In my last article, I tried to establish the relationship between the economy and SHTF and provide some insights on some implications that institutions and other factors have in determining the outcome of collapses (economic or otherwise). Now let’s talk about the practical matters of the looming economic SHTF.

It’s time to see more about what’s coming and how to prepare for it. 

Nothing has happened yet. Why should I worry?

I know many people are tired of hearing the economy will crash, and we’ll suffer the consequences for years to come. I get mocked all the time for continually talking about a reckoning of epic proportions. “For more than a decade, yet nothing has happened,” I keep hearing. 

And my reply to that? “Wrong!”

First, a lot has happened: the 2008 GFC was the most severe financial crisis since the Great Depression. Millions got wiped. We can still feel reflexes of it today. Second (and perhaps the most important): the situation of the worldwide economy has deteriorated significantly since then. 

Some people must wake the f*ck up and smell the coffee.

According to Bloomberg, reports estimate global debt at . And that’s by the end of 2020. Notwithstanding the possibility of underestimation, that’s already more than 350% of global GDP. Wait, there’s more: last year, the Federal Reserve printed 40% of all USD currently in circulation. Ouch.

With that, I ask, how come nothing has happened? Does it take a three-digit IQ to see the implications? 

So, who said we’ve seen the worse of this yet? Yes, people will wake up indeed, one way or another. And what a shock it will be. Very few are aware, and even less are preparing for what will likely be a suffer-fest. 

An early warning does not mean the warning is wrong.

There is always something governments and institutions can do to kick the can down the road. In fact, since early 2008 (even before that), governments have done precisely that in overdrive. 

Unlike natural disasters, the powers that be can artificially postpone economic SHTFs.

In practice, this means we may keep living on borrowed time for a while. But at one point, reality will assert itself and catch up. A lot of brilliant people believe that reality is coming soon.

Hindsight is 20/20

And that’s why being a prepper is a mindset. In 2018-2019 if someone told you the entire world would lockdown for months thanks to a virus and engulf us all in this craziness we’re in now, how would you have reacted? 

When I say bad days are coming, I’m not talking about or trying to predict the end of the world. Arguing that is a distortion. Being prepared doesn’t mean I’m living in a bunker with a gas mask and tons of canned food. Life goes on, and we should be out there living it while we still can. 

But this isn’t incompatible with being ready and aware. Don’t stick your damn head in the sand: use it instead. Is it better to be early and prepared, or late and unprepared? With all the warning signs blinking red, the choice should be obvious.

Many in the prepping community don’t see a financial crisis as sexy or impactful.

Maybe the world of finance and economy are viewed as too complex, too esoteric, too corrupt – in short, too distant – especially by a conscious and pragmatic bunch like preppers. 

Also, older and newer generations have lived on a tailwind for the last two or three decades, an exceptional situation provided in great measure by fake money printing, heavy interventionism, and scandalous bail-outs. That undoubtedly contributed to making a lot of people soft and complacent.

I don’t know if those are the reasons or not. Understandably, most would rather deal with the practical aspects of prepping (also because it’s easier). But preparedness is all about planning, forecasting, cycles of abundance and scarcity, rational consumption of resources, resilience, etc. So, in essence, prepping is economy.

Now, on to what matters: preparing for an economic SHTF

Those who find things are volatile now shouldn’t wait until this runaway train hits society headfirst. When people realize the size and depth of the fraud and that their wealth, savings, pensions, and rights are in danger (or have evaporated), they will react. 

How much of a storm it will be? We’ll see. But that may force the governments to crack down even harder to contain the revolt. And if that happens, the mechanics of action-reaction could mean ever-growing bilateral tensions and conflicts within societies (and possibly external ones too). 

You may think I am gloomy. However, look into history again and draw your own conclusions. Regardless of what you see or where you live, you can do better than to take things for granted. It is time to remain alert and active, not alienated and complacent.

Take action now.

Don’t wait until something happens to start researching and learning how to live in a world with an economy entirely different from the one we had for the past 20 or 30 years. 

I know this sounds like basic prepping advice. But it is less about stockpiling food or ammo and more about not underestimating the blow that living a simpler or more limited life can have on ours, our family’s and friends’ psychology (and physiology too).

On that, Daisy provides a wealth of advice on living frugally in many of her books and articles. Go back to their writings and heed their words. It’s actionable stuff that can provide a lot about preparation and survival during personal and collective economic SHTF events.

Deep economic crises can last a lot longer than other SHTFs.

Natural or man-made disasters can have a much quicker resolution, so it’s easier to prepare for them in many ways. Stockpiles and other preparations are good for these situations and can ease the blow of an economic crash. 

But stuff doesn’t last forever. Some preppers in Venezuela had food stocked for a year or two. At the time it seemed a lot, and on all accounts this helped them go through the early phase. But the ordeal has been going on for twenty years. Think of that for a moment. It’s a lifetime – and it hasn’t ended yet. 

The correct mindset is a marathon, not a sprint. This is why gear, stockpiles, and equipment matter but more in the short-term: to provide some comfort, safety, and confidence as a way to soften the blow. Mid- and long-term, especially in a lasting economic downturn, require a different mentality. 

Think of economic SHTF preparation in other ways.

Life goes on. It’s perfectly fine to keep enjoying your current lifestyle. Continue consuming and using products and services that are still available and your financial condition allows. But get ready for a downgrade. Research, learn, test, get acquainted, and live some time using alternative/lower brands and options. 

See how this change affects you and your family. I know most people can adapt. But losing can hurt, and it’s much better when it’s voluntary, or we know how it feels. This exercise can ease the transition practically and psychologically and save a lot of work in case of shortages, price hikes, or a reduction in the variety and availability of products, which are all common during economic downturns. 

Don’t underestimate the importance of this sort of preparation for surviving a more harsh economic collapse. Just look at the tsunami of mental and psychological illnesses that stemmed from the lockdowns and the whole craziness we’re living.

Invest in tools.

Here is more of a practical tip. Refurbishing, reusing, repurposing, recycling and repairing were common ways to save money during the ’70s and ’80s. Inflation is higher on first necessity items and lower or even negative on less essential products and services. These are precisely the ones that can be DIYed. 

Installing or repairing stuff around the house or car leaves more to be used in other goods and necessities or saved and invested. You can generate income by doing this too. Tools are still cheap, so it’s a good idea to have a good set ready along with complementary items such as screws, blades, PPEs, and other non-perishables. (Even if you don’t know how to use them now.)

Have an Inflation Mentality.

On payday, my father would take us all to the supermarket to pull carts topped. Non-perishables would be purchased all at once to be stored and rationed. He’d also top the tank of the car and pay his bills that same day.

It was that, or his salary would be over well before the month was. Prices would rise daily, sometimes twice per day. Everyone did the same for decades until the country could contain inflation in the mid-’90s. Sounds too crazy? Can you imagine living in such a world? 

Perhaps you should because even though there’s no way to tell what kind of scenario we’ll have this time around, a particular type of mentality is necessary to navigate a fast-changing economy and optimize resources. Inflation, deflation, or stagflation scenarios require a shift: we must think in terms of purchasing power instead of affordability when facing an economic SHTF

War-gaming possible scenarios.

Think of the many different ways that an economic SHTF can, directly and indirectly, affect you and your family. Consider the implications for your job, career, savings, mortgages, investments, pensions, income, healthcare, everything. 

Also, think about practical changes in everyday routine: how will transportation, leisure and entertainment, safety, shopping, and other routines and necessities (yours and your family’s) be affected, both by the changes in the economy, the society, the politics, and your community. 

Do the above to plan and implement the necessary preparations to provide home and personal safety, health, mental stability, etc.

Here is an interesting read from Daisy back in 2017 on What a Second Civil War Would Like Like. 

Don’t forget the pandemic.

Whatever your views on the whole COVID-19 ordeal, things like virus developments and government impositions, lockdowns, mandates, vaccines, etc., are still a threat and can compound issues. I defend that everyone should be free to decide how to act, but either way, everyone can be impacted by consequences and changes. Use common sense, and don’t play the fool for anything.

Establish plans for short, mid, and long terms. 

Be aware that generational economic downturns don’t happen suddenly. There can be shocks and crashes of various magnitudes with more immediate and grave consequences, but things usually occur in stair-steps cycling through booms and busts (as they’re happening right now) while we ride to the bottom.

Short term means having preparations (cash and provisions) to deal with frozen accounts, bank holidays, confiscations, bouts of social unrest, things like that. Mid term can include shortages, disruptions, blackouts, and overall decadence and failure in public services and utilities. And the long term, all the effects of inflation compounded with stagnant or declining economic growth (stagflation) and everything that comes with it.

Some (many?) things cannot be anticipated or planned. 

And that’s fine. We must accept, not worry, and not stress. Don’t get stuck on that. Reflect, discuss the possibilities, take notes on what you can, and move on. Stay calm, positive, and open on what you can’t. Stay mobile and agile. Keep improving. Above all, learn to roll with the punches and adapt. Learn to decide fast and act swiftly. None of that takes special skills, much less gear or stockpiles. 

Hyperinflation is essentially a failed state.

Inflation is a form of taxation, a very punishing and unfair one. Most important, high levels of inflation mean a broken-down state and society, which has reflexes and ripples through all aspects of everyday life.

Expect a lowering in infrastructure investment and maintenance, a worsening (or failure) of public services and necessities, a general reduction in quality on everything public and private. And, of course, all the social volatility that we know will occur.

The lack of “Crisis Memory” may turn things worse.

Most people today have no idea what are things like the indexed economy, price control, and how the market and government respond to these things (hint: shortages, withholds, confiscations, price gouging, and all kinds of scams and tricks). 

There are now entire generations that have no memory of living in such an environment. These issues haven’t been on the minds of the individuals and the collective for decades now. 

