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Emergency Evasion and Movement Planning

Quick Summary​

This guide covers how to plan safe movement and find secure hiding places when you need to avoid detection during emergencies or dangerous situations.

Why This Matters​

There are situations where moving unseen becomes critical to your safety:

  • Civil unrest or riots where you need to reach safety without being noticed
  • Natural disasters where you must avoid unstable areas or dangerous groups
  • Remote travel emergencies where you need to signal for help while staying hidden from wildlife or potential threats
  • International travel in areas with political instability

This isn't about paranoia - it's about having a plan when normal safety systems aren't available.

The Planning Process​

Step 1: Assess Your Situation​

Before any movement, gather critical information:

Safe Resources:

  • Location of hospitals, police stations, fire departments
  • Embassy or consulate locations (if traveling internationally)
  • Known safe zones or evacuation centers
  • Communication relay points or cell towers

Hazard Assessment:

  • Areas of known danger (flooded zones, unstable buildings)
  • Current activity reports from news or emergency services
  • Road closures or blocked routes
  • Time-sensitive factors (weather, daylight)

Step 2: Create Your Movement Plan​

First 48 Hours vs. Extended Plan:

  • First 48 hours: Focus on immediate safety and reaching secure shelter
  • After 48 hours: Plan for sustained movement toward help or rescue

Key Planning Questions:

  1. When to move? Usually at dawn, dusk, or during weather that provides cover
  2. Where to start? Choose a departure point with good visibility of your route
  3. Where to hide? Identify rest areas every 2-3 hours of travel
  4. Where to recover? Plan your final destination with multiple backup options

Step 3: Plan Your Route​

Primary Route Planning:

  • Use terrain that offers natural concealment (tree lines, valleys, drainage ditches)
  • Avoid obvious paths, roads, and open areas when possible
  • Plan checkpoints every 1-2 miles to reassess
  • Identify water sources along the route

Backup Routes:

  • Plan at least two alternate routes to your destination
  • Each route should avoid the hazards of the others
  • Mark rally points where your group can reunite if separated

Movement Techniques​

Formation and Positioning​

For solo movement:

  • Stay low and use available cover
  • Move in short bounds from cover to cover
  • Stop, look, and listen for 30 seconds before each movement

For group movement:

  • Single file, 10-15 feet apart
  • Designate a leader and rear guard
  • Use hand signals, no talking
  • Each person watches the person ahead and behind

Stealth Fundamentals​

Noise Discipline:

  • Secure all gear so nothing rattles
  • Step heel-to-toe on soft surfaces
  • Avoid stepping on dry leaves, branches, or gravel
  • Move slower rather than create noise

Light Discipline:

  • No flashlights, phone screens, or reflective surfaces
  • If you must use light, use red filters and shield the beam
  • Be aware of light sources behind you creating silhouettes

Security While Moving​

All-Around Awareness:

  • Frequently check behind you
  • Use peripheral vision to scan for movement
  • Listen for sounds that don't belong (vehicles, voices, equipment)
  • Stop every 15-20 minutes to listen for 3-5 minutes

At Rest Breaks:

  • Choose locations with good visibility and multiple exit routes
  • Listen for 5-10 minutes before settling in
  • Keep rest stops to 10-15 minutes maximum
  • Post security if in a group

Hiding and Shelter Selection​

Types of Hide Sites​

Short-term (2-4 hours):

  • Dense vegetation or brush
  • Natural depressions or ditches
  • Under overhangs or bridges
  • Areas with good drainage

Long-term (overnight or longer):

  • Caves or rock formations
  • Dense forest with overhead cover
  • Abandoned structures (check for safety first)
  • Areas with water access but concealed approaches

Hide Site Requirements​

Must Have:

  • Concealment from multiple directions
  • Quick escape routes (at least two)
  • Protection from weather
  • No obvious signs of human activity

Avoid:

