I have to admit that in 5 minutes I'd have no hope of bugging out, nor do I really intend to learn. But I will say this: if there were an emergency so dire that I felt that five minutes were all I could spare to get out of my house with all the necessary survival equipment, the very last thing I'd want to be wearing would be a jump suit and tactical vest. I think I'd be going for the most normal, bland, "nothing to see here" clothes I had.

I am about in the same boat you are. I know about where my stuff is. The problem is getting to it. Mine is in the back of the garage! Not totally inaccessible but it is hard to get to.



I will agree to that 100%!!


Don?t know what that is <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />
My nephew just started Boy Scouts. He needs about everything. I had some plastic left over from a project and I printed out tarp-shelters.pdf file. I figure any shelter he would need is there.( Printed it from work?. shh.)

Emotional survival.

That about sums it up for me and my wife. We were deeply affected by the Katrina, and the predicament faced by the pets left behind. We talked it over and decided we could live without everything BUT our pets. They're our kids and our family.

My coat is always draped over the couch by the door, ready to pull on at a moment's notice. It contains my keys and an Inova XO3.

Having the coat out all the time can get on my wife's nerves, so we compromised. When we have company and all that, the coat gets hung up. At night, before we turn in, the coat comes out in READY position.

Other than that, we try to keep the cars gassed up. I have a set of clothes to jump into.

The rule is, my wife and I grab each other, and then we grab all three pets. The dog, the cat, and the box turtle. The fact that the dog and cat hate each other would make for an interesting evacuation, but as long as they're alive and well and in the car with us, we can live with it! <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

-- Craig

I dunno... throw in a Fritz helmet and a flak jacket, and most folks'll probably JUMP out of your way <img src="/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Troy

I personally wear a pair of gym shorts to bed and have a shirt next to the bed that I grab when I get up (other than to go to the bathroom in the middle of the night). But I know that I'm one of those people that should not be going naked. (6'3 and 300+).

Besides, I know I wouldn't want my "flak" bouncing around, otherwise people would get out of my way. <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Just a cheesehead displaced in DC. Go Packers!!

Well, I just had a near-bugout experience, a few hours ago. I was sitting at the computer when I smelled plastic burning. Did I leave the stove on? I checked and I hadn't. Could it be the lady in the apartment next to mine? I went out in the hall and the smell was stronger near her apartment, but less strong near the building entrance. I was debating whether to knock on her door when someone else came out into the hall from another apt. I asked if he smelled anything and he said there was a building fire down the street. I went outside and sure enough, there was a big blaze, about half a block away. Lots of cops and fire trucks were already there. It looked like they'd be able to contain the fire but the smoke was pretty bad. People standing on the sidewalk were wondering if an evac had been ordered, but as far as I know, none was.

I decided to not stay around despite no evac order, and even 4 blocks away I could still smell the smoke. I was hungry so I went into a restaurant and had a meal to pass the time. Other people in the restaurant were aware of the fire and I showed them some digicam shots I'd taken when I'd been near it. When I got back, the fire was out or under control, the smoke wasn't so bad any more, though there were still PD and FD around and the street was taped off to traffic. It probably helped that it was raining slightly.

Anyway, I think this situation could have been a "5 minute bugout" if the fire had been a bit closer, or a "zero minute bugout" if it was in my building. But not a "survival" bugout or an area disaster--at most a few blocks were affected. During the restaurant meal I kept worrying what if the fire did spread, maybe I should have taken a few valuables, etc. Survival gear was not needed at all--at worst I could have gone to a friend's house or checked into a hotel. But there's stuff in my apartment that I wouldn't have wanted to needlessly lose, like my laptop, passport, etc. In an urban environment like mine, a checklist of stuff like that might make more sense than a survival-type BOB.

The building with the fire was still standing when I got back, but I'm sure it's pretty trashed inside. I hope no one was hurt. I'll go back during the day and take another look. Xmas eve is sure a lousy time to have a fire and I feel sorry for whoever's apt. it was. I can't help wondering if they had an accident with candles or something like that.

Anyway, that's my "survival story" for tonight.

For me, for the fastest practical exit, I'd wrap myself in my duvet then climb out of the window. Given a few seconds more I'd put on a pair of shoes and grab my keyring and torch from my bedside table. A few seconds more, I'd grab my bug-out bag (which is on the landing) and throw it out the window first. My BOB includes spare clothing so I could dress outside.

I live alone, and my dirty clothes are just dumped on the floor, so given time to dress inside it wouldn't take any extra time to find them. I agree with Susan that getting dressed might not be the best use of time. I'd rather take another minute to locate my phone and waist-pack and tent. Then again, some of my EDC I keep in pockets so putting on yesterday's trousers and a jacket would provide me with some gear as well - it's not just about modesty. As far as cold is concerned, I only sleep naked when the weather is warm. And I'd have the duvet.