FL Survival / A Survival Community
General Forum => General Discussion => : patriot May 24, 2013, 01:26:35 PM
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Just wondering if anybody had some input on the pros and cons of staying put compared to bugging out when tshtf.We've always had plans to get out when something happens but over the last few years my health has gone downhill and I'm afraid if we left I would slow my wife and son down
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It always depends on where you are, and what's around you as far as resources and trouble.
For me, its stay put. I do have a fall back out in the swamp, withing a few miles of home, but that's only if its life or death.
Unless you have a specific place to go, and get there quick, I think being out and about is a dead end.
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I am staying in for health reasons. However, if there is a window of opportunity and things will hit Florida first, I have a rural area in Pennsylvania that we can move to.
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I think it might change based on what your shtf even is, but ultimately you should be as ready as possible for either.
Events might force you to run, or completely keep you from being able to leave.
Consider emp or solar flare, if the vehicles dont run everyone assumes to bug in. But FPL's nuclear plants start meltin down without coolant, and we get gone even if it is on foot.
Any scenario might unfold to force you out or in, so draw up plans for either.
Just my thought.
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Thanks for the input.I'm only 9 miles from the Ocala National forest so I guess if we have to bug out the forest should be considered
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Are you health issues irreversible? Not trying to be nosey. I try to show my wife, and discuss options having to do with our preps, to include ideas of where to go... Is your wide interested?
Or son?
If irreversible, my thought is you should plan for the event as though you might not make it, by making sure they know the plan...
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It's about getting prepared NOW for what you have to do LATER.
Digging in has it's advantages. But if the situation becomes untenable for whatever reason, a backup plan to bug out is simply good sense.
So if your health prevents you from hiking 20 miles per day thru the swamps with 60 lbs of gear on your back, you find a different way to bug out. Automobile, boat, etc. Develop a means of transportation that removes the physical limitation of your health and find multiple exit routes for that transportation.
I myself have 2 knees with bad arthritis, so a walking bug-out for me is absolutely last ditch. But I also have 31 years of military experience & training. So I'm definitely better equipped to deal with SHTF situations that anyone else in my family. That makes me a sizeable ASSET for their survival, not something that simply slows them down. So I find ways for us to all move out together. I am looking into the practicality of building personal hovercraft for bugging out thru the swamps, along rivers, etc.
Consider different scenarios (natural disaster, civil unrest, EMP/MCE, worldwide financial collapse, war, etc) and decide how you could ride it out at home and what criteria would make a home-stand a bad situation. Then decide how to bug out in each scenario when those criteria arise. Planning ahead makes surviving - even with physical limitations - something that can be done.
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we're trying to get the health issues under control.got 1 blown out knee,arthritis in the other,in both shoulders and left hip so getting out by(what we called it in the corps)a forced march is out of the ? for me also.the wife and son have been helping prep for about 2 years now we just don't have a set plan of action yet.also being 63 sure ain't helping the healing process along
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I have posted on here before that there are only a few events that will make me bug out. Bugging out for me is plan "B", and it's a distant second to bugging in. I am not ruling it out, but think about it... it marauders are attacking your home, where you have all your defenses and you have "home field advantage", does it make sense to head for the hills? Not only would you be giving the punks and gangs your home and most of your preps, but how well do you think you'll fare against the zombies out on the road? Or do you think you'll be safe from all harm once you leave your home?
Nope, I plan on staying put as long as I can.
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I have posted on here before that there are only a few events that will make me bug out. Bugging out for me is plan "B", and it's a distant second to bugging in. I am not ruling it out, but think about it... it marauders are attacking your home, where you have all your defenses and you have "home field advantage", does it make sense to head for the hills? Not only would you be giving the punks and gangs your home and most of your preps, but how well do you think you'll fare against the zombies out on the road? Or do you think you'll be safe from all harm once you leave your home?
Nope, I plan on staying put as long as I can.
im on the same thought plan here.. even if you do have to bug out you become one of the refugees on the road.. even if you have a mag or a place to go the getting there could cost you your and your family everything... traveling as a mag/group will also attract attention to yourselves.. a bunch of heavly packed armed people moving like a platoon will stick out like a sore thumb... and people and other groups will be takeing note...
i still think that the bug in is the best option.. get the neighborhood to work together as as a group/mag to defend and support the area... i do think about bugging out or falling back to a different position/place and plan accordingly but putting all my resources into the neighborhood and home... i think that having other preppers in my area to create a mag and give them bug out fall back positions is a benifical plan to keep forces/people strong...
