Are You a Survivor?

Have you ever wondered how some people survive natural or man-made disasters, while hundreds or even thousands perish? Sure, dumb luck has something to do with it, like last week's Colombian plane crash where all but one passenger survived and the one fatality was due to a heart attack. But more often than not survival comes down to preparation and training, two things that are sorely lacking in our modern urban world.

A buddy of mine gave me the book Emergency by Neil Strauss this summer, and I couldn't put it down. It tells the story of how Strauss grew up on the 42nd floor of a 72-story building in Chicago, and never learned a single survival skill. Hell, he never even went camping.

His story is the norm more and more these days. As we've moved into the cities, we've come to rely completely on other people (police, fire department, paramedics) for our survival. But what happens when you can't call 911 because the phones are dead, there's no power and the water supply is contaminated, and violent gangs of looters are roaming the streets? Would you know what to do?

It can't happen in America.


I stood on the passenger side of my father-in-law's truck loading .380 rounds into my spare clip. I hadn't loaded a handgun with any reasonable expectation of its necessity in 11 years. I kept my back to the house so my family wouldn't see this final step in my preparation; they were all on edge enough as it was.

Everything I thought I'd need was already in the back of the truck. An 18-inch chainsaw. 25 gallons of gas. A well-stocked first aid kit. Enough food and water for a week. My KA-BAR. Leather work gloves. Rope.

Hurricane Katrina ripped through New Orleans less than an hour earlier, and I was gearing up to get back into the city before the State Police could lock it down entirely. There was no way for me to know at that point what chaos awaited me.

Four days earlier I was on the island of Barbados in a rum-soaked stupor. I happened to turn on CNN for the first time in a week and watched Katrina clobber Miami as a Category 1 hurricane. Over the next 48 hours (while I was making my way back), the storm grew into a monster that covered the entire Gulf of Mexico at one point. It looked like it would swallow New Orleans whole.

The storm veered east at the last minute, destroying the Mississippi Gulf coast and delivering a glancing blow to New Orleans. Don't get me wrong, New Orleans got a proper reaming and was pretty wrecked, but overall things could have been far, far worse. All the radio stations on my drive in from Houston were saying that New Orleans got lucky once again.

Descent into Chaos.


Less than a day later the levees began to fail, overcome by the storm surge and decades of neglect. That's when the horror show began in earnest. Who can forget the images from the Superdome and the Convention Center? A modern American city descended into anarchy overnight.

Wholesale looting became the rule of the day. Career criminals from all over the country rushed to the abandoned city to pick the carcass clean. There was no electricity, the water supply was contaminated, there were no emergency services, and 80 percent of the city quietly slipped under water. A friend of mine (a hospital worker who stayed behind) had to be evacuated by helicopter as armed gangs stormed her hospital to get the drugs.

The cops were overmatched and many went to the other side. Reports of police murders and executions were rampant after the storm, and rumors of bodies being dumped into the Mississippi River persist to this day. Some of the best cops couldn't take the pressure and killed themselves with their service pistols.

On my side of Lake Pontchartrain, things weren't nearly as bad. I lived in a gated community, so we were already set up to defend ourselves. We had no electricity, but some of my neighbors had generators. We took shifts manning the guard shacks armed to the teeth. You get to see your neighbors in a whole new light when the quiet accountant from two blocks over shows up for guard duty with an AR-15.



What to do when the Shit hits the Fan.


Emergency is all about what to do when the shit hits the fan. In fact, Strauss uses the acronym WTSHTF throughout the book to describe scenes like my memories of Hurricane Katrina above.

You've probably heard that you can drink toilet water in a pinch. Just don't forget to drink from the tank and not the bowl. Your water heater also has at least 20 gallons of potable water in it. These, and hundreds of other tips like them, are what makes the book valuable.

