Try to find areas that aren’t near the main fighting. These could be rural areas or strategically unimportant towns. There may be designated civilian safe zones set up. Travel to one of these if there is one nearby. Rural areas may be safer because fighting is often focused around cities and population centers. However, remember that you’ll need wilderness survival skills to stay safe here. It may also be more difficult to receive aid, since relief organizations also focus on cities.
During an invasion, disinformation can be used as a tactic to frighten or otherwise destabilize the population. Be careful believing news you hear from unverified accounts on social media or by word-of-mouth.
If you aren’t looking to learn how to fight, these groups can also give you survival advice tailored to the region you live.
The journey to a conflict-free country can be challenging. Ideally, your home country will provide transportation services to help you escape the invasion. Otherwise, you may have to drive, sail, or even walk to the border. When escaping your country, bring passports or other identification documents. It may also be wise to take small valuables that you can keep hidden and exchange for cash or supplies if needed. Without ID, other countries may prevent you from entering. Getting in touch with friends or family members who live outside of your home country can connect you to opportunities to escape your country.
Try to find a building that you can seal up in case there is a chemical leak or attack. Look for windows still intact that you can close and block off with damp towels. If there are multiple suitable buildings in your area, make a list of all of them and their locations. This will help if you have to flee your current shelter and find a new one quickly. If there are no buildings like this, then find any structure that has a basement to protect you from the fighting.
Locate the shelter in a spot that’s easy to hide in, just in case hostile people pass through the area. To make the job easier, try to build your shelter around a natural feature. A fallen tree, for example, could provide support for a larger structure.
If hostile troops enter your area, it’s best to hide or avoid interacting with them at all costs. Make it clear you aren’t a threat. Don’t try to steal from people or hurt anyone except in self-defense. This will lead to confrontations as desperate people try to defend themselves. Avoiding fights may also mean fleeing an unsafe area. Always be ready for this possibility to keep yourself and your loved ones safe.
If you have a gun, ammunition might be scarce in a survival situation. Shooting for practice may also draw attention to you. Learn to use the gun as well as you can without firing if you’ve never used it before. Don’t neglect other potential weapons like bows, axes, bats, or knives. These can all help you fight off attackers. Train other members of your family or group to use the weapons as well. Your group is at a disadvantage if only one member knows how to fight.
Having some weapons at hand will help in this situation. Keep all weapons in a safe place, away from children, and grab them quickly if you need them. If you do have to defend yourself or your family, having a good personal relationship with your community is a big help. The community could unite to defend itself from bandits or other people who want to cause harm.
Especially store your canned or wrapped food and bottled water. Save these resources for emergencies, in the event that clean water and fresh food become scarce. Look for medicine and hygiene products as well. These are important for maintaining your health in stressful situations. Remember to store all of your important documents as well. Hold onto birth certificates, marriage licenses, Social Security cards, and any other documents that prove your identification. Withdraw money from the bank to have cash on hand. You may not have access to your bank electronically.
Nearby lakes and streams are potential water sources, but you may have to purify the water before drinking it. If you live near the ocean, do not drink saltwater. It’s difficult to resist, but saltwater will cause serious illness. If you do find a clean water source, use that and try to preserve your bottled water for emergencies. If no other water sources are near you, collect rainwater for drinking and bathing. Leave out buckets and tubs to catch the rain when it falls. Remember to purify all rainwater before you drink it.
After the war has been going on, canned items may be available in abandoned grocery stores. Whenever you find an unopened can, take it. You don’t know when you’ll come across more food. Try to avoid foods with high salt content that will make you thirsty. These will make you drink more water than you would normally. Ideally, you should have 3 days’ worth of nonperishable food in your home at all times in case of natural disasters or other emergencies. If you have a stockpile already, you can avoid the rush to the food store that will occur once the war starts.
Learn how to properly skin, bleed, and dress an animal so the meat doesn’t go bad before you can eat it. [12] X Trustworthy Source Penn State Extension Educational organization dedicated to delivering science-based information to people, businesses, and communities Go to source You don’t have to be in a rural area to hunt. There are plenty of animals in city settings. Try setting up traps to catch small animals.
Important hygiene products to have are toilet paper, hand sanitizer, toothpaste and toothbrush, soap or liquid soap, feminine products, and disinfectant. Less critical but important products include combs or brushes, razors, shaving cream, and deodorant. These won’t necessarily save your life, but keeping up a good appearance can help you feel much better in stressful situations.
If you don’t know what a plant is or if it’s edible, smell it first. If the smell is terrible, it’s a good bet that it’s not edible. Then hold the plant on your skin for 15 minutes and see if you feel any itching or burning. If not, place the plant on your lips for 15 minutes. Then take a small bite of the plant. If you don’t feel any burning or stomach pains after 15 minutes, then the plant is probably safe to eat. If possible, you could also start a garden on your property for extra produce. Try to keep this hidden, though. If food is short, people will almost certainly try to steal your produce.
If you live in a populated area, you may come across many abandoned stores. Don’t hesitate to search them for supplies and take what you need. If you’re on the move, stop and check any buildings you come across. You never know what the previous residents left behind. Don’t try to steal food or supplies that people are guarding. You could end up injured or killed for this.
Wash all wounds with clean water only. Never use dirty or unfiltered water. Keep all wounds covered with clean bandages. If possible, replace the bandage with a clean one regularly. Learning CPR can also save someone’s life in an emergency situation.
Try catching some rainwater in a bucket. Then dip a towel in that bucket and rub some soap on it. Run the towel around your body, then rinse with the rainwater. Try not to waste your bottled water on bathing. You can use unfiltered water for bathing unless you have open wounds. In this case, purify the water.
It isn’t always obvious if a water source is contaminated. Boil all water from streams and rivers anyway, just as a precaution. If you’re desperate, you may be tempted to drink unclean water to quench your thirst. Do not, under any circumstances, drink dirty water without purifying it. You could contract a disease or parasite that may be fatal.
Try to keep your meals as balanced as possible. Include fresh vegetables, fruits, and proteins if they are available. Find nutrient-dense foods like leafy vegetables, fish, potatoes, and nuts. Foods like these pack as many nutrients as possible into your meals. [22] X Trustworthy Source Harvard Medical School Harvard Medical School’s Educational Site for the Public Go to source If you can’t find fresh food, try to find dietary supplements to boost your nutrient intake. These may be available from abandoned stores and homes.
If you move to a new area, introduce yourself to locals. You don’t have to become best friends with them, but don’t remain a stranger. You may have to rely on these people for help if fighting reaches your area.
Developing and refining emergency plans can help you stay positive. It ensures that you’ll always have a procedure in place if something goes wrong. Take steps to reduce anxiety and keep your head clear in stressful situations. Building and maintaining personal relationships can help you keep your composure.
