When planning for a SHTF Survival situation, there is really only one thing that you can be absolutely sure of: Survival is going to be a much bigger and tougher challenge than you ever thought possible. While there are some things you can do to prepare yourself for the chaos ahead, the reality of the situation is that when things go bad, there are going to be things happening that none of us prepared for or could have ever imagined.
What is SHTF?
SHTF has multiple survival meanings, but the acronym itself means Shit Hits The Fan. The meaning is pretty straight forward, but basically, it’s just a prepper/survivalist’s way of saying that during a long term survival crisis or collapse of society things are going to get bad, real bad! How bad none of us really know, and what dangers we will face is only speculation at this point, but one thing we do know for sure is that most people have no real clue to the dangers they will face during a collapse scenario.
Prepping for SHTF Scenarios
It’s not hard to imagine things going bad during a long-term disaster or collapse situation; all you have to do is look at how quickly things turn south during normal yearly disasters to get a sense of how bad things could get. Even during somewhat predictable events like summer storms, flooding and hurricanes we see a large section of the population turn desperate. From people who failed to prepare totally losing their shit in the grocery store when they find the shelve empty to the assholes who take advantage of every disaster to hit the streets looting and attacking innocent civilians, you can find plenty of examples that should at least get you thinking of what you need to be prepared to face.
10 Realistic SHTF survival situations that most people Don’t Prepare or Plan for!
While many of the threats you will face can be easily predicted by looking at recent events, we wanted to look at some very likely SHTF scenarios that very few think about, and almost nobody prepares for. These are threats they may present themselves during short-term disasters, but in all likelihood, these threats will be the ones that start to pop up during those extreme long-term situations where people lose hope and become desperate.
SHTF Law Enforcement Issues
1. No Law Enforcement
During an extreme SHTF scenario, it is very likely that law enforcement and emergency responders will be pretty hard to find; in fact, I would go even further and say that they will become nonexistent. Even during small-scale disasters, law enforcement officers often leave to take care of their own families first. When things go bad (empty grocery stores, no utilities, mass riots, violence, etc.) you are more than likely going to have to defend and take care of yourself.
2. Fake Law Enforcement
In a SHTF Scenario, you need to be on the lookout for everything including people impersonating law enforcement and military personnel. During a catastrophic event, you will most likely see criminals preying on the innocent by pretending to be either police, firefighters, emergency personnel, or military officers. In fact, almost every time a natural disaster hits we see criminals posing as some type of first responder in order to gain easy access to areas where they can then take advantage of the situation and loot homes and businesses.
You have to be able to quickly determine who are the real law enforcement officers or be prepared to stay away from people at all costs.
3. Law Enforcement and the Military Will Try to Take Your Guns.
Think it can’t happen? It already has!
In the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, New Orleans Police Superintendent Eddie Compass ordered all local law enforcement, including the U.S. Marshalls office and the National Guard, to seize all civilian firearms.
Without warrants, armed National Guard troops and New Orleans law enforcement officials forcibly confiscated over 1,000 legal firearms from law-abiding citizens. The New Orleans gun confiscation should serve as a warning to how the government and law enforcement officials will react during a large-scale national disaster.
It’s very high on the probability list that they will come for your guns!
SHTF Personal Safety Issues
4. Gangs & Raiders
When things go bad, there will likely be more people who mean to do you harm than there will be people who are prepared. This is something that you must accept and learn to deal with. The fact is, most people have no idea what it really takes to survive, and once their safety net is removed, they will become increasingly desperate and unpredictable. Even your once jolly neighbor will become a threat when he is faced with surviving without knowledge or supplies.
Let’s face it, even during the good times there’s a certain segment of our population that’s just downright insane. From the idiots who go nuts and riot after their team loses a game to the violent criminals and gangs who are already terrorizing big cities throughout America, there’s little doubt that a total collapse will make urban living almost impossible.
5. You need to be able to Defend Yourself.
During an extreme emergency situation, the lunatics of the world are going to be roaming the streets looking for easy victims to target. If you’re serious about survival, you need to train yourself in multiple self-defense styles and techniques. This means arming yourself with not only weapons but also with the knowledge of how to defend yourself without them.
