Needs that must be addressed for...

I feel like most everybody else does about Bugging In vs. Bugging Out! Bugging In is safer and a better initial option, usually.

I feel like some basics might could use reviewing on the Bugging Out Option:

All equipment should be packed (Bug Out Bags) or easy to find, grab, and throw into the vehicles.

Transportation: Primary-gas or diesel powered vehicle; Secondary-bicycles; Tertiary-Hiking out.

Each person has a BoB and basic camping type of gear, a personal FAK, a piece or two of community gear, and weapons(?).

Cargo in the vehicles would need to include: water, food, shelter, hand tools, reference materials (How To books, etc); Power generation type gear, electrical consuming equipment, bicycles, etc.

Several routes should be planned to a known destination within a reasonable distance to insure success. If more than one destination is available, then 2-3 routes to each should be planned.

I know this is not a complete list but I'm too lazy to pull out my written plans and that would be "cheating" in some ways. What have I overlooked and what do y'all have ready to go quickly, as in the event of a nearby upwind Industrial Accident??

How bout something to protect your lungs. I bought a mil surp gas mask for this just in case type of situ. I also keep some industrial respirators handy.

Beware that many military surplus gas masks are expired, almost certainly so if the canisters are open. The canisters contain activated charcoal which loses its usefulness over time. Also, military gas masks aren't designed to protect against industrial toxic chemicals. A great example of a dangerous gas that is common in industrial settings is hydrogen sulfide. But only self-contained breathing apparatus protects against it. With out your own oxygen you're out of luck.

"...many military surplus gas masks are expired.."

Expired, or just plain old worn out. The seals become stiff, don't seal to your face, and the mask becomes worthless...

I keep several industrial masks on hand with the appropriate filters (sealed) and you're right, Gas Masks do not protect one from H2S gas.

The masks are primarily to allow me to move around in certain toxic conditions when necessary to accomplish a certain task.

I'm pretty happy with a couple of those flat pack N95 rated filters. Great for generic use and good enough to keep bird flu out.

Concerning gas and routes, I agree. You need to have enough gas to make from where you are starting to where you want to get to, and you should probably plan on 25% extra considering you may have to drive quite a ways off road, or be stuck in traffic. That also means that you are going to have to take your particular type of vehicle into consideration. Where I live, 4x4 is a must, and therefore I don't buy cars, but if you own a car, you can't go offroad (for the most part) and therefore will be limited to the paved routes available. You will also need to stabalize the fuel, unless you are going to constantly cycle through your containers which is an option.

Also, you will need to take into consideration how you are going to store this fuel (and other equipment) on/in your vehilce while moving. This may not be a big deal if you have a small family and large vehicle, but if you have a large family and a vehicle that is sized to fit them, but not a lot of extra room, then packing inside the vehicle becomes as critical as packing outside the vehicle.

Just some more thoughts,

Smackdaddyj

Some unused, old masks like the russian GP-5's and GP-7's are too old. The latex will have little cracks and leaks in them. Also many millitary masks are equipped with teargas cannisters, not NBC or chemicals cannisters.

If you want proper protection, than get a proper, new and well fitting mask with the right cannisters. Or for better protection carry you own air.

You might keep in mind the prevailing (and current) wind directions for an industrial or major HazMat tanker truck or RR car accident, as wind direction will greatly affect your escape route.

I live less than half a mile from a state highway and just a bit further from a RR crossing, and the RR tracks run parallel to the highway for several miles.

I work near RR tracks these days, and it's a real eye-opener as to what is moving through our neighborhoods. Many of the tanker cars on the RR are labeled, but I don't think the tanker trucks carry much more than placards of hazardous materials. Hazardous gases like chlorine, ammonia, LPG, etc travel the roads and rails every single day.

Having a NOAA All Hazards Weather Radio that will turn on automatically when trouble erupts, and can make the difference between living and dying.

If you know something is happening, don't wait for an evacuation alert, just find out which way the wind is blowing and get out. Most hazards of this type are temporary, so you just need to get everyone out. The contents of a ruptured chlorine tank (for example) will usually disperse in less than 24 hours, depending on weather conditions.

Just don't have one bugout plan and direction to run. If you always say, "Oh, if we have to leave the house, we'll just go to Aunt Irma's farm", don't be so locked in to that plan that you can't/won't recognize that you would be heading straight into danger. Be mentally agile enough to determine which WAY to run.

Sue

I was looking at those N95 filters too, but I noticed that the manufacturer says they are useless unless a positive seal can be maintained on the face. I noticed you have a beard on your avatar. I have an even longer beard. Did you shave your beard off so you can fit the N95?

Good point.

When used against gas or biological weapons or all that other terrorist stuff certain people would have you believe is a risk, they're not effective. But they are effective at keeping particulates out of your face and lungs...even with a beard. Dust is the one thing I'm most worried about. If there's a bird flu pandemic, the mask will keep particulates out of my mouth...in addition to my hands.

Plus if anything serious were to happen, I always have the option to shave it off or tape it to my face.

I also keep a full face respirator filter mask in the garage for painting...it's big and keeps a positive seal.

If I were really worried, I'd buy a Scott Air Pack. I've been trained to use those and the beard is not an issue.

Remember that viruses also enter through the eyes. So, the mask may actually be of limited value.

Anybody with medical background feel free to correct me if I am misinformed.

From what I know of bird flu, it's no more infectous than any other case of influenza.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Influenza

If memory serves the 3 most common ways of catching flu are your mouth, nose and eyes BUT (also if memory serves) 90% of infections happen because of contact between your hands and those parts of your body...not the air. If the only purpose the mask serves is to keep my finger out of my nose, then I'm that much safer LOL.

I've heard that Japan is one of the countries least at risk for a viral pandemic because of how few people shake hands and because they're very ritual about children washing their hands in school.

I agree 100% on the contact transference.

Keeping fingers out of the nose...key point. However, it does take some of the fun out of life.

As they say, the most important thing you can do to prevent transmission is to wash your hands.