The Mind4Survival Podcast

SHTF Plan: 4-Step Planning Guide for Surviving SHTF

02.24.2022 - By Brian DuffPlay

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Everyone needs an SHTF plan (Shit Hits the Fan Plan) because society is much more fragile than many people understand or want to believe. Our stark reality is one in which a single large-scale disaster or series of smaller-scale disasters occurring in the wrong place at the right time can lead to cascading impacts on society.

When that happens, those who don't have an SHTF plan ready to go will be much more likely to suffer. Those without an SHTF plan are more likely to struggle and succumb to a lack of planning and preparation.

The solution is this step-by-step process to survive any SHTF situation. This four-step guide will help ensure you and your loved ones are safe and sound when the world around you descends into chaos.

What Is an SHTF Event?

An SHTF event is any event that exceeds the ability of local, state, national, and international aid providers to overcome. SHTF events cause widespread regional, national, and international harm, and the damage they cause is beyond society's capacity to address.

When discussing SHTF events, most people think of them as large-scale disasters such as a supervolcano eruption, significant asteroid impact, or a similar cataclysm. While this is true, smaller, compounding disasters can build upon one another to the point they result in an SHTF situation occurring.

Here are a few examples of possible SHTF events:

SHTF Scenario #1 - Large-Scale Natural Disaster

Large-scale natural disasters are both possible and have occurred throughout history.

Examples of large-scale natural disasters are the eruption of a supervolcano, widespread infection with a highly deadly virus with a 40% death rate, and the impact of a 3-mile-wide asteroid, all of which have occurred throughout history.

SHTF Scenario #2 - Large-Scale Human Disaster

Historically, large-scale human disasters were only able to happen due to the actions of a nation-state. For example, nuclear and biological warfare, kinetic activities, etc., were only able to be initiated by the actions of a country.

Now, however, technology is continually increasing the potential for individual and non-nation-state actors to initiate large-scale disasters worldwide.

Some examples of large-scale human disasters include:

A cyberattack that permanently shuts down The Eastern Grid, resulting in loss of power to most of the U.S. east of the Rockies.

The manipulation and collapse of national and international financial systems.

Rogue nations use nuclear or biological warfare against their enemies.

SHTF Scenario #3 - Compounding Small-Scale Disasters

Compounding small-scale disasters occur when one small-scale problem leads into or provides the circumstances for another small-scale compounding disaster to happen. In turn, the newly ensuing disaster sets the stage for yet more problems and disasters to occur, eventually resulting in widespread problems and potential SHTF scenarios.

Examples of compounding small-scale disasters that may lead to large-scale SHTF scenarios include:

A nation suffers from a severe economic collapse. In response to the struggle within the nation, a charismatic local leader comes to power. In a quest to unite and expand his country, that leader vilifies a people within the country and begins looking outward. As a result, millions of people march off to gas chambers, and a world war SHTF event is started.

A virus leaks from a lab in one country and begins to spread globally. As a result, governments start making politically expedient decisions that cause global political and financial strife. In turn, the strife leads to social upheaval around the world, eventually resulting in civil wars and the collapse of society as we know it.

One nation postures as if it will invade a smaller neighbor.

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