Protecting your preps (Security) is one of the basic five basic survival priorities, and is usually one of the last things we think about when it comes to preparations. One way I have been looking at protecting some of my preps, is to begin caching them along my Bug Out routes… The reason for this is that, my philosophy in a SHTF, is that because of the sheer number of people in northern NJ just outside NYC, I am getting the heck out of Dodge. That said, depending on the Bug Out situation, I may or may not be able to bring more than a Bug Out Bag with me… If that is the case, resources are certainly limited, and some of them are disposable resources that you may need or want to replenish along your route, whether by BOV or on foot.
So that said, you may want to look into caching some of your supplies. i.e. a smaller portion of your beans, grains, and rice somewhere on your route to a rendezvous point or a BOL. I am starting to give more serious consideration to it myself. In fact, I am looking at multiple cache locations along multiple routes. This is a more expensive venture, but not as expensive as it would be in the event I didn’t have the caches… As a single person, quite possibly bugging out of the suburbs on my own to a more rural area, I figure I can cache supplies such as the below in a 6″ or 8″ PVC tube as long as it is properly sealed for burial or hanging in a tree. Thank Scott Williams, for that idea from your book.
Each container would contain the following:
- One 5lb package of brown rice (shrink wrapped with food saver)
- Five 1lb bags of dried legumes (assorted bags, 1 chick peas, one black beans, one peas, one pinto beans, etc.) — shrink wrapped with food saver
- One .22 caliber long rifle, oiled and shrink wrapped with food saver (either assembled or disassembled) Possibly a Henry AR‑7 or a disassembled Ruger 10/22
- One brick 500 Rounds of .22 Long Ammunition (coated rounds like CCI, because the Henry likes them better than a standard lead round), shrink wrapped
- One pair of BDUs and/or Jeans, Shirt, socks, underwear, hat, and gloves, shrink wrapped
- One, knife, such as a Mora or Ka-Bar
- Fishing lures, line, hooks, bobbers, etc.
- Stainless Steel water container to carry and boil water, beans, and/or rice in.
- EDC items such as a multi-tool, firesteel, matches, lighter, first aid items, etc. Possibly an exact duplicate of my EDC Altoids kit. (http://suburbansurvivalblog.com/my-altoids-edc-emergency-kit)
- Emergency Space Blanket(s)
- Emergency Poncho
- Light Sticks
- Compass
- First Aid Supplies and Hygiene products
- Paracord
These things should take care of several or all of the survival priorities for me:
- Food
- Shelter
- Fire
- Navigation
- Signaling
- Security
- Water
- First Aid
For me, the eight listed priorities are of equal importance if I ever need a to dig up a cache. What might be missing would be a pistol that can share the same ammunition as a rifle for some added security. This cache financially would run me approximately $350.00 — $400.00 each. Not inexpensive if you are caching two or three systems, however, cheap if you need them.
10 pounds of dehydrated beans and rice would last me at least a week, and I am sure I could pick up a squirrel, rabbit, etc, along the way if needed… Small game is the way to go if you are Bugging Out and much more accessible if hoofing it.
If you already have the supplies, then it costs you time, and possibly the replacement of some of the items you are going to cache…
On the flip side, if you don’t “need” them and you pick one or two of them up along the way, you have increased your resources as well as may have some barter items for the future.
Not a bad idea.
But I can foresee many variables:
- Can you count on always being able to take the same route?
- Similarly, can you afford to cache along several possible routes?
- Can you cache in secret? Parked along side a road in the middle of the night digging holes might raise a few eye brows.
- The idea of caching weapons has appeal. But there is a reality check: Presuming you have obtained them from legitimate sources (I’m not asking nor judging one way or another) you have much liability if someone finds one of your caches and hurts themselves or someone else. Also, if the day comes for a government ordered confiscation of firearms (not all that unreasonable these days) when they come knocking on your door and you can’t produce all your weapons that won’t do you well.
ps- Where did you find camo green PVC?? Or is it just paint?
MasterPo, that is the point… You (I) cannot depend on on taking a single route, which is why I have multiple Bug Out Routes and will need multiple caches. It is expensive, but you need to write off the fact that you have spent the money on them when you do it. They are emergency only caches. It is like the Bug Out Bag theory, what goes in the BOB, stays in the BOB, because if you touch it and use it, it may not be there when you need it.
Oh, always acquire guns from legit sources… Too much unknown in not doing so. Where I am from, for long guns, you do not need to report who you bought them from, legally, the government (state) has no record of them. Pistols are a different story.
As for the PVC, that is a pic I acquired online… Mine will probably be painted a dark color as well in the event something needs to blend…
I like the article. I have been caching items for years. I started out with the most simple items and now cache food, water,medical supplies, fuel, shelter, ammo, clothes (sized smaller) boots, weapons. I’m like a chipmunk. I’ve got caches all over my bug out routes. I also cache a map book of all my maps with each cache just in case I lose my master. These caches are extremely hard to locate and dig up. they are placed in extremely hidden(cover) locations. Each cache is given a name and number to help me remember its location besides map coordinates. I have built some of the cache boxes and others I have just used PVC. Please tell the people that if they use PVC and glue both ends shut it will be a hard time getting it open with out a saw. That sawing also uses up a lot of energy. So I just coat one end with water proof axle grease and stand it on end in the hole. Greased end UP.
Outlander, thanks for the advice and the concept behind your caches… Certainly will help me to add additional thought to the process…
I think my greatest concern about caching would be: Can you count on the land you put the cache on remaining undisturbed for years and years?
Somebody owns the land. Either private or government. You put a cache on some land and then the owner decides to dig it up to build on it. Or the gov decides to cut a new road through it. Or something. Especially so if you live in or near an urban area and plan some caching near by.
Seems like you continually have to be checking the status of your cache.
Not knocking the idea. Just thinking through the feasability issues.
MasterPo, you are right… I have friends who actually have caches in state parks. Not sure if these will be cut off in a SHTF from access, however, they are safe, “for the time being.”
Found this yesterday and thought I would share:
http://www.sportsmansguide.com/net/cb/new-us-mili…