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Safe Movement in Dangerous Areas: Evasion and Recovery Guide

Quick Summary​

This guide covers how to move safely and remain hidden when separated from help in dangerous situations, whether you're lost in remote wilderness, caught in civil unrest, or facing natural disasters that have made your area unsafe.

Why This Matters​

Modern emergencies can leave you isolated and needing to reach safety on your own:

  • Natural disasters: Hurricanes, wildfires, or floods that cut off evacuation routes
  • Infrastructure failure: Extended power outages that lead to civil unrest
  • Remote emergencies: Vehicle breakdown in isolated areas with no cell service
  • Travel situations: Being caught in political instability or dangerous conditions while traveling

The principles in this guide come from field-tested military procedures, adapted for civilian emergency situations where professional rescue may be delayed or impossible.

Planning Phase: Emergency Action Plan​

Successful emergency movement depends on having a plan before you need it. Your Emergency Action Plan (EAP) should cover:

Core Planning Elements​

Situation Assessment

  • Current threat level in your area
  • Available resources (food, water, equipment)
  • Physical condition of your group
  • Weather and terrain conditions

Movement Objectives

  • Primary destination (safe location)
  • Alternate destinations if primary is compromised
  • Available routes to each destination
  • Expected timeline for movement

Communication Plan

  • Check-in procedures with family/authorities
  • Emergency contact information
  • Signal plans if separated from group

Information Gathering​

Before any emergency, research your local area:

  • Water sources: Springs, wells, streams (mark on map)
  • Shelter options: Abandoned buildings, natural formations, dense vegetation
  • Hazards to avoid: Flood zones, unstable areas, known dangerous locations
  • Safe destinations: Friends/family homes, emergency shelters, evacuation centers

Team Organization and Equipment​

Optimal Group Size​

For emergency movement, groups of 2-4 people work best:

  • Large enough for security and mutual aid
  • Small enough to move quietly and find concealment
  • Allows for splitting into pairs if necessary

Essential Equipment per Person​

Navigation

  • Detailed local maps (paper, waterproof)
  • Compass
  • GPS device (with extra batteries)

Communication

  • Two-way radios (FRS/GMRS)
  • Cell phone in waterproof case
  • Emergency whistle

Basic Necessities

  • Water (minimum 3 days supply)
  • High-energy food (energy bars, nuts)
  • Weather-appropriate clothing
  • First aid supplies
Important

Keep equipment minimal - you need to move quickly and quietly. Prioritize items that serve multiple purposes.

Movement Execution​

Initial Rally Point​

When the situation requires movement, all team members should meet at a predetermined Initial Rally Point (IRP). This location should be:

  • Easy to find from memory
  • Away from main roads or obvious locations
  • Offering good concealment
  • Close enough to reach quickly

Actions at Rally Point​

Once your team assembles:

  1. Assess condition: Check for injuries, inventory supplies
  2. Apply concealment: Use natural materials to break up outlines
  3. Confirm plan: Ensure everyone knows routes and destinations
  4. Establish security: Assign someone to watch for threats
  5. Split if necessary: Divide into smaller groups (2-3 people each)

Movement Principles​

Time of Movement

  • Night movement: Generally safer due to concealment
  • Day movement: Only in dense vegetation or when terrain makes night movement dangerous

Areas to Avoid

  • Roads, trails, and footpaths
  • Populated areas and buildings
  • Bridges and obvious crossing points
  • Ridge lines and open areas
  • Natural travel corridors (valleys between hills)

Movement Techniques

  • Move slowly and deliberately - rushing creates noise and mistakes
  • Use "bounding" - one person moves while others watch
  • Make frequent listening stops (every 50-100 meters)
  • Observe ahead before moving into new areas
  • Stay at least 20 meters apart to avoid group detection

Hide Site Selection and Management​

The BLISS Method​

Choose hide sites that are:

  • Blends with surroundings
  • Low profile (avoid high points)
  • Irregular shape (not obvious geometric forms)
  • Small footprint
  • Secluded from human activity

Types of Hiding Areas​

Daily Hide Sites (up to 24 hours)

  • Dense vegetation or brush
  • Natural depressions
  • Areas with overhead concealment
  • Away from water sources and trails

Recovery Areas (72 hours maximum)

  • Near water source (but not visible from it)
  • Multiple escape routes
  • Resources available (food, materials)
  • Excellent concealment for extended stay

