I normally write articles about preparedness that are action-oriented and actionable in the current moment. What does that mean? I want to offer folks ideas based on my own life that they can consider and try on for themselves immediately: if not today, then in the very near future. Examples of this are my article on eating weeds, falling safely, and my most precious portable prep.
However, that little voice in my head has been whistling a tune for a few weeks about this topic: My Worst SHTF Fear. I don’t always know from where or why these ideas come up, but I do like to listen to what I call my “little voice,” as it has gotten me out of some tight scrapes many times.
Whether your worst SHTF fear is similar to mine or different, I hope that this article gets you thinking, and perhaps, acting on some of your own intuition. As well, I welcome your comments below with any tips or advice you might have. This is a knowledgeable community!
What is My Worst SHTF Fear?
I know a whole bunch of plants that I can identify and eat, even on the run. I am physically quite strong for my age, although my back is my weak point. Before I hurt my back, I was decent with a compound bow, and could split my own arrow while target shooting. I know plant medicines fairly well, although there’s always more to learn there. I have a well-stocked pantry and a range of options when it comes to water safety and filtration. So, while I’m by no means perfect, I do my best to be prepared for whatever may come my way.
When it comes to SHTF, though, there is one concern at the top of my mind: being removed from my cabin in the woods by a large mob or well-armed crew. In this scenario, I feel that I would be extremely lucky to keep my cabin and would be lucky to keep my life if forced out and on the run.
Depending on the time of year that this could happen, simply being out of the cabin could mean danger and death. Remember, I’m in USDA Climate Zone 4. Being on the run in the dead of winter, well….it could mean that I’m dead. I’m not trying to be negative here: I’m also realistic about how difficult it could be to disguise my tracks in the snow quickly…on the run….maybe not wearing any footwear, if surprised…See what I mean?
In the summer, even the worst case would be a comparative breeze. At least in the dark, I could make my way to the lake a few minutes run to the north of here, or the pond, one minute to the south, and disappear.
How Well Prepared Am I For It?
You know, I would not say that I’m prepared really well for this scenario. I sometimes run different scenes through my mind in terms of how I would play it. I have read Selco’s writings with a mind to learning all that I can.
Without going into too much detail, I do have some fire power (beyond my bow) that would give folks something to think about. What I feel I have learned from Selco, though, is that how you present yourself is more important than even what you might have.
In this must-read article about makeshift weapons, Selco shares one of my favourite stories, which I’m going to quote here:
“I knew a guy who went through a good part of the SHTF owning a not-usable machine gun taken from WW2 museum. He posed a big threat in situations with that thing in his hands, because nobody knew that thing was not working.”
In another story from this article, a man defended his home against 3 would-be robbers with a chainsaw! In my case, my only chainsaw is a small 9 amp one….that is on a cord. No, that would not do the job. heh heh heh. Someone could just unplug me.
However, if someone can make it through quite a bit of SHTF with a non-working machine gun, would my best solution be to try and get one of those? Hmmm. I’m not sure that would be the best in my own scenario.
In my own case, I would aim to try and scare the would-be intruders/robbers before they gained entry. In a dangerous SHTF that is ongoing, I would need buddies living with me and an overnight watch system. In the case where I am surprised alone, and they are trying to gain entry from the front door, I can quickly get up to my loft where I have a window directly above. A couple of surprise shots down on them might do the trick. There are other things I could throw down that could be a deterrent, as well.
However, because the cabin has a few ground-level windows, that would be the best way for them to gain entry, realistically. In that scenario, I consider that I will be lucky to get out alive.
What Could I Add or Improve?
With vandalism and crime steadily increasing in my area, I think I will add some features to my nighttime preparedness. I used to keep a weapon and a super bright flashlight by my bedside at all times. I got out of this habit. I am going to start doing this again.
I do keep sheets of plywood in my loft that could be used to board up these windows if a serious SHTF comes along. That would break my heart to do it, but it could save my life. Is an alarm system the way to go? In our rural area, any real response is tens of minutes away. However, having something available near my bedside that can make a sound that SIMULATES an alarm system is a really good idea, I think. I am going to look into this and buy one. (Here’s one that comes highly recommended.)
