Survival II

Survival II

Ronald N. Goulden, MBA, PMP

Smashwords Edition

Copyright © 2013 Ronald N. Goulden, MBA, PMP

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to your favorite ebook retailer and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

Cover design by Ronald N. Goulden

Table of Contents

Note from the Author

Introduction

Threats

Technological Failures

Weapons

City

Rural

Escape

Evasion

Forming a Community

Joining A community

Bug-out

Resources

Additional Works by Ronald Goulden

Note from the Author

The original version of the book was strictly an electronic work, initially published to be a primer for enduring hard times.

To my surprise, the eBook format sold thousands of copies in a wide variety of formats and languages, with strong sales in Europe, Asia, and North America, and is still experiencing strong sales in those markets.

In response to my readers, I decided to publish this in a printed format for those who do not have the benefit of an electronic book reader.

Also as requested, I have included additional content, while trying to keep this as a planning guide rather than an in-depth how-to survival manual, of which there are dozens of excellent guides already published. My goal is to provide a starting point for thinking about how to survive a calamitous event.

In keeping with the possibility of a technological failure, an eBook version of this would be of little value. So, I decided to provide it in a printed format as well (even though the eBook formats include PDFs, which can be printed).

This edition contains more than twice the content of the original work.

Note that nothing in this publication is intended or should be construed as legal or medical advice. The concepts and ideas contained within are intended for Society Ending Events (SEE) or The End of the World as We Know It (TEOTWAWKI).

Introduction

As our civilization becomes more civilized and more fragile, it becomes more at risk for disruptive failures. These failures may occur in a variety of forms, ranging from natural disasters to man-made calamities. Y2K clearly indicated the level of potential risk imposed by technology, while the 911 attacks proved that we may be own worst enemy.

The numerous California riots demonstrate the volatility of our communities and the ease by which we can slip back into barbarism. In many cases, civilization is just a thin veneer waiting to fall from the face of humanity.

Our dependence on technology and an existing delivery infrastructure positions the 'civilized' societies for devastating failure. Any event or circumstance causing wide-scale or prolonged interruption to our technology, or the delivery of essential products such as food, water, and power can push the most rational of us into a state of barbarism. It has been said that humanity is only three meals away from anarchy.

There are many survival books on the market today. The intent of this book is to provide a quick how-to reference for surviving potential societal failures, whether from natural or man-made influences. Please do not expect this book to provide you with all the answers, tailored to your specific needs or situations. Such an effort would span thousands of pages and still be inadequate; the best tool you have available for survival is your own ingenuity, coupled with a little bit of guidance.

Look at this book as an exercise in planning and as a tool to determine your priorities and goals in the event of a major disaster. Think of it as grandfatherly advice, to be heeded or discarded at your own discretion.

Disasters come in many forms. We all have experienced frequent, small-scale technological disasters such as power grid failures communications failures and widespread computer failures resulting from viruses or other technological sources.

Not all ‘disasters’ are large-scale or regional events. A disaster can be as mundane as a car breakdown in the middle of the night, or an accident in a secluded rural area.

Weather-related disasters are also frequent but are typically on a small scale. These may include hurricanes, tornadoes, and blizzards. Geologic events such as earthquakes, volcanoes, tidal waves, floods, and fires are also typically localized.

Perhaps the most anticipated disasters are those related to terrorism and economic collapse. Most civilized governments provide an endless stream of inputs and warnings about the probability and inevitability of a terrorist attack on its good citizens. Terrorist related disasters may stem from bombings, biological attacks, chemical attacks, or nuclear attacks; including dirty bombs and even suitcase nuclear devices.

On the biological front, currently the most feared pandemic is a mutation of the H5N1 influenza virus, commonly known as bird flu. That being said, it seems that a new antibiotic-resistant bacteria strain or virus is reported on a regular basis. Statistically speaking, it is only a matter of time before one of these ‘killer bugs’ takes its toll on humanity, as they have in the past.

