Survival; the “Haves” and the “Have-Nots”

August 16th, 2010 by woodco

Survival kits and Bug-Out-Bags are quite popular right now, or I should say, gaining in popularity more and more. This is possibly indicative of the amount of information out there (Internet) and most certainly a sign that folks are starting to wake up to the possibility of social upheaval in the near future.

Or, then again, could it be just another fad going around? A popular movement to be cool by having life-saving equipment close to hand? The way our international community of Internet users jumps from one socially popular movement to another makes it difficult to determine if people really care about surviving or are just one-upping their YouTube buddies.

There are some pretty ridiculous videos out there right now with young people (young as in not in high school yet) showing off their homemade weapons supposedly for survival purposes.

If you want to survive it is just plain stupid to show possible antagonists your arsenal of weapons and for that matter any real survival plans and equipment you might have. The very real possibility of someone a little more desperate than yourself taking away these preparations and using them against you is not all that far-fetched in a disaster survival scenario.

A person would not want to advertise their cache of survival food and water for that same reason. It would be like inviting the world over to steal your stuff.

Hey, I’m not against making videos of your disaster preparations! Not by any means! Freedom of speech and all that. But one must be responsible for their actions too. If your inadvertant slip-of-the-tongue brought looters or worse into your neighborhood or household, you better be ready to use those weapons.

Survival after a disaster can take on many shapes and flavors depending on;

the severity of the disaster
how widespread the disaster affects are
whether or not local law enforcement stays active
how local law enforcement stays active
individual preparations and equipment
community preparations, services and equipment
national preparations and commitment
international commitment and distance related parameters of involvement

If the disaster is only a local matter or even involving the whole state, you can count on eventual aid from outside your area. Here comes FEMA!

As the disaster grows in scope of area and severity the less aid can be expected from outside sources because everybody will be picking up their own pieces, too busy to bother with someone elses’.

As outside levels of influence decline, survival will depend increasingly on local and personal abilities, preparations and involvement. This will allow certain elements of society to ride roughshod over the rest. The elements that were prepared or strong enough to take what they wanted will be the new power structure.

Personal and family survival will depend on the ability to remain autonomous and free to use their meager resources for themselves not the myriad of irresponsible idiots who failed to make their own preparations.

If there is enough of a central power base left like law enforcement or other local services, this could be a step towards martial law and the end of property and individual rights. At the least it will be the beginning of a new feudalism with the strong, equipment-rich few dictating to those who had no preparations or defenses and had to rely on the good will of others.

Good will that will probably involve virtual enslavement and eventually death at the hands of the “benefactors”.

Just how many “good hearted”, charitable people do you think are going to be around after a major disaster? People willing to share their supplies with you? Be real, very few if any. People with supplies and skills won’t want to share and lessen their own chances of survival.

Face it folks, if you can’t prepare for the worst and defend yourself if you do happen to survive, if you don’t have the ability to provide for yourself and loved ones, if you end up depending on the generosity of someone else, you might as well kiss your ass goodbye!