Bugging Out With Kids: Child Carriers

A reader asked my thoughts on worst case scenario bugging out – on foot using Bug out Bags (BoB) and having to carry small children. In the past I’ve written about BoB outfitting with children in mind and strollers and trailers for that purpose, but not baby or child carriers.

Our plans are nothing special in this regard; if we had to bug out on foot (no stroller/trailer), my wife would use a Baby Bjorn carrier (on first, goes to the front) to carry our youngest child in front, and a normal day pack (on second) with mainly food and baby items. Pack on last in-case it needs to be removed fast to run/hide.

I would have our main BoB (meant for all of us-inventory not current!). Our other child could walk some, but I’d have to carry as well. This would be slow going, perhaps 3-6 miles per day.

We’ve used the Baby Bjorn quite a bit and like its functionality and simplicity, but probably most other brands are similar. In an emergency situation you could probably modify a day pack to serve as a baby/child carrier with a few holes cut and some extra padding (but be careful not to cutoff circulation).

The reader specifically mentioned the Performance Ergo Carrier, which looks like a great buy and is able to accommodate toddlers and small children as well as infants (with an insert).

There are also backpacks for carrying children, some of which also have cargo areas. I think if we were to buy a specialized pack, it might be one of those (see REI for examples). The can get pricey (though the Kelty’s look very reasonable) and may not be for infants under six months or so.

I don’t have any specific recommendation on packs except to carry more than just the child if possible, at the very least a fanny pack with the bare minimum emergency supplies should you become separated from your significant other.

Things to consider when selecting a pack system; how much the person carrying the baby/child is able to carry, if they prefer front or back carry, and what sort of other gear (if any) they’ll need to carry.

Review: Beretta U22 Neos Carbine Kit

Beretta’s U22 Neos .22 LR pistol is an inexpensive but solid semi-auto pistol with a steel and polymer frame. While I don’t care for the looks, the Neos is accurate, reliable, and extremely easy to field strip. The grip is a little small for me, but perfect for my wife. Other pluses are the ambidextrous safety, fully adjustable sights, and built in Weaver rail. For around $250, it’s a bargain.

This year Beretta finally released the carbine kit for the Neos to U.S. consumers. The kit contains a 16.25” barrel to replace the pistol barrel (4.5″, 6″, and 7.5″ lengths), and a reinforced polymer skeletonized stock and grip to replace the pistol grip.

Like the pistol, the carbine barrel has a Weaver rail on top for mounting optics, but also has an orange TruGlo fiber optic front sight and fully adjustable aperture rear sight (peep). According to Beretta, the Neos carbine kit is also approved for sale in California.

I recently obtained and tried out the Neos carbine kit. Overall this is a very good carbine kit with a few drawbacks:

• Pros: Lightweight (3.8 lbs configured as a carbine), compact, accurate, ergonomic, Weaver rail, fully adjustable sights, potential storage space in stock, FFL not needed to purchase
• Cons: Expensive, no high-capacity magazines (10 rounds only), no sling attachment on fore grip, not suitable for single-point sling

Besides being fun to shoot, the carbine is light and perfect for backpacking or a Bug out Bag (BoB). For survivalists/preppers, this allows the kit to be carried in the BoB while the pistol is carried in a holster. Photos below will show the space in the stock could be used to strap in a small pouch containing extra ammunition, magazine, cleaning supplies, etc. I put a few hundred rounds through it on the first trip to the range and found it to be very accurate using an inexpensive optic.

The biggest drawback is the price. I paid $240 for the kit but have seen it for $219. For that much you could add a Marlin Papoose, which breaks down and is only about 3.5 lbs (see the Nutnfancy review). We’ll have to wait to see if higher capacity magazine will be offered, but the sling swivel attachment problem is easily fixed.

There has been discussion about the legality of the carbine kit. The carbine stock contains a warning about configuring the rifle stock with any pistol barrel – doing so would make it a short-barreled rifle, which must be registered or may be illegal where you live. Putting the 16.25” barrel in a pistol configuration should be fine, but check your local laws.