These are things you should be doing now to ensure you can protect yourself during a SHTF situation:
- It Starts with Developing your Situational Awareness: This is probably the single most important self-defense skill you can have. It will allow you to defuse most dangerous situations before they can become a threat to your safety.
- How to Protect Yourself from Violent Mobs of Criminals: The really scary thing about situations like this is when people start to mob up and form groups. You need to be prepared to take on multiple attackers, and you need to know how to quickly get out of hotspots and trouble zones.
- Surviving Active Shooter Situations: Sadly this is a SHTF situation that we have to deal with now, in our everyday lives. Imagine how bad things will get during an actual crisis!
SHTF Sanitation Issues
6. Garbage will become a Killer.
This is another survival topic that’s not often thought about or discussed, but it’s one that will probably become one of the biggest problems you will face during any long-term disaster situation. If the gangs and criminals don’t get you, the real danger might actually come from something that you already have in your home: GARBAGE!
You need to have a serious plan on how to deal with it and how to make sure your general sanitation doesn’t become a threat. Check out our article on how to deal with Garbage during a SHTF disaster.
7. You have to Stock up on Sanitation Items
When planning to survive a long-term disaster or collapse, one thing that’s often overlooked is the danger associated with a lack of adequate sanitation. It’s certainly not a pleasant thing to think about, but this one issue has the potential to kill more people than any other survival issue we can talk about.
Even today, because of liberal policies that are destroying big cities throughout our country, we are starting to see Medieval diseases reemerge because of unsanitary living conditions in homeless and immigrant populations in these urban hell holes. In fact, in California multiple disease outbreaks are running through these populations including Typhus.
Mental & Physical Health Issues
8. Maintaining a Positive Mental Attitude during a Survival Situation
The ability to maintain a positive mental attitude during a survival situation is something that needs to be taken seriously. It’s also something that you need to start working on now, before disaster strikes.
Making it through a survival scenario often comes down to how well you can control your emotions. Keeping a positive frame of mind in the face of an unthinkable threat will help you process what’s happening and will help you respond to the situation without giving into fear.
9. You must be prepared to face a number of physical and mental challenges.
From dealing with a lack of sleep and inadequate hydration to coping with hunger pains and other stressors, survival can take a huge toll on your body. One of the best things you can do to ensure your survival, in just about any situation, is to make sure your body and your mind are trained to survive. This means motivating yourself to get off your butt and get in shape before it’s too late.
SHTF Communication Issues
10. You will be cut off from the outside World.
In a survival situation, knowledge is going to be a critical factor in determining the ultimate outcome of your situation. The ability to be able to predict what will happen during a survival situation is an important part of being prepared and often comes down to your ability to send and receive information.
When the power lines go down, and the radio stations stop transmitting, there’s one line of communication that will still be alive and well.
Having a good Multiband Ham Radio will allow you to send and receive critical emergency information during a disaster. It’s also a great way to find alternative news sources from around the world.
For more information on Ham Radio and Emergency Communication, check out these articles:
- Prepper Radio: The No-BS Ham Radio Technician Exam Prep Guide Your Key to Passing the Amateur Radio Technician License Test and Taking Your Emergency Communication Skills to the Next Level
- Emergency Communications When TSHTF
- Ham Radio Cheat Sheet
- Situational Intel: Knowledge is Power during a Crisis
- Ham Radio FAQs
- The ¼ Wave Droopy Ground Plane 2 Meter Antenna
Dead bodies are problems because the bowels inflate and explode. All you have to do to deal with them is to stab the bowels. Then, the gasses will not built up, and you wont have to worry about faecal explosions.
As for flies n animals eating the corpses, I think the sooner they do so, the sooner the health problems they pose will disappear. You will also still have wildlife around, which I think would be a good thing.
Or feed them to your chicken or pigs, or your dogs or cats.
You could even eat them yourselves. Your supplies would last longer, then.
