Reminders of How Unprepared Most People Really Are

[rhino]

Sometimes we get a little glimpse of how people react to stressful situations when things are just inconvenient and not really "bad." Today our power was out in the entire city and some of the county for several hours in the late afternoon and evening, and I got to see how some people react.

Many businesses in town just closed, including grocery stores. That alone would bring most people to their knees if we had a problem that lasted more than few hours!

One person visited my house with her children today. She didn't even have a flashlight in her home, much less spare batteries or even a couple of days worth of supplies. I think most people are in this boat, and it's alarming how people just don't care enough about being prepared for simple power outages, much less genuine disasters! They either naively believe they can just get whatever they need at Wal*Mart any time they want it, or they think nothing bad could ever happen.

If the power went out for more than 24 hours, some areas of this country would be in total chaos. And it's completely unnecessary!

I've come to the conclusion that there is no way to make people care enough about their own security unless they come to it of their accord. You can't teach them and you can't lead them by example. They're either going to wake-up and realize how fragile our system is, or they won't.

My problem is, I'm related to people like this, so it's not viable to just turn my back on them in an emergency as you could justify doing to a stranger who chose to not make even the most rudimentary of preparations.

This would be so damn simple if everyone would take the responsibility for their own preparations, security, and safety. How hard is it to have a couple of flashlights, some batteries, and a radio in your house? Or a couple of extra cans of food? I'm the laziest human I've ever met, and yet these people ... AUGH! I can't take it.

[abnk]

Originally Posted by rhino

I've come to the conclusion that there is no way to make people care enough about their own security unless they come to it of their accord. You can't teach them and you can't lead them by example. They're either going to wake-up and realize how fragile our system is, or they won't.

I've been thinking that myself lately. Here's a recent example. I took my brother-in-law and his son shooting not too long ago. He brought some POS pistol that only fired twice. When we got back, I gave them a speech on why they need a reliable piece and told him that he will probably spend about $500 for it and that while it may sound expensive he needs to ask himself how much is family is worth. His whole family was there and agreed with me. When I was done pontificating, he said, "Well, let me know if you see something cheap or on sale."

[Sailor]

I use the tactic with my relatives about being prepped in case of a natural disaster. Any time the news shows a hurricane, tornado, Earthquake etc. I bring up that they need to have food/water/shelter for at least a week.

Give head lamps with lithium batteries for Christmas.

Slowly they come around.

[rhino]

Yeah, I've tried lights and other elements of kits for gifts.

Maybe I just need to assemble some kits and just give it to them.

But here's the problem ... I know for a fact that if I give them a kit or parts thereof, they will just use stuff from it when they're too lazy to go to Wal*Mart. That's not a problem if you replace things right away ... and in fact, it's a good idea ... IF YOU REPLACE THINGS RIGHT AWAY.

But they won't replace them. This is why no flashlights or batteries are to be found.

It's laziness and a refusal to take responsibility for one's own welfare, including that of their children.

[flagtag]

Originally Posted by Sailor

I use the tactic with my relatives about being prepped in case of a natural disaster. Any time the news shows a hurricane, tornado, Earthquake etc. I bring up that they need to have food/water/shelter for at least a week.

Give head lamps with lithium batteries for Christmas.

Slowly they come around.

Great idea! Give practical survival type gifts that they probably wouldn't even consider themselves. (It wouldn't hurt to add something that they asked for as well, if possible)
I plan on giving my family Bug Out Bags and a BePrepared DVD. And other odds and ends.
Too many people are so used to being able to pick things up on the spur of the moment - thinking that whatever they might need will always be instantly available.
We've had it too easy for too long.

[Royal-1]

Body armor would be a "tight" gift.:do2:

[flagtag]

Originally Posted by Royal-1

Body armor would be a "tight" gift.:do2:

Got that right!

[Bshaw]

Flagtag
Igrew up in Westville and I am a grad of WHS
I get back over now and then
You ever shoot the tactical pistol matches at Westville Sportsman Club ?

[rhino]

I'm saving my pennies to get my own body armor some day. It's not going to be cheap because the carrier will have to be custom made, and probably the panels/plates too.

[Royal-1]

Now he's going to talk about Cod pieces