SURVIVAL DEFENSE SAVVY Part VI
BY Hal
Walter
The
dean of American survivalists
July 30, 1919
- April 13, 2009
Rest In Peace,
Harry
THEORY vs
REALITY:
In the long-term
planning that is required in almost every phase of
nuclear war survival there are certain categories, such
as food, water, sanitation, etc. that are automatically
necessary for human survival that can be classed under
REALITY...and incorporated into your immediate
preparedness efforts. However there are certain
functions, especially those relating to the interaction
of the people involved, that are more THEORETICAL than
REAL. One example that comes to mind that I have
included in our program is preparing to adjust the
frightening transition from peaceful, normal
interactions to that required by the life threatening
fear-ridden atmosphere created by having the nuclear
dangers suddenly dominating the environment.
The question
arises... how best can the emotional and physical
changes required be managed by those in charge of the
survival group? The most obvious, but the most
difficult, is to attempt to get your scattered group
members to study informational material that you
furnish them ahead of time so that they have the
background for understanding the worldwide threat
levels, the facts concerning radiation, the influence
of a society in total panic, and the many other broader
factors that influence any personal or family survival
program. Even family members who have been exposed to
our own survival plan for over 50 years still remain
vague about important details that will affect our
group once TSHTF (The Stuff Hits The Fan). Besides not
having the time , too much pressure from the parents or
group leaders can create a negative attitude on
individuals because nothing has happened ...so why
worry about all the preparedness stuff now?
One possible
partial solution which fits under the title of THEORY
is to create a SEMI-MILITARY structure, complete with
insignia, rank, recognition of merit symbols, etc. This
approach MAY provide a needed acceptance of discipline
which must be enforced in a life-or-death
scenario....OR IT MAY NOT, depending on factors that
are not all that predictable.
Whatever evolves,
it is imperative that an IMMEDIATE CRASH COURSE be
instituted that will provide the facts about threat
levels, radiation exposure and detection, medical
precautions, weapons handling, in-shelter routines,
safety precautions for out-of-shelter activities....and
much more that could have been taught beforehand IF
ONLY the complacency of the group members (and leaders)
had been eliminated.
