Bug Out Practice Drill: April, 2009

For this past week I have been bugging out down in the state of North Carolina. I decided to combine a little business with pleasure since my son lives down in that section of the country. It trip hasn’t been a complete bug out exercise but rather more of a distance type of activity. With the new SUV, I mainly wanted to see just how far I could go on a tank of gas.

As most of you know if you have been following my writing for any time now that I am a firm believer that a bug out retreat should be within driving distance with a single tank of gasoline. I was successful in this respect since I was able to go from Seaford Delaware all the way to Fayetteville North Carolina on only one tank of gas.

During the practice exercise I also discovered several items that I were missing and will need to add to my bug out kit when I return home. Foremost was the forgotten Atlas. I had one in the old bug out vehicle but had failed to place it in the new SUV. I did take and print instructions for getting to my sons house off of Microsofts maping software. To this ened I concluded that I needed a complete map case. During the trip south we stoped at several state visitor  centers and obtained some maps and various activity sheets such as camp grounds, etc

In addition, I found that my public service scanner that I use to monitor the police frequencies was totally useless in this neck of the woods. Without knowing the needed frequencies for this particular area I would need to purchase a scanner frequency book to carry around in the SUV. If I recall correctly Radio Shack carries these books. It will be a good investment.

I have decided that at some future time during this upcoming summer season I will plan another outing in order to see just how long my bug out bag supplies will last but that will be another episode to be read later. I am certain that I would not even have enough food in the BOV to last one week let alone any longer.

I did manage to remember some of the normal supplies such as fire generating apparatus like matches, lighters, etc. Cooking supplies were brought even though they were not needed at this time. We did realize that we will need additional clothing when we ever have to actually bug out. Neither of us had enough and I am certain that washers and dryers will not be readily available at that time.

I like to always plan several objectives when I do something like this. Sometimes it can get very difficult trying to come up with things that I know can help when I am bugging out. I guess I need to create some sort of task list for things that I need to complete. Those who can remember their military days will probably recall the “bag inspection” days where you take everything out of your survival bags and do a complete inventory. I can see one of those coming up in my future. This would be the perfect opportunity to use such knowledge.

In all reality this action should always be accomplished before a bug out exercise and upon completing the trip as well.