It might not be today, it might not even be this year, but sooner or later Western Society is going to crumble and we”re all going to have to have a long, hard think about how we”re going to survive.
Maybe the bombs start falling, maybe the sea level rises dramatically, maybe our economy crumbles and our police, armed forces and emergency services are completely tied up. Whatever it is, the shit-storm is coming. You want to get out of the city and into the wilderness. What do you do then?
1.) Your kit.
Mungus has made a pretty exhaustive list, highlighting the essential bug-out components on www.gophuramungus.com. However, I”d like to add my tuppence-worth:
a.) Clothing. You’re going to need durable, fast-drying clothing. Army surplus stuff is cheap and made specially for this purpose. As well as staying warm and dry, it’s going to be really useful to protect your hands and face. I recommend at least one pair of heavy-duty gloves, a covert-forces balaclava and some rugged sunglasses or goggles. It might also be very useful to remain inconspicuous, so camo fatigues and a camo jacket are important. Footwear is critical. Again, army-boots are perfect (you’ll need polish and dobbin to keep them in good waterproof working order) and a pair of heavy-duty sandals (like Merrills) could come in handy too. Think water-proofing: ponchos, anoraks and neoprene.
A good quality sleeping bag with a stitched-in waterproof base is essential.
b.) Tools and weapons.
A handbook about edible plants in your region could save your life. Try “Food For Free” by Richard Mabey.
A means of hunting game and catching fish is very important, as is the means of skinning, gutting, butchering and cooking your fare. Mungus would almost certainly recommend a high-quality rifle-bow (150 draw weight, 122 FT Pounds of Energy) with 20″ heavy-weight shafts and broadhead tips. This should take care of pretty much any land-game.
Snare-wire is always handy for trapping. he would also recommend a high-quality slingshot with 9.5mm steel ball bearings, which should bag you the odd squirrel, rabbit or hare (all edible) without too much trouble; and taking out pigeons and pheasants with such a catapult would be pretty straightforward.
A good quality stainless steel blade of 6″ or more and a sharpening stone are essential (more on blades to follow)
*NEVER CARRY KNIVES OR CONCEALED WEAPONS*
As for fishing, I would recommend always having a slingshot-style spear gun (like the excellent Seac Arrow 75) somewhere nearby, along with a wetsuit, fins and a snorkel. A 9ft spinning rod and fixed-spool reel, 6g to 12.5g Tobys (or similar metallic lures), swivels and 8lbs breaking-strain line is probably the most versatile shore-fishing rig you can get and will bag you brown and sea trout, salmon, mackerel and bass without lots of faffing around with different tackle. This tackle will work equally well in still or moving water, as well as in both fresh water and sea water.
So that should take care of your food; though you’ll need some dry paper, lighters and at least one light-weight cooking pot/mess tin to cook it all with.
However, you’re going to have to consider the “human risk”. Come the breakdown of society it will take very little time before most of the population becomes desperate. Desperate people are dangerous people and you’ll need to be very wary of this. The cities will be uninhabitable, almost immediately. Major transport routes will be crawling with brigands raping and pillaging their way from one place to the next; stealing food, fuel and equipment. You will need weapons and you are going to need to know how to use them.
*NEVER CARRY KNIVES OR CONCEALED WEAPONS*
A concealed weapon will come in handy if you are abducted or captured.
*WE ARE NOT ABDICATING CARRYING WEAPONS BEFORE THE BREAKDOWN OF SOCIETY*
I favour a hatchet in a poppered-leather sheath, strapped over your shirt and under your jacket, somewhere on your back. Practice drawing it quickly and quietly.
*NEVER CARRY KNIVES AS WEAPONS*
Once civilisation breaks down, your hunting knife should be at your side at all times. Keep the handle and sheath in good condition by treating them with wax or oil according to what they’re made of. Keep the blade in good condition by oiling it, cleaning it after every use and ensuring it always has a good, clean, cutting edge. You’ll need at least two other knives on your person AT ALL TIMES. One stiletto blade, similar to a filleting knife should be sheathed and concealed safely somewhere on your upper body. A boot-knife is a good last resort. We recommend the 65594 Military Boot Knife Sheath Knife.
*NEVER CARRY KNIVES OR CONCEALED WEAPONS*
A good quality machete will chop wood and clear undergrowth. It’s also an effective deterrent against ambush or assault.
*NEVER CARRY KNIVES OR CONCEALED WEAPONS*
These blades, as well as your slingshot, spear gun and rifle bow should give you an edge over the brigands.
Other tools you might need include a trenching shovel (for burying waste) empty sandbags (for filling with sand and holing up) a compass, a multi-tool penknife, sewing kit, first aid kit, wind-up waterproof torch and some good quality ropes, lines and string. You”ll also need shelter, so think about a small bivy-tent and some tarp to construct your own bivy shelter. Binoculars will help you spot game and distant threats.
c) Transport
Forget about your car. Or rather, use it to get as far from populated areas as you can (being careful to avoid major highways and settlements) and then ditch that sorry sack of shit and get walking. Petrol and diesel will be very scarce.
You should be able to carry all of your kit on your back. Get a good backpack and make sure everything you own is properly waterproofed.
Remember, the
d) Water.
Water is extremely important. You need:
A portable water filtration/desalination system
and
A means of storing fresh water
and
Water purification tablets
So here is what we suggest:
Aquasak Mobile Hydration system with inline filer (around £75, available here)
Chlorine tablets (available here)
That’s you.
Good luck.
Posts
No comments:
Post a Comment