Survival kits and Bug-Out-Bags are quite popular right now, or I should say, gai

ning in popularity more and more. This is possibly indicative of the amount of
information out there (Internet) and most certainly a sign that folks are starti
ng to wake up to the possibility of social upheaval in the near future.
Or, then again, could it be just another fad going around? A popular movement t
o be cool by having life-saving equipment close to hand? The way our internatio
nal community of Internet users jumps from one socially popular movement to anot
her makes it difficult to determine if people really care about surviving or are
just one-upping their YouTube buddies.
There are some pretty ridiculous videos out there right now with young people (y
oung as in not in high school yet) showing off their homemade weapons supposedly
for survival purposes.
If you want to survive it is just plain stupid to show possible antagonists your
arsenal of weapons and for that matter any real survival plans and equipment y
ou might have. The very real possibility of someone a little more desperate than
yourself taking away these preparations and using them against you is not all t
hat far-fetched in a disaster survival scenario.
A person would not want to advertise their cache of survival food and water for
that same reason. It would be like inviting the world over to steal your stuff.
Hey, I'm not against making videos of your disaster preparations! Not by any m
eans! Freedom of speech and all that. But one must be responsible for their ac
tions too. If your inadvertant slip-of-the-tongue brought looters or worse into
your neighborhood or household, you better be ready to use those weapons.

Survival after a disaster can take on many shapes and flavors depending on;
* the severity of the disaster
* how widespread the disaster affects are
* whether or not local law enforcement stays active
* how local law enforcement stays active
* individual preparations and equipment
* community preparations, services and equipment
* national preparations and commitment
* international commitment and distance related parameters of involvement
If the disaster is only a local matter or even involving the whole state, you c
an count on eventual aid from outside your area. Here comes FEMA!
As the disaster grows in scope of area and severity the less aid can be expected
from outside sources because everybody will be picking up their own pieces, too
busy to bother with someone elses'.
As outside levels of influence decline, survival will depend increasingly on loc
al and personal abilities, preparations and involvement. This will allow certai
n elements of society to ride roughshod over the rest. The elements that were p
repared or strong enough to take what they wanted will be the new power structur
e.
Personal and family survival will depend on the ability to remain autonomous and
free to use their meager resources for themselves not the myriad of irresponsib
le idiots who failed to make their own preparations.
If there is enough of a central power base left like law enforcement or other lo
cal services, this could be a step towards martial law and the end of property
and individual rights. At the least it will be the beginning of a new feudalism
with the strong, equipment-rich few dictating to those who had no preparations
or defenses and had to rely on the good will of others.
Good will that will probably involve virtual enslavement and eventually death at
the hands of the "benefactors".
Just how many "good hearted", charitable people do you think are going to be ar
ound after a major disaster? People willing to share their supplies with you? B
e real, very few if any. People with supplies and skills won't want to share an
d lessen their own chances of survival.
Face it folks, if you can't prepare for the worst and defend yourself if you do
happen to survive, if you don't have the ability to provide for yourself and lov
ed ones, if you end up depending on the generosity of someone else, you might as
well kiss your ass goodbye!