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.
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.
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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.
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- Ć¢ĀĀI wished I had my friends and family and had a safe place to stay, but IĆ¢ĀĀm 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 someoneĆ¢ĀĀs family member was killed or raped, or the last of their belongings taken, would that comment be made. IĆ¢ĀĀd rather be one prepared for that situation too, thank you.
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!