Crisis Thinking: Critical Perceptions

 

[ Warning: Graphic Content ]

NOTICE: All pictures are used under presumptive use, and downloaded from their respective internet sites and/or forums for non-commercial use. Copyrights retained by the original submitter / owner.

 

SYNOPSIS:

The world has just ended for the people in your neighborhood. Everything around you has collapsed,,,, and modern utilities are a thing of the past.

Early that morning a massive under-sea earthquake comes to life without any warning. The shock waves create a tsunami wave approaching heights of 2000 feet--travelling at an astounding speed of 600 MPH. It's bigger than the Empire State Building.

The Warning Alerts were transmitted at 10:45am while you are at work. The first thing that you thought of, was to call your wife on the cell-phone. The line is busy--you cannot get through.

You don't hesitate, and quickly jump into your car heading for home, and planning on stopping at the school to pick up your two children. It only takes you three minutes to realize that everybody else in the city is doing exactly the same thing, and the roads are already gridlocked--traffic is at a standstill.

Panicked you try the cell-phone again for the thousand time, but it's still busy. You cannot reach your wife. It's then that you notice the fuel gauge is hovering near a quarter of a tank. You were running late for work this morning, and intending to top-off the gas tank after work.

The skies are filled with many helicopters as the elites and rich flee the city into the high mountains. You wished that you could commandeer one of those birds, and bring your family to safety. But you are stuck in standstill traffic.

Ten minutes later you abandon the car and start running towards the head of the line--hoping to convince somebody to help you get home. In your mind you are formulating a sneaky plan to steal a car from whoever is still mobile. There's nothing in the world that will stop you from getting to your kids and home--even if you have to hurt somebody in the process.

FAST FORWARD:

It's been 48-hours since the massive tsunami wave swept through the area. Every building that you knew, has now been knocked down and carried away by the wave. Blotted dead bodies float with the rippling currents. You watch in amazement as your own car floats by, bobbing against a mini-van full of small children--all of whom are drowned. The sight brings instant fear to your mind, as you try to imagine what has become of your own kids. Quickly you push that thought way back into the furthest recesses of your mind. It's not something that you can deal with right now; you have only one single purpose; to get home and take care of your family, and get them all into a safe area.

But first--you have to, somehow, get off this concrete parking garage that has saved you from the tsunami wave. Looking down eight stores into the swirling black waters, you understand the force that nature sent against you, and realize that like the other thirty people sharing the roof with you, there's not one single thing that you can do for yourself, much less your own family. You are stuck here until the waters recede, or the government can rescue you from the only standing structure in the area. For a moment you consider jumping into the water and swimming from building to building until you reach dry ground...

ONE WEEK LATER:

You try to eat the MRE that the soldier has handed you, but the appetite just isn't there. The noise inside the church is almost deafening, as other survivors are informed of the loss of their loved-ones. It's a scene that has been played-out many times over the past week. Nobody has told you anything, you're in the dark, but deep down inside of you, the thought that your entire family has perished is something that you have to force out of your thought patterns.

Reports of wide spread destruction flood in; entire communities and towns have been obliterated--wiped off the map. The people in the affected areas no longer exist--among them your parents, and most of your family have went missing. Your mind replays the events about the last time that you spoke with your mother, the firm handshake of your father as he walked you and the family to the car. Your brothers, sisters, cousins, aunts, uncles, and close friends are all gone. Some might have survived, but you don't know that for sure.

Millions of people have been drowned or crushed. FEMA and the Red Cross are the only thing keeping you alive. Help has flooded-in from the mid-western areas, but it doesn't belay the fact that most of your immediate family is dead--and deep down you fear that you family will be among those listed as dead.

****

Think this is fantasy? Look at the pictures below to be reminded of the events during the 2011 Earthquake and Tsunamis that struck Japan.

  

  

If you think, for one minute that this couldn't happen in the USA; then look at the picture below and see for yourself exactly where the tectonic plates bump-up against Americas coastline.

 

Even those people living thousands of miles away from these plates, or the coast, will feel the results of an event such as this. The tsunami might not reach very far inland, but the long-term ramifications are almost as severe.

