Question? There are many of us who talk about a Bug Out Bag (BOB) for if the STHF. There has been several view points about what you should take, and what you need. It would be kind of cool, to know if there is a hiking trail. Somewhere New Jersey - Eastern, PA, or Southern New York. That if you wanted Field test your equipment and your preparedness. You could take a 5-8 Mile hike. Where you can actually take your bag, Including Rifle. And head out for a weekend, Or even just an overnight. Where you grab your gear, Hike for several miles, Find and make shelter, and preparations for a night. Figure out, how you are going to use your emergency gear. Fishing Tackle, Animal Snares, Shelter.

 

Anyways, I think you get my point. Make due, with what you have packed?

 

Anybody have any idea's?

 

PS: This is not my bag, but only a link to of an example.

 

If you are unexperienced I would say stick along the AT in PA or NJ...not sure about weapons though. The main thing is to test it in the winter too...having backpacked in The Whites, Catskills, and Dacks in the winter it is a different game. I really don't envision a SHTF scenario where we run to the woods, but I would be a liar if I said I did not have a bivy, water filter and sleeping bag ready...among other typical stuff.

If you are unexperienced I would say stick along the AT in PA or NJ...not sure about weapons though. The main thing is to test it in the winter too...having backpacked in The Whites, Catskills, and Dacks in the winter it is a different game. I really don't envision a SHTF scenario where we run to the woods, but I would be a liar if I said I did not have a bivy, water filter and sleeping bag ready...among other typical stuff.

 

On the flip side? I am coastal New Jersey. My priorities of a bug out plan, might be a little different, then others. Whats my route, if all highways are full and jam packed traffic. And my route is walking. What do I need for 72 hours survival. Where as somebody in a more wooded area, or Flat areas prone to floods. Either way, we all have our own plan. It would be kind of cool, to test your plan? Although, I think the local authorities, might be a little upset, if I am creating an emergency shelter for the night, and making a camp fire on the side of Rt. 18???

 

You know what I mean?

All the typical hikers spots, camping areas and 'known retreats' are going to be overwhelmed. Too many people are already planning to hit the Delaware River, Lehigh Valley, Hudson Valley, Dacks, Catskills, etc. Anticipate lots of company and make shift Road Blocks if it truly hits the fan. In the event of a pandemic, you can beat you will be greeted by the various State Police to keep you 'contained'. If you plan on getting off the grid, how long are you truly going last without being re-supplied?

@Wojo, Very interesting points. And I guess each of us has to look at what our path is going to be, and where are we heading. Being coastal Monmouth, I am more suburban, for at least a 3 day problem. Assuming I am walking out, or bugging in. And your right, the areas that you spoke about will be already havens where people are going to go. So you do have to think out of the norm, and for what kind of problem you are realistically going to encounter.

@Wojo, Very interesting points. And I guess each of us has to look at what our path is going to be, and where are we heading. Being coastal Monmouth, I am more suburban, for at least a 3 day problem. Assuming I am walking out, or bugging in. And your right, the areas that you spoke about will be already havens where people are going to go. So you do have to think out of the norm, and for what kind of problem you are realistically going to encounter.

 

I'm in monmouth county too. I'd seriously consider hitting a marina and stealing a decent sized boat to get away at least. I'd like to think most of the authorities will be dealing with the mass hysteria on the roads.

Fresh water would be an easier retreat in a boat. Salt water is terribly unforgiving. Former Coastie here.

 

Suppose you hit heavy seas? Winter months? Fresh water is limited and difficult to make on a boat. Gas is limited to Marina's. Piracy. Where / what is your destination? Have you ever traveled there on a boat? As you are returning to shore, be prepared for a welcoming committee to see what you have to share.

 

FWIW - Sea sickness / diarrhea on a boat will decimate your fresh water supply and sanitary environment real fast.

 

There is no easy answer. And no one plan will not work in all situations. I'm not trying to rain on anyone's parade, but to have someone like me make you think about these things before you commit to one particular 'solution' is a good exercise to think things thru.

