Prepare: Getting Started Part Seven Protection and Security Part Two

The last post covered the basic reasons and rationale for owning at least one firearm for protection post-SHTF. This post will cover at another aspect of security.

In the previous post, the possibility of conflict with desparate gangs or criminals was brought up. The reality is, that no matter how well armed and trained you might be, sooner or later you will run up against another force better armed or larger than yours. Further, it only takes one shot to mortally wound and end your preparedness plans.

Thus, the best long term scenario is cover and concealment. Instead of waiting for discovery and conflict, avoid being seen at all and lower the potential for violence.

Cover and concealment means keeping a low profile and sometimes, hiding in plain sight. The home should blend in with the background. Gardens and food production should not be evident to passing eyes. Cooking odors should be kept to a minimum. There should be little if any use of noisy equipment or generators.

The problem is most of us don't live that way. You can't train a child not to be a child. Children like to run, scream and play. You can't live off cold canned foods forever; raw meat from game or domestic production has to be cooked. Sooner or later wood will have to be chopped or repairs made to a vehicle or home.

With this in mind, in the urban or suburban environment, cover and concealment are tough if not impossible. There is too great a chance that someone will see, hear or smell you out. Any home or dwelling must be camoflaged to look abandoned and deserted which makes cooking, gardening and day to day living difficult.

A rural location can be concealed much easier if it simply is off the beaten path enough. Further, access can be controlled by blocking roads or paths or making them appear inhospitable.

However, not all of us can move to and maintain a totally rural life unless we are totally prepared for all that entails. Its a tough call.

Regardless, unless one lives on top of a mountain like a hermit, sooner or later you are going to run across another person. When that happens, you want to minimize detection of your home and resources until you know the stranger is safe. And you will need some system to detect a stranger before they reach you.

Next....

MRE's