Friday, August 5, 2011

Survival Tactics: Communication

Whether it's the Zombie Apocalypse or an other Shit Hits the Fan (SHTF) event, communication is extremely important.  There are many reasons why good communications networks and skills are important.  What I'm going to focus on is the need to stay informed and the need to pass along information.  Let's take a few minutes to review and start thinking about what we need to do.

Your first thought might be that your cell phone or smart phone is going to be your savior.  I hope it is.  But in a major SHTF event, your cell phone is worth nothing and your smart phone may only be worth a little more than nothing.  Why?  The cell towers you're accustomed to accessing are either non-functional, overloaded with users, or have been usurped by public safety (and the military) for their own communication needs.  However, the earthquake in Japan showed us, while cell towers for cellular communication may not be available, other data communication may remain active.  We saw many Twitter, Facebook and other social media playing a role in getting information out of the effected area.  Assuming a power grid is still active, your smart phone will be handy.  But if there's no power to juice your electronics, your time is going to be limited.  The good news is there are ways to continue to power your electronics in the absence of an active power grid.  Two examples include a gas powered generator with appropriate converters and solar panels.  Generators are great, but have a couple of  draw backs (the bad news).  Most obvious is the need for fuel.  If it's hell-in-a-handbasket time, fuel will quickly become scarce and become something others may be willing to commit mayhem to obtain.  Solar panels are, I think, a better alternative.  The energy they require is readily available and plentiful.  In addition, there are many portable panel devices now made specifically for powering our personal electronics.  Personal walkie talkies, etc. can also be used and are likely to be able to be recharged using a portable solar panel recharger if they already have rechargeable batteries in them.

When considering our communication needs, we also need to remain aware that others (including public safety, the government, maybe some NGO's) are going to try to disseminate information.  For this reason some kind of receiver is needed.  You can choose any radio but again, we face the issue of keeping it powered.  If you're not considering the portable solar panel idea, then invest in a good radio that has a dynamo built into it.  It will provide you with what you're looking for in getting information.

The last thing I want to consider here is person to person communication.  I'm not referring to how we carry on normal conversations.  Rather, I'm referring to those times when information is critical for survival and when noise discipline is necessary.  We've all seen enough SWAT and War movies to know about hand signals.  But when was the last time you ever considered a need to use them?  Can you effectively communicate critical information with several other individuals in a quick, concise and quiet way?  If not, start considering it.  I'm not suggesting everyone become familiar with combat hand signals. What I am suggesting however is that if you find yourself in a SHTF event, you and your group consider how you will quickly, concisely and quietly communicate information that will keep you alive when faced with a threat of some kind.  It really doesn't matter how you develop your signals so long as they're easily identifiable, easily produced, and can communicate the necessary information given the context in which they are being used.

Communication is clearly very important.  And the information we gather through communication will at times literally save your and your groups lives.  Consider, plan and practice what you need to do and you'll have a better chance at survival.

Until next time. Prepare. Remain vigilant. Be safe.

Dor

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