PM's Self Reliance Tools: What dumb people do in a crisis situation

Poor Man Survival

Self Reliance tools for independent minded people…

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A Digest of Urban Survival Resources

Be Prepared >>Boy Scout motto

What dumb people do in a crisis situation

It might sound paranoid to some, but I'm certain we’ll be directly affected by at least one major crisis in the next few years.

Whether it be some kind of pandemic… a collapse of the grid, economic collapse [the most likely scenario] a natural disaster… an uprising and/or martial law from said uprising, or [enter in any crisis with equally disastrous consequences here].

And because of people like me, the "prepper" industry is huge…

However, if my Facebook experiences are any indicator, the average Joe isn’t much interested in anything regarding their immediate or long term survival [or anything even remotely resembling anything intellectual or political-even the architect of Obamacare admitted recently they relied on the stupidity of Americans to get their program in place].

For both reasons, it's also full of wild speculations on what would happen in the event of a disaster that halts our normal way of life (with, of course, a link to the "hot item" all smart preppers must have).

Problem is, it's all just speculation. A prepared brain is your most important tool and reading a Boy Scout manual will provide most folks with enough information they need to survive most [not all] situations…how many today have read that manual?

Ninety-nine percent of the "preppers" who write about what would happen "in the event of a disaster" have never been in one. ..Except yours truly . Early in my life I learned a lot of survival methods during my time in the military and in 1999 I became a certified FEMA disaster instructor and have experienced first-hand a few ‘situations,’ including: being stuck in a blinding blizzard outside Amarillo, TX [which turned out to be a good thing as I was ‘forced to spend the night in a bar with a young barmaid]’ getting caught in a raging desert flash flood at 3am – pre-cellphone days!, and more.

One thing I’d say is 100% necessary to surviving most situations is to NOT PANIC.

Luck can help in any situation. But you won't get by on it alone. And you shouldn't count on it.

Preparation is key and sadly, too many in this nation think ‘preparation’ means stocking up on enough beer for a weekend of watching some redundant sporting event [in reality, just another big business].

Early on our prepper group offered live shooting instruction including a class on shooting under duress. Again, I find many people panic easily when under even slightly stressful situations and only practice [as any EMT will tell you] can help overcome panic.

To imagine the situation a little better," the author of an article I read by a man known only as Selco, wrote of his experiences in Bosnia, "you should know it was practically a return to the Stone Age.

"I am from Bosnia," Selco explained.

"You know, between 1992-95, it was hell."

The Bosnian War raged on from April 6, 1992 to Dec. 14, 1995. It was one of the most destructive wars at the end of the 20th century. Of 4 million, 2 million were made refugees. More than 100,000 were killed. The Bosnian War is best known for the unspeakable acts of despicable behavior from all sides.

Meanwhile, the civilians who didn't make it out of Bosnia were left to fend for themselves.

"For one year, I lived and survived in a city with 6,000 people without water, electricity, gasoline, medical help civil defense, distribution service, or any kind of traditional service or centralized rule.

"Our city was blockaded by the army, and for one year, life in the city turned into total crap. We had no army and no police.

"After a month or two, gangs started operating, destroying everything. Hospitals, for example, turned into slaughterhouses.

"About 80% of the hospital staff were gone. I got lucky. My family at the time was fairly large (15 people in a large house, six pistols, three AKs), and we survived (most of us, at least)."

A few key points that stuck out from this article…

It didn't take long for money to become worthless. An exchange system naturally rose out of the ashes (but it wasn't pretty…)
"Arms, ammunition, candles, lighters, antibiotics, gasoline, batteries and food. We fought for these things like animals…"
Items and supplies are great… but they eventually run out. Skills will keep you fed. He wrote: "I wish to say this: Learn to fix things, shoes, or people."
Gold and silver are useful: "I personally traded all the gold in the house for ammunition."
Strength in numbers is real: "A man living alone getting killed and robbed would be just a matter of time, even if he was armed."

"Today, I know everything can collapse really fast. I have a stockpile of food, hygiene items, and batteries -- enough to last me for six months.

"I live in a very secure flat and own a home with a shelter in a village 5 kilometers away. Another six-month supply there, too.

"I have four weapons and 2,000 rounds for each."

On top of everything, though, one asset trumps all of them… electricity.

Why electricity, you ask?

With it, you have the trifecta: heat, light, and, most importantly, communication with people outside your vicinity.

In all truth, if you can find a way out of the situation, you're not going to want to stick around for a year. No matter how big your stockpile is.

And having an electric source -- one that works no matter what's going on -- is crucial

Selco recommends purchasing 1,000 BIC lighters and foregoing even considering electricity.

Finally, there is one thing the control freaks in Washington [or most any government] fear most…

Self-sufficiency.

Most people don’t plan ahead for anything…no first aid classes, they don’t stock up in advance for supplies, they think their cell phone holds all the answers…they're the ones you see on TV news storming the empty grocery shelves when the storm hits.

The more self-sufficient you are, the looser their grip.

There are few lessons to be learned from these short paragraphs…do you get it?

Feel free to share the ideas & resources you enjoy with your friends on Facebook, Pinterest and Twitter. Plus share this with any friends or family you think would find it interesting.

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