As preppers we all prefer to contemplate how different folks react when the SHTF, but it’s probably not as easy as we give it credit for. Because our country may be a melting pot of different cultures, totally different economic classes and different religious affiliations, folks can all handle certain situations differently.
For better or worse, we all handle things differently. Some of us are better problem solvers than others, and some of us don’t handle stress very well. A mix of upbringing, gene pool and our environment all play a role in how we develop.
The reason this is vital is because today we have the option of separating ourselves from situations, or individuals we want no part of.
In an SHTF situation we most likely won’t have that choice, while we can do what it takes to stay in our homes and out of danger, we’d be getting more visitors than we ever expected, and we need to be ready for them.
Here are some ways individuals will react in a crisis. But remember, people will be very unpredictable, especially in extreme situations.
No Answer at All
For the most half, and for varying reasons, most people won’t have any answer to any large scale event. This could be because they’re completely unprepared to handle such an event, or because they refuse to admit that their perfect world isn’t so excellent anymore.
Who knows what the real numbers and time frame would be, but my guess is that at least 80th of the population will be gone in less than two months in a large scale disaster. People who are 100% dependant on electricity, grocery stores and debit cards will find themselves with no choice but to cheat, steal and eventually die.
People Who Can’t Face Facts
One of the first stages of dealing with grief is denial, and believe me, there’ll be a lot of people in denial. While we look at how people lived in the past and ask “how can I do that”? These people look at the past and say “I would die if I had to do that”! Most of them are right.
Not only are folks reliant on cars and cell phones, they’re reliant on the fuel and electricity it takes to run them and get food to the stores. But if all that falls apart, the government has a set up, and they will figure it out right? Not likely.
People Who Will Give Up
People who will just give up are similar to people who can’t face the actual fact that the S just hit the fan, however differ slightly as a result of some of them have no idea the way to handle a crisis situation. Some folks have been so protected or so focused on what they think “problems” are that they will have no idea how to handle real problems.
This is exactly why I didn’t hand my kids everything. Even though they hated it, they learned how to to work their way through totally different issues, and if they wanted something bad enough, they could figure out how to get it.
People Who Will Take Advantage
There is no shortage of people looking for the simple answer even today, but when the hand that feeds stops feeding those who feel entitled will look for alternative choices. It’s far easier to take something than to work for it, and this is why the crime rate will skyrocket.
People who are already criminals will go into overdrive, but even people that you think “would never do something like that” might want they need no alternative. On top of that, in a giant scale crisis, most of the police force will most likely be staying home to protect their families.
People Who Think They’re Prepared
We mentioned in the show this week a couple of friend whose parents have seven freezers full of food. While they get an A for effort, they’re missing one crucial step…electricity. They have no generator, no solar, and no way to keep that food fresh if the grid goes down.
I can’t facilitate but think of Doomsday Preppers and people saying “I’m preparing for an… What they must be saying is I’m completely unprepared for this, this and this”. If you put all your eggs in one basket you’re bound to get blindsided by something unexpected.
People Who Will Adapt
Whether it’s genetics, upbringing or simply plain luck, some people can step into a bucket of poop and still begin smelling like roses. Some people are higher critical thinkers than others, and some individuals just have the will to survive.
In this article about the psychology of survival I talked about why some people can have a better chance of surviving no matter what prepping supplies they need. Chance favors the prepared mind, and the tools in your head are far more vital than the tools in your shed.
People Who Are Prepared
Hopefully this is you and me, hopefully we’ve done everything to give us the best possible chance for survival, but with that being said it doesn’t guarantee us something. Luck and circumstances will play a big role in what, when and where things unfold in a disaster situation.
That doesn’t mean stop preparing though. The more we prepare, the higher our odds are of surviving any disaster, and the better our understanding is of what to do when something terrible happens in the future.
Expect the Unexpected
With all this being said, desperate times will lead people to desperate measures. People with the most to lose are the most dangerous in my opinion. With criminals you know what you are getting, but a desperate mother trying to feed her children is capable of something.
People who feel entitled, and are used to everything getting handed to them are going to justify taking what you have, because after all, they’re more necessary than us right? The point is, it doesn’t matter what a person looks like, we’d like to be on high alert and consider everyone a threat.
