Bug Out Bags for Seniors

[ratz]

I've read through the various discussions regarding how the elderly, handicapped and ill will make it through the various apocalyptic SHTF scenarios. Just for the sake of this particular topic, let me state that I love my parents. I have no desire to leave them at their home with an old revolver and two bullets. I'm not going to set them adrift on a floating block of ice. I'm not going to use them as Zombie Bait.

My parents are 75 years old. My father hits the gym 7 days a week and works at his retail store 6 days a week. My mother gardens 7 days a week. Both are in excellent health, don't require regular prescription meds and are very active. They live within 3 miles of our home and are part of our Bug Out and Bug In plans.

My question to all of you are, what advice do you have in putting together a bug out bag and first aid kit for. I assume we should go "lighter". What items would be in their BOB but not in ours?

My hope is that this would start a serious dialog. Let's be realistic, advances in medicine are keeping people alive longer whether you get along with them or not. If you have parents like mine who lived through the end of the depression, five wars and two recessions you'd be hard pressed to say "no" to that much experience during any catastrophe.

[connecticut_yankee]

My hope is that this would start a serious dialog. Let's be realistic, advances in medicine are keeping people alive longer whether you get along with them or not. If you have parents like mine who lived through the end of the depression, five wars and two recessions you'd be hard pressed to say "no" to that much experience during any catastrophe.

To be honest, your parents -might- have a better idea of what they need than you do

My two cents:
- Backpack with a waistbelt.
- Spare glasses if they wear glasses (important even if you're not old!).
- I assume joint pain meds would be a higher priority for older people.
- A knife/multi-tool and headlamp/flashlight they can operate.

[marktaff]

Even though your parents are in good health and condition for their age, there is no way they will be able to carry their own weight at the same pace you can maintain. You need to plan on going slower, as well as planning on carrying a significant amount of their supplies for them.

If money isn't an issue, I would pay extra to get them lightweight or ultralight gear, such as packs. I would start their load-out with suitable clothing. Add in the ten essentials, spare medicines/glasses, a platypus (can be used as a hot water bottle for their muscles after a day's hike), a walkie talkie, 24-48 hours of food, and 12 hours of water. Add in a down sleeping bag and a waterproof bivy, and maybe a pad. I'd shoot for a packed weight of no more than 20 lbs.

You will have to carry all the group gear like cooking and shelter equipment. Given that you will have to carry some of their load for them, you might want to consider caching some of the food and other such supplies along your bug out route, if you can find cooperative land-owners. You might even buy or build a two or three wheel bug out wheelbarrow or similar conveyance--let the wheelbarrow provide the normal force instead of your body. Similarly, you could get those collapsible shopping carts (like this) for your parents to haul their gear in (with the ten essentials in a butt pack or a fanny pack).

[ratz]

To be honest, your parents -might- have a better idea of what they need than you do

No, that crossed my mind. This whole topic resulted from showing them my AFAK. The old man responded, "Your mom and I'll take one of those. Just tell me how much it is. We'll cut you a check."

I think the world is pretty different from the time they had to deal with disasters or economic hard times. Back in the day, the government was more "helpful" than in today. Technology has made things more efficient and lighter. My dad still has his mess kit and canteen from when he was in the Army. Talk about HEAVY.

Our main focus for my folks will be to make sure that their 72 hour (bug in) system is put together. The Bug Out is a different story.

[Prepared American]

Good subject again Ratz.

I would think that you would want to cover the basics like anyone else's kit. With out knowing your parents and any underlying ailments or needs, off the top of my head some things to take into consideration for those loved ones of advanced age (attempt at being politically correct ) would be:

Denture Care products.
Extra warm clothing (you get old you get cold)
Nutrinional supplements to keep energy levels high and support digestion.
Hiking poles to assist with uneven terrain, and help with fatigue.

Ask your parents what they may need or think they may need to assist them with mobility, health, etc.

I am going to have to think on this, because my parents are prepped to bug in, but not really bug out. I hope some of the members here can offer more ideas, and maybe some of our older members can chime in with what they use. I for one look forward to following this post.

[MacAttack]

If they were my parents.
They are not but mine are about in about the same physical shape but divorced and living 25 miles in opposites directions from me.


Back on subject.
Tornadoes are the main threat around here and on that vein we all have the agreement to go into the basements of our homes and directly under the main stairs. We added a few extra supports there just for this. That way we all know were to look first just in case.
My first plan would be for them to bug in until I got to them or rescue personnel for their evacuation.
They each have a hefty FAK with more than they should ever need to self aid themselves or a friend until medics arrive.
They each have a weeks food stored along with about 5 gallons of drinking water. All in case they get stuck in the basement.
Each are armed and very familiar with their weapons.


Other than a emergency(BOB+) bag in each of their cars their only other plan is to get to my house somehow. Or to what ever home survived.




In your case since your parents are together and ONLY 3 miles from your home I would think the plan would be for them to prep for a natural disaster. Then to wait for you to help them get to your place.
I don't expect my parents to walk far and also don't think you should plan on them talking any walk longer then that 3 miles to your place. Three miles should be doable for each of them dragging a wheeled suitcase. No need for backpacks and high speed low drag hiking gear.

Other than that ask them what they are comfortable to do in case of an emergency. They do have the choice to stay or go in any situation no matter what you think.

[Bonecrusher Doc]

My two cents for seniors' BOBs in general, not specifically the OP's parents.

Ditto to spare eyeglasses (and hearing aids, dentures, canes, whatever other equipment they may use).

Important that any food included is the same stuff they normally eat. Elderly folks' digestive systems adapt to a change in a diet even worse than a younger person's. Plenty of water and fiber.

Packs need to be light and easy to don/doff. Many older people's shoulders don't do well with trying to lift a backpack over their head or swing it onto their back.

Spare pay-as-you-go cell phone, the same model that your parents always use, with important phone numbers already pre-programmed into it, with a wall charger and a car charger. Practice using any unconventional chargers (solar, AA battery-type, crank dynamo) with them prior to SHTF.

Extra cash should be in small bills and not flashing a bunch all in one place to tempt someone to try to rob or swindle your folks.