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I have a few cents too add. Your at the doctor 30 min away on somewhere in between, what then? You have a "trailer" you have to have a more "solid" back up. Most "mobile homes" you can get under and they have a lot of windows, sky lights are not good either. Out buildings are not good in storing stuff. Padlocks can and will be broken and anything can be used, or taken. Some against you. Your on vacation miles from any bug in or out or on a boat what then? Think like the "bad folks" may think to prepare. And like "martial arts" be ready for anything. Do the best to get by on a minimal amount of supplies, be a survivor and scavenger. Ammo and guns are great till you run out of flipping ammo. Get smart and think smarter.
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I agree largely that bugging in as a primary plan is great. For me, my home is not secure, nor is there an easy way to make it so simply because of location. (I live on site of a Public government office where everyone will come looking for help, and a major highway running by it.) But there is a 4000 acre piece of government property (undeveloped forest) near me, with lots of wild edibles, game, a river, several buildings way off of the road, etc etc. And I have access to keys. So my first place I would bug "out" to is a couple miles away, but the improvement over my current situation would be well worth it.
The reason I said above that you should have a plan for both is, events might force you to bug out. or in.
An emp could cause radiation leakage from the nuclear power plants in the state. Gotta bug out. The new Madrid fault could go off, breaking highways and destroying any chance of driving away, so gotta bug in or get a sail boat.
You just need to be able to react to whatever comes.
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As every one has said before, depends on the scenerios. First plan is to dig in, with a fall back location in a marshy area. I look at the fallback area as a place that is inaccessible. I hope to have enough food stocked to last three months. (I have no illusions to living off the land.)
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Patriot, at 60+ you may as well stay put as the further you stray, the more of a liability you become. I'm with Ex in that I'm staying put and going down with the ship. Even if something huge happens that may wipe out FL...I'd rather die in my home than on the side of the road somewhere.
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Hey, folks, US 60plus members will be assets. We have seen and done more than the youngsters. I do NOT plan to live forever, therefore I will be willing to take risks to save my family. If the country does come back after a SHTF event, you will have to pay for the things you have been forced to do.
We may not be as fast, our meds will run out. Life will be hard. But, if you can make it easier for your family to survive. What better legacy can you leave?
Kodiak
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Thanks for all the input guys.I think i'll make plans to stay put.I have an alternative plan in the works just in case.Being a target on the road does'nt appeal much to me but then again when the crazies get done in Ocala they'll be heading out this way and I'll be a target here also but a harder target than being on the road.
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Just talking about this the other day and the overwhelming thought is stay put. Staying put adds a large measure of known intelligence re: the threats in the immediate. On the road is a huge unknown. IMO unless folks have a retreat setup and readily available stay put. Network with those in your area you trust.
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Thanks for all the input guys.I think i'll make plans to stay put.I have an alternative plan in the works just in case.Being a target on the road does'nt appeal much to me but then again when the crazies get done in Ocala they'll be heading out this way and I'll be a target here also but a harder target than being on the road.
Nows the time to try and get the families around you to set up a consolidaton plan for a neighborhood mag without even calling it that.. you can do it by just knowing your neighbors and talking about hurricane preps and having/setting up a plan if the neighborhood gets hit hard.. think about it.. that kind of plan would fall right into a SHTF scenerio.. get them to work out everything from water filters to extra food and if you know your neighbors who are shooters than talk to them about extra ammo and such... iv been doing this with my neighbors for the past couple of years and got them prepping a bit without calling it that and them really knowing it.. it's just hurricain preperadness....
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I'd love to do that but unfortunately since I moved out here 12 years ago I've only talked to 3 people.Really don't know how they would take it if all of a sudden I started talking to them.I'm the only one in the area with a 400' driveway with a gate at the beginning and 300' down another gate and they both stay locked 24/7.They probably think I'm the ol' crazy recluse from the big city. ;)
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starting to accumalate sandbags
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I notice that most here seem to view "bugging in" as "Plan A."
Yet there is very little discussion on the boards as how to do it. Home security/fortification, rainwater catchment systems, home gardening for long term food supply, canning, viable animal husbandry in suburban locations (rabbits, chickens, ducks?), basic sanitation & waste disposal, etc.
The general theme seems to be bug-out prep. Maybe we need a dedicated "bug-in" section in the forums?
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I notice that most here seem to view "bugging in" as "Plan A."
Yet there is very little discussion on the boards as how to do it. Home security/fortification, rainwater catchment systems, home gardening for long term food supply, canning, viable animal husbandry in suburban locations (rabbits, chickens, ducks?), basic sanitation & waste disposal, etc.
The general theme seems to be bug-out prep. Maybe we need a dedicated "bug-in" section in the forums?
You'll find a lot of that info in the downloads section.
