You may think you’re ready for anything. But how prepared are you for away-from-home emergencies?
Most preppers plan for what they’ll do when SHTF. And typically this preparedness entails having a huge stockpile of food, water, and tools to use in an emergency.
Although this is not a bad thing, there is something more to consider. What do you do if you’re not home when the emergency strikes?
The trouble is nobody can predict when an emergency will occur. And, considering these matters are never convenient, it’ll likely come when you least expect it. Your friends and family are also less likely to be with you when SHTF (because that’s how life often works).
Luckily, you can still plan ahead for these “unforeseeable moments” – and be a lot more ready when disaster strikes.
Whether you plan on traveling to the store, to the other side of town, or across the ocean, it’s likely you won’t be home when SHTF. That’s why you need these survival tips on…
How To Prepare For Away-From-Home Emergencies
What To Bring When Traveling
You’ll need to have some food, water, and gear with you, no matter where you go. However, what you bring will be dependent on where you’re going.
When traveling through the U.S. keep a bug-out bag in the car. Keep note of local/state gun laws if you have a gun in the vehicle. After all, every state’s laws are different – and this can go bad real quick if you cross state lines and a cop pulls you over.
When flying on a plane, there’s a lot less options of what you can carry. However, you can always bring on the basics, like paracord, a portable water filter, and a power bank. You can also bring a knife if you’re checking your bag. The TSA’s site also has info on what knives/pointy objects you can (and can not) take with you.
No matter where you’re going, be sure to have an atlas with you. You’ll also need maps of the local area you’re visiting. These really come in handy – especially when your phone dies, or when you can’t get signal and can’t use GPS.
Ideally, you need to also be in contact with at least one friend in the area. They can help you out in a jam, and can greatly increase your chances of surviving a crisis.
How To Keep The Family Prepared
We love our families. But the fact is we can’t prepare for them 24/7. One of these days you’ll be gone, and they’ll need to know how to survive without you (on either a short-term or long-term basis).
This can be especially difficult if your spouse isn’t a prepper.
One way to get everyone on the same page is by making an action plan. This is a plan the family will carry out if an emergency hits, and you aren’t there with them.
After creating the plan, don’t just forget about it. Continually talk about it, fine-tuning the details in various “what-if” scenarios. This will also ensure the plan stays fresh in everyone’s minds, so they remember it when the event occurs.
Better yet, print out copies of the survival plan and stick them to the fridge. That way it’s a continual reminder of what to do.
Decide: Should I Stay Or Should I Go?
One of the most difficult decisions during an SHTF event is whether to stay where you are or head home. If you’re in the neighborhood, this is a fairly easy choice. But what about if you’re out of the country?
Of course, you’ll want to see your family. However, the further you are from them, the more difficult and more dangerous it will be to get back. Not to mention, the greater the distance, the more survival tools you’ll need to make the journey.
When making the decision, consider the facts. How bad is the emergency? What are the risks? Is it a national, regional, or global emergency? If you head home, are you heading toward the crisis, or away? What things (airlines, vehicles, cell phones, roads, homes, etc.) are affected by this event and will likely cause me issues? Is this a short-term or long-term scenario?
Keep in mind a survival radio can do wonders in helping you make your decision. That’s because it can continually update you with news/weather alerts.
If things will return to normal soon, it’s often best to just hunker down and brave the situation without returning home. However, if it’s clear the situation won’t improve for a long time, it’s likely worth it to go home and be with your family (if at all possible).
Emergencies are unpredictable, and can be catastrophic. However, by preparing for them beforehand, you have a much greater likelihood of surviving.
