Getting Out Alive By John Steele

I have just finished a good book by Scott Williams, Getting Out Alive, (2011), which is in the disaster survival genre. There are thirteen classic survival situations discussed, with case studies of real-life example. These range for abandoned in the Amazon /Basin, to trapped in snow and the desert, to being in a burning building, to a bear attack which almost kills one.

The final story, I found the most relevant to today, or what is coming: urban breakdown. The real-life example is the Los Angeles riots of 1992, but the thought experiment involves a far-reaching failure of the power grid. He describes what a nightmare this will be for the US, and highly urbanised Australian urban cesspools, if power goes for a substantially long time. He traces day-by-day the threats that arise as people get desperate for food and water. The choice arises of bugging out or bugging in. He points out that those who bug in are often influenced by survivalist retailers who want to sell them stuff, but it may not be the wisest choice in cities facing collapse, not only from the threat of people, but disease.

The top ten tips for bugging out are: 1. Understand the risks; 2. Prepare a bug out bag; 3. Have a pre-planned bug-out location; 4. Know the escape routes; 5. Keep your vehicle ready; 6. Consider alternative transport; 7. Be prepared to walk; 8. Be inconspicuous and blend in; 9. Avoid confrontations; 10. Resist the urge to go back too soon. Good advice I believe, but, I for one, have already bugged out, here in my tent out in the wilds of the Victorian scrub, watching the world slowly burn to a crisp.