When Do I Stop Worrying?
I am a big believer that I don’t want worry and fear to compromise my daily quality of life. I don’t think that’s the purpose of preparedness; in fact, I think it’s the opposite. In this case, thinking through the content of this article has alerted me to some easy opportunities to improve my night time preparedness. I will improve my systems as I described and keep alert. Day to day, I focus on enjoying my life and cultivating love and peace. Daisy has written a great article about this. Check it out!
You Have Nothing to Fear, but…
We’re all different in terms of our worst SHTF fear. What direction do your own concerns or fears about SHTF take? Do you have any tips for someone on their own in a small cabin that you can share with us? Please tell us in the comments section.
About Rowan
Rowan O’Malley is a fourth-generation Irish American who loves all things green: plants (especially shamrocks), trees, herbs, and weeds! She challenges herself daily to live her best life and to be as fit, healthy, and prepared as possible.
14 Responses
Your Fear is your worst enemy.
What you have, can do or how strong you are in any way matters very little.
It is the Attitude of Overcoming that will bring you through.
Ever notice in a pack of Dogs it is the smallest and weakest breed that tends to lead them? It is all about Attitude.
Small dogs always seem to think they are the biggest dog in the room and don’t take Cr#p off of anyone! When they in reality should be quaking in Fear!
This is what brought the non-working machine guy through, Attitude.
Your mental state is crucial to your survival. Believe that you can and will survive and you probably will. Just out of pure belief, stubbornness and being unwilling to quit.
” there is one concern at the top of my mind: being removed from my cabin in the woods by a large mob or well-armed crew. ”
Giving this a thought, there is one way to counter this (twofold) that pops up in my mind. so you are outside, they are inside. The solution is to get them out again, quick.
so , how about stinky smell, like really bad….you can make such a potion from stuff like perfume and aftershave, toilet air “freshner” and such…
Stuff like that starts to really stink if put together, you would have to try some combinations to see what works best….if you can remote control the spraying/release of the stuff people inside your cabin will want to be outside…fast. Smoke is your next option, chlorine and brake fluid if i remeber right…
A bad smell is one of the hardest things to stay into, and without protection….not really…..you want to be outside, away from the stinky area. And it has to be cruel stinking….not i smell something….
Same goes for chlorine , ammoniak, sulphergas and such, adding hydrochloric acid to the chlorine will make musterdgas…they want to be outside no matter what…so two large jerrycans/small tanks, two pumps and a sort of sprinkler hose and spray system will make your house temperary inhabitable…the cable to operate a hundred meters away from your house…..your gas mask is there next to the battery that powers the pumps of course….and the cheap shotgun with a few cartridges and maybe some cufflinks and a taser thing…. all components for a good smell can be bought in the avarage shop or building place and you should be able to get rid of unwanted squatters for maybe a 100 dollar…..and some work…( some combinations are explosive or deadly so check before starting)
also, two or three basic stashes with clothes, food and some protection dug in could be your rescue…maybe a small panicroom half a mile away….never all eggs in one basket, a smart rabbit has three hiding places….( that is a book also)
There is no problem without a solution….and being inside can be a disadvantage….thick smoke in a house will make many run out…so the cold is the main problem some part of the year….
Your biggest fear is a realistic problem, but if prepared it is a temporary setback and you win.
I know a whole bunch of plants that I can identify and eat, even on the run. I am physically quite strong for my age, although my back is my weak point. Before I hurt my back, I was decent with a compound bow, and could split my own arrow while target shooting. I know plant medicines fairly well, although there’s always more to learn there. I have a well-stocked pantry and a range of options when it comes to water safety and filtration. So, while I’m by no means perfect, I do my best to be prepared for whatever may come my way.”
What a way to describe yourself, great !!! love it !
You bring to mind trapping lures. Just look it up. Trappers use lures to attract animals. Some are pretty nasty smelling.
