Posted by: ConSigCor Oct 9 2005, 07:09 PM
Realities of Being a Survivalist
(Getting Past the "Bug Out" Mentality)

Written by Benjamin T. Moore
Originally posted to the Misc.Survivalism newsgroup

Those of us who've figured things out to various and lessor degrees, realize the need to prepare for a time in the not to distant future when the society we've become accustom to will no longer be functional. Let's pause a moment and savor the meaning of what I just said. Some people who have not really paused to consider the true ramifications of a societal collapse, look forward to these times with an almost naive glee. Visions of "Red Dawn," fire fights with well armed but incompetent troops, camping out and feasting on venison seem to figure heavily in these ill conceived fantasies.

Let's explore some of these myths. Anyone who has spent anytime in the bush or in actual combat knows that running and gunning is the option of *LAST* resort!!! When things get down to running and gunning your prospects for long term survival have just become tragically thin. Even elite forces such as the Navy Seals, try to avoid "running and gunning." They operate from a base. They are inserted, do their jobs and are extracted back to the safety of their base. In the scenario so often fantasized, it would be like being permanently behind enemy lines with no support, no hope of extraction and no supplies. Could you survive? Some could, but they are few and far between. Even they could not survive for long.

Let's explore the notion of living off the land. The reality is, there isn't enough game except in a few places out west, to support a group of any size for any length of time. By the way, you've got to figure you're not going to be the *ONLY* person or group out there fighting for the limited resources. Small game? How many rabbits will you have to kill to feed your self per day? Per week? How about your family? You're going to run out of rabbits pretty quick in whatever area you happen to be in. Fishing? That's a good plan if you're near a body of water. But again, you're not going to be the only one with that idea. Suppose you have a good day and harvest a deer, or twenty or thirty fish, how are you going to preserve the meat? You're probably aren't going to be lugging around a refrigerator or a freezer.

What about items you take for granted, like toilette paper? How much are you going to carry with you on a bug-out? There are many things to consider. The closest description of the bug-out experience is the Mountain Man life style. However, it's important to note, even the "Mountain Men" had to come back to society for supplies every so often.

When you begin to consider all the ramifications of "bugging-out," the magnitude of what you're attemp- ting begins to become clear. Of course all this becomes a moot point if you become stuck in a traffic jam trying to leave the city, or if you get rounded up at an unexpected road block. A simple rule for survival in these circumstances is, look at what everybody else is doing, and don't do it!

Let's be smart. The best place to be at in a survival situation is your home. Your home should be your survival retreat! If it's not, make it into your survival retreat.

If it's not suitably located, buy one or build one that is. Even a well conceived and located apartment or condominum can become a survival retreat with some work and planning.

The two most powerful assets you can have are storage and concealment. If you want to understand survival, study the masters. The animal kingdom is without exception the best place to learn survival. Almost all animals, as a first line of defense use concealment or camouflage. Even predators such as tigers, cheetahs and lepoards use camouflage to assist in their survival. How can we profit from this strategy? The most important thing we can do as survivalist is to *NOT* draw attention to ourselves. A friend of mine once suggested we join an "intentional" community of like minded people and live in a rural communal setting. Visions of Waco and Ruby Ridge immediately sprang into my mind. I told this friend I'd rather live next door to the Governor. The likelihood of them taking tanks through the Governor's yard to get to me would be extremely slim. Not to mention being able to keep the News Media five miles away! In essence, "bugging-out" is like leaving the safety of the herd. If you've ever seen predators hunt animals in the wild, the first thing they do is cut them off from the protection of the herd. Then they descend on them and rip them to pieces, while the rest of the herd looks on grateful that it's not them being ripped to pieces. Do you see the anology between Waco and Ruby Ridge?

These were people who were cut off from the herd by the government predators and savaged. The rest of society has gone back to grazing, thanking their god it wasn't them.

