Hey everyone,
Thought I'd post on subject that I've been doing some reading up on and share some of my thoughts. Please feel free to chime in.
Objective of my post:
To help people to realize what survival will really take and and to learn from more experienced survivalists (not necessarily me, I'm a newb)
My thoughts:
I'm often concerned as a read posts, research on the interwebz, and read books that it is far too easy to think that knowledge is akin to skill. Although knowledge is good it is not experience and experience over time builds skill. I wonder then how common is it that people begin thinking that because they have knowledge about how to survive they haven't really considered some of the things it will 'really' take to survive or built the skill to do so.
Examples to consider:
Bugging Out
Are we really physically and mentally prepared to leave everything we know, own and have become comfortable with and maybe never coming back? Do we know how or where we're going to procure food, water and shelter? If we're successful in those three things; what next? Are we a lone wolf? How will we defend ourselves against mauraders or ill intended people? What if there is more of them than us? What if we get hurt, how will we tend to ourselves? What if you have young children or less than fit people in your group? How will you protect them? Will they be up to the task of buggin out?
Buggin out would NOT be easy for most, I know it wouldn't be easy for me. A few days camping and I'm ready to call it quits and head for the shower and a nice bed. That's not even considering that in a bug out scenario one might be hoofing 5-15 miles a day; especially if your just trying to get out of a danger area.
We can buy tools and supplies now, but will they run out, wear down or break in a SHTF scenario, how will we replenish them?
Buggin out, seems to me, a very very last ditch thing to consider. Think refugees on the side of the road trying to get to somewhere, not even really sure where; unless you have established a Bug Out Location (BOL). Even then you have to start considering sustainability and protection.
Buggin In
Much more likely; unless of course our SHTF scenario is so bad that we can't stay
If we chose to Bug In, can we really protect what we have stored? Our supplies; food, water, medical, etc..? What are we 'really' prepared to do to protect our loved ones (this one is easier I think to define what we'd do) or our supplies? Would it be wiser to survive a large invasion of marauders and maybe temporarily bug out of a our BOL? or stay and fight? Think about that. Most people, myself included have never killed another human being. My father, a vietnam vet has, he said it changes you, some puke, some go into depression, some lose it and go dark.. Have you really thought about this? **** I feel bad after killing something as big as a javelina or coyote...although short lived, let alone another human. I truly don't know how I would react; I guess I won't until I'm faced with it...Hopefully never.
Are we truly prepared to Bug In, what about our waste...where will be dispose of it. How long will our supplies last? Can we create an environment of sustainability? I think this is why so many serious preppers bug out to their BOL now; before something happens. They buy property and land and learn to live that way before they're forced to. It's obviously a tough thing to consider for many. I'm sure that length of time becomes a factor for most in their Bug In Location; eventually you' might need to move on..but where to?
Physical Shape, Conditioning and Well-being
Are most really in the kind of shape it would take to survive an extended SHTF scenario. Do you have diabetes, or some other factor that requires medicine or constant medical attention? Are there people in your group or family that do?
Are you really in physical shape to Bug Out, to take a 30-80 lb pack and hike 10 miles a day with limited water and food calories? What about those with addictions; alcohol, nicotine; you name it...within a day or two of not having those things life will begin to suck. Mental attitude will change, not to mention someone that smokes a pack a day won't doing too well when stress hits the fan and they have to exert high levels of physical exertion to survive.
I often see, myself included, people buying trauma kits, quickclots, israeli bandages, etc. Do you really know how to use those things? Have you had training? I personally am considering becoming a volunteer firefighter for a couple reasons; giving back to community and the experiences I'll learn from. I read something the other day about someone stuffing an open laceration with toilet paper and wrapping it with gauze bandages...BAD...I also read that the tiny parts that will break off from toilet paper will enter the bloodstream and can cause stroke. There are so many things that most of us don't know about medical treatment. Are we really being honest about what we know and don't know?
So, in conclusion, I know I haven't covered all things we should be honestly asking ourselves however hopefully I've given you something to think about.
Prepping and survival training is a way of life for many, for others it's an insurance policy to everyday life for that OMG the SHTF scenario has happenned!...I am personally working on addressing alot of what I brought up above. It's tough, it's hard to be truly honest with yourself. But in my opinion, if you are really wanting to survive during and after a SHTF scenerio the things I"ve brought up need to be considered, mitigated and planned for as much as having the right gear in your bags, car or home.
Thanks for reading, please post your thoughts, ideas, suggestions.
Anonymous Prepper
This entry passed through the Full-Text RSS service - if this is your content and you're reading it on someone else's site, please read the FAQ at http://ift.tt/jcXqJW.
Honesty and Increased Survival Chances during SHTF
.223 vs .308 for my situation
