How many times have you heard someone mention that something happened “without warning?” While it’s true that there are plenty of life events that do take place without warning, it’s also true that there are plenty of clues for when a SHTF situation is imminent.
Are You Paying Attention?
If you watch the news, you’ll see plenty of these clues. All over world, there are bomb threats and terrorist attacks. There are shootings at malls, at hospitals, at schools and colleges. There are hostage situations in office buildings, in apartment complexes, in homes and in cafes.
Some of these these events are carried out as a result of a one single person with a personal agenda – someone who has a beef against others. Some come from the uprising of more and more extreme-right and extreme-left movements.
Though most of these situations might seem small scale, they are only the situations that you hear about.
…All survival warnings.
You won’t always be aware of the deadly disasters that happen. They’re often buried news stories that the general public will miss – stories that hint what’s looming on the horizon.
Many Possibilities
The question is not if it will happen. The question is what and when.
So understanding what could happen and the risk of occurrence helps define what preparations are required. Depending on your tolerance to risk, you’ll need to prepare accordingly.
Here are a few examples:
| Event | Impact | Occurrence | Preparation required |
|---|---|---|---|
| Major Power Failure due to weather, earthquake, … | Low | High Risk | Be ready to be self-sufficient at home for 3 days to one week, with no power. |
| Major Power Failure due to terrorist attack | Low | Medium Risk | Be ready to be self-sufficient at home for at least one week, with no power. |
| Traditional War on North American Soil | High | Low Risk | Be ready to live off the grid for months |
| Gov’t/Law Enforcement Overthrown | High | Very Low Risk | Be ready to live off the grid for months |
| Zombie Apocalypse | Huge | One in a billion | Study “The Walking Dead” and pray for the best! |
It’s pretty easy to do this exercise with most potential SHTF possible eventualities…
- Nuclear accident or attack
- Ebola or other dangerous virus pandemic
- Water contamination or destruction of installations
- Hurricane, flood, twister and other perfect storms
- Prolonged drought
- UFO invation
- etc…
Be Prepared
The government knows that the future isn’t going to be sunshine and roses. It already has plans for pretty much all of these situations and is ready to react in a few days to a few weeks. It also knows that depending on the case, the threat could cause some casualties and in others, widespread loss of lives will be a reality.
As a responsible citizen, you also are required to be ready. The government suggests each household to be ready to be self sufficient for 3 days (one week if possible). That means you need to have sufficient supplies and alternate sources of power:
- Have enough food and water for every member of the family. (don’t forget the pets)
- Have the basic personal care products to last a few days (toilet paper, deodorant, feminine hygiene products, …)
- Have an alternate source of power to cook (a propane camping oven for example), for lights (batteries for example), for heat (generator) and charging some items (solar charger).
- A good first aid kit. You can read more on this subject here (first aid kits) and here (top medication items).
- A good emergency survival radio.
Having enough to take care of your family for at least the “low impact” SHTF situation is just common sense. Getting ready for more than that is more of a personal decision. But if you consider the survival warnings, you’ll know what you need to do…
Disasters are coming. It’s only a matter of time. The government knows better than to be caught off guard in a disaster. You need to make sure that you and your family aren’t caught off guard. By preparing now, you can survive a disaster at any moment.
