I only lived in Japan for a couple weeks before I experienced my first earthquake. It wasn’t severe, but it definitely got my attention. There I was, sitting at my desk late in the afternoon doing a little catch-up. The building I was in, a relatively small 1-story, suddenly felt like it slid about a foot to the left, and then stopped as abruptly as it started. No damage, but it was enough to get me thinking, to do a little research, but it wasn’t until the Kobe earthquake early the next year that I started to personally prepare. I learned that Japan suffered about 9,000 quakes per year; most were so slight that you would only feel the closest ones if you were lying in bed at night when all was quiet and still. I was in a 6th floor apartment, and could sometimes feel the building sway. I began to keep an emergency kit in my car. This article is not about earthquakes, but about preparing for the unforeseeable.

Years after I returned to the U.S. I was on a business trip and awakened by the hotel fire alarm. I evacuated the building – standard emergency procedures – use the stairs, go outside, stand in a parking lot away from the building. I was one of the few who thought to bring a coat, wallet, rental car keys… as the damp midnight air cut through us there wasn’t much most people could do. A few people brought their luggage out with them. Good idea, hadn’t thought of that, keep the luggage packed and by the door. What If there really was a fire? I sure would have liked to have my stuff…

When I was in Japan, I started to think about what I could do if I had to evacuate my home… or any building I was in, for that matter… and it has continued to evolve over the years. Standard procedures have been drilled into us since elementary school, proceed calmly away from the building and wait at a safe distance in the parking lot for emergency crews to take care of the problem, but what happens then? You might not be able to go back inside anytime soon. What if it’s cold? What if it’s raining? What if it’s wintertime? I figured wherever I was, whatever time of day, if there was an emergency – fire, earthquake… and I needed to get outside, my car was sitting out there. If I made sure it was a safe distance from buildings, I had a viable option. I would have a means to get away if I needed to, and a warm place to stay. I could even leave some emergency gear in the car, locked and secure in the meantime, and further thinking resulted in a kit that would help me weather the storm, should it turn out to be a more permanent situation.

Here is what I have for an emergency kit for the car:

Emergency contact numbers – including embassy if traveling abroad.

Extra cash in case bank machines don’t work. For traveling abroad, I always picked up some local currency before the trip, I can’t tell you how many times that paid off.

Extra set of clothes and shoes, including jacket, hat, work gloves. This will keep you from having to stay in pajamas (or worse) until able to find or buy clothing. Clothing should be suitable for work in case of a disaster. (Each Person)

Extra key on (or near) car – in case I can’t get to the keys while trying to get out of the house.

*Bug-Out-Bag. Another option is to keep your clothing including car keys, wallet w/extra cash and ID, cell-phone and charger, emergency contact info and personal sidearm in a bug-out-bag next to your bed or on your egress route out of the house – saves you the trouble and risk of keeping high value items in the car – especially ID – we usually don’t have an extra and wouldn’t want it to disappear if someone broke into your car in the night. When you practice getting everyone out of the house, physically grab your bag. If you don’t do it in practice, you won’t do it in a real emergency.

Fuel – develop habit of keeping fuel above 1/2 tank, don’t wait until it’s almost empty to fill it up. That way you always have half-tank range of driving and ability to warm up if needed.

Blanket or sleeping bag. No matter what time of year it is, a blanket or sleeping bag will make sleep time more comfortable. Sleeping bags and blankets are bulky, but may be vacuum packed to save space. Have at least 1 blanket or sleeping bag (share or take turns). Optimum would be 1 per person, and you can huddle together for warmth. Generally you should “dress-down” for sleeping in a sleeping bag – wearing clothing other than your underclothes inside most sleeping bags will cause you to sweat, which in turn will make you feel colder. Extra clothing or jacket can be used to pad the ground, placed around your body as additional insulation, to fill in the open spaces within the sleeping bag that tend to get cold (around your feet, behind your knees, and in front of your stomach) or used as a pillow. This also keeps your clothing warm and easier to put on the next day.

Sleeping area. The padding on the seat of a car can make an adequate sleeping area if you are ok with the contour and limited space, but if you are sleeping on the ground or a hard un-insulated surface (say the bed of a pick-up truck) you will need a pad to insulate you from the ground. Insulation from a sleeping bag or the clothing you are wearing is easily compressed by the weight of your body making it easier for your body heat to escape to the colder surface. A thicker the barrier of insulation between you and a cold surface slows your loss of heat and increases your comfort for better rest. Insulation is generally considered anything that creates dead air space or holds air molecules within it and limits their movement. An un-insulated air mattress rolls up small and is comfortable, but is easily punctured (making it unusable) and still allows excessive air movement inside which decreases warmth in cold environments. Closed cell foam pads provide uncompromised insulation, but are not the most comfortable to sleep on. You can also create your own insulated pad out of extra clothing or blankets, or even piled up grasses or pine branches.

Additional Shelter: Tent, tarp, lines or bungees. The car isn’t always the most comfortable shelter, may not be big enough to stay in, and also tends to hold in moisture from your breath, which can be excessive after a single night, making everything inside damp and decreasing your ability to stay warm. If you are staying inside a car, keep a window cracked to decrease carbon-dioxide build up inside and allow moisture to escape. A tent, tarp, or other additional material allows you to extend your living area to outside the car. Use strong line (like 550 lb test paracord, or nylon or cotton clothesline) or bungee cords to secure tarps.

