Troubling times seem to be on the horizon after the United States bombed Iran killing the country’s top general. Major General Qassem Soleimani, head of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps’ elite Quds Force, and four others were killed on January 3, Friday, when US president Donald Trump ordered a drone strike on their convoy while traveling near Baghdad International Airport. Not surprisingly, his supporters are asking for blood. Everyone is hoping this “reckless” move by the government will not translate to World War III but we need to be prepared in case Iran wages war on USA.
The fear of another World War has been hanging over our heads this past year after Trump’s war of words (and tweets) with North Korea’s Kim Jong-un. Fortunately, nothing came out of their exchange of missile threats. Unfortunately, Trump found another nation to piss off in Iran.
There is talk, however, that revenge is unlikely on the part of Iran. Arash Azizi, an Iranian political commentator, doesn’t think his country will retaliate on “Americans on Iranian territory,” as reported by Quartz.
“I can’t see the opposition supporting a military attack in Iran,” Azizi stressed.
We’re all crossing our fingers wishing that everyone else thinks the same. Still, as prepping go, we all need to prepare for the worst and do the necessary steps to survive if or when Iran wages war on USA.
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Stock Up
The country’s economy is one of the many things that will surely be affected by a possible Third World War. The United States incurred a debt of $236 billion during World War II from war expenses alone, according to The Balance. With the country usurping its money on the war, the American people back home suffered a lot.
Your best chance to survive the possible economic crash in case Iran wages wear on USA is to stock up on food, water, and other supplies right now. If you’ve been prepping for some time now, you’re in a better place than most. Still, you need to make sure you have enough to keep your family fed in the event that the possible war goes on for too long.
Store Water
First on your list is water. If you’ve been following The Walking Dead, you know how important clean water is. In the popular TV series, a member of the Whisperers infiltrated Alexandria and made sure the residents drank dirty water from the river where other Whisperers dumped the undead. This is quite similar to what the Roman Emperor Frederick Barbarossa did against the Italians. They supposedly dumped human corpses into wells while they were trying to conquer Italy.
Well poisoning is a warfare tactic that’s been in use since ancient times. ISIS is known to use this horrible method. After taking lives and property, these jihadists poison the wells so no one can go back. This is one dirty tactic that should be on the back of our minds when prepping. Plus, there’s always the possibility that the water grid will fall in the event of a war.
You can’t depend mainly on the country’s water supply. To prepare for such scenarios, stock up on clean water. You need at least one gallon per person per day. Half of that is for drinking and the other half for cleaning up.
Buy bottled water by the bulk and keep them in a safe part of your home and in your bug out location. You should also have bottled water in your grab bags, get home bags, and bug out vehicles. You can also store clean water in food grade containers so you should start collecting and filling them up, too.
Collect empty plastic bottles and clean them thoroughly using this method recommended by the CDC. Stock up on unscented bleach, water purification tablets, and personal water filters, too. You can use them to make sure you’re drinking clean water.
Invest on WaterBOBs, rain barrels, and other large water containers, as well. Before water runs out due to war or other emergency situations, fill them up and cover properly to keep them from getting dirty. If the threat of Iran waging war against the Americans gets closer to reality, start storing water in every container you can get your hands on. Use the water for bathing, cleaning, washing laundry and other tasks.
Store Food
Prices of basic commodities such as food will definitely rise when your country is involved in an armed conflict. If the fighting reaches your homeland, it will be extremely difficult to go out and buy food and other things you need. That said, you should stock up on food now before things turn for the worse.
Your prepper pantry should be filled with different kinds of food with long shelf lives. Of course, you can fill your freezer with meat and other perishables so you can continue enjoying such home-cooked meals as long as there’s still power. You need a backup energy source though in case power goes out due to war. If you don’t have one, you’ll be forced to cook and eat everything so as not to let them go to waste.
There are tons of choices when it comes to emergency food. You have the MREs, which military people eat when they’re on the field, and the freeze dried ones that are specifically made as survival food.
Canned goods, dried food, grains, nuts, cereal, crackers, granola bars, coffee, tea, powdered milk, sugar, salt, condiments, candies, chocolates, and food that you love to eat.
Gather Supplies
For the same reason given above, you must stockpile on supplies before war breaks. Make sure you have the essentials that you usually get from stores. Remember, production and delivery of such products may take a hit during wartime so they won’t be readily available when you need them.
Medications and Medical Supplies
Start with medicines and medical supplies. Every home needs a first aid kit so you should have one right now. Since we’re dealing with the threat of war, though, it’s even more important to stockpile on different kinds of medicines and medical supplies that would be pretty useful in time of war. Bandages, gauze, clotting agents, sutures, tourniquet and other items needed to treat trauma and similar injuries come to mind.