  • Low areas that flood
  • Game trails or obvious paths
  • Areas near roads or structures
  • Places with cell phone coverage if you need to stay hidden

Actions at Hide Sites​

Upon Arrival:

  1. Observe the area for 10-15 minutes before entering
  2. Check for recent human activity (tracks, trash, disturbances)
  3. Identify your escape routes
  4. Set up your position for quick departure

During Occupation:

  • Maintain noise and light discipline
  • Keep gear packed and ready to move
  • Designate watch schedules if in a group
  • Monitor weather and time

Before Leaving:

  • Remove all traces of your presence
  • Check that you're leaving nothing behind
  • Observe your next route for several minutes

When GPS isn't available or advisable to use:

Terrain Association:

  • Use prominent landmarks (hills, rivers, roads) as reference points
  • Follow linear features like streams or ridgelines
  • Use the sun and stars for basic direction finding

Dead Reckoning:

  • Count your paces to track distance
  • Note time between waypoints
  • Keep a simple log of direction changes

Danger Area Procedures​

High-Risk Areas Include:

  • Road crossings
  • Open fields or clearings
  • Bridges and chokepoints
  • Areas with recent activity

Crossing Procedures:

  1. Observe for 15-30 minutes
  2. Choose the narrowest crossing point
  3. Cross quickly but quietly
  4. Have a plan if you're spotted

Emergency Protocols​

If You're Spotted​

Immediate Actions:

  1. Don't panic or run immediately
  2. Assess if you've actually been detected
  3. If spotted by authorities, identify yourself calmly
  4. If spotted by threats, move quickly to nearest cover

Rally Points​

Purpose: Places to reunite if your group gets separated

Selection Criteria:

  • Easy to find and identify
  • Offers concealment and security
  • Has multiple approach routes
  • Known to all group members

Types:

  • Initial: Near your starting point
  • En route: Along your planned route
  • Objective: Near your destination

Modern Tools and Considerations​

Helpful Technology​

Offline Navigation:

  • Download offline maps before traveling (Google Maps, AllTrails)
  • Carry a compass and know how to use it
  • GPS units with preloaded maps

Communication:

  • Two-way radios for group coordination
  • Satellite communicators for true emergencies (Garmin inReach)
  • Signal mirrors for daylight signaling

Digital Security​

Phone Considerations:

  • Turn off location services and wifi
  • Use airplane mode to extend battery
  • Be aware that emergency calls can still be tracked
  • Remove or tape over cameras if paranoid about remote access

Safety Considerations​

Important
  • This information is for legitimate emergency situations only
  • Always comply with lawful orders from authorities
  • Seek professional help for medical emergencies
  • Don't attempt evasion techniques unless genuinely necessary
caution
  • Practice these techniques in safe environments first
  • Inform someone of your plans when possible
  • Carry emergency signaling devices
  • Know when to abandon evasion and seek help openly

When to Seek Help​

Abandon Evasion Plans If:

  • Someone in your group is seriously injured
  • Weather conditions become life-threatening
  • You become lost or disoriented
  • Food/water runs critically low
  • The situation that required evasion has clearly ended

Emergency Signals:

  • Three of anything (whistle blasts, mirror flashes, rock piles)

  • Bright colored clothing or gear in visible locations

  • Large X or SOS marked in clearings

  • Advanced: Signaling for Rescue

Budget Option​

Basic Evasion Kit - $50-75

  • Quality compass with mirror
  • Whistle
  • Emergency blanket
  • Water purification tablets

Best Value ⭐​

Complete Navigation Set - $125-150

  • GPS unit with offline maps
  • Two-way radios (pair)
  • Signal mirror
  • Tactical flashlight with red filter

Premium Option​

Professional Evasion Kit - $400-600

  • Garmin inReach satellite communicator
  • Military-grade compass
  • Night vision monocular
  • Advanced first aid supplies
Source

Adapted from Field Manual FM-3-05.70

Last updated: January 18, 2026