Water. Water ranks pretty high on the list of priorities – it enables your body to function properly and helps you to think rationally. Without water to drink, things start going downhill quickly. Store some ready to drink water in your kit as the stress of an emergency can create an instant need. American Red Cross recommends 1 gallon of water per person per day and a 3 day supply for area evacuation… Is that feasible to keep in the car? I keep a water filter/purifier that will purify water from puddles lakes and streams. I also keep chemical purification tablets like iodine or Aqua Mira and a small camp stove and pot for boiling (rolling boil for 1 minute to purify). You can also catch rain water in a tarp or melt snow – precipitation is already pure. Keep in mind that if temps are below freezing, your ready to drink water will not be ready to drink.

Health. Health also ranks pretty high in the categories of emergency health items, health maintenance, and maintaining sanity. A good medical kit with adhesive bandages, antibiotic ointment, wound closure strips, Gauze pads and rolls, first-aid tape… A hygiene kit containing toothbrush and paste, toilet paper and baby wipes, antibiotic soap, feminine hygiene items, and a few days supply of any medications you take. Psychological health includes items such as Bible, book, game, cards.

Fire: Any time of year fire is useful for warmth and drying clothing, cooking and purifying water. In addition to some basic fire building skills, lighter, igniter or matches, fire starter like lightning nuggets or Sterno. Camp stove and fuel also fit into this category.

Food. Have some ready to eat food for instant use and energy, like energy bars or granola bars, dried fruit or trail mix. Some stored food may require additional items for cooking and eating like can opener, cooking pot, stove with fuel, paper plates, utensils. For extended periods consider a hunting/ fishing kit.

Travel. Plan where you will go in an emergency. Let someone out of town know how and where to reach you. Know how to get there. Map, Compass, GPS are incredibly useful. Know how to use them. Map and compass don’t require batteries or satellite signal to use.

Sturdy flashlight with extra batteries or 12v rechargeable spotlight. If you are out over night or have to do anything at night, this will be indispensible.

Power source – like a 12v-120v inverter for the car. Enables you to power low wattage 110v items from your car’s power.

Weather radio. Weather radio broadcasts are long range and include emergency broadcast info as well

Duct tape. If it isn’t listed above, you can probably do it with duct tape.

Contain the kit – There is nothing wrong with having the items of your kit dispersed throughout your car, as long as you know where they are. My kit is in a sturdy plastic box that I keep in the back, all in one place, nice, neat, organized. Add or subtract items as you see fit.

This isn’t meant to be an all-inclusive list, but a starting point for you to begin constructing your own emergency kit. Run through a scenario in your mind, imagine how you could solve the problems you run into, add items to your kit that will help you solve problems, but try not to go overboard lest your kit become too big. We want to find items that meet a variety of needs, vs. an item for every need. You could easily deduce that the perfect bug-out car kit would be a motor home complete with tow-behind car for small trips… Maybe so, but that comes with it’s own set of problems…

Last but not least, Practice, practice, practice. Practice egressing the house. Practice starting a campfire in your BBQ. You might even practice by going out and spending a night or two in the car – go on the road trip you always wanted to take, and when you do, make sure you practice your emergency contact as well and let folks know where you are going.

YouTube Exclusive coming Fall of 2013 – should be interesting.

While watching this tragedy unfold, I cannot help think what it would be like if every American had the prepper mindset – how much faster people would be able to recover and how much needless suffering could be avoided – all with a few simple preps.

Most of the people in the U.S. are ill-prepared, and when a disaster happens, it becomes very evident what the shortfalls are in our society. Here are a few simple preps, that would make the east coast scenario much much easier on those involved.

Clean drinkable water – the #1 need for everyone in an emergency situation is clean water. A 3 day supply can make all the difference in the world! Instead of desperation, people could stay calm and stay put while emergency crews did their job.

Watertight food storage – just a few days are needed while emergency workers get the roads cleared and power back on. Foods that can be prepared or eaten without power are preferable.

Communications – many times help does not come because no one is aware of the need. Many different radio frequencies are monitored in an emergency and a battery powered radio (FRS, GMRS, CB, HAM) can make authorities aware of immediate needs such as medical emergencies.

First Aid Kit – a good first aid kit and the knowledge on how to use it can save lives. Simple medical issues can quickly become major issues when they go untreated – a good first aid kit allows you to treat or at least stabilize a medical condition long enough to gain proper medical care.

The more preps a person has the better they can endure an emergency, but the few simple preps listed above would get you through the tough times and allow you to stay put (as long as your dwelling survived). Or, a car loaded with the above items could transport you to safety and you could live outside the “desperation” mode most others are currently in.

Take care and keep prepping – we never know when it’s our turn. (and keep praying for those on the east coast)

“I’ll be very honest with you; the situation in America could be such that martial law is actually warranted, and that situation in my view could occur if we had an economic collapse,” said Boykin, a former CIA Deputy Director of Special Activities. Get my next ALERT 100% FREE

“The dam is just about to break on our economy, and I think when it does, there’s going to be a major disruption of the distribution of food,” he added. “And I think what you’ll see particularly in the inner cities is you will see riots, civil unrest that ultimately might justify martial law.”
The Euro’s Demise Has Been Set in Motion: Are you protected?