What makes it fun to read is how Strauss went about learning all the necessary skills to survive. Most of us lead very insulated lives, and our natural reaction to a disaster is panic. That can get you killed. Watching Strauss transform himself from a whimpering ninny to a bona fide survivalist was both entertaining and informative.

You might be wondering what all this has to do with Wall Street. Let me remind you that it wasn't even a year ago that top bankers at Goldman Sachs were arming themselves for fear of a peasant revolt. If you think another major financial meltdown couldn't lead to widespread chaos, you're crazy. Some would survive, others wouldn't. Which side of the equation would you rather be on?

Take it from someone who's been there. You want to be prepared. Strauss's book is a good start.

 
MikeMoney:
I remember family friends of mine in the uptown area talking at a dinner party about how everyone in the neighborhood pitched some money in the pot and hired Blackwater contractors to guard the perimeter of the neighborhood. Scary stuff, but an interesting read.

http://www.alternet.org/katrina/25858/

Absolute descent into anarchy

thats a crazy read about blackwater

 
Best Response

I see no issues with blackwater operating in NO. Posse Comitatus prevents US military from restoring order in situations such as Katrina. The city fell apart because of inadequate law enforcement. Basically Louisiana should be ashamed of themselves for the way they reacted. Did you see large scale desertion or utter incompetence by the NYPD or NYFD during 9/11? No, they came together, coordinated and reacted strongly.

The US military should have been deployed in NO and secured the area. Instead we had looting and uncivilized behavior. I would expect that kind of shit if the world was ending, but not during a temporary crisis. Having Blackwater there was probably the best solution while still within federal law. Anyone who pissed and moans about a private security force taking on scum bag looters and other criminals can kiss my ass.

Lets just cut to the chase. Are we prepared to survive? It really depends on what we are asking. If Katrina is being used as a way to showcase survivor skills I think the only thing it shows is a segment of society acting like animals and another segment of society finding a pretty civilized solution to things. I would much rather have a group of people hiring trained security personnel who are there to keep the order vs having a bunch of people with shotguns trying to hold down the fort.

We live in a developed nation with a centralized government and complex emergency protocols. It would be nice if people knew basic survivor skills, but it probably doesn't make sense in this country. Things would have to go totally wrong for someone to put to use survivalist knowledge and in that circumstance knowing what berries to eat really isn't going to do too much for you.

I also kind of resent the whole condemnation of Bush for the way Katrina was handled. It is a state issue. NY had an ice storm years ago that left a lot of people without power. The governor deployed the national guard and the president released disaster funds. Florida gets hit with hurricanes all the time and the federal government doesn't get involved unless absolutely necessary. New Orleans basically melted down unlike any other state had. Who the hell would think a state in this country would react so poorly. Once Bush saw the grab ass crap going on he did something. Katrina is more indicative of how much a shit hole the south is then it is of Bush's failure to act.

 

Anthony,

Yes, it's the same Neil Strauss who wrote The Game. You really should read this one if you truly believe hiring private security is the optimal response to a crisis of Katrina magnitudes, or you believe that there can't be a full-scale meltdown in such a "civilized" country as the U.S.

The other big part of the book that I didn't mention (because the post was already long) is the necessity to move financial assets offshore and acquire a second passport. The book has been touted by a few as a "James Bond Guide" to getting a second passport, and I'm here to tell you that it is not that. The author does successfully acquire a second passport and manage to move assets offshore, but it's by no means a step-by-step explanation of how to do it.

That said, I wish the best of luck to anyone who is comfortable leaving all their assets in the U.S. In my opinion, it is a failure of financial planning to do so, just like not having a will or not saving for retirement. In a country that may be faced with hyper-inflation to combat deflation in a few years, you're crazy if you don't diversify countries like you diversify your portfolio.

