help you prepare. Going to a pre-stocked, pre-determined location that is fairly close by is a lot different than going to a shelter. And don’t forget to keep a kit in your car as well, especially if you work outside your home.

The video below from EastCoastPrepper (sign up for his YouTube channel here) explains the bug out, bug in conundrum, and adds another perspective to the question:

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Sources:

http://www.backdoorsurvival.com/conundrum-of-bugging-out-and-what-to-do-about-it/

http://www.bugout.news/2015-10-09-prepping-myth-exposed-why-bugging-out-might-be-a-terrible-idea.html