While we all agree with parts of this writer’s defensive philosophy [1] and parts of all articles written for publication here, we, as a prepping community, have to apply our own skill assessment tools to what we believe is the best method for ourselves. My own life experience parallels JWR and others, and I make my own assessments having lived all over this county in my 65 years of God-endowed life. My credo has been formed and reformed by those life experiences. I enjoy reading all of the published, submitted articles to SurvivalBlog and that several of my own. As we travel this path to what I call prepping, we need to take the parts of those articles that fits the sum of what is right for us. Try not to rely on a “one fits all” solution to your needs; it never will.
As a result, my current location is in a very small isolated town of about 200 residents in North central Nevada; it enjoys very mild seasons and is 50 miles to the nearest town with any stores, fuel stations, or services. Also in those 50 miles, there are no homes or services, so help is the first person you see in the mirror or who you are able to call on your cell, planning for any emergency that arises is a matter of course. It brings reality to your every trip, outing, or need. Common sense is a commodity that you better have or you will learn through experience.
My plan for any scenario is that our location will limit any type of travel by roaming bands of Zombies or anyone else, and if there are any, they would encounter a town that most of the residents are armed and have little remorse for dealing with anyone who threatens them. I have no illusions about trying to bug in, even here; the surrounding 360 degree mountain ranges contain hundreds (yes hundreds) of old mining sites, hidden springs, game, and locations for families, groups, or individuals to maintain themselves. I follow the old sniper saying, “locate, isolate, eliminate” for my strategy.
I maintain my current residence for a primary staging area, a toyhauler for preps, and a ATV with pickup as a bugout vehicle (to relocate to or even pre-stage with stocked remote location). Also, I have a small group of people with the same mindset that have been selected to join and leave as a group, should that option transpire.
Overall J.B. has got his do-do in one basket by saying:
“Don’t get me wrong: My family comes first. However, because I’ve planned ahead and prepared, most emergencies that are commonly encountered won’t be for my family, and we’ll have the luxury of being able to help our friends first, then our neighbors.Hopefully, readers of this will also have made preparations for emergency scenarios and built relationships with like-minded folks, so they can work together to overcome adversity as a group and assist those less fortunate.That’s the American way.” – J.B.(HJL: It is important to note that J.B., the original author, is not suggesting that he, or anyone else, should not bug-out, only that it isn’t optimal, and the article presents a concept to keep from having to leave.)
We can plan for any emergency, but the reality is we might not be able to execute for the one that unfolds real-time. I have survived an explosion that vaporized my right hand, and in that scenario I was in a remote location in New Mexico with no thought (during my youth) of having a first aid kit, cell phones were not invented yet, and it was 45 minutes to the nearest medical facility. That life-altering event set the stage for my self awareness to plan, execute, and train for different scenarios, for myself and for others.
Most people have the intentions, the awareness, and the ability, but execution is the rare missing item that hinders or is going to limit their options should the need arise. How many people, and I include myself when I first started on this life journey acquiring the knowledge, just do not execute their ideas. To be a seasoned prepper means getting your butt in gear and getting the experience before it is thrust upon you.
A majority of people I encounter have an inner awareness that hard times are coming and want or need to do something but don’t. Some carry a false sense of security, thinking that by having two days of food, a rifle with 10 rounds of ammunition, and a relative two states away who has a fully-stocked retreat, makes them a prepper. I try to keep my opinion to myself with that type, by remembering my parent’s saying “You cannot argue with ignorance”. Also, there is another contingent who prep by buying the next great survival item to add to their stash. When you talk to them, they boast about those items but have never opened, used, trained, and gained nothing by acquiring those items. Experience, in my book, is the only teacher, and you had better learn now during the calm. Don’t fall into that trap. Even articles published here may be about something that works for that person or group, but it may be a liability for you. An example is having a camper for use as a bug out vehicle in a remote location or rural area is a great idea, but if you live in a metro area and every few miles, your idea may be a pre-planned disaster waiting to be executed. Leaving way in advance of a coming bad scenario may work, but during an event, you will be a standout target in a sea of others stranded in a super highway parking lot.
The rest of J.B.’s write up is 110% right on. Others who live for the next outing to the mall or dining out and buying that next new consumer item are in for a rude awakening. Getting tight with God is job #1. Praying for his guidance and being an example to others, executing your goals derived by learning will be the safest road you will ever travel in your pursuit of security and safety.
God bless this once great country and those who seek knowledge and through experience will help themselves and, by example, others. – J.M.