More photos below – click on images for full-size.

Potential Gun Confiscation When Needed Most

A reader recently submitted a question about firearm confiscation during emergencies (the same question was posed to the author of Suburban Survival Blog and answered there a few days ago). Lightly edited:

[I]n regards to your plans for defense and firearms, in the event of an emergency (SHTF or something leading up to TEOTWAWKI) do you *really* believe that you will be allowed to keep your firearms if such an event happens? (emphasis mine)

Remember that after Katrina, New Orleans police confiscated all [legal] firearms and held on to them long after the immediate emergency was over. It wasn’t until the NRA sued and won did people finally get them back.

And if there is social unrest predicated on an severe economic down-turn (as many very credible pundits believe there will be in 2011), government at the local, state and/or Federal level will most likely try a firearms confiscation as they try to maintain order – just at the very time you may need them (even if you don’t leave for your farm). Can’t count on the NRA or the courts to support the 2nd Amendment in the event of such an emergency.

I’m presuming you have purchased them from legitimate sources (not asking, not judging) so they are licensed/registered/etc and easily tracked down.

And even if you don’t leave for your farm but are forced by circumstances to leave your home for ‘official’ shelter like in a school or armory (or stadium as in New Orleans), I doubt you can take your firearms in. After all, it would make a statement to walk into a school gym with a duffel in one hand and a rifle slung over your shoulder!

There are a lot of variables to consider; national vs. state level, changes in gun laws, the nature of the emergency, and so on.

Nationally. A couple years ago I read that there are an estimated 270 million privately owned firearms in the U.S, so almost as many are there are people living here. Under current laws it is unrealistic to think that a) the government knows where they all are; b) has the resources to research where they all are (FFL records) and; c) has the resources to go get them.

Congress responded to the unconstitutional gun confiscations during Katrina with the Disaster Recovery Personal Protection Act of 2006 (H.R. 5013 [109th]), which was signed into law in October 2006. North Carolina banned guns during a bad storm earlier this year and is being sued for it.

States and Localities. The 2006 federal law has major loopholes that leave room for states to confiscate firearms in some circumstances. I’m not a lawyer so won’t attempt to parse all the ins-and-outs, it’s enough to know they can. During major social uprisings, natural disasters, marital law, etc., they could confiscate weapons.

However, a growing number of states are passing “emergency powers” legislation that prevents firearm confiscation during emergencies. Map via the NRA:

Surprise, surprise, my home state of Nebraska doesn’t have such a law, at least yet. Viewing that map also directly affects my bug out plans for driving home when and if things start to fall apart, assuming I haven’t moved much closer by then (which I’m trying to do).

Game Changers. A break down in civil order and high violent crime rates, brought on by a currency crisis and hyperinflation or other event, could cause changes in both national and state/local gun laws and ordinances. Or a string of high-profile mass murders with semi-auto weapons could be enough to turn the tide on gun control, as it did in Australia (remember the Brady Bill?).

Most readers here will recognize that restrictive gun laws leave law abiding citizens unarmed and the criminals with guns, but unfortunately enough lawmakers may not.

Such a change could prompt the federal government to create a national firearms registration system, or the states to require registration (most states do not currently). Once such records are complete, it would be much easier to confiscate firearms if that decision was made. It would still be manpower intensive and expensive, but the most difficult part would be done.

Bottom Line: Right now, with our current laws, I’m not worried about targeted or door-to-door confiscation if things start to fall apart. Might not be able to carry outside the home (even with a permit), but not outright confiscation. That could change but I would expect laws to change first. Even if the laws do change, most law enforcement will be too busy trying to hold back total chaos.

What I am most worried about are checkpoints or roadblocks in states, towns, etc. that would search vehicles and persons for firearms, and confiscate them. If they really want to find them, they usually do. That’s one reason I plan to avoid interstates, major highways, and other main roads if things are getting bad. If things are fairly normal but looking to get bad, might not have to worry about it – too many variables.

