2023 Author: Katelyn Chandter | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-05-21 13:08
War is a very difficult test, but let's try to learn lessons. She gave us a lot of useful information, as real examples of how ordinary people are forced to act in unusual circumstances. Rules of survival in hostilities.
War is by far the hardest test for all of us. However, it would be foolish not to try to learn from it. Nothing will give us as much useful information as real examples of how ordinary people are forced to act in unusual circumstances.
And in the end, we have a lot of examples of what works and what doesn't work. And, despite the importance of his own experience, a wise person will learn, first of all, from other people's mistakes and try not to repeat them.
Using the usual sources (indicated in the original article), the authors formulated 12 most important, in their opinion, lessons of survival:
1. Artillery and army will cover any Rambo-survivalist, like a bull to a sheep. Every now and again
Perhaps the most obvious lesson was the fact that fantasies about forming squads of survivalists and living in the field were completely destroyed while resisting overwhelming forces. An army cannot be defeated, whether alone or in a small group. Houses, villages and even entire cities end up surrounded and taken over.
A lonely house or camp is a ludicrous attempt at resistance to organized forces, not to mention supporting the latter with artillery and aircraft. It's simple - when they get tired of shooting at your position, they'll just blow you up.
2. The main thing is food, water and medicine
In different parts of the country, people are sitting without water, food or electricity. Food supplies are required. Food that doesn't need to be frozen or reheated. We need water. Not just a filter (it is also needed), but also physically - containers with water. Have a well, borehole, or river handy. Watch out for large barrels that may be on sale - even cans will be valuable - anything you can store and carry water in.
Keep a good supply of medicines - ibuprofen, vomiting and diarrhea medicines, liquid ibuprofen for babies, bandages, diapers, baby food, and antibiotics. The latter are the difference between life and death in a situation when they are suddenly needed. Have lamps, flashlights and lots of batteries. Have a radio with a speaker. Have solar chargers for your phone and batteries. Have alternative heating and cooking methods. A wood stove is good if you have a supply of firewood. If you have electricity, use electric heaters to save firewood in case the electricity goes out.
It is worth stocking up on gasoline for the car in case you have to urgently run. Have a tent and sleeping bags. The latter can be used not only in a tent, but also in a refugee camp or in an empty apartment where you were evacuated or with friends or relatives who have sheltered you.
In the city under fire, the only safe place is underground. An ideal bunker, however any underground shelter is worth finding. In buildings, doors and windows are heaped up with sandbags, and people sleep indoors - away from walls and windows. During shelling, windows never survive, broken windows can be repaired with plastic to retain heat, but this is really not an option and the heat loss will still be colossal.
3. Don't interfere
From a survival standpoint, the best course of action in a conflict that threatens to escalate into clashes is non-intervention. Avoid protest marches. In our case, this is especially true - people on both sides of the barricades are seen by many, and often filmed.
Sometimes, something as primitive as a political adversary who remembers you may end up in prison, or even worse. In a situation like this, even neighbors, ex-friends, or colleagues may remember your political leanings. It may end in a denunciation, and expect guests.
4. Behavior, clothing and equipment can kill you
A case when an inconspicuous gray man is useful. Be as neutral as possible, not only with regard to actions and behavior, but also with regard to clothing, insignia and equipment. Even a beard or fancy hairstyle can be a zugunder. According to George 1980 (a user of the survival forum who talked a lot about what was going on):
“I got into an unpleasant story at the checkpoint when a soldier wanted to arrest me as a separatist. Maybe because of the beard, but according to him, my face seemed suspicious to him. Fortunately, my wife and daughters were with me, and they did not detain me."
The goal of any checkpoint is to find enemies. Having a weapon in your possession will not lead to anything good, nor will the presence of maps, a navigator, political propaganda or walkie-talkies. This is all considered spy material.
Travelers who have visited different parts of the world often say that they were arrested just for having a camera or laptop. You are not local, do you have electronics with you that can be used for communication? Everything, you are a spy until you prove otherwise. Do you have a navigator, walkie-talkies and maps in your alarming backpack? Come to this wisely - in certain cases, because of these things you can get stuck well, so sometimes it makes sense to get rid of them in advance.
5. Learn to pass the block posts
At checkpoints, women and children are not screened as thoroughly as men. Also, private cars are driven by more preference than public transport. So consider whether it is better to take the train or bus. It is important to travel light, in good health, and to be adequately dressed to walk considerable distances. Bribes may be needed, so carry cash with you.