If America went bang, most of the world WOULD ENTER IT, because it is RICH! Anyone ‘hunckering down’ would return to find 10 X as many people as before OCCUPYING IT, FROM ALL OVER THE WORLD!
And the rich would WANT THEM, for cheap labour! YOU would be the enemy! Never mind the lies by ‘the’ ‘authorities’! They would KILL YOU, not just take your weapons!
If America went bang, you’d ALL NEED to be out with your local militias, defending it from ‘your’ army, and the influx of invaders from across the world, who’d be trying to enter it!
To this end, your best bet wd be to team up n organise, n to PROVIDE FOR EACH OTHER! NOT to separate n hide!
I think one of the big SHTF misconceptions is that the event is going to be big wide and total.in reality that is probably the least likely. If you lived in New Orleans Katrina was DEFINITELY SHTF however 500 miles away in the right direction things were fine. So there more then likely will be a superior force of law enforcement and government just like in Katrina.They certainly may restrict your freedoms, legally or not in some way. And you WILL NOT be fighting back, you will be complying. Working around that situation is just another valuable skill.
You might want to research martial law. I won’t be complying. In New Orleans FEMA came and shut down the make shift hospital community had formed
I’ve just joined this group….
I am a 26 year veteran of law enforcement and worked in the S. Florida area.
I also was on duty the night Hurricane Andrew arrived in S. Florida.
My city was without power for 14 days as a result and the City of Homestead Florida was basically wiped of the map as a result.
Many areas of the greater Miami area suffered severe damage to the point that the local governmental services where severely impacted and overwhelmed.
Unfortunately the Federal government was unable to respond quickly at that time and it was only after various local governmental agencies pleaded for additional resources and assistance that the Feds came in to provide much needed assistance.
So I am fully aware of what a “natural disaster” can do on a local level.
My concern is “What happens” if something occurs on a much larger regional or national scale such as a attack on the electrical grid, dirty bombs on key US locations, or something else which no one has really given thought too.
Is one prepared????
I’ve found that 50% of the population is “clueless”…25% maybe are aware, but tend to be “I’ll get around to it at some point in time” group”….
Another 10%-15% have some preparation, but only short term…say a week or two…but not long term.
Then there are the “long tern group” who have properly assessed and prepared for the “long term” events and are well situation to ride out whatever SHTF scenario that may come down the pike, today, tomorrow, next week, next month or next year.
These are the people who are best position to be the last ones standing…
There are numerous “what ifs” that go with being prepared for a SHTF situation and not all or one size fits all plans, ideas or needs, rather they need to be “tailored” to the individual to best serve each one’s needs.
What I’m preparing for may work well for me but not for you and visa versa….
But the key in my view is to at least “prepare”….
As the old adage goes, “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure” and that holds true in the event the SHTF situation.
I’ve been looking at, following, analyzing events for well over the past few years, and I see “very dark clouds on the horizon” and presently I see the “perfect storm” about to come…with domestic events considered, not to mention international events my wife and I are doing all we can to position ourselves to be in that 5% of the population who will be able to survive.
Thus this is why we’ve joined this group….
I’ll be happy to share my KSB’s and experience with anyone who is interested….
Best
John “Steve” Cullen
Stocking and storing food, water and supplies is important BUT everyone needs to remember to plan for having ZERO access to any of it. How close is your “stash” right now as you read this? Instead of trying to lump all of your necessities into a few bags and hoping for best, consider “acquiring” what you need as you go. Even if you have all of your goodies when SHTF, a finite supply of rations and ammo can only go so far before acquisition-on-the-go becomes the norm especially when considering the bullseye placed on you when carrying around supplies…
Myself, I like to carry two “tools” on my person, (no not guns, I can acquire those if needed), that will give me an advantage when needing to acquire instead of lumping around 150+ pounds of supplies. If I’m near my stash, great. If not, at least I am prepared to acquire what’s needed as opportunities present.
Someone mentioned learning several martial arts styles for preparedness… goo idea but even better, find someone who can train you in escape, evasion and threat takedowns. Not MMA takedowns, rather killing them softly and most importantly quietly..
