Rawles, at Survival Blog, had a good post earlier this month that included reader submitted comments on survival lessons from the homeless. Check the link to read the advice, which mostly contains thoughts on street survival as the homeless see it, how to score a free shower, etc. Let’s flip this line of thinking around and brainstorm on how staying dirty could be a SHTF survival technique.
If (when) the world is your enemy, deception is your ally. I think this is particularly pertinent to urban dwellers, but it could be valuable for everyone. WTSHTF – dress like a bum. Post-doomsday:
George: whispering – “Hey Bill, look over there.” *readies his rifle* “A bum, should we take him?”
Bill: whispering back – “Nah, look at him. Our clothes are in much better shape. He ain’t got nuttin’. Save the ammo.”
Remember in Parable of the Sower the doctor dude that dressed like a bum and wheeled around his cart that contained a big pile of cash and a full-auto? That dude knew what he was doing. Don’t make yourself a target. Make it so people want nothing to do with you. You can act deranged, appear diseased, wear dumpy clothes, rub yourself in dirt, etc.
Similary, remember that television series from 1983 called “V”? The one where lizard-like aliens came to Earth pretending to be humans for the purpose of harvesting our bodies for food? There’s one scene in particular that I remember where one dude was smuggling some people in his truck. He comes upon a road block and quickly starts munching a raw onion. When roadblock dude starts questioning him, he is quickly taken aback by the onion breath. He moved the truck along quickly, never finding the people buried in the back.
Make yourself undesirable, and don’t show your preps off. The Golden Horde will want what you have. I know you’re all just itchin’ for shit to hit the fan so you can look at everyone else scrambling for gear, food, and fuel and yell, “Ha! Told you so!” as you sit behind your dining room window fortified with sandbags, dressed in fatigues, and sipping a juice box, but resist the urge. Depending on the circumstances you may want to play DOWN your preparations. When the entire town is starving you’ll want to look gaunt. I don’t care how much food is in your basement. When everyone is walking, don’t drive. I don’t care how much fuel is in your F-350.
You get the idea. Think outside the box, creativity is your greatest asset.
– Ranger Man
BTW: MSNBC had a news article yesterday: AK-47’s turn up more often in US – you can put this trend down as another notch on the “let’s ban particular guns” stick.
AND! In yet another sign the Taliban is far less than smart, check this article out. They blew up cell phone towers and now demand the companies put them back up, because they miss their cell phone service.
9 comments
Check out today’s (Thursday 3/27) Drudge Report for the article about Ammo Contractors.
Awesome point! So simple but important.
Working around inmates for the past 16 years, I can tell you the “in plain sight” system works! They hid themselves (ready for a honeybun hit or worste) or weapons and other contraban.
Jerry
Goes along with the concept of do not like military either.
Ranger Man,
‘Blending-In’ with the ‘native population’ is something I’ve been doing for years, ever since I noticed that criminals, terrorists and others with an axe to grind, always seem to target those who stand out from the ‘herd’ sort to speak. Especially overseas, where one most certainly DOES NOT look like the majority of the native population. This is where the ability to notice certain idocyrancies and trends of personal appearence can be most benecifical to those who wish deflect instant attention. For example, I specifically wear clothes that make me blend into the herd, and while wearing a hat, the only way someone will notice that I’m not a native, is either speaking, or they have to get within a meter to actually see that I’m one of the locals. Likewise concealibility of defensive weaponry and survival equipment must be as paramount as the blending in aspect of being in the herd. It can’t be repeated enough that, common daily carry-all items, like daypacks, attache cases, and ‘lap-top’ bags are vital in the concealment of one’s personal equipment. To paraphrase Mao Zedong; To swim like the fish through the sea of the people.
KC
Great post. There was another post on Rawles’ site a while ago about making your retreat look less desirable. Using a burned out car by the gate to look like it was blown up (under attack), using surplus “mine field” signs, etc…
I fully plan on making use of deceptive practices when it comes to retreat defense. Use signs like “sick inside” in case of flu outbreak. You can study the FEMA codes put on doors and quickly learn how to make your house look like it has been searched and there are dead people inside. Might be useful to keep Sammy Snooper out.
You definitely do not want to be standing on your front porch in your brand new fARPAT Camo fatigues with your new Humvee H1 (not the soccer mom H2) right behind you sporting a new AR with every light, scope and laser imaginable. That would scream “hey, I have more food, ammo and medicine than I know to do with, come get me!”
Play it cool and pretend like you are just one of the rest of us. Blend in and you’ll be fine. People “without” hate the people “with”
A faded carhart coat (brown) and a worn John deer cap will get you by in most rural settings…..(faded jeans and a faded work shirt also)
ditch the rings and expensive shoes and watches…same goes for necklaces and ear jewelry…carry a cheap pocket watch…when dressed like that order PBR not hieney’s….There’s tons more but thats a start
The phrase to “Hide in Plain Sight” comes to mind. I’m a redneck and I can spot a city slicker a mile off or a “Revennour” Just like a city slicker can spot me but I can help this by studying the habits of the environment of the people I’m surrounded by……….. When in Rome act like a Roman.
MImic Mannerisms and language traits. Canadians say “ay” here we say ” huh” its the little things that catch you up…………….
AP ran an article about the evil AR15 last week, now the AK. The anti gun lobby machine is gearing up.