While you’re taking some time to review your preparedness plans this season, it’s crucial that you don’t make the #1 prepper mistake of all-time. It’s a very easy oversight to make, especially for survivalists…
In fact, I think it may be a natural byproduct of the preparedness mindset. What is it?
Most of us dream of a remote cabin retreat, a “safe house” of sorts, where we can escape all the madness and civil unrest in the event of an extended crisis. We can almost smell the timber, the campfire… we can almost taste the fresh well water. We tend to get overly wrapped up in this bug-out fantasy that consumes 90% of our plan. It’s understandable…
It’s also the number 1 mistake that preppers make. The fact is that, in the immediate aftermath of a crisis, the chances are that you’ll be much safer, comfortable, and secure at your primary residence. Most people plan to head for the hills, but that gets them trapped in miles and miles of gridlock (because everyone else had the same idea).
If you’ve ever been caught up in hurricane evacuation gridlock, you have a good idea of what this might be like. Hours of bumper to bumper traffic, the roadside littered with broken down cars, running out of fuel in a massive traffic jam, these are only the slightest of consequences of trying to “bug-out” at the wrong time.
The Case for Sheltering in Place
While evacuating is the safest option in natural disasters like hurricanes, it’s NOT the safest option for all scenarios. In fact, it may increase your chances or getting stranded, encountering looters, being rounded up by FEMA agents, etc.
The route to your bug-out location may be drastically different in a crisis than it was in normal conditions. It’s critical that you get this information BEFORE you get stuck in whatever pitfalls may await you on the road.
Obviously, the place you know the most about, where your information network is the strongest, is at your home. Unless your home has been directly impacted by a natural disaster, there’s no reason to flee it in haste. Ideally, your family will be able to stay safe and secure in the home in which they’re most familiar.
The Biggest Mistake
These are exactly the reasons why I believe that the #1 prepper mistake of all time is failing to prepare for a shelter in place scenario.
It’s far more likely that you’ll have to wait out civil unrest, blackouts, supply shortages, and other emergencies from your home. It may be too dangerous to travel. Roads may be closed and/or impassible.
Having a complete stockpile of survival supplies in the home is the best disaster insurance plan I know of… because it’s the most likely plan that you’ll need to use.
While I don’t give our government officials much credit in the brainpower department, there’s a reason that they ordered Boston residents to “shelter in place” after the marathon bombing, rather than called for a mass evacuation. They knew that an unnecessary evacuation can lead to a situation that’s as bad as the initial emergency, or worse.
Even though many Americans haven’t done even a shred of disaster planning, they have a better chance of weathering a crisis safely within their home than on the road. Bugging out takes extraordinary levels of planning. Think about how much planning it takes to prepare for even a week-long vacation, then multiply that by 100…
The Pillars of a Good Shelter in Place Plan
So, what can you do to prepare your home to be a life raft in the turbulent aftermath of a crisis? If you can provide the three essential pillars of survival, you can shelter your family inside your home until the crisis abates, or until you’re able to safely relocate to your remote cabin.
Water – You’ll need at least a 14-day supply, 1 gallon per person per day.
Food – Survival food buckets are a costly but simple solution, but canned and shelf-stable foods are a much more common option. Remember that you can’t count on refrigeration during many crisis scenarios.
Security – If you can’t secure your family within your home, you must leave. It’s that simple. It doesn’t matter how much water or food you have stored away, safety is the most important asset to your family. Plan to keep a low profile, keep contact with friends and neighbors, and consider your options for confronting the most likely dangers.
AGREE OR DISAGREE? LET ME KNOW WHAT YOU THINK THE MOST COMMON PREPPER MISTAKE IS IN THE COMMENTS SECTION BELOW!
Stocking up with the wrong items. As well as not enough water.
“If you can secure your family within your home, you must leave.” I suggest you proofread your suggestions, etc.
I loose all trust in someones suggestions, information, explainations, etc. when the author doesn’t take the time to proofread their material. I also have the same reaction when there is gross misuse of words or incorrect spelling.
