Hey Ladies and Gents hope all is well.
Used my Bug out bag for the first time (in a real emergency) last week.
It was around 7-8 pm.
Just having a cup of tea watching some TV then all of a sudden I have noticed some blue flashing lights head down the street didn't really think anything of it.
Then 5 maybe 10 minutes later the fire brigade and police started banging all the doors down in the street evacuating every house as they go, a local resident was digging a pond when they struck a gas pipe and pierced it with a pitch fork.
The police allowed us enough time to put our coats and shoes on then we had to leave the property ASAP.
People where not even allowed to move their cars so you can imagine the commotion some residents where making.
we where all coddled and told to stand at the end of the street which had been cordoned off with police tape.
The scene was pretty scary, people fearful as to what was going to happen as you can imagine the majority of people where wearing nightwear and potentially in a very vulnerable situation.
People kept asking what I had in my BOB and I told them just a few bits and bobs I grabed on the way out obviously I did not divulge them into what exactly I had on me or that I am a prepper.
We was outside for only around an 90 minutes if that but it did feel much more, in that short space of time people where complaining of thirst and coldness.
The complaining was unbelievable as well, I know we are British its kind of our thing but somehow I don't think a lot of people realised how serious a gas leak could be.
I hope after that experience more people n my street may consider a BOB, or at least take note in case such an emergency arrived again, It does seem very doubtful though as the majority of people seemed to think and where quite open in vocalising that the fire brigade or police should have supplied them with Cups of tea and something to eat... Because obviously the Police are a catering business now aren't they....
So yes the self entitlement of some people did strike me as quite shocking to say the least, I am certainly glad I didn't open my BOB and showed them the water I had on me as I honestly think I would have been mobbed.
The police did hand out fire blankets though of which seem a much thicker quality to mine and as we where allowed back into our homes people where just chucking them on the floor so I am the proud owner of a good dozen used fire blankets now so all was not lost.
By the way nothing happened the gas man arrived and we was allowed back indoors although we didn't have any gas for a few hours until they fixed it which was some time in the early hours.
So yea certainly an eventful week to say the least.
Things learnt.
Even the most minor of emergencies are really intimidating when groups of people are gathered together.
People will turn very selfish and greedy when they have to. ( I am disappointed about that one)
Next time I should not stand with the crowd and maybe go for a walk if something similar happens just so I don't draw any unnecessary attention to my BOB.
Having a BOB really does put your mind at ease in that type of situation as I new I could be out of the house for a good week before I would have to really start using any actual survival skills.
Anything can happen at anytime and no matter how prepared you think you are, When something happens and the adrenaline starts to pump its quite scary if I am being 100% with you all.
Owning a car was completely redundant in that situation so I will never fully depend on motorised transportation as a means of escape in a SHTF situation.
I think I need to make some more underground caches close to home as all mine are a good walking distance away so in the event of having to survive nearer to my home I wont have as far to travel to top up on supplies.
Local Authorities don't like telling you what is going on.
People are far more unprepared than what I could ever imagine which really does worry me most of all.
Any tips, Questions, or pointers on what I should have done or not done are much appreciated guys as I am always open to new suggestions and ways to prep.
Sorry if I posted to much I just didn't want to leave anything out as those couple of hours really hit home to me how vulnerable we can be and how prepping is certainly more of away of life than a hobby or passion.
Kind of gutted though as I didn't get to use my tin foil hat
In all seriousness everything is well now and back to normal on the street,
So luckily the mini emergency was nothing more than an eye opener on how important prepping is to me.
Having food,water and shelter are not a right.
They are a responsibility.
So make it your priority.
, I will definitely look at all the options. I guess we are pretty well served for water up here, being spitting distance from the Clyde (not sure if it's see water, fresh or a mix of the two though - although we do get jelly fish, so it's probably too salty to drink 
) and all the rainfall. We're not metered, so at the moment that's not an issue. If it was we'd be bankrupt 
! Didn't know you could burn pallets - thought they were treated. Good to know!
I hope not too many people saw you collecting them? 
run as far as bad weather is concerned and have cycled in the bank holiday drizzle, I have ordered some waterproof trousers, jacket and gloves. Have already got reflective cycle clips, my parents gave me an old bike helmet and a reflective strip to increase visibility at night