No, I dont think the ocean is an option. Especially if you consider the emergency could be natural disaster. Hurricane, Noreaster, Tsunami.... So, definitely in inland thrust.

 

When you think about all of the possibilities, (Solar Flares/EMP, Economic Collapse, Earthquakes, Severe Storms, blackouts, etc...) Because of our society’s reliance on electricity & oil, you have to figure that things will run out very fast, if we actually have an emergency that disrupts those.

We lived for thousands of years without electricity, running water and Starbucks. Problem is we have become so dependent for everything. Do you think farmers and residents near dairy farms are worried?

 

Think manual tools, bicycles, hand pumps, wagons, rain barrels, solar ovens, hand drills, shovels, saws, etc. Don't overlook a nice supply of PVC pipe and fittings. You can make lots of things with PVC, tarps and a hand saw.

 

Having a PV system to recharge your rechargeable batteries is a good idea. Some gadgets are real force multipliers like those PIR Motion Detector Alarms that run for an insane time on a 9V or a couple of AA's. Buy a pair of crank radios if you need to know what is going on. Making a Hot Water PV system can heat a small room during real cold days.

 

Staying 'dark' has its advantages. I know that I will be one of the things that goes bump in the night. Within a month, I am honest enough to admit, I'll be in total predator mode. I have a family to keep alive, so all bets and humanity will be off.

 

Inner city / jun yard engineering skills will be paramount. Having a nice supply of torch supplies will be handy as well.

yes, you are right. For thousands of years, people lived without electricity and Oil. the problem is, that is more then a hundred years ago. and now, if people don't have their I-phone to look up on google "What Should I Do", they are clueless.

 

These are more probably "BUG IN" then "Bug Out", but I can see many different circumstances with the changing of weather patterns and various other scenarios.

 

The Blackout of 2003. Just imagine if this lasted for a few weeks. Instead of a few hours.. 55 "MILLION" people without power.

http://en.wikipedia....lackout_of_2003

 

The North American Icestorm of 2008, that affected Canada

http://en.wikipedia....e_Storm_of_1998

 

The 1993 Storm of the Century

http://en.wikipedia...._of_the_Century

 

january 2007 North American Ice Storm

http://en.wikipedia....rican_ice_storm

 

There are many more examples that we can all find or remember. Recently, Hurricane Issac that came through our area. And we were spared most of it. Or even the freak storm on Halloween Blizzard last year. You have to figure, the first thing people do when there is no power, is close their doors. Granted, enough days without power, and the looting will begin, even if only just to scavenge food and water. Forget about who needs the Big Screen Tv from BestBuy once they get power restored.

@Wojo, You want to watch something cool. I wish I had the equipment to do something like this. Just for the "Cool Factor" hahaha

 

A little lengthy, and 14 short videos. But check this thing out this guy makes. Might have to consider doing something.

 

mattio41 - I made Business Continuity Plans and have lectured to hospitals and all sorts of businessed on diaster planning. I even was paid to go to Mexico City to discuss Planning for Disasters and Keeping Executives / Facilities Safe from Cartel. The trade publication Trade Press / Building Operations and Management has a pay per view Webinar I did covering all the compliance issues for PS- Prep (Public Law 110-53, Title IX) aka Disaster Prep initiative of US businesses. There are actually three accepted standards. So I go from Coportate SHTF to making it personal.

 

FWIW - Insurance Underwriters discovered that for every dollar spent on diaster preparations, $207 was saved in claims. Katrina was a shining example of it as were the recent ice storms and flooding events. Also, 55% of companies that are struck by a disaster, are out of business in two years. 40% Never reopen immediately after the event and the other 15% die a slow death.

 

If you are an internet based business, your 'customers' will start looking for another source within 30 seconds if your website is down. There is no customer loyalty any more. It is all about instant get-it-fa-cation. On the flipside, if your business is operational immediately after a local disaster, you are going to be making a lot of new customers and making a ton of money if your competitors never re-open or are slow to re-open.

 

I can go on and on. But that would require me to break out a PowerPoint presentation.

as far as the ocean is concerned as already said conditions may not be ideal. have a map of the ICW. im in south jersey. Im headin into the pines.

