I have been a reader of the survival forums for quite some time now, and I have to say that I am starting to become very worried about many of you. In the event of an actual disaster, be it natural, martial law, or terrorism or global war, things will simply not suddenly be like a video game where survival is easy with a bug out bag and a knife and a gun. Within the first weeks of a major disaster which leaves us without rule of law, up to 80 percent or more of this nations population will die. Be it from exposure, starvation, dehydration, lack of medicine refills, or physical violence, there will be a massive die off of the population. A very many of which will be carrying a bug out bag.

I romanticize ideas as much as the next guy, but everyone's overconfidence in their own survival skill, which probably stems from too much time playing modern warfare and fallout, and seriously, they may not admit it, but most have never even fired a real gun. Its not like in the games, kiddos. In fact, its absolutely nothing like in the games.

The fact is, bugging out with a pack on your back just isn't going to work. Too many complications in the long run. You will die. The only real hope of long term shtf survival is in a home that you can defend, that's stocked with food, water, and has at least rudimentary self sufficiency capabilities, like a protected spot to garden, rainwater collection, etc.

I know this view just doesn't sound as fun, or exciting, but its just how it is.

For any of you who really want to learn skills and gain true insights on how things will be, and be entertained as well, I strongly suggest heading to youtube, and pulling up YANKEEPREPPER 's channel. Over the past couple years he has made hundreds of videos, vlogs, and more on the general topics of survival in the shtf, guns, prepping foods, and general day to day life. I suggest all of you watch his videos and try to learn something that WILL help you if society really does break down.

Hope for the best, prepare for the worst.

I know, I used to be one of those people, until I started going to the shooting range, and I realized just how hard it is to actually hit something.

Personally I don't think a bug out bag is the way to go. Most people are probably better off staying put at their home.

I respectfully disagree! However, either choice you make, to bug in or bug out has a ton of variables that will determine the outcome.

To bug in, means that everyone knows where you are. There is a network of roads connecting your house to a grid. It's like a big arrow pointing right to your location. The more you make it look defended, the more stuff you will be assumed to have making you a huge target.

While they might go as far as going door to door, hiking through brush and bramble will not be something anyone wants to do in order to go looking for resources. Especially when there's such easy targets bugging in.

I'll take my chances in the thicket by a lake - silent, easy to capture food, no need to build a fire to cook it if things get really scary, easy enough to stay mobile with the woods and nature being a better early warning system than ADT.

I hope if it happens, perhaps we'll both make it and have a chance to share stories over a campfire some day.

Thank you for this thread.
I have land and a home I can defend (in more ways than one). But that is not enough.
I considered scenarios in my mind and decided:
Have SOME food, etc in the home being defended.
Be sure to have SEVERAL places (prefereably dug in ground) of more goods, then ammo and extra weapons, makeshift shelter material to protect from elements, some needed tools, extra clothing, etc.

NEVER keep everything in the home, primarily due to the fact that the home itself is not toatally fire/burn resistant. Plus in the middle of the night, you and your family may need to leave, you will still have supplies to fall back on along with some piece of mind.

Truthfully, if I get word that military are coming, I definately am not taking chances wasting my time defending my home....Plus you never know, if military come and discover no one is there, they may light the place up as a marker they were there.
So whatever you do, keep extra essentials outside of the home at a good distance.

I like your comments and agree that the best way to survive is to stay in your own home as long as possible.

The thing is I can't ever see a situation, apart from a massive exchange of nukes where society will break down to such a level that the government can't keep the Country running and order be reinstated.

During World War 2, my gandparents generation had bombs being dropped on them night after night, food shortages etc. They only had radios to inform them as to what was happening. S did HTF big style, yet life went on, people still went to work, they even carried on watching films in the cinema whilst raids were taking place. Maybe you are saying Americans are different and if your Country did get attacked, even from the inside, people will crumble into anarchy, killing each other over food and water. Maybe that is the result of having an armed society, I don't know.

i don't think they will crumble. They are very patriotic, regardless of who is in power.

Shelter in place is always the first choice. IF that isn't an option ... bug out.
We have our bug out bags ready. Always have had them.
It's better to have all options available then to be caught short.

To bug out, or to bug in, that's the question. While bugging in sounds good, and you did raise a few good points, there are other things to consider. Riots are one. People will most likely be rioting. Arson sometimes happens when there are riots. Look at the 60s for example. Fire departments might have their hands full or may not be able to respond at all. If you're bugged out in your home and there's a fire, say a block or so away, how long will it take to reach you? What if you're asleep? Then, you'll end up a crispy critter thanks to your decision to bug in. Also, consider what would happen if looters came to your home. You may be able to shoot some but you only have so much ammo. If they have friends, they may just decide to set your house on fire. "If I can't have it, then nobody can."
Also, there's the problem of basic utilities and sanitation. Say the water is cut off and the treatment plant is no longer processing sewage. There's going to be a toxic bacterial soup brewing that will spread disease. You can have all the jugs of water you want but what happens when nature calls? Do it in a pot and dump it out the window like in the pre-20th century era? Imagine the stink from doing that for a week or more. Sure, you might have the windows closed, but you still smell it if a skunk is hit by a car-even with the window closed. It would be better to be in a place that at least has a stream, lake or river where you can at least boil the water for bathing or what not. I mean, imagine being in a place where you're unable to bathe. It may be okay if you're the only one there but if there are others there as well, it's going to be pretty rank soon, with all those unwashed bodies. I could go on and on with all the pros and cons of both scenarios but I really don't have the time and it would have to be it's own thread. Just putting my two cents in. Thanks for the interesting thread. I hope it gives people some options, if they need them.

and by ALL means, dont forget the toilet paper!
Its not just military I worry about knocking at my door, it would be my neighbors.