Will this lead to mistakes, misreadings, bad judgments, and wrong calls? Probably. The market isn’t even considering the possibility of crashes and changes (yet). I’m afraid this will worsen the consequences of the impending economic disaster. But I hope I’m wrong. In fact, not just about this but everything else.

Final thoughts about an economic SHTF

Much of what happens in the economy is related to the psychology of the people and the collective. When things are good, and everyone is happy, we behave one way. When things are bad, and people are in a bad mood, afraid or pissed, we behave totally differently regarding money, savings, and everyday life. And this ends up shaping up the future, and the reason why it’s impossible to predict it. 

The main takeaways are:

How are you preparing?

Do you believe we’re about to face a massive economic crisis? Why or why not? How are you preparing yourself for a long-term economic SHTF scenario? Let’s discuss it in the comments.

Fabian Ommar is a 50-year-old middle-class worker living in São Paulo, Brazil. Far from being the super-tactical or highly trained military survivor type, he is the average joe who since his youth has been involved with self-reliance and outdoor activities and the practical side of balancing life between a big city and rural/wilderness settings. Since the 2008 world economic crisis, he has been training and helping others in his area to become better prepared for the “constant, slow-burning SHTF” of living in a 3rd world country.

Fabian’s ebook, Street Survivalism: A Practical Training Guide To Life In The City, is a practical training method for common city dwellers based on the lifestyle of the homeless (real-life survivors) to be more psychologically, mentally, and physically prepared to deal with the harsh reality of the streets during normal or difficult times. 

You can follow Fabian on Instagram @stoicsurvivor

This content was originally published here.

Author of

In my last article, I tried to establish the relationship between the economy and SHTF and provide some insights on some implications that institutions and other factors have in determining the outcome of collapses (economic or otherwise). Now let’s talk about the practical matters of the looming economic SHTF.

It’s time to see more about what’s coming and how to prepare for it. 

Nothing has happened yet. Why should I worry?

I know many people are tired of hearing the economy will crash, and we’ll suffer the consequences for years to come. I get mocked all the time for continually talking about a reckoning of epic proportions. “For more than a decade, yet nothing has happened,” I keep hearing. 

And my reply to that? “Wrong!”

First, a lot has happened: the 2008 GFC was the most severe financial crisis since the Great Depression. Millions got wiped. We can still feel reflexes of it today. Second (and perhaps the most important): the situation of the worldwide economy has deteriorated significantly since then. 

Some people must wake the f*ck up and smell the coffee.

According to Bloomberg, reports estimate global debt at . And that’s by the end of 2020. Notwithstanding the possibility of underestimation, that’s already more than 350% of global GDP. Wait, there’s more: last year, the Federal Reserve printed 40% of all USD currently in circulation. Ouch.

With that, I ask, how come nothing has happened? Does it take a three-digit IQ to see the implications? 

So, who said we’ve seen the worse of this yet? Yes, people will wake up indeed, one way or another. And what a shock it will be. Very few are aware, and even less are preparing for what will likely be a suffer-fest. 

An early warning does not mean the warning is wrong.

There is always something governments and institutions can do to kick the can down the road. In fact, since early 2008 (even before that), governments have done precisely that in overdrive. 

Unlike natural disasters, the powers that be can artificially postpone economic SHTFs.

However, not indefinitely.

In practice, this means we may keep living on borrowed time for a while. But at one point, reality will assert itself and catch up. A lot of brilliant people believe that reality is coming soon.

Hindsight is 20/20

And that’s why being a prepper is a mindset. In 2018-2019 if someone told you the entire world would lockdown for months thanks to a virus and engulf us all in this craziness we’re in now, how would you have reacted? 

When I say bad days are coming, I’m not talking about or trying to predict the end of the world. Arguing that is a distortion. Being prepared doesn’t mean I’m living in a bunker with a gas mask and tons of canned food. Life goes on, and we should be out there living it while we still can. 

But this isn’t incompatible with being ready and aware. Don’t stick your damn head in the sand: use it instead. Is it better to be early and prepared, or late and unprepared? With all the warning signs blinking red, the choice should be obvious.

Many in the prepping community don’t see a financial crisis as sexy or impactful.

Maybe the world of finance and economy are viewed as too complex, too esoteric, too corrupt – in short, too distant – especially by a conscious and pragmatic bunch like preppers. 

Also, older and newer generations have lived on a tailwind for the last two or three decades, an exceptional situation provided in great measure by fake money printing, heavy interventionism, and scandalous bail-outs. That undoubtedly contributed to making a lot of people soft and complacent.

I don’t know if those are the reasons or not. Understandably, most would rather deal with the practical aspects of prepping (also because it’s easier). But preparedness is all about planning, forecasting, cycles of abundance and scarcity, rational consumption of resources, resilience, etc. So, in essence, prepping is economy.

Now, on to what matters: preparing for an economic SHTF

Those who find things are volatile now shouldn’t wait until this runaway train hits society headfirst. When people realize the size and depth of the fraud and that their wealth, savings, pensions, and rights are in danger (or have evaporated), they will react. 

How much of a storm it will be? We’ll see. But that may force the governments to crack down even harder to contain the revolt. And if that happens, the mechanics of action-reaction could mean ever-growing bilateral tensions and conflicts within societies (and possibly external ones too). 

You may think I am gloomy. However, look into history again and draw your own conclusions. Regardless of what you see or where you live, you can do better than to take things for granted. It is time to remain alert and active, not alienated and complacent.

Take action now.

Don’t wait until something happens to start researching and learning how to live in a world with an economy entirely different from the one we had for the past 20 or 30 years. 

I know this sounds like basic prepping advice. But it is less about stockpiling food or ammo and more about not underestimating the blow that living a simpler or more limited life can have on ours, our family’s and friends’ psychology (and physiology too).

On that, Daisy provides a wealth of advice on living frugally in many of her books and articles. Go back to their writings and heed their words. It’s actionable stuff that can provide a lot about preparation and survival during personal and collective economic SHTF events.

Deep economic crises can last a lot longer than other SHTFs.

Natural or man-made disasters can have a much quicker resolution, so it’s easier to prepare for them in many ways. Stockpiles and other preparations are good for these situations and can ease the blow of an economic crash. 

But stuff doesn’t last forever. Some preppers in Venezuela had food stocked for a year or two. At the time, it seemed a lot, and on all accounts, this helped them go through the early phase. But the ordeal has been going on for twenty years. Think of that for a moment. It’s a lifetime – and it hasn’t ended yet. 

The correct mindset is a marathon, not a sprint. This is why gear, stockpiles, and equipment matter but more in the short-term: to provide some comfort, safety, and confidence as a way to soften the blow. Mid and long-term, especially in a lasting economic downturn, require a different mentality. 

Think of economic SHTF preparation in other ways.

Life goes on. It’s perfectly fine to keep enjoying your current lifestyle. Continue consuming and using products and services that are still available and your financial condition allows. But get ready for a downgrade. Research, learn, test, get acquainted, and live some time using alternative/lower brands and options. 

See how this change affects you and your family. I know most people can adapt. But losing can hurt, and it’s much better when it’s voluntary, or we know how it feels. This exercise can ease the transition practically and psychologically and save a lot of work in case of shortages, price hikes, or a reduction in the variety and availability of products, which are all common during economic downturns. 

Don’t underestimate the importance of this sort of preparation for surviving a more harsh economic collapse. Just look at the tsunami of mental and psychological illnesses that stemmed from the lockdowns and the whole craziness we’re living.

Invest in tools.

Here is more of a practical tip. Refurbishing, reusing, repurposing, recycling and repairing were common ways to save money during the ’70s and ’80s. Inflation is higher on first necessity items and lower or even negative on less essential products and services. These are precisely the ones that can be DIYed. 

Installing or repairing stuff around the house or car leaves more to be used in other goods and necessities or saved and invested. You can generate income by doing this too. Tools are still cheap, so it’s a good idea to have a good set ready along with complementary items such as screws, blades, PPEs, and other non-perishables. (Even if you don’t know how to use them now.)

Have an Inflation Mentality.

On payday, my father would take us all to the supermarket to pull carts topped. Non-perishables would be purchased all at once to be stored and rationed. He’d also top the tank of the car and pay his bills that same day.

It was that, or his salary would be over well before the month was. Prices would rise daily, sometimes twice per day. Everyone did the same for decades until the country could contain inflation in the mid-’90s. Sounds too crazy? Can you imagine living in such a world? 

Perhaps you should because even though there’s no way to tell what kind of scenario we’ll have this time around, a particular type of mentality is necessary to navigate a fast-changing economy and optimize resources. Inflation, deflation, or stagflation scenarios require a shift: we must think in terms of purchasing power instead of affordability when facing an economic SHTF

War-gaming possible scenarios.

Think of the many different ways that an economic SHTF can, directly and indirectly, affect you and your family. Consider the implications for your job, career, savings, mortgages, investments, pensions, income, healthcare, everything. 

Also, think about practical changes in everyday routine: how will transportation, leisure and entertainment, safety, shopping, and other routines and necessities (yours and your family’s) may be affected, both by the changes in the economy, the society, the politics, and your community. 

Do the above to plan and implement the necessary preparations to provide home and personal safety, health, mental stability, etc.

Here is an interesting read from Daisy back in 2017 on What a Second Civil War Would Like Like. 

Don’t forget the pandemic.

Whatever your views on the whole COVID-19 ordeal, things like virus developments and government impositions, lockdowns, mandates, vaccines, etc., are still a threat and can compound issues. I defend that everyone should be free to decide how to act, but either way, everyone can be impacted by consequences and changes. Use common sense, and don’t play the fool for anything.

Establish plans for short, mid, and long terms. 

Be aware that generational economic downturns don’t happen suddenly. There can be shocks and crashes of various magnitudes with more immediate and grave consequences, but things usually occur in stair-steps cycling through booms and busts (as they’re happening right now) while we ride to the bottom.