A hidden weapon can end up in your arrest or murder. Is it worth the risk and hiding a pistol among the manats if you plan to evacuate? Not a fact - it's up to you, depending on the situation. Valuables such as jewelry, money or electronics can be “confiscated” (read - taken away). Hide them as best you can.
Cash and small gold coins can be hidden in shoes, baby toys, and even a bag of dirty diapers. Coins can be sewn under chevrons and buttons. Women, it happens, hide small rolls of coins exactly where you thought, after putting them in a condom. For kraynyak, small gold coins and jewelry can be swallowed, and then "caught" at the exit - to live with wolves … However, one can immediately appreciate the advantage of gold coins against silver ones. I would not want to swallow $ 1000 silver coins.
6. Weapons can save you. Or kill
According to George 1980, "the separatists are very afraid of saboteurs and try to catch every armed person who is not a soldier of their army."
Are you fighting in the ranks of one of the existing groups? If not, make sure you're not like them. If you want to be left alone, do not carry a weapon openly. Open wearing means that you belong to one of the parties involved in the conflict. If you are on your own, then BOTH sides will see you as an armed adversary.
By and large, a weapon can save you, but in a world other than black and white, you can die because of it. Hide your weapons. Be prepared to throw it away, sell it or hide it, depending on the situation. Waving a pistol is not the answer (let alone the only one) to all questions.
7. Have a weapon with a common cartridge
It was already explained above why you need to hide the weapon. Ultimately, you may have to part with a rifle and even a pistol. You will definitely not be allowed on the evacuation plane with them.
How about a roadblock? Are weapons worth the risk of being arrested or killed? Or maybe it makes sense for you to sell the weapon to the one who is left behind so that you have a couple of hundred extra bucks when you board the train or bus?
Anyway, your weapon must be popular, reliable and use a popular caliber. You need a weapon that works great in your hands and can always be sold.
8. Passport and documents are extremely important
When fleeing the war - have your documents with you. Soldiers at checkpoints will require a passport, driving license, or other proof of identity. They may not be required, but if they ask, it is better to have them with you. They want to know everything about you.
If you want to leave the country, have your passport with you. Other countries are already refusing to grant asylum to refugees. In this case, a second citizenship will be invaluable. Having a passport of a second country will allow you to stupidly get on the plane and go wherever you want, instead of wiping around a closed door or, at best, sticking around where the fate of a refugee takes you.
9. Cash is the rule
There was still food in Donetsk, but people did not have enough money to buy it. With inflation around 30% per month, prices rose accordingly. So it is better to have dollars and euros than local currency. In large stores, they may not be accepted, but you can always exchange a small amount for local currency at the current exchange rate. In George's words: "Cash is the main survival tool." It is difficult to disagree with this.
10. Work on your daily gear
One day it may turn out that this is all that you can count on. George 1980 mentioned how important a good multitool is. As it happened, he remained the only instrument available. Think about it.
What if the flashlight in my pocket is the only thing I have left, or this flashlight will have to serve me for many years. Which flashlight should I have in this case? If a jackknife is the only thing I have left - for self-defense, planing wood chips, preparing food - which knife should I have?
How about selling a knife for the cash I use for the soldier at the checkpoint? Which knife or multitool can you buy more money for? And ultimately, do I have enough cash with me now to grab my family, get to the bus station and buy tickets for everyone to get away?
11. Open a foreign account
Greece, Argentina - it doesn't matter what country it is, but when shit hits the fan and the banks close, a foreign bank account can come in handy. Maybe just a savings account. Maybe just for the opportunity to throw something there, if bad rumors spread. Transfer fees are a small price to pay for peace of mind.
Just like it's too late to buy a pistol, when bad guys are already breaking into your house, it's too late to open a foreign account when the country's economy is sinking below the sewers. These things should be done in advance. And I have no doubt that people who have taken care of this in advance do not regret it for a second.
12. Be ready to run and know when to run
When a war breaks out in a country, the one who left that country will have the best chance of survival. Always have a plan to escape the cordon - no matter who you are or where you live. Think for a second, if today you need to run (no matter why - you have to, that's all) - where will you go? Do you have someone there to help you?
Well, in the end - know when it's time to run. Having a plan is good. But fulfilling it on time is a matter of life and death. Those who hesitate, those who turn a blind eye to the signs that appear around more and more often, may regret their slowness. If they survive.
