Bugging out with injuries:

[Grand58742]

So since I've been laid up the past month after surgery and with a recurrence of my injury due to physical therapy yesterday, this seems about the best time to ask the question and spark the discussion...

Has anyone made plans for bugging out while injured? Specifically knee or back problems that would preclude them from carrying a heavier BOB or making long distances on their get home strategy?

It's something I never really thought about prior to getting knee surgery. And something that has bothered me since. Mobility is extremely limited, but I can get around. Can't really move that fast so tactics and timing are out the window or a lot slower than normal. So I've had to make plans to change strategies and how I might accomplish getting from point A to B.

Anyone else put thought into it or been faced with a similar situation?

[EX121]

I assume that you mean going by foot. I have thought about getting on of those game/hunting carts to help carry the load as my wife is unable to backpack very much.
I have also seen folks around town with those little wheeled carts that they rest their bent knee on and it looks like they get around ok.
Hope this helps, I can't think of much else.
Get well soon.

[eeyore]

Might want to consider a Rokon bike, if you have plenty of money. Or moped if you wanted to go cheaper. Both are electric start so they could be easy on the knee. I had a moped (pretty much emp proof) as my get home back up, until the kids wrecked it.
I have to admit what FX121 said is what came first to my mind. I guess if you had a bad back you could use a game cart to help and the i just saw someone with their ankle in a cast with one one carts that they kneeled on. neither one of those would allow you to get far a field, you would have to stick to roads.

[thedreamers]

My GF has a bad back from years of working in the nurseing home field. She is pretty mobile but cant carry much weight or go long distances(miles)walking or riding in a car(about 3hrs). So I have been doing all I can to make my stand where I live and go down fighting as best we can. Shes a great cook and can shoot pretty damn good so we're going to take our chances at home. Would Love to hook up with a group but a few we have talked to want only those with miltary back ground or heavy medical training(doc or er nurse). Not people like us, a heavy set truck drive that is more active than most people I know or a woman that has a bad back.

[Matt In Oklahoma]

The Battle Buddy
For us it means someone gets to carry extra. i blew my arm/elbow a few yrs ago when deer hunting and sharpshooter had to tote most of the load the last few days. I couldnt even hold my rifle up and had to find places to prop it so I could shoot. When we carried the deer back in I could only use one arm on the cart so breaks were much more frequent. The deer cart was the only way i could get my deer back in when I was on my own for one day due to the pain and lack of load ability (which was limited below a soda).
Just another reason to be in shape because just like the training Army if someone goes down, like from heat exhaustion, ya still gotta get them and their gear back in. There were many times I carried one pack on the back and one on the front to the nearest evac road.

[Grantmeliberty]

A serious issue for sure. Even a bicycle can provide mobility, just sitting on it and someone else pushing it.
With regard to injuries and recovery, I strongly urge investigation into Vitamin C therapy. Higher than RDA levels of Vitamin C will strengthen joints, tendons, blood vessels, and tissues. Humans don't synthesize Vitamin C, while almost every other animal does. The gene is turned off and we have to get it from our diet. Linus Pauling, a Nobel prize winning scientist, did major research into Vitamin C and figured out that for comparable body weight, an adult male should intake about 17 grams of Vitamin C daily. Unfortunately, you can't raise blood levels far enough from oral intake, but IV will allow levels which will even combat cancer. Fifteen years ago I read an article by an MD which indicated that increasing intake to 5 grams a day had eliminated his lower back problems, and since I had had some problems, I decided to follow that advice. I have not had problems since then, and I have done some crazy heavy lifting. BTW I am 62 and not some young'n. Four years ago I overstressed my son, then 23 on a backpacking expedition, going cross country, and we had to turn back because he had a pulled muscle. My son is in excellent shape, but doesn't have the same high intake of Vitamin C, unfortunately.
All to say that I consider Vitamin C to be a really important nutrient to keep up with. In a SHTF situation, pine needle tea, rose hips, the inner bark of pine trees, stinging nettles, and many other wild foods will supply the vitamin C that we need. Until then, I try to keep a good deep supply of Vitamin C on hand.

http://lpi.oregonstate.edu/

http://www.paulingtherapy.com/

[Lowdown3]

I remember talking to some friends in the regular medical field years and years ago about Vit C therapy. They thought I was nuts.

Within the last year, due to major medical emergency with an extended family member, we spent some time in a trauma center in another state. I always look at stuff, check things out, talk to the staff, etc. Here was a big chart with info on IV Vitamin C therapy on the wall.

[thedreamers]

Thanks for the info on vit c. I told my Gf and she is going to try it and due some looking into it more. And matt I did tell her I would carry her load and mine if need be but she doesnt want me to get hurt or slowed down trying to help her. So we bug in cause Im not going to leave her to defend herself.

[Patriot Lady]

We have prepared BOBs for ourselves having one in each of our cars, but our plan is to bug-in. We are even planning to sell our home when we find the right property that gives us a more secure and private location. I can't imagine preparing and stocking up only to bug-out and leave everything. You know it won't be here when and if you return.

[Grand58742]

We have prepared BOBs for ourselves having one in each of our cars, but our plan is to bug-in. We are even planning to sell our home when we find the right property that gives us a more secure and private location. I can't imagine preparing and stocking up only to bug-out and leave everything. You know it won't be here when and if you return.

Most people do plan to bug in, but there will always be some unforeseen circumstances that could happen that force you away from your bug in location. Wildfires, riots, looting, overwhelming attacks in extreme cases. Something can and will happen that can force you to leave and sometimes even on foot. Murphy sees to it lol.

But the intent of my post was "getting home" to a more prepared location. How does one go on foot between point A and B with injuries and how will they change their plans in doing so? Say the vehicle has multiple flats or has mechanical trouble and you need to get back to your prepared retreat. Will you adjust your plans accordingly by thinking "knee problems?" Or during your "get home" situation you twist an ankle? Just some things for us to think about.

[SeldomSeenSlim]

Aside from things like wildfire, anything that would make me 'bug out' likely means I'm on horseback and staying off the roads. Which is fine for me, but depending on who is with me it would mean a slower pace. Less miles a day, but in my opinion it's better to move safely than quickly. Especially across treacherous terrain.

There are plenty of opportunities to get involved in a trainwreck out in the wilderness. There's no need to charge at them full speed. :)