The reason for this article is to produce some specific lists (based on Nuclear war) … almost solely for my own use.

Long term

Long term, the key is to get the hell out of countries that are likely to be part of a nuclear exchange. That is not an easy thing to do, but the only way to avoid being hit by a nuclear war, is not to be anywhere near one.

Be Sceptical

The next key, is to keep away from the controlled media. They just rot your brain and anyone under their control doesn’t have a hope in hell’s chance of spotting the early signs of a nuclear war developing. Likewise, if you are getting your news from the legacy media, you really don’t have the common sense or ability to challenge or spot the deluge of fake news by government and intelligence agencies. You’re just a lamb caught in the headlights of history. If you are still watching the BBC, or getting the bulk of your news from the legacy media, then you are welcome to read on, but it will be pointless for you. You will never be able to use anything I say here to your advantage.

Shelter

I would try to buy a house with an underground cellar. If I saw war approaching, I would attempt to build a shelter. But I would get the hell out of the place if I could, rather than build a shelter. But, there may just be a situation where it makes sense. So, I’m not saying “never”.

Food and provisions

It makes a lot more sense to stock up on food and essential provisions. Also to have means of producing electricity, lighting, heat.

Long term surviving

It is very hard to predict how society will break down after a nuclear exchange. So, it is extremely hard to work out how to survive in an unknown society, with an unknown level of economy, with unknown food supplies. But there are things that are clearly going to be more help than not. A big garden, tools for vegetable growing. Tools for DIY repair. Means to get fuel like wood and process it. Ways to live without modern communication (like no GPS = maps). Ways to get around without fuel. Knowledge and means to make clothes from available fibres (wool). Drying, bottling, and other food storage, etc.

I’m not saying people will be weaving their own clothes. Instead I’m saying if you know how to weave, you have the types of skills that are useful even if weaving isn’t actually needed.

One key, is dental health … bad teeth used to kill.

Preparing for the actual exchange

The keys to survival are:

• a way to detect high dosage radiation. There is no easy way to do that.
• Enormous quantities of fresh water and containers to store them
• A means to move large quantities of water, supplies, tent, clothes, so as to enable speedy exit of an area subject to radioactive fallout. It is very unlikely you can get out by road, as they will be jammed with cars. So, a care will be useless.
• Battery free entertainment. That might sound stupid, but the key to survival is mental attitude, and the only really good way to cope without modern technology, is some form of entertainment that doesn’t need modern technology. So, a musical instrument. Best if you actually learn to play.

Health

It is almost impossible to work out what to say on health. On the one hand, natural immunity works, so despite the conditions most will survive whatever is thrown at us. On the other hand, many will die because they don’t have access to simple things we now take for granted.

A big need is a “first aid kit”. In fact, it’s not just one kit. It is a trauma kit for multiple injured people. A severe burns kit, again for multiple injuries. A diseases of insanity conditions kit, an everyday health kit for … I suppose the rest of your life, or as much as is sensible. All to squash down so small it can all be easily carried. The one thing I would also put in, are long use anti-biotics (so still useable after 10 years, and dollops of them) … in fact, it would be extremely hard, not to put in everything. Which is code for “I’ve not been able to work it out”.

Tools of the Trade

After a nuclear war, people are going to have to earn their food. If you have a trade that can be carried out after a nuclear war, you are likely to get food when others starve.

Social Networks

I’m sorry to say that people’s whose only skill is networking, may actually do quite well. But, on the positive side, they won’t all do well. However, having a network of really good friends and family would be critical. Indeed, when I thought about it, 10x as many of those whose only skill is socialising are likely to die compared to the practical. It might be 100x. But those who are practical with social skills, will do a lot better than those without social skills.

Wealth

I would tend to say “wealth is a good idea”, but I’m not sure of the practicalities of what constitutes wealth in a lawless society as it may exist after a nuclear exchange. To what extent would people respect “ownership” of anything? Especially those whose greed and wealth was largely responsible for creating the world that went into a nuclear war? Anyone with obvious wealth is really going to be a target.

People will understand a person having the “tools of their trade”, but they will not understand someone squandering wealth they got from the work of others.

Preparation

Having a knowledge of everything I put as “long term survival” and dealing with health, and trades and social networks, are all very good things to learn. Having books to help … also key. Having spare materials, or the ability to make do … great.

Being able to camp, live without a tent, walk 40 miles in a day non-stop. All of those are really useful skills.

Learning a trade you could do without modern technology. Learning how to entertain yourself and others with a musical instrument (ideally one you could make from scratch).

Learning how to farm, fish, … hunting isn’t useful unless you leave where game is abundant, but trapping small game and handling is also useful.

Learning how to mend clothes, make cloth, good, store food without refrigeration. It all adds to your ability to withstand a super shock to society that would follow a nuclear exchange.

Lists

• Balloons
• Water containers
• Copious sheets
• Spades
• Tarpaulins
• Trolley
• Outdoor clothes
• Tent/sleeping bags/cooking/ etc.
• High energy, dense foods.
• Robust musical instruments
• Maps, compass
• Binoculars
• First aid kit(s)
• Lifetime farming/weaving/sewing/cook/food storage/DIY/Fishing/etc supplies