“Nationalism will emerge. Healthier countries will not see fit to spend their hard earned money to bail out their less responsible neighbors.”

Though the U.S. is the world’s largest exporter of agriculture, in the case of a currency collapse, producers will withhold shipments to retailers and consumers unable to pay in a currency other than U.S. dollars.  For a time, barter will take the place of currency for those living in rural areas, but for the majority of Americans living in cities and adjacent suburbs, food shortages can emerge within 24 hours.

“I think those people that are not in the major cities are going to be far better off, but it could actually justify martial law,” Boykin continued.  “And I’m praying that we will not see that kind of collapse, we won’t see a disruption of the distribution of food in America.  That’s probably the single biggest problem.”

Recommendations by “prepper” organizations and a handful of governments (as in the case of Utah and some municipalities) to include storing enough nonperishable food to last a month to 90 days have become commonplace during the four-year-long economic recession, as the history of currency collapses throughout the world demonstrate that for a meaningful period of time food will not be available at grocery stores, food pantries and other collective emergency food supplies.

Recent examples of food shortages due to rapid currency devaluations include Argentina in 2002; Cuba, following the fall of the Soviet Union in 1989; and in Zimbabwe during its currency collapse of the late 2000s.

Although, the U.S. is not expected to match Zimbabwe in intensity and duration of inflation (89 sextillion percent in 2008), all nations undergo a period of profound dislocation of commerce during a currency devaluation, which may range from as little as several weeks to several months.  At that time, food becomes the king of all commodities while government reestablishes a new workable currency to reestablish normal commerce once again.

“If people can eat, they can survive for some period of time while we get through the economic crisis and reestablish currency, and systems, and all that,” said Boykin.  “But if they can’t eat, you know, they’re going to fight.  And that’s my big concern.”

From his intelligence, as well as from numerous publicly-available anecdotal testimonies and leaked government documents, the U.S. military has been preparing with local law enforcement for a coming crisis.  Boykin strongly advises the public to make preparations for the most likely scenario of a coming breakdown of the food distribution channels in America during a dollar collapse.

“For me, I have three months of food stored.  I have a bunch of other essentials that I have stored in my home,” he said.  “And my wife and I are preparing for this.

“Now a lot of people call us, you know, foolish, for that kind of attitude,” he added.  “But I would tell you that I’m not going to be unprepared, and I think people should be prepared now for some disruption. You know this economic collapse is a very strong possibility.  We need to get ready for it, and we need to be thinking through and developing plans for how we’re going to react to it.”

This article originally posted at: http://etfdailynews.com/2012/08/02/former-cia-army-general-martial-law-expected-warranted/

Is it the big bad hoodoo of the soon to expire Mayan Calendar? For a few, maybe, but for the majority of us, no. That jazz is a carnival sideshow designed to make the prepping culture appear ridiculous. We don’t need to believe in magical prophecies to know that there is a catastrophic road ahead; all we have to do is look at the stark realities of our current circumstances. It does not take much awareness anymore to notice looming fiscal volatility, social unrest, the potential for unrestrained war, and the totalitarian boldness of our government. I’ll take the wrath of Quetzalcoatl any day over the manure storm that is approaching us currently.

With some estimating a count of 3 million prepper families and growing in the U.S., the motto of “beans, bullets, and band-aids” is finding a home amongst legions. However, being closely involved in the survivalist movement during the past six years and speaking with literally thousands of preppers, it has become clear to me that we still have a long journey ahead of us before we can claim true efficiency and mastery.

Sadly, having a stockpile of food, weapons, and some slick tactical gear is not enough to ensure a high likelihood of survival, at least not in any of the social collapses that have occurred in the past century around the world. It’s a start, but only just…

There are a number of detrimental weakness to the survivalist movement and considerable holes in prepper knowledge that must be addressed now while we have the time and relative safety to do so. The greatest threat to the common survivalist is not economic collapse, roving bandits, Blackwater mercenaries, or predator drones; those dangers are a piece of cake compared to the threat of an overblown ego, which will get a man killed faster than the most sophisticated smart bomb. If we cannot accept that there is always more to learn, and room to improve, we have been defeated before we have begun.

The following is just a short list of the many areas in which there is obvious and acute inadequacy in the movement overall…

Secondary Retreat Locations

Never put all your eggs in one basket. I hear a lot of tough talk from some survivalists who claim they would rather die than leave their property. Of course, I suspect they will see the error in this brand of bravado when the legitimate chance of death actually arises. There is no harm whatsoever in having a backup plan. I’m not sure any survivalist who doesn’t is really a survivalist. Stand your ground when necessary, but don’t let pure pride and stupidity prevent you from living to fight again another day.

Physical Fitness And Health

You may be the Tom Berenger-like master sniper of your particular county, but if you can’t run a hundred yards with your rifle rig without going into coronary thrombosis, then you aren’t going to live long during a collapse scenario. Even those preppers who have age as an excuse…don’t really have an excuse. I personally know survivalists and homesteaders in their 60’s and 70’s who could physically outmatch numerous other preppers of the same age or younger without much effort. The difference? They make a concerted effort to take care of their health.

Sometimes certain wise-cracks made by the insipid yuppies of our modern era against suvivalists are true, and we should take serious note when this occurs. The primary insult being that many of us are far too fat to outrun or outfight a paper sack, let alone a determined opponent. I have, to be honest, seen chest beating antics from more than a few clinically obese “preppers” that were truly embarrassing. On the bright side, this does not have to be a permanent hindrance to our success.

