Survival with a family

[ranger sean]

****If this has been discussed before, please just send me the link****

I know it is easy to discuss what one person would do in a disaster or zombie attack. People talk about what BOB's they have and it's contents, what weapon systems they will use and why, how they will run for the hills and wait it out, etc, etc etc. As a single man with no dependents, I would like to know how people deal with what I do not have to worry about in survival........a spouse and children.

I am just wanting to understand how you prepare differently for family members who may not be able to carry their own share of gear, how do your plans differ knowing other people depend on you, how things are effected when you may be capable to walk hours on end but have a young child or spouse that can not keep up, etc.

The reason I ask: After talking to a married friend on the topic of survival, this situation never crossed my mind. Honestly, I have not seen many people talk about it either. For now, all i was able to do is suggest to my friend was ........cache them and take a 10 digit grid

Any info on this topic would be greatly appreciated!

[ranger sean]

****If this has been discussed before, please just send me the link****

I know it is easy to discuss what one person would do in a disaster or zombie attack. People talk about what BOB's they have and it's contents, what weapon systems they will use and why, how they will run for the hills and wait it out, etc, etc etc. As a single man with no dependents, I would like to know how people deal with what I do not have to worry about in survival........a spouse and children.

I am just wanting to understand how you prepare differently for family members who may not be able to carry their own share of gear, how do your plans differ knowing other people depend on you, how things are effected when you may be capable to walk hours on end but have a young child or spouse that can not keep up, etc.

The reason I ask: After talking to a married friend on the topic of survival, this situation never crossed my mind. Honestly, I have not seen many people talk about it either. For now, all i was able to do is suggest to my friend was ........cache them and take a 10 digit grid

Any info on this topic would be greatly appreciated!

[ranger sean]

SORRY !!!!!!! I posted this in the wrong section and not sure how to remove it now. Newbee error!!!!!

[Silent Kube]

I think a lot of people here are planning on bugging in. With bugging out being a last resort sort of thing. You can store a lot more gear if you don't have to take it anywhere. The same thing goes for most of those planning to bug out. They've (hopefully) already stocked their BOLs and so won't have to take a ton of gear with them when they bug out. Basically, when bugging out, you take what you can handle and no more. I could be wrong about this. I only have myself and my gf to worry about and our main plan is to bug in. Should we have to bug out, we do have a place to go that is somewhat stocked but not nearly as well as our BIL.

[Brendan Sullivan]

Dave will move or bury it. In the meantime, if you see this, you probably won't find specific threads on plans including family, but it is a common consideration around here. Just hang out and read through the better threads and you'll absorb it in time. Maybe try a search of one of the specific subforums with the word "spouse" or "kids" as your keyword.

[roscoe]

There have been plenty of threads on bugging out with kids - search away!

[phil_in_cs]

I think a lot of people here are planning on bugging in.

This. There are quite a few posts on this subject, but they aren't always named "surviving with a family". Poke around through this section. The posts won't always be named obviously, so look for topics about children, bugging in, pantries, hardening structures, etc.

[mantis]

I would agree with both of the above posters - bugging in unless there is no alternative is the most common plan for a disaster. It makes the most sense with or without a family to look after. Having said that, having a workable bug-out plan (as a plan B) is important and when creating such a plan everything must be taken into account - family included. Each person should have their own 72 hour kit (BOB) and your survival planning has to include additional contingencies that may affect family members.

[Dave_M]

moved.

[Bonecrusher Doc]

Here's one:
viewtopic.php?f=14&t=20177

And in my post at the end of that thread I linked to a couple other ones.

[raptor]

There a many many threads dealing all aspects of family, children, family planning (in the context of both preparation & contraceptives) in the forums. You question is somewhat broad so I am not sure what you want. Nevertheless attached is a single thread dealing with the subject.

http://www.zombiehunters.org/forum/view ... 14&t=17695

The ZS search function is awkward. I suggest that you use Google and limit your search to the zombiehunters.org domain with the areas of your interest.

You can either post a request for additional help here or PM me if you need more help or assistance.

raptor

[raptor]

I am going to merge this topic with the topic moved over from firearms.

[ZapThyCat]

I have a wife, a barely-walking infant, a toddling 2 year old, and a 4 year old boy that has ceaseless energy.

I live in California, where there are 30 million people and lots of wilderness.

Bugging out is not really an option for me. There are mountain lions that'll snatch a kid and disappear in no time. Hiking 10 miles isn't an option, if it's not within half a mile from a road or my BOV, then it's too far to hold the kids and drag the BOBs.

