Haven't had one of these in a while, so what would you do in a real SHTF scenario?

[Gandalf]

I am currently reading "Bug Out" by Scott Williams. Just started, so I can't tell you if it's any good, but it has gotten some good reviews.

[helxis]

Yeah, I'd probably be a marauder. If it's really a situation where everyone's taking to the hills, people are going to die because they can't get insulin, civilization has crumbled, etc. then yeah, I'm probably going to go to extreme measures to survive. I have a feeling moral quandaries will kind of take a back seat when I'm starving to death.

[Guest Opie Coyote]

I just read Patriots. It was ok, but unrealistic in some regards. For us, the SHTF that we are preparing for is earthquake/tornado in west tennessee. In the back of my mind, I'm worried about riots in Memphis when gas hits $6 per gallon.

[William_Munny]

No, not at all. I just think it odd that every time this subject comes up, everybody states how they're going to go to an unfamiliar place and live off the land. I think most people watch way too many movies. It isn't logical.

Funny.... you make it sound as if all city dwellers actually grew up in the "city"... I know more about living off the land as my current address would have you believe.

[Punisher84]

Funny.... you make it sound as if all city dwellers actually grew up in the "city"... I know more about living off the land as my current address would have you believe.

I don't think that's what he's saying. I think it's more of a "unfamiliar areas can be dangerous" point. Lot of folks in rural areas will be hunkering down already and probably won't look too kindly on strangers trying to settle in. Anybody that tells me they are going to just grab a backpack and go live in the woods with no supplies for the rest of their days is an outright liar.

[Will Carry]

You will need a flintlock rifle and a bullet mold. That way you can make your own gun powder and shot. Learn how to make bows and arrows.

Humans are social critters. We need numbers to survive. You will have to find a tribe. You will have to breed prodigeously to keep birth rates up.

In "The Road" when they reached the shore, they found a beetle. That was the first sign of life in the movie. That, to me, was a sign of hope.

[William_Munny]

I don't think that's what he's saying. I think it's more of a "unfamiliar areas can be dangerous" point. Lot of folks in rural areas will be hunkering down already and probably won't look too kindly on strangers trying to settle in. Anybody that tells me they are going to just grab a backpack and go live in the woods with no supplies for the rest of their days is an outright liar.

How can it be unfamiliar if I'm just going back to where I came from? Think about it.

[Jonsaiga]

Haven't read One Second After yet(thanks for the spoiler), but another really good SHTF novel is Lights Out by David Crawford. He also wrote a 30 page short story called "The Bug Out" that is available free online that is well worth reading.

[Jonsaiga]

Do you fortify your position and try to protect what you have stockpiled or do you pack up what you can and head for the mountains or the deep backwoods?

Already in a semi-rural area, garden and raise some livestock. We would not bug out unless theere was no other viable option.

How would you protect what you have?

By force if needed.

Would you interact with your neighbors?

We have a pretty good little community and know and talk with most of our neighbors. Most of them also garden and raise livestock. I feel it would be mutually benificial to continue to interact with them.

If you decide to leave, do you try to contact local friends and family to get them to go with you, or will it be just you and your household?

We would let them know if we can and let them decide what they want to do.

Will you avoid other people after your exodus, or try to find like-minded individuals and form a commune until all the s**t is over?

Situational dependant but most likely avoid.

Are you a sole survivor or do you believe strength in numbers?

While I like to think I could survive alone I like the idea of numbers(especially my immediate family).

What type of weapons do you take with you? Handgun, rifle, shotgun, bow? How much ammo do you take? How much food and water (5 gallons of water is roughly 40 lbs.)?Keep in mind that when you run out of gas there is no more. You will be walking, so you can't load up 500 lbs of gear and expect to make it. Will you pack a tent or do you plan on making your own shelter?

Depends, don't have a straight answer for any of these.

I know the "what-if" scenarios are sort of ridiculous, but it has been a slow posting day and I find it interesting and enjoyable to read people's responses.

I don't find the what-if scenario's riduculous at all. I see tham as a thought exercise.

[Guest ARMEDMARINE]

Lets hope it doesn't happen but if it does, well then, i wish you all well.

[Guest ab28]

I have plenty of weapons training, and served in Iraq, as well as having plenty of food and survival training as well. I know that if something happened, even all that is no guarantee of survival, and I could be one of the first to die. With that said, I do believe training gives a person a huge edge.