By Joseph Parish
Well, as all good survivalists you have your initial bug out exercise planned and you feel pretty confident that you have everything under control. You have referred over and over to your well composed bug out checklists and you are 100 percent confident that nothing has been overlooked. You have completely rechecked your bug out bags, your food provisions and your first aid supplies. You proceed to hook up your pull behind storage trailer and resume consigning additional survival supplies into it as well. Everything appears to be in order and you truly feel like some sort of professional survivalist at this point.
You gaze over all your supplies and packing one last time to ensure that you have not forgotten a solitary thing, after all you want you first bug out exercise to go off without any sort of hitch. If only life was this defined and predictable but it simply is not. There is a host of variables that can crop up during any bug out event and we regrettably can not envisage what these tribulations will be in advance. As survivalists we frequently pride ourselves on anticipating the unexpected. We are supposed to know in advance what probable problems we may encounter throughout our trip and at the bug out retreat. Being realistic we know full well it is impracticable to attain however we can within certain parameters be able to diminish the unexpected.
Most unexpected problems stem from what they didn’t tell you about bugging out. Being conscientious you have read and prepared for is all that you possibly can. To this end you are ready, it is the untold information and hints that tends to tender the most hindrance.
No one has ever claimed that the bug out process is painless. In fact, it is down right demanding when you reflect upon all the things that you have to remember and the diverse tasks which you must accomplish. But a successful bug out should endow the survivalist with a positive feeling of pride in knowing that they are prepared for any disaster and that they can handle their own during these crisis times.
Your first order of business is of course planning as to where you will bug out to. If you have concluded your homework and preps properly this has previously been worked out. Upon arrival at your retreat you will need to unpack specific pieces of equipment in order to embark upon your temporary life in the woods. If you happen to be using a tent you will need to clear a spot and ensure that it is level. You will then need to start your fire so that the evening meal can be prepared.
I have previously covered the subject of bugs in another article but never the less anytime you are in the great outdoors you will likely encounter bugs in the area like to bother you. Although some bugs are simply worse then others all of them are a source of great annoyance. You can minimize their effects by completing several minor tasks. Of prime importance is to maintain your area clear of food scrapes. Bugs like to eat. If you included sweetened drinks in your food supplies keep them closed as bees are often attracted to a sweet can of soda. Determine a logical way to dispose of your trash on a daily basis and never and I repeat never eat in your tent. Nothing is worse then trying to rest in the evening only to discover that your tent guests are a marching colony of ants. Don’t wear after shave lotions, deodorants or perfumes of any sort as insects are attracted to the scents.
The use of any kind of bright lights has a tendency to attract gnats and mosquitoes. If you are going to use a lantern for light make sure you place it far enough away to not attract flying bugs to your immediate vicinity. In a previous article I outlined the making of a natural insect repellent that you could create at home so you may wish to also include some of this in your bags. Outdoor Citronella candles tend to help discourage many flying insects for your immediate location.
The ability to obtain a good nights sleep is often a problem that is not only associated with new bug out survivalists but the more seasoned as well. There is a variety of reasons for this abnormality. First, you are not sleeping in your usual bed and will find the emergency accommodations extremely uncomfortable to adapt to. Next you really don’t know what to expect in the way of unexpected guests either from the forests four legged creatures or the roving two legged kind therefore you are continually on alert.
Speaking of natures wild creatures. It is totally possible that you could wake up in the morning and discover that much of your food has been eaten or scattered about the bug out site. Depending upon where your bug out retreat is located you can encounter a vast selection of wildlife. You could easily end up with neighbors such as raccoons, squirrels or if you are located in an area as my brother is, you could perhaps expect a visit by a black bear or a mountain lion. These animals can smell food for a considerable distance. Never leave your food unsecured. A rope and a burlap bag can help save your vitals by hanging them from a tree.
Despite the minor discomforts and an occasional inconvenience that we may endure while bugging out these various outdoor experiences will be a valuable lesson to us in the event of an actual emergency and during times of crisis when our skills would need to be used. Good luck and think of the impossible.
Copyright @ 2009 Joseph Parish
Original: http://survival-training.info/articles10/OhYesIforgottotellyouabout.htm
No comments:
Post a Comment