As we discussed in part one of our SHTF series being prepared is key to everyone’s survival. These skills are required in times of peril. The first thing to remember keeping your head is your greatest asset.
Having said that I want to touch on some of the comments from part one of this series. I saw two comments I thought were worth calling attention to. First, keep what you have prepared for yourself to yourself. You don’t want to call attention to yourself and have to fight for your goods, you paid the money, and put in the work, it was your planning that gave you the chance to survive, so don’t put all that into jeopardy. Second, there may be times when you need to stay, and times you need to move away, knowing which is right for the time is your choice, but don’t be so focused on one that you ignore the other. Also, you may find you are already away from your home or base when the emergency happens.
Again there are products and tools to help, if I miss any please let me know.
2. Shelter. Having shelter to protect you from rain, snow, wind cold, heat, and the sun.
Shelter isn’t just a house, tent, cave, or someplace to get out of the weather, it is also the clothes on your back. One of the best pieces of shelter is a hat and the right clothing. Keeping them dry is also key. Layers of clothing are better than bulking heavy clothing. Layers trap air that air provides insulation. Before making a more permanent shelter look around to see if nature has already provided one for you. Don’t waste resources or energy on creating a shelter if nature has done the work for you. Practice building a quick lean-to in case you can’t find a good campsite. As with creating fire when you need one, it is often too late to learn. You can also buy mylar blankets sometimes called space blankets. They are lightweight, thin, heat-reflective, and low-bulk. They can be used as blankets, ground sheeting, a windbreak, a signaling device, and as protection from the sun. The Taliban even used them to hide their body heat signature from NATO forces that used thermal imaging to try and find them, that is how well they work.
They are included in many first aid kits, but you can find and buy them in many camping stores, outdoor specialty stores, or online at Amazon. And again they are like Bic lighters which I talked about in my previous article on fire, You can stick them in a Bug out Bag, a car glove box, in your boat, or in a pocket, even in your home should you lose power or heat. I have them stashed everywhere. They are cheap, small, and worth the couple of bucks, they cost. I like them because I don’t need to think about them. They last forever, buy them and then forget them. Just don’t forget to pack them.
There are many tools and research sites online, looking, reading, and learning about making a shelter now before the coming zombie apocalypse, a Civil War, flood, earthquake, fire, volcano, or any of the hundreds of natural disasters, is the smartest step you can take to secure not only your safety but those that you love as well. Just because you don’t leave near what you think is a specific threat doesn’t mean nature will not include you.
As an old Drill Instructor, I once had used to say it behooves you to plan ahead.
As always I look forward to reading your comments, constructive criticism, or insight.
