When disaster strikes, you’ve basically got two options: to bug in or to bug out… and it’s pretty clear that venturing outside is going to be more dangerous than hiding into your house, safe room or underground shelter.
When you’re on the run, there are worse things that can happen to you than watching your house catch fire. Thieves, gangs, law enforcement impersonators, wild animals, extreme temperatures, lack of food, water and shelter are just a few of the things you might have to deal with.
Let’s talk about some of them and see how you can prevent them…
#1. You could hurt your back or knees jumping over obstacles.
There’s a high chance that this will happen, particularly if you’re going to bug out on foot. You may have to jump over a downed tree, a fence or some other obstacle to get away from someone or something.
In the heat of the moment, tunnel hearing and tunnel vision are common issues, meaning, among other things, that you won’t properly assess the height or the width of the obstacle you’re trying to overcome.
How to prevent this:
- Know your bug out routes and any obstacles you might encounter, such as tall fences.
- Do military drills to practice jumping obstacles.
- Do mobility exercises to tone your tendons and muscles and decrease the odds of injury.
#2. You could get bitten by a rabid dog.
If a dog bites you during a disaster, one thing you may not count on is finding a doctor to help you. They’ll probably be all busy taking care of the hundreds or even thousands of wounded.
In order to prevent such an accident from ruining your evacuation, here’re a few things you can do to protect not just from dogs but other predators:
- make arrangements for your dog to bug out with you
- have a self-defense weapon such as wasp spray or a baton
- remain calm when a dog approaches you, talk in a gentle voice and try not to make eye contact
#3. You could get attacked by other people.
I’m actually more afraid of people than dogs. You should have at least one if not more self-defense weapons, maybe a firearm and some extra ammo (if they’re legal where you live).
Of course, no matter how well prepared you are, there’s always the possibility of getting injured, whether from a gun or from some other weapon the perpetrators are using. A first aid as well as an EDC everyday carry kit are both essential, plus the knowledge on how to use each item of course. Make sure you take a first aid course and watch youtubes on how to clean and patch a wound. You may also want to take refresher courses every year or so.
#4.You could catch a cold
If your immunity is low, the common cold, the flu, bronchitis or pneumonia are going to be devastating blows to your bug out. If that happens, you’ll need to stay put in a warm place and take medication.
To avoid it, one thing you can do is boost your immunity. You can do this by eating less carbs and more veggies and take long walks in nature. Get yourself accustomed to cold temperatures but don’t overdo it. Before you attempt any of this, you should talk with your physician.
#5. You could fall from a tree
Why would you climb a tree in the first place? There are lots of reasons, such as you being chased by a dog or some other animal or you trying to secure your gear in a place that is harder to reach for most animals and people.
Solution? Learn to climb a tree using the various techniques you can find on youtube. Also, do use gear such as Paracord to make sure you’re still hanging if you make the wrong move.
#6.A loved one mightget injured
This would mean you’ll not only have to carry all their gear but also them! If you don’t have a car, you could learn how to make a stretcher and, of course, to be prepared when it happens to make sure that they receive proper first aid.
Another reason they might not be able to move would be lack of strength. Food and water are critical when you’re on the run; you need to make sure you have enough calories. One thing you could do is pack a few vitamin pills, particularly if you expect to bug out for more than a few days. You should also avoid spending precious energy on things that aren’t absolute necessities.
Before I Wrap This Up…
What’s the big takeaway from this article? That you should be really careful when planning and preparing your bug out. Unless you’ve been in the army or are an avid hiker who spends extensive amounts of time in the wilderness, you’re going to have a tough time out there.
Best to prepare a solid bug out bag, improve your fitness levels and go out at test it into the wild. Also, make sure you know how to use your gear. Practice it around the house and on your hiking and camping trips.