Survivalism
From Wikipedia, the free
encyclopedia
Survivalism is a commonly used (and often mis-used) term for
the preparedness strategy and subculture of individuals or
groups anticipating and making preparations for a future
possible disruptions in local, regional or worldwide social
or political order. Survivalists often prepare for this
anticipated disruption by learning skills (e.g., emergency
medical training), stockpiling food and water, preparing for
self-defense and self-sufficiency, and/or building
structures that will help them to survive or "disappear"
(e.g., a survival retreat or underground shelter)
|
|
A copy of Survival Under Atomic Attack, a
Civil Defense publication. |
The specific preparations made by
survivalists depends on the nature of the anticipated disruption(s),
some of the most common scenarios being: Natural disaster clusters, and
patterns of apocalyptic planetary crises or Earth changes, such as
Climate Change bringing on tornadoes, hurricanes, earthquakes,
blizzards, and severe thunderstorms, etc. A disaster brought about by
the activities of mankind: chemical spills, release of radioactive
materials, war, or an oppressive government. General collapse of
society, resulting from the unavailability of electricity, fuel, food,
and water. Monetary disruption or Economic collapse, stemming from
monetary manipulation, hyper-inflation or world-wide depression.
Widespread chaos, or some other unexplained apocalyptic event.
|
A Duck & Cover movie poster |
Common preparations
Common preparations sometimes include preparing a clandestine or
defensible 'retreat' or 'safe place' (Bug Out Location or BOL) and
stockpiling non-perishable food, water, water-purification equipment,
clothing, seed, defensive weapons, ammunition, and agricultural
equipment. Some survivalists do not make such extensive preparations but
instead incorporate a "Be Prepared" outlook into their everyday life.
Many survivalists also have a bag of gear that is often referred to as a
Bug Out Bag (BOB), holding basic necessities and useful items weighing
anywhere up to as much as the owner can carry.
Survivalists aim to remain self-sufficient for the duration of the
breakdown of social order, or perhaps indefinitely if the breakdown is
predicted to be permanent (a "Third Dark Age"), a possibility
popularized in the 1960s by Roberto Vacca of the Club of Rome.
Survivalists allow for the contingency that they cannot prevent this
breakdown, and prepare to survive in small communal groups ("group
retreats") or "covenant communities."
Changing concerns and preparations
Survivalists' concerns and preparations have changed over the years.
During the 1970s, survivalists feared economic collapse, hyperinflation,
and famine, and prepared by storing food and constructing survival
retreats in the country which could be farmed. Some survivalists
stockpiled precious metals and barterable goods (such as common caliber
ammunition) because they assumed that paper currency would become
worthless. During the early 1980s, nuclear war became a common fear, and
some survivalists constructed fallout shelters.
In 1999, many people purchased electric generators, water purifiers, and
several months or years worth of food in anticipation of widespread
power outages because of the Y2K computer-bug. Instead of moving or
making such preparations at home, many people also make plans to remain
in their current locations until an actual breakdown occurs, when they
will-in survivalist parlance- "bug out" or "get out of Dodge" to a safer
location.
Religious beliefs
Other survivalists have more specialized concerns, often related to an
adherence to apocalyptic religious beliefs. Some New Agers anticipate a
forthcoming arrival of catastrophic earth changes and prepare to survive
them. A small percentage of evangelical Christians hold to an
interpretation of Bible prophecy known as a post-tribulation rapture, in
which Christians will have to go through a seven-year period of war and
global dictatorship known as the "Great Tribulation." Jim McKeever
helped popularize survival preparations among this branch of evangelical
Christians with his 1978 book Christians Will Go Through the
Tribulation, and How To Prepare For It (ISBN 0-931608-02-3).
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has an official policy
of food storage for its members. This is more of a precaution for
emergencies rather than in preparation for some apocalyptic event. Some
very small religious sects have also been known for their belief in a
coming apocalypse and the adoption of some survivalist practices. Among
the best known of these groups are the Branch Davidians, an offshoot of
the Seventh-day Adventist Church.
Mainstream emergency preparations
People who are not part of survivalist groups or apocalyptic-oriented
religious groups also make preparations for emergencies. This can
include, depending on the location, preparing for earthquakes, floods,
power outages, blizzards, avalanches, wildfires, nuclear power plant
accidents, hazardous material spills, tornadoes, and hurricanes. These
preparations can be as simple as following Red Cross and FEMA
recommendations by keeping a first aid kit, shovel, and extra clothes in
the car, or maintaining a small kit of emergency supplies in the home
and car, containing emergency food, water, a space blanket and other
essentials. |