• Ground transportation comes to a screeching halt.
• Domestic oil production wiped out.
• Massive ecological disaster due to oil and chemical spills.
• Ground water contamination.
• Fuel prices immediately skyrocket.
• Fresh vegetable production disrupted, or stopped altogether.
• Meat animal production stopped or disrupted.
• Maritime transportation systems destroyed.
• Fishing industry wiped out.
• Consumer Commodities see immediate price spike.
• Global stock indexes plunge to record lows.
• Unemployment skyrockets.
• Martial Law declared within disaster zones.
• Wireless Telephone & Internet Services affected.
• Dams and Reservoirs destroyed or affected.
• Rivers and streams expand flooding further inland.
• Stench of death in affected areas.
• Massive numbers of people perish during the event.

Then again; you might have friends or family living in the affected areas…

 

 

Survival Keys:

• Establish and practice a Family Communications Plan.
• Know every route in and out of your area, like the back of your hand.
• Keep and maintain a “Ready Bag” in the family cars.
• Don’t stockpile all of your emergency food at home—spread it out.
• Keep batteries fully charged (and in the cars) for Hand-Held radios, and teach every family member how to use it.
• Provide you school-age children with a small “Go Bag” to be stored in the school lockers.
• Know before-hand who will get the kids from school—maintain radio communications with the spouse.
• Understand that it might be necessary to save your own life FIRST, before you can help anyone else.
• Don’t rely upon cell-phones during an emergency—they will FAIL YOU when you need it the most.
• Don’t count on getting Advance Warning from the Emergency Broadcast System—it has failed before!

Even if you are the sole surviving member of your entire family, it must be stressed that during events such as this; your inner-strength will be severely tested. There is now way for anybody on this planet to know what they will do, or be able to do, when faced with the loss of family members.

But it certainly helps to have a plan, and that leads to attaining the right survival mindset. I promise that if you practice these things enough times; during an emergency, your body's instinct will guide you through the steps that will be required.

You may not always make the right choices, but in the finality of things, your decisions will be based on the survival plans that you have established and practiced. Your ass will follow your mind when the time comes…

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Follow Up: Survival Planning Before You Die!

In a previous article that I wrote yesterday titled “Startling Facts About Survivalists: You Are Going To Die!” I outlined what I personally believe to be some serious misconceptions about the current survival trends.

Many of the readers that have found the article interesting, asked how it was possible to overcome these issues, and proceed forward utilizing a reality based survival plan.

 

In another book that I had planned to publish early in 2012; I outline what I believe to be the nexus of survival planning. That doesn’t mean that I am the ultimate authority, or that my plans will work for everyone; but it does mean that these plans will work for me personally, and consequently those people within the rank and file of The Alaska Watchmen Group that have come to rely upon my judgment, and critical thinking in these area.

When I “engage the brain” in these areas, I first set to pen and paper every conceivable threat that I and the group will face. Even the most ludicrous things are written down, at least for the moment.

Each threat is then dissected into it’s inherent sub-threat which may pose a danger or risk.

 

EXAMPLE:

PRIMARY EFFECT	SECONDARY EFFECT	RISK ANALYSIS	THREAT OCCURRENCE	MITIGATION
Volcanic Eruption
	Pyroclastic Flow	Danger Radius	Widespread Fires	Distance
	Immediate Blast Effect	Blast Radius	Buildings Toppled	Distance
	Ash Cloud Dispersion	Time To Arrival	Air Quality Affected	Air Filters
	Earthquake Swarm	Risk Mitigation Effects	SEE EARTHQUAKE EFFECT	EAP Protocols
	Increased Tsunami Event	Risk Mitigation Effects	SEE TSUNAMI EFFECT	EAP Protocols

EAP is defined as Emergency Action Plans. These plans are designed to mitigate risk or exposure regarding one particular effect. It details the immediate and long-term strategic or tactical plans developed for a certain event. How myself, or the group will respond to that event alone.