Short term means having preparations (cash and provisions) to deal with frozen accounts, bank holidays, confiscations, bouts of social unrest, things like that. Mid-term can include , disruptions, blackouts, and overall decadence and failure in public services and utilities. And the long term, all the effects of inflation compounded with stagnant or declining economic growth (stagflation) and everything that comes with it.

Some (many?) things cannot be anticipated or planned. 

And that’s fine. We must accept, not worry, and not stress. Don’t get stuck on that. Reflect, discuss the possibilities, take notes on what you can, and move on. Stay calm, positive, and open on what you can’t. Stay mobile and agile. Keep improving. Above all, learn to roll with the punches and adapt. Learn to decide fast and act swiftly. None of that takes special skills, much less gear or stockpiles. 

Hyperinflation is essentially a failed state.

Inflation is a form of taxation, a very punishing and unfair one. Most important, high levels of inflation mean a broken-down state and society, which has reflexes and ripples through all aspects of everyday life.

Expect a lowering in infrastructure investment and maintenance, a worsening (or failure) of public services and necessities, a general reduction in quality on everything public and private. And, of course, all the social volatility that we know will occur.

The lack of “Crisis Memory” may turn things worse.

Most people today have no idea what are things like the indexed economy, price control, and how the market and government respond to these things (hint: shortages, withholds, confiscations, price gouging, and all kinds of scams and tricks). 

There are now entire generations that have no memory of living in such an environment. These issues haven’t been on the minds of the individuals and the collective for decades now. 

Will this lead to mistakes, misreadings, bad judgments, and wrong calls? Probably. The market isn’t even considering the possibility of crashes and changes (yet). I’m afraid this will worsen the consequences of the impending economic disaster. But I hope I’m wrong. In fact, not just about this but everything else.

Final thoughts about an economic SHTF

Much of what happens in the economy is related to the psychology of the people and the collective. When things are good, and everyone is happy, we behave one way. When things are bad, and people are in a bad mood, afraid or pissed, we behave totally differently regarding money, savings, and everyday life. And this ends up shaping up the future, and the reason why it’s impossible to predict it. 

The main takeaways are:

  1. Since no government can produce anything, if much, they have the power to make things worse. In the end, it’s always the people who pay the price and have to make all the sacrifices. 
  2. While these kinds of significant economic events are terrible for most people, they are also excellent opportunities for those who prepare to move up in life and stay ahead.
  3. So get busy: whatever your situation, preparing intellectually, mentally, and psychologically is within reach. Study, get literate in economy and finance if you will. At the very least, don’t be an “economy denialist.” And, of course, keep working on any material preparations you deem essential. No one knows about you better than yourself, so betting on ourselves, whatever happens, is the best strategy of all.

How are you preparing?

Do you believe we’re about to face a massive economic crisis? Why or why not? How are you preparing yourself for a long-term economic SHTF scenario? Let’s discuss it in the comments.

About Fabian

Fabian Ommar is a 50-year-old middle-class worker living in São Paulo, Brazil. Far from being the super-tactical or highly trained military survivor type, he is the average joe who since his youth has been involved with self-reliance and outdoor activities and the practical side of balancing life between a big city and rural/wilderness settings. Since the 2008 world economic crisis, he has been training and helping others in his area to become better prepared for the “constant, slow-burning SHTF” of living in a 3rd world country.

Fabian’s ebook, Street Survivalism: A Practical Training Guide To Life In The City, is a practical training method for common city dwellers based on the lifestyle of the homeless (real-life survivors) to be more psychologically, mentally, and physically prepared to deal with the harsh reality of the streets during normal or difficult times. 

You can follow Fabian on Instagram @stoicsurvivor

The post How to Mentally Prepare Yourself for the EPIC Economic SHTF That’s Coming appeared first on The Organic Prepper.

This content was originally published here.

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When the SHTF, the last thing you want is to be away from home. But sometimes, circumstances beyond your control mean that you’re stuck at work or out running errands when disaster strikes. If that happens, don’t panic! 

There are a few things you can do to increase your chances of getting home quickly and safely. But before we talk about that, let’s talk abut why you might end up in this situation in the first place.

Article continues below.

What Are Some Scenarios That Might Require You To Get Home Fast After SHTF?

In an SHTF scenario, there are many potential dangers that could prevent you from getting home to your family. A nuclear attack, a pandemic, or even a large-scale natural disaster could all lead to mass panic and gridlock on the roads. That’s why it’s important to have a plan in place for how you will get home as quickly as possible.

Keep in mind that an SHTF situation might not be super localized. For instance, you could be at work and find out that a nuclear bomb has been detonated in Europe, sparking WWIII. Obviously, you’ll need to get home fast and get to your bug out location – but getting home in this situation, where others might not yet be aware of the extent of the danger, might be a little easier than a more localized issue.

You may find that you have more trouble navigating your way back home in the event of a natural disaster, local terrorist attack, incident of civil unrest, or other catastrophe that directly impacts your city or town. 

Because of the different scenarios you might encounter, it’s a good idea to have multiple plans in place (and multiple escape routes) so that you can tackle any kind of crisis that strikes – and get to where you need to be – without delay. 

In the event of a major disaster, your first priority should be to get home as quickly as possible. If you live in an urban area, this may mean fighting your way through gridlocked traffic or dealing with other obstacles. Here are a few tips to help you get home fast after the SHTF.

Don’t Wait for Government Help, Like Everyone Else

In a disaster, the first 72 hours are critical. If you wait for government help, you could be waiting for days or even weeks. 

But if you take matters into your own hands and get home fast, you stand a much better chance of surviving. 

Waiting for government help is not a wise strategy. Instead, you need to be prepared to take care of yourself and your loved ones. That means having a bug out bag packed and ready to go, knowing how to use survival skills, and having a plan for getting home fast. 

Get Out of Immediate Danger First

It’s every prepper’s nightmare: SHTF. But if you find yourself in the middle of a true disaster, your first priority should be to get out of immediate danger. 

Once you’re safe, then you can start thinking about getting home. If you’re caught in the middle of a city when a large earthquake hits, for example, your first priority should be to find shelter and ride out the aftershocks. 

Once it’s safe to leave, your best bet may be to walk, since roads and bridges could be damaged or blocked. If you’re able to make it to public transportation, that may be faster, but it could also be more crowded and dangerous. In any case, getting home fast after the SHTF is all about staying safe first and foremost.

Check for Injury or Exposure

Before you start running towards your loved ones, it’s important to take a moment to check for injury or exposure. If you’ve been wounded, it’s essential to stop the bleeding and get medical attention as soon as possible.

Want to prep but not sure where to begin?
Click Here to Get Your FREE One Year Urban Survival Plan!

Likewise, if you’ve been exposed to hazardous materials, it’s important to decontaminate yourself before coming into contact with others. 

Decide Whether You’ll Need to Go Home or a Bug Out Location

After a disaster strikes, there’s a good chance that you’ll need to evacuate your home in order to stay safe. But what’s the best way to get away from the danger? Should you head for your bug out location, or try to make it back home? 

The answer depends on a number of factors, including the proximity of your home to the disaster, the severity of the danger, and your own personal preferences. If you live in a remote area, or if the danger is just too great to stay put, then it may be best to evacuate to your bug out location. 

On the other hand, if you’re relatively close to safety and you’re confident that you can make it back home without incident, then heading for home may be the best option. 

Ultimately, the decision of whether to go home or bug out is a personal one, and there’s no right or wrong answer. What’s important is that you make a decision and stick to it. Trying to second-guess yourself in the middle of a crisis is only going to add to your stress levels.

Get a Map

When an emergency strikes, time is of the essence. If you’re trying to get home fast, the last thing you want to do is stop and fiddle with a map. But in a pinch, a map can be your best friend. 

A good map will not only help you navigate your way home, but it can also help you avoid obstacles and hazards. If you’re caught in heavy traffic or bad weather, a map can help you find an alternate route. And if you get lost, a map can help you backtrack to safety.

Keep a map with you at all times – remember, your GPS may not work when the SHTF. 

Keep Your Phone Charged  

In an emergency situation, your phone will be one of your most valuable assets when there’s still a signal. Use it sparingly to conserve battery life, but make sure to keep it charged in case you need to make a call or use GPS.

If possible, invest in a portable charger so you can keep your phone charged on the go.

Identify Choke Points

In a grid-down or SHTF scenario, one of the most important things you can do is get home as fast as possible. Depending on where you live, this could mean navigating through a city or rural area that has been plunged into chaos.

To give yourself the best chance of getting home safely, it’s important to identify choke points along your route in advance.

A choke point is any location where there is potential for congestion or violence. This could be a major intersection, a bridge, or even a stretch of empty highway. By identifying choke points in advance, you can develop a plan for avoiding them if necessary.

In some cases, this might mean taking a longer but more direct route. In others, it might mean finding an alternative route that avoids the choke point entirely.

Plan Out the Fastest Routes Ahead of Time

The best way to make sure you can get home quickly is to plan out the fastest routes ahead of time. Familiarize yourself with the terrain and find the shortest, most direct path home.

Make sure to take into account any obstacles that might slow you down, such as rivers or steep hills. And always have a backup plan in case your primary route is blocked.

Keep Supplies in Your Vehicle

In an emergency, every minute counts. If you find yourself trying to get home fast when the SHTF, you’ll be glad you kept supplies in your vehicle.

Here are a few essential items to keep on hand:

Here are a few more ideas for your vehicle survival kit.

Consider a Motorcycle or Bicycle if That Might Be Faster

While cars and trucks may be the first choice for many people, a motorcycle or bicycle might actually be faster. In a grid-down scenario, traffic jams will quickly form, making it difficult to make any headway in a car. But a motorcycle or bicycle can easily weave through stalled traffic. 

Additionally, if fuel becomes scarce, a motorcycle or bicycle can still be ridden, while a car will be effectively stranded. And in the event that roads are blocked by debris, a motorcycle or bicycle can often find a way around obstacles that a car would have to go over or around.

