I was just mulling in my mind some of the “common sense” considerations to always keep in practice if you’re really planning to survive a major long-term disaster, war, or other upheaval that disrupts your normal existence more or less permanently.
This list is just my “Top Ten” so feel free to add yours:
Some thoughts on SHTF:
1. Pick a weapon you can shoot well.
Should be a no-brainer but a lot of people pick what they think has a lot of stopping power, holds lots of ammo, etc., without regard to whether or not they can hit the broad side of a barn with the darn thing.
2. Have spares of that weapon
I used to think having a lot of spare parts was the way to go, but unless you have experience actually repairing firearms, you may find you don’t have the dexterity or don’t have the tools to replace parts on your weapons. Plus, all the spare parts in the world won’t repair a kaboom. It’s better to have a few spare parts you can easily replace (like RSA’s for example), and have spare weapons for catasrophic failures or things you just can’t fix.
3. Have lots of magazines and ammo
You can never, I repeat, NEVER have too much of either. I’m not going to recommend a quantity of either because each person’s needs and storage capabilities are different, but you should have several thousand rounds of ammo and over 100 magazines. Mags break and wear out. If 100 seems a lot, then buy what you are comfortable with.
4. Have optics you can use effectively, and, once again, have spares.
There’s nothing like having one indestructible Aimpoint and on the first day of the Apocalypse it goes down for whatever reason. Employ one good, military grade optic and have spares of it. Get good with it. Sight it in perfectly and practice with it at different ranges. Have plenty of cleaning supplies for it.
5. Train at least sometimes with iron sights.
Despite the fact that you have a good quality optic that you are good with, and several spares, you may be far from those spares when your optic goes down. Have BUIS on your weapon and train with that, too.
6. Get some exercise with your gear.
There’s nothing like having a reliable weapon with plenty of mags and ammo, all the tactical doodads, and a vest to carry all the extra stuff in–only to find you can’t walk 50 feet with all of that without collapsing. If personal strength is a problem, work your way up to it. Carry as much as you can and exercise with it until you don’t notice the weight. Add more equipment as you are able to carry it. Don’t forget that “water” is part of your equipment, and it ain’t lightweight.
7. Have boots that freaking fit and are comfortable.
Suppose the SHTF and you have to walk 60 miles to the next town. During wartime a lot of refugees only have their tootsies as their means of transportation and have to traverse long distances to escape the calamity or locate supplies, etc. Learn about foot care.
8. Have the mindset that you are going to survive.
If you are going to be the person who’d just as soon kill himself as to live amongst the ruins, then why are you spending all this money on goodies?
9. Have extra pairs of glasses if applicable.
Don’t be like the guy in the Twilight Zone episode that breaks his only pair of glasses after the A-bombs go off. Get your prescription updated and get several pairs of glasses. Not knowing much about contacts, I suspect they would be a liability in primitive living conditions.
10. Try to stay fit and healthy without meds as much as possible.
I know this is impossible for some ailments, but if losing some weight might get you off the blood pressure or diabetes meds so much the better. You may not have access to them when the SHTF. My dad had some ailments that diet and exercise couldn’t fix, so he always told me, “There’s no point in me planning to live after the Apocalypse because I’m dead without my prescriptions.” If you are in that boat, then you are unfortunately wasting your money planning to live after society collapses. The best you can plan for is a temporary interruption to your normal life.