by Ken Jorgustin – This article first appeared on Modern Survival Blog
The unprepared. They are the vast majority. While the word “unprepared” is enormously generic, in the context of ‘survival and preparedness’ the prepared should consider being prepared for the unprepared… Kind of a tongue-twister.
The unprepared are prepared only in so much as the functionality of the systems of infrastructure, and these systems deliver on a fine-tuned schedule of ‘just-in-time’.
The unprepared do not realize the bigger picture of that statement and have settled in to a lifestyle which presumes never-ending supply.
To raise the stakes (risks) even higher, this infrastructure has contributed to the enormous population growth during the past 100 years – which in turn places more burden upon these same systems of infrastructure.
Will there be a breaking point? Of course. There always is a breaking point.
What might cause a break? Lots of things could cause it to break.
With that said, and without going down the rabbit-hole of how or why, let’s consider the things we can do to be prepared for the unprepared – when indeed it does break…
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How To Prepare For The Unprepared
Where to begin?
Well, it all starts with the hypothetical scenarios by which you prepare. As in all of preparedness, one never knows to what extent it may fall, or ‘what’ it is exactly – that may fall. Logically, the lesser the fall the fewer the bruises. So perhaps you begin with the simple and work your way through to the complicated…
So you need to consider ‘what’ it is that the unprepared will be looking for when the modern-day infrastructure no longer supplies enough of it (or any of it). What is ‘it’??
At first, the “it’s” will simply be the modern luxuries that may be ‘down’. Inconveniences. This won’t be much of a threat to you. It will just irritate ‘them’. (So watch out for angry people.)
As the fall deepens, the “it’s” will turn into necessities, and this is when things get dicey. I mean really dicey… I’m talking about hungry people. Remarkably, it is widely reported that most of the unprepared do not have much more than 3 days of food for everyone in the household (I still marvel at this).
Even if supply-chain infrastructure is only partially disrupted, the run on food and/or the lack of their normal consumption products will create an angry population – a population that has largely become spoiled and softened, with the expectation that .gov will ‘deliver the goods’ during a time of crisis. They may deliver some of the goods for a small crisis, but if our hypothetical is larger than that – then watch out… these same people will have the same expectations, and when their needs are not met, well, a variety of things may happen.
Many of the unprepared will not know what to do and will have little or no clue as to how and adapt to their new normal. Many will whither in place.
But others will start knocking on doors. What will you do when they knock on your door? That is the initial question. The answer will depend on you and the hypothetical situation itself. I’m not going to tell you what to do, but I hope to provoke related thoughts and questions.
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For example if the situation looks like it will remedy within days or weeks, will you help those who knock on your door? I would speculate that most would if they could – depending on who’s at the door.
However if you’re facing a hypothetical breakdown that is much more severe with the likelihood of lasting a very long time (life-altering), then I would speculate that many of the prepared will instead ‘hunker down’ and will be much less likely to part with their preps to the unprepared.
Okay let’s get down to it…
The best way for the prepared to be prepared for the unprepared is to become the gray man.
While any short-term hypothetical does not present much, or any problem for the prepared in this regard, it is the more serious downfall that will become much more complicated and potentially very dangerous and/or deadly.
While realizing that you cannot save the world, your inner instinct will slam into survival mode. Hard choices and decisions will be forced upon you and they just might make the difference between survival or not…
The ‘gray man’ is a concept of not being noticed. Blending in. Not standing out. Avoidance.
This is why the concept of OPSEC (operational security) is so very important. Sadly, in today’s world, having a deep pantry of food storage is looked upon as odd (and others will distinctly remember it). These same people will most certainly and absolutely remember it if and when the time comes…
With that said, it’s best to keep your mouth shut (unless you need a few select others to help with your overall situation or group).
While you (the prepared) are adapting your way through life after the collapse (or fill in the blank), the absolutely most important aspect for preparing for the unprepared is that of security (there is no doubt in my mind whatsoever that this will be paramount in today’s world). The bleeding hearts may disagree to their heart’s content, but I can tell you with certainty that in the hypothetical circumstance of a deep fall, your life will be in grave danger from the unprepared (some of them), and potentially even from some of ‘the prepared’.
Your personal and homestead security will vary widely depending on where you live and what type of people are around you. I’ll suspect that security may be minimal for some while absolutely crucial for others. With that said, I believe this requires some serious thought.
