The Ultimate Safe House: Base Camp Basics:
A prepared base camp must be established well in advance of the collapse. It is one that no one knows even exists. Most people aren’t fortunate enough to be able to afford the ideal retreat in a secure location away from their current home. If you already live in a semi-self sufficient rural area, use these guidelines to make your home your retreat. If you currently live in a urban or metro area...you must MOVE to the country asap.
Neighbors
Sometimes the best neighbors are no neighbors. The fewer people who live in your immediate area the better. Suburban areas are a prime target for looters or the enforcers of order. These people will prey on the unprepared or anyone they think can not defend themselves. If your neighborhood looks like it might contain plenty of goodies and free food, looters will be attracted to it like flies on honey.
Your survival requires friends and neighbors who trust each other and are willing to give mutual aid and support to one another. You need them and they need you. Remember you can not do all the work by yourself. You can not stay on guard 24/7. You have to sleep sometime. A neighborhood of fiercely independent people who are prepared and willing to defend themselves offers the best security. Several family retreats located within a mile of each other and linked by radios are your best bet. No matter where you decide to re locate try to get at least one family to move with you; four would be even better.
Location:
You must choose a location that will both protect you from the immediate peril as well as provide your survival needs for the long term.
Area to avoid:
Stay away from disaster prone areas. You will need to relocate at least 200 miles from any coastline. Stay away from any area that is prone to earthquakes or volcanic activity such as the west coast or the New Madrid Fault zone. Make sure there are no nuclear power plants or chemical plants nearby...stay at least 200 miles from these areas.
Select a self-sufficient, agricultural, rural region. Choose a site that is within 50 - 75 miles of your current location. It should be at least 20 miles away from any rail lines or major highways or interstates and 10 - 15 miles from the nearest small town or village. Make sure the property is geographically defensible. Make sure it does not flood. Try to find land that is partially wooded with enough arable land to grow a large garden and raise a cow, a pig and a few chickens. Try to find land that has a natural spring or a stream flowing through it.
Obtain 2 - 5 acres.
Choose your land so it is almost impossible to approach it un observed. Base your selection on OCOKA.
Observation
Concealment
Obstacles
Key Terrain
Avenues of Approach
Essential Improvements: Start with the basic stuff first. This is much better than the dream retreat that never gets built
1. Establish the perimeter of your retreat. Build a sturdy barbed wire and electric fence around the entire property. The fence can be powered by a solar fence charger. Also, plant lots of thorny berry bushes around the area. This will help keep out intruders and attract game as well as provide you with a source of food. Put a heavy, lockable gate across the road or driveway leading into the property.
2. Establish a reliable year round water supply. Dig a well or build a large cistern. Also dig a pond.
3. Build a outhouse.
4. Clear land for crops, fields of fire etc.
5. Build “concealed” defensive positions to protect the base camp and its approaches. These can be built from stacks of firewood and dirt placed in strategic locations around the property.
6. Build a 12x16 or 16x20 cabin with a hand pump well, kerosene lights, a wood stove, and a propane cookstove.
7. Build a under ground root cellar with a tool shed on top of it.
HOME / BASE CAMP EVALUATION:
1. Will it hold all the people who plan on using it?
2. Is there an independent water supply?
3. Can you heat and cook without relying on a municipal power supply?
4. Do you have adequate facilities so that everyone may bathe or use the toilet?
5. Do you have adequate stockpiles of food, medical supplies, ammunition etc. so that everyone may survive for periods of 2 weeks up to a year independent of any outside aid or assistance?
6. Is the home/retreat adequately stocked with all the necessary tools and utensils? How about consumables such as batteries, light bulbs, toilet paper, soap, canning supplies, garden seeds, salt, sugar etc. etc?
7. Are you prepared to fight and contain fires?
8. Do you have a survival library that will cover all your needs?
9. Is the retreat actually defensible? or are you just kidding yourself?
10. Have you looked at how to defeat your retreat through the eyes of the enemy?
11. Can the area be patrolled?
12. Is it possible for attackers to sneak up on your retreat unseen or more importantly, for them to observe the retreat without exposing their position?
13. Can the approaches be mined and guarded?
14. Can the immediate approaches be made impassable by booby traps or other physical means?
15. Do you know how long it will take to close the approaches and who will take care of this job?
16. Are you familiar with all branches of law enforcement and military units in your area?
Do you:
Know the numerical size of all enemy units and their firepower?
Know the enemy’s response time and avenues of approach?
Know the enemy’s strengths and weaknesses?
Can you recognize all their vehicles and monitor their communications?
