Security While Hunkered Down or Bugged Out

Security Matters…

This Number Will Significantly Increase During SHTF

Let me first begin by saying if a SHTF situation were to occur, there will be those out there that will most certainly do whatever it takes to get what they need. Thinking ahead now and making a family security plan will ensure two important things: First because all family or group members know and have practiced the plan, if push comes to shove they will be less likely to freeze up in a dangerous situation. Secondly and just as important, those who are able will already be experienced and knowledgeable of weapons, if or when needed.

Whether you are planning to hunker-down or get to your b.o.l., you will need a way to stay safe. In week 5 we talked about ways to fortify your home, this week we will focus on personal security. In beginning the discussion on security, we turn back to planning. Preparedness minded people already use planning to help them know what supplies they need, how to store essentials, and where they would go if need be during SHTF. So using planning for security is also one more necessary step preppers need to think about. The biggest arsenal will not help during a emergency situation if you lose your head and are taken over by fear. So, let’s begin.

~Not Everyone is a Bad Guy, But Never Forget There Are Bad Guys Out There & More to Come~

Step One: Make a Security Plan

I would encourage everyone to include all able members of your family or group in the security planning. This also includes planning for various levels of security needed. What does this mean? Well if one or two people were trying to invade your location, that’s not the same obviously as a whole group strategically invading, right ? Plan For Both. It may also be effective to chose a leader for everyone to look towards for direction. This could be the head of the household or if in a group, a person voted on. I can not specifically tell you which steps to take, I am not at your location and honestly that’s your job. But, what I can tell you is that if you fail to make a security plan then when the time comes it can end in devastating results!

Step Two: Practice the Plan

This is simple enough: practice, practice, practice..now! Run drills so that everyone knows their role and position. I would also make sure everyone knows that the arrival of strangers, does not automatically mean a fire fight. Preferably, that should be the absolute last option ! Make sure children have a pre-designated safe spot to go to, while the adults handle the conflict. If available, have at least one adult also chosen to stay with the kids. This person will serve to protect, console, and keep the children calm.

Step Three: Use Your Location to It’s Advantage

No matter the location you chose, you know it best! This includes places to hide, places others may try to hide, all entrances in and out, and locations of direct lines of sight. A lot of lessons can be taken from military defenses such as building a l.p.o.p. (Listening Post/Observation Post), exploiting prevailing weather, using force concentration, patrolling, encirclement, or pincer movements. During a SHTF situation, I think that most preppers agree and suspect that the potential for groups of people roaming around to loot or worse, is a viable threat. Having a mindset on defense is a necessity! I am including a few articles that really get into this much more and I am referring to the experts for specific details.

Considerations for SHTF Living & Bug Out Locations: http://www.shtfplan.com/emergency-preparedness/considerations-for-shtf-living-locations_05032011

Tips for Securing Your Bug-In Location: http://www.thesurvivalistblog.net/securing-your-bug-in-location/

5 Home Invasion Scenarios Your Family Should Train For: http://www.survivalandbeyond.net/home-invasion-scenarios-family-should-train-for/

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* I am NOT a security expert, that is why I have included other articles I have found that list other suggestions. The intent of this article is simply to express the importance of also having a security plan in place and practiced along with your other preps*

Know the Basics & Rule of 3

Know the Basics

 Listen here: http://youtu.be/ioTRGOXbYSU

In any disaster or survival situation there are five main things you have to have.

These include:

Fire

 Shelter

Purified Water & Food

First Aid

Signaling & *Security

Fire: Whether you are staying hunkered down or have bugged out, you will need a way to build a fire. This provides warmth, light, a means to cook, and offers some protection from some animals. Make sure you have a tool or the skills necessary to build multiple fires. Such items as a magnesium fire starter, or stormproof matches can be stored in a bag and take up little space. It is also recommended to practice survival fire making techniques using friction or bow & drill techniques.

Shelter: You will also need to have a warm and safe shelter of some sort. If you have a BOL, then you have that covered, but if you are stuck outside without a tent or tarp of some kind, you're going to have to build a wilderness/earth shelter. This will keep you out of the weather and help your body retain heat to prevent hypothermia. It will also keep you hidden and provide security.

Water/Food: No matter the situation your body has to have clean purified water to survive. You can easily store chemical drops or tablets that use iodine or chlorine to purify water. It is essential that you wait the full 30 minutes suggested on the bottles, before you drink the water. Other techniques can be filling clean PET water bottles and placing them in direct sunlight for 6 hours. You can also make water filters from gravel, sand, and charcoal. (more about these later). Food is also an important necessity to have, obviously. You can either purchase items such as MRE's, make your own, or pack non-perishable foods. If you are caught in a disaster, you may need to scavenge or snare wild game to cook.  

First Aid: Having at least basic first aid supplies will help you when you need it! I would highly recommend taking a first aid & CPR course now. You may never think you need these skills, but if something were to happen you would know what to do, how to do it, and having the skills will prevent you from panicking if you or someone else is injured.

Signaling/*Security: If you are in a natural disaster and need help, having signaling tools can save your life. This helps you to alert others of your whereabouts and increases your chance of survival tremendously. These can include a flare gun, whistle, mirrors, smoke canisters, or trail markers. 

 *However, let me also mention that it is possible that you are purposely trying to stay hidden. In this case, I would suggest taking along something for security. A knife for one, has multiple uses. You can use this as a tool to build your shelter, digging holes, cleaning game, self-defense and security. Another option would be taking along a gun for hunting and security. Just remember you will need to take additional ammunition along. I would suggest a minimum of 100 rounds per weapon.

(It is important to note to be careful in the amount of ammo you decide to take, because if you are doing a lot of walking this will become heavy and deplete your energy).

Rule of 3:

Preppers sometime think of the Rule of 3 as being you need 3 of everything. This can be helpful in some situations, but it not always meant literally.

I would agree that you need at least 3 routes of escape. If you were evacuated for instance, you need to be conscience of the fact that your normal escape route will most likely be jammed packed with others trying to leave that way. So have back-ups to your route, and take a map!

Practice all 3 of these routes, before disaster strikes.

I would also suggest having back-ups for your fire-making and water purification methods. These are two things that will help you survive, so take along at least 3 options for building a fire and purifying water.

TO SURVIVE NEVER FORGET:

3 MINUTES WITHOUT AIR

3 DAYS WITHOUT WATER

3 WEEKS WITHOUT FOOD

3 HOURS WITHOUT SHELTER

PLEASE LET US KNOW IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS!!