While there are some situations where you have no choice but to pack up and leave, you shouldn’t assume that this is always the best choice. Sometimes staying in your home is your best bet for safety and survival.
5 Benefits of Bugging In
There are many factors to consider when deciding whether bugging out or bugging in is the best choice, and it’s not a decision that should be taken lightly. But since you hear so much about bugging out, I thought I would share a few thoughts on the benefits of bugging in.
1. Higher security. You know the layout of your home. Most people feel safer in familiar surroundings. Knowing the quickest way through the house gives you an advantage of being able to get to a weapon before some intruder gets to you. If you are bugging out, you are out in the open and more vulnerable. You also know escape routes out of the home in case it is imminent that you will be overcome.
2. Knowledge of the Neighborhood. Unless you just moved in last week, you know the immediate area around your home. Chances are you know what your neighbors look like, if not their names. You may even be close friends and that is very powerful. You can identify people who are new to the area. An armed stranger is more of a threat, generally speaking, than your next door neighbor. Having a group of ‘known’ people come together in a crisis raises everyone’s chance of survival. There are more eyes for security and more hands to do the work. Yes, there are more mouths to feed but also more people to acquire the food needed.3. Knowledge of Terrain Layout in Surrounding Area. Since most people commute, they know a rather large area out from their home. If you really stop and think about it, you can estimate the terrain – the cities, towns, and neighborhoods close to your home. All that knowledge will help you locate resources and avoid dangerous areas. Chances are pretty good that if an area had a high crime level before the disaster, it will be even higher and more desperate afterward.
4. Home Base has more supplies and resources. There is no way you could pack all the items you need to survive and be as comfortable as possible in your car or on your back. Even if you focused solely on food and water, there is still no way you can carry what you need. If you bug in at home, you have more resources to get by. An example would be stuff in the junk drawer; you open it and find 2 adapters for charging some electronic you aren’t even sure you have anymore. What can that wire be used for, even if the power was out indefinitely? How about that end roll of duct tape? The bottom line is you are more adaptable in your own home with all your ‘stuff’ in one place.
5. People who love you will look there first. Unless you are some hardcore survivalist and have a plan of action for your friends and family, the ones who love you will come to your house first to try and find you. It is truly the most logical place to start looking and head out from there, retracing steps if needed. If you do not know your neighbors or have a group to rely on, holding out for your loved ones to find you may be the very best option. Many people claim they will be the lone wolf, but that is unrealistic in my opinion. Eventually, even the lone wolf needs the pack. The same is true with humans. We need each other and people we can trust to make it.
Ultimately, it’s up to you to decide what you need to do to keep yourself and your family safe. That very well may mean bugging out and seeking shelter elsewhere – but then again, it may not.
There is a lot to be said for riding out a disaster in the safety and familiarity of your own home and neighborhood. It’s definitely worth it to at least consider bugging in when developing your own disaster plan.
Whichever you choose bugging in or bugging out, in the end the most important thing is to be ready by having a clear plan and adequate supplies.
Be safe out there!
No comments:
Post a Comment