{"id":28438,"date":"2012-11-01T21:42:56","date_gmt":"2012-11-02T02:42:56","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/artofmanliness.com\/?p=28438"},"modified":"2025-10-23T12:17:08","modified_gmt":"2025-10-23T17:17:08","slug":"how-to-bug-in-what-you-need-to-know-to-survive-a-grid-down-disaster","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/beta.artofmanliness.com\/skills\/survival\/how-to-bug-in-what-you-need-to-know-to-survive-a-grid-down-disaster\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Bug-In: What You Need to Know to Survive a Grid-Down Disaster"},"content":{"rendered":"

Editor\u2019s note: This is a guest post from Creek Stewart of Willow Haven Outdoor.<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

As the East Coast of the United States recovers from Hurricane Sandy, aka \u201cFrankenstorm,\u201d the rest of us watch the unfolding aftermath from a distance \u2013 thankful Mother Nature hasn\u2019t unleashed her fury on our<\/em> doorstep today. Hurricane Sandy is yet another sober reminder that none of us are exempt from disaster. Mother Nature doesn\u2019t discriminate. She doesn\u2019t care where we live, what we drive, how much we make, or what we do for a living. Her antics are diverse and far-reaching. She has a recipe of devastation for all parts of the world: hurricanes, tornadoes, floods, wildfires, winter storms, earthquakes, tsunamis, droughts, heat waves, volcanoes, land-slides, and sometimes even a combo pack.<\/p>\n

It is human nature to avoid potentially bad news. It is also human nature to procrastinate. Consequently, many of us avoid going to the dentist, taking our car in for routine maintenance, implementing a home security plan, getting our yearly physicals, and many other important preventative and preparative tasks. Unfortunately, avoiding the thought of potential bad news has absolutely no bearing at all on whether or not it will happen. In fact, this attitude is completely self-destructive. Avoiding preparing for or prevent a very dangerous and probable threat is irresponsible and incredibly foolish. Yet, people do it all the time when it comes to potential natural disasters. The mentality of \u201cit\u2019s not going to happen to me\u201d is no longer an acceptable excuse. In the 15 years I\u2019ve taught Survival and Preparedness courses I\u2019ve come to the conclusion that there are no acceptable excuses and I have run thin on patience to those that offer them. Burying your head in the sand is not a strategy and depending on the government to save you is not a plan.<\/p>\n

Many of you remember the article I wrote a while back titled How to Make a Bug Out Bag<\/a>. \u201cBugging Out\u201d is the decision to abandon your home in search of a safer destination in the event of a large-scale disaster. Sometimes, Bugging Out is not necessary nor is it the best decision. A disaster may, in fact, make it impossible to Bug Out. The alternative is called \u201cBugging In.\u201d Bugging In or hunkering down during a large-scale disaster can present many challenges to a survivor. Oftentimes, the utilities we depend on are ripped off-line \u2013 known as \u201cGrid-Down.\u201d<\/p>\n

Disasters can devastate our most critical services including water supplies, medical facilities and first responders, waste and trash processing and removal, transportation options, fuel and grocery supplies, natural gas lines, electricity, phone service, and even public safety. A Grid-Down scenario can last for several days or even weeks. During this time, you must be able to provide basic survival needs for you and your family. These Bug In preps and plans need to be made in advance. They cannot be made in the heat of a disaster.<\/p>\n

How Long Should I Prepare to Bug In?<\/strong><\/h3>\n

That\u2019s the question of the century! The government says 3 days. I have preps to get me through 1 year. My answer is a minimum of 2 weeks and then keep prepping for longer as time and money allow. Start with 3 days then work up from there. Don\u2019t let this question prevent you from making progress.<\/p>\n

What Are the Categories I Should Consider When Prepping?<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Our basic human survival needs remain the exact same no matter where we are in the world or what circumstances we face. They will always be: shelter, water, fire, food, first aid, and self-defense.<\/strong> The order of priority may change, but the basic categories will not. Below is a brief breakdown of each category including several solutions to consider for a short-term Bug In scenario.<\/p>\n

Shelter<\/em><\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n

During a Bug In scenario, shelter may seem fairly obvious. It is your primary place of residence. However, there is more to shelter than just a roof over your head. Shelter must protect us from the elements \u2013 even if access to modern utilities is limited or nonexistent. Shelter becomes your #1 priority in cold conditions. You must have alternative heating solutions in place just in case a disaster strikes during cold weather. Some excellent and affordable options are wood burning fireplaces, kerosene heaters, and portable propane heaters.<\/p>\n

\"Kerosene

The back-up kerosene heater I keep at Willow Haven that will heat 1000 square feet for 11 hours on one tank of fuel.<\/p><\/div>\n

Kerosene heaters<\/a> can be purchased for just over $100 at virtually any home improvement store. My grandparents heated with a kerosene heater in their living room most of my life. They don\u2019t require electricity and are very easy and safe to operate. Some countries use kerosene heaters as a primary heat source, in fact. The fuel (kerosene) also has an extremely long shelf life \u2013 I\u2019ve heard of 20-year-old fuel burning just fine, and I\u2019ve personally used kerosene that\u2019s been sitting for 5 years with no issues. Above is a photo of a back-up kerosene heater I keep at Willow Haven that will heat 1000 square feet for 11 hours on one tank of fuel.<\/p>\n

\"Small

A small propane heater can last 4-6 hours on one tank.<\/p><\/div>\n

For smaller spaces or supplemental heat, portable emergency propane heaters are excellent little solutions. Mine photographed above takes a one-pound propane canister that is available at most camping and home improvement stores. It really puts out the heat and lasts a surprising length of time (4-6 hours) on one tank. Extra propane canisters are easy to store as well.<\/p>\n

\"Roaring<\/p>\n

I had the wood burning fireplace pictured above installed in my home for about $1500. Even a small stove like this one will heat 1000 square feet of space to a comfortable temperature in freezing conditions for as long as you have wood to burn. If you opt for a fireplace, choose one that can also cook and boil water. Multifunctional uses are always a survival plus. The brand I have is Jotul though there are many excellent brands on the market.<\/p>\n

Below are some other home (and car) heating tips I\u2019ve collected from personal experiences testing my preps:<\/p>\n