Make sure you have vitamins and minerals to help keep everyone healthy. Some medications you should also have include pain medicines such as aspirin, ibuprofen, and benzocaine. Take into consideration the particular medications that each member of your family prefers. Some people prefer acetaminophen over ibuprofen, naproxen, or aspirin because it doesn’t irritate the stomach.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=URtNzuzOkkk
Other over-the-counter drugs you need in your prepper pharmacy include antihistamine for allergies, loperamide for diarrhea and intestinal cramps, polyethylene Glycol 3350 or glycerine suppositories for constipation, meclizine for motion sickness and nausea, and hydrocortisone cream for rashes and similar skin conditions.
If someone is suffering from a particular condition such as diabetes or asthma, stock up on the medicines and other items the patient needs. You also need antibiotics. These usually require a prescription. Try asking your doctor for one but make sure you explain clearly why you need them.
Aside from these medications, you should stockpile insect repellent and sunblock to help prepare you for the horrific scenario of a war between Iran and the United States.
Hygiene Kit and Cleaning Items
War is not a reason for you to forget about your hygiene or to not clean your home anymore. If there’s an on-going war, being clean will at least give you a sense of normalcy.
For hygienic purposes, you’ll need soap, shampoo, conditioner, toothpaste, mouthwash, dental floss, toothbrush, cotton balls, Q-tips, deodorant, alcohol swabs, razor, nail clipper, comb, scissors, mirror, wet wipes, hand towels, hand sanitizers, lip balm, petroleum jelly, lotion, and lots of toilet paper.
Don’t forget feminine supplies and hygienic kits for pets, if you have one. If you have an infant, stock up on diapers and other baby items.
You should also hoard garbage bags, laundry detergent, baking soda, unscented bleach, dish soap, scrubbers, sponges, steel wool, and gloves for cleaning.
Survival Gear and Other Supplies
Let your imagination run wild and think of everything you may need to help you survive the effects of a possible war between Iran and the USA. Most of these items, which should be included in your bug out bags, are particularly useful if you have to evacuate your home or shelter.
Some basic survival gear that come to mind are multi-tools, a survival knife, tactical flashlights, portable lantern, candles, fire starters, batteries, paracord, emergency whistle, compass, tent, sleeping bag, Mylar blanket, tarp, duct tape, Ziploc bags, garbage bags, can opener, pocket stove, tinder, fishing kit, a book on survivalism, and a whole lot more.
In your home, you should have rechargeable lights, power tools, hand tools, weather radio, wool blankets, and a cooler to store perishable items. Of course these are not the only things you need to survive in case Iran wages war on USA. As mentioned, think out of the box and see what else you may need.
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Prepare for Grid-Down Scenarios
We already discussed some of the things you can do in case the water grid goes down. We also tackled power loss for a bit. It takes more than just stocking up on candles and other light sources to deal with a blackout, though.
You need backup power sources in case of long-term power outages. Invest on a generator that will provide you with power during emergencies. You need to hoard enough fuel, as well, since this is another commodity that will surely see its price shoot up.
The problem with generators is that they’re too loud. In a wartime scenario, it’s a good idea to keep a low profile so military invaders and other people looking for supplies will not take interest on your home. Check out some of the ways to supress or reduce generator noise here.
(Related: What Would I Do If There Was A Worldwide Power Blackout)
Propane tanks and gas stoves are also useful for cooking, boiling water and other tasks. As long as you have a steady supply of tanks then you’re good to go. You still need to look for other sources in case the war goes on for too long.
Another alternative that’s basically free is wood. Gather firewood so you have a continuous source of energy, particularly fire, for keeping your home warm aside from its usual uses. If you don’t have a fire place, you can invest on a wood burning stove. Hoard on different kinds of fire starters such as waterproof matches, lighters and ferro rods so you always have a way to create fire.
Solar power is the best alternative power source by far. It may bit a pricy right now but you’ll eventually get the returns in the form of lower electric bills. If war breaks out, you’ll be glad you invested on solar power. The power source is free as long as the sun will keep shining. Plus, it does not produce smoke or make loud noises so you’re pretty safe from intruders and scavengers.
Manage Your Finances
Another way to prepare for the economic repercussions of war between Iran and USA is to manage your finances well. War can have an adverse effect on one’s income. You need to be careful in managing your finances even without the threat of war.
Make sure you have money saved up so you have something to spend when the economy takes a major hit because of war or other emergency situations. There’s always the possibility that you can lose your job or your business will be closed because of armed conflict. It’s wise to have something to fall back on when you’re no longer earning.
