Protection - Evasion

Huh? What the heck is this about? The first two layers of protection (Anonymity and Stealth) will go a long way towards preparation security. Evasion is a jump into the future, to the time when SHTF has happened. The following is a little story I wrote to illustrate the Evasion part of Protection planning.

Frank decided it was time to evacuate their home. He and his wife, Connie, spent the last three hours loading their buckets and boxes of preparations into their 4X4 and trailer, checking their preps, and going through their house to make sure they had what they needed. Frank's goal was to get his family out of danger and to their (relatively) safe land, 320 miles to the southeast.

Frank knew avoiding a confrontation is an especially good thing now. The kids were already scared. He knew the only chance they had was to move quickly, efficiently and quietly... right now. The last thing they wanted was some kind of trouble, he just wanted to get his family out of town. He was hoping that the further they got away from suburbia, the safer his family would be.

Finally they pulled out of the driveway in their bug-out-vehicle (sheesh, only yesterday it was just my 4X4!) with their loaded trailer in tow. Even though it was the middle of the night, there was a lot more traffic than they thought there would be.

Frank's crystal ball was a tad off, a zillion other folks were thinking the same thing - at the same time. Most of them are not prepared anywhere near as well as Frank's family. Then again, the "if onlys" were heavy on Frank's mind. If only we left yesterday. If only we had practiced bugging out. If only, if only, if only...

There was palpable tension in the air. Drivers were rude, worse than during his normal morning commute to work. Always more perceptive, Connie saw this as people being afraid, half out of their minds with worry, and probably closer to doing stupid things. Like starting a riot.

Their clever plan to use the back roads and stay off the highways and main roads was in peril; apparently a number of other folks had the same plan. Though the traffic was thinning as they got farther away from town, there was still an inordinate number of travelers for such a time and place. They started to calm down a little as traffic continued to thin the farther out of town they got.

They saw that folks had all kinds of stupid stuff packed in their vehicles (TVs, toasters and such). Suddenly Frank was not all that pleased with his well tarped load, he noticed several people looking at it with open curiosity. Uh oh. "Connie, we need to get on an even less traveled road. What are our options?"

She pulled out their evacuation map and looked at the possible routes Frank had marked on the map last year. Connie had him turn left off this crowded little county road and proceed to use their Alternative Route #3. A mile or two later they found that they were alone on the road. Frank was relieved that the possible threats seem less, yet at the same time they were alone in unfamiliar territory. He kept going, aware that they had over 280 miles to go, as the crow flies. He had no idea how far they had to drive on this route. Another "if only".

By mid morning Frank was really tired. The family needed to take a break; it was time for meal, to use a bathroom, walk the dog, and it wouldn't hurt to top off the gas tanks from the supplies in the trailer. They started looking for a likely place to pull over and take a break. Its not like there were west coast freeway rest stops out here, in fact they were just glad the road was paved. Another "if only"; Frank should have actually driven this route and figured out possible rest points.

A big problem occurred to Frank. With the trailer he cannot turn around just anywhere; the roads out here were barely two lanes wide. Taking a gravel side road was a big risk because he couldn't turn around. He wondered where are they would stop for a break, maybe even a short nap. There is very little traffic, so eventually he pulled over as best he could in a wide spot and searched the evacuation map for a likely spot. Another "if only". He wished he had a more detailed map of the area.

A pickup truck pulled up beside them from the opposite direction. Both Frank and Connie were looking at their map and didn't see it coming. The two men in it were checking out their trailer, "You lost Mister?"

In a flash Frank realized: he is a stranger to them; everyone knows the SHTF; his hand gun is inconveniently located in his holster, tucked under the safety belt; and the 4X4 was turned off. "We're just passing through, looking for a place to pull over and feed the kids." He was very aware of the one guy looking curiously at his trailer.

The older man said, "Folk around here ain't so friendly these days. Best to move along."