Some of these events included the following scenarios:

• Volcanic Eruption
• Tsunami
• Earthquake
• Civil Unrest
• Economic Collapse
• Supply Chain Disruption
• Power Grid Failure
• Communications Failure
• Terrorist Attack
• War Declaration
• Martial Law Declaration
• Medical Pandemic
• Radiological Event
• Biological Event
• Chemical Event
• Meteor Strike
• Coronal Mass Ejection (CME)

Each of the above events results in focusing upon reducing our risk to the event, countering the inherent immediate and long term threats, and developing strategies in dealing with the event with little or no advance warning. As part of the overall strategy; there are four main areas that are taken into consideration when developing the survival plan:

1. Planning
2. Execution
3. Survivability
4. Sustainability

Planning Phase:

Planning is defined as determining what the threat is, how it could affect us, and what the event probability is. After having noted all of the sub-effects that we could encounter, each facet of the threat is analyzed for a predicated response on our part. In this area we expand the critical think a little further:

• Historically, in similar such events; has there been advance warning capability that allowed for a timely dissemination of emergency alerts?
• How many times in history has this event occurred?
• What is the probability that this event will occur in the near future?
• What was the single most factor evident that created this event?
• What was the single most factor evident which helped to offset the risk or damage during the event?
• If this event were to occur today, how would we alert the members of its probability, or occurrence?
• Would the members have adequate means to transition into a full-blown evacuation to the Rally Point?
• What factors would contribute to the delay of our evacuation to the Rally Point?
• Are there alternate routes available that would not delay our evacuation to the Rally Point?
• What are the likely risk associated with evacuating to the Rally Point?
• How do we individually, and collectively overcome these risk while moving to the Rally Point.
• Is it possible to Shelter In Place during this event, and under what circumstances is this possible?
• How will ill, or elderly members be evacuated from the affected areas, and who is responsible for their evacuation?

 

Execution Phase:

Execution comes about after all of these question, and other question involving the threats, have been analysis in much detail. During the execution phase, the group is trained to respond, thus executing the plan in its entirety:

• Notification / Alert Phase; Tactical Alert Call Tree System (TACTS) Initiated.
• Wide Area Communications Network Implemented.
• Advance Elements move towards critical over-watch areas.
• Security Group moves toward Rally Point to secure it, and await arrival of group members.
• Team Leaders insure that group members are moving towards the Rally Point. Communicates with Command Group.
• Over-Watch elements communicate route delays, obstructions, and other critical information as team members move through their respective positions. Communicates continuous updates with Command Group.
• Over-Watch position moves to Rally Point when all members have moved through the check-point / over-watch area.
• Command Group and Members conduct roll-call, determine missing member’s status; and weigh the risk involved in sending a rescue team to extract/evacuate missing members.
• Entire Group maintains defensive perimeter to secure Rally Point.

 

Phase Two Of Execution:

• Scout deployed forward of team prior to departure from Rally Point.
• Stay-Behind Guard maintains perimeter after group departs the Rally Point, then deploys as Rear Guard during movement to Safe Area.
• Movement/Departure from Rally Point to Safe Area initiated.
• security Protocols established and executed while in route to Safe Area.
• Command Group receives continuous updates from scouts and rear guard, as well as Shelter-In-Place elements within the affected areas.
• Advance group arrives at Safe Area’ conducts reconnaissance, and communicates same with Command Group; then secures the Safe Area for our arrival.

Survivability Phase:

Each person within the group has several duties. They are expected to perform their primary duty such as Medic, Construction, Cooks, etc.; and then also serve as rotating guard throughout the deployment at the Safe Area. They may also be called upon to conduct security patrols within the areas around the Safe Area; or execute foraging or reconnaissance operations when necessary.

Sustainability Phase:

Once the crisis or event has progressed to more reasonable levels of accepted risk; then all efforts are turned towards Long Term sustainment of the group and its members. This could included establishing alternative power, sanitation, water filtration, communications, and other factors necessary for the continuity of the group.

Primitive survival skills, agricultural skills, and other skills and duties that provide for the groups ability to sustain ourselves are then implemented.

 

The Survival Star is a easy tool that almost anyone can use in order to make their own survival plans. Each point of the star represent a critical area that cannot be discounted or overcome. All six points of the star work together in order to insure that the plan works.

Consider each point of the star, and what it means to your own survival plan, as well as the execution of the plan.

The Survival Star can be used for both the Evacuation (Bug Out) Phase, or upon arrival at the Safe Area when some of the risk has diminished to acceptable levels.

 

I will not give away our operational plans and strategies, but what you are seeing is a condensed version of “one of many” of our tactical plans. These plans have been rehearsed over and over until it becomes an automatic and conditioned response.

