Smart Prepping- Location

     This concept may seem simple, better location is going to make prepping easier. Take a walk around the block. Do you think your surroundings will be hospitable in a survival situation? Below we will cover some basic things to think about while starting your prepping journey.

      So you've decided your going to start prepping. You buy some first aid kits, some food to store, and build a small supply of water. While these are the baby steps on a long path, they aren't the first things to consider. How many neighbors do you have? Large concentrations of people can be a blessing and a curse. As a prepared individual you must make moral choices when the day comes, but that's a different article. First we will cover the City/Suburb settings:

     In these large populations there are many thing you can expect to encounter. Human interaction is almost always going to be a daily activity. Whether your in your home with with all the supplies prepped from years past, or out in nature scavenging for supplies, you are going to see others. This is when things get tricky, do you help your fellow man survive? Or do you take a different path of solitude and self-sufficiency? 

Rebuilding Society 

      Urban Environment Survival

     In a social collapse without law or authority, dense populations will be very dangerous. Riot's in the streets would break out over fears of varying nature. Hunger would drive people to madness, doing things they once thought immoral just to survive. For those that are sufficiently prepared in this environment, be aware that those that are not will be a great threat to you. Any caring person would love to give a can of beans and some water to that innocent looking woman that needed to feed her child. I personally would advise against this, and I promise I'm not just heartless. That kind act in itself may not be dangerous, but word of mouth is as dangerous as it gets. If the young lady were to tell someone as desperate as her about this kind act, they would want to get their share. A few people find out you have stocks of food, they will want it and try to take it. So forgo some good karma, sometimes its better to be greedy.

     There are a few things that will need to happen to restore order after our complex social order crumbles. First there will need to be enough people that are sufficiently prepared that can band together in a civilized way to assist others with their needs. In a world without law there is power in numbers, and in knowledge. Violence is always a threat, and a hungry marauder will be less tempted to attack when outnumbered. Naturally a well organized group can make more of an impact than an individual, but is that really enough? Not everyone will be able to be helped, morals will have to be broken, and people you want to help will turn against you. Whatever the situation may be, remember survival is a natural instinct, and humans are the most dangerous of animals.

      No matter how many precautions are taken in an urban environment, your resources are always going to be limited, and relocation is all but certain. A renewable water source may currently be close by, but with a large population, it would quickly be polluted and depleted. Renewable food sources are nearly nonexistent, so I advise anyone in an urban environment to start a small garden wherever possible. Also people will be dying, its a said but true fact, in city environments this will be a major issue that will need to be addressed.
 

     Rural Environment Survival

     Those that find themselves located in a rural setting, like a small township or village, will experience survival in a different way. These small communities are usually close knit, and everybody knows your business. During high school this may have been a nuisance, but when survival is your goal, these people will be your lifelines. Fewer people in an area means less chaos, and this is a very good thing. Those that live outside of major towns and cities will have far less fear of violence and hunger. Rural area's are rich with livestock and farmers with the know how to grow renewable food sources.

     Less people may be the safer way to go but that doesn't mean there aren't any downsides. There are less raw materials that may prove useful. Also you can expect to have less human interaction. Which is a good thing when under the threat of violence, but could be your end if you find yourself in need.


      I may go into more depth into locations but I feel for now this will at least get you thinking. Thank you for reading and please feel free to discuss anything prepping with me. Many many more articles in the works so be sure to check back often.