 
Edmundo Braverman:
Anthony, The other big part of the book that I didn't mention (because the post was already long) is the necessity to move financial assets offshore and acquire a second passport. The book has been touted by a few as a "James Bond Guide" to getting a second passport, and I'm here to tell you that it is not that. The author does successfully acquire a second passport and manage to move assets offshore, but it's by no means a step-by-step explanation of how to do it.
I read and enjoyed "Emergency" too (though not as much as "The Game"). Tim Ferriss has a great post on his blog entitled "How to Be Jason Bourne", which is basically a sample chapter from "Emergency". Great read in itself, even if you don't buy the book: http://www.fourhourworkweek.com/blog/2009/03/03/how-to-be-jason-bourne-…
- Capt K - "Prestige is like a powerful magnet that warps even your beliefs about what you enjoy. If you want to make ambitious people waste their time on errands, bait the hook with prestige." - Paul Graham
 

I will put it on my to read list. I found the game to be a great read and I am sure this will follow suit.

Diversification makes obvious sense, securing a second passport is a little harder though. Do I think total collapse could happen, probably. The thing is if I was in the middle of Katrina looting and other criminal activity would be the last thing I would do. The people who hired blackwater were not robbing and shooting.

Do I think hiring people is the best solution? In this case yes. People should know how to defend themselves, until the day when all law is done with you should probably avoid vigilante justice at all costs. If you have the means to hire professionals then I say do it.

That being said you can pick up the Air Force survival guide from any Army surplus store for 10 bucks. I have one and it is a great read.

 

I'm glad you brought this up. I saw Brian Williams on Charlie Rose last week, and then I saw his special on NBC last night. I never truly understood the state of anarchy that existed in New Orleans after Katrina until I saw this the other night (perhaps because I was 16 when Katrina hit and living in NJ and was too busy enjoying high school). Anyway, while I don't really watch Brian Willams ever nor do I know much about his political leaning, he did say one thing that got to me.

Prior to his coverage of the hurricane in New Orleans, Mr. Williams was overseas covering a story on the US Military in Iraq. He said that he couldn't understand how the US military could drop a pallet with medical equipment over enemy lines with pinpoint precision, but that we could not seem to bring our own constituents in our own country basic supplies in a time of dire need.

Also, I've been reading "The Game" this summer and I've been enjoying it, so I may have to check out "Emergency" next

looking for that pick-me-up to power through an all-nighter?
 
<span class=keyword_link><a href=//www.wallstreetoasis.com/finance-dictionary/what-is-london-interbank-offer-rate-libor>LIBOR</a></span>:
He said that he couldn't understand how the US military could drop a pallet with medical equipment over enemy lines with pinpoint precision, but that we could not seem to bring our own constituents in our own country basic supplies in a time of dire need.

Simple. New Orleans isn't Martha's Vineyard.

 
Edmundo Braverman:
<span class=keyword_link><a href=//www.wallstreetoasis.com/finance-dictionary/what-is-london-interbank-offer-rate-libor>LIBOR</a></span>:
He said that he couldn't understand how the US military could drop a pallet with medical equipment over enemy lines with pinpoint precision, but that we could not seem to bring our own constituents in our own country basic supplies in a time of dire need.

Simple. New Orleans isn't Martha's Vineyard.

Haha did you watch the Charlie Rose interview, cause this was brought up as well. Mr. Williams asked President Bush if the response would have been the same if the hurricane had hit Martha' Vineyard. Apparently, Mr. Bush responded with something along the lines of "If you are trying to imply what I think you are implying, you better stop it".

looking for that pick-me-up to power through an all-nighter?
 

Not to get too personal, Edmundo, but what manufacturer was the .380? I'm thinking about getting a SIG232 (Walther PPK seems too small) but those Bersa's are cheaper and hold more.

Any other 2nd amendment fans here?

 
Victor252:
Not to get too personal, Edmundo, but what manufacturer was the .380? I'm thinking about getting a SIG232 (Walther PPK seems too small) but those Bersa's are cheaper and hold more.

Any other 2nd amendment fans here?

To tell you the truth, dude, I don't even remember. It was a little throwaway burner and definitely not my weapon of choice. It was just the one I had in my hurricane bag.