Get a 4×4 Vehicle

If you’re trying to get home fast when the SHTF, then you’ll want a 4×4 vehicle. 4x4s are designed for off-road driving, and they have the power and traction to handle any terrain.

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Plus, they’re built to withstand the elements, so you won’t have to worry about getting stuck in the mud or taking a wrong turn and ending up in a ditch. And if you get into an accident, a 4×4 is more likely to protect you from serious injury than a smaller car.

Here are some other bug out vehicles to consider.

Have a Backup Plan

No one knows when an emergency situation will happen, which is why it’s essential to have a backup plan. If you find yourself in an SHTF scenario, the last thing you want is to be stuck without a way to get home. A good backup plan will ensure that you can get home fast, even in the most challenging circumstances.

There are a few things to consider when setting up your backup plan. First, you’ll need to identify all of the potential routes that you could take to get home. This may include main roads, back roads, and even off-road paths. 

If you live in an urban area, a backup plan may mean having a bike or walking shoes stored away so you can get home if public transportation is no longer running. If you live in a rural area, you may need to have a map of back roads and trails so you can avoid any blocked highways.

Judge the Variables When You Decide Which Route to Take

In an emergency situation, every second counts. That’s why it’s so important to plan your route in advance and know which roads to avoid. Depending on the situation, you might need to take the quickest route possible or the route that will avoid populated areas.

Here are some things to consider when making your decision:

Communicate the Plan (and All Backup Plans) to All Family Members Ahead of Time

Any good plan begins with clear communication. When it comes to emergency preparedness, this is especially critical. If you wait until an emergency situation is unfolding to try to communicate your plans to your family, it will be too late. You need to sit down with your loved ones and make sure that everyone is on the same page. 

Discuss the various scenarios that could unfold and how you would respond to each one. Agree on a meeting place and establish a communication chain in case you are separated. It is also important to have backup plans in place in case your primary plan fails. 

Avoid Strangers

Avoiding strangers is always a good idea, but it’s especially important in a crisis situation. You also need to be careful of large groups of people, as they could be looters or have other malicious intent. Sick and/or contaminated people should also be avoided, as they could pose a health risk.

Roadblocks and checkpoints can also be dangerous, as you never know who is manning them or what their intentions are. Finally, be aware of disabled vehicles, as they could be hiding an ambush.

What to Keep With You for When SHTF

Anyone who has ever been stranded on the side of the road knows the importance of having a few key items in their car. However, in a survival situation, these items can mean the difference between life and death. 

The items you’ll want to keep with you will likely vary between person and person, but here are some suggestions.

With these items, you will be prepared for anything that SHTF.

Final Thoughts

The best way to be prepared for an emergency is to have a plan and practice it often. By following the tips in this blog post, you can be confident that you know what to do in case of an emergency. The most important thing is to start today. Don’t wait until it’s too late.

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Estimated reading time: 12 minutes

Are you tucked away comfortably in your suburban or urban home reading this? Well, whether you know it or not the brush, thickets, woods, and even the streets around you are ALIVE.

In the daytime, there are squirrels traveling up and down trees and rushing across the powerlines. There are doves sitting on your windowsills and rabbits hiding in the thickets at the end of the road. 

Article continues below.

If it’s nighttime, there is even more action! Prey and predator alike are taking care of their business in their own nocturnal way. 

Most of these animals constitute edible game and can be a source of food in the worst case scenario. If an economic collapse or cataclysmic disaster leaves the supermarkets and farmer’s markets all closed up and you have no food to eat, edible game in the city could be the solution. 

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Why Would I Eat Edible Game in the City? 

With the supermarket shelves full and food prices only incrementally creeping up, you might wonder why you would consider eating things like squirrels and rabbits or even rats! 

Well, as a nation, we are not headed in the right direction. We are facing a fuel crisis, inflation crisis, morality crisis, world war, and debt crisis. When I say we, I mean the entire world! These are not just American problems. Access to fuel and food are going to become a serious issue. 

A full blown economic collapse could force serious changes in your way of life. How you gather food and cook it could be part of that radical change.

Now, if you are going to take advantage of this edible game, then you need to have a way to catch, lure, or kill that game. This could be through using hunting methods or trapping methods. These are all important and, when practiced, can be incredibly effective. 

Types of Edible Game in the City 

The squirrel thrives in deep woods but also in urban environments. It doesn’t take a large stand of trees to support squirrels. They are also good at getting food from whatever source they can. From stands of oak trees in urban parks or backyard gardens, the squirrels will find something to eat. 

Squirrels don’t have a lot of meat on their small bones, but they are easy to kill or catch, and they are just as easy to skin and prepare. 

Best Methods: Small conibear traps are great for trapping. You can affix them to trees to catch them coming down from nests. An air rifle is another effective way to kill squirrels. Pellets and BBs can do the job quietly and affordably. 

The humble rabbit is a delicacy. It depends on where you are in the country or the world if you are going to agree with that. Rabbits are hiding in a park near you. They are quick in the right circumstances, but they also freeze when they are scared. 

Rabbits are pretty easy to kill and dress, too. They have much more meat on them than squirrels. I think rabbit is an incredible meat. It is very lean but can be cooked with things like bacon and broth to make it exceptional. 

Best Methods: Use an air rifle or the .22 rifle for taking rabbits. A bow with a judo arrowhead can be effective at stunning or even killing rabbits. Arrows are quieter than rifles. 

The nocturnal mega rat marsupial known as the opossum is lurking in even the most urban areas. If you can get over being close to these hissing creatures, then you can take advantage of them as food. Now, they are not as tasty as the two previous game animals that we talked about. 

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Since the opossum is nocturnal, you will have to hunt them at night or set traps to kill them. It could be dangerous to go out at night in a SHTF situation with a firearm. 

Best Methods: No matter what you use to shoot opossum, do yourself a favor and affix a flashlight to it. Pellet guns can kill them quickly and quietly.

The trash panda gets around in urban environments. Given the name, I think it is easy to understand where and how you can find them. I often see big fat racoons in the early hours of the morning. These animals would be easier to trap in a 220 conibear than they would be to shoot. 

Larger racoons have decent amounts of meat on them. The pelts of many of these animals could be used, too. If you know what you are doing. 

Best Methods: Larger traps, live traps, air rifles or even .22 rifles would all be sufficient to kill racoons. 

Dove is a sought after bird by hunters. Dove season is a big deal for many hunters. The dove breast is small, but it’s still meat. These birds like to hang in fields and can be busted up into the air by dogs or even just by walking through these fields. 

In a more urban setting, you can find doves sitting on power lines or in small trees on the street. Headshots are best for these birds as you do not want to put pellets or bird shot into the small breast. 

Best Methods: No. 2 shot in a 20 gauge shotgun is how you enjoy an afternoon of dove hunting. The only consideration here is the noise. In a collapsed world, people will hear continuous shots going off and it might bring them closer to see what’s happening. 

To avoid that, you might consider BB guns or air rifles. Though hitting a fast moving dove with an air rifle is probably not easy. I have never tried it. 

Squab is an unfledged pigeon, and it finds space on some of the most popular French menus. These pigeons are around 4 weeks old and have been raised for eating. Still, they grow up into a bird that loves city life. 

Pigeons are plentiful in cities all over the nation. They are a great city food for people who are looking for meat. They are the same size as doves so you will get a similar amount of meat. You are gonna need at least one bird per person.

Best Methods: Treat these birds like similar sized birds. In fact, the same methods used for dove are going to work for pigeon, too. 

These fat little buggers are usually hiding in backyards or on roadsides in cities and suburbs. Sometimes I run 5 miles of road in a suburb, and I see these groundhogs running all over the place on that little stretch of road. 

Groundhogs have about 1 to 1.5lbs of meat on them. That is a good amount of meat for a single small game animal. 

Best Methods: Groundhogs can be put away using everything from shotguns to BB guns. Just be aware of the type of shot you use. You do not want meat to be riddled with birdshot or something like that. Instead.

The .22 rifle or even the .223 round from an Ar15 is a great pullet for putting a groundhog down fast. Archery is also a possibility. 

Creeks and streams even in the most urban areas are often home to muskrat. These creatures are surprisingly tasty. They run the banks of creeks and streams looking for food. This usually happens in the wee hours of the morning or as the sun is setting. 

These creatures are mostly nocturnal, and they look just like beavers without tails. They are smaller though. 

Best Methods: When it comes to muskrat, your best method is to set killing traps like the 110 conibear or snares, down by the water. Look for areas where travel routes tighten and place your traps there. 

You have probably seen or read some kind of apocalyptic tale where survivors are eating rats. Rats are the most plentiful protein resource in cities. I have seen rats as big as house cats in the basements of Philadelphia. 

While most people bristle at the idea of eating rats, there is gonna be a lot of them around in the city and you could argue their populations will only grow in times of disaster and collapse. When human waste and trash is left to fester, these creatures will thrive! 

Best Methods: There are two routes to take when considering rats as food. The first is killing traps. Killing traps are great because they do not cost ammo, they are quiet, and the food is ready to process when you come back to the trap. 

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You could also consider projectiles. I would recommend something semiautomatic as you could happen upon several rats, and you will want to be able to put several down at a time. Air rifles or even handguns that are powered by CO2 are a great example or a semiautomatic .22 rifle would be great. 

Eating predators is a different kind of challenge. These predators often need to be lured and having something like a predator call is a great way to do that. The fox will come to a predator call. 

The fox is furry, and you can take advantage of the fur as well as the meat. You will not get a ton of meat out of a single fox. They are lean animals. 

In the city, you are not going to see a lot of foxes, but I have seen them wandering the paved streets at night and in the early mornings

Best Methods: The .22 rifle is about the best weapon for killing a fox for meat. They are too small to hit with a shotgun. 