The solution is simple: Eat less. Eat healthier. Exercise more.

A person who has attained a high level of physical fitness has done more than prove his prowess. He has also proven he has the will and the passion to pursue a directed goal and achieve it, regardless of difficulty. This is where the adults are separated from the children in this world. Are you willing to endure extreme difficulty to win something of legitimate value? Do you have the self discipline to forgo certain luxuries and comforts to gain long term advantages? Or, would you rather take the path of least resistance and certain doom? Personal health is no joke for the survivalist.

Community Building And Networking

Organization is not the strongest suit of the survivalist movement for a number of reasons. The first being that our paranoia completely impedes our ability to work with others. Now, to be clear, it is not paranoia if they are really out to get you, and with multiple leaked documents like the MIAC Report, the Virginia Fusion Center Report, and the DHS reports on “right wing extremism”, it is not as if our concerns are unfounded. However, the movement needs to realize that the primary object of labeling us as “extremists” and categorizing us as potential threats to national security is to create crippling fear. Their main goal is to condition preppers to censor themselves, and to stifle their own organizational efforts.

Solid community, even open formation of community, is necessary for countless reasons. The more we isolate ourselves from one another now, the more alone and vulnerable we will be tomorrow. Calls for “OPSEC” should be embraced to a point, but they can also become an excuse for laziness and inaction. No prepper who goes it alone during crisis is going to come out unscathed, if they come out alive at all. This is the great forgotten lesson of survival, from the Depression and Weimar Germany, to Argentina and Bosnia; those persons and families who were isolated simply did not make it. The wide spectrum of skill sets and supplies needed to establish a survival foundation are far too many for any single prepper to attain.

The logical fallacy that usually prevents survival networking is the argument that if you are a bigger group, you are a bigger target. This thinking shows a lack of prioritization. During a social or economic collapse, EVERYONE is a target. National chaos does not make distinctions between those who never shared their survivalist tendencies and those who did. The DHS might, but they are not the biggest threat to the common prepper. The most dangerous environment for the prepper, no matter what the circumstances may be, is one in which he has no support.

If you do not have ample neighbors and friends on board with the prepper lifestyle, and who can be counted on in an emergency, then you are not ready, nor are your chances very good. Period.

Barter Markets And Trade Skills

At Alt-Market we relentlessly promote the idea of decentralized trade markets because, to be frank, they are going to spring up one day soon whether the IRS, the DOJ, or the Federal Reserve likes it or not. The crisis in the EU has proven my position on the inevitability of the barter dynamic conclusively. These private trade networks are becoming the new foundation for countries like Greece, Italy, and Spain, and it should be noted that the financial instabilities in America far outweigh any of the problem in those places. If we know that economic danger is on the horizon, and we know that barter markets will be the immediate result, then why not build them now, instead of waiting and scrambling after disaster strikes?

Any survivalist that does not know who he will be trading for essential supplies, and who does not know what skills he will use to garner those supplies, is in for a world of hurt.

Overlooked But Vital Items

There is a saying in the survival movement: You’re never done prepping. I absolutely agree. Unless you are a millionaire with a highly organized brain, there will always be some other piece of equipment that you’ll discover you need down the line. That said, there are some things every prepper should have, but many, from my observations, do not. I have also heard every excuse imaginable and some unimaginable when such people are presented with the recommendation that they obtain these items, lack of money being the usual suspect.

Yes, many of us are broke, or feel broke, these days Invariably, though, when most survivalists examine their financial situation carefully, they will discover a host of peripheral expenses that are unnecessary or outright extravagant. I once had a would-be survivalist make the argument that he could not afford a year’s supply of food, then admit that he had just went on a Carnival Cruise to the Caribbean. This is an extreme example, but it illustrates a common hang up. Now is not the time for people to live beyond their means, or to shrug off their preps so that they can have a new La-Z-Boy, cable TV, an internet gaming account, a high priced vacation, a six day a week stockpile of beer (hey, cut back a day, guys! Try it out and see how it fits) etc. Times are changing, and they will definitely change without us if we are not careful.

There is always a way to get the preps you need, if you are motivated enough to make it happen. Here are a few items that seem to escape from people’s lists:

Extra Survival Clothing: Clothing is a real pain for a lot of survivalists because it is one prep that they must absolutely purchase doubles and triples of. Good durable shoes, pants, even socks, can get expensive. Base layer clothing like Smart Wool sometimes costs in the range of $100 or more for a single set. Take the pain, bite the bullet, and get the absolute best clothing you can find in multiples. It may have to last you quite a long time without replacement, especially the artificial fabrics. Imagine having to wear the same vapor producing sweat drenched crusty duds day in and day out while sharing a retreat location with some less than amused buddies. They may end up coming after you before the looters do.

Body Armor: This stuff is going to be at a premium in the near future. I have already seen price spikes in good body armor in the days after the Aurora Theater shootings. Why? Because the fear is that the establishment will move to try to ban said gear in response, causing a rush to purchase. That fear is not misplaced. Plus, I would imagine a bullet to the gut, whether accidental or intentional, is not an event to celebrate with a rootbeer float. Believe it or not, body armor rigs that include rifle plates are extremely sparse amongst preppers right now, and this simply can’t continue.

