Survival 101: What Should You Do When SHTF to Ensure Your Survival

In a survival situation, the first few hours after a disaster strikes are the most crucial. Here’s a few tips on what you should do when SHTF to ensure your survival. While the proper survival gear and training are important, having an execution plan should be at the top of your list. Here’s 9 things to do in an emergency situation.

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Get information on the situation – Reach out to those around you, your neighbors, to get the full picture.
Collect gear and personnel for movement– If you’re at your primary rally point, such as your house, start to fill your tubs, sinks, pots, and other containers with water before the pressure is gone. Have bug out bags prepared ahead so you are ready to move if/when you need to.
Get to the primary rally point– Bug out routes and rally points should be planned ahead. Consider that for many reasons, such as rioting or a major fire, you may find out that your primary rally point isn’t useable. Always have a secondary rally point or back up plan.
Security– Once you’ve reached your rally point, take precautions against people (or animals) who may be dangerous. Set up sufficient, preliminary defenses as improvements can be made later.
Organize supplies– Once defense is set up, determine what’s in your gear, what’s in the immediate area that could be of use, and if you have any immediate needs such as water, food and medicine.
Configure emergency communications– An emergency communications plan should be determined in advance and agreed upon with your family/team. You’ll want to have different ways to communicate, not all of which can be electronics-dependent.
Get everyone together– Communications are established, so now you need to get everyone together. You will either lead them to where you are, or you’ll need to go to them. Make sure you determine who will stay back and who will be leaving the basecamp/rally point.
Monitor the frequencies– Monitor the frequencies across the spectrum and gain some information on the situation.
Determine the next course of action– Once everyone is together, you must decide what to do next – stay, move? Continue to collect intelligence, improve your position, assess your process, and make plans.