Coyotes are pack animals and while they are not as formidable as wolves, they can still pose a serious threat if you are out in the woods trying to kill one. Since they are predators, they will also need to be called in and lured using the scent and sound of prey animals. 

Coyotes are serious survivors, so unless you are truly interested in hunting them and willing to put in the effort, don’t bother. Coyotes are nocturnal and very sneaky. 

Best Methods: Coyote hunters use tech like night vision to see the predators as they approach. They also use prey animal calls to get the attention of the coyotes. A rifle with some stopping power is best used against these animals. Though a shotgun would work, too. 

The Question of Pets

In a serious collapse, people are going to have no choice but to turn their dogs and cats loose in the streets, eat them, or watch them starve to death. Unless they have prepared emergency food for their pets, they will largely be out of options. 

This will lead to a lot of stray pets on the streets. Stray dogs and cats are edible game in the city. The question is whether or not you want to include them on your menu. This is something you should consider now. 

Just remember, extreme hunger will force you to do desperate things. 

For a long time, we have eaten small game like squirrels and ground hogs. Many hunters and trappers still do. Factory farming has simply made it much easier to get our hands on a decent steak without the hassle of raising, trapping, or killing anything. 

In the event of a serious economic collapse, a breakdown of modern society, or even the continued collapse of our supply chain or energy sector, all that could change. 

What are you going to do when meat is no longer in Styrofoam containers under plastic wrap? Will you be able to feed your family? Now might be the time to start learning how to take advantage of edible game in the city. 

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(Natural News)
Water is vital to your survival. In most disaster scenarios, people will die within three days if they don’t have access to clean drinking water.

Protect your family from dehydration when SHTF by stocking up on water, using sturdy water storage containers and knowing how to filter and purify from various sources. (h/t to PreppersWill.com)

A growing population and water availability

Water pollution is on the rise due to various causes, like pesticides and untreated human wastewater. Unfortunately, many groundwater sources are also becoming more contaminated because industrial chemicals continue to leach into underground aquifers.

High levels of pollution can make you sick right away and cause massive illness outbreaks. Their effects can also be long-lasting and go unnoticed for years, causing widespread and often irreparable damage to the environment and public health.

The human population has more than doubled in the last 50 years, increasing the strain on the planet’s resources due to industrialization and increased world hunger.

The global population has hit eight billion and more people are moving to cities, resulting in megacities that are now bigger than New York and London. This has also resulted in peri-urban slums where people live in close proximity to livestock.

Population growth in general and people’s land-use decisions have resulted in increased encroachment on open spaces and ecosystem disruption. Because humans often settle down near water sources, the world’s population growth has put a strain on its water basins, reducing availability of fresh water on Earth. (Related: Prepper storage guides: Which containers should you use to store water for stockpiling?)

This highlights the importance of setting up a water supply if you want to help your family survive when disaster strikes.

Agriculture and natural disasters

A shocking 70 percent of the world’s freshwater supply is used by agriculture, but at least 60 percent is wasted because of factors like ineffective water application methods, faulty irrigation systems and the cultivation of crops that require too much water in the wrong environments.

This then dries out the world’s rivers, lakes and underground aquifers. In turn, countries are at risk of running out of water resources.

While natural disasters don’t always result in long-term water scarcity, they still have a negative impact on communities in the short term, often causing increased disease transmission and pollution.

Hurricanes aren’t the only natural disaster that can cause a water crisis. For example, Haiti experienced one of the world’s worst earthquakes in 2010. The disaster claimed more than 92,000 lives.

Following the earthquake, a cholera outbreak linked to unsanitary water conditions killed almost 10,000 people. At least 890,000 Haitians were displaced because of the disaster, straining the already limited freshwater infrastructure.

The 2010 earthquake in Haiti proves that human migration and displacement exacerbate the scarcity of fresh water.

Stock up on freshwater for your personal and gardening needs

Don’t be like civilians who don’t prioritize storing fresh water in their survival stockpile. Even if there is no immediate and large-scale disaster, when SHTF you may face an event that causes subtle and gradual collateral damage.

You should also prepare for diverse disasters and water scarcity that can affect the area you live in. As preppers know, it’s better to plan ahead since you should already know what disasters may affect you based on where you live.

Stock up on enough water so you can deal with long-term power outages or other scenarios that are frequent in your state.

Water storage options for your supply

There are many ways to store water on your homestead depending on the space, your budget and your knowledge of storage and filtration principles.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that people should drink at least one gallon of water per day. But if you actually track how much water you need for other tasks, like cleaning and hygiene, you will need more than a gallon of water each day.

You have various water storage considerations depending on where you live. If you live in a desert with no readily available water sources, you will have to store water differently than if you lived in a rural area with a nearby stream and options to filter that water.

You should also stock up on more water if you are living with children, the elderly, pregnant women and pets. Based on your needs analysis, you need at least two weeks’ worth of drinkable water.

Store clean water in water-specific containers, like buckets or bladders designed for water storage. Choose containers that are made of sturdy and quality food-grade materials.

Do not use containers that were previously used to store chemicals or other potentially harmful or unpleasant ingredients or odors.

Here are some food-grade options to consider for properly storing water:

Collapsible water containers

Collapsible water containers have a great storage capacity. They often come with a spigot and a handle.

However, the materials used in these containers are not as rigid as those used in more permanent water containers because they are collapsible. Most collapsible water containers can hold three to five gallons, but it’s better to avoid overfilling them because the increased pressure can cause them to rupture the longer they are kept in your stockpile.

Heavy-duty barrels

A 55-gallon blue barrel made of rigid, food-grade plastic can store enough water for one person for at least two months.

If you have a large family, you can either get more blue barrels or spend money on an upgraded version of a heavy-duty water container that can hold hundreds of gallons.

One downside to using these larger barrels is that once you decide on a storage location, it is almost impossible to move it once it’s filled with water.

Rain barrels

While some stored water is not safe to drink unless properly filtered and purified, water stored in containers like rain barrels is ideal for non-potable purposes like plant irrigation.

If you have a garden on your homestead and are worried about what to do with your plants during a water shortage, you can water them with collected rainwater in rain barrels.

Stackable water containers

Most stackable water containers are made of heavy-duty, dark plastic, usually color blue, and can be stacked on top of the other to maximize storage space.

The containers usually have a spigot and a handle to transport and dispense water and they can store five to seven gallons of water. The containers may cost $15 to $30 per piece.

When stacking these kinds of containers, avoid doing so excessively since overstacking can make the containers at the bottom crack under the weight.

Two-liter soda bottles

If you don’t have the budget for expensive storage containers, two-liter soda bottles are a cheap and readily available option.

If you live in the city or a small apartment, collect two-liter soda bottles. After thoroughly washing the bottles, fill them with water and store the bottles in a closet or food pantry.

Water “bladders”

Large water “bladders” like a waterBOB are best for home use if you have a bathtub or large sinks.

These bladders can hold a large amount of water and some products can even store up to 100 gallons of water. They may also come with siphoning kits.

Water bladders also have some disadvantages. Since they are almost as big as a bathtub, you won’t be able to use them unless you have more than one bathtub or shower.

Once filled, a water bladder is difficult to move since a full bathtub bladder can weigh over 100 pounds.

You can buy a heavy-duty water bladder that can be stored outside, but the material’s integrity might be jeopardized because of the heat or punctures.

Tips for long-term water storage

Once you decide on water storage options, keep these storage tips in mind:

Even if you’re not a prepper, long-term water storage is crucial to your survival when disaster strikes.

Go to Survival.news for more tips on how to build a survival stockpile before disaster strikes.

Watch the video below for more tips on efficient water storage.

This video is from the .

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Imagine the following scenario: an economic collapse has forced thousands of people outside of the cities throughout most of the world. Thousands of people without survival or tradable skills plague the countryside, and the number of gunfights one can hear about from their front porch is increasing. Those farms closer to the cities and main roads are forced to institute a 24/7 watch. Special taxes and ammunition scarcity add fuel to the fire.

Where you live is isolated, however, and there is nothing to be afraid of.

At least, so you think.

Getting in your diesel pickup, you drive a few minutes up to the place where the recent storm knocked down some old trees. They will be a good firewood source.

You start to cut the trees with the gasoline chainsaw. The chainsaw can get pretty loud, and to protect your ears, you’re wearing hearing protection. You don’t realize that three creepy-looking guys have surrounded you. One of them is halfway between you and your truck, where the shotgun is. The lookouts in the compound spotted them from a distance and tried to warn you some guys were roaming around, but the mobile radio was inside the truck, too, and the chainsaw noise masked the call.

It’s a nightmarish scenario. Don’t get caught in one of these.

You have to control your noise.

I know it’s almost impossible to be 100% silent in a compound. It’s just not going to happen, and we need to be realistic about our expectations. Tractors, generators, car engines, bike engines, ATV engines, snowmobile engines…everything with engines will make noise to a degree.

The last few days, we had severe power blackouts as many people were hit by the Caribbean storms. Heavy rain made some towers collapse. My family spent over 48 hours without power, other than my old car battery with two 13W solar charger.

The town was silent. The neighbor’s generator 300 meters (maybe more) away only lasted for one night. When I woke up the next day, there was not any noise. At all.

The silence in a world without electricity is impressive.

On a quiet night, in our mountain home, we can even listen to our closest neighbors, who live 150 meters away uphill. We could hear someone walking down the road, or even better, the dogs would catch it and start barking. Once the power goes out, something that happens fairly often during these windy, stormy months down here, the only entertainment we have is talking to each other.

Being simple countryside people, families here only light a couple of candles and keep on with their business as usual. They don’t care too much about the risks of being spotted. Not these days. Things are not as dangerous here as they once were, after all.

It’s funny, how even in the worst of the Argentinian crisis, we were actually fortunate that our garden was not producing as we had hoped it would. We mainly grew some coffee and limes. That was about it. I wonder what would have happened if our plants were productive amidst a famine. If we had chickens running everywhere, plenty of fruits on the trees, or some other valuable edibles, these may have been easily spotted.