Gas Masks And Filters: Not long ago I wrote about the revolutions and rebellions that took place in Russia after the formation of the Soviet Union against the abuses of communism. At that time, the more successful the rebellion, the more apt the Soviets were to dump chemical weapons over entire towns, mountains, and valleys, to erase the problem. Never expect that a tyrannical government is going to fight fair. In fact, expect that they won’t. Even if you don’t foresee such an event taking place in the U.S., it is imperative that every person owns not just a gas mask, but extra filters as well. Plan on dealing with multiple incidences in which your air will be unsafe to breath.

NBC Alert Items: How many preppers do you know with a Geiger Counter? I know three, out of the hundreds I speak with regularly. This is not a good sign. If the Fukushima disaster has taught us anything, it is that radiological threats are not just relegated to the realm of nuclear bombs. Every community should have several Geiger Counter devices handy, along with chemical warfare strips which change color when exposed to an offending airborne agent. Remember the panic buying that ensued in Japan for these kinds of goods after the reactor meltdown? Don’t overlook radioactivity. Knowing what has been hit by concentrated fallout and what hasn’t is a tremendous advantage.

Thermal Countermeasures: A box of road flares, IR flashlights, and IR floodlights, should be in every survivalists home. With the advent of predator drones armed with night vision and thermal vision, as well as numerous other nasty weapons platforms, the need for countermeasures that create false thermal signatures to confuse an attacker with this kind of technology is a must.

Extra First Aid Supplies: During a collapse, you become the hospital, and no amount of Obamacare is going to help you. Almost every prepper has a first aid kit, but few have one that will really last through a prolonged crisis. Collapse brings with it all kinds of injuries and sicknesses we never think of facing in our current atmosphere, with more frequency than I believe many would like to admit possible. A sterile bandage may be as sought after and as rare as a warm shower in the near future, so stock an ample supply.

Solar Panels: I am astonished at how many preppers still do not have any solar power capability today. It’s FREE off grid power, for god’s sake! Pay the initial costs, and at at least buy a system that is capable of charging and running batteries and essential electronics that will aid you in your survival.

Greenhouse: When discussing the idea of relocation, I sometimes hear the assertion that places like Montana are terrible for growing food (usually from people who have never lived in Montana). In fact, a survival garden could be grown almost anywhere, regardless of region or climate, if you use the right methods. One of the best methods is the use of a greenhouse, which many preppers do not have. Set aside your preconceptions of what gardening is, and do what works. Even in winter, some plants can be grown in a greenhouse environment to provide you and your family with precious vitamin rich food. Just build it.

Raw Building Materials: Do you have a stockpile of lumber and nails? What about raw iron and steel? Sealants to repel pests and maintain your home? Bags of concrete to reinforce a new addition? Think about how much you will need to build after the final shoe drops. Probably a lot more than you have ever built in your life…

No Room For Error

Time is running short, and if we are to succeed as a movement, we must be ready to hold a candle to ourselves, admit where we are lacking, and fix the problem while we have the luxury to do so. Ultimately, the most important and most ignored aspect of prepping is our own mindset. Do we have the correct sense of urgency, and are we acting on it? Have we prepared ourselves psychologically for the difficulties ahead? Are we ready to make sacrifices for survival and victory? Will we have what it takes at our core to see this thing through? At this very moment, many do not. But, they have the potential to rise to the occasion. The decision is theirs to make…

You can contact Brandon Smith at: brandon@alt-market.com

This article originally posted at: http://www.alt-market.com/articles/937-the-most-often-forgotten-survival-preparations

One definition of disaster describes the circumstances. The second definition describes what takes place within you as a person, and within others around you.

The circumstances may differ in every disaster, but the impact upon you and the reactions within your psyche will be consistent with each varying type of catastrophic event or disaster.

Your mind is a critical element to your survival. Some of what you need to survive is already within your brain operating within your automatic nervous system. You will have the responses and energy you need to try to survive an initial threat to your survival without any effort or thought. But what will you do with that burst of mobilized energy and capability?

The first step is to realize that your mental preparation will be your first line of survival in facing any disaster.

As you are initially confronted with a disaster, concurrent with the activation of your automatic nervous system, you will naturally experience one or several reactions which are not present in normal experience, but are given to you in order to help you survive beyond your initial “fight or flight” mobilization.

For most people, their experiential mind goes into shock. You may or may not feel numb with this. You may also feel intense fear and/or anxiety, or you may react with anger. Some people go into denial and feel as if they are watching a movie and have a sense of “surrealness.” Most people experience disorientation of varying degrees. Some people regress to feelings of helplessness. Some people discover they simply can’t think. Others experience racing thoughts which are overwhelming. Some people experience the slowing down of time, as if everything around them is taking place in slow motion. These are all normal emotional and mental reactions in response to an extreme abnormal circumstance. These are reactions which are intended to help you. However, they are not designed to control you in your dire circumstance.

It is important to know that these emotional reactions have unintended consequences. If you are numb and detached, you are at risk of exposing yourself carelessly to danger. If you are terrified and mentally paralyzed, or if you are unable to think or are having racing thoughts, or if you regress to a state of helplessness, you may be unable to make any decisions and take necessary actions in your own regard.

