Martial Law: What You Need to Know

MONTANA - USA - With any economic collapse and martial law, there are many variables you should address. Your knowledge through times of civil unrest is crucial to your survival.

First things first, complete economic collapse brings civil disorder, all supermarkets would be cleaned out in less than a day. If you are not prepared with a safe house in the country where there is plenty of food and water, you will most certainly have a markedly reduced survival rate.

Mass looting and criminality, violence in the streets and of private property would ensue in all metropolitan areas, and there would not be any place to hide from the angry mobs pillaging.

Immediately after mass civil disorder breaks out, all mobile/cell phone services would be cut by the government and there would not be any internet or telephone. This is why if you are organised, you should have already invested in a radio system.

During civil unrest, there are no hospitals, utilities, fire service, police force, doctors, financial services or lawyers.

Depending on the severity of the crisis, you and your family should prepare for as long as it takes before order is restored. This could be from six months to five years or more. The state of martial law could easily escalate to civil war which could take longer to die down.

In the event of martial law, civilians could possibly be rounded up by paramilitary and government forces and put into camps, if you are well prepared you will not be one of these people. Do not depend on the government for your survival or anything. You must be self sufficient, and most of all do not trust anyone, or be careless with speech. In times of chaos, a careless word to anyone could mean your immediate or eventual demise.

Here is a basic list of some essentials you may need to survive

1. A sturdy army surplus backpack.

2. A first aid kit, including bandages, iodine, alcohol, gauze and painkillers.

3. Close range melee type weapons. Machetes, Bowie knives, axe, katana, kukri.

4. Long range weapons. You will need a rifle or a 180 lb crossbow, preferably with optical sights. Make sure you have plenty of ammunition or bolts.

5. Clothing. At least one set each of hot weather and cold weather clothing, you can always ditch what you don’t need.

6. Boots. A sturdy new pair of military combat boots, preferably steel toe caps.

7. Manuals. When you’re on the run, starving, and out of water you won’t be thinking clearly, manuals are a good way to ensure you will not forget important information. An army wilderness survival handbook and a wilderness observation and tracking book would be useful.

8. Water. Make sure you have a canteen and get purification tablets to refill.

9. Rain gear.

10. A fire kit. Make sure all your matches and lighters are sealed in plastic. Bring kindling if you can.

11. Light. Bring an army style red lensed flash light. The red light will not ruin your night vision (your natural night vision) so you will not be left in the dark when you have to turn it off.

12. Medicine. Any important medication you may be on i.e. insulin, asthma medications.

13. Radios. If there are others in your group you will want to be able to communicate with them if you get lost.

14. Hand signals. If you have others in your group you will need to be able to communicate with them silently, make sure everyone in the group understands the hand signals.

15. Navigational equipment. Bring a compass and maps of the surrounding area. Good maps include road maps, hiking maps, and topographical maps. Make sure you know how to use a compass and read a map.

16. Shelter. A tent if you can carry it, something that will keep you out of the wind and rain. Knowledge on how to build a makeshift shelter is also useful.

17. A hand-crank radio. You will want to keep updated on new reports and such.

18. Batteries. Solar powered charger.

19. A watch, wind-up best pick as batteries eventually run out.

20. Cooking equipment. This includes a pot of some sort, eating utensils, and something to cut wood with. A ‘Commando Saw’ which is like barbed piano wire and will fit in your pocket.

21. Fishing equipment. Maybe not a rod, but bring hooks, lots of line, and lures.

22. Knowledge. This is your absolute best weapon. Once you have chosen the place or area you will run to make sure you know it like the back of your hand. You may have food rations already stashed away in cannisters deep in the ground, or a secluded well-protected dwelling. No doubt others have thought of the same location, it will be your knowledge of the area that makes you better. If there is a stream, know where it starts and where it goes. Know the hills, the mountains, the trails, the flora, fauna and climactic conditions year round.