Concealing your activities as much as you can when your nation collapses is the best idea. But when it involves noise, it’s hard.

I’ve been in some places where the level of productivity behind closed doors and high walls was outstanding. It’s almost a tradition nowadays in Venezuela to conceal businesses like workshops, car repair shops, and other businesses. Other countries would have these same shops out in the open. We’ve learned we can’t do that here.

Well, maybe this isn’t only something that Venezuela struggles with. I’ve noticed it’s standard practice in many other countries with a high crime rate.

Sound is associated with machines, and for a criminal, machines mean money these days.

Criminals like machines. These are things they can steal, disassemble, transport to some other place, reassemble, and sell to someone without too many questions. Sound means working people, maybe with cash in their pockets. Sound means a patron in charge, a great target forexpress kidnapping. The old style robbery of a mugging is not “in” these days. We now face the “new school” of crime.

Thieves now will take the family patron hostage and will “escort” him to empty his accounts, or, best case scenario, they will loot his entire business and home, leaving him and his family well tied up and alive for the next “harvesting” season.

Imagine what would happen in a world without the rule of law.

Eventually, people will learn the lesson and shoot an arrow, a stone, or whatever they can at someone trespassing. I know that many thugs send “scouts,” bold teenagers, to check who is there, what is on the property, and how many people, and will collect all the needed intel in ways that any military would do. And they will do it quietly.

If they get an attention call from the landowner, the theatrical play starts. With their best innocent, childish face, they will say, “Oh, we were just looking for some fallen fruit/vegetables…or were looking for our lost dog/cat/chicken/pig.”

They will then take all the information they have collected to the gang. Once the older ones have their guns cleaned, cocked and locked, they will also know how many people they will have to take care of at the target building. This happened in many haciendas here. It still happens. Owners, of anything, are vulnerable every day.

You have to understand the relationship between noise and distance.

Depending on the “pitch,” or how deep a sound is, the sound waves will travel further. This is why a bass drum’s noise will travel further than a triangle’s shrill note. Scientists have discovered that elephants generate infrasonic waves which are too “deep” of a sound for humans to hear, but they travel huge distances, allowing elephants to “talk” to other elephants. The features and traits of these extra-long sound waves allow them to reach such distances.

High-tone sounds do not travel as far, depending on ambient factors like humidity and others. You can read a good explanation of all this , which I recommend so you can measure your “noise comfort zone” in your compound (Check the links at the bottom of the article, too).

I know my place is secluded enough that you need to know where it is to find it, but with the (still-to-be-rebuilt) generator or the machinery in the still-to-be-installed-workshop running, it should not be hard to realize where it is once the world goes silent. That is the reason I am using  to get a noise reduction of up to 45 dB. It is not so hard to DIY it, and I highly suggest some prior testing so you can prepare your own “recipe.”

How do you make your weapons silent?

I am going to avoid giving any advice on the use of silent weapons other than the obvious. I am not qualified for this. I’m sorry if this is disappointing, but OPSEC is paramount down here. Even regular thugs have some degree of military training, and this is a globally increasing trend. Use this to your favor; a few cracked skulls without noticeable noise should make wonders to keep the marauders away if they are smart enough. If they are not, and they come back for revenge…Oh, well…

“A silent workshop? Yeah, right…”

An angle grinder or a disc cutter will make enough noise to be evident from many meters away if they are in the open. Usually, in a workshop, the noise will bounce around and will be more audible in some directions than in others. Always use ear protection: inner plugs and sound-dampening earphones. They’re a system that works together…and your hearing will be a crucial survival tool once SHTF!

The better advice would be to use some common sense. If you can soundproof your workshop on the cheap, do it without hesitation. Use some free time now before you have to do it in a rush after your nation is in the toilet. Cardboard egg trays covering the walls will dampen the sound a lot. They’re not pretty to look at, but they are very effective. Just paint it to make it look a bit better.

Air tools may be quieter, but there are some other considerations for long-term use, like the shelf life of the hoses. Modern air hoses, albeit rugged and durable, use chemicals to keep them flexible and airtight. However, I like to plan for the next 50/60 years. In my mind, my concern for future generations is the horizon I would like to cover. I would like that my grandson(s) and granddaughter(s) can say, “Jee. Grampa thought about a lot of things”.

(Want to know more about emergency evacuations? Check out our free QUICKSTART Guide.)

How do you silence a generator?

Let us elaborate a little bit on this. I am talking about liquid-fuel generators here. There are great electric ones out there, but I want to focus on what you likely have in your garage. One piece of advice from  is to install the generator far away from the dwelling quarters. No bueno.

You may need to get there in a rush for an emergency and check what is happening there without leaving your home. I already have the place for our generator. It’s not that far away (my cabin surroundings are not too extensive, maybe you saw it in my channel already). It will be in a housing dug out in the hillside, with the exhaust pointing straight up and enough space around for maintenance. I will have a direct view from my second floor. A good steel door will keep it safe.

Earth is an excellent sound dampener, also.

(Dirt is free, that is why it is my favorite!)

Remember that if you build a shelter for your generator, the sound will bounce into the walls and look for an exit. Usually, this sound escapes through the roof and/or the openings. If you build a cinder block shelter for your generator close to the main housing, fill the hollow space inside the cinder blocks with dirt. If you want to make it rocket-proof, use cement then, or cellular cement, which has even better soundproofing properties. This is kind of a waste unless you are waiting for a foreign power invasion but to each one their own. After 2020 and the way geopolitics is going…

Remember your generator housing will need ventilation to keep the generator running cool and allow venting of the fumes.

You may want to try before applying the cement, only stacking the cinder blocks and checking the gaps between each block to see what seems to work better to dampen the sound.

Not everything is a disadvantage. After a few months, your hearing will be so accustomed to silence that you will listen to the lowest of noises.

Use proper isolators for the skid of your generator!

Read the manual: every manufacturer will direct the owner to use rubber or wood as a platform for your generator. And if yours is portable, getting it on a frame and rubber wheels will make for a dual purpose.

If you are a DIY kind of guy, this will help: .

And PLEASE! be very careful with where you place your portable generator.

The fumes must be conducted away from your location. In my home, the most suitable place would be the front porch. However, my house is in a position where the air comes from this direction. Thus, I cannot drop the thing in there and start it. My backyard is enclosed, too, and airflow is somehow restricted. It’s all just a couple of meters wide, 7 meters long inside, like 2.5 meters high. I will have to run a pipe high enough so the fumes go over the wall and catch the winds coming from the front of the house. However, I have been working on this already and found a couple of solutions that you will see once it is in place.

If you are not a builder, then you may want to check the market for products like this: , a company I do not have any commercial relationship with.

(Want uninterrupted access to The Organic Prepper? Check out  .)

Bonus tip:

If there is plenty of silence around your compound, you could set up some noise/movement detectors should work for decades, be easy to repair, and are affordable. Again, for DIY people, check .

Some companies in the field are these:

Silence after SHTF is quite an extensive topic.

When the rest of the world is in silence, a compound with illumination, food, and noise, will be a target. Even worse, it is very likely that your neighbors will be the attackers. I have seen it happen. Building a soundproof basement with all the modern comforts, even a good sound system to listen to music or movies without the meth-heads ten blocks away finding out about it will surely pay for itself.

Keep safe, stay tuned, and tell us your tips in the comment section below. Is keeping the noise down something you have considered? Are there other purveyors of noise not mentioned in this article? Let’s discuss it.

About Jose

Jose is an upper middle class professional. He is a former worker of the oil state company with a Bachelor’s degree from one of the best national Universities. He has an old but in good shape SUV, a good 150 square meters house in a nice neighborhood, in a small but (formerly) prosperous city with two middle size malls. Jose is a prepper and shares his eyewitness accounts and survival stories from the collapse of his beloved Venezuela. Jose and his younger kid are currently back in Venezuela, after the intention of setting up a new life in another country didn’t  go well. The SARSCOV2 re-shaped the labor market and South American economy so he decided to give it a try to homestead in the mountains, and make a living as best as possible. But this time in his own land, and surrounded by family, friends and acquaintances, with all the gear and equipment collected, as the initial plan was.

 Follow Jose on YouTube and gain access to his exclusive content on PatreonDonations: paypal.me/JoseM151

The post The Importance of Silence After the SHTF appeared first on The Organic Prepper.

This content was originally published here.

If we are deep into some kind cataclysmic event and desperate people arrive at your door, what do you do? Your hard work, money, and family are all at play when people come a knockin! So, what is your gameplan? 

The simple answer is to say, “NO!” and not let anyone into your home. The truth is that things are a little more complicated than that. Also, there might be some value in the people you bring on board. You are going to need some help to get through tough times. 

Article continues below.

Just look at any natural disaster to see proof of that. 

In this article, we are going to look at what you should do when neighbors keep knocking. There are some things you should already have done if you are going to deal with people at your front door. 

Know Their Value 

Its easy to look at even family members as a burden on your supplies. The idea of taking more people in is often frowned upon by preppers. However, there is immense value in having people. People are eyes and ears, they are hearts and minds, and if they are family or friends, they could even have your best interest in mind! 

When I say “know their value,” I am not just talking about their survival skills. Instead, I am talking about their innate human value. 

If you plan on conducting any kind of security, then you are gonna need a bunch of people. It is unreasonable to assume that you can secure anything with yourself, your spouse, and two kids. Its just not possible. Now, if you have eight people, then you could make a difference. 

More hands for work is also another huge benefit. We will talk more about this later in the article.  

Can You Support Them?

I know you are prepper. I understand that you think yourself prepared for many things, and you assume that people will come to you for help. However, it is important to be honest with yourself about whether or not you can support anyone other than your family. 

Taking people in that you cannot support can be just as dangerous as telling people to leave. If they settle in and feel safe, then have the rug pulled out from under them again, they are going to get hostile.