Your logic is sound and I agree, but weak presentation can result in a negative reaction or even mistrust.
Thanks for all you’ve done for me and my family and for all you continue doing Dale and Barbara Carlton
You need to add some salt to your list. Once canned foods and Raman noodles are gone, so are your sources of salt, and your body will need salt. And the rice and beans will taste better.
I live about 2.5 hours from the forest in so cal. Seqoya National forest is 6.5 hours from me. there federal land. they catch you you go to jail. you cannot backpack, or camp unless you have reservations. you have to buy a fire permit for back packing so i’m stocked up for a good 8 weeks. plus I’m disabled incurable virula diease’s in my brain. in the winter i’ll will die from exsposer. it’s 72 degrees out side and i’m cold. if you live in the city , hunker down. if it gets real bad then i have a bug out bag. i was an army ranger recon in vietnam. i’m not 19 anymore. so i’ll need a cave to live in. then no meds. i get sezuers. so the medication I’m on prevents them. it’s a controld substance, so i cannot get a 3 month supply. i have a 1/2″ steal plate for cover ,gas mask, you name it . Lithium ion Solar powered generator. keep my fridge running and can use my electric grill. I live in a small apartment above the garages. plywood for the big window with gun holes. even if they try to haul me offf to a fema camp, i have the advantage.
Thanks for catching that typo, Roy.
The standard bug out bag is number 1. We all know what it should contain for emergency survival. But unless you have the ability to have cashes of supplies in several locations, you will need to plan your suvival. # days food for each person, and appropriate water for that time. But you can’t haul more than that and be successful. A water filter and collapsable container is much lighter. A rifle or bow for game procurment as well. Minimal but complete utensils and fire starting gear to cook your game. This ain’t camping anymore! But if you camp, you are uniquely equipped ( wow- two words in a row with a “Q” in them) to survive more naturally.
You “loose” all trust? Practice what you preach
Hey Punisher, I’m impressed w/ your planning. W/ or W/O, your disability, it’s admirable that you have gotten so much planned to “bug in.” I had thought of getting out of town, then decided I’d probably be better off sticking it out right here unless forced out somehow. You’ve given me additional
ideas—thanks. Also thanks for your service.
“explainations”? “someones” HMMMM
You should check your spelling before commenting on someone else,
“Loose” something that isn’t tight. Lose is the word you are looking for. “Someones” Someone’s is the word you are looking for. I agree Joe, Roy should practice what he preaches.
Oli, thanks for all of the info. Sure saves all of us from the task of looking up all of the info.
DON’T SHOOT THE MESSENGER IDIOT. SPELLING IS NOT IMPORTANT IN A SURVICVAL SITUATION NOR IS DISREGUARDING THE MESSAGE. BRAINS LOOSES OVER COMMON SINCE. WISDOM KEEPS A PERSON ALIVE..AS WELL AS A BIGGER STICK THAN A BAD GUY. OR RATHER, YOU USE YOUR STICK FIRST…HAVING WORKED IN THE GHETTOS AND DEALING WITH PEOPLE WHO WILL KILL YOU FOR LOOKING AT THEM.. THE ABOVE IS WRONG. IN A DISASTER.. THE BEST CHANCES OF SURVIVAL IS TO GET OUT ASAP! THOSE WHO GOT OFF THE TITANIC, LIVED.. THOSE WHO DIDN’T..DIED. ITS THAT SIMPLE AND COMMON SINCE. COMMON SINCE IS WHAT KEEPS SOLDGERS AND POLICE OFFICERS ALIVE. YOU MAINTAIN CONTROL OF A SITUATION AND YOU LIVE. NO AMOUNT OF BRAINS IS GOING TO CHANGE THAT SIMPLE TRUTH WHEN FACED WITH A DEADLY SITUATION. THE END OF THE BLOG WAS THE TRUE PART. IF YOUR IN THE DISASTER AREA.. GET OUT ASAP.!!!! GRAB YOUR SURVIVAL BAGS AND GO.. IN A CAR, MOTORCYCLE, BICYCLE OR WALK DURING DAYTIME HOURS. AND DO NOT USE A RED BACKPACK THAT SCREAMS TO EVERYONE THAT YOU HAVE FOOD AND WATER. OUR WEBSITE SURVIVALPAKSNMOR.COM IS OPENING SOON. WE SELL REALITY AND OUR BLOG IS GRAPHIC AND TRUE SURVIVAL SKILLS. INCLUDING HOW A REGULAR PERSON CAN PROTECT THEIR FAMILIES.. OH HOWS MY SPELLING?? NEVERMIND. I DON’T CARE!