I formulated these plans, worked out the details, and then approach the group with these plans. Each detail was discussed and argued, until we ALL reached the consensus that we were comfortable with our plans. It’s not based on what I want, or what I demand—it’s based on the simple premise that everyone within our group has a part to play in these plans, and thus; a say in how they go down when SHTF. Anything less would be tyrannical and dictatorial—and that just doesn’t work for me…

Startling Facts About Survivalists: You Are Going To Die!

Having been involved in survivalism for the last thirty years; I can honestly say without any trepidation that a vast majority of survivalist are not ready to meet the challenges of disaster preparedness in 2012, or beyond. I can say this with complete truthfulness based on both the time I have been involved in this field, and the thousands upon thousands of people, articles, and videos that I have experienced over the years.

That is not to say that all survivalist aren't ready, just a large percentage of those that I have encountered.

Financial Abilities:  Though many claim to be preparing for SHTF, the fact remains that our economy sucks; and therefore not many families can allocate a portion of their income towards Long Term food supplies, or emergency gear.

 

Lack Of Planning: Sadly this is the most abused element when it comes to survival planning. The lack of reality based survival planning will lead many people to their doom. There is absolutely no way that anyone can head to hills with a jar of peanut butter, and then try to feed his family by living off the land. It might work for awhile, but it won't work for ever. Guarantee they will die. These types of people also fall into the "Lonewolf Survivalist" category-They almost go hand-in-hand.

 

Lack Of Resources: Not having the requisite food and water supply will at some point force the ill-prepared survivalist out into the open. Let's face the very simple facts; if one heads out into the woods without enough food or water, their time is limited, and they must at some point return to civilization in order to resupply themselves. Simple things such as toilet paper, water filters, antibiotics, powdered milks, and other necessary and life-saving items cannot be built, manufactured, or harvested from the wilds of nature.

I've spent months and months in the Arizona and Texas deserts. Water is out there, but knowing where to look, and how to purify it is another matter altogether. Coupled with the simple fact that everybody else will also be looking for water, creates an immediate danger to anyone skulking around out in the desert. Waterholes and wells will be highly defended by well armed survival groups.

I've travelled the deserts at night using the moonlight for navigation. Finding water at night is almost impossible. Rattle snakes like to curl up around the rocks near water. The rocks stay warm throughout the night, and the snakes love to keep warm, and then fill-up with life saving water in the early morning hours, before they slither away into their cool burrows to wait out the hot sun.

Let's not forget about the drug cartels currently operating out in the desert either...

 

 

Dependence Upon Technologies: Global Positioning Devices, Cell-Phones, Night Vision Capability, Wireless Alarms; all of these things require batteries. They are cool to have around, and they can be charged with a solar charger, but ask yourself one question: "Who are you gonna call"? You are bugging out to get away from society. Those people that are important to you will either be accompanying you, or left to fend for themselves in the city.

The GPS is a waste of space: if you have done your survival planning, the need for a GPS is null. You should already know where you are going, and where you are at.

Wireless perimeter alarms work both ways. When Alaska Watchmen trains out in the woods, one of the things that we look for are signs of alarms. Whether these alarms are of the sticks and stone variety, or the motion detector variety; it tells us that somebody is in the area. Our patrol formation then assumes a "Movement To Contact" scenario utilizing bounding over-watch formations, and if necessary fire and maneuver to defeat a deliberate and near ambush. We have perfected these drills to a near science.

It's better to shuck these devices and use natural camouflage to hide yourself. Remaining quiet and alert will require absolutely no batteries of fuel.

I've been bow-hunting and had other hunters walk close enough to me, that I could reach out and stick my finger in their ear, or jam my Ka-Bar into the back of their neck, and they never knew that I was standing less than two feet from them.

 

Fundamental Misunderstanding Of Survival: There is a harsh difference between survival and primitive survival. The two are twin-sisters, but each have their own time and place in the overall scope of things. Survivalism in today's society means having the ability to get away from, prepared for, or live through a horrific event which imperils life. This can only be accomplished through understanding the threats, mitigating the risk, and planning for the continuity of the person or family attempting to survive the crisis.

