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You’ve got a bug out bag, extra water, food and ammo stashed; you’re ready for whatever right? They say most businesses don’t plan to fail, they fail to plan. But the more intricate your bug out plans are, the more likely they are to go wrong, right?
It’s true, but over-planning can also give you more options and a better overview of any situation, as well as helping you address possible obstacles you may never have thought of if you hadn’t planned your escape and survival down to the last detail. So even if you think you’re prepared, the truth is you can always be a little more prepared.
Here’s your checklist, from the bare basics to the newest gadgets for getting out of dodge and staying alive when it all hits the fan.
The Wheels
Getting out of town means traveling as fast and as safely as possible. Keeping your vehicle in excellent running condition is the most basic step to getting as far away from the city as possible, and yet, how often do we put off that oil change? Invest in good tires and regular maintenance. And while the debate rages on about the best vehicle for a swift and successful exit, one thing can be sure, you never want to be caught without fuel.
Stockpiling a few gas cans when gas is cheap is a good idea, but don’t forget that gas goes bad every six months, so you’ll need to rotate cans to keep from wasting fuel. You might want to consider switching to biodiesel because french fry grease will probably be a lot more common than gasoline especially in the middle of nowhere.
Bug Out Bag
Your bug out bag should be with you at all times, period. And while most preppers are known to keep their pack in the car for quick and easy access, you’ve got to make sure it’s not just with you but up to date. Heat and sun can cause antibiotics and MREs to go bad after just a few months so they need to be replaced regularly especially in the summer months.
You should also be cutting down the weight of your bug out bag as much as possible. No matter how awesome your bug-out-mobile is, chances are you’ll end up on foot eventually. And keeping your pack to no more that 25 percent of your body weight will ensure that you’re quicker on your feet and able to cover more ground than most. Pour over online checklists to get a good overview of anything that you might be missing or any tools that are lightweight and have a multitude of uses, like a machete, gum, batteries, and pantyhose.
The Plan
You’ve got your bag, you’ve got your rig, and now where are you going? It’s important to stake out multiple travel routes, as well as campsites, for the great escape. The more people that live in your city, the more escape routes you need to find. And you should always have a walking route, should you find yourself without any wheels, because hey, we hope for the best and plan for the worst. Make sure to update your local paper maps every three months and your rural paper maps every year.
Different seasons call for different bug out plans. It’s a great idea to have a meeting every six months with your crew to review the plan, update any changes due to weather and road conditions, and share ideas about how to make your exit as seamless as possible.
