Bugging Out, A new twist.....

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Derius_T

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I know that this thread, as far as "what to put in your bug out bag", and all these types of scenarios have been done over 1000 times, but I had a few thoughts that I think are new to the scenario, and the discussion may prove helpful to some of our older members, and some who are dependant on things besides firearms in a bug out situation.

For instance, people here that know me now that I have military, and survival experience, so the question of what to put in the bag, or what supplies to take, I pretty well know. (new technologies are always welcome additions tho)

What I am starting this for, is there are some members here, I am sure, who like me, REQUIRE medication, eyewear, special equipment, ect. to survive. This thread is to discuss how to make those things available in a bug out situation.

If you have medication that you absolutely have to have to survive, how do you secure and store such medicine for the future? Most doctors will not give you more than a 30-60 day supply. How would you go about getting medicine to stockpile to assure that you wouldn't die if you couldn't get to a doctor or pharmacy for months at a time, maybe longer?

Questions and answers like this, that are beyond your basic supplies are the ones I'm aiming for. (especially life sustaining medicines that are prescription only and the like)

Thanks in advance.
 
If you have medication that you absolutely have to have to survive, how do you secure and store such medicine for the future? Most doctors will not give you more than a 30-60 day supply.
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This one takes a little while and some planning, but-----
Most meds can be refilled a few days before they run out, such as you can refill a 30-day scrip after 27 days. By doing that regularly for a year you can get a month ahead, then 2 months over 2 years, etc. Then refill regularly on the monthly basis and keep rotating. For example, in September I will get a new month supply of meds, but will be opening the meds I purchased in July. September's purchase will be rotated into use in November, and so on.
 
be careful with the medications that you do this with. some of them are very sensitive and do have realistic shelf lives (as opposed to a shelflife put on the bottle to just get you to spend more money). a great example is nitroglycerine meds for people with heart conditions. make sure it is stored in the original container (it is both light and temperature sensitive), and that it is not out of date. as far as i know with nitro, there isnt any real danger to health with old stock, it just doesnt work, which in turn is a danger.

basically what i am saying is check with a doctor or pharmacist when it comes to the pharmacology of certain meds.
 
Talk to your doctor about what you intend to do.

Almost any region of the country is subject to some kind of impending disaster during the year. Explain to your doctor that you want to stock a "evacuation kit" should the Mississippi rise, the tornado strike, the hurricane hit force 5 or the magnitude hit 7.5. See what your doctor says. If he wants to give you only a 2-week prescription, explain that you think 30-days is better in the event he (your doctor) is not available or there are shortages of supplies. You'd rather incoming supplies be used for those in dire straits the first few weeks.

Many doctors may agree for heart drugs, insulin, blood pressure meds and antibiotics.

Where you are likely to run into stiffer resistance is with prescription pain medications, tranquilizers and stimulants. Doctors file reports on how many prescriptions they issue for controlled substances and over prescribing gets them federal scrutiny.

My bail-out kit includes several of those small "airline" bottles of whiskey, bourbon and rum for use as a tranquilizer if needed. The disaster kit (large) includes pint bottles of each - either we'll need lots of sleep or have the happiest camp around! :D

Oh... as you get older, consider adding dental treatment products -- cavity fillers, crown adhesive to your kits with a small mirror, just in case.
 
Drugs

You could always make a quick rendezvous into Mexico, where you can get all the drugs you want. I wish the USA would adopt more progressive laws concerning this, but I understand that if they were, there'd be abuse, unfortunately.

Of course, crossing the border back into the USA these days, you'll need a valid explanation for said drugs. Keep your prescription close by, and don't purchase more than you actually "need", or can justify.
 
If it is something simple like nitro pills you can buy the ingredients in bulk and create your own laboratory to compound your own medication.
 
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For example, my most important meds would be the ones for heart, blood pressure, and diabeties. Without these, no matter how well equipped, I fear I wouldn't last too long. 2-3 days at most if lucky without heart meds, and anyone with diabeties knows how important those meds are also.

Shelf life of the meds worries me almost as much as availability. I do like the early refill idea, which would slowly build up a supply, but that is a long road, and the shelf life problem again comes into play.

The idea of tooth repair and emergency dental supplies is an awesome addition, and one, I admit I have never thought of previously.

My family of course has a very basic "SHTF PLAN", which if possible, we meet together, with all supplies available, then make it to my uncles country home waaaay back in the woods. (surrounded by over 300 acres). It has solar and wind generation ability, as well as the ability to hunt, fish, and an abundance of fresh water, and is easily defendable close to the homestead.

Anyhow, as part of our plan, since several of my family members are older, we decided that along with the immediate raiding and aquisition of any and all goods from every camping/outdoor/hunting supply store we pass along our route, we also considered aquiring needed meds and supplies from any pharmacy we should come across. Of course this is in more of a SHTF scenario than a general bug-out.

The problem remains of being able to get an adequate supply of meds and such, for a short to medium length bug-out, and what are some other, not always thought of, but necessary items?
 
You could always make a quick rendezvous into Mexico, where you can get all the drugs you want. I wish the USA would adopt more progressive laws concerning this, but I understand that if they were, there'd be abuse, unfortunately.
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The chronic inebriates will always find something to abuse even if they have to make it themselves. That's not the issue! The pharmeceutical companies are in bed with the feds and keep the wrong laws in place for the monopoly of the pill market and price gouging control...

They let any cheap crap merchandise from any country get dumped on America, but not pharmecuticals huh? Things that people need for quality of life. That's no accident.

