Surviving The Apocalypse

To survive the coming apocalypse we must understand exactly what we are up against. While this sounds straight forward, it is highly difficult to predict the effects of the converging 'perfect storm'. We face a world with dwindling energy resources, increasing food costs and financial meltdown. How these converging catastrophes will unfold is extremely difficult to envision. We can be sure that it will not be good.

What is needed to combat this predicament is an educated public willing to adapt to a more localized system of survival. Unfortunately this has been proposed for more than 50 years now and to no avail. The most immediate and effective method of preparation is to be personally prepared, and to understand some of the risks involved in a declining world of over 6 billion people.

Location

First off is location. You do not want to be in a large city when this storm hits. Cities require food to be shipped in and water to be pumped via electronic equipment. There is usually no land available to grow food in these places. The best bet is to head into the woods. Whether it be in the colder north or the warmer south, you will be much safer away from large populations.

Information

There are some basic skills you will want to be familiar with before the need arises rather than trying to learn them on demand, avoiding painful and possibly deadly mistakes. Some basic survival skills are necessary. Building a shelter, planting a garden, securing safe drinking water, hunting and cleaning a kill, building a fire, and navigating by natural methods (Sun, Moon, Stars, Moss on Trees, etc) are probably the most important skills you will need to have. While planting a garden is something that will probably be more useful in the long term, it is still necessary.

Community

As I have said already, localized community based societies have been recommended to avoid what is now unavoidable, unfortunately this recommendation went unheeded. However, you will certainly have a much better chance of surviving if you are not alone. A group of 6 or more people will greatly increase your chances of survival.

Resources

There are several things you will want to acquire while they are still available, affordable and you still have a job. Below is a list of things that will be vital to your survival.

Hunting will be your major food source for the first few months until you can solidify your gardening procedures and produce a viable and consistent crop. I do not recommend a rifle for hunting. Guns are loud, attract unwanted attention, and bullets are difficult to acquire in the woods. A compound bow is the ideal weapon for hunting in a post-industrial world. Arrows are easy to make, and new strings can be made from animal sinew.

The stove will become useless when your fuel supply runs out, however it will provide a smokeless way to cook your food until you can find a location safe enough to build a fire.

More to come...