Scouts all over the world live by this mantra – “Always be prepared” and so should you!
In this day and age, when there are so many triggers that could lead to global destruction, it pays to be prepared for any eventuality – be it a zombie apocalypse, another financial downturn, or a nuclear blast which zaps everything to smithereens!
Being prepared means you have got to have your own bug out location and shelter
Perhaps you’re thinking, what is a bug out shelter? So, you haven’t really thought about it, eh? Read on, dear fellow, and let’s prepare our own bug out places and get them ready!
What is a Survival Bug Out Shelter
A bug out shelter (BOS) is, simply put, your place of refuge, your place of safety when everything goes awry. It’s a place where you can wait out the cataclysm with your loved ones and keep them in relatively high spirits.
Some old structures have built-in bomb shelters, but if you’re not living in one of them, truth to be told, you need to find your own bug out place, right?
So what do we need to consider? Read on, and take these to heart.
Location is everything
Location is everything in a bug out location. You do want it to be safe from prying eyes (and hands, or whatever) but it should also be accessible to you when SHTF. A great bug out shelter is easily hidden but is still easily located by the ones you prepared it for.
You can situate your bug out shelter in the forest, in the mountain, in rocky outcrops, on trees, even in caves and deserts! Wherever your bug out location is, make sure you are going to be comfortable in it as you probably would spend a lot of time there, waiting out the storm, so to speak.
Access is key
Should the SHTF, you would want to move out quickly and arrive at your bug out shelter in as little time possible. Consider a bug out location that you can walk to in a couple of days (since probably all modes of transportation would be at a standstill) to a week maximum.
Factor in that you can only walk 10 to 12 kilometers a day when really needed. No sense in placing your bug out spot too far out and have everyone stagger into it all sticks and bones. Or if you decide to use your vehicle, make sure you can go to your BOS using as little gas as possible in your tank.
Water availability
Hydration is important. As they say, more than half our body is made up of water, so being hydrated is key.
Running water should be near to your BOS, else you would need a lot of water-cleansing tablets if you happen to have only rain-water catchments or still water nearby.
Running water can also be harnessed to generate power and of course for hygiene purposes.
Shelter Security and Concealment
I already mentioned earlier that a good BOS needs to be easily hidden. I probably should add that it should be defensible as well. Shelter security should also be considered when planning your BOS.
Smoke carries easily and odors can also be a give-away, so you probably would refrain from too much cooking over a fire. Tarpaulins and other foreign objects in a forest are tell-tale signs of occupancy so it’s probably best that you learn how to craftily camouflage your BOS with whatever is lying around.
Food and survival options
A great BOS should be well-stocked with food provisions. Stock up on canned products and other food that do not easily rot and do not usually need freezers or refrigerators to keep fresh.
However, if you run out of provisions, it is important that you would be able to forage your food or grow your own to sustain your lifeline.
Would you be able to grow your own vegetables or would you be able to hunt down game or fish to ensure that you would be able to eat? Since you probably would also run out of batteries, you should also consider solar power or hydropower to keep your place juiced.
Acquiring your BOS
If you want to have your own property for your BOS, you can, of course, do it through legal channels. Municipal or government offices can assist you in acquiring your own parcel of land for your own BOS. Just be mindful of the stares you’ll probably get at first.
Conclusion
In essence, a great BOS would be accessible to you and easily defensible as well, should it come to that. It should be near running water and areas in which one can grow crops and chickens to sustain the lifeline. Now, go ahead and plan where you’re going to put your BOS!
So, there you have it, some primers in preparing your own BOS. I don’t know when the unexpected might come, so always be prepared guys and gals!