Sorry, Rowan. If a mob or smaller group of well armed predator psychos assaults your ‘castle’ you likely won’t make it. Especially if your cabin is small enough to be surrounded in a way as to pick you off if you tried to escape. I don’t know why you ever stopped having a good pistol with a high lumination light attached within arms reach when you sleep? But that proves you have some concept of personal violence survival. I’m not going to waste my valuable time anymore like I used to with giving advice that almost no one is really going to take but I’ll say that remote positioning of your living situation has more benefits than not for security except for the one scenario of not getting help easily. I’ve been a professional security consultant, bodyguard, warfighter, LEO, and extended relativity for many years and have seen it all.
There are, however, good cheap ways to virtually stop any home invasion in their tracks. Seriously stopping them. But there are qualifiers to their application. You have to learn how to do it the right way.
Selco’s situation was different enough that it doesn’t apply that much to the situation you are worried about.
The dummy machine gun example was so stupid I can’t even find the words to describe it.
A psyched up predator is never going to be deterred by the appearance of superior firepower, but a couple bursts from a real one might do the trick. It’s like the old middle ground logical fallacy of there’s no such thing as a tie in deadly fighting. If you are not winning, you are losing.
And those who delusionally claim that all you have to do is be positive and never give up and all the other BS. That actually should come naturally when you understand fight and flight control AFTER the primary reaction of your Tactical Response ability. All your so called will to survive means nothing if you don’t have the physical means to implement your intent to survive.. Otherwise all the armies of the world would assemble their troops and just scream self-pumping charg-up mantras and the enemy would fall dead and retreat. Right? But why, instead, do they get physically strong and conditioned and develop highly dangerous ‘equipment’ to master and deploy. And having no fear is a myth. Everybody gets it. Special Forces teams are just better prepared on controlling it. And better managing the adrenalin power. People who talk like Mic down here are watching too many fantasy movies.
If you are really serious about this type of situation reach out privately to me and I’ll give you some simple free advice based on some more info.
Pretty much this right here. ALL options must remain open. Violence is an answer given ‘passive resistance’ is a death wish. I think it was Col. Copper that said there are only two ways to satisfy/resolve a conflict: compromise or violence. Two and only two …. don’t be the dummy that thinks/wish’s ‘everything’ will ‘be alright’ in the end.
Just my .02 worth.
Worker
Those two solutions have been tried alternately by the descendants of Judea and Samaria (Northern Israel), i.e. Palestinians. Both fail horribly. So I am working on a substack to show them a third way to tip over the game board completely so that everyone can win.
Don’t live alone. Focus on finding someone trustworthy. I’ve been trying to find people who share my values. It’s really difficult and frustrating when you discover that person you thought would have your back turns out to be a flake and stabs you in the back (figuratuvely speaking but could end up being not so figuratively).
Good luck. Knowledge is power.
My fear is looters. I have a son who knows about my supplies and I have no doubt he would send people here to take them and kill me if they had to
You might want to set up some caches in your area with essentials, like fire starting methods/materials, canned food, water purification equipment, tarps for temporary shelter, first aid kits, etc.
And get to know your terrain, so as to anticipate an enemy’s approach and your own means of escape and evasion.
You might want to look into self defense pepper gels, not so much to stop and attack as to slow one down long enough for you to escape. Byrna makes a pistol type of pepper ball launcher, as do other companies.
You might want to consider being burnt out of your cabin and have fire extinguishers on hand, again not necessarily to save your cabin, but to buy time to escape.
A good smoke mask and wool blanket can help shield you from fire dangers. You can also find fire resistant blankets especially made to help protect from flames.
You might benefit from having a small or medium sized, very alert dog to give warning of approaching threats.
Maybe a few trail cams overlooking possible approaches to your cabin can help you monitor the situation in real time on your phone.
Exactly what happened in WIDOWS IN THE WOODS
take care
Your concern about being out of your cabin and having it overrun by bad guys is very real and very probable. I have often thought about what happens when I am separated from my home and what can I do to remedy the situation.
