What if You Are on Vacation When the SHTF

Yes, people do still take vacations, and any “daycation” away from work and the resulting stress is a way to recharge and unwind, it’s a good thing. In today’s economy, however, not many Preppers can afford to fly to Europe or visit some exotic island hideaway.

Vacations for many are day trips to national parks, theme parks, or a few hours hiking along an established trail. What happens, though, if something happens and you are away from home, away from your supplies, away from friends and family, can you survive?

First, assume something could happen while on vacation. Being aware of certain possibilities likely means, you are preparing if only in your mind for something to happen. This is the beginnings of an action plan.

Carry emergency rations and be prepared to spend time in your vehicle. MRE’s and freeze-dried or dehydrated foods are ideal because of the weight factor. Canned goods can be carried but consider the weight when having to carry your food supply in a pack. Water is, of course, one of the most important essentials you can carry. Carry at a minimum a gallon per person per day. Carry enough food and water for the time you have planned to be gone and then add 72 hours to the itinerary.

If you are at a national park, for example, and the grid goes down you can survive there at the park. Many people will, of course, panic and jump in their vehicles, which will create gridlocked highways. It may take days for the confusion to subside enough for you to make your way back home by vehicle, so you may have to sit tight where you are for 24 to 48 hours. If there is an EMP attack then it is not likely anyone will be going anywhere by vehicle, so you will be forced to shelter in place.

Parks will have water sources, and with the food supply you have packed, you can survive for several days without having to forage for food, and if you do run low on water, you can collect and boil water for drinking. Your shelter can be your vehicle, cabins that may be abandoned at the park, or tents that you carry for such an event.

Get your vehicle out of sight and avoid cutting any vegetation to camouflage it. Just get it out of sight of trails, roadways, and access/fire roads.

The biggest problem you will have is fuel for your vehicle. During any type of crisis, gas stations get overrun and soon run out of fuel and if the grid goes down, they cannot pump fuel anyway.

Fuel is a big concern, so at every opportunity top off your tank and make sure it is full when arriving at your destination. Carrying fuel on vacation is not practical unless you have an open or well-ventilated trailer or an open bed pickup truck. You, obviously want enough in your tank to get back home.

You have your vehicle for shelter even if this means sleeping sitting up in a seat. You also need the means to create a fire and utensils for cooking food and which to boil water.

Carry cash because ATM machines may not work. Carrying cash brings its own set of problems, but then again nothing is perfect. You have to go with a plan and you can divide the cash up among family members or hide it in the vehicle somewhere to lessen the impact of a robbery. No plan is perfect so do not drive yourself crazy imagining all manner of scenarios. Go with likely, and use your instincts and common sense to guide you.

If you already have lodging and the SHTF, you need to assess your location immediately for safety issues. You may be asked to check out by the proprietors or they may be too busy to care, much depends on the crisis. You do not want to be on upper floors during a power outage, or during any kind of attack (s) in the area. A ground floor unit gives you escape options not available on the upper floors.

Motels, hotels, and other lodging options often times have swimming pools that can be used as a drinking water source after filtering and purifying. You cannot assume they had treated the pool water properly against bacteria and viruses.

If the crisis forces most people to flee, then the kitchen may provide you with some emergency rations. This is a judgment call. Technically taking food from the kitchen would be considered criminal, but if the country’s grid systems fail or the country is being attacked and certain cities have come under nuclear, chemical, or biological attacks then survival is your objective at virtually any cost. It is a judgment call that only you can make.

Do not use underground parking garages, and if your vehicle is in one get it out as soon as possible. The building could be damaged, or the area could become an ambush zone and if the lights go out the darkness would be a hindrance as well.

Military personnel are trained never to stop their vehicles when confronted by unknowns. Keep moving is the general rule. Stopping your vehicle means, you are literally a sitting duck. Static targets are much easier to strike and easier to take over by any group.

If you have to escape by vehicle keep moving, and do not stop for anyone. If you stop for someone in the middle of the road thinking that you may be able to help, you may find your vehicle surrounded by those wishing you harm. Looters and other criminals will be out in force during a crisis and they will use this pretext to get you to stop.

Being prepared will keep you alive. You need shelter, food, water, and medical supplies, all of which can be easily carried in your vehicle.

Your vehicle will be your lifeline, so do not abandon it unless staying with it endangers your life. Do not drive aimlessly, this waste gas. Stay put until you are ready to drive directly home, and be prepared to take alternate routes, which you should have mapped out before setting out on your trip.

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