With a major disaster, there is a dependency upon the government to save the people. The mistake these victims make is that the government is not Superman. This “I’m a victim, come save me!” mentality is one of the biggest mistakes the unprepared make. If a major disaster were to occur over the entire United States, only 7% of the population would be prepared for it. If this scenario did occur, there would be many dangers that would exist.
Imagine, the dangers that would lurk. Imagine the hungry and desperate that would be willing do anything it took to get their family fed, the diseases that would occur due to poor sanitary conditions and contaminated water supplies. The people of this Nation would shed their decency and timid natures (which we are so used to seeing), and become nothing short of animals. We would become territorial predators that would attack to get what is needed to survive. In desperate times, people will stop at nothing to get what they need to survive.
The Hungry
When a long term disaster situation begins, many of the unprepared will go out searching for food. The human race is genetically wired to do what is necessary to survive, even in a panic state. Those that are panic stricken and in a desperate state are not the type of people to get tangled up in. They will either attack in organized groups, or individually attack. They could set houses on fire, and kill if necessary to feed themselves and their families. If a person decides to be charitable, approach this with caution. Desperate times call for desperate measures. As much as a person wants to help their fellow man, their fellow man may want more than just a hand out.
If a person has the power to prepare a city or town for a long term disaster, a great way to plan for this would to have churches or other facilities begin preparing a food bank with canned goods, non-GMO seeds, and needed preparedness items for a long term situation. This food bank would be able to keep hostility down in the beginning of a long term disaster so that a city can prepare an action plan (if it has not already done so). The more a city is prepared, the more success it will have, and it’s citizens at surviving.
Dangers From Lack of Security
To prevent someone from attacking your shelter or homestead, measures must be put into place. Additionally, having a good security detail to be aware of possible threats and attacks. This is an essential defense maneuver. Whether an urban street has blockades and neighbors take turns in groups securing the parameter, or having a sniper set up to alert in the case of a surprise attack. There must be some form of security in order to defend the area. Defense will play a large part in a long term disaster.
Creating a barrier to prevent vehicles or individuals from approaching would efficiently secure the parameter of the home. Re-enforcing fences with cement, or planting a shrub that has thorns is also a good deterrent. Additionally, another way to secure a parameter is by planting an aggressive growing, highly resilient planst around the parameter, such as bamboo. This will not only hide the homestead or home, but will also be a way to stop ambushes and persons trying to forcibly attack a home.
Fire
Next to having food and water, having a shelter is a top priority. If a fire were to break out, many do not have enough measures available to put the fire out. If the home is on fire, one must do everything in their power to save it. Having some extra supplies such as Class A fire hydrants and baking soda for smaller fires, Class B for grease fires or a Halon Fire Suppression system, would come in handy if someone needed them. If the fire cannot be contained, then everyone should evacuate immediately. If the fire was started by looters, then a defense strategy would be necessary.
Disease
In a long term disaster, death is going to occur. When death is all around, it creates a disease prone area. If dead corpses are laying in a water source, water-born diseases such as typhoid, cholera, hepatitis A, viral hemorrhagic fever, and dysentary can pose a threat to the surrounding area. Although persons that are alive are more likely to spread diseases due to poor sanitation and hygiene conditions, it is better to be on the safe side and take necessary precautions. Additionally, some corpses could have blood born viruses such as HIV and hepatitis B and C, or tuberculosis and could pose a slight risk if someone were handling the bodies. But the risk can be minimized with basic precautions and proper hygiene. Having a well organized plan of what to do to minimize the spread of diseases is something for many to think about. Adding extra rubber gloves, face masks and bleach to the medical supplies would be advantageous.
In Summation
There are two very likely facts that everyone can agree on. 1.) Disasters happen every day. They happen all over the world. And may, in fact, happen to each us at one point in our lives. 2.) Desperation has no bounds. If everyone agrees on these two facts, then the only logical answer is to prepare for the result of these two facts occuring, and the possibility of it happening at the same time.
Preparing for the likelihood of a major, long term disaster is a choice that each person has to make. If a long term disaster were to occur, the cities would become breeding grounds for disease, not to mention crime, starvation and total devastation. Many city dwellers will try to flee the cities and roam the countryside trying to find safety and basic needs. Yet, at the same time have the potential of bringing the diseases and exposing the countryside to sickness. This is a nightmare, than many hope to never see. But it has happened before, and it could happen again. The point of all of this, is if it does indeed occur, how prepared for it will you be?