4 Little-Known Evacuation Tips In A Disaster

by · May 30, 2013

  • Steve

    a siphon hose with pump will allow you access to gas in those tanks of course it may get you shot

  • gc_mountainman

    Very valid observations about human nature both those who prepare and those that don’t. I would however caution anyone from having a BOB that is too skinny/too light. Yes, we all know what a BOB/GHB is for. But, until my BOV can no longer move I want as much gear at my disposal as possible, because I may not ever make it home to get my other gear. If I have it in my BOV and end up having to stash or cache my stuff for retrieval later is a heck of a lot better than leaving with a very skinny BOB and running out of supplies. Keep fit, practice often and you can take a heavy ruck, cross-country on a compass bearing/azimuth without too much negative impact. Just my opinion, of course.

  • Blair

    Just break it into two bags. One designed for on foot and another with extra items that would be left in the car.

  • Mark5177

    Keep in mind that today’s cars have a prevention of some kind that will not let you stick a siphon hose into your gas tank. I tried it when I was preparing for hurricane Ike. It was only later that I found out about blockage. I think it is there for safety and not for theft prevention. Of course older cars, you can put a siphon hose into the tank.

  • 2fishandhunt

    Where are the other 52 unique “bug out secrets”? Remember, many of us are getting old and will just have to remain in place. I believe I am the only prepper in the senior citizen apartments where I live. I will be in trouble!

  • Ken

    At 77 I don’t plan on one big batch of hiking; I pretty much am stuck, with my wife, where I am. We live in a single family residence in a nice neighborhood on the outer edge of an urban area of +/- 125,000 folks of all kinds. Hiking out is not gonna fly; driving out might be ok but where to? Options melt away with age and infirmity. Any ideas would be appreciated.

  • Really good point Steve! Being on the run is about being resourceful. Hell… everything about surviving is about being resourceful, right?

    This article doesn’t go into detail about all the items you need in your car but little things like a siphon hose can mean the difference between being stranded on the side of the road… or putting down the highway on your way to safety.

    Thanks for the comment my friend!

  • That “where to” is key there Ken. I was just interviewed on this topic and you really should at least look for a “Plan B” safety location that’s about a half tank of gas away from where you currently live. That’s about 75-150 miles, depending upon your vehicle.

    Another thing… having advanced notice of trouble drastically increases your ability to make it to safety. Think about it… if you get off to a late start with 95% of the other neighbors who are procrastinating, then you’ll end up in the parking lot traffic jam they’ll create, burning gas while they try to push stalled cars off the road.

    We have lots of tips for this in the “Survival Gear Secrets” book so make sure you read up on that section. I’ll have more info for you to help you get that “Plan B” started.

    Be safe my friend!

  • That certainly is a tough predicament. Surviving in place in a home can be trouble enough in a crisis, but apartment buildings make things even tougher.

    Like Ken (above), your key will be to have a “fire escape” to a secondary location that you can drive to and feel safer. A friend with a home who thinks like you do? A son or daughter in the radius of 75-150 miles away? Again… early notice is critical and it’s good that you’re at least analyzing your current situation and knowing you need a “Plan B”.

  • Good point Mark. Used car lots may be a good target for this reason (instead of tip-toeing through other – potentially armed – victims’ driveways).

  • keev48

    If you have family and/or friends in the area, get together with them and bug-in. Decide where your bug-in place is going to be and stock it with supplies. Once you are all there set up your perimeter and a look out. The more people you have the more eyes you have to spot trouble coming and the more help you have to take care of it.
    Be safe my friend and good luck.

  • veritasliberabit

    Jeff – I recently accessed a nifty resource which was a free ebook about survival stuff, and included lots of info about kits and bags – vehicle kits, day bags, etc….unfortunately I have lost it and can’t find it on my computer. I’m thinking it might have been from you…did you recently make such a free book available? If so I would sure appreciate the link! Thanks so much!

  • Hobie

    Not to mention most tanks are not very tough on new cars. A little work to poke a hole may be in order.

  • mohi

    Should we take guns with us or thats dangerous

  • mohi

    Should take guns with us or that will be a bad idea

  • David Richerson

    Aloha Mr. Jeff Anderson.

    I hope this reply makes it back to your eyes.
    I first made your acquaintance during the Survival Summit hosted by the Womach Brothers.
    I basically purchased almost everything available during the summit and have been absorbing tons of it into my preps.
    I wanted to share with you some of my ‘go-bag’ techniques, that are very much inline with what you have mentioned here.
    Going with non-military gear by outward appearance is crucial. It’s not just the bag, but also the clothes.
    Wearing construction clothes or motorcycle riding clothes meets most of the needs of so-called tactical clothing, without screaming ‘Joe Commando’.

    As for the bags, I have found that various ‘Sports Bags’ are very versatile.
    Tennis Racket Bags, great for a small and light point A to B bag, capable of holding such short weapons as AR15 pistols or bullpup weapons, such as the KelTec KSG.
    Baseball bat bags are great, especially if you have some MLB patches and favorite team bling showing on
    the outside. They have wheels, can be packed fairly heavily and wheeled in an urban/suburban environment, yet they also can be carried or shouldered or even full back-pack strapped if necessary to cover ground over rough terrain (they come with all these straps). Include a nice solid wooden baseball bat or 2 poking out the top, and it completes the Non-Tactical look and is definitely a usable defensive weapon if needed.
    These bags even include a pouch specifically for helmets, either use a baseball helmet to add to the ‘grey man’ deception, or conceal a tactical helmet with your NODS and gear on it.