 

Nick

There are people that will pay you for survival hiking

There are people that will pay you for survival hiking

 

They are called the US Army and USMC. You get to do it during your first few months guaranteed. The Navy and Air force has some jobs where you can also do "survival hiking".

They are called the US Army and USMC. You get to do it during your first few months guaranteed. The Navy and Air force has some jobs where you can also do "survival hiking".

 

yes, that is true. But us 40 somethings with families, homes, and jobs. Cant just up and go join the military just to practice our gear.

 

 

yes, that is true. But us 40 somethings with families, homes, and jobs. Cant just up and go join the military just to practice our gear.

 

If you feel you may have to do this then after practicing it yourself you need to get your family involved. You're not going to leave them behind are you?

 

 

No, Absolutely have my family involved. My time in Boy Scouts (30 years ago) did teach me very valuable lessons. Only ashamed to say, I am very much out of practice. My Stepson, who will be living with us next year. And who will be 8 years old. I have full intentions of joining scouts with him. I think the experience is all to forgotten in todays age of nintendo and PS3. My wife, who has never been camping before, has been going hiking with me, and she likes it. But those are mostly day walks in our local parks.

 

I have been explaining to her, the need to have some basic skills for "What If", and she agrees. so, this is something we are doing together.

I can go on and on. But that would require me to break out a PowerPoint presentation.

 

Wojo, I'd like to see some of those Powerpoint presentations...

As crazy as it sounds, get a Boy Scout Handbook. Either a new one or old one at a garage sale or the like. In the handbook is all the fundementals for earning their first three badges. This includes all the basic skill sets to living short term in the wilderness. With a little thought you could expand on these basics and survive easily in the wilderness.

 

According to some, when the solar flares disrupt our entire infrastructure, up to 70% of the population will be dead in one week from starvation, disease, etc.

 

When I had survival training years ago, the first rules you learn are you need air, water, and food to survive, given in the rule of "3's"

 

Three minutes without oxygen

Three days without water

Three weeks without food.

Plan accordingly

T Bill, the idea of the Boy Scout book is actually an excellent idea. It has been many years since I was in scouts, entirely more then I wish to say. But what I remember it was very illustrated and something written in a much more simple language. Something maybe I can get the wife to at least read, or look at!!

Wojo, I'd like to see some of those Powerpoint presentations...

 

same here ...

As crazy as it sounds, get a Boy Scout Handbook. Either a new one or old one at a garage sale or the like. In the handbook is all the fundementals for earning their first three badges. This includes all the basic skill sets to living short term in the wilderness. With a little thought you could expand on these basics and survive easily in the wilderness.

 

According to some, when the solar flares disrupt our entire infrastructure, up to 70% of the population will be dead in one week from starvation, disease, etc.

 

When I had survival training years ago, the first rules you learn are you need air, water, and food to survive, given in the rule of "3's"

 

Three minutes without oxygen

Three days without water

Three weeks without food.

Plan accordingly

T Bill, the idea of the Boy Scout book is actually an excellent idea. It has been many years since I was in scouts, entirely more then I wish to say. But what I remember it was very illustrated and something written in a much more simple language. Something maybe I can get the wife to at least read, or look at!!

 

I also use my BSA Fieldbook and keep a copy with my survival gear. It's 34 chapters have a lot of tried and true information and I have referenced it over many years, treks and trips to Philmont.. Amazingly it is downloadable chapter by chapter at this link.

 

http://fieldbook.sco.../Fieldbook.aspx

PowerPoints are slides that illustrate and summarize talking points...not the narrative that I provide with them.

I liked the idea of the BSA manual so much, had a friend order me two. One for each BOB

family and friends used to laugh at stuff i kept in my truck and my house. when sandy hit and that gear got used the joke was over and a where did you get that stuff from or know what to use came into play. it all started with my boy scout handbook from years ago and was elevated by some old military manuals. or since we have the benifits of power google survival bags lol

Sorry for the bump, but can we get this moved to NJ Prepared?