Nukes
You Will Survive Doomsday
By Bruce Beach
Table of Contents
MYTHS
MYTH #16: You should be prepared to be self-sufficient and be able
to survive on your own.
The very best thing that a survival minded person can do, after preparing
for themselves an equipped place of refuge, and developing their own survival
skills, is to associate themselves with other skilled survivalists.
No one person can know everything, and almost everyone can contribute
something. Agricultural, medical, mechanical, communicator, you name it,
all skills will be needed.
Few people could afford the equipment that an organization can have.
One well-equipped laboratory for testing for alpha and beta particles in
food costs $5,000. Along with other radiation detection equipment and
many other types of emergency supplies, what individual can afford it?
Yet no nuclear survival group should be without one.
Even in building a shelter the mayor expense is the entrance and
support mechanisms such as emergency lighting, water source, etc.
The incremental cost for space for one additional individual is quite small.
Thus, the greater the number of people the overall cost can be spread over,
the less the average cost.
Moreover, no individual has the personal resources that a group has.
If the head of a single family survival group is injured or lost the
chances of survival for that group are much reduced. However, if it is
a large group then there are numbers of people available to continue to
give support. Just like there are numbers of people available to
maintain twenty-four hour watches, or to create a well manned convoy to
go after necessary supplies. One more prepared and equipped individual
added to such a group is an asset, whereas in a situation like a public
shelter, one more unprepared and unequipped individual is just another
liability.
A successful survival group will have to be either completely
homogeneous or thoroughly committed to thoroughgoing tolerance and
appreciation of a wide range of individual preferences regarding
society, economics, religion, and future expectations. Still, a shelter
is not a democratic society anymore than is a ship or an airliner.
The captain's authority is absolute and one should have confidence in
his credentials and ability before boarding.
Neither is a shelter a democracy in the sense that there must be much
more stringent rules regarding behavior. Everyone must perform assigned
duties. There are no wealthy passengers along for a free ride to be
served by others. There are many limitations to personal freedoms such
as contraband materials. No drugs or alcohol (except under medical
prescription and then as approved by the commander).
All firearms and weapons must be placed in the armory and will not be
released except under orders from the commander. All valuables will be
receipted and stored in the locker for safekeeping. No private stocks
of foods because under survival conditions this can lead to social
disorder. No tobacco or smoking inside the shelter, since it would
cause discomfort to others.
No loud toys, devices, or other objects that would be environmentally
disturbing to others. No large bulky items, or great quantities of any
item without the permission of the commander. And no pets or animals
unless the survival community has made prior special arrangements for
their accommodation.
Tough. Yes, It is tough. But not nearly as tough as the conditions
of survival will be for those who are not prepared. There are many
items that are not prohibited, and in fact are encouraged. A reasonable
supply of one's personal religious literature, the tools and resource
manuals of their trade or profession, survival manuals and equipment of
every sort, additional supplies of food to be put into the common larder,
and extra supplies to be put into the common store.
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