Recommendations. 1) Don’t live in states or cities that require firearms registration or permits to buy. Live someplace where you don’t have to go through an FFL to legally purchase firearms. I know, easier said than done, but if it’s worth it to you, move if you live in a restrictive place. Whatever you do, don’t break the laws where you live since that will give “them” the excuse needed, and you may not be able to legally buy again – just not worth it.

2) Get a concealed carry permit. While this puts you on the state police radar for having a pistol, exactly what and how many you have is still an unknown (if you follow #1 above). It may allow you to carry in troubled times when you otherwise could not.

3) If things go south and you need to bug out, (aside from going soon) have a plan for concealing your weapons. If you don’t have a concealed carry permit, lock them in the trunk (or tool box, etc.), but, as the reader said, don’t be walking around with a rifle on your shoulder. While legal in most places, it’s conspicuous and during marital law can only invite trouble.

Check out the NRA gun laws page, and the Wikipedia gun laws page for state gun laws.

Bug Out Navigation: Maps and GPS

Continuing the theme of bug out preparations, this is my navigational plan for traveling the 1,300 odd miles from where I’m living in Northern Virginia to my parents rural Nebraska farm, the “retreat,” should TEOTWAWKI occur.

As mentioned before, a map of population density by county is helpful for seeing how the eastern half of the U.S. is very densely populated. If things are getting chaotic while bugging out, Interstate highways and other main roads may not be clear, and detours could add a couple hundred more miles. Having a way of finding where you are and good maps is critical.

The best case is to just take Interstates most of the way and then take the local roads I know. If I recognized early on that it was time to bug out and only had a couple hundred miles to go, this would probably work just fine. But if late in leaving, and due to the time it would take to get there non-stop (about 22-24 hours, including pit stops), it’s unlikely the path will be that easy.

My main navigational aid while driving is a run-of-the-mill GPS. I have a Magellan but any inexpensive unit ought to do for basic navigation along main roads.

While these are GPS units are great for getting you from point A to point B after you’ve told it where to take you, with main roads potentially closed it’s perhaps better to put small segments of the overall trip in at a time so you can control your route and avoid potential bottlenecks, roadblocks, etc. Good maps of every state you might need to go through are called for.

Enter DeLorme. Most U.S. road atlases aren’t going to offer the level of back roads detail required, but DeLorme Atlas & Gazetteers do. These products regularly receive high marks from those who travel a lot, and are also called out in Bug Out by Scott Williams.

I used online mapping tools to identify the three most likely Interstate routes I would take, and purchased the Atlas & Gazetteer for each state I would or might pass through. At about $20 this came to nearly $300. I’m now in the process of using highlighters to clearly mark the Interstate routes I might take, and different colored highlighters to mark secondary highways, state roads, etc., for alternate routes.

This is time consuming and I won’t be done for awhile yet, but when done will provide me with all the maps I should need while bugging out, already marked (in plastic and stowed in my truck toolbox). If getting off main routes, I would enter segments from my maps for the GPS to guide me. Some GPS units can route multi-point trips as well.

Some GPS units also require a street address (or GPS coordinates) for the destination. To make this process faster, I plan on finding specific addresses (perhaps gas stations, sporting goods stores, etc.) and putting them on Post-It notes in the maps along the routes highlighted. Planning now will make things smoother then.

While those maps are outstanding, should my family and I have to abandon our Bug Out Vehicle (BoV) for any reason, I probably could not carry those paper maps due to space and weight constraints. And a GPS for vehicle navigation would require recharging soon, aside from not having the detail needed. Bugging out on foot is definitely something to avoid, but if it is necessary we will need to navigate (map and compass are nice, but probably not most useful in our case).

I’ve opted for another DeLorme product; the Earthmate PN-60 GPS. Look for it on sale around $300-350 – well worth it.

The PN-60 gets high marks for being rugged and a good battery life (much improved from the PN-40, which I upgraded from), but the primary reason I chose this GPS is that DeLorme includes DVDs with coverage of all of North America.

