Six Keys to Survival if Society Collapses

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6 Keys to Survival

Some people never consider the possibility of a catastrophe tearing our society apart, but in recent years this idea has become a possible reality. With the turmoil in the Middle East, the growing fear of environmental threats, and the ever so popular Mayan 2012 theory, the possibility that such a catastrophe could strike increases everyday. If disaster does strike, and you are not in the immediately affected area, there are actions you can take to ensure you and your loved ones survive. There are 6 necessities you will need to procure in order to maintain existence in the post apocalyptic world.

Water, food, shelter, sanitation, security and morale are the 6 main staples of survival.

The most important of these are the bare necessities, water and food. The human body can only go for about 3 days of activity without water, and around 2 weeks without food. The chances that you will have debris fields, wreckage, and many other obstacles that you will need to navigate are great, increasing your body's caloric consumption (energy use) and reducing moisture retention. This demands that you keep water and food at the top of your priorities. If radiation is involved in the disaster, this could make finding potable water and palatable food very difficult. If radiation is not involved, any water supply can be turned into drinkable water, without the need for an extravagant set-up, or system. Using a piece of cloth to strain the water through, pour the water into a container that is fire resistant. Pots, pans, bottles, and cans can be used. Place the container over a flame until the water begins to boil. You do not need to wait for the water to boil over. The water is safe to drink as soon as it begins to bubble. This can help save precious water by eliminating some of the evaporation.

Once you have found water, sanitation will follow. Make sure to take every chance you get to clean yourself up. If you have found a water source, take the opportunity to clean yourself. Try to clean as much of your body as possible in order to reduce the chance of an irritation caused by dirt, and other irritants from developing. This can cause great discomfort, and can eventually develop into a sore, which can easily become infected. Make sure and dry yourself off after washing up. If you are wet, and start walking around, you are going to collect more dirt, and irritants. There is no hospital to go to in the post-disaster world, so being proactive about your sanitation is paramount to your survival.

If you have found a sustainable water source like a creek or a river, this will be an ideal place to set up your shelter. You want to be sure that you are not too close, or too far away from the water. Try to set up your shelter about 40-100 yards from the water's edge. This will reduce the chances of your shelter being washed away in the event of a flood, and keep you within a safe distance of the water in case of dehydration or any other infliction. Construct your shelter out of whatever you can find. If you find debris that will be suitable for your shelter, make sure to inspect the debris for nails and sharp edges that can cause a cut or puncture wound. Take your time, do not rush things or you can end up in a life threatening situation. You want the shelter to be big enough on the inside to stand up straight, and provide cover on all sides. Keep the floor clean to reduce your risk of insect/animal bites. You need to be sure and do your “business” away from the primary shelter. Your restroom area should be far enough from the main shelter to keep the smell down, and away from you in case of wild life interest.

If you are in a more developed area with buildings that are intact, inhabiting one of these structures is a safer bet compared to constructing a shelter in a more rural area. There will be more resources such as canned goods, medical supplies, and other useful items to find. The only problem is that there might be other survivors who aren't on the same page as you, and might try to take advantage of you, or worse. You will have to be aware of your surroundings at all times, and if there are people with you, it will be paramount that they are as alert as possible. Obtaining all of these survival necessities is the key to having a good morale, whether alone, or with a group. Morale can affect the progress of people negatively or positively. If morale is down, people are not motivated to survive. When morale is up, people are more productive and optimistic of their situation.

Water - Food - Shelter - Sanitation - Security - Morale

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