Where are people going when they bug out? I know there are programs to buy that teach you how to build a shelter, but I consider most of them unrealistic. The average family can not dig a hole and sleep under leaves and sticks. It gets might cold on the plains. Unless you already have a farm or a area to farm, I do not see how you can make it. I live in a farm state, but I am in a city of nearly 200,000 people. If 15,000 of us made it out and had no place to go, it will not matter how much food or water you have in your home. There will be nothing to go back to. Historically, land owners do not respond well to squatters, and the farmers I know will not allow people to plop down on their land. Even if a kind hearted farmer would allow some people to stay on his land, shelter, food, and water would be an issue. My brother has access to farm land;however, with the river drying up and lack of rain, dry land farming is not going to an option. One otion would be to join others and watch each others backs, but how do you find these people? Rightfully so, people keep plans to themselves. If you do not have acess to a shelter and an area to grow food already in place, I do not see how the average family will make it. The average family does not have the money to buy the land that would be needed. I realize that a family can make it on a couple of acres, but you have to have that land right now.
Thank you for the free download concerning sheltering in place. It is good to have a list to compare what you have to, in case you overlooked something. I really like the information on the door. Do you have information on how to secure windows and a patio door? Living just a few blocks from a grocery store, I am concerned about frustrated people turning to the nearby neighborhoods. Some information I have read stated that gangs will go house to house, taking what they want. In that case, secured doors and windows will most likely not stop them. However, secured doors and windows will probably stop an individual. Thanks again for the information.
I ask again, go where? I agree, in a disaster situation, get out. You might have a home to return to when the disaster is over. If we are talking social disorder, I still have no idea where people can go unless they already have access to land and have some form of shelter there. Shelter does not have to be in the form of a standard house, but you sure need something, for most families. In cases of social disorder, it would be best to get out of Dodge, but you need someplace to go, long term. Your home will most likely not be standing or liveable if it is. I have a lot of skils, but without land with water and some type of shelfter those siklls are meaningless.
Irene, when people “bug out”, it would usually be to avoid a danger that is probably going to compromise or destroy their normal home. With this in mind, as I stated in my previous post, more than one cashe of supplys will help you survive, and not lose all your stuff if you are robbed or forced to give up your “stuff”.
Rick, I understand that if you leave your home, there will probably be no home to go back to, at least not liveable. I still stand by my original question, where do you go unless you already have land with shelter and water? You can have supplies hidden to be picked up at a later date. HOWEVER, if you have no place to go, how long will you and your family make it on those supplies? You can not count on the good hearts of others to take you in because there will be too many people looking for a place to settle their families. As I wrote, squatters will not be met with open arms, and most farmers will fight to hold on to their land, I would. If there are thousands of people fleeing the cities, with no home or job to return to, where do they go? One site, tells you to live in the wilderness. If you have a mountain cabin, I am happy for you and your family. I do not know anybody who has a cabin, and most people are like me. If society breaks down, everybody will be fleeing the cities and probably the towns as well. There will be thousands to people trying to get someplace, but where? Even if you have a cabin, do you have enough land and the know how to grow or raise all the food your family needs? If you plan to raise chickens for eggs and meat, you better have enough ground to grow food for them. Do you know where to get chickens in the first place? How are you going to heat the cabin? One tank of gas will not get me to the mountains, even if I had a well stocked cabin there. Who is guarding this cabin until you get there? As I wrote, I live in a plains state, and it gets migthy cold here, as it does in the mountains. So, shelter is very important. If society has broken down and there are thousands out there looking for someplace to go, where do they go? With no home or job to return to and only what they can carry or pick up from hidden supplies as they go, where do they go?