They've even gone so far as to justify what happened by saying these people were extremist. This is very much like what happens in the animal kingdom. Only the sickly and diseased fall prey to the lion. Hence, if people are attacked by our government... they must be politically sick. But enough of this. It is not my intent to give you my political exigesis.

Being a Survivalist is a way of life! It's not just storing away supplies for a rainy day. I'm intrigued by people who spend thousands of dollars on camping equipment, semi-automatic rifles and hand guns, and who don't spend money where it counts. Let me give you some examples. Are you physically fit? How many miles can you run? How many miles can you run with a full pack on your back? Take an honest assessment of your self. Would you feel safe as the cruise ship pulled away from the dock knowing you had brought along your scuba tank, mask and fins, but had never had a swimming lesson and couldnt swim? If so, you'd better check the ship you're sailing on... It might be the Titanic.

The other thing that fascinates me, is the number of arm chair survivalist that spend great time carefully assembling a firearms battery, but don't take the time to become truly proficient with the firearms of their choice.

Too many times we trade the illusion of security for reality. The reality is, everything is governed by chance and probability. Our goal should be to turn a low probability of survival into a high probability of survival. I can only shake my head in disbelief at those who spend hundreds of dollars on the finest handgun they can afford - as well they should, how much is your life worth - but then spend $9.95 on a little suede inside the pants holster for it. That holster will most likely get you killed! I practice quick drawing each of my primary pieces at least 100 times per day. I go to the range regularly. I practice quick draw with carry ammunition, that's the ammo I carry for survival and defense at 100 yards. I can draw, fire and *keep* all shots in the kill zone at 100 yards quicker than most of the hollywood enhanced draws you see in the movies.

Does this make me the baddest thing walking? Nope! Because nobody's shooting back! What it does is increase the probability of my chances for survival against someone who's got their nice, shiney, new-in-the-box looking pistol in a 9.95 brown suede inside the pants holster. I'm not worried about the chap who carries an almost new looking pistol in a holster that looks like he just took it out of the plastic. I'm worried about that chap who's pistol has the fine patina of holster wear, the chap who's pistol is scratched and worn. To me he's a far more dangerous foe.

It's been said and it's true, beware the man that owns one gun... and shoots it!

Being a survivalist is a way of life. Is your home hardened? Is it stocked and supplied? Are you constantly thinking of ways to manufacture more of the things you go to the store and purchase? If your mate doesn't sew, do you? Could you make a serviceable out fit out of cloth or fabric? Or will you be reduced to foraging for garments if TEOTWAWKI comes in our life time? It certainly looks like it's just around the corner... Being able to "Bug-Out" is good, but it should never become your primary survival strategy!

If you don't have a hardened place to "Bug-Out" to, you're probably wasteing your time. Your best bet is to harden your home. Don't blow your cover by bragging about your supplies, in fact be extremely cautious about who you allow into your home. If things blow up, you don't want someone who's seen and noted your food stores, showing up on your door step with their family asking to share what you've set aside through your hard labor and sacrifice. The best neighbors are those that mind their own business. Mind yours and insist they mind theirs. You want to develop a support network of people who not only believe the way you do... but who believe strongly enough to act on their beliefs. In a survival situation everyone must pull their own weight.

Benjamin T. Moore, Jr. (Jian #BlackTech IRC Chat - Efnet) HOME |

Posted by: CPTConn Oct 15 2005, 09:18 PM
Very good post.
Everyone should be stocking up on the goodies that keep us alive. Water, food, blankets, lanterns, fuel for lanterns and fuel for your vehicles if you can.
Gas prices are heavy now.. Just think of availability in a crisis like Katrina or man made situations.. It should be a way of life, not just weekend soldiers.

BTT!

