Is the ‘Survivalist’ a loony?

Why is the survivalist thought of as a loony when he makes ready to face events that are just as much a part of history and nature as the sunset and the changing of the seasons.

Survivalists are people that have loved ones they don't want to see hurt or killed, they have homes they don't want to see destroyed, they are not fools to think that just because they are survivalists a world cataclysm would be fun for them or that they would not experience danger, loss, hunger, injury, cold or even despair and death.

No, they will NOT be disappointed if there is no disaster to survive, anymore than the Red Cross is disappointed when there are no floods and storms or the man who buys an insurance policy is disappointed when his house fails to burn down.

It is most regrettable indeed, that many people consider survivalists as a threat and regard them with suspicion and even hostility. I suppose this is not really surprising when the press and media plug at the ‘Rambo’ type as being the typical ‘survivalist’. This attitude is logically indefensible and is rooted in the nonsurvivalists own sense of fear and guilt. Subconsciously, the nonsurvivalist may hate the survivalist for reminding him of how fragile his own lifestyle is.

An intelligent approach to survivalism would recognize that while individual efforts and skills are important, it is vital for people to survive AS A GROUP and that for such survival, in-depth organization will be necessary.

Short-term survivalism is a brief struggle for life, with the ultimate goal of returning to a normal or nearly normal situation. Some examples are:

* Keeping yourself alive after becoming lost in the woods.
* Keeping yourself and your passengers safe when your car becomes stuck in a blizzard.
* Surviving long enough to be rescued after you've broken a leg hiking.


You can see from this list that it's not inconceivable for a normal person to be in a short-term survival situation. If you engage in any outdoor leisure, it's a good idea to learn a little about short-term survivalism.

Long-term survivalism is an extended struggle for life, with little or no hope of returning to a normal or nearly normal situation. Some examples of long-term survivalism are:

* Heading to the woods after a societal collapse.
* Getting lost in a vast wilderness area, such as Alaska or the Amazon.
* Being stranded in an undeveloped country, days or weeks away from help.


With the exception of a societal collapse, you'd have to go out of your way to find yourself in a long-term survival situation. The survivalist is simply being prepared for a short- OR long-term situation where they must be self-sufficient.

So lets get the facts right. Let's get the facts turned around right. Every person who has NOT made provisions for surviving without food, water, fuel and other essential needs from the outside is a mortal danger to his, or her, neighbors.

What will a man do when he and his family are freezing, hungry, thirsty, sick and starving? He may ask, or he may beg his neighbors for help, but when they have no extra fuel, food, water or medicine to give, will he just go back home to die with his wife and kids? What do you think?

Survival preparation should be regarded as a social obligation, one that every individual owes to his family and community and neighbors, and his nation.