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their is alot of information on the downloads section but i do agree iv not seen alot of DISCISSIONS on bugging in.. it seems to be the general attitude that when we discuss the issues of prepping it is assumed that those discussions are directed towards bugging in... so that being said i do think that is s good idea...
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We will be stayin' put. I will probably want to be a stopping point for those who maybe passing through to their BOL. We have also discussed maybe taking on 1-2 small family's who have NO where to go from our local community as long as our family ALL agrees on it. Since there are only 3 of us and we all have some kind of health issues, getting extra help on board here with 5 acres could really make a difference.
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We will be stayin' put. I will probably want to be a stopping point for those who maybe passing through to their BOL. We have also discussed maybe taking on 1-2 small family's who have NO where to go from our local community as long as our family ALL agrees on it. Since there are only 3 of us and we all have some kind of health issues, getting extra help on board here with 5 acres could really make a difference.
Saints thats a good idea about the stopping point iv always thought that people bugging out would need a waypoint to stop and regroup or whatever....
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I completely agree. I have made the offer to a few. It could mean the difference between a safe rest stop or the end..
Sounds harsh. It will be harsh.
We need to discuss these arrangements in person. Meet and Greets are good for these type connections. You cannot trust everyone. I want to meet you before I invite you to my home.
See you soon, I hope.
Kodiak
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Well, we have had this discussion before on FLS. There are several people who have offered to host those who are bugging out. Like Kodiak, I have given directions to my home to a few people. In fact, isn't that how the FLS logo came about? It was a way to identify members.
Anyway, Kodiak is right. You need to get out to some of those M&G's and get to know your fellow FLS members personally.
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At least for now I am talking to some. Hopefully I can get to a M&G. And hopefully I can win the wife over to.." more prepping ". And thank you for allowing me to hang around.
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At least for now I am talking to some. Hopefully I can get to a M&G. And hopefully I can win the wife over to.." more prepping ". And thank you for allowing me to hang around.
D2, the battle to win over the better half is an ongoing process for more than a few of us. Don't push too hard.
Baby steps. My wife recently got a bad sunburn, the second day, she went out to my aloe plant, chopped off a piece and started rubbing it on. As she was coming back in, I said, dipping into my preps????? She is starting to come around....
Kodiak
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Gig me if you want for grave robbing a necro thread but I can't resist.
I'm too old to hump the boonies and did my part when I was a young, handsome, irresistably sexy stud muffin hunk of sexy stuff.
No way in Hay Dees will I be deprived of the sheer joy of giving a 308 upgrade to any cheesebrains who show up to loot my neighbor's homes.
Guess I'll stick around the old hacienda.
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Dig in is what we will do,their is nothing else.We live in down town _ _ _ _ _,Pinellas Co.Beaches (Gulf of Mexico) to our west and surrounded by Bridges on all sides.My wife and I too have Health issues.I will not go down stuck on US 19 with the multitude of Millions in PANIC.Like a Good Captain,I will Go Down with my Ship!We have No other Option.The Good is our house is in a No-Flood,Non-Evacuation Zone.So we are on High ground,Well high ground for Florida.
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EARLY retreat is an option. IF you could do that.
I do not envy that location. I'm in east Hillsborough. Still not great, but, the hoards will probably not come my way.
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EARLY retreat is an option. IF you could do that.
I do not envy that location. I'm in east Hillsborough. Still not great, but, the hoards will probably not come my way.
Yea,you have Malfunction Junction and all that intersects with it.You'll be ahead of me but still a Nightmare.Use to love city living,now want back to that farm in VA I grew up on and couldn't wait to leave.Garth Brooks said it best "One Of GODs Greatest Gifts is Unanswered Prayers". With age comes knowledge.
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Uncle Fed is probably counting on you old geezers to clear out all the hooligans for him.
Then he can carpetbomb the area and make it a national park.
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EARLY retreat is an option. IF you could do that.
I do not envy that location. I'm in east Hillsborough. Still not great, but, the hoards will probably not come my way.
Yea,you have Malfunction Junction and all that intersects with it.You'll be ahead of me but still a Nightmare.Use to love city living,now want back to that farm in VA I grew up on and couldn't wait to leave.Garth Brooks said it best "One GODs Greatest Gifts is Unanswered Prayers". With age comes knowledge.
Farther east, Valrico. No worries with city traffic. Just Rt 60 traffic.
And, who you callin' geezer. You onlt wish you had what the geezers have in the brain trust. Been there, done that.
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Coastal cities are harder to evacuate because half of the directions are water - this can double the traffic on evacuation routes.
Hwy60 would be jammed to overflowing with vehicles.
(old geezer!)
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I didn't say I'd use it. Or cross it.....
