Everyone says you have to have maps of your area in your gear. That’s true, but how much time did you spend deciding exactly what kind of maps to take. If you just stuck a state road map in your Bug Out Bag, then you should reconsider and take the 3 types of maps that should be in your survival gear.
1. Detailed Local Map
You need the most detailed local street map you can possibly get. By local I mean just your town, or if you are in a large city, your neighborhood and the areas you frequent. Here many people might say, “oh I know my way around my town like the back of my hand, I don’t need a map for that.” We’ll maybe you do.
In an urban survival regional emergency, like a flood, hurricane, or other man made disaster any number of things could happen that will be much easier navigated with a super-local map. Maybe a couple of the roads you usually take are blocked or flooded. Maybe you need to get out of town in a direction you don’t usually go. (One of these should also be in your Get Home Bag)
2. Regional Topo
If you think of the maps you need in an expanding circle, after your detailed local map you are going to need a regional topographic map. In the event of a serious regional problem or a total collapse scenario you are going to need to head towards important natural areas like a water source.
Whether walking or driving there will certainly be chaos on the major roads and the smart people will be cutting across country. You need to be able to plan around mountains and rivers.
3. Extended Area
Wherever you might be going, it’s almost certain that once you get outside of your local area you don’t know all of the roads. Taking an extended area road map, like your state road map that I mentioned earlier, and the surrounding states if applicable, just makes sense. This can be an important tool, not only for roads to follow, but for noticing cities and roads to purposely avoid.
More?
Amazon has a decent selection of topographic and state road maps (just search for your state), but you will probably have to get your super local maps at the city information city.
More ideas? A good compass or an all in one GPS/Radio – The Garmin Rhino (in a class by itself).
Do you pack any other types of maps? If so tell us about them, and why you think they will be useful.
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Great article – be sure to get laminated maps or have them laminated at a copy or office supply shop. You could use ziploc bags, map & chart bags or even ALOKSAKs, but they will eventually get moist/wet and fall apart.
A trick we learned in the military is to take a map and cut it along the fold lines – you can then piece it back together with small gaps like laying tile – about 1/8" should be fine – this gives you a relief crease to fold a laminated map that would otherwise only be too stiff. You could also "book" your laminated map by creating indices on the edges to indicate what page to go to – some travel atlas books use such a scheme.
Ideally, a map should be fold-able to fit in to a cargo pocket . Experience dictates that if you can't readily get to it you won't refer to it enough to use it effectively.
Excellent suggestions Dustin.
The only thing I would mention is be sure to label your map pieces if you are going to cut them up. You don't want to be wasting time trying to put the thing back together like a puzzle during an emergency.
I definitely like the idea of laminating and marking up your maps. If laminated, you could use dry erase or permanent markers to draw out some of your routes. I might have to do another map article on these suggestions.
Another old military trick I used to teach was if you can’t get it laminated use clear packing tape to laminate/water proof maps and “cheat sheets”. Learn to read a typographical map, if you don’t know how there are books at your local high end sporting goods, military training manuals at surplus stores and online .
On any map I have be it an original, copy or hand drawn I always draw a modified arrow and an “N” below it pointing north.
latest photomap. The most recent one, if you can. it will show you the Earh as is and posably somthing missed on another map.or perhaps if that water source has dried up. Some photo maps are hybrids that have information that a regular map has. It won't have the topo information it isn't always easy to read, but you can see what you need to for you route recon.
Jerry,
That's a good idea. However, the only easily accessible satellite images that are available for most everyone and with good zoom are Google Satellite Maps, and there's really no good way to tell when they were last updated.
Do you have a good source besides Google?
If you have one of those hand crank flashlights that have USB, the GPS out of your car would work great. In times of catastrophe, the power may be down but satellites will be in space for years and most car GPS's can be loaded up with topo maps as well as SD cards for e-books, pictures of documents and other pertinent information.
Aaron,
Thanks for the ideas. I've had a hand crank flashlight before but I was not impressed. I have never heard of one that had a USB slot, but that is awesome and I will definitely have to look into that.
If you can't find one with a usb charger (i never have) you can make one. a good guide is from usb hand crank
http://usbhandcrankflashlight.blogspot.com/
it's a simple guide and will help you give power to any usb device (usb is 5v most flashlights cranks do anywhere from 4v-6) if it can be charged by usb it will most likely work with this.
Great post. I ordered the detailed local map and extended area (state) map from Auto Club. I just found out it is free for members of roadside assistance. Now I just need to get those topographical maps.
apartmentprepper,
Good point, AutoClubs and interstate rest stops and that sort of thing are great places to get free maps. I should have mentioned that in the article.
be sure to add a county map to your go pack. they are awesome for finding your way around in the rural areas where city and state maps are no help
This is what I use. I think it was $15/year. Me and 2 guys on my sar team put in $5 and share it. http://map-pass.mytopo.com/ it will give you a free 24 hr trial
It is now $29.95 yr. on my screen. They know their value now?
