SHTF Preparedness Pyramid

Summary

In this video, the speaker, Brassa, discusses the importance of balanced preparedness for various scenarios, from everyday life disruptions to extreme societal collapse. He critiques the tendency to focus solely on high-intensity, 'mad max' scenarios, urging instead for a proportional approach. Brassa introduces a 'food pyramid' analogy for preparedness, emphasizing the need for practical solutions over excessive military-style gear. He also highlights the significance of everyday preparedness and the potential pitfalls of neglecting the basics in favor of extreme scenarios.

Takeaways

• 📘 The script discusses the importance of balanced preparedness, emphasizing that there is a spectrum of scenarios between everyday life and extreme 'Mad Max' situations.
• 🚨 The speaker critiques the tendency of the preparedness community to focus too much on extreme scenarios, potentially neglecting practical, everyday preparedness items and strategies.
• 🎣 The script mentions specific scenarios such as long-term water purification, securing food during civil unrest, and using military-style tactics for fishing in a disaster situation.
• 🍚 It introduces the concept of a 'hit the fan food pyramid,' suggesting that preparedness should be tiered and proportionate to the likelihood and severity of different events.
• 🛡️ The speaker highlights the need for practical solutions over military-style engagements, using the example of choosing a box of Mountain House from Costco over turning a river into an 'inverse cornal Valley' for fishing.
• 🔄 The video mentions the TAPS incident and the importance of modernizing preparedness strategies with systems that can be updated or replaced as needed.
• 🛍️ Adventure Surplus is highlighted for offering a comprehensive rig setup that addresses many of the issues the speaker had with the TAPS system, providing a practical and affordable solution.
• 🏠 The script stresses the importance of managing day-to-day life as part of preparedness, including financial stability and readiness for common emergencies like car breakdowns or medical bills.
• 🌪️ The concept of 'regional disruption' is introduced, using Hurricane Katrina as an example, and the need for more robust and long-lasting preparedness strategies in such cases.
• 🏛️ 'Systemic degradation' is discussed as a scenario where underlying systems fail permanently, leading to a potential collapse of society's ability to function normally.
• 🌍 The script concludes by advocating for a nuanced approach to preparedness that covers a range of scenarios, from everyday life to the unlikely event of complete societal collapse.

Q & A

What is the main theme discussed in the video script?

The main theme discussed in the video script is the tendency of preparedness discussions to sometimes overlook the wide range of scenarios between the rule of law and a Mad Max-style collapse of society, and the importance of a balanced approach to preparedness.

What are the two scenarios mentioned for civil unrest in the script?

The two scenarios mentioned for civil unrest are multi-year long water purification and resupply, and setting up patrol bases near platoon-size elements for recon and fishing to secure calories during a Katrina-style event.

What is the 'hit the fan food pyramid' mentioned in the script?

The 'hit the fan food pyramid' is a visual aid for managing relative portion sizes in preparedness, with carbs and veggies making up the bulk of consumption, followed by dairy, then meat, and finally dessert-type foods, emphasizing the importance of practical and balanced preparedness over excessive focus on extreme scenarios.

What is the issue with focusing too much on military-style engagements in preparedness?

Focusing too much on military-style engagements in preparedness can lead to neglecting simpler and more practical solutions, or even lacking relevant preparedness items because all time and effort has been spent on unlikely scenarios.

What is the significance of the TAPS rig configuration mentioned in the script?

The TAPS rig configuration is significant because it addresses many of the issues the speaker had with the original system, providing a more modern and functional setup for carrying essential gear.

What is the importance of managing day-to-day life in preparedness?

Managing day-to-day life is important in preparedness because it forms the foundation for dealing with more severe scenarios. It includes being ready for mundane but dangerous year-to-year emergencies such as spare tire, first aid, and financial preparedness.

What are the key considerations for preparedness during a local disruption?

Key considerations for preparedness during a local disruption include having enough supplies for a short-term event, building necessary skills beforehand, and having a plan for egress and communication.

What is the difference between local disruption and regional disruption in terms of preparedness?

Local disruption is reversible and can likely be handled by local or regional infrastructures, while regional disruption is more intense, potentially requiring more robust and longer-lasting supplies and skills, such as cooking systems, hygiene plans, and communication strategies.

What is the role of tactical gear in preparedness scenarios?

Tactical gear plays a role in preparedness scenarios by providing advantages such as night vision for navigating in the dark, the ability to use firearms at longer distances, and personal protection. However, it should be used tastefully to avoid unnecessary conflict.

Why is it important to not only focus on the most extreme scenarios in preparedness?

Focusing only on the most extreme scenarios can lead to neglecting practical preparedness for more likely and less intense events. It's important to have a balanced approach that covers a range of scenarios from everyday emergencies to more severe disruptions.

What is the concept of 'proportional response to preparedness scenarios' mentioned in the script?

The concept of 'proportional response to preparedness scenarios' refers to the idea of choosing the right tools and strategies for the specific scenario at hand, rather than defaulting to overkill or the most extreme preparedness measures.