Bugging Out ?

[scoobie]

Let me know if you want me to clean up the pointless posts from this thread. It's detracting from what should be a very good thread!

[maxilaura]

Unfortuantely, finances would not allow me to "bug out" other than to go to my sisters' place in London, probably the last place I should be heading towards if there was a serious problem and the SHTF.

Ideally I would love to go to North Wales and get lost in the Snowdon Mountains. My long term goal is to buy a plot of land in Wales and one day build my own cottage, solar panels, alternative heating and the works - a bit of a pipe dream for a single mother who knows next to nothing about most stuff.

If things did get hairy in Guildford, I would still head for Wales - nowhere to stay though apart from my camping gear.

[Ian]

Another ignored bugout location in this thread is the Rest Centre.

Set up by the local authority to accommodate a number of people it will have everything needed to be reasonably comfortable and safe for a few days until the 'emergency' is over. You can walk in naked and there will be everything needed including for children and pets.

The rest centre is set up for about a dozen or more (it is cheaper to put people up in hotels if there are just a few) and normally can accommodate up to hundreds.

I have run a couple a while ago but they are used quite often and you don't really hear about them. Street evacuations whilst a bomb is defused, road closures from bad weather, train crashes, all sorts of reasons.

I believe that this bugout location is the most likely that people here will experience and to that end I suggest that a bugout bag should be geared that way. Clean clothes (don't throw your old stuff away, clean it and pack in plastic in your BOB), some special treats, chocolate, Miniature drink bottles, etc. and some entertainment, books, old games, radio, etc. Don't forget special toys for the kids and the pets to make them feel at home (toys will be at the rest centre but new, unfamiliar ones)

Bedding will be available but there is nothing like your own comfortable Thermarest and sleeping bag if you have room in the bag, otherwise don't fret.

If you have any problems with this concept of a bugout location I suggest you talk with your local Emergency Planning department and see what they offer (they really don't bite, just ordinary people) I think you would be surprised at the depth and breadth of the preparation. The only thing you won't get are the possible locations because of the threat of secondary targeting i.e. putting a second bomb where people will evacuate to after a first bomb.

This time last year in Perth http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-11863060

[diamond lil]

If I absolutely had to get out then I'd go for a deserted farm cottage like a herd or gamekeepers cottage way back in the wilds. Quite a lot of them here if you know where to find them. I'd take my 2 sons+partners, (if they wanted to come lol) - because both have worked on farms and are country born & bred. They could be a good help with making things wind & water tight, and with getting food. The main prob I think would be keeping dry, having dry clothes.

[TeeDee]

The main prob I think would be keeping dry, having dry clothes.

I think you just need plenty of hot air......

[pseudonym]

Ok...i'll have another go

If you have plans to bug out ....where do you plan to go ? Obviously it depends on the event, where you live, and a multitude of other things so you may not just have the one plan.

So far we have had:

Campervan
Find a deserted cottage
Hotel / B&B
Friends place

Any more ? (i may have missed some)

If you have plans for somewhere else, where do you intend to go and why ?

There is an old disused Army base nearby with underground tunnels etc, I'd be heading there

[the-gnole]

There is an old disused Army base nearby with underground tunnels etc, I'd be heading there

How many others would you expect to be joining you in there pseu, after all it would need to be a pretty big event to need to go underground with a BOB.

Is there any particular threat in your area which would facilitate such a "Bug out" move?

[Carrot Cruncher]

Rest Centres would be a good choice for a lot of people for a number of reasons, and especially if you or your family have ongoing medical needs, it might not be wise heading for the hills if you need regular medication/treatment. I had a good response from my CC when I requested some information. It wouldn't be my first choice in my particular circumstances but it pays to know what the procedure is and what you can expect if you do have to go to one.

And no matter what your plans to bug out are....knowing my luck i will trip over my doorstep on the way out and break an ankle I would be glad of the Rest Centre then

A tent isn't a bad option either, pitching up on a proper campsite would be viable in a minor or major event, I would have thought. In a minor event you have access to all the facilities like a Bar , food, showers, laundry etc, and in a major event most campsites have shops that store food and gas etc. If a campsite isn't available you still have the option of wild camping

Campervan
Find a deserted cottage
Hotel / B&B
Friends place
Tent / Camping
Rest Centre
Disused Army Base

Edited to add the Army Base

[pseudonym]

There is an old disused Army base nearby with underground tunnels etc, I'd be heading there

How many others would you expect to be joining you in there pseu, after all it would need to be a pretty big event to need to go underground with a BOB.

Is there any particular threat in your area which would facilitate such a "Bug out" move?

I'd be grabbing my father if the SHTF, the site also has above ground buildings, is fenced in and unless the locals have been in the tunnels some are hard to find/ entrances overgrown.

There is no particular threat in the area, and that is my SHTF scenario, if a lower threat scenario occured, have the camping equipment available.

[Carrot Cruncher]

Ok, so how about broadening it out a little to include places that might be a good location ?

A specific place rather than a general idea....for example St Michaels Mt in Cornwall or one of the Napoleonic Forts in the Solent etc....yes I know a travel lodge might be more comfortable for a night or 2 but just humour me

I guess some of the things to take into account would be

Access to fresh water, fresh food, how many people required to defend the place if required, is it too attractive to others with the same idea ?

PS, If we can try and keep it civil we might all learn something we didnt know and get some ideas for possible locations if they are ever needed