Damn good article. The question the author asks is can you survive out in the woods for an extended period of time? He makes a darn good point that even the Navy Seals return to the chow hall. The question we all need to ask ourselves is not only can we survive for an extended stay out in the boonies but even more importantly could our families survive that kind of nightmare? The answer for 90% of the patriot community is probably "NO". "Myself included." If you have young kids how are you going to look out for them and care for them? My wife is disabled and has medical problems. There is no way in hell she can survive for any extended stay out in the boonies. Also you have to consider your own mental well being after you've lost a family member. How effective are you going to be? I think the author makes a good point. We should be prepared to "Bug In" rather than "Bug Out." Get to know your neighbors. Sure some of them are liberal weenies but some of them probably think just like you do. When you Bug In those will be the ones you will depend on.

There tends to be a lack of realism in survival scenarios. Some of it borders on wishful thinking - as it would be nice if all the cities, their sins, and the government that bred them would collapse in one big heap or down a hole and never bother humanity again. Unfortunatly, it is never so easy. Only God could offer such a path (but it appears He is a libertarian and so we are left to our own devices).


I have heard of the "I'll just go hunting" thing many times, and many years ago thought that way myself. Ever been on heavily pressured hunting land? You won't even find tracks or other spoor. Forget it. You would have a better chance of eating maggots. But maggots come about from feeding on dead things and there won't be any.

But at the same time, I do not suspect that the human race will go "Road Warrior" for any extended time if there is a so-called societal collapse. Such a collapse can be said to have already occured, and kept in check by our police state. The truth behind that is we don't lock up our real criminals and when something like a hurricane wrecks a city, these wards of the state run wild. I suspect that the thug class is as important to government as cattle is to a rancher and so they cannot be eliminated through incarceration or rehabilition. Government needs incidents like New Orleans to scare whitey into wanting more police state.
On the one hand we have examples like New Orleans - which is a micro of collapse - and on the other hand is the recognition of real human spirit that is known to exel when certain factors are removed. What made societal collapse in New Orleans occure? Look at who was adding to the havoc and see what the largest influence was in their lives: government. This was the welfare/thug culture. Could such people exist without the culture created by the welfare state? Have they before? Can we wonder then if that is the intention of the welfare state; to create a culture that will lose its self control when things go awry, and permanantly ensconce the need for governments in the minds of all so deeply that it becomes genetic - like the Eloin.

Collapse is coming and not because of biblical measure, or lack of morality, or End Times. It's coming because we have an empire-like state that is overspending itself. History has shown this to be the case that no state can wage perpetual wars, and perpetual welfare and keep going. Such state also prints more fiat money to finance itself. I recall an article that implied the money system adds to moral decay because it is a form of rot and irresponsibility that starts from the top - that a house costs so much more to buy because of fiat money that one must do so much more to get one - including becoming a lying cheating a-hole.

Collapse cannot be stopped, as history shows. I don't care how much one loves America, it's going down and for reasons that other civilisations went down. It's on life support. But you can only print so many dollars, fight so many wars, give out so much welfare, and borrow so much money, before the chickens come home to roost. Has anyone ever seen how much a tank unit or air force squadron uses in fuel? And yet the fuel comes from the lands we are waging war in. Hello?

Like Rome, America is not invadable by ordinary means. Parts of it can be sacked and will. Some will argue that parts of it are being sacked in the form of handouts to illegals and fraud. Someone told me once, when talking about an in-law who was bragging about collecting on all his pensions and SSI payments and taking in more money in retirement than when he was working, "Sometimes I think the economy is being raped by the older generation. We will never have it as good." Didn't we just start paying for all those prescription drugs for these people?

When WWII started, the government had roughly 10-20 percent of it's "income" in payouts to pensions and social security. It still took 6 months to mobilize the military. Now that payout is more than half. If another real Hitler comes along (not someone in a turban sitting on fields of oil that the warmongers tell us is hitler) we are screwed.


But without the federal leviathan in place, I think the future will be brighter. Each state has it's own government, guard, Militia :-), courts, and all the other trappings of a small nation. The only problems that could come up would be the introduction of state income taxes where there are none, and those states depending on the federal boob for money for certain programs will have to find the money elsewhere or end those programs. Much is said about the corruption of state programs, and the control people in the states have over their programs, because of influence that comes with federal money and the insidious "federal mandate" that is used to tell states what to do "or else no money for (insert program or project)".


