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Prepping multiple locations.

Posted: Tue Oct 03, 2017 1:03 pm
by Wood cutter
Anyone here have more than one home?

I have a home in the city, and also one in the country and it's doing my head in from a prepping point of view. I can't justify doubling up on absolutely everything, but equally don't want to be half prepared (or not at all prepared) at either location. I currently seem to be getting around the issue by having a 'car kit' to end all car kits, but this worries me from a security point of view, as I am always leaving the car with thousands of pounds worth of stuff in the boot.

Any hints or tips very gratefully received.

Re: Prepping multiple locations.

Posted: Tue Oct 03, 2017 2:21 pm
by Citizen H
Hello Wood cutter,

not really a straight forward answer I'm afraid, I have only one home but multiple bug out locations, I don't have a strict plan just a few options for when and if, in your situ the car kit seems the best option in your case, personally try not to over think things, my kit and plans change as do the seasons, try to keep things simple and bare in mind that you may have to haul what you have in the car if you need to abandon it, to close, up rate your security system on your car to add a bit of peace of mind, hope this helps, all the best "H"

Re: Prepping multiple locations.

Posted: Tue Oct 03, 2017 2:31 pm
by Wood cutter
Thanks H.

Honestly, I'd never be able to haul all the stuff I currently have in the car, not unless I add a donkey to my collection of stuff. Which actually, makes a lot of my car kit more of a hindrance than a help. I'd be too scared to abandon the car and walk out of trouble as I'd be leaving a load of expensive kit vulnerable in the car.

Re: Prepping multiple locations.

Posted: Tue Oct 03, 2017 3:47 pm
by Citizen H
Hi Wood cutter,

I understand, it be worth trying out a few scenario's and have a plan in mind, as I've mentioned I have a few bug out areas in mind, there's a few resources in both areas, ask yourself what are your preparing for and if your really need to carry all that you have in the car all year round ? I recall the snow that wasn't forecasted and how that was a learning curve for most....... I'm here, hopefully a few more will chip in and give you other ideas, all the very best "H"

Re: Prepping multiple locations.

Posted: Tue Oct 03, 2017 5:18 pm
by oldman
Hi Wood Cutter,

I'm living in two houses. Both houses have a stock of beer, food and water and the usual things like first aid kits and torches. Most of my good kit is at the house I'd go to first and any equipment I have extra is stored at the other house.

I can never leave things in the car as they get damp even in the boot so there is just a bottle of water, a space blanket and some salt.

Instead of having everything in the car I have kit bagged up for different things in a size that will drop in the boot before the journey. I have a camera bag that I take everywhere, also contains my EDC. I then have a travel bag packed for when I need to stay at the other house. I have the "evacuation" bags with things for all of us. I also have my shooting bag with its own first aid kit and dry socks and my camera bag doubles as a game bag.

Depending on where I'm going I only take the kit I need and not more than I can carry away if for any reason I can't drive the car.

In the winter I throw a bag of cat litter and a spade in the boot but I would not worry about saving them if I was in a RTC, unlike my gun bag.

Does that help?

Re: Prepping multiple locations.

Posted: Tue Oct 03, 2017 6:54 pm
by Deeps
There are some things that you will be able to duplicate, either relatively low price things or things where you'll have an old one and upgraded. I've 'relegated' my old bivvy bag to my GHB as I have a better one that I take with me when I'm up the hills, its not as good as the newer one but better than hee-haw so still functional. It will be up to you whether to go with an 'A' list and a 'B' list or whether you mix them. Which place would be your preferred 'go to' gaff. I appreciate that you might not get a choice but having some stuff will be better than nothing, even if its not your bezziest, favourite items. Longer term you can work towards full duplication if its an issue for you.

As others have said, I'd trim the car kit down to something that you can manage, the distance between your pied-a-teirre and your country pad will have a bearing, how long it would take you to walk/cycle etc will influence your options there. Another massive bearing will be what you prep for, if its power outages or some issue that will affect cash machines then its relatively easy to just have well stocked larders in both places with long term scran and water. If you're more inclined to the 'end of days' scenario then having 2 sets of gear to deal with the full blown zombie apocalypse will be pricey.

Re: Prepping multiple locations.

Posted: Tue Oct 03, 2017 7:51 pm
by jansman
We used to have another place,90 miles from here.We kept food ( tinned ha ha :lol: see other threads), clothes and all the other comforts of home.Even down to washing,first aid tool kits blah blah.We reckoned on leaving home with the clothes on our backs, and being able to live for a week with no re supply.No swag in the car.

Regarding what's in your car,and that you are precious about it if you have to leave it.Don't carry it.End of.You are suffering from what I call " Kitchen Sink Syndrome. "You need to learn to adapt and rely on what you have and what you know.

I am a fan of Cody Lundin,who espouses the virtue of preserving core body temperature above all else.He says," The more you know,the less you need".His survival kit is a revelation.Minus two litres of water,it weighs a mere 4lb!Now this is an old list-and is wide open for modifications.

So,without being tedious and telling you what I carry ( that's my business) my entire car kit ( indeed my TOTAL portable emergency kit,GHB,BOB,INCH and all that shite, apart from our hotel bag) it weighs 9lb.Add the weight of two litres of water,food and spare clothes, and the tough ass Belgian Army rucksack we come in at 14 lb.

It's not about equipment.Its about knowledge and a limited amount of kit.

Re: Prepping multiple locations.

Posted: Sat Oct 07, 2017 7:15 am
by sniper 55
One problem I forsee is that depending on what SHTF roads may be blocked or closed. I know there were plans to close off the motorway networks in the event of a war to allow the military easy movement (don't know if thats still the case) but it's not difficult for roads to get clogged by people trying to get away from something anyway. Every road around me is jammed solid every Nov 5 evening just by our local fireworks display, that lasts a few hours, how bad is it going to be with people running for their lives.
As handy as a BOV is I'm not relying on being able to use one if things go bad, with EMP, blocked roads and quarantine zones driving may not be an option in a post SHTF world.

Re: Prepping multiple locations.

Posted: Sat Oct 07, 2017 10:58 am
by Drcamburn
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Re: Prepping multiple locations.

Posted: Sat Oct 07, 2017 3:58 pm
by Mortblanc
For those trying to make a decision such as this please refer to the very recent experiences of your American friends that have gone through several evacuations in the past few weeks.

The time to "bug out" is early. Otherwise you are not going anywhere due to clogged roads. I am not talking about as soon as you hear the alerts and sirens go off, I am referring to leaving two or three days before the event if at all possible.

Take off from work and head for the country cottage as soon as things start to be going stupid.

First, you will avoid the traffic gridlock that is guaranteed to happen. Yes it is a guarantee!
You will avoid the petrol stations that will be empty of fuel. That is also a certainty.
You will reach your destination before some squatter beats you to it, or locals loot it.

And if you are not completely prepped to last out the entire time until recovery is accomplished you are going to suffer if you stay at home. Planning to "bug in" when only partly equipped, or if you are intending to "make do", is a recipe for disaster or death.

That is what most of the people that have died in our recent storms were attempting. Some of the survivors are still living without power or water several weeks after them event.

You are speculating on an event that has never happened to you in your lifetime. We make these decision on a regular basis. In fact, there is an evacuation order out to empty an are the size of your Midlands at this very moment due to Hurricane Nate.

The ones that fly out early are safe.

The ones that are fully prepped usually get through OK.

The ones that are not properly prepped and remain inside the danger zone are the ones that end up in the ques for water, food and body bags.