Therefore, your first voluntary action in a disaster is to recognize these emotional states and voluntarily push beyond them. You must willfully push through them in order to make a connection with the necessary information already on hand in our mind. Your senses will be heightened and you will have the opportunity to note details and opportunities for survival that you otherwise would not have noticed if you are were restricted and distracted by your reactive mind.

Further, most information that you educate yourself about in advance of a situation will typically return to your mind in the midst of that situation, even if you have not thought about that since you learned it, if you gain control of yourself. Gaining control over your primary emotional responses will enable you to a level of higher functioning and bring you closer to the goal of survival.

Survivors of catastrophic events report that they consciously determined in their minds that they were not going to die that day or in that way. The motivation for many were their loved ones. For others, it was an inner strength they found to support their decision to survive. Some people credit miracles for saving them, such as the intervention of a stranger, an unexplained instinct based on knowledge they could not have previously had, or just being spared by unexplained grace. Some people report hearing directions or warnings given to them supernaturally. Just as the event may be beyond the range of normal, sometimes, so are the saving interventions.

Therefore, prepare your mind in advance with a firm decision that you will be a survivor Reject any defeatist thinking that may cross your mind at any time.

One cannot accurately predict one’s initial reactions until you are in the midst of a catastrophic event. However, understanding the psychological responses, and deciding in advance to move forward through them towards surviving, will place you in the best possible position for surviving to the ultimate conclusion of the catastrophic event.

These God-given automatic responses are designed to enable us for protective instantaneous reaction. You might have experienced this by pulling your hand from a heat source without having first felt the heat.

It is an error in one’s approach to disaster preparedness to rely on materials and defense weapons. In a catastrophic event or disaster, your survival may more depend on your thoughts, your perceptions, your beliefs, and your abilities to make appropriate decisions than upon your material assets.

There is a psychology of survival. It is a compilation of your ability to perceive accurately, your mastery of your normal emotions, your capability to think appropriately in the midst of a disorienting and potentially lethal circumstance, and your ability to act.

People in law enforcement, emergency medical services, and the military are trained to function effectively in an environment of disorder and danger.That is why you hear news stories of one individual intervening strategically in the midst of a sudden disaster when others are unable to think or act. Those with preparation are the ones who give directives to the group of helpless people, which then saves the lives of those who follow.

The civilian public does not have training or practice in effectively functioning in the midst of a catastrophic event. However, you are able to prepare yourselves in this crucial life-dependent area of knowledge and skill. This is where your survival preparation should begin, because survival begins in your mind.

The following are 10 things that we can learn about shortages and preparation from the economic collapse in Greece….

#1 Food Shortages Can Actually Happen

Most people assume that they will always be able to run out to their local supermarket or to Wal-Mart and get all of the supplies they need.

Unfortunately, that is a false assumption.  The truth is that our food distribution system is extremely vulnerable.

In Greece, many people are starting to totally run out of food.  Even some government institutions (such as prisons) are now reporting food shortages.  The following was originally from a Greek news source….

The financing for many prisons has decreased to a minimum for some months now, resulting in hundreds of detainees being malnourished and surviving on the charity of local communities.

The latest example is the prison in Corinth where after the supply stoppage from the nearby military camp, the prisoners are at the mercy of God because, as reported by prison staff, not even one grain of rice has been left in their warehouses. When a few days earlier the commander of the camp announced to the prison management the transportation stoppage, citing lack of food supplies even for the soldiers, he shut down the last source of supply for 84 prisoners. The response of some Corinth citizens was immediate as they took it upon themselves to support the prisoners, since all protests to the Justice ministry were fruitless.

#2 Medicine Is One Of The First Things That Becomes Scarce During An Economic Collapse

If you are dependent on medicine in order to survive, you might want to figure out how you are going to get by if your supply of medicine is totally cut off someday.

In Greece, medicine shortages have become a massive problem.  The following is from a recent Bloomberg article….

Mina Mavrou, who runs a pharmacy in a middle-class Athens suburb, spends hours each day pleading with drugmakers, wholesalers and colleagues to hunt down medicines for clients. Life-saving drugs such as Sanofi (SAN)’s blood-thinner Clexane and GlaxoSmithKline Plc (GSK)’s asthma inhaler Flixotide often appear as lines of crimson data on pharmacists’ computer screens, meaning the products aren’t in stock or that pharmacists can’t order as many units as they need.

“When we see red, we want to cry,” Mavrou said. “The situation is worsening day by day.”

The 12,000 pharmacies that dot almost every street corner in Greek cities are the damaged capillaries of a complex system for getting treatment to patients. The Panhellenic Association of Pharmacists reports shortages of almost half the country’s 500 most-used medicines. Even when drugs are available, pharmacists often must foot the bill up front, or patients simply do without.

#3 When An Economy Collapses, So Might The Power Grid

Try this some time – turn off all power to your home for 24 hours and try to live normally.

Sadly, most people simply do not understand just how dependent we are on the power grid.  Without power, all of our lives would change dramatically.

In Greece, authorities are warning of an impending “collapse” of the power grid.  If it goes down for an extended period of time in Greece, the consequences would be catastrophic….

Greece’s power regulator RAE told Reuters on Friday it was calling an emergency meeting next week to avert a collapse of the debt-stricken country’s electricity and natural gas system.

“RAE is taking crisis initiatives throughout next week to avert the collapse of the natural gas and electricity system,” the regulator’s chief Nikos Vasilakos told Reuters.