This article first appeared on Modern Survival Blog
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Might be an idea: have a small supply of instant foods with a shorter shelf life as “give-aways” and tell them you don’t have much but can spare a couple of things, “but don’t tell anyone else”. And you will have to look elsewhere if you need more.
They will not forget and they will not keep their mouth shut. AND they will not believe that that is all you have to spare. They will be back, with reinforcements and possibly, guns. Don’t do it. Put on larger clothing, lean forward and hold your stomach and cry about how you can’t feed your own family, beg them to let you know if they find anyone with food to spare. But DO NOT give them even one single candle, much less a can of food.
You are exactly right Cass. I talk about this constantly in our EP classes and people think I am nuts! I said one day, I don’t need to prepare with food and stuff. I just need a gun to kill you and take your food!
I like watching The Walking Dead just for this fact!
This guy is the biggest idiot I have ever seen. He is not a preppper!
Very well written and informative. Some more good reasons to perfect your “Gray Man” skills.
What was that story we all learned in grade school…about the chipmunk who stored nuts all summer and fall…and the silly bird who plated all summer and fall?
When winter came, the bird was in need, and the chipmunk was fine.
I will share with no one…and my stores…will be well hidden, where no one can spot them on that “casual visit”. And anyone who comes looking to steal…well…10 acres of land can hold many Many MANY secrets.
As for your land holding “many many secrets” I suggest you hire a backhoe today to dig those holes, because in reality, it’s VERY tiring work if you’ve got to do it by pick and shovel.
You can always cover your deep trenches with thick plywood and/or railroad ties until the day they’re needed.
If you don’t plan ahead, you’re likely to succumb to some nasty diseases from all those corpses lying around.
As for your 10 acres, it can get small in a hurry, depending on your situation. I had 5 acres with buildings, pasture, gardens, fruit and nut trees, pond and timber, etc… but the city found me. First they allowed a 100+ unit low income apartment complex to be built across the road…. there went the privacy, Then raised my taxes to support it. I couldn’t afford the house I lived in…. and it was paid for.
That is why you MUST have lots of guns and ammo, you can not feed the world, or reach dead heads.
I don’t have a problem helping people out if they are deserving. How much is a cup of rice from a 50 lb bag? We’ve all heard stories of our elders during the depression of those who never turned down some poor soul who knocked on their door and begged for a meal. Sure I may put them to work gathering firewood, toting water from the river or digging a latrine. But I won’t turn them down.
How many times have I begged the Lord for forgiveness? How could I after begging my Lord for forgiveness lack compassion and turn away a family begging for sustanance?
Now I have a good sense of discernment. Those that demand, threaten or feel entitled will be met with a double barrel shotgun.
As a matter of fact… part of my prepping idea is to have enough stores on hand to accommodate several deserving families and then allow them to settle on my land forming a small community to watch each others backs. You can’t do it all alone.
I see your view and can agree, but I’m also a fair judge of character. And how many folks are easily fooled……
Also, how many are willing to work for a meal, and even if they are willing, will they know how to work ?
They haven’t taught life skills or common sense in schools for many years now.
Ohhh, it is amazing how clueless some of these folks really are! I read some of these comments and it scares the hell out of me knowing these posters will survive only briefly! Becoming one of the homeless, food-less desperate beggars they so honestly want to help. And MustangWriter? The Lord will only be there in spirit… While you are starving to death for giving away the only thing keeping you alive! Once they have eaten all “your” food, then what? You join them as they move one because you have no food? The concept of prepping is to survival! For you! For “your” family! Condemning yourself and your family to death through kindness and empathy only means you are weak and not thinking logically… “You will not survive!”
I tell this so people may understand. When the collapse shtf type scenario happens, I will not be your friend. You are either useful, or a liability. If you are useful, I will help you in exchange for what makes you useful. If you are a liability, you are expendable. I will not risk my life and my families lives to risk you leaving and telling others where we are or what we have. That being said, I’m not cruel. I’m pragmatic, arguably to a fault. If I need something, I will ask for it. Or I will barter for it with goods or any skills I have. If I need it and you will not surrender it to me, I will take it from you. By force if necessary. I will do anything to protect me and my loved ones, even if it means some nightmares.