SHTF- In his own words

[Ponder_MD]

One problem I have with most US preppers (especially on Youtube) is that none of them have ever lived it. They're all guessing. They put out a lot of conflicting information. They change their views every few months as perceived threats change. A lot of time is spent telling viewers "You're doing it wrong. You're going to die."

Here's an article written by a Bosnian who lived it for an entire year. I found it very informative. There are definitely important differences between his circumstances and conditions in the US. His experience is also 15 years ago. Technology must be taken into account. Still, a lot of core statements remain true for us, and for this moment in time.

https://carolinafirearmsforum.com/index.php?threads/how-i-survived-a-year-of-shtf-in-90s-bosnia.96152/

 

[Michigander08]

Interesting but may I say just about anyone from war-torn countries have some degree of experience about how bad a situation can get.

Also most people can't survive on their own. Banding together is always the best option.

 

[brianns]

Excellent read. I saw that years ago. I remembered the don't go around with a fancy weapon and also the travel at night parts. I just had to reread a little to see it was the same first hand accounts. But its all good info.

 

[Ponder_MD]

My takeaways from the article are:

- Community/groups are always stronger
-Gray is life (don't be interesting looking)
- Movement/speed is life (he ran everywhere)
- Money was valueless quickly.
- Precious metals were valueless not long afterwards
- Ammo, tobacco, alcohol and sex were currency

Key differences between the author's circumstances and ours:

- The US is huge, more spread out. There will be less dense areas that are more survivable.
- Technology has come a long way. A simple Lifestraw and a rain barrel can make circumstances far better than his. NV/thermal is now affordable for many.
- US culture is very different. We are armed to the teeth by comparison. Even "normies" are beginning to stockpile food and water. Our culture is more prepared, independent and optimistic than Eastern European culture.

You'll notice how the author is a prepper now so that he doesn't get caught in the same situation.

Me and my family are prepared now,i am well armed, stocked and educated.

 

[pbharvey]

That story has been going around for years. I've read that its true and that its not true.
Does anyone know?

 

[Ponder_MD]

That story has been going around for years. I've read that its true and that its not true.
Does anyone know?

You are right to be skeptical. Here's some information that I can offer that might help verify its authenticity:

my shtf expirience-wartime - Survivalist Forum

my shtf expirience-wartime Disaster Preparedness General Discussion

web.archive.org

This archive is from 2011, which I feel is before the worst of the informational gaslighting that we're experiencing right now.

 

[mauser58]

Lets face it that most people are not survivalists. If they cant buy fish at store or restaurant then they will starve to death. No survival skills at all. They refuse to learn basic hunting and fishing skills or basic trapping, gathering. They think a gun and bug out bag will get them out of any situation.

 

[mauser58]

There is a good story and real online if you Google for it about what happens when government collapses overnight. Its written by a man that lived it and believe in Bosnia. Years ago the government collapsed overnight and lasted for well over a year. He explains how men turned to animals and savages within a week or so. People killing neighbors for food and to even eat them. Yes cannibalism. Also he keeps commenting about have a source of fire or light. Also whisky was traded in small jars and on and on. I wish I had the link but can be found easily. Ii watched it twice myself. It will wake you up

 

[Archeryrob]

-Gray is life (don't be interesting looking)

This is the one that gets me on so called preppers with generators and bragging about their "stash " of gas. They got 10 5 gallon cans they rotate to be fresh. First off, how long is 50 gallons of gas going to keep all your modern convivences before they die and you're SOL? Then what is your long term plan?

Secondly, to your comment I quoted. Burning all the lights at night and that generator noise is going to make you a target to all those hungry and less fortunate people and get you dead.

If you can't live like its the 1800's, you won't live.

Bug out bags will put you on a strangers land and all alone. No group to protect you and foraging off game the locals perceive as theirs and will likely also, get you dead. You better have a place of relativities, friends or some place you own to go. My wifes family said they are coming here, so I can take care of them.

 

[El_flasko]

Interesting read

 

[Harrys]

When SHTF he who has the gun is in charge those without guns are sheep. When I was a kid, we grew up as a semi subsistence family. We hunted, trapped, canned, foraged and grew our own food. Those who have done it will have a better chance of survival. Those that have not lived or done it and just read about it have a slim chance of survival.

 

[King Chicken]

One problem I have with most US preppers (especially on Youtube) is that none of them have ever lived it. They're all guessing. They put out a lot of conflicting information. They change their views every few months as perceived threats change. A lot of time is spent telling viewers "You're doing it wrong. You're going to die."