RAE took the decision after receiving a letter from Greece’s natural gas company DEPA, which threatened to cut supplies to electricity producers if they failed to settle their arrears with the company.

#4 During An Economic Collapse You Cannot Even Take Water For Granted

If the power grid goes down, you will soon no longer have clean water coming out of your faucets.  That is one of the reasons why it is absolutely imperative that the power grid stay operable in Greece.

Sadly, most people don’t understand just how vulnerable our water system is.  In a previous article, I quoted from a report that discussed how rapidly our water supply would be in jeopardy in the event of a major transportation disruption….

According to the American Water Works Association, Americans drink more than one billion glasses of tap water per day. For safety and security reasons, most water supply plants maintain a larger inventory of supplies than the typical business. However, the amount of chemical storage varies significantly and is site specific. According to the Chlorine Institute, most water treatment facilities receive chlorine in cylinders (150 pounds and one ton cylinders) that are delivered by motor carriers. On average, trucks deliver purification chemicals to water supply plants every seven to 14 days. Without these chemicals, water cannot be purified and made safe for drinking. Without truck deliveries of purification chemicals, water supply plants will run out of drinkable water in 14 to 28 days. Once the water supply is drained, water will be deemed safe for drinking only when boiled. Lack of clean drinking water will lead to increased gastrointestinal and other illnesses, further taxing an already weakened healthcare system.

What will you do when clean water stops coming out of your faucets?

You might want to start thinking about that.

#5 During An Economic Crisis Your Credit Cards And Debit Cards May Stop Working

Most people have become very accustomed to using either debit cards or credit cards for almost everything.

But what would happen if the financial system locked up for a period of time and you were not able to use them?

This is something that the citizens of Greece are potentially facing in the coming months, and this is something that all of us need to start thinking about.

#6 Crime, Rioting And Looting Become Commonplace During An Economic Collapse

Big corporations are already making extensive plans for how to protect their stores in the event that Greece switches from the euro to the drachma.

The following is from a recent Reuters article….

British electrical retailer Dixons has spent the last few weeks stockpiling security shutters to protect its nearly 100 stores across Greece in case of riot.

The planning, says Dixons chief Sebastian James, may look alarmist but it’s good to be prepared.

Company bosses around Europe agree. As the financial crisis in Greece worsens, companies are getting ready for everything from social unrest to a complete meltdown of the financial system.

#7 During A Financial Meltdown Many Average Citizens Will Start Bartering

During this economic depression, alternative currencies have already been popping up in Greece.

When things fall apart on a global scale, will you have things to barter for the things that you need?

#8 Suicides Spike During An Economic Collapse

When you think of the Great Depression of the 1930s, what do you think of?

Many people think of images of people jumping out of buildings.

Well, something similar has been happening in Greece.  Suicide statistics in Greece have been absolutely soaring during the last couple of years.

Once prosperity disappears, many people feel as though life is not worth living anymore.

#9 Your Currency May Rapidly Lose Value During An Economic Crisis

Just remember what happened in Germany during the Weimar Republic and what has happened recently in places like Zimbabwe.

The truth is that it can happen anywhere.

Right now, Greeks are pulling their money out of the banks because they are worried that their euros will be turned into drachmas which would rapidly lose value.

If I was living in Greece I would definitely be concerned about that.  The return of the drachma seems to get closer with each passing day.  Just check out these screenshots.

#10 When Things Hit The Fan The Government Will Not Save You

Has the government of Greece come to the rescue of all of those that are deeply suffering right now?

Of course not.  The truth is that the Greek government can barely take care of itself at the moment.

History has shown us that governments simply cannot be counted on when things hit the fan.

Just remember what happened during the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.

In the end, the only one that can be counted on to take care of you and your family is you.

So you better start preparing.

Unfortunately, as I wrote about the other day, time is rapidly running out for the global financial system.

Even some of the top economic officials in the world are warning that another major crisis could be on the way.

Just check out what World Bank President Robert Zoellick said the other day….

“Events in Greece could trigger financial fright in Spain, Italy and across the eurozone. The summer of 2012 offers an eerie echo of 2008.”

He also compared a potential exit of Greece from the eurozone to the collapse of Lehman Brothers back during the last financial crisis….

“If Greece leaves the eurozone, the contagion is impossible to predict, just as Lehman had unexpected consequences.”

So what are some things that the average person can do to get prepared?

Well, a recent article on SHTFplan.com entitled “The List: A to Z Survival for the Abysmal Times Ahead” contains hundreds of ideas for preparing for the chaotic economic environment that we are heading into.

Preparation is going to look different for every family.  No two situations are exactly the same.

But there are some practical steps that nearly all of us can take to better position ourselves for what is coming.  Now is the time to get educated and now is the time to take action.

Or you could be like all of those that laughed at Noah while he was building that big boat.

In the end, things did not work out too well for those folks.

This article originally posted here: http://theeconomiccollapseblog.com/archives/10-things-that-we-can-learn-about-shortages-and-preparation-from-the-economic-collapse-in-greece

House Bill 85 passed on first reading by a voice vote. It would create a state-run government continuity task force, which would study and prepare Wyoming for potential catastrophes, from disruptions in food and energy supplies to a complete meltdown of the federal government.

In 2010, China and Russia agreed to stop trading together in dollars and Japan agreed to do the same with China just last week. Moves like that coming from these major economic players only can spell doom for those who rely on the strength of the dollar.

