The ‘Rapid Self-EVAC’ Directive

A rapid self-EVAC directive is a type of tradecraft exit strategy. Instead of a plan to exit a city or country for urgency or emergency, this strategy is for exiting a self-contained structure for active danger.

In regards to this directive, a self-contained structure is any enclosed place that you make a home, work in or otherwise spend time in where you inadvertently let your guard down. A place that is or is supposed to be or at least seems like a safe and secure base.

These “bases” are typically your own home or hotel room, safe house or OPS station, place of work or recreation and a friend’s or family’s home.

The purpose of this directive is to be to fully prepared to evacuate yourself from the base by way of rapid deployment as soon danger is detected.

In regards to this directive, “danger” is any human asset / personnel (or team) that intends to breach your base in order to harm, kill, detain or otherwise negatively affect you by force.

These “assets / personnel” are any adversaries or enemies to your safety; corrupt law enforcement, combatant operators, violent civilian etc.

When these dangers approach and attempt to breach your base, there’s 3 options of engagement;

      • Remain stationary and call for help or do nothing as the assets close in on you.

      • Remain stationary and take a defensive stance to fight the assets when they reach you.

      • Prepare to and exit the base as soon as you’re aware of the approaching assets.

The rapid self-EVAC directive pertains to the latter. Depending on the scenario, calling the police or directly engaging the asset(s) may be the best option.

For when the danger is too great, overwhelming or strategically unsound to engage directly – when escape and evasion is the most logical and safe move.

The ultimate goal of this directive is to leave the base before the danger gets to you. The procedures should be adjusted for each individual and place.

     Alert and Detection

The first factor is having a way of being alerted or detecting an approaching asset. Cameras in entry points and proximity alarms are effective.

     Entry Time

Ascertaining how much time it would take for an asset to reach you from the point of detection; if you catch them on your camera feed, how many seconds it would take to reach your door then breach that door.

     Response Time

This will equal the Entry Time as this is how much time you have to prepare your go-bag or other essentials, get dressed and finally evacuate the base.

You only have so much control over detection methods and estimating entry times are fairly straightforward so the greater focus and prepping should be on procedure for your response time.

Your go-bag and all your essentials should be rather be pre-packed, organized for quick packing or at the very least in the same general area of your base.

This is often the most time consuming action when enacting an evacuation, gathering your things – so don’t spread your vital gear all over the place.

Then your clothing and footwear readiness. Already being dressed and ready to move or having your outfit and shoes prepped for wear at a moment’s notice.

        Rapid Self-EVAC Tactics :

      • An asset may politely knock on the door, break through it without notice.

      • Don’t get too comfortable in your base but learn to relax as well.

      • Always be ready and alert but never to the level of anxiousness.

      • Your response time starts as soon as the incursion does.

      • For visual alarms, use red LED bulbs activated within white light.

      • Make alternate plans for when an incursion occurs while you’re in the bathroom.

      • Keep your ambient sound low (TV, music) for alertness.

      • Take advantage of fire alarms and emergency services to create obstacles.

The actual point of exit from your immediate base, while obvious, should still be analyzed. It may be the front door or a window or a back door or roof top access. Each available option should be considered countering the asset’s potential points of entry.

In such exit plans, there’s only 2 types of escape; through the assets or around the assets.

The latter method is obviously preferred but not always possible when there’s only a single point of exit / entry. So prep and plan as per your base.

You’re only as fast as your exit strategy.

You’re only as effective as your response.

Remember that the time it takes for the danger to reach you is the same time you have to EVAC.