Locking window bars are the first thing that comes to mind, though they may not appeal to your design sensibilities.
I like Oli’s version better. Makes more sense to me.
Were are you going, see what just happened in Atlanta when everyone got on the road w/ice all at once.Just imagine a real catastrophe w/FEMA in charge,herd you into camps,and then will shelter, food, WATER make it to you. Sorry,I’ll stay put right way, you stock-up now anyway, just stock can foods, rotate as you go.1gal.each day per person and recycle gray water(wash-up/dish water)into toilet(if its yellow let it mellow,brown flush it down).But you need water above all/shelter,besides your all ready home.Security is locking your deadbolt,don’t have one, get one for every entry point. Gangs are looking for easy and high profile targets,will be day/weeks till the come into your neighborhood.And speaking of your neighbor’s, most of the will stay put, and believe me I will take a guy that can shoot straight than a guy that can spell correctly.Finally, do you leave your vehicle when you have trouble, NO,you stay w/it till help arrives, if you are in immediate treat,(fire,flood,civil unrest) leave,and again where, can happen anytime.Sorry, but these is the world we live in.Stock stuff you will need,batteries, maybe a propane camp stove($30) w/ cans of bottle size,a quartz propane heater(same fuel).Do you really want someone else prioritizing what you get or you.
NO NEED FOR CAPS…..REALLY!
If you stay in the home, then you need automatic-shutter’s on ALL windows(just like a roller door made of Aluminium).Made for windows.Not sure what you call them in America, I am in Australia……we have them on a lot of homes here.They come in the colours of the house, so they look fine.That way no broken windows,and also reinforced mess on screen doors front and back.Having said that…..I am not sure? I would want to stay in a city, with ‘masses. of unhappy people!..It is just a matter of time,till they will come a looking.
What is some advice to get my elderly family members on board with prepping. They are from the “Greatest Generation” but are very comfortable with their modern routine and started chatting to strangers about my prep activities. Feeling betrayed by blood. Don’t want them to be my weak links.
PUNISHER -I too am on narcotic meds and I’m able to build a good emergency supply: Each month I get it filled 3 days early and put those 3 days aside. After a few months you will have a nice supply. I ask my doctor, when she’s writing the scripts out, to stagger the dates a few days early just for this reason. She knows I’m a prepper and we have a good relationship so she doesn’t have a problem with this. With the non-narcotics, I ask her to write me a 10-day supply separate from my regular scripts and have that filled off insurance/cash. I do this with her once a year.
With my primary doctor I ask for an emergency supply of a broad spectrum antibiotic for a week. I also ask him for something for nausea and I ALWAYS carry over-the-counter Immodium for diarrhea. My primary doctor also knows I’m a prepper and has no problem giving me the scripts (which should be filled immediately!). Meds can’t be messed around with. What ever anyone is on, start building your stockpile today. You’re no good to your family if you are incapacitated.
And remember – Diarrhea can kill you – keep the immodium on hand!
Don’t do anything that makes your house stand out from the rest of the neighborhood. A large dog and a 20 gauge shotgun would do fine. 20 gauge has almost all of the power but a lot less kick than a 12 gauge. Get some solar powered motion detectors with lights and MERS alarms if no dog, or in addition to a dog. If you have the funds, there is ballistic film to put on windows to keep them from shattering. Does not change the appearance of the windows.
