New Prepper, some prep advice?

[billyb11]

Hello all,

Im very new to prepping, theres alot of information here and i've been taking alot of it in, very useful stuff... Not even scratched the surface yet i suspect

Anywho, i'd like some advice on bugging out, and also bugging in please? From the information i have gathered, i am sure i have the Basics at least, but anymore information, suggestions/experience and advice is always appreciated

Bugging out: Something i'll only be doing if theres absolutely no way i can remain where i am. (Flooding destroying the house for example)
* Going to need to have planned a location beforehand (I'm in London... I thought of acquiring a boat out to sea, but then where..lol, speaking of London, there any co-ordinators here?)

* Necessary supplies, both on my person and at the location i'll be heading... (Supplies on my person need to last a little longer than it would take to reach destination, this allows for any delays/issues. After all, i wont be coming back...)

* Methods/points of contact with others (friends/family/co-ordination/etc)


Bugging in: Little risk to my life, no reason to bug out, can survive where i am.

* Necessary supplies for at least 3 months.

* Fortification?

* Methods of contact with others (friends/family/co-ordination/etc)

With (what i believe) the basics covered, i then need to handle the stuff like the supplies and what gear i'll need for most likely SHTF scenarios, theres a whole range of supplies one can have in a bug out or bug in situation, im sure i have the basics in terms of supplies covered too but what would you guys recommend?

My basics list:

Food/Rations

Water (Either water rations or regular bottled water)

Fire equipment (Matches - lighter fuel, etc)

Notepad and a pen

Map and compass if bugging out (With locations marked, and also backup routes (3 at least)

Portable shelter if bugging out (Tent and sleeping bag/etc)

Radio

Torch (With strobe/flashing function)

Batteries (double the amount actually required)

I know this list is far from exaustive, and theres alot of different combinations of supplies one would need depending on the situation, but hey...gotta start somewhere

[Sussexnoob]

Hi, good plans so far from what I can see

At what point would you plan to bug out? If it is after the flood has receded, think about getting some wellies/ waders as the muck from the flood water will be every where. If they offer you to be evacuated by the fire brigade or environment agency advise leaving home, will you leave then or ride out the storm?

You say aquire a boat and go out to sea, but how far would you go? After a certain amount of time you will run out of fuel, I'd say a good boat plan would stay about 100-300 meters from shore as in the eventuality of it running out of fuel, anchor the craft and live from the sea? Or row to shore

Just a couple of points to think about, also have a look at some of the thread of storing food, I'd say keep water from normal bottles but rotate the stock as drink the oldest replace with new.

Hope all goes well for you!!

[junmist]

I will not get into the bug in bug out thing, but here are three things that will work for both scenario's
First get your self a really good foraging book and use it as you go round London you will be surprised what you can find to eat.
Second knowledge don't just drive from A to B walk it do you know how to get to A and B from G C K and Z. You said you were thinking of getting a boat do you know how to sail/drive a boat if you are going to sea can you navigate with out modern day technology.
Third Practise, practise, practise can you light a fire on a wet and windy day which in this country is a normal summer(I really must practise this one myself), can you find your way round a pitch black house and know where all your stuff is.

[billyb11]

Thanks to you both for the replies

In response to Sussexnoob; Yes, i'd be most likely to bug out after flooding has receded or if im told to evacuate by the FB or EA, even if a storm didnt look too serious, theres alot of potential and risk for it to turn ugly, and fast.

Im not too sure on the boat to be honest... Doesnt seem like too good of an idea now. I was thinking of joining a boating club and learning the basics. I completely agree on that eventually, fuel is going to run out and if i've gone too far out? Well... i'm pretty much screwed unless another boat passes by.

Thanks for the points however they are much appreciated!

In response to junmist; Thank you for the points too, especially the foraging book, i wouldnt have considered that! Very good point in having to know howto get to places from other places i may not yet know.

Yep...Alot of practice will be needed i totally agree and i can mostly navigate a pitch black house yes (Stairs, at the moment anyway are a no go for me in pitch black)

[Hamradioop]

In view of you comment about no lighting and stairs Get your self some flash lights and keep them handy. I Keep one next to the front door on top of the electric meter cupboard so If the lighting circuit trips at night I can see to reinstate the circuit. I also have lamps and lanterns stashed in a cupboard for ready use.

[Yorkshire Andy]

Look into a industrial emergency light for your stair case wired to the lighting circuit it will auto illuminate for a min of three Hours when the power goes off..the basic bulkhead led ones start at 15 quid
More decorative ones are available such as a recessed down light for a bit more money

I've got one in the workshop and one in the cupboard under the stairs above the electric meter if I leave the door open it lights the Hall and the stairs dimly

[lonewolf]

if your even remotely thinking about bugging out, think about how you'd do it now not wait until after TSHTF, think about how you would get out, get maps of your area and look at routes out(forget motorways or main trunk roads-they'll be grid locked) and actually travel them, see if there are any problems you should avoid and decide how you go around them, find alternative routes to your main ones in case they get blocked too.

[Galen]

G'day Billyb,

Whether to bug in, bug out ... now there's the $64 question.

To bug out, you'd have to jump the gun and that means going to your bug out location before everyone else decides to (so be prepared for a couple of false alarm bug outs). Leave it too late and imagine the Easter holiday traffic jams and then multiply that by a factor of twenty.

The boat idea is sound if you know how to sail. Better yet a small boat, using the canals, can get you out of the city while the roads gridlock. Then where to? There are precious few places in the Uk where you are more than a couple of miles from anywhere - now imagine 70 million people all trying to find a 'quiet' location on this beautiful, but tiny island - the mind boggles.

Bug in. Here are a few ideas for a start ... Install water butts, get a large supply of water purification tablets, a portable gas stove and lots of butane cartridges (its easily portable if you have to leave). £1 solar garden lights are better and safer than candles (you can recharge them every morning). Blackout curtains - if the SHTF, make your home look deserted by not showing any lights - throw some furniture and other stuff into the garden so it looks like its already been looted.

Have some 'disposable' supplies of food and water - if you are threatened by looters bigger and badder than you, give them those supplies - remember to beg and plead with them not to take it all and leave your family starving : ) - it may stop them finding your real cache.

A supply of cigarettes (even if you don't smoke) and booze are good barter items if cash has lost its value. I hope those few tips help.

Remember ... it's a cruel world.

LJ

[billyb11]

Hey guys, thanks so much for the suggestions. I agree theres going to need to be some planning done thats for sure, i'll be checking out routes on maps and making alternate routes and alternate routes of the alternates just incase Planning is perfect anyway since im sure all those unprepared will be rushing around trying to get away as well as causing more trouble and i dont want to be among them.


Good idea Galen on the cigarettes and booze, seen others suggesting that elsewhere especially if cash looses its value, also good on the water suggestion too, so far i only have 4 days worth of water (well... if i stick to 500ML a day )

I plan on getting some of those emergency lights that Yorkshire Andy mentions and placing them in the staircase, i got some cyalume sticks too though, good for 12hrs each but of course can only be used once.

The boat still seems like a somewhat good idea if i find somewhere good to go... Maybe a remote island


Off-Topic: Winklebury! If you happen to stumble upon this post..I got your PM but i cant reply to it yet... Dont worry, not ignoring you or anything... I need a certain number of posts i think.