Survival vs. Sustainability

The biggest quandary out there in the survival world is trying to decide what to do, when to do it, and how to get it done.

But sometimes I think that some survivalists have a tendency to eat the desert before the dinner. By that I mean, there’s so much work being put into sustaining life AFTER an event, that little thought is given to actually surviving the event itself.

When a natural disaster, such as an earthquake or tsunami strikes, the last thing that people are going to be worrying about is what’s gonna’ happen tomorrow. They are going to be focused on getting through the horrific events staring them right in their face—Survival.

Survival means getting out of harms way, having a survival plan in place, and the tenacity to carry it out.

Sustainability comes into play when the immediate danger has passed, and the focus is on a long term solution to the problems created by the event.

The survival movement is blessed to have so many knowledgeable people within it’s ranks. People from around the globe are preparing for the end in many different ways. Some are prepping by storing large quantities of food; others by honing their primitive survival skills. Both are vital in nearly any crisis event. They go hand in hand like twin sisters.

In a reality based survival scenario; the primary function should always be to save lives. The continuation of the individual or family should be the upper priority. This comes about as a result of meticulous planning, and ardently clinging to the the fundamental understanding that life can be swept away in a blink of an eye. All preparations should then be directed towards that one single goal: Saving Lives.

Knowing how to trap animals, build fires, or set-up a bush shelter does little good when humanity has all but been erased from the face of the globe. Even on a local scale; the immediate concern should be directed towards sustaining one’s life until the next sun rise.

Taking this, one step closer to reality; it’s easy to see that without a survival plan that takes into account the immediate threats; there’s little hope of making it through the night unless preparations have been undertaken:

• Over-The-Horizon / Advance Warning Capability
• Reliable Emergency Alert / Notification System
• Bullet-Proof Radio Communications Network
• Evacuation Routes that have been identified, marked, and traveled—as well as many other alternate routes.
• Rally Points, as well as alternate meet-up areas.
• Supply Caches that provide essential food, gear, clothing, and other equipment, in case family members arrive with only the clothes on their backs.
• Provisions for medical treatment.
• Convoy Security Preparations.
• Established Safe Areas able to sustain everyone in the family or group.
• Plans for Long Term sustainability such as food, fuel, security, and the perpetuity of the family or group.

 

The most important element is to understand that doing this alone is foolish. In a worst case scenario, there will be people out there that will not hesitate to take another’s life for a can of beans. People that are unprepared for this eventuality will suddenly find themselves facing well-armed violent people, or small bands of thugs. Being alone out there places everyone in the family in immediate danger. At some point, mistakes will be made, the survival camp will be found, and the reality of not taking the time to counter this threat will be driven home in a hail of bullets. Aloneness is a quaint idea, but being alone out there when SHTF is a deadly situation that cannot be minimized or ignored.

Imagine a world where everything just went “Deep South”; and society has all but collapsed. Imagine yourself trying to live off the land to feed the family and keep them safe. Your life will be in constant danger. Other survivalists and criminals will be doing the exact same thing that you are doing. Building campfires to smoke fish, setting up traps and snares, or shooting the survival guns—will alert others to your presence. Don’t make the stupid assumption that you alone can hold off a small band of armed thugs. Outnumbered and outgunned, it’s very likely that you will either be driven away from your camp, or killed outright in the ensuing gun battle. I don’t care what kind of training that you have, or how many guns you are carrying around; the reality is that you are not Rambo, and this situation isn’t Hollywood.

Desperate times call for desperate measures. Minimizing these stark realities is a recipe for certain death. In the world of survivalism, a clear distinction must be made between survival and sustainment. Entertaining these morbid fantasies of heading to the woods and living off the land indefinitely may work for a time. But given human nature, and the violent tendencies of some people, it will be almost impossible to maintain the “Jeremiah Johnson” lifestyle in the way that many foolishly believe will offer them a sense of well-being and protection.

The first moment that a firearm is discharged, the resounding shot will echo across the miles; alerting everyone to your presence. Consequently; building primitive shelters, and laying out a trap line will be a viable solution after SHTF, but not during the event itself. The vast majority of people will be heading to the hills the moment that they are frightened enough by the crisis. Some of these people will be less than prepared. At some point, it is inevitable that their food supply will run out. Faced with the slow death of starvation; there should be no doubt what will necessitate their next actions. Reality dictates that they will at some point, find other hungry-starving people just like themselves. The situation has doubled in terms of danger, and the consequences is that survivalist will be facing not one or two thugs, but potentially several thugs that are rich in firepower and ammunition. This is a situation that must be avoided at all cost. The initial planning, and the gear that is utilized during the Bug Out phase will determine your chances of discovery.

It’s important to understand the basic and fundamental elements that will decide the fate of survivalists and their families. Over-reliance on technologies, and piss-poor planning will spell doom. Might as well stay at home and ride out the storm where there’s some level of familiarity and comfort. Out there in the deep woods you are alone, without help, and depending entirely upon your own skills and instinct. But—there are other people out there that have more experience, better gear and guns, and they might very well have some of their friends with them. Some of the people are former military, or life-long hunters that are used to stalking their prey. It might even end-up being an entire family roaming the woods. Some of the people that I have known for years are “Good Old’ Boys” from Dixie that grew-up in the woods. Trailing you back to camp, or sneaking up on you–is not going to be a problem for them. They’ve been doing that for years, and years.

Walk Quiet, and Sleep Light; are two key phrases that must be intuitively understood. Minimal gear, extra food and water, well planned routes, and a well-defined survival plan are the keys to surviving a SHTF scenario. Bringing your family along on this journey will add to the stress, burden, and responsibility that must be faced.