But then if everyone were like us, planning for anything past the natural disaster probably wouldn’t even be necessary .
Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde
Unfortunately most people aren’t like us – they are locked into the system, when the system goes they go with it.
They watch the news and read the paper yet fail to think it will get that bad or that it could actually happen to them.
A crash will bring out the worst in people. When the support structure is gone (no more grocery stores, supermarkets, gas stations, factories, police etc.) people will change – some for the worst.
Safety In Numbers
It’s true – there is safety in numbers but those numbers need to consist of the right people. People you know and trust, there should be no doubt as to whether they have your back and you theirs.
Finding people you can trust is difficult under “normal” conditions – it will be nearly impossible after TSHTF.
Looking out for #1
People put their survival first, as long as they feel the group is in their best interest everything will be fine.
The moment they feel the group isn’t in their best interest, loyalties to the group will be thrown out the window in favor of self interest and preservation.
Don’t be surprised when a member disappears into the darkness – possibly taking your best gear and bulk of the supplies with him.
What’s Hiding Underneath?
I’m not saying survival groups are bad – just that when people are scared, hungry and stressed they will react in ways not thought of, revealing who they really are rather quickly and you may not like what they’ve been hiding underneath.
Conclusion
Choose your friends wisely – your survival will depend on it. Is there anyone you would trust with your life?
{ 5 comments }
I had this very conversation with another prepper about a month or two ago. We had just met for the first time, and were circling each other like dogs with our conversation trying to figure out if we were both the real deal or not without trying to offend… It was my first foray into poking someone with the proverbial stick to see if they were for real or not.
I totally agree. People are strange creatures. As such, there are a grand total of three people who i trust without reservation. First (obviously) myself. Second, my wife. And third, the best friend that ive known since kindergarden. Anyone else… Get to know me for thirty years and we’ll see.
Good question. Experience has shown me that to trust that someone’s got your back, expecting that they do, is not always viable and it is sometimes best to rely on yourself and then if a time comes that someone does have your back, then all the more power to ‘them’, ‘me’, ‘us’. It is hard to say that I would trust anyone with my life because most of the people I know are not truly survival ready and they have not been in situations where life or death or injury and harm have been relevant. The only way I would be able to consider trusting them with my life is for them to gain a little experience and a corresponding readiness. Should they obtain the skills and mind sets required then I would not be afraid to put my life into their hands. Like I said, to expect that someone has your back but in reality thier mind is not ‘there’ then it would be useless and futile in a true survival situation. Training and skills are the two most essential qualities one can possess. I can’t drive a car without learning how to do it. I can’t operate a car without experience. I can’t be a success in driving without proper training and skills. This goes the same for aiming and shooting a gun, cooking, hunting, etcetera and especially survival. I know many people that would be hungry, exhausted and suffering the effects of hypo or hyperthermia if they were taken into the wilderness, desert or other terrains and just left there alone within a very short time so unless they acquire the proper skills there is no way they would be any good at protecting anyone else.
I have seen groups come and go, some I left, some left me!
I had a group, once upon a time…
Too many variables and personalities to deal with….many get “burned out” quickly and drift elsewhere.
I got burned out myself. A “casualty” of too much, too quickly.
You can destroy yourself and your family, by over doing some things!
“Friends and family” just does not always work as you’d expect it to.
Despite age differences, we tried with people from 16 to 62,…it seemed ok at first, then for some reason, ( hormones?) it all came apart at the seams!
Younger generations will not heed warnings from the baby boomer era, and vice versa! Too many cooks spoil the soup, as it were.
I wish I had the answers, as I spent a great deal of time, effort, and money, on alot of people I thought I could trust in…I was wrong!
Today, I ONLY plan for two…not 6-8 anymore.
Faster, easier, cheaper, and far less hassles…I make ALL the decisions and have no qualms about going it alone, now.
I tried to teach, tried to show, and explain things….all of it was a waste of my time.
I have my own land, and I gave up on a caretaker, and his bizarre abnormalities….
I’ll do what I can, as is needed, for me….
Perhaps it sounds selfish and self serving,…..
WELL, it is~!
I’m 63 years old, I’ve been around most of this planet, lived it 7 different states and I have found people, in general, are lying, deceitful, thieves and vermen.
I know a total of one person I would trust with my life in a survival situation. A ex-Marine in Alaska.
I believe you will find more trustworthy companions among ex-Marines ,ex-Seals and ex-Special Forces than you will in the general population.
These people have Honor.
I’ve tried trusting people and being friends and have been lied to and stole from by everyone of them, except that one man in Alaska.
Not many people to trust, for a life time of trying.
Shows how difficult it can be to find like minded people that also will go the distance.
Good Luck to all.
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