"Thanks neighbor," Frank said. He started the 4X4 and drove off, not too fast, but not messing around either. He told Connie to watch that truck till it was out of sight. The truck did not follow them.

By now the whole family really needed to use a bathroom. There was no traffic, so he told the family, "We are going to stop in a minute for a bathroom break. We are going to do this differently, there are no bathrooms. The ladies will use the right side of the road, the boys will use the left side. Break out the toilet paper, plus handy wipes to clean your hands."

A few of minutes later, he found a spot with a mile long view in both directions, so he stopped in the road. Everyone got out and did their business while Frank kept watch. Then Junior cared for the dog's needs, Connie took over the watch, and Frank did his business. The road was still clear, so Frank pulled a gas can from the trailer and poured it in the gas tank. It was still all clear, so he put two more cans of gas in the tank to top it off.

Frank pulled the truck forward 100' to escape the fragrances of his family's completed business. Then he kept the watch while Connie broke out food and drinks for everyone. Their daughter saw to the dog's meal.

Meanwhile Frank was wondering how to provide better access to his pistol, and for that matter, his rifle while driving. More "if onlys". He should have also made some provision for bathroom breaks, that was gross.

There is still no traffic, but everyone is staying close to the 4X4. Connie brought him a huge sandwich and a large cup of cold coffee. Once again he marveled at how smart, observant and thoughtful she is. After 20 minutes the family got back in the rig, all were ready to go.

Connie had her rifle beside her feet, barrel down. It had a loaded magazine in it, plus she had two more loaded mags in the door pockets, ditto for extra pistol magazines. Her pistol was tucked between her seat and the console for quick access. Frank put his pistol in the same place on his side, then he saw that Connie had put two loaded pistol mags in his door's pocket. He smiled when he saw she had a band aid over the end of her rifle barrel to keep stuff from getting in it.

Feeling much better, they started out again. Frank was wondering what else he should worry about. They had driven through six little towns so far on these back roads. They chose not to stop in any of them because of the very uncharacteristic, but obvious, unfriendliness in the few people they did see, and everyone they saw was armed. Were they worried about the "golden hoard"? Were they assuming we are squatters/refugees looking for a safe place to land?

What about ambush/roadblocks? He remembered reading about those in two excellent fictional survival books; Lights Out by Halfast, and Patriots: Surviving the Coming Collapse by James Wesley, Rawles. Another "if only" he should have planned for.

"Connie, I've been thinking about the way folks looked in every small town we've driven through. I guess they are worried about the coming refugee and squatter problems. I think we should avoid towns the rest of the way to our retreat. I remember reading about some people setting up roadblocks to ambush travelers for whatever they had with them."

Connie thought about this for a full minute before she said, "I think you have a good point. Find a place we can stop for a few minutes to re-plan our route around towns, especially Millersburg."

"Millersburg? Our place is only 12 miles from there. That will be our home town for sometime to come. What are you getting at?" Frank asked.

"Do you really want those folks to see us drive through town in this rig loaded down with buckets of stored food?"

"Well, duh. At least one of us is thinking. Good call Connie." Frank stopped on the crest of a small hill so he could watch for miles while Connie figured out a route to their land. This time he used his binoculars and studied the road very, very carefully.

Half an hour later Connie called Frank over, "Sorry it took so long Honey, we have quite a tangle of roads and three little towns to get around. So many of the roads wind up either going through or very close one town or another. If my calculations are right, we are only about 15 miles from the cabin, but we have to drive nearly 40 miles to get there safely." The kids cheered and climbed in. "The first thing we have to do is turn around and go back 3 miles, then turn left on..."

They made it to their cabin on 12 acres without further incident.

Evasion can be (should be) way more detailed for countless situations. This is my attempt to introduce the concept. Your comments, and your additions to this prep planning, are most welcome!
Sam

The first layer of protection is Anonymity, second is Stealth, third Evasion, fourth Formidability, fifth is Guns, ammo and practiced skill.