One of the scarier situations for a prepper is when the family is scattered to the wind.  When everyone is close to home it’s easier to keep them safe and secure but what is a prepper to do when the chicks start leaving the nest?  Two of my three kids are no longer living at home.  Daughter #1 and Air Force son-in-law husband live just outside a major military base, have good heads on their shoulders and are financially secure enough take care of their own preps…not to mention that Uncle Sugar takes care of his own.  What to do with Daughter #2 though…she’s away at college, lives a distance from future son-in-law who’s also in college and they don’t have the storage capabilities, financial resources or experience to go it alone.  If a situation comes along that puts Daughter #2′s security or wellness in jeopardy then I’ve got to get her home safe and sound.  I’ve equipped her (mentally and materially) with what she needs to get home but the best laid plans can go awry so I’ve come up with a Plan B…the Prepper Blood Chit.

What is a Blood Chit:

Despite its ominous sounding name, a Blood Chit is nothing more than a notice, usually written in several languages that’s carried by Aircrews, Soldiers, Marines and others forced to operate in or over dangerous territory.  When the crew is shot down or individual gets separated from their unit then the Blood Chit helps the person seek aid form locals in order to make their way safely back to friendly lines or a safe location.

The concept of the Blood Chit is dates back hundreds of years to monarchs or influential persons providing letters requesting those reading to render assistance to the carrier.  President George Washington gave a letter like this to a French balloonist in 1793 who didn’t speak English.  That letter was addressed to “All citizens of the United States” and encouraged the readers to assist the balloonist with his return to Philadelphia.

Later in World War I the British issued their pilots operating outside Europe with Blood Chits they called ‘ransom notes’ which offered a reward for returning the airmen unharmed to the nearest British outpost.  U.S. Pilots flying for the nationalist Chinese (the Flying Tigers) against Japanese forces before the U.S. entry into World War II carried similar Chits.

Depending on the situation Chits are written to appeal to patriotism, humanity, greed or a combination.  The U.S. takes its Blood Chit commitments so seriously that in 1993 we paid $100,000 to the son of a North Korean civilian that aided a downed B-29 crew in July of 1950.  U.S. pilots and crew members in Vietnam carried Blood Chits written in 14 languages that declared:

I am a citizen of the United States of America. I do not speak your language. Misfortune forces me to seek your assistance in obtaining food, shelter, and protection. Please take me to someone who will provide for my safety and see that I am returned to my people. My government will reward you.

The U.S. still provides certain servicemembers and others pre-printed Blood Chits when they operate in many locations (or situations) around the world.  You can read more about the history of Blood Chits at the Marine Corps Press’ site.

The Prepper Blood Chit

While you could use the Prepper Blood Chit concept for a number of situations including a Bug Out Situation I’ve developed this concept help get Daughter #2 home safely from college.  While its easy to travel half way across the country in just a day right now… there are situations that could make travel difficult or even dangerous.  A word of caution before we proceed…the trick is to create and if necessary use the Prepper Blood Chit that helps your kid get home safe and doesn’t make them a target for kidnapping.

Korean War Blood Chit

Creating a Prepper Blood Chit:

When creating your Prepper Blood Chit you should incorporate the following elements:

• Identification:  Identify who you want the reader to help in three ways, by name, by relationship and by picture in case your loved one has lost their identification.  By describing your relationship to the person you want to receive the help you’ll also appeal to the reader’s humanity.  When I ask for help for ‘my daughter’ a reader might think about how he/she would want their daughter treated in a similar situation.
• Directions:  You must tell the Chit’s reader what you want them to do and what type of aid you’d like rendered .  Perhaps you’ll ask the reader to ‘provide food, shelter, safety and help return your loved one to CITY & STATE.’   Caution:  Don’t give your address (maybe just your town or neighborhood) or an unscrupulous person might hurt your loved one because they plan to come take the reward and everything else you have by force…of course this advise is of limited utility if your loved one carries identification with your home address on it.
• Reward:  While the U.S. has a history of making good on vaguely written ‘rewards’ I believe you should be specific in your description of rewards.  I suggest offering something of value and not knowing exactly what type of SHTF situation will create the need to use the Prepper Blood Chit you may want to offer a choice of money, food or precious metals.  Consider the distances your loved one will need to travel when selecting your reward(s)…it must be worth the risk to render aid.
• Language:  Provide the message in additional languages as may be appropriate to your loved one’s location and the territory between there and home.  I suggest at least English and Spanish.  There are many tools on the internet that can help you with translations if you don’t know someone who’s fluent including Bing Translate.
• Size:  Select a size for your Prepper Blood Chit that’s easy to carry so it’s not left behind as your loved one goes about their regular routine.

• Durability:  Your Prepper Blood Chit is no good if it falls apart the first time it’s exposed to the elements.  Laminate or treat your Chit so that it’s weatherproof.

• Duplication:  It’s as easy to make two Prepper Blood Chits as it is to make one…so make one for your loved one’s wallet and a second for their Get Home Bag or Bug Out Bag.  You could even take a page from the history book and sew a copy into key clothing.
• Signature:  Identify yourself and sign the Chit.  A signature denotes authenticity and seals the promise you’re making to person or persons who will help your loved come home safely.

Sample Wording for the Prepper Blood Chit:

The bearer of this document (whose picture appears on the back of this card) is my precious daughter, NAME who’s been studying at ___________ University.  Please assist my daughter with food, shelter, transportation and additional aid to help her return home as quick as is safely possible.  Please treat him/her as you would your own daughter.

While all assisting NAME with her safe return home will be rewarded if you are able to bring her home to TOWN & STATE you will be rewarded with your choice of: $1,000 Cash, 20 Troy Ounces of .999 pure Silver or two weeks of food.

Thank you in advance for any assistance you can provide.

SIGNATURE & Name

Prepper Blood Chit Rules of Engagement

Just because your loved one has a Prepper Blood Chit doesn’t mean they have to use it at the drop of a hat.  Develop ‘Rules of Engagement’ with your loved one that specify the types of situations will necessitate the Chit’s use and methods to ask for aid.  These Rules of Engagement will vary quite a bit depending on geography, environment, and resources including your loved one’s age, experience, street smarts, etc.