The Prepped community uses as many acronyms as the military. In order to develop an effective SHTF plan, you need to understand what many of the preppers’ acronyms stand for so you can communicate with these self- reliant individuals.
SHTF ( shit hits the fan) describes a scenario where civil society has been disrupted by a man- made or natural disaster. For many, this disruption will raise many questions about how to survive. Yet, these questions are best answered by understanding the impact of other scenarios described by acronyms such as TEOTWAWAKI ( the end of the world as we know it) and WROL ( without rule of law).
Your plan needs to address the immediate needs of yourself and your loved ones. This plan can be extended to other family members, friends and work colleagues depending on the situation.
Most SHTF scenarios are accompanied by WROL. Yet, a TEOTWAWKI scenario might be so drastic that neither law enforcement, the military or civil society have the skills orc resources to assist you and your family.
You cannot prepare for every scenario. Rather, you should understand the principles of survival, practise skills and develop the mindset that you are a survivor.
So, develop your SHTF plan around the principles of survival:
- Seek and secure protection from the elements. Adverse weather will kill you quicker than a zombie attack, pandemic or a coup.
- Develop a communications system to inform your loved ones about your location and alert rescue personnel, if possible. Consider that you would rather see than be seen.
- Acquire local and useful knowledge about the immediate area and people who can assist you. Such knowledge will help you to supplement your water and food resources and help you if you decide to leave the area( bug out).
- Maintain the ability to navigate. Use a compass, draw maps of the area, know your cardinal points and be able to navigate to safe and secure locations.
- Have access to suitable medical supplies at all times. Whatever the cause of a man- made or natural disaster, personal hygiene is quickly compromised.You need to maintain your personal hygiene at the highest level. Keep yourself clean and your clothes repaired. In this way, you will minimise the risks of infection, sickness and disease.
Tip: Plan what you, as a family, will do once you have recognised and accepted a SHTF scenario. This plan need not be documented but it helps to rehearse specifications when you can.
To get more knowledge about surviving a SHTF and prepping yourself to cope, attend one of our H.E.A.T. courses.