Apartmentprepper makes a really good point. I have traveled quite a bit and would also add. that many hotels and hostels in bigger cities often have some of the very best local maps. These maps usually have a number of really nice features that a lot of maps dont have. they are generally pretty easy to read, have pedestrian travel in mind and generally have a larger number of landmarks labeled. I have noticed that one of the biggest problems with some maps is the amount of detail actually prevents ease of use. If you are stressed, in a rush, or have low light can you read your map? is it so big you draw attention to yourself? The best map is the map you can read. you can have all the detail on the planet but if you can't figure out where you are it is useless. They look cheap and often arn't insanely detailed, but time after time I am amazed how dead on give away tourist maps at hotels and hostels can be, especially in areas like rome that are notorious for baffling map makers. also they are free which is a plus if you are broke.
i found this article to be refreshing too. only one suggestion: included detailed local maps for any destination you mostly would be heading to. this is important if for instance the nearest hospital is in a town you rarely travel in.
If you are a Triple A member you can get local and state maps for free. All you have to do is call them or stop by a local store.
I am way too new at this. But I am a fast learner. I have a suggestion for the pens/wax pencils:
as a teacher I use Vis a Vis pens on the overhead projector and it doesn't come off with out water, soo I thought they would be great. permenant markers are very unforgiving.
Another suggestion is to try anything you mark your mark with in a place where it wont matter to see how it preforms, then decide which or combination of which to use.
Download Goggle Earth and make and print your own. In any format. I recommend WGS 84 in Universe Mercator. All based on the metric system of measurement. Figure out where you want to go, download the maps, print and set your coarse. If your printing something too big. Down load to a usb drive, take to a local print shop and have them print them on a pen plotter. Then laminate. Your all set to go.
One thing I haven't seen and one thing for those who prefer extreme low key travels, do NOT rely on GPS. These will let you find your way, when working, but will also allow others to find you. Think of the smart phones and "family locator" feature. If things go really bad and the raiders or other enemies have access to this technology; you will pinpoint your exact location for them and make their times easier and your harder.
You are correct that the cell and gps can be used against you but it's not just smart phones. If the battery is in your cell, even if it's turned off, it can be turned back on remotely and be used as a listening device and if it has a camera that can be used also. Remember also that in WWII road signs were changed to confuse the enemy (non locals). The same can be done to gps maps with some internet warfare or the system could be destroyed as a military target.
Changing road signs is a definite tactic. The Yugoslavs used it against the Russians I believe in the 1990's during one of the heat ups with the wall coming down. This is one reason why the military(s) are relying more on tactical markers (stickers of various colors) used on different road side items to fnd their way; i.e., blue leads to food warehouses, green to power plants, yellow to rail yards, etc. I made the colors and destinations up just to give an idea to the theory.
I have Forest Service maps for my county and the surrounding counties. They are water proof and fold nicely. The towns where I live are so small that if you get lost in them you deserve it. I probably should have a road map for colorado springs and pueblo if I happen to get caught there in a SHTF moment.
I also carry an "aviation" map…they are wonderful to use because it also shows many of the landmarks such as high tension power lines, radio towers, railroads, bodies of water (creeks, river, lakes and some ponds), both private and public airstrips etc. Some even include various radio frequencies to call for help or monitor communication. These maps can usually be found at the smaller county airports or anywhere that flight schools are taught. I got mine free from being a helicopter crewman, however I believe they can be had for about $20.
There are highly detailed forest ranger maps with back roads not on regular maps. Also these maps show stations with first aid and supplies.
I'm new to your site, signed up last week. I must say I've enjoy the articles, I spend part of this past weekend reading over some of thing. ( A lot of them. ) A thought concerning maps to consider: If you are bugging out by vehicle, map your routes with whichever electronic source you want, including alternates and several miles on either side of your primary route. Down load this information to your laptop and a thumb drive as a back up. That way even if the net and or GPS system goes down, you will have electronic versions preset into your PC. Don't forget the car charger for the laptop.
i learned how to read topos in HS and since its been a few years, ive sorta forgot. i need to knock the dust off of those skills.
All three maps can be condensed into one: DeLorme publishes state specific gazeteers that are topographic and give most roads. ymmv, but you might need to supplement with a more detailed road map in metro areas. Also, you’d probably want to write in road names.
Maps of railroad track routes might be useful too. In everything around you is going to hell the roads may not be safe to travel on. Trains run to and from large and moderate sized cities and could provide a safer, more stealthy alternative if you find yourself on foot. It also allows you to bypass checkpoints and road closures. My state DOT website offers them for download at no cost.
Look for a "gazetteer" of your state. These usually include elevations, topographical info, back roads, landmarks and streams. Mine was 11 x 15, which I reduced on a color copier to 5 x 7. I only copied the part of the state I needed, added an index to each edge, booked front to back, laminated and spiral bound. Cost me about $100 by the time I was done, but now I have a petite, waterproof, DETAILED map of both of my projected bug-out routes.
It won't hurt to pack a map of the city sewer system of your city .you will certain be unseen if necessary.
My map suggestions:
(1) Jeppensen Low Level VFR Flight Maps
(2) Any good three county area topo/hybrid of where you could be if/when SHTF
(3) Most detailed secondary road maps you can find including those that have marked Wildlife Management Areas
Plan routes from your work to a meeting place with your family. Insure they have maps as well and know how to use them to get to the rendezvous point. Don’t use major roads and avoid crossroads. FORGET GPS – it will be down. Use your compass which will work unless EMP/HEMP attacks have occurred. Then, and always, practice dead-reckoning often.
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