The 3.5GB of built-in storage isn’t enough for all the states I need to add, but it can also take an SD card of up to 32GB, which will take all the maps included. These are the same detailed maps as the Atlas & Gazetteer series, but on the GPS. With a yearly subscription of $30 you can download additional maps for the PN-60 (or any PN series GPS), including satellite imagery.

Even if you live in or very near your retreat, a bug out plan is needed in the event that location has to be vacated, for whatever reason. Having good local maps and a backup GPS is something I recommend.

Selecting a Night Vision Device

If you read much about post-TEOTWAWKI survival scenarios, the value and benefit of night vision devices quickly becomes apparent; nothing like seeing in the dark. I’m not an expert on night vision, but have been researching it for several months to select the most appropriate device for my bug out plans and after.

There are two basic categories of night vision devices; image intensification and thermal imaging. While thermal imaging devices are probably superior, they’re also several hundred or thousand dollars more expensive than their image intensifying counterparts, so I’m not considering them.

There are five broad “generations” of image intensification night vision;

• Generation 0 – The original night-vision system created by the United States Army and used in World War II and the Korean War…
• Generation 1 – … Once dubbed Starlight by the U.S. Army, these NVDs use ambient light provided by the moon and stars to augment the normal amounts of reflected infrared in the environment…
• Generation 2 – … They offer improved resolution and performance over Generation-1 devices, and are considerably more reliable. The biggest gain in Generation 2 is the ability to see in extremely low light conditions, such as a moonless night…
• Generation 3 – Generation 3 is currently used by the U.S. military. While there are no substantial changes in the underlying technology from Generation 2, these NVDs have even better resolution and sensitivity…
• Generation 4 – What is generally known as Generation 4 or “filmless and gated” technology shows significant overall improvement in both low- and high-level light environments…

I haven’t seen any generation 0 equipment for sale. There are also a few sub-generations or types, for example generation 1+ that falls in-between gen 1 and gen 2. Usually gen 1 and gen 1+ are the most affordable under $500, while gen 2 will deliver a much better image for $500-1,000 over gen 1 devices. Gen 3 gets into the multi-thousand dollar range and breaks my budget.

Finally there are three general applications; monocular, binocular, and scope (for mounting to firearms). Monoculars and binoculars can be mounted in headgear for hands free operation.

Many units come with an IR illuminator, that puts out a beam invisible to human eyes but that will work like a flashlight for the night vision device. From what I’ve read this works well but there are two major downsides. First, it uses batteries much faster. Second, and perhaps more important in a SHTF situation, the IR illuminator will be a beacon to anyone else using a night vision device, so can give away the fact you’re even there as well as your exact position.

I haven’t decided on which type I’ll purchase, but have narrowed it down to monocular (could be used driving) or scope (no need to elaborate). Probably a gen 1+ but maybe a low-end gen 2. In a bug out scenario, having night vision could make the difference between success and failure. However, it’s also a fairly large investment that won’t get much use unless TSHTF, so I’m not in a rush to spend perhaps $500 that could go to food storage, medical supplies, savings or other necessary preparations.

As always, you need to evaluate your specific circumstances and how you might use such equipment post-TEOTWAWKI. My primary application would be for bugging out, but night vision would also be very useful for keeping watch at a retreat.

Book Review: Bug Out

As readers of this blog know, bugging out is a primary focus of mine, so I was pretty much destined to read, Bug Out: The Complete Plan for Escaping a Catastrophic disaster Before It’s Too Late (2010), by Scott B. Williams (also see his Bug Out Survival Blog).

The book consists of 12 chapters. Part I, Bug-Out Basics (chapters one through four) deal with the philosophy and mechanics of bugging out, while Part II, Bug-Out Locations (chapters five through 12) roughly identify and explain some of what you’ll need to know about the different geographical regions of the United States. The appendixes include checklists and other useful references.

At around $10 per copy, this is a good value and the author is not out to make a killing – get if for your survival library, it’s a no brainer. Even if you live in your retreat, someday you might have to bug out, and if you haven’t been dwelling on the problem, this book will help you.

