The development of online prepper communities has rightfully seen the emergence of terminology exclusive to preppers. Like doctors, lawyers or footballers, we do have some words that beginners or amateur preppers will find hard to understand.
Bug out is a term that is mentioned by a lot of preppers, online or otherwise. For those of us who are not familiar with it, what does it mean to bug out?
Bugging out is a military term that refers to retreating, fleeing, or departing in a hurry from military action. If you’re an avid fan of military films, you may have heard the term before.
Right! We know what bugging out means. However, how does it relate to preppers and survivalists? What does bug out mean to preppers?
What does Bug out Mean to Preppers?
Preppers use the term bug-out frequently. The meaning remains the same. It is safe to say that preppers borrowed the term to refer to when you need to leave your premises for a safer location.
Preppers need to bug out when SHTF or tragedies strike. It does not necessarily refer to heading for the hills or wilderness when hurricanes or civil unrest occurs.
You can bug out to a predetermined location that you had prepared in case you need a safe space. You can also head out to your relatives in the country.
Bugging out is essentially heading to a safe place when where you are located is no longer safe for you or your family.
It is important to note that bugging out should be the last resort in your emergency plan. You can’t bug out whenever SHTF before evaluating if it’s right for you and your family. It is a huge undertaking that should be left to dire situations only.
With that in mind, one may ask, when should they bug out? Hmm, let’s see!
When should you bug out?
This is a difficult question for anyone to answer and it’s not something you’ll want to do lightly. The risks are high, but if you’re in the right situation, it may be necessary. You need to determine whether or not the risk of staying in your current home outweighs the benefits.
There is a simple acronym to help you decide when it is time to bug out. The Acronym RED OUT may seem familiar to preppers in most online communities. If you don’t know what the acronym stands for, we got you covered. Below is what it stands for:
- Resources – it is common sense to venture out for resources and supplies when you lack them. It is important to have basic supplies when tragedies strike. They may be the difference between survival and death. Therefore, if you don’t have any, it is time to bug out in search of them.
- Environmental Threats – it is common sense to bug out when you’ve got a Cat 5 hurricane coming at your house, you will need to leave for a safer location.
Moreover, if you’re considering bugging out of your current residence because of natural disasters like a hurricane, earthquake, etc., make sure your bug-out location is outside the projected hazard area and has sufficient supplies for at least two weeks with all family members included. This means if only one person can go with you, then only enough supplies should be gathered for one person for two weeks.
In order to know what type of disaster might happen in your area, research your community’s geology and climate conditions as well as past disasters in your region.
- Destination – Before bugging out, it is best to have your destination figured out. This is a no-brainer since you can’t set out of your premises without having a safe destination in mind. Your likely destination can be anywhere from a private cabin deep in the woods to another state across the country. Ensure that wherever you’re heading is safe and has enough supplies to support the people with you for at least two weeks.
- Overwhelming force – residential homes are not built to be impenetrable. If you’re outnumbered and outgunned, you need to bug out. Before the impending threat forces their way into your premises, you have to go out to a safer place.
- Unprepared for the situation – if this is the first article or material you’re reading on prepping, you’ll obviously be unprepared if something were to happen tomorrow. Being unprepared with no supplies or anything, you’ll need to bug out to an area that is safer for you.
- Threat – facing growing threat and violence being imminent, you have to bug out to a safer place. You can’t hang around a dangerous place waiting to be jumped by crazy and violent people.
There it is, the acronym to when bugging out becomes necessary. It is crucial to mention that common sense should prevail before you decide to bug out. You can’t just go off running whenever a siren or unrest occurs in your area. Sometimes, staying put in your house might be your best chance of survival.
What to Pack for your Emergency Bag?
The first step in any disaster preparation is gearing up and packing. Have an emergency bag ready at all times to help you evacuate immediately.
Every prepper and survivalist has a bug-out bag. This is a bag that contains the items and gear you would need in order to survive for up to 72 hours if you were to leave the house. In some cases, this could mean leaving your home or even your country.
This is why it’s important to be prepared, and have a bug-out bag ready to go. To get started on your own bug out bag, you can go through the following checklist:
– Backpack
– Sleeping Bag
– Tent
– First Aid Kit
– Food
– Water
– Weapons
– Clothing
– Lightweight Cooking Utensils
– Firestarter
– Rope
– Survival Knife
– Matches
– Sewing Kit
– Cash and Credit Cards
A well-stocked bug-out bag is one of the most important things you can have. Some people may think it’s too early to pack for a potential disaster. In reality, disasters are unpredictable and can happen at any time―even without warning.
It’s always better to be prepared for the worst-case scenario than not have anything when the time comes. When the time comes, you’ll be glad you were prepared!
How to stay safe when bugging out
If you’re considering bugging out, it’s important to remain as safe and prepared as possible.
You’ll want to stay away from the major highways. This is because these are likely to be congested and clogged with other people trying to escape. But if you’re unsure of how to avoid highway traffic while still making your way towards a better location, there are some tips we can offer.
First, wait until nighttime. It is much easier to remain hidden under the night sky. Besides, most people will not be on the move during the night. It is an opportunity to get to your bug-out location as quickly as your mode of transport can take you!
Second, make sure you have a good map of your surroundings so you’ll know which roads will be less trafficked during this time.
Third, ensure your car has enough gas to reach your destination. Gas stations are one of the places you have to avoid when bugging out. When SHTF, they are normally filled with unprepared and anxious people. A recipe for chaos, especially when there is not enough gas for everyone.
Fourth, take some food and water with you in case supplies run low once you start driving away from the area; this will also help keep your energy levels up as well.
Finally, pack up or get your emergency kit as mentioned above. It is best to have some defensive weapons with you. You should be able to defend and protect your loved ones whenever the need arises.