It never ceases to amaze me when I am on Youtube checking out
survivalist/outdoors-man type videos that so many people pass themselves off as survival /disaster experts. I swear the last place I want to be when something happens is in the woods because apparently everyone of these jack-legs are going to be posted up behind every log and brush pile "surviving". It is going be a freaking free for all when these paranoid folks start shooting at each other because they think the other person is coming after their "cache" of Spam and Ramen noodles.
I am not talking about everyone because there are some folks whom I believe know what they are talking about but the majority of these jokers are just regurgitating what they have read in a book or seen in a video. God help us if something serious does happen because it is not going to be a pretty sight.
Most people have never been more than a few hundred yards off a major highway or waterway and when a SHTF scenario occurs the best place to be is a long ways away from these areas. In no way am I an expert by any stretch of the imagination but I would suggest sheltering in place with friends and family if at all possible because those are the ones you should be able to trust. Cache guns, ammo, food in places other than your cupboard, gun cabinet or bedroom closet. Be like the squirrel and hide stuff everywhere but don't forget where you hide it. Hide it somewhere within walking distance and easy to find at night. Going after it during the day is asking for trouble.
Here is the part where I rely on lists others have made: This is my opinion as to what is most important...
1) Water and purification tablets because water is the most important part of any survival situation and you can't always make a fire to boil it.
2) Instant food... Oatmeal, Grits, Ramen, Onion Soup, Gravy, Bullion cubes, whatever you can find that can be mixed with water to get some nutrients into your body. Store in moisture tight containers preferably threaded PVC pipe containers that can be buried.
3) Shelter, is anywhere that you can stay as dry as possible.
4) Fire...Matches, Lighters, Nine volt battery and steel wool,
5) Clothes are whatever fits.
6) Hygiene, stay as clean as possible but not too clean because folks will accuse you of misusing the water which will be needed for drinking and cooking, plus who wants to smell clean when everyone else is stinking, you will just be asking for trouble. The best thing to do is capture as much rainwater as possible and find a continuous water source asap.
7) Weapons, anything that can be used to fend off attackers. In a bad situation having friends to watch your back is a good thing otherwise stay out of sight as much as possible and if you have guns and ammo keep them out of sight unless needed for protection then do whatever you have to do to survive. If you have a dog make sure he is as mean as you need him to be otherwise he will be someone's meal.
In my opinion, if you are dependant on lots of medicine to stay alive you can pretty much kiss your ass goodbye in any prolonged situation unless you have figured out a way to hoard them or buy in large quantities off the internet well in advance because lots of folks will be looking for drugs and people who have them will be in big trouble if others who need them find out. The best thing to do if you have meds is keep your mouth shut.
Secrecy is pretty much a given if you want to survive very long.
Make up your mind that any food which is edible will be eaten. This is no time to be picky.