Here's an article written by a Bosnian who lived it for an entire year. I found it very informative. There are definitely important differences between his circumstances and conditions in the US. His experience is also 15 years ago. Technology must be taken into account. Still, a lot of core statements remain true for us, and for this moment in time.

https://carolinafirearmsforum.com/index.php?threads/how-i-survived-a-year-of-shtf-in-90s-bosnia.96152/

What's annoying is that even SEALs and Delta guys on YouTube b.s. a bunch and just talk and repeat stuff x10 to increase video length and sound knowledgeable. It's really annoying. The worst offenders are the instructors trying to promote themselves.

I really appreciate the link. Ty.

 

[Mark75H]

When SHTF he who has the gun is in charge those without guns are sheep. When I was a kid, we grew up as a semi subsistence family. We hunted, trapped, canned, foraged and grew our own food. Those who have done it will have a better chance of survival. Those that have not lived or done it and just read about it have a slim chance of survival.

Even knowing how to tend house plants puts you ahead of the vast majority for potentially growing your own food. We grew up doing the same things. We also cut our own trails in the woods and learned how and where to cross streams and marshes. Growing up on the marshes and in the woods has its advantages. If SHTF in my lifetime, I'll be happy in the fact that Bloomberg and his ilk will be amoung the first to starve.

 

[Ponder_MD]

Secondly, to your comment I quoted. Burning all the lights at night and that generator noise is going to make you a target to all those hungry and less fortunate people and get you dead.

I have come to the sad realization that even my solar array and totally silent Powerwall is more of a threat than an asset.

You look at my roof during the day and assume I have power and therefore, food and other luxuries.
You look at my house at night and see any kind of artificial light and assume the same.

I'd pretty much have to limit the Powerwall to driving refrigeration, the well pump and charging devices like radios. No lighting or anything that would draw attention. I'm totally prepared to live without air-conditioning.

 

[Ponder_MD]

The worst offenders are the instructors trying to promote themselves.

I'm definitely sick of all the conflicting information and advice from so-called experts and bearded, tatt'd up vet-bros.

- You're dead if you bug out.
- You're dead if you bug in.
- Your kit is all wrong.
- Your gun is wrong.
- Your clothes are wrong.
- Your vehicle is wrong
- Your food is wrong
- Don't use a vehicle
- You're training wrong.
- You have too many people in your group.
- You don't have enough people in your group.
- You don't need a group.
- You'll never stockpile enough ammo to survive.
- You're a POG
- You're just a LARP'er
- Don't just roll over and die
- Roll over and die

 

[Blacksmith101]

When SHTF he who has the gun is in charge those without guns are sheep. When I was a kid, we grew up as a semi subsistence family. We hunted, trapped, canned, foraged and grew our own food. Those who have done it will have a better chance of survival. Those that have not lived or done it and just read about it have a slim chance of survival.

And those who only care about the latest fashions, what celebrities do, and who's texting on social media will have no chance at all.

 

[Ponder_MD]

And those who only care about the latest fashions, what celebrities do, and who's texting on social media will have no chance at all.

That's a lot of people.

 

[King Chicken]

bearded, tatt'd up vet-bros.

I see you know who I'm talking about. The "instructors" assume it'll never happen so they give wtvr info they want. All for more clicks. Pisses me off.
The link you posted was excellent. I had never come across it before. The knowledge coupled with humility was refreshing.

 

[Bountied]

Lets face it that most people are not survivalists. If they cant buy fish at store or restaurant then they will starve to death. No survival skills at all. They refuse to learn basic hunting and fishing skills or basic trapping, gathering. They think a gun and bug out bag will get them out of any situation.

What about crabs? I buy meat at the store because it's easier. I can gut and butcher a deer into what I would need. Not much of a fisherman but I have caught fish and have rods and tackle.

How long do you think the deer population is going to last when everyone is killing them for food because that's all there is?

 

[Mark75H]

What about crabs? I buy meat at the store because it's easier. I can gut and butcher a deer into what I would need. Not much of a fisherman but I have caught fish and have rods and tackle.

How long do you think the deer population is going to last when everyone is killing them for food because that's all there is?

Longer than you think. Lots of dumb ones would be eaten in the first few years. Worse than humans, without government funded “animal control” we would revert to the deer population being controlled by feral dogs as it was 60 years ago. That is what caused the deer population explosion “animal control”