If you read a lot of Survivalist fiction (and I do), you’ll note several themes. Eventually, the people willing to work to survive have to band together. None of the fiction writers deal with the idea that a determined force of no-goods will eventually overwhelm a small pod of Have’s. That guy you got to dig a latrine in exchange for food is eventually going to run into a determined armed scavenging force and you are going to get a visit. You probably will not win. The only thing that can stop them is a very large group of well-armed people or the threat of such.
I’ve noticed that survivalist fiction is beginning to center around large cooperative groups after TSHTF. It seems to be the only method unless you are Grizzly Adams and can live in a cabin in the woods until the stuff blows over.
So a few realities:
1. If it gets really bad, you will have to move.
2. You need to know where to go
3. You will need to know how to get there as stealthly as possible.
4. If it ever gets bad, skills will be worth more than food.
5. No matter how well prepped you are, it all goes out the window if you have to go mobile. It comes down to how much you can carry on your back.
The good news is that you will not need all that prepping but you will need some of it. The best prep you can do is have a plan to join a community if needed, especially if you live in an urban environment.
If you are older, volunteer to help a Boy Scout troop. You’ll know why when you do.
Welcome to the thread and you are correct.
Knowledge is the ticket.
Dr. Bill Wattenberg says that in their planning for Homeland Security, that they expect 25 million people will hit the roads and have no place to go and no supplies.
And he is right, it will be a killing fields on the freeways.
One thing that he keeps in all his cars and says should be in every office desk, for those who work in an office, is walking shoes, you may have a long walk to safety.
He likes to store also in the cars food, water and a good sleeping bag, one for every family member.
He also keeps food in his office desk, Spam, Peanut butter and those sealed oatmeal breakfast bars.