Any of these events, can, and most likely, will result in social disorder including rioting and looting along with increased gang and other criminal activities. The first question one must ask is; What would I do if...?

When disaster strikes, there are only three types of people: victims, predators, or survivors. By their very nature the criminal element in our society are poised to assume the predatory role. As a reality check, we probably should view our governments in a predatory role as well. This implies that the vast majority of the civilized population must make a conscious decision to be a victim or to survive. Lack of planning and foresight automatically relegates a huge percentage of society to the role of victim.

As previously mentioned, predators include the criminal element of society, simply by their natures. It can also include elements of the government taking advantage of a bad situation to profit or gain power over others (as in the aftermath to Katrina). Fellow travelers can also be predators, again, seeking profit and power over others.

Predatory opportunists will take advantage of a bad situation to elevate their status or gain power and control over others. Many false and unqualified leaders will try to assume the reins of power and dictate how others must act and think. They may assume that since they were ‘leaders’ before, they should be leaders in an emergency as well. (Most of our current political and business leaders are not qualified to lead.) Keep your wits about you.

A victim is one who fails to prepare and is taken by ‘surprise’ when something bad happens. This type of person will tend to look to others for safety and support, often willingly sacrificing their individuality and freedom for a false sense of security and companionship.

Survivors tend to not be surprised when bad things happen. They are not necessarily pessimists, but they are realistic enough to recognize that bad things do happen quite regularly. A survivor tends to be able to provide for himself or herself and family and friends. As a survivor, people are seldom taken at face value.

With just a little planning and awareness, individuals can change their potential lot in life from victim to that of a survivor. Again, intent of this book is to help individuals prepare to survive disruptions in our modern society. The reader will not find all of the answers in this book; perhaps you will find no answers in this book. However, I hope that this book will point some in the direction of survival.

Again, this is not written as the definitive survival manual, much of what you read will be suggestions that may not be applicable for every situation. With a little luck, no one will ever have to use the advice of this book to survive a disaster. That being said, many experts expect a nuclear device to explode on American soil within the next few years.

The concept of this book is based upon total societal collapse, with little or no hope for restoration of life as we know it. The End Of The World As We Know It (TEOTWAWKI). For those who prefer a less frightening term, we can use Society Ending Event (SEE).

Many people will read this and immediately discard this as ‘rubbish’ since it is in opposition with their beliefs. Hopefully, others will read it and say, Hmmm.

Threats

Threats can come in any form and at any time. Riots start spontaneously with little or no provocation. In Los Angeles, destructive riots occurred after a police brutality verdict and when the city won another NBA championship. A huge portion of our society is waiting for an opportunity to steal and cause damage on the slightest provocation. Many feel it is their right to take what they want from others, using lethal force if necessary.

A fairly new ‘phenomenon’ is a flash mob, where scores of youths coordinate their destructive actions using cell phones to congregate, wreak havoc and mayhem, then depart before the police can arrive. They do it because they want to and they know they can do it. Lacking any moral compass, they feel they can do whatever they please to whomever, at any time. They know law enforcement cannot stop them.

One should be always wary and mindful of potential threats, but not paralyzed by fear of those threats. We do not live in a ‘safe’ world anymore. You should be wary of everyone, but fear no one. Being afraid is acceptable and is to be expected. One should not become paralyzed by that fear. Inappropriate inaction can be lethal.

In order to survive a threatening situation, the individual must acknowledge that the threat is real and by its nature, hazardous to health and well-being. You must address all threats as they occur. However, techniques for meeting those threats can include confrontation, mitigation, or avoidance. Sometimes, it requires finding a quiet place to hide until a safe opportunity for an escape arises. Never settle for being a victim; if you assume the attitude of a victim, you will become one.

By definition, any threatening situation represents a danger to our person and well-being. All threats must be treated with the appropriate response, which in many cases may