Look at this from another aspect: in the Lower-48 states, every square inch of land is owned, or occupied by somebody. There is absolutely no ground in American that doesn't have an ownership title attached to it. There are some areas in Nevada, Utah, Colorado, and other High-Plain states that are still devoid of human beings. But-even these remote areas are within striking distance of large cities and human habitations. Maine and the New England state are gorgeous, but the fact remains, that all of the areas in the mountains are deemed "recreational" areas. They have roads leading into them. No matter how hard you try, escaping from other people will be difficult.

The southwestern deserts are slowly being strangled by human encroachment. Rich in fauna and wildlife, when SHTF, there's suddenly going to be lots of armed survivalist out there doing their very best to survive.

No matter where the survivalist plans to go, there is a very good chance of encountering other survivalists out there. Encounters will become more frequent during the first two weeks as these people flood out of the cities and try to get into the back country areas.

 

Let's examine some prime examples:

These 10 cities rank as cities with the highest population densities.

Assuming ONLY ten percent of the population actually Bugs Out when SHTF; consider the immediate number of people that will be heading to the nearest tract of green in the region.

 

Rank In Population	City	State	Population	10% Population
1	New York City	New York	8,175,133	817,513
2	Los Angeles	California	3,792,621	379,262
3	Chicago	Illinois	2, 695,598	269,559
4	Houston	Texas	2,099,451	209,945
5	Philadelphia	Pennsylvania	1,526,006	152,600
6	Phoenix	Arizona	1,445,632	144,563
7	San Antonia	Texas	1,327,407	132,740
8	San Diego	California	1,307,402	130,740
9	Dallas	Texas	1, 197, 816	119,781
10	Jacksonville	Florida	821, 784	82, 178

[ Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_United_States_cities_by_population ]

 

This means that every state park, every mountain range, every piece of land out in the country, will be inundated with throngs of people leaving the cities---And that’s just the first day!

Another thing to remember, is the fact that many small towns and villages will rapidly become armed camps that will further prevent the mass exodus of people moving out of the cities. Trying to run these road-blocks will likely result in immediate death at the hands of well organized, and well armed townsfolk manning the perimeter.

 

Conspiracy Based Survival Planning: Preparing to Bug Out from societal control might sound advantageous, but in reality, this kind of planning is pure hogwash, and to me personally doesn't even rate a second thought. As I have written in several different survival articles over the years, running away from the law, or fighting the military when SHTF will not occur like many think. It will in fact become a slaughter house.

Both the police and military have technology that will make it almost impossible for the average survivalist to hide out in the woods. Consequently, if you are considered a threat; the likelihood of finding troops stomping through the forest looking for you is slim. Why risk their lives, when it's safer and much more productive to send in a killer drone. They've been doing that for years in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Nobody on this planet can change the course of biblical prophecies. You have no say, cannot impact, or attain any level of force or coercion upon the events described in Revelations or other prophecies. Like everyone else on this planet, you are an unwilling victim, and the only thing that you have the capability to accomplish, is to mitigate your own risk and exposure. The rest is up to dumb luck, and GOD. (Period!)

 

Over-Confidence And Reliance On Weaponry: Even though many of these survivalist can barely manage to pay the monthly mortgage, or have the ability to stockpile emergency food supplies, nearly everyone of these people will not hesitate to fork out thousands of dollars for weapons and ammunition.

I've watched as the survival movement did a rapid exit from survival guns, to modern battle rifles. Not just the standard carbine or the shotgun, but rifles equipped with lasers, holographic sights, aim point devices, and too much add-on accessorial "junk" that makes the rifle to heavy to carry, ad to burdensome to use in the woods. Keeping it light doesn't seem to work for most people anymore, because they have never been forced to hump those eleven pound rifles around for weeks at a time.

Flashlight, Laser, Electronic Sight, Fore Grip, and folding stock makes this weapon FRONT HEAVY, and hard to maneuver in the bush. The Reacquisition of target will be much slower; and the fact that it needs batteries, makes this a dumb choice for a survival rifle set-up. Get rid of this useless accessorial junk and get back to the basics.

 

In the Army I was forced to carry the M16/M203 Grenade Launcher, and a vest full of 40mm grenades. That was in addition to my other gear, rations, claymore mines, C-4, M72A2 LAW, and extra PRCC-77 radio batteries. Three days later there wasn't a muscle on my body that wasn't rubbed raw, bleeding, or dead tired. Imagine having to hump half of that weight when other people are chasing you. Small lightweight weapons are the choice for most Special Operations teams; it should also be the choice for survivalists.