First, remember that holding a castle is futile against a large enough horde. Siege tactics worked well enough that the idea of the stronghold castle disappeared. My plan is to hold as best possible but be prepared to evacuate and then retake the home. I have some good defenses to keep attackers off guard including trip wires that would be set (are they real or are they a decoy?) the effect of which would be to slow down attackers. I have fireworks that can be remote detonated in the woods surrounding the house giving the effect of a rear assault on would be attackers. If .gov is the attacker, a simple trip wire across the front door would completely foul their plans and buy you some time to better prepare for the assault or to possibly retreat to safety to buy time to regroup and plan your own attack.
I have scouted the area surrounding the house and planned for how to retake it using sniper fire and other tactics designed to keep the intruders stressed and guessing. The idea is to force them out as they did me but I am waiting to take as many out as possible as they try to flee. I know how the house is build and where there is cover inside and where the walls are the thinnest. Knowing the layout of the house would allow me to shoot through blind and take a target out.
I also have a small stash of winter clothing, water filter, 3 days of food and a handgun stashed at a safe distance so that I can leave in an instant and still not suffer too greatly.
I do not want to leave my home and “bug out”. I plan on staying as best I can and try to stay on top of the situation, whatever it may be. Selco has demonstrated that absolute preparedness is impossible because the SHTF scenario could be any one of 100 possibilities. The good news is that they can all be boiled down to some common basic elements/needs/requirements that will make survival more assured.
Remember that a .308 or similar can penetrate all body armor, any automobile, any common building element, and even an armored car. Plan accordingly.
I will add that I am 75 with a lot of physical issues, so running is not part of my plan nor is carrying a 50 backpack for any more than a few feet.
We have to be prepared to lose everything. That’s hard to write, let alone accept, but it’s a fact of history. Look at the very serious arguments between Ukraine and Poland and do some research about what they did to each other during WWII. Selco has written about walking away too. Hurricanes and tornadoes destroy homes. Most lost homes have burned down. We have to think about starting over. We have to be prepared to walk away. Prepping for this is an ‘inside job’ before the practicalities can be addressed.
Life is becoming more and more coarse. Look at language and everyday discourse; f-bombs everywhere. Didn’t use to be like that. Sixty years ago Truman Capote wrote ‘In Cold Blood’ about an ex-cons Richard Hickock and Perry Smith murdering 4 family members in very rural Holcomb Kansas. They botched the robbery and murdered the family ‘to leave no witnesses’. It was a sensational nationwide story for a long time. Nowadays, similar crimes are forgotten within a 48 hour news cycle. It isn’t important right now why this is happening, but no one would dispute it. I suspect your worst fear is a reflection of this descent in the country.
My wife and I too 40 hours combat shooting training with Masad Ayoob +20 years ago. He told us home invasions are the fastest growing crimes in the USA.
So my wife and I have similar concerns. As far as solutions go, I would get a dog to two. You need early warning. A small yapper will do, but a bigger dog is more useful. Think Labordoodle, unless you want to get a Malinois and do hundreds of hours of training. Not many do.
Twenty years ago we lived in rural Pennsylvania and it would take state troopers 45 minutes to get to us. No local police. They assumed we (and our neighbors) were armed and could handle the situation until they arrived.
As we age, more and more physical ailments arise. I cannot run a 357 Mag or 45 ACP as well as years gone by due to some injuries. Nor my wife. Our solution is something like a Ruger PC Charger or LC Carbine. Keep in mind that a blinding light will blind you too with backsplash.
Evacuating your home at night in the woods as danger closes in is a tough act. It will be much easier with a good dog and a firearm you are comfortable using. Have some clothes at a friend’s house or enough cash to buy clothes.
You are not alone with your ‘worst fear’.
Since you’ve mentioned Selco – where is he now, is he still alive? Was he silenced for talking too much? (I hope not).
My ultimate fear:
all the nuclear reactors need cooling, they also need trained (and alive) personnel routinely taking care of them.
Selco is just fine – he isn’t writing a lot currently but I speak to him at least a couple of times a month. He and his family are well. I’ll let him know you asked!