Things haven’t been looking too bright for the United States government these days. We have a president who is serving fast food by candlelight to his special guests of honor because there was no one to cook them a fancy meal. And that’s because he shut down the government after failing to get the nod for his infamous wall.
Right now, it doesn’t really matter what you’re opinions are about Donald Trump, his policies, and his plan for a US-Mexican border wall. People are suffering the effects of the shutdown and many fear the possibility of a government collapse.
In the event that the US government collapses, are you prepared for what lies ahead? Will you still be able to put food on the table and roof over their heads? Can you still pay the bills and send your children to school? Do you have what it takes to protect your family once riots, looting and violence breaks out?
These questions are not baseless. As of this moment, families of furloughed government employees are struggling to make both ends meet. And no, they can’t simply ask their landlords for jobs to get by. That’s completely missing the point.
No one wants to be put in a situation such as this. I, for one, would do everything to provide for my family and keep them safe in case the US government collapses. In which case, below are some of the steps I would do to prevent being a victim. You should, too.
Preparing for US Government Collapse
As a simple citizen of the country, you have little control on the possible collapse of your government. Unless, you rally each and every American to put a stop to whatever the people at the top are doing. Right now, the immediate thing you can do is make sure you’re in a better position to survive even as the government implodes.
Grow and Raise Your Food
For one, you can be self-sufficient. Start off by making use of whatever space you have to grow and raise food. If you have a large enough area, you can plant crops and raise animals such as chickens and goats. If you live in an apartment or have little space at home, you can still grow some herbs and vegetables from scraps or seeds. You can also raise small animals such as quails.
Stockpile Food
In a government or economic collapse, the first things to be affected are food and water. When prices of basic commodities soar and citizens have no way of earning, it is believed that chaos will likely ensue. People will do anything to keep themselves and their loved ones alive even if it means using violence.
You don’t have to be one of those people begging, stealing, and killing for food. Before such a thing ever happens, you should start stockpiling non-perishable food. Look at the supplies you have stored right now and consider how long they will last you. A week? A month? You should think long term and stock up on months’ or years’ worth of food.
Another option is to food preservation. Canning is a form of preserving food wherein you keep tomatoes, pickles, meats, and other foods inside jars. There’s a specific method to this, which you should learn.
Store Water
Water is more important than food. Make sure you have clean drinking water properly stashed away in your home. You should also have the means to acquire potable water in case the government collapse lead to the water supply being cut.
If you’re near a body of water, you’re in good shape. You just need to filter and sterilize the water so it’s safe to drink. This means you need a constant source of fire for boiling. You should also stock up on water purification tablets and personal water filters.
Water is not only necessary for drinking. You also need it for cooking and cleaning up. You could invest on a water tank or devise a way to gather rainwater, which you can use for washing or sterilize for drinking.
Stock Up On Valuable Supplies
There are lots of stuff other than food and water that you’ll need to survive a US government collapse. Health is, of course, important and you’ll soon find the prices of medicines and other medicinal supplies shooting up because of a failed state. This early, stock up on all the medicines you think you’ll need. This is particularly important if you or anyone ion your family has an existing condition. You’ll also need a well-stocked first aid kit.
You can’t go places in an empty tank. Make sure your car is always filled so when the fuel prices shoot up, at least you still have some to use when you have to evacuate. You should also store gasoline somewhere safe in your property.
You won’t be calling any professional services to get your roof fixed or unclog the drain during tumultuous times. Learn different skills then teach them to your family. You should also invest on the necessary tools you’ll need to keep your house and properties in tiptop shape. Invest on hand and power tools, tools for your vehicle, and such.
Fortify Your Shelter
Assuming you have a home, whether rented or owned, you should consider making it intruder-proof. In the event of a government or economic collapse, some ill-thinking citizens will be looking for houses to rob. There are ways you can fortify your home without spending too much. But if you have the means, you can install a security system and burglar proof your doors and windows.
Your home should also be protected from accidents. You’ll be using fire more often than before so you better equip your home with fire extinguishers, garden hoses, ladders, and other equipment useful in fighting fire.
Defend At All Costs
Aside from fortifying your home, you should be able to defend it along with the people inside it, as well. Weapons such as firearms will always be useful in scaring away or fighting off intruders. If you’re planning to get a gun, you should undergo the proper training in using it responsibly. You also need to keep the gun or guns safely hidden if you have children in your home.
If such fatal weapons are not your cup of tea, you can opt for other less lethal ones. Include blunt weapons like a baseball bat in your arsenal. Crossbows and bladed weapons such machetes, hatchets, and knives can instill much damage if necessary.
Keep stun guns and pepper sprays in your home. Make sure each member of your family has one of these in their everyday carry along with tactical flashlights, tactical pens and other similar self-defense tools..
Save for A Rainy Day
Every time you receive salary, sell a product, or get paid for a service you offer, make sure you set aside a certain amount in the bank. You can open a bank account or put your savings in a piggy bank. You can also do both. The important thing is that you have money safely tucked away. Ideally, this should aside from your emergency fund.
Energy Source
It’s quite difficult to imagine a life without electricity. Unfortunately, a US government collapse may trigger a shutdown of services. Fortunately, you don’t have to depend entirely on electricity.
Homesteaders and off-gridders have been living without electricity or at least with minimal use. They depend mainly on more natural energy sources such as solar and wind energy. You should invest on such alternative energy sources even if there is no threat of a government collapse.
A number of homes probably own generators they can use whenever the power conks out. Using a generator during a time of chaos may not be advisable, however. Criminals will be attracted by the noise coming from the generator. If you have a generator or plan to invest on one, make sure to use it wisely when the time comes.
A more common source of alternative energy is fuel. Firewood is one prime example. Flex those muscles and chop lots of wood to store. Use them for cooking, boiling water, and keeping your home warm.
Devise Backup Plans
You can never be sure what the future holds for you. Preparing is the best way to ensure you make it out alive. But even after all your preparations, things can still go wrong. You need to devise backup plans for every possible scenario.
You need an evacuation plan in case your home is compromised. Each of you should have their own bug out bag. After grabbing your BOBs you should know how to proceed to your getaway vehicle. Your car itself should be stocked with food, water and supplies. If you can’t reach your car, there should be another option of escape, this time by foot. If you’ll be passing through a wooded area, you could hide some weapons and other supplies along your path so you can still have provisions if you can’t get your grab bags.
Finally, you need a place to go. Make arrangements with a relative or close friend to be your bug out shelter. You can also build your bug out shelter in a secluded area somewhere. If you get separated, each of you should know how to get there.
If you need another reason to prepare for the possibility of a US government collapse, look no further than how it responds to calamities. The government, particularly the agencies involved, always seem ill-equipped to deal with catastrophes. Based on what we’ve seen, we shouldn’t put our lives in their hands. They can only do so much. With more than 300 million people in the country, I’m pretty sure not a single entity will be able to help everyone. You should help yourself. That’s what I’m going to do.
Visit The Gentleman Pirate for more information on how to deal with such catastrophes. You should also check out Conquering the Coming Collapse and learn more about surviving an economic collapse.
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