If I HAVE to bug out, I have some plans for that, but it's a very temporary thing. I have an upstairs that will avail me far more in the event that I have to defend my home. My parents are close by, they have a sturdy home that can last through most other problems.

[eugene]

Thinking realistic for a bit your chances of bugging out to live in the wilderness are very slim. Your more likely to bug in for smaller more localized disasters like an earthquake, power outage, job layoff, etc. You prep for a family in the same way as you would an individual, store, water, food, emergency lighting, heat, power source.
You may need to bug out, say house fire, flood, other localized disaster than would prevent you from bugging in. You still provide the basics, water, food, shelter, transportation. Having one or more vehicles/methods of transporting your whole family, having or finding shelter, etc. For a small disaster your more likely to bug out to a hotel room, for example a large ice storm one year left pats of the city without power for up to 10 days in the winter. Many people bugged out to a hotel that had power so they could stay warm. I plan for this by having a spare diaper bag in each vehicle with diapers,wipes,formula, etc and rotate the stock. I keep a portable crib (pack and play or similar) and a small suitcase for each family member that we can dump clothes into if necessary and head for another place to stay. Preparing for longer disasters you just expand on those preps.

[Chantrea]

There's a huge amount of family preppers here, myself included. As someone mentioned previously, probably a significant number of them (including me) plan to *bug in* unless it's impossible to do so. So in addition to putting together BoBs and travel plans, and instead of feathering a BOL, I invest in home preparations. In some ways it's easier (we own our own home with a nice chunk of property) because I at least can live far more comfortably with what I can store in my house and on my property as opposed to paring down to the bare essentials because I have to fit it all in a pack or in the car.

Honestly, I think that wise family survivalists may have a leg up on people without kids in planning, because you have to constantly re-evaluat and restock supplies (your kids are growing, that means you know you need to go through your kids' packs 3 or 4 times a year instead of 1 every year or two, dietary needs and preferences change so you pay closer attention to keeping stock up to date and rotated, you must think of enertainment and not just firearms and chef boyardee, ect.).

Do you have any specific questions? On just about any subject, you will have family folks chiming in. Even if it's not "family specific". So I would suggest starting searches based on what you need (food storage, water storage, bugging in), as you read through chances are you will see people talking about how they apply that to their family.

[ranger sean]

Do you have any specific questions? On just about any subject, you will have family folks chiming in. Even if it's not "family specific". So I would suggest starting searches based on what you need (food storage, water storage, bugging in), as you read through chances are you will see people talking about how they apply that to their family.

Thank you for all those who replied. As said before, my friend asked me for input on this topic and I did not know how to answer him (he has 4 kids, grade school and younger). The topic came up when we were talking about situations that would force you to leave your home. Being I am the first to admit to not knowing something, i figured I would get opinions from people here.

So, to answer your question, I do not have a specific question. I am just trying to learn (as a single man with no kids) how family planning is different then planning for just one person. For one example (i think on a different thread) someone mentioned mp3's of kid's songs. I would never have thought of that on my own. All the input so far has be appreciated.

[Real_Ale_Act]

I've got no idea where the thread is, but do a search on "Mobile Tactical Parenting Unit".

A dad on the forum put together a post about his EDC diaper bag and all the nifty stuff in there. It gave me ideas I'd never had either, since I don't have children.

[ranger sean]

I've got no idea where the thread is, but do a search on "Mobile Tactical Parenting Unit".

A dad on the forum put together a post about his EDC diaper bag and all the nifty stuff in there. It gave me ideas I'd never had either, since I don't have children.

Thanks, found it....

http://zombiehunters.org/forum/viewtopic.php?f=34&t=42747&hilit=Mobile+Tactical+Parenting+Unit

[yale]

I don't have kids but I have a spouse and 5 cats who are as important to us as members of our family. I live in a mobile home in South Louisiana and have evacuated for several hurricanes and floods. That said, my plan is to bug in if at all possible. My Girlfriend/spouse suffers from several medical conditions not least of which is obesity. Putting on a backpack and hiking into the woods is not an option. When we bug out we choose places where we know we can go which will be relativly safe and profide some shelter and comfort. We bug out early and often to avoid the rush. We've had varying levels of success so far.

