I have been doing some thinking about life after the collapse. And the steps we will need to take to keep safe. If we can stay low profile and stay under the radar our chance of survival will increase. Many people think to bug out to the deep woods or to there remote cabin to wait out the coming doom of the collapse. But what if you are in a city or small town and can’t or don’t want to bug out? What steps can you take to stay under the radar and not let any one know you are around?
It was dangerous living in a big city during the war. Cities were the target of enemy aircraft that flew over at night and dropped bombs. And at 4:56pm on 7 September 1940, the air raid sirens wailed as the German Air Force, the Luftwaffe, launched a massive raid on London. Over 350 bombers flew across the Channel from airfields in France and dropped tons of bombs on the docks and streets of the East End of London. The heavy and frequent bombing attacks on London and other cities were known as the 'Blitz'. Night after night, from September 1940 until May 1941, German bombers attacked British cities, ports and industrial areas.
London was bombed ever day and night for 11 weeks. One third of London was destroyed. On the 7th September, 1940 the German air force changed its strategy of bombing the British air force and began to concentrate on bombing London. Nearly 2,000 people were killed or wounded in London's first night of the Blitz.
During the first month, German Air Force dropped 5,300 tons of high explosives on London in just 24 nights. Bomb shelters were built to help prevent the Germans from seeing where the towns were, a blackout was rigorously enforced after darkness. This meant that all sources of light had to be blacked out.
And I think black out shades and windows that are covered to keep light from getting out would be a good way to stay under cover in a small city or town. If you cover your windows from the outside you would need to do so as not to make people think you are hiding out or have something in side. You would want the outside cover to be a downed tree that covers a few windows or some other natural cover that would not stand out. And from the inside you could use black out shades and big thick blankets to keep the light from getting out. There are many was to keep your inside light from getting out for other to see, and I think if you are staying put and not bugging out and you live in a city or town you will need to cut down on your visibility and try to become a ghost. Do as much as you can at night and right before sun up. Keep your exposure to the bare necessity, only go out when you have to and only work around the homestead when needed. There will come a time when things calm down a bit and you can ease up a bit, but remember that the less people know about you after the collapse the better your chance of survival. Keep down your exposure in any survival event at first, unless to are trying to be rescued.
Keep in mind that every survival event is different and not everyone will want to stay put in a city or town, but the people who do stay cutting down on your exposure is a must.
The country is the place to be, though one must be surrounded with like minded folks. No man can produce all he needs, or provide 24/7 security. That's why I advocate a group survival strategy. The group can provide needed things much more easily, no matter what those things might be. Several groups in alliance will provide the ultimate in survival capability in every aspect.
ReplyDeleteCities are dangerous in that they are targets for invaders, and easily sealed off areas during martial law. Most folks don't have enough land to produce what they need to survive, and water supplies are extremely vulnerable. Suburbs are only marginally better, being in close proximity to the city, and therefore prone to the same problems cities present. Small towns are isolated little oasis, insulated from the problems presented by cities, yet big enough to provide for localized trade and defence.
I like your plan for mobility, because it allows you infinite options over the land-locked. The nomad can wander until he finds a place suitable to his needs, so long as he brings skills which are universally needed, which you most definitely have. Mobility and desireable skills are two things that will virtually guarantee your survival no matter what happens. You're on the right track Pete, don't let anyone tell you otherwise. And know that you'll be welcome in my clan any time!
Great topic. Under the radar, indeed. Especially right after the balloon goes up, things will be nuts.
ReplyDeleteRemember to mask information that can be picked up by all of the senses. BBQ in the backyard will bring all of the hungry people to your home from blocks or miles around. Better just eat foods that need boiled water until you get a better sense of the extent of the situation.
Running a generator for your lights? Generators are loud and will be prime targets for theft. Don't use it unless you know you can defend it, even when it's not running. Your home may be identified during the day while you're running it charging a battery bank, and hit at night when you're asleep.
My fraternal grandmother was a "black out warden" or something like that during WWII. When they'd have air raid drills, she'd have to walk the neighborhood looking for telltale light.