Community and Disaster Preparedness, Part 1

Lone Wolf

I was going over the books available for Christmas and, as I do, I checked out the “survival” books. I don’t know how else to say this. If you are lost in the woods and separated from rescue these books have good and helpful information, but In a disaster scenario the advice in some of those books will leave you exhausted and friendless within a week.

During 33 years of working in disaster situations and conflict zones, and after hundreds of interviews with war and disaster survivors, I have never heard a single soul say; “I wished I’d had a gun, that would have made everything better.” What they said was, “I wish I’d have had my friends and family.” The other most heard desire was, “I wish we had a safe place to go.”

The two most common desires of people who are displaced by disaster or war was people they could trust and a safe place to stay. This was even in places where there was little food and water. This aspect of access to community is important.

Survival vs. Surviving a Disaster

There is a distinct difference between “survival” and “surviving a disaster”. In a survival situation you are separated from society. You have to survive on your own because you are separated from people, services, shelter, and supplies.

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In a disaster situation you will often find yourself in a group with others who are similarly affected by the disaster. This can be an advantage. The reason you can survive is because you are not separated from people even when you are separated from services and supplies.

Myth of the Lone Wolf

The absolutely most effective thing you can do to improve your situation in a disaster or social disruption event, before the disaster, is to be on friendly terms with your neighbors and socially active within your community. How you do this us up to you. Be active in your congregation at church, join 4-H, participate in the local farmers market, organize a block party once a year; anything you can do to meet and interact with the people in your community.

Participation in your community, and being around people who have a habit of socialization, will give you access to medical, material, and emotional support. As long as you are willing to do the same, your friends will bind your wounds, share their food, and watch for trouble while you rest.

I never understood the “lone wolf” mentality to disaster preparation simply because planning to be solo and aggressive is so ineffective. Also, the description of the lone wolf as strong is completely false in nature. Wolves live and work in structured, cooperative packs. Lone wolves are social outcasts who do not last long specifically because of the lack the social structure that provides cooperation and support. The same is true of solo and aggressive “survivalist”.

The reality is that in today’s socially isolated world it is emotionally easier to isolate yourself, but during a disaster it is medically, materially, and emotionally easier to be in a cooperative group.

There is the secret! Did you catch it? A cooperative group. The trick is to make choices before the disaster strikes to give yourself the best chance of being in a cooperative group. The best way to do that is to get out there and be sociable.

Take a risk, make a friend.

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For more details on practical preparedness check out – Disaster Response SMARTBook 3 – Disaster Preparedness, 2^nd Edition. His latest book, Practical Preparedness, was published in June 2020 and is available in our online Grit Store.

Kyle is also a speaker for the Mother Earth News Fair Online. Learn more and register to see his workshop video today.

Disaster Prep book 3

crittermomrocks

1/16/2020 9:45:09 AM

I agree with babble's and fancy girl farm's comments! In a disaster the 3 things neccessary are Firearms, Food/water, and Family. However in today's society it is more the norm for people to not be social and neighborly. Not everywhere of course, but more often than not. My husband and I have tried to be friendly with our neighbors, and have get togethers, but no one is interested or they are too busy. We live in a rural/ suburban area. We are prepared for disaster and societal collapse. We pray every day it never happens! Our closest family members live behind us and a few other members are in the same town. We collectively are all prepared for disaster and have a plan to defend and take care of eachother. " Community" IMO, is now a word used for fantasy eutopias of people helping eachother and getting along. In a disaster or societal collapse, all that " community" goes away. People panic, are terrified, return to basic animal instinct/ survival tendencies. Best to have a plan with your closest family members who can trust and depend on.

babble

12/18/2019 6:15:54 PM

The second paragraph about the gun is a little questionable. Why is THAT an issue, to make sure you have a gun to defend yourself in those situations described? How else does one defend their property, and family, when someone crosses the line and becomes a threat? Both things can be true at the same time- âI wished I had my friends and family and had a safe place to stay, but Iâm sure glad I had my gun to protect my family and the little food we did have from those thugs trying to take advantage of our situation! Maybe only after someoneâs family member was killed or raped, or the last of their belongings taken, would that comment be made. Iâd rather be one prepared for that situation too, thank you.

FancyGirlFarm

12/18/2019 4:18:27 PM

I really feel like this article is very misleading. CLEARLY Kyle has never been raped. CLEARLY Kyle has never had to watch his daughter, wife or mother be raped. Much less watch every male in the family, sons, fathers and husbands lined up and murdered. So I am not sure that he has had enough disaster or war experience to make such bold statements. Many people across the globe would love to have any weapon to protect themselves and their family. The second paragraph is ridiculous and completely unacceptable that GRIT would publish it!