posted on Dec, 30 2011 @ 01:16 PM
I come across many posters on ATS and other sites dedicated to Survival that have the mistaken view they will be able to get away with being predatory
as their method of getting by after SHTF, maybe its a cover for their laziness or an excuse for not being prepared, maybe watched Mad Max one to many
times - I don't know?
This I do know....
It will take a relatively short time (3 days max) for people to band together in mutual protection. Those that think they can just "take" what they
need will be treated as the rabid dogs they are by attempting to take food and sustenance from my children and neighbors. No mercy will be shown in
that situation.
Every Tom, Dick and Harry has the same idea that they are heading out of the city to the woods to survive. Around these parts that means half the
Atlanta metro population will have the same idea, Highway 400 N is nearly gridlock on a normal commuting day - it'll be a zone of death when SHTF,
besides once the folks who live in those parts figure out whats happening I don't think they'll welcome strangers with anything but a gun as they
order them to turn around and go back where they came from. By the by I don't live North of Atlanta for the very reason that all I've talked to from
Atlanta really do have that same idea without fail.
Even if that gauntlet was successfully run how long will the game and edible plants last? Not long in my opinion. Soon you will be fighting over that
marrow from the dead deer carcass along with thousands of others.
If you live in a large city or its metro area get out now or as soon as you can manage - its way to late to wait for a SHTF scenario to occur. All
measures of the economy and political situation point to a 2 year window maximum to accomplish this - time-frame doe's not include anything for
natural or man made disasters hastening the fall.
Of interest should be last summers Presidential economic and budget committee estimate of economic disaster within a 2 year time frame - so you know
its not just my opinion.
If you can live in a rural area or town preferably less that 5000 population, most will find this is possible to do economically if they reduce and
get rid of useless baubles modern society has foisted upon us, cable, expensive cell plans, latest electronic gadgets, big screens, the latest fad in
automobiles etc. Don't forget the McMansion! Living really is affordable for those willing to enjoy life's simpler ways - I think more
fulfilling.
Know your neighbors, make it a point to be helpful and friendly during normal times. Keep operational security by not advertising your preparedness,
make a neighbor hood plan ahead of time so its ready and well thought out prior to any SHTF event. When SHTF your neighbors will be much more
receptive to listening and most will appreciate someone leading with a plan - especially if they know you beforehand.
I have mapped out all road choke points, blocking locations and secondary ambush sites within my area of operation as well as overland high points. I
have a barter plan so that the "community" members can share resources in a mutually beneficial way.
For those who broach the subject beforehand (that number is growing by magnitude as time goes by) I give much more detailed advice and can only cross
my fingers that they accept it and plan ahead. Some I know are doing just that.
In a SHTF scenario lone wolfs, isolated families and small groups will be extremely vulnerable to being overrun by bad actors and roving gangs.
Groups organized into 30-100 people will have a much better chance of fending off these roving gangs. I believe all but the most industrious bad
actors will be killed off rather quickly or starve as supplies dwindle and they battle amongst themselves - mainly in the first six months.
My plan is just as I have written above, I believe there is strength in numbers, shared duties will keep "fresh" manpower available, many skill sets
needed will be available and labor will be available for gardening and other needed long term survival activities besides defense.
If you reside in a city and SHTF tomorrow your chances of long term survival are magnitudes lower just because of where you live, at best you will be
enslaved by TPTB or face starvation, torture and all the privations man can do to one another. It'd be humane if you were killed outright at the
beginning, harsh yes but thats the way it will eventually come down in a full on SHTF event.
Your only chance is a slow descent SHTF finally forcing you to decide to get out - unfortunately you will by then have little access to needed
supplies and resources, consider who's to take you in unless you possess some critically needed skill - at this point most would be turned away.
Alone and by yourself in any but the most remote areas is not a viable plan. Even then you will still be prey for others in that remote area and will
have to constantly watch your back.
A good read on the subject is "Lights Out"