So, understand where you are, truly, with your resources. Can you handle more people? How many calories do you have in total? How many resources do you have to spare? Know these things like the back of your hand and taking people, or not, will become much easier.

Want to prep but not sure where to begin?
Click Here to Get Your FREE One Year Urban Survival Plan!

Example: “We have 4 months’ worth of dry food for all of us. So, we need to start producing / hunting / trapping / trading for food NOW to be prepared in 4 months and to stretch our current stores.” 

Work Starts That Day 

Preparation is everything when it comes to taking in neighbors and family. I want you to develop a daily to-do list or work schedule for your home. You can develop that schedule today, even though many of the tasks could change in a grid down or TEOTWAWKI situation. 

Things like daily cooking, weeding, security, and waste management, and water collection may not be on your schedule now, but they will be if we have reached a point where essential services are all gone and the world around you has collapsed. 

Write these jobs out or create a simple schedule on Excel and leave the names empty. Get as many things on that schedule as you can think of, and leave some blank spaces to add tasks if you need to. Print out at least 52 of these for a years’ worth of schedules. 

When people show up for help or a place to live, one of the first things you should hand them is this list of duties. Assure them there is work to be done. Get them started on something right away and get their names on the schedule next certain tasks. 

I like the idea of letting them choose some tasks based on their skills. You could learn about them that way. There will be plenty to do and they should start DOING immediately upon arrival. 

Be CRYSTAL Clear About Rules 

What happens at your place when someone doesn’t get their daily work done? What happens if someone steals?

I don’t know the answer to this because only you and yours can establish that. You need to sit down and develop that rule set. It would be helpful to post these rules or put them on work schedules. This way there is no argument later. 

If someone has a job to do and decides they would rather walk the woods or sleep late, then it shouldn’t be up to you to explain the punishment. Instead, they should already know. 

Miss Work, Miss Dinner

Something as simple as that would suffice, or it could be more severe. You make the rules. Its your home. However, you must explain them very well and you also must be able to enforce those rules. Most people forget about enforcement when it comes to people who want to help.

You can always say NO, but can you make them go away? This doesn’t have to be a lethal approach, but your rule must have teeth. 

Who NEVER Comes In

The reason I focused so much on why you should bring people into your home is because we often forget about the value of humans in a collapse. We go to UBER isolation and that can be serious problem. We are weak when we are isolated. It just feels like we are safe because we are so far from the problems. But problems will come. 

That said, there are some people that you better never let into your home. There are people who have no business joining the ranks and will only cause you trouble. 

Addiction is always going to be the number one concern of the addicted. That means their family, your family, safety, food, water, security—all of it plays second fiddle to the addiction. Addicts are not people you want in your corner. If you love them, then you must come to terms with the fact that they will likely meet a dark end. 

Want to prep but not sure where to begin?
Click Here to Get Your FREE One Year Urban Survival Plan!

You cannot afford to let addicts into your group, help them, tell them all about your system, storage and so on. They will sell you out. 

Violent Criminals

People with a criminal record or people with a questionable past might have their use in the SHTF world. However, that doesn’t mean their place should be in your home. These are not people that you want around you on a daily basis. Do not let them into your world.

Most people will not outright tell you they have a criminal past. However, if you are privy to that information then you should use it. 

Remember, violent criminals might not go away just because you tell them to. They might decide violence is a better option and go after you. So be prepared. 

Strangers With Kids

What happens if a total stranger happens upon your home, begging for help, and they have kids? We build something called refuge buckets. Into these we throw different grains and foods in small packages. These are going to be handed out to people with kids should they show up. Give them some food and a gallon of water and send them on their way. 

While it might feel good to bring in a mom and her children, there is no way of knowing their true intentions. What if they already belong to a much larger community and they are simply reconning you to go back home and tell the others what you have? You could be inviting trouble. 

We are living in a very divisive time. The people of this nation disagree on things, and we let it get between us. We let it shade our actions and how we build our society. It’s very dangerous. This is why so many people are talking about civil war. 

Depending on where you fall on the spectrum, you might have to consider the ideologies, religions, and beliefs of the people you bring into your home. Some of the issues of the day have gotten so extreme that people may struggle getting along together. 

Even if you do not like the idea of taking others in, you need to understand that YOU NEED OTHERS. You need to have some people around you. These people are going to be a key to the safety and longevity of your surviving party. 

Remember, it’s not as cut and dry as random people coming to the door. What if it is a good neighbor and their kids, cousins, siblings, or parents? Its not as simple as a resounding “NO” to all. 

Get your plan in place. Create your work schedule and make sure that everyone is pitching in. Having extra people around might prove to be the best thing that ever happened to you! 

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This content was originally published here.

Preppers who live in the U.S. are very lucky because they have access to clean running water. But you will need more water when SHTF because it will eventually run out, even with careful rationing. (h/t to PreppersWill.com)

Technology has made it easier to forget crucial prepping skills

Even if you live in an area where many people have wells on their property, not everyone may know how to hand-dig a well.

There are many drilling tools available for your use, but when SHTF you might not have access to those tools, especially if you don’t have the fuel or electricity necessary to power them.

With picks, shovels and some elbow grease, you can dig a well on your homestead. Before SHTF, you can use this information to dig a well, so you have access to clean water. (Related: Water supply and prepping: A beginner’s guide to rainwater collection.)

Where to dig a well on your homestead

If you want to dig a well on your homestead, you can’t just dig a hole in the ground and hope that you locate water.

You need proper information to ensure that water will be found where you intend to dig. Study the land’s topography to get this crucial information.

Water flows downhill, including subsurface water. If you’re not sure where to dig, look for plants that require a steady supply of water.

If there is no visible surface water, the trees on your property may rely on groundwater to survive.

Similarly, a vanished brook or stream may have gone underground. Both of these regions are worth considering as potential well locations.

Tips for digging a well

Before you start digging, inspect the soil. What is the soil made of?

Is it mostly clay, gravel, sand, or rock and boulders?

Hand-excavated wells are often limited to soils that you can easily dig by hand. If there are a lot of large boulders, look for another location.

While a place full of rocks may be out of the question, you should also look for another location if the area contains soil that is very sandy since these types of soils can make your well collapse.

Now, how do you dig for water once you’ve decided to do so?

First, secure water for your household using only shovels, picks and other manual tools.

Don’t wait until it’s too late to dig a well. Plan for your well while you still have water in your stockpile so you don’t have the added stress of finding water because your supplies have already run out.

If the dirt is too dry, the hole for your well may collapse. The same thing might happen if it’s too wet. Worse, it may quickly fill with water while you are still digging into it.

Cave-ins are another thing to consider while digging a well. To avoid this, the sides of the hole should be strengthened using the right materials.

You can do this by gathering as many boards as you can before you begin excavating. It’s better to use longer boards.

You can also install special concrete sleeves in the hole. More sleeves added will help prevent cave-ins as you go deeper. If you don’t have access to concrete sleeves, you can make do with boards.

Alternatively, you can secure the hole with a metal or plastic culvert. If you can get culverts, these are a better option compared to boards. Culverts can also be left in the hole to serve as the well’s liner.

When choosing the location for your well, avoid septic systems or areas where there have been outhouses or latrines in recent times. The odds of contamination are higher close to septic fields or any area previously used for human waste.

Digging too close can mean that you get water that is high in fecal coliform and can make you very sick.

To start digging a well, measure a circle at least five feet in diameter. Begin digging with your shovel and pick and make sure you dig evenly around the full circle.

After digging a few feet, begin lining the hole with boards. Insert them vertically or place the first length of the culvert.

Make sure the boards are close fitting and use cross members to keep the boards tight against the hole’s sides. As you dig deeper, keep hammering the boards down. This may be time-consuming, but these additional steps will help protect you from cave-ins.

Hand-dug wells are often shallow, ranging in depth from five to 65 feet. To dig a well that deep will require a lot of effort and energy that you might not be able to afford in a survival scenario. Calculate the risks and the rewards before starting a labor-intensive activity like digging a well.

If you want to get the well done faster, you can ask your neighbors to help you dig the well and share it with them.

Before you start digging, make sure you also have a reliable path out of the well’s hole. If and when you hit water, the hole might quickly fill up so a ladder will help you get out alive.

You already have the material to line the well hole if you’re using a metal or plastic culvert. If not, you can line the sides of the well with masonry or stones. This will help stabilize the well and avoid further cave-ins.

Backfill the gap between the liner and the walls with crushed stone, gravel or tiny rocks once the well is established. This will help keep silt out of the well water.

Cap the well to prevent objects from falling into it and contaminating the water.

When SHTF, a working well may be your only source of drinking water. Choose the right spot on your homestead to dig a well, so you have access to clean water when disaster strikes.

Visit Preparedness.news for more tips on how to prepare before SHTF.

Watch this video to learn about 10 ways to clean drinking water after a disaster.

This video is from the .

Sources include:

The post How to Dig a Well to Secure Your Water Supply Before SHTF appeared first on NOQ Report – Conservative Christian News, Opinions, and Quotes.

This content was originally published here.

Long-distance travel could become extremely difficult and dangerous in a SHTF scenario. Food, fuel and other essentials would be scarce. Traffic laws would no longer apply. Thieves and other unsavory characters would stalk the major roadways and target vulnerable travelers.

Here are the top 10 need-to-know tips to prepare for these threats if a SHTF scenario occurs.

1.    Stock up on Food and Fuel

The mark of a true survivalist is a hidden bunker or supply room full of water containers, nonperishable food and other essential survival items you might need. Stocking up on precious supplies is the first and most important step in preparing for any SHTF scenario.

When it comes to fuel, you can start by keeping your car’s gas tank full with frequent top-offs.

Buy some spare gas cans and fill one with extra fuel every few weeks. Gasoline can last up to six months in storage, so you should be able to put together a healthy supply. Clearly label each can to ensure you refill your vehicle with the oldest gas and don’t waste the freshest gas.