a- homes of friends. We sheltered during one hurricane with friends who have a sturdy brick home. Little did we know the roof was being repaired right before the storm. We woke that morning to find that the house had water running through the walls and ceiling and coming out of light fixtures. Their house actually had worse damage than ours did.
b-Shelters. We are both trained ham radio operators and volunteer with our local OEP as RACES operators. So there are times when we will find ourselves sitting in the OEP or in a shelter while the winds blow. Not a bad way to spend a night if you are prepared. I have shown up at shelters with a cot, folding card table, chair, my radio gear and everything else I'd need to camp out for several days.
c- Work. I'm currently working as a Hospital Security officer and as such am considered as one of the employees which will be required to be at work during an emergency. During Gustav my GF and I camped out at the hospital and I put the cats in their cages inside one of our maintiance buildings. We rode out the hurricane there at the hospital, the GF up in the main waiting area, the cats in Maint and me working and getting 14 hours of overtime.

Other plans include-
1-going to my sisters home 30 miles away if it's something local
2-giong to a motel if it's something local but my sister's house isn't an option
3-going out of state to my father's in Tenn or my brother's in Colorado if it's something widescale and longterm.

Have options, have a plan A, a plan B and a plan C if possible.
Motels and bugging out cost money. Always have a couple thousand dollars cash and a credit card on hand to help get you where you need to go and to help stay there for a specific time.

[Witch Doctor]

I live in a tower block with about 48 familys, realistically we'd block the access on the ground floor and be set, we've got a wide variety of skills in our block, military, electric, mechanic, chiefs, child care, teachers, lawyers, accountents, etc.

[RedneckReverend]

I suppose the best plan would be having a prepared BOL with supplies on site and then to leave expediently early rather than waiting for the starving rioters to be on your block.

For myself, I chose to call the BOL home and just commute to work, but I know that's not practical for everyone.

[Tater Raider]

One thing not covered in this thread that should be addressed is what happens if you guys have to split or are split up when SHTF.

1) Communications:

There are 2 way radios cheap at different farm supply stores. If each parent had one they would be able to communicate even if seperated.
CB/Ham radios in car(s) and another in the home are another way to work around this.
Cell phones, of course, but it is good to consider one of the others as a backup.

2) Rally Point(s):

Make sure all parental units and semi-independant children (if they can stay home alone is a good rule of thumb) are all aware of the plan to bug-out and bug-in depending on the disaster.
Everyone should know what to do if they get to the rally point and no one else is there. Circumstances dictate actions here.
If you show up at the Rally Point and have to leave, have a way to leave a message there that everyone knows about.

3) EDC/GHB:

These are individual items. Even the smallest of kids can carry these if they are able to walk. Tailor each one to suit the individual.

3) BOB:

Small children should not have BOB's. The GHB is enough for them to carry reasonably. Remember they are growing and you do not want to screw up their back with a pack that weighs 25% of what they do.
Middle-sized kids should have thier own BOB tailored to suit their individual needs.
Kids with a driver's licence and adults are going to have to suck it up a bit here.
If you have 2 people 16+, each needs to carry a complete BOB for themselves and all small children.
If there are 3 people 16+, each should carry enough for half the family.
If there are 4 people 16+, then each should carry enough for 1/3 of the little ones.
And so on.
This plan allows for the group to become seperated and everyone still being able to look after the little ones.

4) BOV: Consider something in a camper, van, minbvan, or pickup with a shell on it. This allows you to bug-out as a unit and sleep in something other than a tent.
5) Bugging Out: Although difficult, you still need a bug-out plan. Look into camping and consider bear bags and other tricks for dealing with wildlife.

Just some thoughts I've had. Hope this helps.

[BeerandGuns]

We've bugged out before(Katrina meant two weeks spent away from home) and it was miserable. Since then we now have two kids, one 4yo and one 5 months. If I'm leaving my house, it means Houston just got nuked and the radioactive dust is going to land on my house. Literally no way I can survive in my house.

We make a point of giving thought to what we need long term, diapers, wipes, extra toothpaste, and many other items. We don't need them to survive but they will make life a lot easier. Foods done, been stocked up a long time and I can grow enough to feed us. It's the little things. One other thing is that with kids, you can never have enough board games. Those little buggers sure are needy for entertainment.

[Shmerlin]

We hosted a mock bug out drill with my little one, and by "mock bug out" I mean we took a trip to Disney. It was a great learning experiance of what we would need if we did have to leave the house. Especially staying/sleeping in a strange place, keeping little guy fed and happy and safe while keeping Mommy and Daddy sane