Also, you have to make sure your debts are paid off. It’s also a good idea to pay your property taxes in advance so you won’t have any issues when the money isn’t coming in like before.
For more tips on how to survive an economic collapse brought about by war or other reasons, check out the video below.
Fortify Your Home
Right now, tension in Iran is at a high, especially with Supreme leader Ali Hosseini Khamenei issuing a warning that “a harsh retaliation is waiting.” Hassan Nasrallah, leader of the Hezbollah, also said in a televised speech that the American army will “pay the price” for the attack and that “the only just punishment” is to retaliate on “American military presence in the region.”
Clearly, American soldiers and even civilians in Iran are not safe. The US government has already asked Americans in the country to come home. Trump, meanwhile, tweeted that 52 Iranian sites will be targeted if they continue to threaten Americans. In another tweet, Trump said that the US “will hit them harder than they ever been hit before” if they Tehran retaliates.
If you’re an American currently in Iran, you’re best move is to get out of the country ASAP. If you’re in the United States, you still have time to prepare in case the fighting reaches your backyard.
A military invasion is always a threat. Anything can happen once war and chaos reaches you. To protect your loved ones, you need to start with your home. As Art of Manliness stressed, your primary shelter is your primary place of residence. That means you have to fortify your home against all possible threats.
One thing you can do is to make sure no one can force their way in your home through the doors and windows. There are better ways to do so than to just close and lock them.
Use screws at least three inches long to secure the door frame to the house. The same goes with the hinges connecting the door to the frame. Install heavy duty locks and dead bolts. The Defender Security Satin Nickel U 10827 Door Reinforcement Lock is a popular product, which you should definitely consider.
Install a home security system so you know when someone is approaching or trying to break into your home. This will give you some time to take your family into the panic room, call the local authorities, and to prepare yourself for a possible confrontation.
Speaking of, your safe room should be fortified as well. Install a reinforcement lock on the door. Hide some food, water and other supplies in your safe room. A fire extinguisher, respirators and wool blankets will be useful in case the intruder tries to smoke you out. Of course, you should have a way to escape without anyone noticing.
(Related: What Would I Do If There’s A Burglar In My Home)
Another simple tip to scare off intruders is to put up signs. Home security systems come with stickers and yard signs saying your home is protected. These will at least make them think twice about entering your home. Signs saying you have a dog or a gun can also dissuade these potential threats.
Build a bunker. Many people built bunkers during the Cold War because of fear of nuclear attacks. If you can’t afford having one constructed on your property, you should look for one instead. Do a little research and find out where the nearest nuclear bunker is. Devise an evacuation plan that will lead you to the bunker if there is a threat of a nuclear attack.
Be Ready to Defend Yourself
Invest on weapons and proper training. When you have no other recourse but to defend yourself, you need to fight fire with fire. Purchase firearms, legally of course, and learn how to use them. Don’t forget to stash ammunition, as well.
Other weapons you can have are knives, hatchets, crossbows, and baseball bats. Be creative and find other common household stuff you can use to defend yourself. When you’re dealing with a platoon of enemy soldiers, though, it’s best to evacuate as soon as possible or before you’re in firing range.
(Related: Effective Ways to Defend Yourself Without Using Guns)
Prepare An Evacuation Plan
When SHTF and you need to get out of your home as quickly as possible, you probably don’t have the luxury of time anymore. You can’t waste valuable seconds packing up while soldiers are shooting and bombing the lights out of anyone and anything they see.
You must devise an evacuation plan right now before it’s too late. The first thing to do is to pack your bug out bags. These grab bags should contain at least three days’ worth of food and water along with some essential supplies and gear. You also need to prepare your bug out vehicle. Pack more supplies in your car and make sure the tank is always full.
Before leaving your home, everyone must know exactly what to do. Assign specific tasks to each member of the household. Someone is in charge of grabbing the pets or helping the elderly get out and into the car. Others will lock the doors and windows while another will grab the keys and get the car ready. Every able bodied member will of course get his or her own bug out bag before dashing out of the door.
You also need to plot out your evacuation route heading to your bug out shelter. Take the time to study all the possible routes in case the one you’re taking is compromised. As for your shelter, you can build one in a safe and isolated area or arrange with one of your relatives or friends to head there when SHTF. Make sure you also have supplies in your bug out location.
Follow Gentleman Pirate Club to learn different survival skills and tips on how to handle different emergency situations, armed conflicts included. I suggest that you don’t take your time in prepping in case Iran wages war on USA.