Are your meds cheap? Ever go on sale? Uh huh.;)
 
It is possible to get 90 day supplies if your insurance company offers this option. The cost is usually quite less. My doctor and yours may be willing to write an undated backup prescription for you. Then you could fill it as necessary. I'm on 10 medications for diabetes, blood pressure, cholesterol, etc. Some I can do without temporarily. I order 90 day supplies and refill at the 60 day mark. I can last at least a couple of months on what I have now. I keep them all in a plastic shoe box and fill my weekly container every Sunday. All I have to do is grab the shoe box, syringes, and get the insulin out of the refrigerator and go. Of course I have other things to grab.
 
be careful with the medications that you do this with. some of them are very sensitive and do have realistic shelf lives
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Agreed, which is why I suggest once you get a bit ahead of the game that you go into a regular rotation. That way none of your meds will be more than 30 or 60 days out of sequence. Like I said, buy in July to use in September. So if something happens you will have a fresh 60-day supply available to you.
 
For some, the harsh but unfortunate answer is that unless they're well-connected or associated with a hospital at the executive level, or can process it from cow, horse, pig or fish pancreases, insulin-dependent diabetics just aren't going to be around too long after a complete and utter societal-breakdown SHTF. The supply chain on such a perishable drug, along with the requirement for refrigeration, is just too complex. :(

So if you have that, you want to be SURE you're close enough to a source of insulin, even consider living somewhat closer to a manufacturer that produces it, perhaps. Because if supply chains for a complex, expensive, perishable drug break down, it's just not gonna come.
 
One suggestion for those who need short shelf life drugs for survival is to have the maximum supply that won't go bad always on hand then have small gold pieces,sugar,salt, or perhaps extra ammunition in popular calibers or even firearms that you can trade/barter for the drug you need after the event begins. This gives you time to find someone to barter with and the desirable goods to swap.

My kit includes gold. Salt and sugar I keep at home in ultra high supply for just such occassion.
 
Detrious,
Is the " bug out bag thing" a clever and more politically correct way of eluding the SHTF scenarios that are properly frowned upon here?
 
In terms of pills, the best way to do this is to take advantage of mail-order pharmacy options that many insurance companies have. You get three months of medication for two months' cost, and, well, you then HAVE three months medication. I suppose if the Big One hits when you're three weeks away from needing to reorder, you're less well off, but it is an option.

Derius, don't you need to have your diabetes supplies refrigerated? How would you manage that?

And of course, evacuating doesn't mean "keep driving for six months". It means "get someplace with a Walgreens and get your prescriptions refilled when you need to" The whole country isn't likely to lose all its pharmacies, ya know ;)

Springmom
 
Junytuck wrote:

Detrious,
Is the " bug out bag thing" a clever and more politically correct way of eluding the SHTF scenarios that are properly frowned upon here?
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Look. I have not disrespected you, or even had a discussion with you that I know of. Is playing with the speling of my name YOUR idea of being clever? If so, it falls flat. It is juvenile, and after awhile, you will find that you will have a hard time getting others to take you seriously, if you continue to act like such a child. I respectfully ask, one more time, for you to stop this foolishness.

Now, on to someone who matters, springmom, to answer you question, the medicine I take is called Glucophage XR, and it is in pill form. I am not at the point where I need to take insulin shots. In fact, I believe my problem is that my body produces too much insulin, more than my body can readily tolerate if I understand my doctor right. What worries me the most are my heart and blood pressure meds. Wouldn't last too long without the heart meds. They actually regulate the way my heart beats. Without them.....yuck.
 
One of the realities is that most medications have a shelf life a lot longer than you may think. The big thing is to keep them out of extreme heat.

In general I think a 30 day supply being rotated would be plenty to get you through the short term. There might be scenarios where a larger supply might be necessary, but I don't for see them happening on a national level for several score. For that reason a 30 day supply and an undated prescription would be your best bet.
 
For those of you who joined us late...

"Emergency Kit" is designed to get you home the next day or to a known person's house in 1-2 days. This kit can be kept in the trunk and used if needed during a short-term situation.

"Bail out kit" or "Bug Out Kit" is generally a back-pack sized kit you keep ready in the event you need to evacuate your home on short notice. This could be due to any kind of disaster - flood, hurricane, 'quake, fire, or perhaps even some kind of terrorist activity nowadays. Generally, this kit has supplies to keep you going for 3-5 days.

A "Disaster kit" or "Disaster supplies" generally means a long term kit that contains enough supplies and camping gear for you to "rough it" for about 2 weeks to 30 days or more.

A disaster kit is more in keeping with the SHTF situations. A "bail out kit" is designed to allow you some resources while you collect your family, find shelter & food ... or while you try to get to Aunt Betty's house along with the 435,000 other folks clogging the roads.
 
Three main criteria for storing medicines;

1. Protect from moisture
2. Protect from excessive heat (> 80~85 degrees for hours)
3. Protect from freezing

If you have one of those food vacuum sealers (Food Saver) you can collect your supplies and seal them up, using a marker pen to label the contents and write a "use by" or expiration date on them.
 
Bill, that is an idea that I never thouth of! Excellent! I thought of those vacuum type bags, "space bags" or whatever for clothes, extra batteries and the like, but never thought of it for meds.

The biggest problem however, is still getting a good fresh supply "short-term", and the storage of perishable meds. Maybe an ice chest, or using those chemical fast ice packs to keep meds cold until reaching somewhere more permanent?
 
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