Get Ready to Blend In
After the stuff hits the fan and you find yourself in a very different world, one of the most effective ways to survive will be by drawing as little attention to yourself as possible.
This will be especially true if you have been wise enough to stockpile plenty of food, water and other essential items for yourself and your family. The last thing you will want in that situation is a crowd outside your front door because people know you’ve prepared.
Blending into society will also be very beneficial regardless of whether we end up in a martial law situation, where all our actions will be watched closely by the military, or whether we enter a period of lawlessness, where we’ll have to protect ourselves without help from the police.
There are many ways to stay as “average” as possible during a crisis, including keeping our mouths shut about our political opinions, keeping our lights off at home for the most part (even if we have generators) and keeping our supplies well hidden in case of a break-in.
But today I want to communicate with you specifically about clothing. Some hardcore survivalists will immediately put on their camouflage outfits after a disaster, but that will only draw attention to themselves. Others might choose bright clothing so that people they know can find them.
But with apologies to my fashion-conscious readers, the best way to dress following a disaster will be in gray and earth tones. I’m talking gray shirts and blouses, gray or brown slacks and jeans, and brown shoes and boots. Cargo pants are great because they contain plenty of pockets for items you may need, including a compass and a weapon.
The goal here is to maintain a certain appearance that will result in someone looking at you once and immediately realizing you are neither a threat nor someone who has anything they could possibly want. Dress so that you are not worth looking at twice.
And speaking of looks, if you have been blessed with an attractive face or body, do your best to downplay those attributes. Try to look frumpy and unappealing, which can often by accomplished with loose clothing that reveals little.
You’re not going to want to wear the exact same clothes every day following a crisis. So start acquiring your drab clothing now. Use that gray matter in your head to make yourself gray on the outside as well.
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All this stuff sounds good. I don’t believe it will be that easy. When the Stuff hits the fan, I believe lawlessness is going to be the main topic. People are going to turn into Zombies after 5 days without food or water. If the groceries store suddenly closes the door due to a fall out of the Dollar, or any emergency. The people that do not have any food storage will look around and see who has anything they can take. Yeah its right “Take” . Your neighbors will not be your good friends any more. When the police don’t respond due to the overwhelming calls, and there is no power and everything changes to chaos. You will have to be mobile. If you stay in one area you will die. Get your food storage into a duffle bag or what ever you can, and move. Yes, I do agree to dress like the natives, but you need to be always on the move. :)
I read this article as a “now” situation. ie riot. Keep like the others clothing in your 72 hr kit. If you work downtown carry clothes that match the populace where you are. maybe the college logo of the local school, if there is a say railroad point in the area carry bib overalls, jeans are always worn by the populace so they are always an option. I guess what I am saying is that in a “pop up” situation carry what the masses are wearing. Oh and leave the briefcase in the office!
Buy used thrift store clothing in sizes 2 or 3 times larger than normal, this will make you look like you’ve lost a lot of weight due to not having food.
Another idea is have some t-shirts that are kind of ragged looking, no holes but ones that just look old, that and some old blue jeans. I have a few pair that have patches on them, between the old blue jeans and ragged t-shirts I can look like a bum on the street, yet I am a home owner and the place is paid off.
That’s a very good idea. Thanks.
Good idea, Hal. Hadn’t thought of that.
Replace that fancy entrance gate with a plain one now. If living out in a rural area, even better, a farm gate.
If you live on a dirt road like I am have a rocky entrance way, make it difficult for people to get in.
Have a remote sensor that will send you a text message that someone had crossed onto your property. In the old days there use to be a pressure hose that would ring a bell when someone arrived at the gas pumps. Your sensor can be set for people or heavy cars and trucks. You can even have a sensor for your home in the suburbs. A door bell sensor that can see who is at your door, a motion detector inside your home when you are not. Even sensors that indicate when a door or window are opened without your authorization.
Dear Frank,
GOOD ADVISE!
Enough said on my part.
God Bless,
Orrin
One of the smartest things we did when our kids were little was to buy as many pairs of tennis shoes as possible, each 1/2 size up, when there was a REALLY good clearance sale on. Might be a good idea to stock up on boots or sturdy shoes now, because they do wear out. Also, learn to knit socks, and keep a stash of yarn. You’ll never have to worry about the cold if you can knit, and socks make a great gift now & trade-able later (if necessary.) Yes, even men can learn to knit, it’s not just a granny-skill. God gave us a brain because He expects us to use it! Thanks for the ideas!
You can use a pair of old socks as liners for your mittens. You just sew between your fingers and add cloth for your thumb. Then your knitting will really be appreciated.