Reading on this forum points to a spread of age that seems to cover teens to retirees, with a fairly heavy concentration in the middle ages (however that is best described.) That got me wondering if there are any age specific concerns that influence preparation planning. For an example, did you old folks plan to bug out and shift to bug in mode at a particular age? (Or vice versa, if going the turtle route in retirement.) The same question can be asked of those that have kids too small to carry a pack, did you plan to bug in and as the kids got older shift to bug out mode? You youngsters, have you considered (long term) that a global shift in planning would be needed as you age? For example, I've been in bug out mode for many years, but recognized that there would be a time (it is here now) when bug in would be the best option for me. What other of life's events could cause a shift in preparations? Health, for one, might influence some planning decisions, as could births of children. Any others? I'm assuming that the primary planner is answering, so only one age choice is available. If you have to consider others in your plans, you can mention that in your response. Also, since this is a snapshot in time, the poll will close in a year so the highly scientific statistics are not distorted too badly.
For me BO never semed like a good option though leading up to Y2K it was the plan since didnt have funds to make any real significant preps and lived in the bowles of a major city. As soon as could got onto a small farm and have been working on makeing sure it is the best place I could be in a SHTF situation. I also tend to look further ahead than a lot of folks to though. Kind of like even in my mid 30's, when looking at building our house Im planning it based on avoiding work on it when Im 60 and may not be up to quite so much. Stuff just like I want to be sure it has a metal roof (the FINISH on the ones Im looking at is warranted for 70 years) rather than shingles because with a 20 year roof I would have to replace it when was pushing 60, dont sound like a good plan to me. So since I tend to look toward suitability of my plans for when Im older and such then some of my thoughts may differ from many others of my age.
Since I'm 50ish, overweight with a bad back - any BO is tempered with the reality I can't hike long with much! So I'll BI as long as possible. BO is limited to a temporary skeedaddle if a Katrina-level storm is coming - otherwise I 'hunker in the bunker' - a doublewide on .47 acres of Suburban Heck. Once I retire, I do hope to move to more remote digs. If I can get to that point with the way things are going....
As one of the "Over 70 crowd", we have altered our plans from "get out of Dodge in our Dodge diesel", to hunker down and prepare as I had to do in Nam more than once. Since we have decided to expend all of our ammo in the right direction and to make it as costly and ugly as possible for gang bangers and M-13 types, we are going to follow what the Boers did against the British: range to potential attackers positions pre-marked on target cards and zeroed for those distances. The front ranks go down first and the balance of Bangers will run like hell.--- Supplies are calculated for the long term, garden is in but we are only preping for most, not all scenarios. WE are in a "topping off" mode as I know what it is when the shelves are bare from the sheep waking up and realizing that the government is not able to care for all-- despite all of their BS. IMHO, we are closer than the government wants us to know to a life changing event for this nation---. Yes, we can drill through glass but not through Florida or Kalifonia--only China can-
Preparedness plans have definitely changed with family additions over time. There is much that I would expect of myself that I would never ask of them and, therefore, have adjusted accordingly. I plan for the worst and assume that I'll have no money, no backup help, no way out, no communications and a broken leg. If I'm ready for that... I should be ready for anything.
Age does not matter. BI is the only option, end of the road and top of the hill (mountain). Bring it on!!!
What the heck I've got to vote in the under 60 yr. old option, way to make a guy feel older than he is. Always been in the bug in mode because why leave it's not like the woods are very far away if . However, if we need to bug out I've got a few kids to help pack the stuff through the woods.
We live in a small town of less than 2500 people. The neighbors are all older, and are prepping. The plans are that we're "bugging in", based on the well-known fact that old age and treachery will always overcome youth and skill.
Unfortunately, there are a few who just cannot bug in, thus bugging out is the fair thing to do. With me and my current employment I am in cities spending weeks on end. If I am stuck say in San Fran, I sure the heck am not sticking around. I'll be heading outward as fast as I can go. Since I make a number of trips to the west coast I'll end up heading to Montana as there are good people up that way. But in all honestly I am royally screwed if I'm not home when the . As to age, I feel that the older folks are more logical thinkers when it comes to basic needs, whereas the younger folks will think of taking everything under the sun. For example: My nephew is 23, his BO weighs 110lbs! Mine weighs around 30 and I'm 40 yrs old.
BB, run him through a weekend-long BO drill - full kit, use ONLY what's in the bags. Head to the hills and camp, after a good day-long hike. He'll drop half that useless weight darned quick!!
My nephew is a stooge. A freshly graduated ER doctor who THINKS he knows what he is doing. Oh lordy is he in for a shocker. He is also very thin and when he puts that pack on, I swear he leans backwards. So, I will just let him THINK he knows what he is doing and so when the shit does hit, too bad, old uncle will be miles ahead with his gear and nephew will be dropping the full load to run and catch up lol. As to the cities, I dread them as I feel like I'm back in a war zone.