Our last post was on The Big 4 of Survival: Food, Water, Shelter, and Security. If during that evaluation you determined there were areas that you’re not super strong in, don’t be discouraged. Up your game if you can, but another option is to seek out people who can offset your shortcomings. This is essentially what ‘mutual assistance groups’ are about: balancing strengths and weaknesses for the benefit of all.
There are plenty of things that one can contribute to a mutual assistance group; some will directly support The Big 4, while others could be considered nice-to-haves. We’ve listed some of these attributes below with a rating system to help evaluate their importance. This list is by no means exhaustive, but it may help you assess your ability to contribute to a group in a protracted survival scenario.
Bronze (make life easier)
Fitness; there will be much work to be done (firewood collection; hauling water; etc.)
Orienteering skills (navigating without GPS)
Have forestry skills and tools (chainsaw, axe, 2-person hand saw, etc.)
Mechanically inclined; repairs will be needed on various machines with limited access to replacement parts (jerry-rigging)
Ability to prepare meals in austere conditions (campfire cooking)
Camping equipment and experience
Sewing skills (and have a field kit)
Silver (improve chances of survival)
Advanced first aid training (with supplies)
Ham radio operator with gear protected in Faraday cage (ability to communicate might help understand the magnitude of the situation and potential dangers heading your way)
Own a reliable four wheel drive vehicle (expands relocation options)
Have an older, low-tech vehicle on standby (most vehicles built after 1980 will have electronics of some kind and may be rendered inoperable after a severe EMP)
Own property or a camp that could serve as a suitable location to retreat to
Gold (help keep you alive)
Medical professional with basic instruments to practice outside of a typical facility (meds are a bonus)
Paramedic by trade (with gear)
Tactical training and possess firearm(s) suitable for defence
Hunting skills, experience, and tools
Vegetable gardening experience (and have portable seed bank)
Extensive knowledge of edible plants in the wild
Have multi-year stockpile of food and willingness to share with group
No one person is going to check every box on this list, but the more of these that apply to you, the more valuable you will be to a group. Some skills would make you perpetually valuable, such as hunting skills or the ability to identify edible plants; however, if your value to a group only lasts as long as the supply of something that you brought to the table (like stockpiled food), then you’d better hope you can trust your fellow group members not to cut you loose once you can no longer contribute to their survival. Better yet, try to have both supplies AND skills to ensure you remain an asset.
How do you find or start a mutual assistance group? You can find groups online, but our reservations with this are two-fold: size and trust. Too big of a group is problematic in an apocalyptic scenario, as power struggles and differences of opinion will likely emerge; further, how well are you really going to get to know people? Perhaps in attending events you meet people whom you click with and splinter off to make plans on your own…it could end up very positive. That said, it might be wise to hold back a little before sharing too much about what you have and where you have it. If you do go the online meet-up route, just approach with caution and don’t go all the way on the first date.
Ideally, a group would form organically from within your existing familial, social, or professional circles. People you already know and trust. The challenge is breaking the ice to discuss it, as there could be a perceived risk of exposing yourself to ridicule. We’re no experts in social skills, but maybe use a current event in the news as a conversation starter: a flood, hurricane, or blackout, particularly if your region is susceptible to that type of event. You could mention a preparedness blog or podcast…their reaction may indicate if it’s worth pursuing the conversation any further. Or own it, if that’s your speed. You don’t have to put a ‘Zombie Response Vehicle’ sticker on your daily driver, dress exclusively in army surplus, or work ‘the-end-of-the-world’ into all of your conversations, but don’t be ashamed to express your beliefs. You may be surprised how many people around you feel the same way, but were hesitant to talk about it. Covid helped push preparedness into the mainstream…empty shelves and long lines at grocery stores helped people realize just how fragile our complex systems really are.
Joining or building a mutual assistance group with like-minded people is both validating and comforting, and will greatly increase your chance of survival in a worst-case survival situation.