I would choose a Sig over just about any other handgun in the world. For the money, it's hard to beat the Bersa. I think you can pick up a Bersa .380 for around $250 these days. Word of warning, though: not much stopping power. If you can swing a 9mm, I think it's definitely worth the extra dough.

And just a quick clinic for those of you who might not know a lot about guns but may be considering one: handguns are not ideal for self defense, and they're especially bad for home defense. They're really only effective in these roles in the hands of a highly-experienced shooter. For home defense, your best bet is and always has been a 12-gauge shotgun.

With a shotgun, you just have to get close to the target and he's going down for the count. So in your typical home invasion while you're asleep, a shotgun is a point-and-click weapon. A lot can go wrong with a pistol, especially if you live in an apartment. High enough caliber pistols can miss your target and kill your neighbor through the wall. By its nature, buckshot plays hell on flesh but won't travel through drywall (unless you're right on top of it).

 
Edmundo Braverman:

High enough caliber pistols can miss your target and kill your neighbor through the wall. By its nature, buckshot plays hell on flesh but won't travel through drywall (unless you're right on top of it).

The Box disagrees!!!

http://www.theboxotruth.com/docs/bot3.htm

6 sheets were penetrated by by #4 buckshot. But they do make some new plastic/polymer buckshot that behaves more like you suggest. I think bird shot doesn't penetrate too much either and a pistol will definitely penetrate more though.

But you're right, shotguns are nice to have when SHTF. Tell us more stories about Katrina. What else did you do to prepare?

 

Big 2nd amendment fan right here baby.

I don't know, I still stand by my statement that is really is a state responsibility issue. Not saying that the federal govt didn't make mistakes, but the state is supposed to respond and then the federal govt. I mean whenever you hear of a hurricane getting close to Florida you don't see the fed mobilizing. It is Florida who needs to take care of it. If it gets to bad for them they usually ask the fed to help out. Who would of thought NO police would just disappear. I mean I would think that if a bomb hit Philly the PPD would still do their job.

 

^^ I read Emergency recently and one of the most important things to take away from CERT and FEMA is that their official protocol goes something like:

"Shit happens, and we'll get to it...when we get to it...in two/three days."

That's right the plan is to organize, plan and consolidate resources for three days before they get the ball rolling. The smaller the organization, the faster the response. What happened in New Orleans was a massive failure of state and local governments. People need to be more self reliant is shit ever hits the fan because the cavalry is not going to fully mobilize for 3 days, if things go according to plan.

 

Capt. K,

One thing I found really funny and sad at the same time was when he went to open an offshore bank account. As soon as the banker from whatever country he happened to be on the phone with at the time heard he was American, that was the end of the conversation.

There are literally no banks outside the U.S. that will deal with American customers anymore, thanks to our government. That in itself is reason enough to get dual citizenship.

 

My boys (ages 5 & 7) love Bear Grylls. We were watching his top 25 moments and the enema was #1. They were just watching it saying, "What's he doing, Dad? Why did he take his pants off?" and I was sitting there squirming. Not sure I wanted to explain rectal re-hydration to a couple of knuckleheads who think asses are the funniest thing in the world right now.

 

[quote=Edmundo Braverman]Just found out they're making a movie out of Emergency starring Robert Downey, Jr.

Could be a great movie:

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/movies/2010/10/downey-and-emergency.htm…] Sweet - Downey usually does a great job and I think he'll bring a good mix of wit to the story as well, which is good because a movie based on "Emergency" could easily get overly dark and paranoid with someone like Matt Damon (who seems to be the go-to for every single conspiracy plot).

- Capt K - "Prestige is like a powerful magnet that warps even your beliefs about what you enjoy. If you want to make ambitious people waste their time on errands, bait the hook with prestige." - Paul Graham
 

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http://ayainsight.co/ Curating the best advice and making it actionable.
 

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