The internet is full of the type of survivalist that carries multiple weapons, hundreds of round in ammunition, and next to nothing in terms of food. I've eaten allot of things with hot sauce or ketchup, but .223 caliber bullets would have to be boiled for an eternity before they become palatable for human digestion. Replace the ammo with food. If you've done you survival planning correctly, you will never need the weapons, unless it's because of a chance encounter.

 

Lone-Wolf Syndrome: To me personally, the Lonewolf survivalist is more than likely going to be the first one to either fold, or the first one to die when SHTF. These guys are so used to doing it by themselves, that they rarely have the capacity to integrate into a team oriented structure. Most are Alpha male type personalities, and the kind that absolutely must have their own way. It's hard for these guys to adjust their level of thinking, much less their level of trust and commitment to a survival group.

I have seen my share of these types of survivalist. No matter what anyone else says, no matter what the situation, they will always do what they think is right--even when it's wrong.

Take for example the guy (That I know) that will head to the coast to live in his cabin--even if the threat of death is coming from that direction. It didn't matter one bit what I tried to explain to him; he was going to his cabin on the ocean when SHTF. What he failed to plan for, and continues to not-understand, that radiation contamination, biological attacks, coastal flooding, or straight-out TEOTWAWKI could occur in his area. All of his supplies, gear, and equipment that he plans to survive with, is located in and around that cabin.

The Lone Wolf survivalist is usually the one person that lives in a fantasy world, fancies himself as living out in the wilds, shooting and looting when strangers come by, and existing by his skills, wits, and guns.

For their sake, I hope that they are without a mate or children--because these guys will get everybody in their family killed. I have adopted the approach that I will only try once to get their attention; after that "Adio's Muchacho"!

So what the answer to all of this:

1. Planning
2. Execution
3. Survivability
4. Sustainability

   Mount Redoubt Eruption 2009 (Alaska)

Survival Network

 

One of the most difficult things that survivalists encounter, is trying to convince family and friends that they should undertake preparations for future disasters. Even among my own family , friends, and co-workers; I see that little smirk, or the outright denial, when I bring up the subject.

Nonetheless; it should remain a priority for survivalist to reach-out to others right now, while things are nice out there. After SHTF, it might very well be too late.

On the Alaska Watchmen website, we offer FREE TEXT ALERTS for Alaska Residents only. In case something serious in nature occurs, these "interested parties" will get a text message from me indicating the severity of the crisis. This is my own way of helping those that have an aversion in joining established groups.

Consequently; I have also set-up a web page that attempts to bring survivalists together. It's basically just a map of North America. The intent of the webpage is to allow individuals and groups to reach-out to each other.

It works like this: Simply send me an email with your STATE of residence, and an email address or telephone number. When I get a message from somebody in your area, I will send both of you each other's email address. It's then up to you and the other person to break the ice.

For those of you that are into survivalism, and not caught up in the conspiracies, this would be a great way to open some doors across the country, and in your own state.

I've posted my thoughts on here about trying to face the coming disaster all by yourself. No matter what--the bottom line will always be that small groups have a better chance of surviving ANYTHING that is coming down the pike.

 

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Pacific Ring Of Fire:

Flash News: The Yellowstone Caldera has just erupted: you have 3 To 5-Hours before the ash clouds arrive.

• All air traffic is grounded.
• The transportation industry has just came to screeching halt.
• Major manufacturers have temporarily shut-down their operations.
• Retail stores across the country begin sending their workers home.
• Small business owners close their doors—some forever.
• The State National Guard has been activated to protect critical infrastructure.
• FEMA declares an impending national emergency.
• Utility companies slowly begin to shut down the grid to “Non-Essential” customer, or face loosing transformers.
• Cell-Phone Service providers and wireless carriers temporarily shut down their towers.
• All Fire Fighters, Police officers, EMT’s, and First Responders are called-in for extended operations.
• Grocery Stores and Super-Markets are immediately flooded with throngs of panic-buyers. The shelves are emptied.
• Schools and Universities send students home, and lock the doors.
• Surplus and Outdoors Stores sell out of survival food and gas masks.
• Gas Stations do a record business as generator fuel is snapped-up by panicked buyers--Fuel Tanks are drained.
• Fearing collapse; Banks limit the amount their customers can withdraw—Long lines outside of each banking center.
• Hardware stores do record business—then immediately close their doors.
• Ammunition prices triples as stocks dwindle and then disappear altogether.

