Okay, I tried making a bug-out bag for my apartment but I just can't seem to do it. I tend to naturally resist doing it.

I live in a 4-story apartment in a suburb, the stairwell is right next to my door. Last week, I bought bottled water to keep in the food cabinet in case something went wrong with the plumping. I also have a Black Cat catalytic heater for warmth in case electricity goes off. That's about as far as I seem to naturally want to "go" in regards to preparedness.

I was planning my BOB... Clothes, tuna cans, cracker boxes, peanut butter jars, water bottles. All of a sudden, it didn't feel quite right. I felt it wasn't really worth it, for my small apartment that is. If there was a real emergency that would require immediate evacuation, I could easily throw a bunch of clothing items, my PSK and some food in a large bag and then leave. Total time needed : 30 seconds.

Not that I am against preparedness and all that, but I think it's important "not to feel stupid" if you don't go with a full-fledged survival solution. If you live in a high-risk environment, go ahead and make a large BOB full of goodies.

I'm only a perfectionist that wants to make other perfectionists aware that extreme preparation is not always required. Don't be so worried and keep on living. <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

This is just my opinion, if you wish to discuss this please feel free to reply.

I can guarantee you that if I had 30 seconds to get my stuff together from scratch there is no way I'm not forgetting something important. Imagine doing it in the middle of the night after being awakened from a sound sleep.That's why I pack a few essentials in advance.

Regards, Vince

I agree somewhat with your opinion..I'm not overly prepared here in Oklahoma..but my only caution is although you aren't in a "high risk" area, if you have never had to leave your apt in 30 seconds or less...who knows what you might forget to take, or what your frame of mind will be. I was all for getting the wifes bag packed prior to the birth of my oldest and I am glad I did...when she says..time to go...you tend not to think straight, and my life wasn't in jeapordy.

So from that aspect, I would recommend at least preparing a specific bag that all of your contents would go into in that 30 seconds and go ahead and place specific items that you know for a fact you will need...copies of DL, Birth Certificate, credit cards, important papers, flashlight, bottle of water.

Nobody said that your BOB had to weigh a specific amount or contain specific items...but you really should have something. If nothing else know where the bag is that you plan to put the stuff into. Just my opinion. <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

What if you don't have 30 seconds? What if its your apartment that is on fire and you can't get put your bedroom door or its your kitchen that is on fire and you must jump out the window in the middle of the night in the winter with no clothing on and then find out that after you went to bed a record blizard hit and the fire trucks can't come to your apartment for a few days.
When I was still in school our neighbors house (about a mile up the road was the closest neighbor) caught fire. They all got out ok but didn't even have time to put on shoes. Their oldest son had to run down the road in the snow to our house to call the fire department so we gave him a pair of shoes and socks because his feet were turning blue by the time he got to our house.
What if your at work and something happens and you can't return to your apartment?
Sure you may not need an extreme bob with a 4 season tent, generator, gps, bow and arrow, mess kit, etc but having a change of clothes and water within reach isn't extreme.

I'm new to the forum, and new at "preparing". Although I've been reading ETS for years, I never took any steps beyond preparing to shelter in place. Recently, I decided to get more prepared; both to shelter in place longer and to have things with me all the time just in case. Making a Bug Out Bag is the last on my list of priorities, because like you, I doubt I'll need it. I should say, the proaibility of needing a BOB is so low that I prefer to spend my limited financial means on other preparations, and only when those are in order will I revisit the issue of a BOB.

When I evaluated the things that could go wrong in my local area, the top disasters were: 1. Flash Flood, 2. Severe Storms (leading to Flash Flood). 3. Municipal Inconveniences (Dear Homeowner, Due to road construction in your area there will be no electricity from 1 am to 6 am on these days . . . ) and Mistakes (did we say electricity? We meant *water*), 4. Bad weather and bad roads in some other area of town, effecting the traffic on my side of town, making me wish I never had to leave the house. 5. Winter Ice Storms (rare), leading to downed trees, downed power lines, and shivering neightbors. 6. Grocery shortages, caused by any of the above.

I don't think Bugging Out will be necessary unless there's a fire. Since the smoke alarm goes off whenever I make bacon, I think it will wake us up with at least 60 seconds to grab our clothes and get out. Am I over confident?

I do have alot of stuff in my car. Folding saws, wet wipes, trash bags, extra clothes, mosquito repellent, first aid kit,etc. These are things I use on the job and they turn my whole car into a BOB.

Just my two cents

HI, Bee,

I don't know what your situation is. I live in the San Francisco Bay Area, and no one comes around here and says "you have 30 seconds to grab stuff and vacate." If there's an earthquake, we get no advance notice. Trying to grab stuff in the total dark while the room is shaking violently is a problem for me. I need shoes to get down stairs I presume will have broken glass. I want a pair of gloves in case something has collapsed into the stairwell. I want a flashlight and dustmask. That'll get me outside in the dark. Is that what you would have grabbed?

If you have a fire, you need a dustmask. If other people live in your apartment building and are trapped in the stairs, you might want to leave them a glowstick so trained responders can find them in the dark. Or maybe not. :-) I don't know your neighbors.

Maybe you'll want water? A small bottle just for personal use? Taking medicine?

But that's really about it, if it's really a life-threatening, damaging earthquake here in the Bay Area. No clothes, no family pictures, just the stuff I need to actually get outside. My longterm gear is already outside in the patio. (Hope the house falls straight down, though.)

Good idea! Having an empty, sturdy bag ready along with a list of the items I wish to bring is a useful addition. I already have a few backpacks and nylon gym bags standing by so it might only be a matter of making a list of things I want to bring.

Very good advice! <img src="/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

Hi Eugene,

I evaluated most of these possibilities before posting this at first. If there's a fire in the kitchen, I will most probably be able to escape in a pinch because there are two different ways to escape.

If the building is on fire, I can grab a my Buff (brand-name stretchable bandana) and run down the stairs, as I said they are right next to my front door.

If there is a record blizzard, I could stay in my apartment and survive for a long time with all my clothing, food, water/soft drinks/juices etc, using my Black Cat heater. (We sustained a big ice storm back in 1998 : an interesting diary of someone who lived this storm can be found here)

The disaster that would most probably cause the most problematic situation would be a huge earthquake. We had a few of these in the last 10 years and the building are generally well built enough to stay in place. Assuming the building would collapse, a bug-out bag would not be of great use if you are stuck under 30 feet of rubble <img src="/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />.

I agree with what you say though. Again, in my first post I was refering to my specific situation, and it might not (most definately, doesn't) apply to everyone.

Not everyone needs a bug-out-bag. If it sets your mind at ease to post on ETS on how you don't need one good for you.

I on the other hand find the need to stock up on more supplies than ever before.

Adam

If you make the list why not pack it......... <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

But as you've said you don't need a BOB...... <img src="/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" />

Adam