Xaler
After watching some recent news, I’d like to add a few points. There seems to be a lot of people that think the government is going to pull guns and throw everyone in some kind of fema camp. Look at it this way. If there was a sound reason to do so, an opportunity to do so and the required manpower, it would have already happened in another country that doesn’t have any real care for its people. When I ask someone why they feel the government would do the above, they always come up short of a sound reason (first requirement) for such an activity.
The point is we are all much more likely to be knocked off the face of the planet by a space rock. This is the worst case scenario… no power, no food, no nothing. This is when being able to avoid potential threats like other people looking to steal whatever they can get becomes highly important.
There are so many variables, so many potential threats, the mind can’t conceive all possibilities and shouldn’t. Some individuals have their hat on straight, like many that read practical survival advice from pages like these. But it’s the 2% that are bonko nuts that can become a serious threat. Think of how many people are on prescription medications for psychological disorders… think of how unstable these people will unfortunately become if they are forced to suddenly stop taking antipsychotics, benzodiazepines, antidepressants, etc. These meds have serious withdrawal side effects. Not good.
One thing is certain and I know it’s hard for some to swallow but focused cooperation will be key to surviving in the event of a major catastrophe. Working with others that haven’t “lost it” along with local, state and federal agencies is critical to short and long term survival. Just ask any tribe or other group of people that’s “productively” lived anywhere in the world for more than 5 years. It takes teamwork. It takes trust. It’s not about digging a hole and crawling in it. It’s not about who can shoot who. The sound-minded will be the majority and this majority will need to exercise extreme caution when dealing with anyone that’s not grounded and rational.
BEING PRACTICAL:
I read some comments about the “dead bodies” that will pile up, and “shooting looters,” etc.
From a practical perspective, it will be VERY difficult for anyone (including military) to deal with dead bodies…the risks are great for disease and pestilence if you’re not in a full-body suit with goggles and air filtration.
As for “shooting” other human beings, well, it MAY become necessary, but for a fact, it is a “life-changing” event that may come with psychological problems further down the line. PTSD is the BIG one, and it doesn’t go away. Counseling IS required afterward (cops go through this and are put on ‘administrative leave’ for each shooting incident).
Ever wonder why 21 service-members kill themselves each and every day? Yep. Traumatic life events can be extremely dangerous for your body and soul (not to mention your mental health).
I was just talking with my wife yesterday about this stuff. I don’t know if these threats are real or fictitious but I told her that I believed most local law enforcement and guardsmen would stand with civilians. I also believe most military would not obey orders that violated civil liberties. Should government issue orders to round up people for camps or try to confiscate things like guns etc I think the order givers will be shocked at the number of servicemen who will not obey but stand with the people. This is how I see it, God help us if I’m wrong.
Another thought:
This all depends on the level of seriousness of any event. Short, a few months or long term and wide spread, years or decades.
Seems to me those bunkered down will be the first targets of those who need or want what they have, (this goes for the elites in their underground bunkers as well, if that’s true and assuming anyone is left alive on the surface) If you are bunkered down you will be seen as having something worth defending and you will surely lose it very quickly. The most valuable thing to have is common sense. Ability to scavenge for your needs as you need it and most likely no one will even notice you if you have nothing they want or need.
1. water, a means of purifying and filtering (fire)
2. food, knowledge of naturally wild growing plants and animals, insects etc that are edible, taste won’t matter
3. medical, same as food natural things
4. shelter, where ever you find it
Its not what people want to hear but who has really thought this through. In a worst case, Life as we know it will be over and its not coming back; EVER! If you are one who survives the initial mass extinction and really want to live you will find a spot in the new society. Those who resist will eventually die off and their off spring will settle in to the new way of life just as everyone alive today and through out history has done. He who has the greatest wealth and fire power to back him makes the rules. It has always been that way. The thought of moral self governance is a great thought but can it ever be reality? Take the time to really think all of this through.
