When we talk tips for avoiding SHTF scenarios, I hope you realize we’re not referring to large-scale events like hurricanes and tornadoes. Rather, we are referring to the survival situations we so often put ourselves in.
How? Surely, no one would be dumb enough to put themselves in life-threatening conditions.
If you watch the news often or make some time for SHTF movies, you tend to believe that shit just suddenly hit the fan, but this isn’t so. Shit does not just hit the fan. In fact, there are very few cases involving survival that we do not stupidly put ourselves in.
Addressing Our Urge for Putting Ourselves in Danger
I’m not saying that an individual wants to put himself in a dangerous situation. But this is exactly what he does by failing to prepare adequately and ignoring the signs hinting at these scenarios before they happen.
In recent times, most SHTF scenarios involve people going missing in national parks or any other outdoor location. And while these people are typically relatively unhurt, some things always stand out to me.
Little to Zero Gear
The first is that some of these individuals had little or no gear for coping with the wilderness with them. I believe this is because of the “just/only” mentality.
“I’m only spending an hour on the trails,” or “I’m just going for a day’s hike.”
Thinking this way gets these people into problems more than they realize because it gives them a false belief of security. It is necessary to always have the basic gear for safety and emergency when going to the great outdoors.
Inability to Use Gear
The second fact is that some of those with gear are unable to use them effectively. I’ve seen various cases of people still having their survival gear unwrapped when they were rescued. What’s the essence of a gear you can’t use!
The first time you use your gear should not be when it is needed. Learn to familiarize yourself with your outdoor gear before hitting the wild with them. The great outdoors isn’t the right place to test what you have. Do not buy products and just leave them unused.
Lack of Survival Knowledge
Lastly, many outdoor enthusiasts don’t have adequate survival knowledge and skills to get by the difficult situations, yet they lead the crusade into wilderness exploration. It is fine to love the outdoors. It’s a place to escape the city and prepare for negative events. But this doesn’t allow you to waltz in and out of it whenever you deem fit.
The great outdoors is very much a dangerous place too. There are hissing mambas, roaming lions, swallowing manholes, whirling tornadoes, and poisonous berries. It’s never the place to be without training.
The point of the three facts I’ve pointed out above is that proper planning can make the absolute difference regarding a survival scenario’s outlook and outcome. Whoever ventures into the wild has a responsibility towards himself. He must be able to handle shelter, source food, find water, conduct first aid, and manage navigation.
Warning Signs for Avoiding SHTF Scenarios
The thing about Mother Nature is that she worships at the temple: she always comes with bells. Warning bells. There are always plenty of signs that precede a difficult scenario, and they are almost always ignored.
These signs are too innumerable to mention, and they are typically specific to the situations.
However, there are few examples relating to all situations, and as you may be able to relate, they are the commonest reasons people get into difficult scenarios.
Weather Forecast
I bet everyone has, at some point in their life, ignored the weather forecast, and, fortunately, we rarely suffer consequences when we do so at home. However, this stroke of luck causes some of us to ignore the weather when venturing into the wild. That is an unforgivable decision. Failure to pack the appropriate gear for the weather or deciding to carry on with your journey when there’s the possibility of breakdown in transportation can be disastrous.
Faulty Gear
Refusing to repair faulty gear is a clear invitation to disaster, and you could agree the dude never likes to miss a party. You have to check all supplies, tools, equipment, and vehicles that will be used for your outdoor venture before leaving home. In fact, you should conduct regular checks and be more thorough three days before your date of departure. If any piece of gear is showing problems before you leave home, you must not think it will repair itself with time. Leave nothing to chance.
Going off the Trail
I can understand that when you go off-trail, you want to be more daring or see something different from what everyone else sees. However, I don’t see the logic behind doing so for long or without a definite means of returning to the main path. Trails are established for your safety and preservation of the local environment. You can avoid a lot of SHTF scenarios by just staying on a clear trail. There’s no applause for walking yourself into missing your way.
Leaving your group can also be likened to this. When exploring with a group, remaining with them is always the safest for you. Do not go on separate paths for any reason. Travel at a minimum of pairs at all times.
Other Tips for Avoiding SHTF Scenarios
- Always check-in and out with others. Make sure to leave a comprehensive plan of your activities for the day. A number to be reached is always advisable.
- Arrange definite check-in times.
- Pack appropriate gear for the weather and environment. Emergency supplies, too, are a must.
- Practice with gear as much as you can to be very familiar with its usage.
- Be aware of the weather forecast.
- Have plans B and C for when things go wrong.
- Always carry a map and compass.
- Come with food and gear for filtering water.
- Come with a complete first-aid kit that you can use.
Concluding the Tips for Avoiding SHTF Scenarios
Disasters can be avoided or reduced to the barest by keeping to the tips for avoiding SHTF scenarios discussed above. Carry correct gear, know how to use them, and have sufficient skill sets for the wilderness. Do not say you’re going for only an hour. Always be prepared.