Create an emergency preparedness plan.
I’ll confess that if a major disaster struck now, I’d be woefully under-prepared. I’d wager most people would be ill-equipped to handle a catastrophe, especially if they live in a region not given to natural disasters.
I think it would pay to have a physical map available. In the event of a major event (worst-case scenario, a big war breaks out), having the means to navigate away from trouble would be vital. A map and compass wouldn’t go amiss in those circumstances.
Some form of defence would be wise. If the plan is to remain at home, the means to barricade the house might be useful, and forming alliances with neighbours could be handy. Strength in numbers and all that. I hate to say it, but if governments fell, and public services broke down, I believe it would swiftly become a dog-eat-dog world. There would be a great deal of raiding of shops and supermarkets for crucial supplies, and prudence might mean it would be better to avoid those areas, at least to start with. Of course, the exact course of action depends entirely on what the scenario actually is. A nuclear war would see people streaming away from major cities, but key supply chains might be completely shattered, so suddenly, getting hold of food would become more essential, and perhaps necessitate a trip to a supermarket. Here, once again, strength in numbers would be key.
The basic truth is, I have no idea how I would handle an emergency. I’ve never given it much thought.
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This issue has become a major part of my life. Stemming from a keen interest in self sufficiency, along with my military career, and closely related 2nd career. I’ve purposefully relocated my home several years ago, to facilitate better chances of survival. Doesn’t hurt that I can be as armed as I need to, with land to shoot (to stay well trained as well as being rural for those added benefits), and the ability to have animals, gardens and solar.
Since you say that you haven’t given it much thought, there’s a solid saying that you may or may not have heard before. 9 meals to anarchy. With a severe catastrophic event, deprivations are often immediate. But were there to be a complete breakdown in the social order, EMP/solar flare or such…..the first day or so, would bring a neighborly, often festive atmosphere….as people would still think that somebody (the government) is on the way to help, without realizing it’s in the same predicament as they are. By the dawn of the third day, realization has started to take hold and bonds of friendship and community fracture.
From my perspective, the only way to avoid this in your immediate sphere, is to plan, train and educate with a small group of close-by, tight knit kindred spirits. But whether financially, physically or emotionally….most people aren’t equipped or interested in taking even minimal precautions.
I could go on all night….but as you can tell, this issue is near and dear to me.
I can’t say I’m too surprised a military veteran would be prepared 🙂
I’ve heard of the thing about the meals, though I always thought it was three meals, so I guess I’m more cynical as to how quickly I think order would collapse!
The alternative phrase is indeed 3 days to anarchy, so they might have gotten jumbled. And there are certainly areas where I would expect collapse to happen that quickly, unfortunately.