 

1-Hour Before The Ash Clouds Arrive:

• The Governor orders all non-essential agencies and departments to shut down.
• Financial Systems suspend trading, worldwide stocks plunge.
• Banks and ATM’s are shutdown.
• Water and Sewage companies are forced to shut-down their system in an effort to protect the pumps.

 

Survival Perspective:

• Ash covers everything up to a depth of three feet.
• Seasonal rains mix with the volcanic ash; creating “ashcrete”.
• Buildings collapse.
• Utility poles buckle.
• Road surfaces become dangerously slick.
• Respiratory illnesses triple.
• Eye contamination injuries on the rise.
• Stalled cars and trucks clog inner-city traffic flow.
• Household and Family pets choke to death inhaling the ash particulates.
• Power and Telephone lines snap.
• Computer systems not protected overheat and start fires.
• Household air filters quickly clog. Furnace and AC units overheat and fail.
• Residential fires spread quickly.
• Water mains fail—supply terminated.
• Stream, ponds, and rivers are contaminated with ash. Thousand of marine life die.
• Birds, rodents, and other animals suffer—many perish.
• Nuclear Winter has set-in.
• Catastrophic Crops failure is imminent.
• Ambient temperatures quickly drop—the agricultural industry fails.
• Jails and Prisons manned by a limited number of Correctional Staff; Uprising occurs, streets flooded with thugs.

Two Weeks After Eruption:

• Police unable to quell rising tide of violence.
• Theft, robberies, home-invasions out of control.
• State Governor tells citizens to “Deal With It” as necessary.
• FEMA establishes “Food Distribution Centers”; it takes hours to get an MRE and drinking water.
• Vigilante Justice becomes a harsh reality.

 

 

What’s Your Plan…?

 

 

Can you live off the land now?

Can you hunt, trap, or fish during all of this?

Can you protect what is yours all by yourself?

Do you have enough food, water, and supplies to last three months?

Do you have a network of friends that you can count on?

Can you generate your own electricity?

Do you have generator fuel stockpiled?

Have you thought about generator spare parts, air and oil filters, spark plugs, motor oil, belts and such?

Do you have a means to communicate with others?

How will you cook your meager food supplies?

Do you have enough toilet paper stockpiled?

How will you deal with sewage in your house?

Do you have the means and equipment to decontaminated water?

Do you have the skills necessary to treat an upper-respiratory illness due to ash inhalation?

What happens when your medical prescription runs out?

 

 

BUT

 

 

You Look Out The Window

…

 

…

 

 

…

 

 

It’s Starting To Snow Outside Now…

 

( Things Just Took Another Radical Left Turn! )

 

 

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Survival vs. Sustainability

The biggest quandary out there in the survival world is trying to decide what to do, when to do it, and how to get it done.

But sometimes I think that some survivalists have a tendency to eat the desert before the dinner. By that I mean, there’s so much work being put into sustaining life AFTER an event, that little thought is given to actually surviving the event itself.

When a natural disaster, such as an earthquake or tsunami strikes, the last thing that people are going to be worrying about is what’s gonna’ happen tomorrow. They are going to be focused on getting through the horrific events staring them right in their face—Survival.

Survival means getting out of harms way, having a survival plan in place, and the tenacity to carry it out.

Sustainability comes into play when the immediate danger has passed, and the focus is on a long term solution to the problems created by the event.

The survival movement is blessed to have so many knowledgeable people within it’s ranks. People from around the globe are preparing for the end in many different ways. Some are prepping by storing large quantities of food; others by honing their primitive survival skills. Both are vital in nearly any crisis event. They go hand in hand like twin sisters.

In a reality based survival scenario; the primary function should always be to save lives. The continuation of the individual or family should be the upper priority. This comes about as a result of meticulous planning, and ardently clinging to the the fundamental understanding that life can be swept away in a blink of an eye. All preparations should then be directed towards that one single goal: Saving Lives.

Knowing how to trap animals, build fires, or set-up a bush shelter does little good when humanity has all but been erased from the face of the globe. Even on a local scale; the immediate concern should be directed towards sustaining one’s life until the next sun rise.

