Having a bugout plan is a cornerstone of prepping. But this doesn't just entail preparing a bugout bag (BOB) in case SHTF. It also entails knowing what actual events might necessitate bugging out.
Such events, known as bugout situations, are dangerous scenarios that require you to leave as soon as possible, often due to unexpected danger to your life. There is usually little time to react in these situations and absolutely no chance of hiring movers to pack your things. Just grab your BOB and get going.
Here are eight situations that might require bugging out:
1. Religious persecution
Religious persecution was widespread in the Middle Ages. However, you'd be mistaken to believe it's a thing of the past as religious persecution continues to dog some groups of people around the world. There have even been reports of shootings inside various religious establishments, including temples, churches and mosques.
Therefore, it's not unthinkable to believe that things could get worse when it comes to religious conflicts. So, it's good to consider bugging out in case tensions flare and local religious communities or groups get into some trouble.
2. Electromagnetic pulse (EMP)
An EMP is a short burst of electromagnetic energy. The origin of such a pulse may either be natural or man-made and can occur as a radiated, electric or magnetic field, depending on the source.
A number of countries now have the ability to attack other nations with an EMP capable of bringing down a power grid. For instance, China reportedly has a "first-strike" capability to destroy the United States' power grid. (Related: Biden hands over control of America’s power grid to communist China.)
Today, the threat of an EMP attack is very real given advances in technology. It is likely going to be a weapon if push comes to shove. If you live within an urban area when an EMP attack happens, you need to bug out immediately. Lack of power means you won't have running water, working gasoline pumps and plumbing. And it would only take a few days before stores in your vicinity run out of food and potable water.
3. Doxing
Doxing is slang for "dropping documents." It is normally done to expose private details about a person, such as their phone number and address. Doxing can put a person's life in danger. However, it is completely legal in most cases.
If you get doxxed, you're unlikely to feel safe inside your own home. Prepare a BOB so you can make a quick and clean run for a secure hotel or lodging until you've contacted the appropriate authorities.
4. Economic collapse
In case of a serious economic slump that renders the U.S. dollar worth next to nothing, you may want to try bugging out and making do with your available resources. During economic downturns like the Great Depression, people could barely afford food, clean water, medicine and other daily essentials.
Such situations could force thousands of people to leave their homes, either from eviction or in search of better opportunities elsewhere, leaving neighborhoods ripe for crime and violence. Desperate people do desperate things. You may have to deal with bands of rogues breaking into houses if you insist on staying at home.
5. Nuclear fallout
The U.S. isn't the only country with nuclear bombs and weapons lying in wait in case of war. Other nations, such as Russia, the United Kingdom and North Korea, also have nuclear weapons at their disposal.
If just one of these countries deploys a nuclear weapon, nuclear fallout is more than guaranteed. In case of such a scenario, you'll need to bug out immediately. Even if your city or state isn't hit, you're at risk of experiencing the many nasty effects of exposure to nuclear radiation, such as nausea, seizures and, in fatal cases, death.
6. Disasters
Wildfires, hurricanes, earthquakes and other disasters necessitate evacuating as soon as possible. Forget about taking anything apart from your BOB, too. Your priority should be getting yourself and your family somewhere safe as soon as possible.
7. Plague
Given the global chaos caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, many people have opted to live off-the-grid in remote areas and weather out the pandemic from there. You could say this counts as bugging out.
It's not such a bad idea either. People who live off-the-grid are able to sustain themselves with one or two grocery runs a month, collected and filtered rainwater and solar power.
8. Localized attack
A terrorist attack doesn't have to be a significant historic event like 9/11 to necessitate bugging out. Remember: a bugout situation is any scenario that puts you and your family in danger. A mass shooting counts as a localized attack. If one happens in your neighborhood, you may need to bug out depending on how far or near you live from the site of the attack.
Learn more about what goes into a BOB at Bugout.news.
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