While I recommend this book as a buy for most folks, I didn’t personally gain much from the first section. Why? Because I live on the east coast and am obsessed with the need to bug out should TSHTF while my family and I still live here. I spend many hours a week thinking about and planning for bugging out, which I’m guessing isn’t normal. I did glean some unknown information from both sections (more in the Part II on locations) and will absolutely keep it in my bug out vehicle (BoV) as a reference. If you’re not obsessive about planning to bug out, you probably need this book.

The introduction does a good job of explaining why you need to plan on bugging out and I think this quote sums it up:

History is full of examples of people who stayed behind and died because they were not willing to pack their bags and leave. This has happened both in natural disasters such as Katrina and in times of unrest and outright war. (pg. 5)

The author also does something I appreciate – explains why it’s not crazy to plan on bugging out and living in the wilderness for awhile. If bugging out and my family and I had to abandon the BoV for whatever reason, we’d have to head for the hills, literally, while working our way towards the family retreat in Nebraska. Related posts deal with firearms, BoV (and here), bug out bags (BoB), getting home, leaving the BoV on foot, and the overall plan for bugging out.

Because Part II deals with specific geographical regions, I must admit I didn’t read the entire book. I did read the sections dealing with areas I would travel through bugging out, and skimmed through the rest looking at the maps that show where all the parks are located.

I need to include a few mild criticisms. First, it seems geared more towards single people than families. It can still be adapted, just be aware. Also, I think if you included everything in the BoB checklist your bag would be huge and too heavy to carry (this comment might seem hypocritical coming from me, I know, but I’m carrying for more than myself). These are minor issues.

This book is not a “must have,” but it is a “very good to have” resource, especially for those who haven’t put much time into considering bugging out. I suggest using this book as a base to build your bug out plan. I’m putting this book in my truck took box in the ziplock bag with all the maps.

See more reviews at Survival Cache, Modern Survival Online, Suburban Survival Blog, The Urban Survivalist, and several others. Amazon also has several reviews, including comments where the author did a good job of winning over a skeptical potential reader.

The Bug out Plan – a Work in Progress

As I’ve mentioned a few times, my family and I currently reside in Northern Virginia. Should TEOTWAWKI occur while we’re here, the plan is to bug out to my parents’ farm in rural Nebraska, along with my brothers and a few other family members or close friends. It’s not and ideal plan, but until we can move closer it’s the de facto plan.

Depending on the route, it’s about 1,300 miles, and as the map of population density by county depicts, the eastern half of the U.S. is very densely populated. If things are getting chaotic, detours could add a couple hundred more miles.

Probably a lot of people feel like they’re out in the boonies in some places in the eastern half of the U.S., but the reality is there are large population centers nearby in all directions (unless you’re on the coast – or in Maine). Most of the eastern U.S. would be a nightmare in a total collapse SHTF scenario – without our full-up, just-in-time delivery infrastructure and utilities, these urban and suburban areas will quickly disintegrate into chaos (WROL – without rule of law).

There are a lot of variables that go into a bug out plan and I don’t think it’s realistic to create dozens of detailed plans covering every conceivable scenario. Instead, I’ve focused on the main, essential areas: transportation (BoV, plans for going without); route planning (maps and GPS); and materials (food, firearms, radios, etc.).

The question of an EMP attack bothers me as there is conflicting information as to how dangerous they actually are. However, in my specific situation, I don’t think investing in a pre-1980s, EMP-proof vehicle would be prudent since having a working vehicle in an urban area makes you a great big target. Instead of blending in with the masses on foot or bicycles, it’s like shouting, “here I am!”

If there is an EMP and most vehicles work, great (power and comms likely would not). Or, if there is an EMP and most vehicles don’t work, we’ll have to deal with it; much less (little?) chance of survival in that scenario, depending on the time of year. But the way, I see it, bugging-in along the east coast as pretty much suicide, unless you’re prepared to kill a lot of innocents to survive, and probably resort to cannibalism (strictly speaking of a full TEOTWAWKI situating, of course). Better to bug out.