With commodities like food and oil still trading in weakening dollars, it puts further pressure on the soaring prices of these essentials. All signs seem to indicate that the cost of living in dollar-based economies will likely rise dramatically in 2012 as well.

Additionally, just as Western populations find themselves broke and without jobs, their governments are also on the brink of bankruptcy and are reducing domestic spending, while continuing to print endless gobs of money for fraudulent banks and endless wars. The notion of reversing this trend is not promising.

Since 2012 will likely be another tumultuous year for at least over half the American population who are already sliding on the razor’s edge of poverty, it’s important to prepare accordingly.

Here are 10 things to do in 2012 that will help you survive economic fluctuations and even full-blown collapse:

1. Learn New Skills: The best insurance you can take out for an economic downturn is learning new skills. Skills to produce something beautiful or beneficial to humans is the only true form of wealth that no one can take from you. Examples of skills to survive economic collapse can be organic gardening, food storage, food preparation, animal husbandry, construction, sewing, candle and soap making, first aid and natural medicine, hunting and fishing, alternative energy, mechanics, and anything else that fills basic human necessity.  Many other skills are viable as well should society not deteriorate completely such as writing, communicating, organizing, software coding, etc. Note: These skills are beneficial to have regardless of economic conditions.

2. Improve Your Health: Yes, this is everyone’s cliche New Year’s resolution.  But in times of great uncertainty, especially economically, taking care of your health is ultra important.  When each week may be make-or-break financially, very few can afford to lose a week or more of productivity because of illness.  Additionally, great stress is likely facing everyone in 2012.  Thus, full spectrum health of body, mind and spirit will be vital to survive and thrive in tumultuous times.

3. Store Backup Food: The overall global food price index increased by 33% from January 2010 to January 2011. Did your income rise by that much in 2011?  Did the value of your investments increase by that much in 2011? If not, storing extra food is far more practical than maintaining a savings or investment account.  And in terms of withstanding a possible collapse of the dollar or economy in general, you’ll be in much better shape than if your resources are in a banking institution.

4. Create a How-To Library:  There is no way to learn all of the things that may be useful in times of severe economic distress.  Many of us rely on the Internet as an immediately accessible library of how-to information. However, if something were to happen to Internet access in 2012, which is clearly under threat of censorship and control, it’s important to build your own personal library of useful how-to knowledge; books, ebooks, videos etc.  Get an external hard drive and start downloading books and videos that may prove priceless in times of need.

5. Start a Side Business: Waiting for the government or anyone to “create” jobs is futile and foolish.  The West has clearly entered an age of prolonged economic downturn where manufacturing jobs are unlikely to return with any significance.  It’s time to focus on creating something for yourself, whether you’re currently employed or not.  Learn to forage for deals and small earnings. Learn to create. Start a small side business and build the foundation for an additional stream of income with something you’re passionate about. Start a blog, write a book, teach or take a class — anything that you can sink your teeth into.

6. Gather Trade-able Goods:  If things go from bad to worse, besides food, there are many things that will be valuable to have stored up.  First consider your personal needs and overbuy those items. Things like toothbrushes, toothpaste, soap, wet wipes, baking soda (countless uses), Q-tips, first aid products, alcohol, and medicine. There are also several survival goods that you should backstock like; water filters, fuel, lighters, lighter fluid, seeds, weapons, common ammunition, batteries, and hand tools. These are regularly used in daily life and won’t ever go to waste, but they also have great trade value should times get tough.  All of these items can be picked up very inexpensively if you keep your eye on deals and buy in bulk.

7. Build Community Alliances:  Everyone needs a supporting tribe when times get tough. Inform your family and friends of your plans to prep for the worst and the new business ventures you’re engaged in. Encourage them to get involved with you in any capacity that makes sense. Seek others in your community already doing these things and collaborate with them. Support local businesses and local food cooperatives. Go to your town hall or city council meetings and suggest community activities that increase self-sufficiency of the area to cushion any disruption.

8. Alternative Energy: Having any source of alternative energy is just plain smart for any circumstance. A backup generator, whether solar-powered or gas, is imperative for those who live in cold climates (along with a wood stove or fireplace) prone to electric outages in the winter.  But imagine if the lights go out for an extended period of time. Solar hot water, a solar-powered chest freezer, a solar oven and a small generator will provide a high level of self-reliance for energy with minimal investment.

9. Water Purification: Clean water is so vital to your health and survival that you should acquire several ways to purify water. First, before disaster strikes, test your water now. You may be surprised to discover that disaster or not, your water may already be contaminated with countless toxins including sanctioned additives like fluoride.  There are several affordable options for turning unhealthy water into crisp fresh water from portable hand-pumped units, table-top setups, faucet attachments, to pills and bleach drops.  It’s recommended to have more than one option, so research and find the best that you can afford that suits your needs.

10. Love & Appreciate: One of the most important intangible things you can do to survive 2012 is to love and appreciate more.  Make it a daily action item: express love to your friends, family, neighbors, and even strangers.  What you put out into the world is what you’ll get in return. Appreciate what you do have every day.  Don’t be disappointed because others may have more, because there are always others with far less.  Your genuine appreciation for the little things will attract the bigger things you need and desire.

This article originally post at:

http://www.activistpost.com/2012/01/10-things-to-do-to-survive-2012.html