To bug in or to bug out that is the question. Nobody can argue that being prepared in case of an emergency or disaster is a bad thing. If your like myself and live in an area that’s prone to natural disasters (in my case earthquakes) you would be very stupid not to have some level of preparation. For many this means having a bug out bag packed with all the survival goodies one could ever want and ready to go at all times. Again I think it’s a very smart idea and I have one myself.  But just because you have a bug out bag, doesn’t mean bugging out is your only option when the SHTF.

In fact staying put or “bugging in” might be a better option. The last thing you want to be is part of the herd scrambling from their homes, unless of course you have no other choice. There are also times when you have no choice but to bug in and wait it out. You only need to look as far back as the recent earthquake / tsunami in Japan or hurricane Katrina to understand that simply leaving your home isn’t always an option.

Here are a few reasons why you should look at bugging in before you decide to bug out.

Lets be honest the majority of people even in areas where natural disasters happen all the time won’t be prepared. If there’s government aid it’s going to be slow and hampered by destroyed infrastructure and a lack of resources. This means people will be hungry, thirsty, and desperate. And then you stroll along with a nice big juicy bag full of goodies. It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to realize that you just painted a big target on your back.

When you bug in you have some level of protection. If you live in an apartment for example the higher up you are the harder it is for people to reach your floor. If you live in a house unless a truck drives through the living room wall there are only so many ways a would be attacker can get in making it easier to defend. You also have the option of hiding in a basement or attic making yourself almost invisible.

When bugging out how much gear can you pack? Unless you’re a former Special Forces commando or Chuck Norris you’re looking at about 25 to 35 lbs in your bag. In terms of emergency supplies that’s not a lot. Bugging in on the other hand you have everything in your home at your disposal. Even without any major preparation you probably have enough food in your home to last a week or two. Water is a different story depending on the nature of the disaster or emergency you’ll be facing because tap water could become contaminated or shut off. If you store bottled water or have a means of purification then you can last a good amount of time before having to leave your home or until help arrives.

Your home is your castle, it’s where your stuff is, your memories, and more importantly it’s where your suppose to feel safe. Just being home even when things are going to hell in a hand basket can offer some comfort to a very stressful situation.

Another factor to consider is if you have dependants such as small children or a significant other. They might have a harder time understanding what’s going on and be extremely stressed and panicked. This adds another reason to stay put and bug in to keep confusion and panic down while you figure out what to do.

When you bug out you essentially become a refugee, a well prepared refugee. You have to take into consideration that where you’re travelling to could be packed full of others with the same idea as you and you might not be welcome or there’s no room. Bugging in you has at least a roof over your head and you’re out of the elements.

In the event of a pandemic for example human contact could be a death sentence. Staying put puts a barrier between yourself and anyone you don’t want near you.

Bugging in has a lot of advantages to bugging out. But regardless of which one you decide to use always make sure you have a plan in place that allows you to be flexible and adapt to changes as they happen.