We have a huge stock of pasta, rice, juices, water and other drinks, lots of canned and bottled goods, and enough shelf stable protein to last for months. We also have bullet proof windows and steel doors for protection, as well as at least 3 months of meds at all times. We don’t have guns, nor will we, but we have all kinds of other weapons and know how to use them. I’ve never thought of prepping before, this is just how I was raised. Does it sound like I have a good start? The world is breaking down and I don’t want to have to be afraid if things reach my doorstep, so I did a search and this looks like the best place for answers. Thank you!
Bunny you have been trained to use a knife in a gun battle? Unless you are going up against a complete moron you are dead in the first 5 seconds. Bullet proof glass is wonderful but doesn’t protect your walls, ceilings and floors. I think the biggest problem with people who consider themselves safe, is just that you think you’re safe. In a real shtf situation you are never safe, you your loved ones your food your water can all be gone in seconds the moment you start to become complacent. The real challenge for most people is going to be living in a state of fear. Maybe that’s what all you preppers should start thinking about.
Bunny, I agree with T. All of your defensive preps sound great, but no home is immune to things like fire, or a truck driven by a determined individual. You may want to rethink your defense strategy concerning firearms. Just my two cents. Take care and be prepared!
Don’t under estimate a knife in a gunfight.
I do Krav Maga and my instructor has shown me videos of knife wielding attackers attacking police. One vid showed a guy going up against 5 Mexican cops with guns drawn. He killed two of them stabbed two others WHILE they were shooting at him until he was eventually killed probably by the fifth cop. They were about 20 feet away from him at the start before he attacked.
Too many preppers think that if you have a gun you’re safe. Wrong. Avoidance is the best bet.
To all the new preppers…..you must PRACTICE this before the SHTF! Start with a “power outage” once a week, for 24 hours. This will help you determine what you need short term that you do not have. Gradually increase this outage period. Ensure you set 24 hour watches if you have a family, this will help you mentally prepare. Nothing like DRILLS to prepare the mind and body. If you really want to go all out, get your friends to play the “bad guys” with the goal of infiltrating your house, bunker, etc. on a weekend for 72 hours. Stay alert, stay alive. Good luck on your preps and pray you never need them.
I have read every one of these posts and I feel a little depressed, but defiant. I am NOT going to just give up. Too old and ornery. My husband and I have been thinking about this SHTF stuff and have taken a few steps to prepare. I know that we probably won’t make it too long, both of us are a little long in the tooth with chronic health problems and take prescription meds which won’t be available. We hope to last long enough to give our grown kids a chance at survival. That is our priority.
March 14, 2016
Dear Preppers: There are indeed dire circumstances coming. There is much preparation needed. Do you know what’s coming? Jesus Christ has given His followers specific details as to what is coming. Keep your eye on the Dome of the Rock in Jerusalem. That is the turn key event for everything to come down. What is the remainder of what is coming down – HE told us specifically. Why: Because HE wants people to know that HE IS STILL IN CONTROL NO MATTER what these governments, Nibiru, etc. LOOK like they are going to do. Here are just a few of the things HE has prepared his followers for: The Dome of the Rock is going to be destroyed first as the turn key event. Then Miami is going to be bombed (nuclear) shortly after that. New York is also going to be bombed and go under water. There will be several other places bombed but he did not get more specific than those two for now. Then, the Rapture (Removal) of All of Jesus Believers/Followers are going to be removed from this earth. The people that remain will be going through horrors such as has not been seen on this earth prior to this time. Those remaining will be told that “Aliens” – “Greys” have taken those people for “whatever reason”. Know for a fact, that the “aliens” – “greys” are demons masquerading as “harmless” galaxy interlopers looking for a “people to help”. Remember that you read this here because they will be sent to destroy this planet; however, they are on a leash so to speak – they can only go as far as Father God allows them to go. He has also told us that Russia is going to attack us from the Northern Border of the US. We will see planes flying overhead and troops parachuting out. There are also Russian troops here on our soils that are ready to move when given the order. Also, HE is going to intervene and not let an EMP knock out all communications in the US nationwide. HE Is going to use the communication systems to keep His Remnant in touch with one another. Those people remaining who see that GOD has predicted and carried out His specific promises and come to believe and follow HIM, will be protected supernaturally by God. He will provide food, water, shelter, and even invisibility to those who truly believe and follow Him. If you follow and believe in Him, you will be provided for and protected. If you try to live by your own wits, you will not.
