(Listen to The Preparedness Podcast on any of your favorite audio players. Find us in iTunes here: Preparedness Podcast iTunes Link or go to PrepCast.info for direct links to the audio files.)
Bugging Back is a term used to mean getting back to your home. In many cases, and probably most cases, you’re not going to be bugging out of town, but trying to get back to your family. This is particularly true for people who don’t work at home, as most events will not require you to bug out from your home, but you’ll definitely want to get back to it.
In order to bug back, I see there are 3 basic levels of preparedness for this. It starts what with many call the “everyday carry” level of gear, which is what you carry on your person at all times. These items should help you get to the next level of where you stored your gear. Let’s take for example someone that works in a building. The gear you carry on your person should help you get to the stuff that you keep in your desk or locker. The items that you keep at work should help you escape to your vehicle, and your vehicle and the stuff in it helps you get back home.
This layering makes it so that you don’t have to carry your bug-out gear with you 100% of the time.
Here’s what I carry:
- flashlight
- knife
- chapstick
- mini-tool (Leatherman squirt, etc.)
- bandana
- butane lighter
- ID, money
- weapon, if in a high-risk area (or can get away with it at work)
- eyeglass strap
Items to keep at your place of work:
If you carry a bag or backpack to work, you can also keep items similar to what you keep at your desk, or in replace thereof.
- food bars, snacks, high-energy bars
- water
- dust mask, at least an N95, preferably an N100
- small crowbar/prybar
- extra batteries for carry flashlight
- headlamp (flashlight that you wear on your head)
- eye protection
Remember, these items are mostly for helping you escape from the building or to hold out for a few days. The more difficult it is for you to get out of your building, the more stuff you should store at work.
Stay tuned for part 2.
Rob