Hide Site Activities​

Security Procedures

  • Maintain constant watch (rotate duties)
  • Establish fields of observation
  • Plan immediate action if discovered
  • Keep noise to absolute minimum

Health and Maintenance

  • Rest whenever possible (rotate sleep schedule)
  • Treat all injuries immediately
  • Maintain equipment and clothing
  • Stay hydrated and nourished

Planning Next Movement

  • Study maps and plan routes
  • Identify next hide location
  • Establish rally points along route
  • Brief all team members on plan
Movement Restrictions

While hiding:

  • No fires or cooking (smoke and odors give away position)
  • Restrict movement to 18 inches above ground
  • No unnecessary talking
  • Camouflage all equipment

Reaching Safety and Recovery​

Approaching Friendly Areas​

The most dangerous moment is often making contact with rescue personnel or reaching safety. People may be on edge and could mistake your approach as threatening.

Border Crossings (to safe areas)

  1. Observe crossing point for 24+ hours
  2. Note patterns of activity, guard rotations
  3. Cross during low-activity periods (usually night)
  4. Establish hide site on safe side before making contact

Making Contact with Authorities

  1. Daylight contact only - never approach at night
  2. Unarmed approach - leave all equipment behind
  3. Hands visible - keep hands up and open
  4. Clear identification - state "I'm an American" or "I need help"
  5. Follow instructions - do what you're told immediately
  6. Wait to reveal others - don't mention team members until identity confirmed

Communication Protocols​

Distance Guidelines

  • 25-50 meters: Optimal distance for initial contact
  • Closer than 25m: Risk of startling someone into shooting
  • Further than 50m: May be ignored or not heard clearly

Visual Signals

  • White cloth or clothing item
  • Hands clearly visible overhead
  • Slow, deliberate movements
  • No sudden gestures

Common Mistakes to Avoid​

Planning Errors

  • Mistake: No predetermined rally points
  • Problem: Team gets separated with no way to reunite
  • Solution: Establish multiple rally points along any route

Movement Errors

  • Mistake: Moving too fast or during daylight
  • Problem: Increased chance of detection
  • Solution: Patient, deliberate movement during optimal times

Hide Site Errors

  • Mistake: Choosing sites too close to water or trails
  • Problem: High human traffic increases discovery risk
  • Solution: Select concealed sites away from natural travel routes

Contact Errors

  • Mistake: Approaching rescuers at night or while armed
  • Problem: Risk of being shot by nervous personnel
  • Solution: Always make contact during daylight, unarmed, with clear identification

Modern Technology Integration​

While these techniques were developed for military use, modern technology can enhance your safety:

GPS and Mapping

  • Download offline maps before emergencies
  • Mark waypoints for rally points and resources
  • Use GPS to maintain accurate navigation

Communication

  • Satellite communicators for emergency areas
  • Ham radio for long-distance communication
  • Cell phone apps that work without data service

Weather Monitoring

  • Weather radio for condition updates
  • Barometer apps for pressure changes
  • Understanding of local weather patterns
Legal Notice

These techniques are for legitimate emergency situations only. Always:

  • Respect private property laws
  • Seek permission when possible
  • Report your situation to authorities as soon as safely possible
  • Avoid any actions that could be construed as threatening

When to Use These Techniques

  • Natural disasters with delayed rescue
  • Infrastructure failure creating dangerous conditions
  • Being lost in remote areas without communication
  • Civil unrest requiring temporary evasion

When NOT to Use

  • To avoid law enforcement when you've committed crimes

  • For recreational "tactical" practice on others' property

  • In situations where normal help is available

  • Before this: Emergency Planning Basics

  • Prerequisites: Map and Compass Navigation

  • Related: Camouflage and Concealment

  • Advanced: Long-term Off-Grid Living

Practice and Training​

This is advanced material that requires practice:

Safe Training Methods

  • Practice navigation techniques on family property
  • Learn camouflage and concealment in legal areas
  • Rehearse communication procedures with your family
  • Study local maps and identify resources/hazards

Skills to Develop

  • Silent movement techniques
  • Natural camouflage application
  • Map and compass navigation
  • Emergency first aid
  • Group coordination and communication
Source

Adapted from Field Manual FM-3-05-70

Last updated: January 18, 2026