Bugging Out By Vehicle
Leaving in our Bug out Vehicle (BoV) is obviously preferred. If we could leave as things are getting strange but before they fall apart, well that would be ideal. And unlikely. So I’ve been studying back roads, alleys, and alternate routes in my local area so as to avoid the worst of the traffic crush should there be a mass exodus. Good local maps are a must for this, and as I travel to nearby counties I try to find maps there as well. A national road atlas is also a must.

I’ve already determined what I think I need in a BoV, and how I want to prepare it. I currently have a sufficient vehicle and a good backup. The main concern is fuel – I need more than I have here.

To get where I want to go, I’ll need approximately 90 gallons of gasoline (using 1,300 miles and my approximate gas mileage). If detours are significant and traffic jams many, call it 100+ gallons. My tank is about 25 gallons, so I’d need three good refills to make it.

I have a few cans of gas here, but not enough. Assuming some stations are open, my plan is to fill up as often as possible, buying and filling more cans along the way as possible. In case credit isn’t being accepted or the price of fuel skyrockets, I have a large stash of cash for just such an event. If I have to pay $50 a gallon, I’ll still get home. Having a large amount of cash on hand may be vital in the beginning stages of a collapse or other critical event.

The amount of time available to pack will determine the load. Again it’s obvious that more time is better. After thinking it through, I estimate can fully load the vehicle in about two hours, maybe a little less. (If time was critical, I’d need about five minutes to grab the BoB, food, water, and firearms.) In my case, that’s a truck. I have lockable toolbox for the most critical items, and a cardboard tri-wall container to put in the back and load up.

All items that have a long-term survival value will be taken with us; firearms, ammo, food/water, survival books, clothing, blankets, clothing, shoes, etc. These items will go along the sides of the tri-wall – if they need to be removed quickly, a box knife will help liberate them.

As part of my denial and deception campaign, for those who evaluate me as a target to attempt to loot, the last items to be loaded, and the most visible, will be frivolous; children’s toys, clothes in clear bags, perhaps a garden rake and water hose, etc. The goal is to look like an unworthy target to help avoid confrontation. Along that line, the BoB will be in the front seat of the cab, but covered with a children’s blanket, perhaps with a few toys visible.

If someone still wants to attempt to loot us, they’d find out what caliber is hidden underneath the baby blanket. I’d rather avoid confrontation, but will shoot first and ask questions later if threatened.

If there was some sort of terrorist event or large-scale disaster, natural or man-made, it may determine our route out of the DC area. For example, we may need to detour significantly north our south before proceeding west by northwest to Nebraska. Because of this, having a capable GPS with up-to-date maps is critical. Having a multi-band radio to get the most current information is also important.

Bugging Out On Foot
If we encounter a massive traffic jam that cannot be escaped, or if the truck breaks down and cannot be repaired, we’d have to continue on foot. If we can’t leave the DC area by BoV, we might have to do the entire trip on foot, perhaps on bicycles, but using a jogging stroller/bike trailer in any case. The stroller would carry our children and much of the supplies we’d take in this specific case.

My wife and I would still need to wear packs. And we would both be well armed. We have a hiking GPS, shortwave radio, and two-way GMRS/FRS radios in what I hope is a functioning Faraday cage.

Going on foot from the DC area to Nebraska would take two months or more in good times for a fit man unencumbered by two very small children. If we could make 10 miles a day, it would be over four months (more if winter was near). At five miles a day, nearly nine months. Chances of all four of us making it, very low. I don’t know how low and can’t assign a realistic percentage.

In general, the plan would be to navigate away from the most populated areas, seeking secondary roads, steering towards Nebraska the entire time. Monitoring the SW radio would be key for avoiding the most chaotic areas, blocked roads, etc. The GPS already has up-to-date road maps uploaded for all states we’d possibly transit. The BoB has a supply of batteries, but I’ll likely be adding more soon.