Nibiru will be here at the end of 7 years after Jesus’ followers have been removed. The earth’s crust will be rotated by God and all of those “elite” individuals in the D.U.M.B’s will be sealed in their subterranean tombs. These underground bunkers will be filled with magma and water due to the earth’s crust shifting. The North Pole may be somewhere down around Arizona/New Mexico area. Also, HE has changed the Yellowstone volcano eruption to be Much Less than everyone has anticipated. It will blow but not with the magnitude expected. Magma will bubble up from underground and flow out like rivers just like the Kilauea volcano in Hawaii has been doing for decades. Towards the end of that seven year period this nation, USA, will be divided in half – pretty much all the way along the Mississippi River – it will take more than a Ferry to cross it. Martial law will be enacted after these bombings and you will be required to take a “mark” to ensure “security, safety” and to buy and sell anything – receive medical treatment, etc. DO NOT TAKE THAT MARK!!!! That mark will include an electronic interface that can actually alter the thinking/decision making in the brain. You can be incited to kill by someone or to riot just by someone sending a code to your specific mark number.
Once you take the mark, you will be forever separated from GOD and will end up in HELL for refusing to believe that He is the one that can save your soul. Please, I beg you, don’t take that Mark!!!!!
The purpose of sharing these specific items with you is so you can ask Jesus NOW to take control of YOUR life and the lives of YOUR LOVED ONES. That is the only way to escape what is coming. If you or your loved ones don’t believe, understand, or scoff at this message now, know that this is coming to pass and you will know that what has been told to you is truly from GOD. Even in the midst of the turmoil, you can turn to GOD if YOU DON”T TAKE THE MARK!
I know a lot of people won’t agree with this post and that is fine. I KNOW without a doubt what my Savior told me. We have been given much more specific details and know what to do when things hit.
We know we have supernatural protection. Most churches or “christians” you may have met in your life may not have understood or even lived the way Jesus wanted them to – hypocritically. That is something all of them are going to be responsible for when they stand before the Lord.
You CAN have peace, safety, security beyond belief and joy even in the midst of what is coming. If anyone wants to know how to come to Jesus, it’s very simple. If this is something you TRULY and GENUINELY want to change from the very core of your heart, just say the following: “Jesus, I believe that you died on the Cross to pay for my sin as well as the sins of everyone else in this world. I believe you went to Hell and rose again from the dead and live in Heaven. You are willing to forgive me for EVERYTHING I’ve EVER DONE just by asking you to. So, Jesus, I’m asking you to forgive me of my sins and cleanse me from all evil. I choose right now by my free will to live for and follow You. Thank you for your mercy and grace. Teach me now how to live and follow You. Amen.”
The above prayer is NOT an “insurance policy” against what’s coming or HELL. You MUST mean this with your whole heart and desire above all else to follow Jesus. THEN, you will experience His Highest, Most Faithful provision for you! To begin following, living for and learning WHO JESUS is; start by reading the book of JOHN in the Bible. God’s Holy Spirit wrote the Bible through human beings and was sent here to the Earth to help believers when they face trials or temptations in their lives. HE Speaks to them and directs them daily – moment by moment if need be! Just like He wants to reach all of those you Love THROUGH YOU!
I’ll answer questions you may have about how to follow and live for the Lord in these last days. Thank you for reading this post. Cody.
I find it funny that some believe that all they have to do is run to the store and pick up what they want people watch what you do and they have a bad habit of remembering at the worst time that you have what they want. I have noticed thay they have No imagination at all . if they were to need energy at a time of trouble they could get 6 to 12 auto batteries or one forklift battery a solar panel and a pwer converter to have some energy for various things like boiling water to cooking. Some look at projects as impposible I see them as possible . Hydroponic gardens work well . There is so much info on the net you can pick and choose what you want to print and learn. Then put it to use ! Go camping or in your own back yard .