What I fear most is not what is going to happen, but what happens as a reaction to it. Recall when the feds shut down over a budget dispute in the 90s and how there was much wailing and gnashing of the teeth by all those who thought they were doomed without a central government. Add to this mix the military-industrial complex that stands to lose a lot of money. And the cultures of socialism and nationalism (left and right) that will blame every little problem on the lack of central government; and what these factions will do if big problems come up, such as Aztlan trying to take the southwest by force. Imagine what certain political factions will do to cause further disruption and offer up their politicians as the cure for the problems. These are the ingredients for a dictatorship, the nesting ground for another Hitler. Someone who will appeal to all (nationalists and socialists) and a savior of sorts who will bring back the air-conditioning (I fix AC systems and you don't need a government to cool the house), the cable TV, and make the trains run on time.


I don't envision a Mad Max scenario, one big dramatic collapse, and ooga booga peace from then on. It's going to be slow and painful, like getting stitched up without painkiller by a military doctor (this I know). The government, the leviathan, will not go without taking out as much of what it fears as possible. Like a dying man it will deny it's own doom and seek targets of blame instead. And when it's gone those who loved it will do anything to bring it back. Those who hated it will do anything to bring what they will think is the safeguard from it hapenning again but will still be bringing back the same thing because so deep will be their hatred that they become what they hated so much. Those who depended on it will vote for the worst of the worst who promises the most. There will be more to fear, more stupidity, and more risk.

And if you are hding out in a cabin the whole time, it's only a matter of time before someone comes to take you away.


Survivalism has to be more than hiding in the woods.

I tried to delete this damn thing. Somehow my reply was duplicated. Damn computers!

Done. It can be fun to be a mod!

Onward and upward,
airforce

The above are very good discussions, give me some things to ponder...

Preparations are like parachutes...you're still inevitably going down into the schnit, but you'll have better odds of being somewhat intact when your boots hit the mud...and possibly being able to adapt to the environment in which you have been placed. Beats the hell out of a crash and burn...-FNR.

So if you're wondering where you're going to get your food from...

Keep in mind that grains, cereals, and dried beans store almost indefinitely and some are bound to also grow readily in your neck of the woods.

If you're blessed enough to have a cool dry basement, you could easily keep decades worth of "rice & beans" down there, augmenting with other things of course. Eating rice & beans, your body won't require meat so when it becomes a very rare treat, you'll still be doing alright.

I am just starting to look into what I need to do, and I have few questions.

What is a "hardened home"?
Are you saying its better to have a home in the city, than in a rural setting?
Is that what "bugging out" means, to go to a small house outside of town?
And are you saying thats bad?
Is there a book, or a few books I could read to get started?
I'm looking for an incremental method to purchase what I need, supplies and training, over time, due to cash constraints.
Any help would be great.

I am not sure about your last statement. The one about neighbors. I say conceal your supplies, they will get suspicious of you if you talk to them through a tiny slit in your door and refuse to let them enter. The commies are questioning them and they will rat out the "freak". It doesn't matter if they know anything or not, they will think you are weird and be glad to get rid of you. This is like you said before, don't stand out from the herd. If you act too secretive they will become curious. The most important thing to remember is you aren't in the militia, you are just a normal civilian with nothing to hide and nobody needs to take a second look.

Survival requires a balance of preparation, confidence, and cooperation.

When the time comes, many of us on this board will be the leaders in our communities, primarily because we care enough to actually prepare for the worst.

You MUST befriend and assist your neighbors wherever possible.

And remember to keep plenty of propane and garlic on hand so that you can properly marinate and barbeque those uncooperative neighbors.

Go like a fish through water bro's. You are the public, be the public. Act like the public. The VC taught us one good thing. Look normal, act normal, but when night comes, be a warrior of the best kind. Come morning be the normal again. It's not hard to do, DISIPLINE.