My BoB gear is really provisioned for the longer term with this scenario in mind, and we would have basic shelter. We would have weapons appropriate for both defense and hunting. If we had to stop for a few weeks or winter over someplace, we both have skills that might help us gain acceptance, especially my wife’s medical profession.

A Work in Progress
This is a basic plan that is always being fine tuned, and I’ve probably forgotten a few important details. New streets found, new maps added, gear being swapped out, and so on. When we eventually move, the plan will be greatly simplified by the much shorter distance we’d have to travel.

Even so, I’m always seeking gear (at a reasonable price) that will help with bugging out, adding maps, and thinking about what I’d need to do for different situations. Something to think about while at red lights.

Even if you live in your retreat, I think having a backup bug out plan is essential, so my brothers and I are also thinking about where we would go if our farm became an nonviable option.

As Ben Franklin said, “God helps those who help themselves” – being prepared to evacuate is the beginning.

Teva Sandals for the Bug out Bag

If bugging out, I’ll clip my Teva sandals to my BoB. If you end up on foot, it’s likely you’ll eventually want to protect your main hiking boots or shoes from getting soaked, either from crossing a waterway or due to needing to travel during a storm, etc. If it’s hot weather, sandals can be more comfortable to walk in assuming the terrain allows.

I recommend sandals over flip-flop type shoes because the sandal is held firmly in place and therefore offers better protection. Flip-flops can come off in fast moving water or while running, whereas sandals won’t.

While there are probably lots of brands, I’m familiar with Teva and am a repeat customer. I got my first pair of Teva sandals for about $40-45 in 1996. They got heavy, near daily use for about two years in a marine environment (salt water daily), and used most of three summers after that. I don’t recall exactly what I got on them that made me want to get rid of them, but the soles and straps were still very serviceable after the hard use I’d put them through.

Picked up my second and current pair in 2004 (very similar to the photo above) for about $75, which at the time I thought was a bit steep. But they still look great after six summers of heavy use. Though expensive, these shoes offer good support and have held up perfectly. I can’t vouch for the quality of currently produced products so suggest checking online reviews carefully before purchasing.

Others have also selected Tevas for their BoB footwear as well, and for creek crossing or camp shower shoes. Some hardcore expedition folks recommend Teva sandals, as does a lightweight backpacker, and you can find reviews on Teva shoes from some other serious hikers.

Bug Out Vehicle Backups: Jogging Strollers and Bike Trailers

In response to an article about Bug out Bags (BoB) at Survival Blog, an elderly reader recently wrote in to say that carrying a properly stocked BoB was physically beyond what he and his wife could now do. Instead, they plan to use a garden cart, which can generally haul several hundred pounds, to carry their gear. As the reader notes, roads would be ideal, open level ground so-so, and most other types of terrain difficult or impossible.

I’ve also considered different types of carts for use in a bug out situation as a backup for when the BoV (and here) either breaks down or, more likely, can’t get past massive traffic jams. Then how to carry a massive BoB for potentially the next few weeks or even months?

Initially I’d planned on taking our run-of-the-mill Graco stroller, which could hold one or two children, depending on their size, and some gear. But the small wheels on most normal strollers would be near useless on anything but paved surfaces – impractical for a bug out situation. Then I considered some double strollers and finally double jogging strollers, some of which can also be used as bike trailers.

Advantages: Jogging strollers normally have bicycle type wheels/tires that roll extremely smoothly over paved or level surfaces, and very well over even somewhat rough terrain, if going slowly – much better than a garden cart. A double will carry up to two children and/or a combination of gear, and usually has some sort of weather protection. Most fold and are light relative to a garden cart, which is an advantage when having to cross fences and similar obstacles.

Disadvantages: The advertised weight limit for most double jogging strollers/bike trailers is 100 pounds. Modifications to the stroller/trailer might not allow for more weight since the limit may be due to how the wheels attach. The well rolling but light wheels will be more easily damaged that those of a garden cart (i.e. hitting rocks or holes). While there are some bargains, these strollers and trailers can be expensive.

