Every once in a while I post about BOBs, “bug out bags”. It’s time again.
I received a note:
Here in Sacramento, Ca and outlying areas are in danger of life threatening flooding. Nearly 200,000 have been evacuated from Yuba Co. Area. There has been a breach in the Oraville dam. Family and friends have already been evacuated.
We are surrounded by 2 major rivers along with other small rivers and lakes. Highway 50, up the hill 35+ miles east has been shut down indefinately due to mudslides.
Needless to say, we are in need of prayer and divine intervention! More rain expected this week for 9 days straight.
I remember your warning ( God did not promise it would not flood, etc. in your area) and am preparing bug out bags with all necessities!
All who reads this blog have different circumstances. However, disasters can strike any where. Don’t deceive yourselves that it can’t happen to you. It always happens to someone else… until it’s your turn. Surprise!
Ask people from Joplin, MO what can happen.
Fires, flood, earthquakes, angry ex-boyfriends or husbands, storms… there are various reasons why one might need to bug out, and fast.
You should have a plan. Plan where you will go. Have an emergency bag packed and easily accessible. Keep it stocked and fresh. Go through it periodically so that you know what is in it and you know how to use everything in it. If you have a family or others who depend on you, work through the plan with them and even walk through it: where to meet, how to get home, how to get out of your home, where to go for safety in your home, etc.
Friends, you simply must make plans along these lines, especially if you are responsible for the well-being of others. You need a PLAN. That plan and its preparation should include drinkable water, food, proper clothing, transportation and a place to go. Don’t forget your meds, comms and self-defense. A good medical kit is a must.
Depending on where you live, some of you will need more gear for being out in the elements. Some of you will need more urban stuff. There are some pre-assembled bags available, such as this one. I’m not saying “get this”. It is an example: HERE
Could you stop what you are doing, NOW!, grab a bag, and leave? FAST!
I’ll bet quite a few of you readers have made at least basic preparations. You may have “go bags” or “get home bags” or “bug out bags”.
It would be interesting to hear what you have done for BOBs or even your everyday carry items. Others could benefit from ideas.
As a related side note: consider getting one or more UPS to protect your electronic stuff (US HERE – UK HERE). I also have a Juicebox from Hardened Power Systems (tell them Fr. Z sent you).
Remember: It always happens to somebody else… until it happens to you.
And… the ultimate plan and preparation…
GO TO CONFESSION!
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I’d be interested to hear what parents of small children have done as far as BOBs (by small children I mean those still in diapers / still nursing).
With respect to every day carry items, I keep a lightweight basic first aid kit in my purse; it’s always within arms reach. With 5 kids (and 4 of them boys) hubby and I figured it was a good idea. :)
http://offgridsurvival.com/survival-gear-bugoutbags/
Here is one place to start before deciding what you need. Water, food, flashlights, clothing, first aid supplies–the list here is extensive.
[Circumstances can help. For example, a woman who needs to get out of a house fast because the drunken husband is probably going to beat her up again when he gets home, doesn’t need a tent and water purification equipment. She might need a burner phone, cash, something for self-defense, a USB drive with copies of documents, a change of clothing, etc., and a plan of where to go.]
And don’t forget some form of communications equipment that does NOT depend on the public networks (either dial-up or internet-ish connections). When the spam hits the fan…whether it’s FRS (Family Radio Service), GMRS, or Amateur services, contact with like-minded individuals or groups (there is strength in numbers) can be of great use and help get through the issue.
Just a thought. Food, water, shelter, communications are almost de rigeur in putting your plan together.
Father Z, According to the “Léxicon Recentis Latinitatis”, knapsack (backpack) in Latin is “saccíperum dorsuale”. But how would you express “bug out bag”? Any help to offer to me on this one?
Lucas: how would you express “bug out bag”?
Off the top of my head, something like:
sárcina pro fuga repentina
sárcina pro motu repente
sárcina repentina (not quite right, since the bag itself isn’t unexpected, but it quickly conveys the purpose)
Great idea! Maybe I should improvise a Fuga repentina on the organ for the recession at Sunday Mass! Would empty the church in no time! It will end with a G sus chord :-).
Pater Z,
Tibi qui me adjuveris, gratias ago. Nactus sarcina pro fuga repentina, ego sum omnia paratus supersum. Impetum faciant.
. . . The folks in Sacramento will remain in my prayers for some time.
Lucas Whittaker says: Nactus sarcina pro fuga repentina…
Optime fecisti.