Bugout/Emergency Binder

Whether it is a fire evacuation or a SHTF scenario, having documented, easily understood travel plans can prevent lost time and headaches later.  When you have a plan it is easier to remain calm. Even if your spouse or kids are not involved with setting up these binders, you can tell them

• Find the binder

• turn to page 3

• follow the directions

• I will meet you there

This will be a great comfort to them, knowing that you have a plan and things are under control.

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Every vehicle, every dwelling, & every person should have duplicate binders - everything exactly the same (format, page numbers, etc...)

What should be in these binders?

• Establish a decision making hierarchy based on experience and level headedness.

• WHERE DOES EVERYONE GO?

  • There should be multiple named/numbered destinations (3 close, 3 far)

    • multiple directions (north, south, east, west)

    • multiple preplanned named rally points  along the way for long distance destinations

      • assigned wait times before departure for next rally point

      • avoid heavy traffic areas (rest stops, city centers, etc)

      • multiple routes (3) to rally points

  • printed out maps with rally points and routes marked

  • phone numbers for hotels near destinations

    • call ahead ASAP once the decision has been made to go or they might be sold out when you arrive.

DAD:  Hey yall, we are heading  destination Alpha on page 4 along the yellow highlighted route. We will be at rally point Lima between 5 & 6pm tonight. We plan on waiting for 1 hour to allow everyone to arrive. If we leave before you get there, we will be in route to rally point Mike. See you soon.

• COMMUNICATION

  • phone numbers, email addresses, physical addresses etc. of everyone remotely possible to be needed (relatives, boss, pastor, friends, police station, bank, etc.)

• CASH!  CASH!  CASH!

  • Put some emergency cash in the binder.

  • Credit Cards and checks might not work because the networks are down

• LIST of items to take with you

  • 2nd Amendment Items

    • Concealable

    • Long Guns

    • Ammo

  • Communication Equipment

    • Ham/GMRS radios (preprogrammed channels)

    • Burner phones (Preprogrammed phone numbers)

    • Recharging cords, blocks, batteries, etc.

  • Long List - problem on horizon, you see it coming

    • If time allows, take photos of your home’s condition for insurance claims.

    • Lots of bugout lists out there. pick one that suits you.

    • Include everything on the short list also.

  • Short List - immediate, no prep time

• 1. All the documentation listed below needs to be in a known location and in a portable container that protects from damage. These are not things to be kept in all the binders. They should probably be stored in the House or other secure location to prevent ID Theft if lost. IF they are in a binder, it should be the Primary Binder and these documents should be at the back so the page numbering remains unchanged for the rest of the info in the binders. You should not be searching for this stuff when you are short on time. Plan ahead.

     1. Passports

     2. Driver’s licenses or state IDs

     3. Birth certificates

     4. Social Security cards

     5. Financial and Legal:

        1. Insurance policies (home, auto, health)

        2. Bank account details (account numbers, bank cards)

        3. Deeds or titles (home, car)

        4. Marriage/divorce certificates

        5. Wills or power of attorney documents

     6. Medical:

        1. Health insurance cards

        2. Prescription records or medication lists

        3. Vaccination records

     7. Proof of Residence:

        1. Utility bills or lease agreements (for aid eligibility)

     8. Digital Backups:

        1. USB drive or cloud access with scanned copies of all the above

        2. Passwords for critical accounts

• • • Don't forget the pets

      • Leashes/Leads

      • Food

      • bowl for water

More information can be found at :

• The Survival Podcast - Episode 1224 Bug Out Planning and Documentation