Taking this, one step closer to reality; it’s easy to see that without a survival plan that takes into account the immediate threats; there’s little hope of making it through the night unless preparations have been undertaken:

• Over-The-Horizon / Advance Warning Capability
• Reliable Emergency Alert / Notification System
• Bullet-Proof Radio Communications Network
• Evacuation Routes that have been identified, marked, and traveled—as well as many other alternate routes.
• Rally Points, as well as alternate meet-up areas.
• Supply Caches that provide essential food, gear, clothing, and other equipment, in case family members arrive with only the clothes on their backs.
• Provisions for medical treatment.
• Convoy Security Preparations.
• Established Safe Areas able to sustain everyone in the family or group.
• Plans for Long Term sustainability such as food, fuel, security, and the perpetuity of the family or group.

 

The most important element is to understand that doing this alone is foolish. In a worst case scenario, there will be people out there that will not hesitate to take another’s life for a can of beans. People that are unprepared for this eventuality will suddenly find themselves facing well-armed violent people, or small bands of thugs. Being alone out there places everyone in the family in immediate danger. At some point, mistakes will be made, the survival camp will be found, and the reality of not taking the time to counter this threat will be driven home in a hail of bullets. Aloneness is a quaint idea, but being alone out there when SHTF is a deadly situation that cannot be minimized or ignored.

Imagine a world where everything just went “Deep South”; and society has all but collapsed. Imagine yourself trying to live off the land to feed the family and keep them safe. Your life will be in constant danger. Other survivalists and criminals will be doing the exact same thing that you are doing. Building campfires to smoke fish, setting up traps and snares, or shooting the survival guns—will alert others to your presence. Don’t make the stupid assumption that you alone can hold off a small band of armed thugs. Outnumbered and outgunned, it’s very likely that you will either be driven away from your camp, or killed outright in the ensuing gun battle. I don’t care what kind of training that you have, or how many guns you are carrying around; the reality is that you are not Rambo, and this situation isn’t Hollywood.

Desperate times call for desperate measures. Minimizing these stark realities is a recipe for certain death. In the world of survivalism, a clear distinction must be made between survival and sustainment. Entertaining these morbid fantasies of heading to the woods and living off the land indefinitely may work for a time. But given human nature, and the violent tendencies of some people, it will be almost impossible to maintain the “Jeremiah Johnson” lifestyle in the way that many foolishly believe will offer them a sense of well-being and protection.

The first moment that a firearm is discharged, the resounding shot will echo across the miles; alerting everyone to your presence. Consequently; building primitive shelters, and laying out a trap line will be a viable solution after SHTF, but not during the event itself. The vast majority of people will be heading to the hills the moment that they are frightened enough by the crisis. Some of these people will be less than prepared. At some point, it is inevitable that their food supply will run out. Faced with the slow death of starvation; there should be no doubt what will necessitate their next actions. Reality dictates that they will at some point, find other hungry-starving people just like themselves. The situation has doubled in terms of danger, and the consequences is that survivalist will be facing not one or two thugs, but potentially several thugs that are rich in firepower and ammunition. This is a situation that must be avoided at all cost. The initial planning, and the gear that is utilized during the Bug Out phase will determine your chances of discovery.

It’s important to understand the basic and fundamental elements that will decide the fate of survivalists and their families. Over-reliance on technologies, and piss-poor planning will spell doom. Might as well stay at home and ride out the storm where there’s some level of familiarity and comfort. Out there in the deep woods you are alone, without help, and depending entirely upon your own skills and instinct. But—there are other people out there that have more experience, better gear and guns, and they might very well have some of their friends with them. Some of the people are former military, or life-long hunters that are used to stalking their prey. It might even end-up being an entire family roaming the woods. Some of the people that I have known for years are “Good Old’ Boys” from Dixie that grew-up in the woods. Trailing you back to camp, or sneaking up on you--is not going to be a problem for them. They’ve been doing that for years, and years.

Walk Quiet, and Sleep Light; are two key phrases that must be intuitively understood. Minimal gear, extra food and water, well planned routes, and a well-defined survival plan are the keys to surviving a SHTF scenario. Bringing your family along on this journey will add to the stress, burden, and responsibility that must be faced.

 

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