SHTF – What to do? – 2020 Edition( what do most people do? Probably, most will sit in front of a TV, or access the internet, to see what is happening around them.)

When the Stuff Hits The Fan (SHTF), what do most people do? Probably, most will sit in front of a TV, or access the internet, to see what is happening around them.

While that may help in some instances, it is not the only thing you need to do – otherwise, you will be wiped out by the lawlessness and other repercussions that come when SHTF. There are three things to remember when SHTF – food, shelter, and weapons.

Preppers spend their time getting ready for disasters that might unexpectedly come. As a prepper, you have to be prepared all the time or have a plan to get ready within a few days.

When SHTF, the indecisive, the sentimental, the macho, the fantasy-world planners, the uncreative, and those who panic a lot will be the first to succumb to whatever disaster comes. So, what should you do to stay alive for as long as possible?

Find out More About the Situation

The first phase in any operation is intelligence gathering – you do not want to rush to your bunker when there are earthquakes. In most cases, whatever you see or hear when SHTF, will depend on where you live and what time of day you see it.

In case an Electromagnetic Pulse (EMP) blasts across the country, you will need to gather more information from different avenues, including your neighbors, the TV, and the internet. Your neighbors might not only give you more details on the disaster, but you can also form neighborhood security teams, and they can teach you skills you never had.

To know if an EMP hit the entire country, and it is not just a power outage issue, you can check your electrical devices. If you have a metallic torch with a bulb and dry cells, it will not be affected. If all other electrical devices are affected, including your car, then know the EMP is a widespread disaster. If an EMP wipes out everything, having a Faraday cage will help you start your electronics.

Next, you will need to find out how widespread the disaster is. To do so, you will need a ham radio, which does not go off when the SHTF. The information you gather will help you know whether to move or stay where you are.

Be Ready to Move

If SHTF today, do you have the right gear to move for a couple of days? The first thing you need to do, wherever you are, is to ensure you have enough water to last you many days. At some point, however, you will have to move.

A prepper always has their things in their bags ready to bug out. That bag should not be more than 30 pounds – if you can, make your bug out bag 20 pounds or less. Ensure the bags are weatherproof so you can last in the snow or in water. You shouldn’t travel alone – ensure that everyone else has their gear ready. Be sure to carry enough drinking water in your bag to last a couple of days, and have a way to purify more.

Find Your Team and Those Close to You

It is not easy to reach out to everyone in your team or your family when SHTF. You can be ready no by buying ham radio with which you can reach out to your team. If you do not have the radio when SHTF, you might have to track your team through other communication means.

The other great way of getting to your team is having a predetermined location where everyone can check in once in a while – this way; you might all meet at the predetermined rally point.

In most cases, the rally point will be the home of one of the team members. You will need to change that immediately, you establish communication with everyone and choose a safer location.

Stay Safe

Lawlessness ensures in times of disaster. Whether you are in a team or you are all alone, having the right armory will help you stay safe. If you have a handgun or rifle not affected by the disaster, you can use it to scare away threats.

A rifle scope comes in handy for optimal stability when you shoot. In some instances, your bug out or rally location might in the woods where you need to fight off wild animals, and kill some for food.

If you are traveling as a team, you can set up a perimeter and be on the watch out for threats. The best place to start is to identify the skills of members of your team. Those who are good in arms can defend the rally point, hunters can get food, and anyone else can help keep watch.

Even if you are alone, pick a vantage point where you can see anyone or anything that approaches from all directions, as your hideout.

Trust Your Guts and Be Ready for Anything

It is tough to make friends in times of disaster – you should not trust everyone. Those who are not prepared for disaster will try and take advantage of those who are ready – and the confrontation will not be peaceful. Stay away from suspicious-looking strangers. Again, be ready to move in case anything happens. Be careful of the food you eat to ensure you are not exposed to food poisoning.

Conclusion

The only way to survive when SHTF is to prepare in advance – have all the right gear (clothing, bag, and boots), safe drinking water and non-perishable food, and a means to communicate. Learning self-defense and staying in shape will also help you significantly.