People like to think SHTF scenarios are highly unlikely, but fuel scarcity is starting to look like a real possibility in Europe and the U.S. A gas shortage could impact your community in the coming months. While angry mobs of unprepared citizens pile up at gas stations, you’ll already be leaving town for a safer place thanks to your personal fuel supply.

You might also consider growing your own food with small livestock or a vegetable garden. Supply chains will collapse, fresh food deliveries will disappear and grocery stores will get picked clean in a matter of weeks during a SHTF scenario. Having your own sustenance could mean the difference between life and death if you need to travel a long distance.

2.    Pack an Emergency Travel Bag

The key to surviving any community emergency is to leave the area ASAP. You can’t afford to lollygag. That’s why you need to pack an emergency travel bag so you can skip town quickly. Your bag should contain food, water, extra clothes, navigation tools and a weapon for self-defense. Keep it in the trunk of your car at all times.

You might not be at home when disaster strikes, so leaving all your belongings in one place doesn’t make sense. An emergency bag enables you to leave the area without stopping at home. You can pick up your loved ones and get out of dodge before traffic jams start to form. Your number of supplies might be limited, but it’s better than nothing.

3.    Stock Your Car With Emergency Items

Along with packing an emergency bag, you should stock your car with other items for safety, maintenance and other miscellaneous tasks. If your home and neighborhood become dangerous, your vehicle is the next best option for consistent shelter and protection. Ensure you keep these items in your car:

These items will help turn your vehicle into a portable shelter. You have all the necessary tools to administer first aid, make minor car repairs and refuel to continue your journey. There’s no guarantee that an ambulance or roadside assistance service will help you during a widespread disaster, so you must look after yourself.

4.    Find a Vehicle With Good Mileage

Cars with mechanical problems and substandard mileage won’t last long in a SHTF scenario. If you’re not confident in your current vehicle, you need to make an upgrade. Smaller sedans from manufacturers such as Toyota, Ford, Subaru and Honda usually have the best mileage. Some models even reach over 50 mpg on highways.

A hybrid electric vehicle would also be a viable option in this situation. For example, the Mustang Mach-E can drive up to 300 miles on a single charge. Hybrids also give you two power sources, which would be extremely convenient during a fuel crisis. You can rely on the car’s electric power — while the power grid is still up, anyway — and save your fuel for later.

5.    Be a Fuel-Efficient Driver

Wasteful driving habits like idling and speeding will cost you precious gas in a SHTF scenario. You must work on being a fuel-efficient driver while things are still good. Keep these smart habits in mind:

These tips also apply to EVs, but EV owners also need to pay close attention to the weather. Batteries do not like cold weather, and their maximum range will plummet if you put them through harsh elements too often.

6.    Invest in Car Security Features

Your car becomes your primary shelter during long-distance travel. You must protect it with security features just as you would your house. These security tools would make your journeys much safer:

You might think your vehicle is safe from thieves now, but that can change overnight. Your neighbors could become immediate threats in a survival situation. Security is a nonnegotiable step in preparing for travel in a SHTF scenario.

7.    Find a Reliable Safe Haven

Most people have a safe haven in mind if they need to evacuate town, such as a nearby hotel or family member’s house. However, these places might not be available in a widespread SHTF scenario. You must build or find another more secure location that won’t be immediately compromised in a nationwide emergency.

A military base would be your best bet if you can’t build a secret shelter somewhere. These places are well-stocked with provisions, weapons and trained public servants and could become popular safe havens for desperate travelers. Make sure you know the directions to the nearest ones.

8.    Map Out Multiple Routes

If you’ve seen or read the popular apocalyptic story “The Walking Dead,” you know traffic jams can be death sentences for travelers. With thousands of people leaving town at the same time, you can be sure that the main roadways will pile up within a few hours. Hysteria will ensue, and violence will inevitably break out.

That’s why you must map out multiple routes to ensure you don’t get trapped. Taking quieter backstreets is safer than relying on highways anyway. People looking to profit from the chaos will be stalking major roadways for stragglers. You might burn through fuel more quickly, but your safety is vital.

9.    Choose Rest Stops Wisely

You must also choose your rest stops wisely. Gas stations and highway rest areas might not be safe in a SHTF scenario, especially if you’re carrying extra fuel and other precious supplies. You would be a high-priority target for thieves and scavengers. It’s always best to keep a low profile while traveling in an emergency.

When you need to stop to eat, refuel or use the bathroom, drive to a hidden area out of sight and earshot of the road. If you need to spend the night in your vehicle, look for places with natural cover, such as trees and boulders. You don’t want to go too far away from the road, though. You might have to make a quick getaway if you encounter dangerous strangers.

10.  Keep Passengers Occupied

All these survival preparations boil down to one purpose: preventing panic. Panic leads to poor decisions, which can result in injuries or death. However, just because you’re calm in the face of disaster doesn’t mean your fellow travelers are. You must keep your passengers occupied to prevent panic from overtaking the group.

Provide everyone with meaningful tasks they can do to keep their minds off the present situation. Give children books, board games, puzzles and other distractions. Everyone should have something to do. This sense of purpose keeps your companions in the right state of mind and helps you focus on driving them to safety.

Be Prepared for Anything

Most of the global population isn’t prepared for a SHTF scenario. Only a small fraction of people have the supplies, skills and wherewithal to survive. Will you stay with the unprepared masses, or will you take steps to keep yourself and your family safe?

In this volatile world, you must be prepared for anything. Your vehicle is one of your most valuable assets, so you must take good care of it and stock it with the necessary provisions. These precautions will make your travels safer if and when the time comes.

This content was originally published here.

(Natural News)
Preppers who live in the U.S. are very lucky because they have access to clean running water. But you will need more water when SHTF because it will eventually run out, even with careful rationing. (h/t to PreppersWill.com)

Technology has made it easier to forget crucial prepping skills

Even if you live in an area where many people have wells on their property, not everyone may know how to hand-dig a well.

There are many drilling tools available for your use, but when SHTF you might not have access to those tools, especially if you don’t have the fuel or electricity necessary to power them.

With picks, shovels and some elbow grease, you can dig a well on your homestead. Before SHTF, you can use this information to dig a well, so you have access to clean water. (Related: Water supply and prepping: A beginner’s guide to rainwater collection.)

Where to dig a well on your homestead

If you want to dig a well on your homestead, you can’t just dig a hole in the ground and hope that you locate water.

You need proper information to ensure that water will be found where you intend to dig. Study the land’s topography to get this crucial information.

Water flows downhill, including subsurface water. If you’re not sure where to dig, look for plants that require a steady supply of water.

If there is no visible surface water, the trees on your property may rely on groundwater to survive.

Similarly, a vanished brook or stream may have gone underground. Both of these regions are worth considering as potential well locations.

Tips for digging a well

Before you start digging, inspect the soil. What is the soil made of?

Is it mostly clay, gravel, sand, or rock and boulders?

Hand-excavated wells are often limited to soils that you can easily dig by hand. If there are a lot of large boulders, look for another location.

While a place full of rocks may be out of the question, you should also look for another location if the area contains soil that is very sandy since these types of soils can make your well collapse.

Now, how do you dig for water once you’ve decided to do so?

First, secure water for your household using only shovels, picks and other manual tools.

Don’t wait until it’s too late to dig a well. Plan for your well while you still have water in your stockpile so you don’t have the added stress of finding water because your supplies have already run out.

If the dirt is too dry, the hole for your well may collapse. The same thing might happen if it’s too wet. Worse, it may quickly fill with water while you are still digging into it.

Cave-ins are another thing to consider while digging a well. To avoid this, the sides of the hole should be strengthened using the right materials.

You can do this by gathering as many boards as you can before you begin excavating. It’s better to use longer boards.

You can also install special concrete sleeves in the hole. More sleeves added will help prevent cave-ins as you go deeper. If you don’t have access to concrete sleeves, you can make do with boards.

Alternatively, you can secure the hole with a metal or plastic culvert. If you can get culverts, these are a better option compared to boards. Culverts can also be left in the hole to serve as the well’s liner.

When choosing the location for your well, avoid septic systems or areas where there have been outhouses or latrines in recent times. The odds of contamination are higher close to septic fields or any area previously used for human waste.

Digging too close can mean that you get water that is high in fecal coliform and can make you very sick.

To start digging a well, measure a circle at least five feet in diameter. Begin digging with your shovel and pick and make sure you dig evenly around the full circle.

After digging a few feet, begin lining the hole with boards. Insert them vertically or place the first length of the culvert.

Make sure the boards are close fitting and use cross members to keep the boards tight against the hole’s sides. As you dig deeper, keep hammering the boards down. This may be time-consuming, but these additional steps will help protect you from cave-ins.

Hand-dug wells are often shallow, ranging in depth from five to 65 feet. To dig a well that deep will require a lot of effort and energy that you might not be able to afford in a survival scenario. Calculate the risks and the rewards before starting a labor-intensive activity like digging a well.

If you want to get the well done faster, you can ask your neighbors to help you dig the well and share it with them.

Before you start digging, make sure you also have a reliable path out of the well’s hole. If and when you hit water, the hole might quickly fill up so a ladder will help you get out alive.

You already have the material to line the well hole if you’re using a metal or plastic culvert. If not, you can line the sides of the well with masonry or stones. This will help stabilize the well and avoid further cave-ins.

Backfill the gap between the liner and the walls with crushed stone, gravel or tiny rocks once the well is established. This will help keep silt out of the well water.

Cap the well to prevent objects from falling into it and contaminating the water.

When SHTF, a working well may be your only source of drinking water. Choose the right spot on your homestead to dig a well, so you have access to clean water when disaster strikes.

Visit Preparedness.news for more tips on how to prepare before SHTF.

Watch the video below to learn about 10 ways to clean drinking water after a disaster.

This video is from the .

More related stories:

This content was originally published here.