SURVIVAL DEFENSE SAVVY Part VI

THEORY vs REALITY:

In the long-term planning that is required in almost every phase of nuclear war survival there are certain categories, such as food, water, sanitation, etc. that are automatically necessary for human survival that can be classed under REALITY...and incorporated into your immediate preparedness efforts. However there are certain functions, especially those relating to the interaction of the people involved, that are more THEORETICAL than REAL. One example that comes to mind that I have included in our program is preparing to adjust the frightening transition from peaceful, normal interactions to that required by the life threatening fear-ridden atmosphere created by having the nuclear dangers suddenly dominating the environment.

The question arises...’how best can the emotional and physical changes required be managed by those in charge of the survival group? The most obvious, but the most difficult, is to attempt to get your scattered group members to study informational material that you furnish them ahead of time so that they have the background for understanding the worldwide threat levels, the facts concerning radiation, the influence of a society in total panic, and the many other broader factors that influence any personal or family survival program. Even family members who have been exposed to our own survival plan for over 50 years still remain vague about important details that will affect our group once TSHTF (The Stuff Hits The Fan). Besides ‘not having the time’, too much pressure from the parents or group leaders can create a negative attitude on individuals ‘because nothing has happened’...so why worry about all the preparedness stuff now?

One possible partial solution which fits under the title of THEORY is to create a SEMI-MILITARY structure, complete with insignia, rank, recognition of merit symbols, etc. This approach MAY provide a needed acceptance of discipline which must be enforced in a life-or-death scenario....OR IT MAY NOT, depending on factors that are not all that predictable.

Whatever evolves, it is imperative that an IMMEDIATE CRASH COURSE be instituted that will provide the facts about threat levels, radiation exposure and detection, medical precautions, weapons handling, in-shelter routines, safety precautions for out-of-shelter activities....and much more that could have been taught beforehand IF ONLY the complacency of the group members (and leaders) had been eliminated.