Young punks.....LOL
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You're just jealous because I'm so sexy I need a cattle prod to stave off love-maddened females.
It's the "overflow" you have to be prepared for.
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Dig in is what we will do,their is nothing else.We live in down town _ _ _ _ _,Pinellas Co.Beaches (Gulf of Mexico) to our west and surrounded by Bridges on all sides.My wife and I too have Health issues.I will not go down stuck on US 19 with the multitude of Millions in PANIC.Like a Good Captain,I will Go Down with my Ship!We have No other Option.The Good is our house is in a No-Flood,Non-Evacuation Zone.So we are on High ground,Well high ground for Florida.
Actually it might be better than you think.
I'm guessing at your location but it has some advantages. Bridges are easily controlled by a few armed men with barricades, leaving most of the police free to keep order - if the area isn't a major evacuation route (those are the high risk areas).
You have beaches nearby and can surf cast - big fish not puny bass, and you can boil down salt from seawater to preserve meat.
Water? Areas like yours are usually notorious for many and often large swimming pools. Rig your roof to collect rainwater.
Stock up on rice and catch fish. Fortify your home and you may well ride it out better than most.
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I think most of us are actually trying to plan for EVERYTHING.
Hunkering down and bugging in under many different situations considering security and sustainability.
Bugging out by vehicle in all 4 directions. Short distance and Long distance. In all kinds of circumstances.
Bugging out on foot in all 4 directions. Short and long distance. In all kinds of circumstances.
And even bugging out by canoe or kayak.
No matter what happens we want to be prepared to deal with it. Preps will make the difference in all cases. Skills are power. We should try to learn how to ride a bicycle, a horse, paddle a canoe or kayak, swim, build a fire or shelter, drive a stick shift, operate an outboard, handle a motorcycle, an ATV, navigate, hunt, fish, grow a garden, etc, etc, etc.
Prepping is so much fun because we can never run out of things to learn and experience.
Most of the folks here, I haven't met but I have met quite a few and can tell you, there are people here with great things to teach. I try not to miss any meet%greets because I always get to take away invaluable info and ideas.
There's no requirements to meet, we all get to prep to whatever level we are capable of. Having spent the last months in a wheel chair, prepping was on a whole different level but I was still looking for ways to prepare for the unexpected. Even during the month I spent in the hospital, I started hoarding and hiding stuff to give me an edge. Sometimes a nurse or therapist would find my cache and wipe me out but I would just try to get smarter at it. Maybe it's just my mindset but I love prepping and feel great having a pack of crackers hidden away somewhere.
I'm starting to walk again now, so I'm longingly looking forward to a wooded area from my window. Everytime I hide some supplies under the bed, I'm delighted all over again.
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When the lights go out and the faucet stops, sunset will no longer be pretty, tomorrow will be a drag, and next week will be a nightmare.
All the motivation I need.
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Dig in is what we will do,their is nothing else.We live in down town _ _ _ _ _,Pinellas Co.Beaches (Gulf of Mexico) to our west and surrounded by Bridges on all sides.My wife and I too have Health issues.I will not go down stuck on US 19 with the multitude of Millions in PANIC.Like a Good Captain,I will Go Down with my Ship!We have No other Option.The Good is our house is in a No-Flood,Non-Evacuation Zone.So we are on High ground,Well high ground for Florida.
Pappa, one of the scenarios that I've thought of that would make me bug out is the (admittedly remote) asteroid impact. If a medium-sized asteroid were spotted, and its trajectory had it making impact in the Gulf of Mexico, you should bug out as soon as possible. In the past year there have been a couple of asteroids that were only spotted AFTER they passed earth, or with very little warning.
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I think most people not in the downtown cities are pretty much going to be bugging in... im thinking the sheeply will pretty much like in Katrina die in their homes unless their homes were unoccupiable.. Eg under water... we are digging in and will be getting the neighborhood to try and stand our ground to hte best of my ability.... i dont wont my family to become refugees unless their is NO other option period... it has to be a last resort fundamentaly last... florida for us and most others has only one way out North right along with the other millions n millions of other refugees.. staying put until the die off happens and than when the dust settles deal with the situation as necessary...
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I think most people not in the downtown cities are pretty much going to be bugging in... im thinking the sheeply will pretty much like in Katrina die in their homes unless their homes were unoccupiable.. Eg under water... we are digging in and will be getting the neighborhood to try and stand our ground to hte best of my ability.... i dont wont my family to become refugees unless their is NO other option period... it has to be a last resort fundamentaly last... florida for us and most others has only one way out North right along with the other millions n millions of other refugees.. staying put until the die off happens and than when the dust settles deal with the situation as necessary...
I agree 100%.