It’s not something we like to think about, but we definitely must. During natural and man-made disasters, some people tend to become animals. They panic, they loot and rob. Some will even kill to take what they need. And during many disasters, the police, the military, the government can be just as helpless as we are, or too busy to help protect us.
We must be able to protect ourselves until the normal rules of society return…and in the worst cases that can take years. A recent example is Puerto Rico. Nearly a year after Hurricane Irma, much of Puerto Rico still had no electricity, few outside supplies, and little government-based security. Those American citizens relied on the government to handle their problems, and the government failed them.
electronics
Even if you can protect your home and your family, you have to sleep. You can’t watch your place day and night. But electronics can help you, if the electronics still work. That’s where a Faraday Box comes into use. Buy a simple, inexpensive wireless security system, put it in your Faraday Box so it will still work after an electromagnetic pulse, and you can sleep at night knowing that, if needed, you’ll have magnetic door switches and infrared motion detectors helping watch your home while you sleep.
Be sure to have rechargeable batteries and chargers in that Faraday also, because the security systems will only run about 8 hours on batteries, so you’ll have to recharge and install batteries every night. Charging batteries means you’ll need a power source if the electricity is off. You can get generators that you crank or pedal to recharge your batteries, but solar panels are a lot easier…if there’s enough sunshine. Ideally, use solar panels to keep large 12V marine & RV batteries charged, and those batteries can easily keep your AAA security system batteries charged.
Dogs
Even better than the electronics mentioned above, a dog can be a great helper in securing your home. They hear better than humans, and can warn you with their bark if they hear an intruder. Also, of course, they can attack an intruder.
It may be tempting to go for a big dog like a Rottweiler or a Coonhound or a German Shepherd. But remember that the dog has to eat and drink, and big dogs eat and drink more than smaller dogs. This can be a problem if you don’t have plenty of food and water for yourself. Believe it or not, you can buy freeze dried dog food with a very long shelf life. Or you could stockpile dry dog food, hoping the dog will still eat it when it’s old and rancid, to avoid starvation.
Consider getting a small dog, like a terrier that’s still a good barker, but eats less than a big dog. Or get a big one and a small one. Dogs like to work as a team.
Weapons
It’s a shame it’s necessary, but in a survival situation you’re probably wise to have some weapons for self-protection, and hope you never have to use them. Most experts agree a shotgun is the best weapon to stop intruders, and #1 buckshot is the best shell type.
A shotgun spreads a spray of shot over a large enough area that you don’t have to aim perfectly to hit an intruder. A single bullet from a rifle or pistol might not stop an intruder if you don’t hit a vital area, but the spread of a shotgun produces multiple injuries at once, something that’s likely to stop most attackers.
Generally, you also need a distance weapon, a rifle, and it’s hard to beat an AR-15 or an AK-47. These semi-automatic versions of military assault weapons are accurate and reliable, and ammunition is readily available for them.
The Colt Lightweight Tac Carbine AR6720 is a great version of the AR-15. The price varies but many versions of the AR-15 cost under $1,000, and AK-47’s are generally even less.
In addition to the rifle, it’s a good idea to get plenty of inexpensive 30-round magazines that you can preload for quick magazine changes. A spare Magpul PMAG 30-Round magazine for an AR-15 costs about $12, so get several. And, of course, have plenty of ammunition for your weapons, and keep them clean and ready to go.