You can even do most in your own house. fire from ice or fromwater and a blade of grass and yes it can be done . Thinking normal can get you messed up learn from the older folks pioneers and my favorite the Indians . some books you buy are useful info some useful to level a table or chair.compost piles are helpful anad could provide a small amount of methain gas it will also great heat if not turned . modern fuels no matter how much you store will run out. Learn all you can and see what happens teach your kids they love to learn.Make it a game I did and I can’t come up with enough new things to try. I have been in the army , prison and verious other learning situations . Gas and styrofoam together will burn a about 1500 degrees if you know what your doing. Water boils at around 800 degrees. Add ing herbs with inprove your health in ways you won’t believe. generators and bikes to charge your battery banks and keep in shape stationary bikes are good for more than dust collectors and catch alls .learn to make ice learn something .
Canadian RCMP are a European Union puppet army.
They’ve been instructed to confiscate ALL firearms from ALL people they see if/when the SHTF scenario is implemented – with LETHAL FORCE, if necessary.
Do not trust the RCMP. They are part and parcel of the Globalist agenda.
Scumbag criminal psychopaths – working for a scumbag capitalist corporation.
A quarter million strong ‘police force’.
What other police force in the WORLD has a 250,000 ’employees’ – and growing and recruiting more and more, every day. Why?
You know why.
Stay clear of these psychopaths – for they are unaccountable and omnipotent – because they are paramilitary mercenaries that have sold their souls to the EU mandate.
Good luck.
Urban survival is an interesting concept and will not entail most of the prepper ritualistic behaviours.
Firstly, Kitting out for a few days will only buy you reprieve, but keep in mind that when SHTF, it will be for a prolonged period of time,… weeks… months….years even. How does your planning accommodate this possibility?
Think Bosnia and what happened there…chaotic catastrophy from the word go. Things start out real bad in the beginning with people, organisations, police, army, bandits,etc. race out to grab what they can and killing anyone who gets in the way. Police and military will try to enforce control and as it gets more and more uncontrollable, they add a definite highly dangerous element to the chaos, namely highly trained and heavily armed thugs who will aim to establish their own militia and control centres.
Our problem in today’s world is that the world is so over-populated that there are not many unpopulated areas left to escape to and disappear off the map, which is the very basic need for survival in those circumstances. To expect not to be terrorised, you need to dissapear. Nobody should know you exist…fullstop. That in itself, determines what kind of survival items you are going to need to stay undetected. Forget about gasoline and generators right off the bat… it will attract bandits like a brownie attracts flies.
There are many more aspects but are for another time.
I think many preppers are totally unaware of what desperate people are capable of. As a Marine I can guess that ex-military will band together for survival and take whatever they need to survive and anyone that resist will not make it. Mom and pop preppers have no idea of the viciousness of combat. These ex-military groups will get big really fast. They’ll be moving too a sustainable area of land with sufficient water and other natural resources necessary for survival. They understand from military and combat service that they need to work together as a team. They understand how to set up leadership and follow commands. They won’t be rabble from some inner city gang. They know that they’ll need the manpower and weapons to defend wherever they end up. Our country has trained millions of military men in decades of perpetual war. They aren’t just going to go away. A survivors best bet is to get themselves and family’s in a group like this as soon as possible. It will be your best chance in an end of civilization scenario.
Garbage doesnt have to be an issue. Take a lesson from olden days and country folks. Get 1 or 2 55gallon drums to use as burn barrels to get rid of the garbage.
Apparently human manure was responsible for a lot of the problems faced by the Aztecs, Inca, Greek AND Roman empires. Presumably the problem wasn’t noticed because all the nasty stuff was carried out of the major cities then.. dumped right back on the crops!! Guess what happens (hint: parasites, Salmonella, etc)
Interestingly there is discussion about using UV laser diodes for water treatment, the same units used in >6x Bluray writers will sterilize water in thin layers if the geometry is right. Shorter wavelengths are better though and not that expensive (about £12 per diode)