I ended up getting something a couple of steps away from the top end, but still very high quality (doesn’t come cheap) that we’ve been happy with. Since getting a stroller/trailer combo, I’ve used my bike more in the past few weeks than the previous several years as the kids love riding in it!

It’s a good solution for us; the stroller/trailer will go with us, and should we need to leave our BoV for any reason, the stroller/trailer will carry our two children and some gear. This will allow us to move faster and over more diverse terrain, and reduce the amount we’ll need to carry on our backs.

The Get Home Plan for Working Parents

Tonight I finally wrote down the emergency get home plans I’ve discussed with my wife for some time, printed them out, and put together a Get Home Bag (GHB) for her (in this case, a simple backpack with plenty of room to spare). I don’t have a prepared GHB in my vehicle, since most of those items are already there, just spread out a bit. I’ll throw them in a bag and go.

Because we live in the DC Metro area, the chance of a terrorist attack is higher than most other places. The chance of a natural disaster is probably about the same as other places. And the traffic is hell regardless. We both work a bit over 10 miles from our home, though my wife has a very flexible schedule and works part-time. When she does work, a lady from our church watches our children – about three miles from our home.

As I work full-time, my plan is fairly simple; get to our designated meeting place. If my vehicle functions (i.e., it’s not an EMP attack or solar flares to same effect), and the roads are open, I’ll drive. Else, I hoof it and take any needed items from my office stash and vehicle. Mostly this includes a multi-tool, flashlight, water, granola bars, a hat, some rope, perhaps a few other odd-n-ends, and season appropriate clothing.

If I am without a vehicle, I can walk/jog the distance in a few hours and do not feel the need to create a mini BoB to do so, though that depends on the season somewhat, with more precautions taken in winter. Similar items for the wife’s GHB, with a few extras in the vehicle. Carrying firearms in vehicles is a no-go due to DC gun laws – you don’t want to forget to take a pistol out before going into DC, and have Murphy’s Law take effect.

Because the distance to home is about the same for both of us, but in most cases I can move faster, we have a set of plans on where to meet so we can retrieve our children and get home.

My wife may or may not be at home when the need to evacuate arises, so a set of if/then/else plans come into play for her (abbreviated):

If away from home… (assuming I know the start point)

• Plan A – If vehicle starts and traffic is manageable:
• Pick up children & go home
• You might need to use different roads; listen to [local traffic/news radio station]
• Call me if possible (cell networks might be overwhelmed with calls)
• If you can safely fill up your gas tank after getting children, do so
• If you get completely stuck in traffic, go to Plan B

• Plan B – If stuck in traffic:
• Drive as far as possible, lock up when leaving
• Leave a note to me in your vehicle saying where you plan to go
• Take the GHB, place other needed item from vehicle in the bag (flashlight, medical kit, etc.)
• Go to Plan C

• Plan C – If vehicle cannot be used, for any reason:
• Walk to the sitter’s, I will meet you there
• If you cannot go to the sitter’s, go to [friends house on the way] (I’ll stop there first)
• If it is not safe for you to leave work, stay; I will come for you
• If you must leave work and go someplace else; leave a note for me [place we know]

If away from home… (assuming I DO NOT know the start point)

• Plan D – All other situations:
• First priority is to get home any way possible
• Use elements from other plans as needed
• Call me if possible (cell networks might be overwhelmed with calls)

When at home…

• Lock the house, close the blinds, do not open for strangers
• Get out a pistol, load and holster it
• Fill up our large and small water containers
• Call me if possible (cell networks might be overwhelmed with calls)
• Plug your cell phone in to charge
• Turn the radio on to [local traffic/news radio]

This is pretty basic. It may seem silly to some to write it down, but I find that having a simple set of instructions reduces stress in an otherwise overwhelming situation.

These plans cover the scenarios we’re most likely to encounter in broad terms, yet have enough detail, I think. As I mentioned, we’ve discussed the plans in the past, but both of us having a printed copy of the plans will reduce confusion and mistakes.