How do you plan on getting back home in a massive disaster?
Here’s a scenario: You live in the suburbs but work in the city. You are at work when all the power goes down. Traffic is not moving and public transportation is down. A giant bug out bag type kit is probably not something you’d have at your office. Even if you did walking through the city with a big bag of stuff might attract unwanted attention.
You will want a few things. It’s important to have proper clothes for the walk. Too many people rely on their car’s air conditioning or heater to keep them comfortable. Your solution might be as simple as having a proper jacket and hat with you at all times.
You are not going to be too comfortable walking ten miles in high heels or dress shoes. It’s not uncommon for people to keep work out clothes in a gym bag at the office. That could be your proper get home clothes option right there.
A folding knife, lighter, and small flashlight could fit right your pockets and not attract attention. Throw in a couple of energy bars and a water bottle and you are better off than the vast majority. Some cash could come in handy too. Even in an end of the world type disaster some people will still take cash for useful goods.
It’s important to know the way home. It would be worthwhile to actually walk back one day to see how that works in the real world. Be aware of alternatives to major roads: bike paths, railroad tracks, wooded areas, dry canal beds -know your options. Be prepared to navigate without electronics. Map and compass skills are old school but work without a cell connection.
We’d like to imagine that a disaster would hit while we are at home where our preps are. That only works if you never ever leave the house. Who can or wants to live like that? A few common and inexpensive items can do wonders to improve your chance of getting home.
-Sixbears
If you live many miles from your workplace you have already saddled yourself with a major handicap if things go south in a hurry.
ReplyDeleteDecades ago I sacrificed a little income to insure I was within walking distance from work to home.....about 6 miles. And it's not a walk through a dangerous city. It's rural. Not everyone has that luxury. But if possible it should be considered. "Bugging out" is not going to be a very good survival strategy. "Bugging In" where you live and have all the things you might need is a far better option whenever possible.
I always thought of bugging out as a last resort. In effect I bugged out decades ago. Being close to work makes so much sense for so many reasons.
DeleteDecent folding bicycle as I assume driving home isn't an option. Riding bicycles is good exercise and allows you to notice things in your area you never see while driving. Also, you're a bicyclist not a weird old man spying out my house.
ReplyDeleteI've bike camped all over this country lifting my bike over fences and walking it in the dry bits of swamps.
Can carry plenty of supplies for a ride home as your walking at what 1 MPH realistically or riding if you ride much at 8-15 MPH.
There are so many good folding bike options these days. My son-in-law used to carry one on the train to get to the last couple miles to work. I see a lot of electric folding bikes on the road in town. Now he works from home so that's even bettter. Being on a bike looks like a normal thing to do so that's a bonus.
DeleteLikely , as always lol , I'll be at the house.
ReplyDeleteShe works around twelve miles from here.
Which is about what she walks every day at work.
She also has a get home bag in her truck, complete with everything needed, including sharp things and a gun.
I figured you'd have a plan. You always do.
DeleteDunno about that always part , but we do try to plan ahead... leaving x , y and z optional
DeleteWhen you start to prep it can be overwhelming as there's always more one can do. At some point you reach the point where you are pretty set for most things. Prepping can become an obsession when it should bring you comfort. It is a good feeling to know where your next meal is coming from.
DeleteI have only about 8 miles from my home to work. So about two hours if the crisis is alien reptoids shooting everything that moves, lol.
ReplyDeleteEven have an option of following train tracks during the dead of night, they go by my neighborhood by a couple of blocks. Handy knowledge if electricity is knocked out.