Now, imagine all of that technology disappearing in the blink of an eye. That is what would happen if an electromagnetic pulse (EMP) were to hit the U.S.
Preppers and survivalists have steeled themselves to prepare for even the worst of disasters. However, a lot of these strategies are done under the assumption that 21st-century technology would still be somewhat usable. How would you survive a post-EMP world? (h/t to VigilPrudence.com)
It all returns to nothing
An EMP is a wave of electromagnetic radiation, usually from a nuclear blast or solar flare. While harmless to humans, this wave targets and disrupts electromagnetic systems. This means things like the power grid, most cars, and all electronics would end up unusable if an EMP blast was large and powerful enough.
A blast like that could set society back by about a hundred years, forcing many to abandon their previous lifestyle to adopt one that's less reliant to the wonders of electricity. Unfortunately, this isn't even the scariest aspect of EMPs.
Experts warn that America's power grid isn't ready for a large-scale EMP attack. Within minutes of the blast, thousands of Americans would lose their lives; planes would fall out of the sky, most cars would suddenly stop working, and all forms of life support would just shut down. Communication also becomes a struggle as most phones would turn into glorified paperweights.
You could watch society collapse right before your very eyes as people scramble to grab all the supplies they could carry because they weren't prepared for this sort of outcome.
Luckily for you, preparedness is a big part of a prepper's lifestyle.
Living off the land
Preppers have an edge over most civilians in SHTF situations, especially grid-down scenarios because:
- They have a pantry full of supplies.
- They probably know how to live without the need for electricity.
Stocking up on a hefty supply of food, water, guns, and ammunition can see you through a couple of weeks or even a month of crisis. However, you should be aware that the longer society goes without their necessary needs, the more restless people get.
Looters would start to check houses, desperate to find supplies and any kind of help. Sooner or later, they would find and target your place. In a post-EMP world, law and order would be replaced with panic and chaos. How do you face this situation?
One of the wisest things to do in this scenario, especially if you live in a large city, is to grab your bug-out bag and get as far away as you can. Having a bug-out location prepared beforehand is ideal – otherwise, just head for the countryside, the woods, or even the mountains.
If you luck out and prepared a bug-out location in a relatively isolated part of the countryside, you can even start your own self-sufficient life. A small garden and water purifying skills can go a long way in keeping you alive and well. (Related: Preppers, take note: Graphene could be a low-cost water purifier.)
If the forest is more your style, having the knowledge of which plants you can and cannot eat will spell the difference between life and death.
The threat of an EMP attack is all too real and could cause catastrophic damage to society. However, with proper preparation and a well thought-out plan, you can find yourself surviving almost any SHTF situation.
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