Preface:
We have all witnessed
in recent years the increasing number of tragic and severe natural and man made disasters; disasters such as Katrina and the
Boxing day Tsunami in the Indian Ocean, not to mention the number of conflicts ongoing on our planet today.
In many of these incidents,
no matter what the politics and agenda, it is the people on the ground who are effected, and whose lives (those who survived
at least) are changed forever. Like a “thief in the night” similar disasters may strike at any time and anywhere,
and will undoubtedly catch many unawares.
The adage of leaving
preparedness for manyana (tomorrow) will no longer apply as one can no longer afford this luxury – preparedness is in
the now – present time; before it is too late!
Katrina residents did
not have the luxury of “Manyana”.
Whether the event is
a natural disaster, such as a hurricane or earthquake, a man made orchestrated event or accidental, the same principles apply
for preparedness, that is, prior to, during and post event effects.
The current television
series “Jericho” is based upon a nuclear disaster caused by several terrorist attacks destroying most of America,
where residents of a small Kansas town have to cope with the dramatic post apocalyptic events.
Whilst the series is
delivered in the usual audience-pulling-film-television drama genre, it does have an element of truth and reality in how people
react and cope with these post events. – That is, major power outages, no communications, lack of fresh water and food,
and the resultant civil unrest and disorder.
Regardless of what type
of apocalyptic event and how it is caused, the outcome would be the same as Jericho, a formula or template re-enacted over
aeons on this planet – e.g.
Major event > a break
down of communications > confusion > lack of supplies (fresh water, food and basic commodities) > power utility outages
(gas and electric) > civil unrest >civil disorder > breakdown in law and order > loss of trust in local authority
> crime = utter confusion leading to a survival “fight or flee” situation.
This would be a “standard”
formula and one naturally the authorities base their responses to when such an event occurs, as the adage says: ‘forewarned
is forearmed’
You may be physically
prepared for such a situation, whether on a minor or major scale, such as preparedness skills, storage of food etc, but would
you be mentally prepared for the survival challenges ahead?
When it comes to the
crunch, it is possible we would not know how we would react to such a situation. There are many of us who would kick in on
auto survival mode and be able to cope, and apply natural leadership and survival skills, whilst others may not be able to
cope at all.
The following chapters,
collated from additional related in-depth work, are intended to offer advice and guidance as to how you, and your family may
be able to recognise the signs and survive prior to, during and after such an apocalyptic event.
Remember, be prepared
for anything, and whilst you may be up to the physical challenge, it is the longer-term psychological effect that you must
be aware of.
"Perhaps catastrophe is the natural human environment, and even though we spend a good deal
of energy trying to get away from it, we are programmed for survival amid catastrophe."
Germaine Greer.