Could be tough. Remind them about “loose lips sink ships” They should remember that. That generation above most all should be aware that “stuff” happens and it does not care to whom it happens. They have been around long enough to know better. They also should know the gov. can’t be trusted. Remind them when the gov. confiscated gold. When the gov. imprisoned whole groups of people without charges and trials. How the gov. approved and paid for experimentation on fellow humans. Do they understand that Soc. Sec. is the largest ponzi scheme ever devised. They should care, it is their grandchildren and greatgrandchildren who will be devistated. Do they know about the debt, unfunded liabilities, world reserve currency, terrorists, illegals, unconst. actions, militarization of federal agencies, “Just in time” distribution system, drug resistant diseases, etc. etc. etc. You should also tell them your feelings when they DO this. This is a betrayal of trust. If they scoff, You may have to just keep silent in the future and refuse to discuss anything about prepping. Tell them “You are right, I don’t need to prepare for any disaster either and will get rid of everything I have.” and never mention it again. I had to quit talking about it with my family.
Let’s talk about parasites. I”m not talking about the kind of parasites in your water or food. I’m talking about the two legged kind of parasites. You know, the kind who know how to wrtie stories to feed your fears and get you all worked up, BUT, won’t help you out with the information you need unless you BUY it! I think these people suck, and should be jailed for ripping off their fellow brothers and sisters. I really appreciate it when real preppers are willing to share their ideas to help people out, not for money, but because they really care.
Thank you, for the sharing you do.
You “loose” all trust in someone who does not spellcheck? Now that’s funny.
Dear PUNISHER, hi there!!
Pertaining to treating your viral brain disease, do you know
that Therapeutic Grade Essential Oils cross the blood brain barrier,
making them able to get to viruses and bacteria and cancer that
much of Western medicine cannot. I believe that not much of our medicine
cures problems, such as those that I have mentioned. I think they deal
with symptoms and do not get to the sources.
These are not the “oils” we grew up with in our health food stores.
Few companies make the quality and concentration of oil from the aromatic
parts of particular plants, which I am talking about.
There are primarily 2 companies. The first was started by a man who became
a paraplegic at age 24… he didn’t want to live his life in a wheel chair… he researched,
studied, became a doctor, and traveled throughout parts of the world and developed
a company called Young Living. About 5 people left his company and started their company.
It is called doTerra. Some scientific/medical Researchers cannot get the beneficial results using
one of the company’s oils. I’ll let you figure out which company that may be. I’d tell you but according
to FDA rulings, especially lately, I would be in the wrong unless I believe I would have to state studies,
names of researchers and more.
Take care… and to all, Wishes for a Happy and Better Year!!
Let’s do our individual parts*
Kathy
sorry Roy but my copy reads,,,security-if you cant secure your family within your home,you must leave. so roy maybe you should proof read or reread the article before you start a rant of what people puts in any article. either you have been hitting the sauce to hard or you are not wearing your reading glasses…so how does it feel to be mentioned in the negative-Roy? and I am trying to be nice just like you were !
You are all too damn picky! Do not throw stones if you live in glass houses. Got news for you. We all live in glass houses!
You go David!!!!!! 🙂
Irene if you keep asking this question, I think you are screwed! Either you need to invest in a property ( rural ) or find like minded friends or just bend over and kiss your ass goodby. You obviously have not planned. For those of us who have, we don’t want those who are all fretting and no planning to join us wed then have to take care of you. He’ll girl I’m 68, retired and on my own. If I have a plan, anyone can
Best advice: shelter in place. But, your main residence should be rural when TSHTF the city will be a death trap! If gas is unavailable people will be walking the streets but won’t have enough gas to get to you. Buy property with water, like, stream, creek, pond, river. Know how to clean that water. Buy heirloom seeds and learn how to save them. Remember rickets? It’s from lack of vitamin C. Haven’t heard a single prepped yet mention this. Get miniature lemon and lime trees to grow in pots. Or hit the store for tablets was asked to join a prepped group in north Georgia but they have loose lips and aren’t very prepped really. Will head to Tennessee mountains and go it Ali e. take up camping to learn some skills and , then you will also have some equipment. Get an Excalibur dehydrator and a bag sealer. Learn to dry fruits, vegetables and to make beef jerky. Dehydrated food lasts a very long time and is lightweight to haul somewhere. In fact learn how to dry goods without electricity. The Indians can do this. Get educated for gods sake!!!!