    Lastly, include in your vehicle not just a ‘go-bag’, but also some wheeled means of carrying your load. A folding bicycle is a great choice. Even better, a folding bicycle with a folding bicycle trailer to carry your ‘go-bag’. I use a Burley Travoy, fantastic tool. Weighs 10 pounds, folds to the size of a briefcase, yet is rated to carry 60 pounds behind any bicycle. For the ultimate ‘grey man’ mobility device, include a folding metal basket wheeled shopping cart, the same kind you see little olde ladies use for taking the bus to the market for shopping.
    Stuff that basket with all sorts of non-attention grabbing gear (like a baseball sports bag), and you can make good time on foot without having to carry a heavy burden, the burden is in the cart.
    IF your BOV is capable of carrying mountain bikes or even dirt-bikes on the outside via hitch mounted racks, adds another layer of mobility redundancy. I have an Aluma 5410T trailer, that I am specifically prepping for being ready to hitch and go. Polaris 6×6 Big Boss ATV, already pre-loaded on the trailer and loaded with gear, ready to back off the trailer and continue on should the truck need to be abandoned.
    Peace & Prepare
    Pax et Paro

  • vtrobert1800r .

    It really is a predicament to get inside the tank of newer vehicles. Family reunion in WV over July 4 when straight line winds came across the Ohio valley into MD turned into disaster back in 2012.
    Our immediate family was fine but one of my brothers and I had to remove the connection on two vehicles to siphon gas to run the generator keeping our foodstuffs usable. Thieves especially use the technique of knocking holes in fuel tanks, especially SUVs where they don’t have to get too low.
    While we were never really destitute and Walmart got emergency trucks into the local stores as soon as power was restored and the roads were cleared, it was an interesting “dry run” on survival. Mom and dad are in their late 70s so that entered into our considerations as well. Attitude is everything. One of my brother’s had kind of a normalcy bias to his thinking that we had to overcome. Once he grasped the urgency of our predicament, he was quickly on board.

  • Dave

    Mohi, this is a very personal decision. Don’t take it unless you are well trained and know when and how to use it. It also will depend on your state laws and if you have a CCW. You do not want to end up incarcerated. The law will be looking for people who have guns so possess it legally. I do believe it is necessary to have some sort of personal protection. Travel in a group, have a dog, carry pepper spray, stay away from trouble and out of crowds as much as possible.

  • William Wilson

    “The law will be looking for people who have guns so possess it legally”. Apparently you are one of the millions of Americans who either don’t understand or are willing to relinquish their rights as protected under the Constitution for whatever reason. any law restricting the ownership or possession of ANY weapon is a violation of those rights.

  • samnjoeysgramma

    I agree. The Great Plains were littered with personal belongings up to and including pianos and full house loads of furniture which the pioneers threw out of their covered wagons, usually bit by bit. That does NOT mean that everyone got to their destination without any of those things. Some people actually made it with most of their household goods on board. It depended entirely on the conditions they met along the way. Clearly you wont be taking your recliner or king size bed. The important thing is to have the option of casting off things you don’t need or using them for barter on the way. It’s also important to have the lightest weight version of every item. Backpackers often cut off most of the handles of their toothbrushes just to make them that tiny bit lighter. It eventually makes a difference. Conversely, speed on the trail may make the difference in your survival. Don’t carry a 70 lb. pack of things you consider “extras”.

  • danny kimbrel

    The old saying will ring true in those circumstances ” it’s better to have and not need than to need and not have” plus my boy scout days made me understand to always be prepared . That being said, i plan on being armed to deal with those that would try to take what me and mine need to survive or do us harm. Good luck when the time comes and be safe friend.

  • jimmy johnson

    That’s my problem Ken, I’m 61,made some bad choices in life so I’m not real fit. My wife is abit younger than me,but has COPD, diabetic and insulin dependent,had by-pass surgery on both legs,knee replacement in right one and had cancer come up in her last mammogram and ended up with mastectomy and has abit of extra weight. She’s on oxygen also,so I’m preparing and praying. She can’t go on foot well at all. Saying my prayers,trusting God, and doing the best I can to be ready. Bless you my friend and Godspeed!!

  • jim s

    I am most happy that folks are finally getting it–I have been telling all who will listen and my children since the 70’s this will happen just a matter of time–after years in the Marines–I knew it—when I got back to the world I saw it–took some time but know I am ready for it–moved way out in the middle of no where USA–my kids know where to come with the BOB I showed them how to put together–we will be ready–I was stunned though to see that there are some things–not many–but some things I didn’t think of–glad I clicked on this link

  • Di

    Why store the extra fuel outside the vehicle? I would be concerned about people knowing I have extra gas if stuck in the traffic.

  • N.o

    Is your product an actual book or e-book?

  • Chris Graff

    As Jeff has said repeatedly… Shut up about what you have… let no one know… take no pictures… leave no trace… you are your best line of defense about what people know about you

  • RAYAKE

    join or start your own group in your area..Just the people you can trust and will help put supplies and needed protection togather..

  • timothius

    If shtf Then lawlessness could prevail without something to defend yourself and family a weapon is desirable. Remember a knife in a gun fight is useless.

  • Gil

    Uh… yeah. Get your CCW license and keep your weapon concealed so no one knows in advance that you have it, unless/until you need it. Also tactical knife/knives concealed as well.

  • samw

    Most gun fights are not out of knife range (9 feet or less). Even fewer are out of machete range.

  • samw

    Check at Modern combat and survival.com

  • timothius

    Well Sam, go for it! Personally I pack and have a good Tac knife too. Never leave home without em!