Community.

I live in one of the remotest communities in Europe on an island off the west coast of scotland. I would not call myself a prepper or a survivalist. However depending on the situation I would say I stand a good chance of survival in a SHTF situation.

I have my own vegetable beds. Live next to the sea. Have a good stock of food, my own water source and a good stock of peat for the fire.But most importantly I live in a community of people. If something went wrong we would not be competing against each other. Instead we would be supporting and helping each other. Strangers would not be considered welcome. We have enough food to feed our own. A stranger in these parts would not last long in a SHTF situation.

The greatest resource you have is people and everybody the lives around me has skills and life experience to share. From the man that goes lobster fishing to the old lady that lives down the road. All people are assets.

I see threads on here all the time about people with their bail out bags with the idea that will be able to go out to the wild and survive. In tribal cultures you leave the tribe to die. We are weak by ourselves and strong in numbers. We are social creatures that thrive off each other. Not by living alone being a Rambo in the forest.

This is not a knock to people with BOB and stuff like that. Just a message that you will survive better if there is a group of you. You will survive better on your home ground with people around you that you know and trust... Not by wondering onto other peoples turf in order to hunt food and stuff.....

i hear you mate,i'm not lucky enough to live in the Hebs,but i'm up north camping quite a lot,a few of us go and when everybody pulls together things get done.some get the tents up,others get wood,i usually get the carry out!! it's so much easier in a good solid team,who know what they have to do.in a SHTF situation i think that would be the key.i'm not saying you couldn't do it alone,it would just be much easier.
peace

To bad the first people who show up with guns owns you, and everything there... Slaves to do whatever master says..

Originally posted by starfoxxx
To bad the first people who show up with guns owns you, and everything there... Slaves to do whatever master says..

I do not think a couple of peeps with guns is much of a threat. Would see them miles off if we where looking. You have the kind off Rambo attitude that would lead to your demise..

reply to post by purplemer


I've been exploring this as an option for the current SHTF scenario of economic downturns, unemployment and bankrupted countries.

Stumbled across some new (possibly old with a revamp) ways of communities surviving as more cohesive units while still being part of the establishment. The arguments are before government now and the dance has just begun.

Thanks for the post

reply to post by purplemer

The greatest resource you have is people and everybody the lives around me has skills and life experience to share. From the man that goes lobster fishing to the old lady that lives down the road. All people are assets.

Important point.

And my BOB is just to get me home to my place and our community. I commute an hour to work each day, so if something goes down, chances are, I'm an hour drive from home (which could be a few days on foot)

But, as much as you can prep, without a small community of people working together, an individual can have his stores completely taken by a band of marauders, for example. If such a band encounters an armed group, they are far more likely to simply move on to an easier target.

reply to post by Gazrok



Was not knocking the BOB. In truth I do have a small one myself. Hope to never have to use it. Its still missing essentials.
Just wanted peeps to reflect a little on survival in a different way. None of us need to be survival experts if you have enough heads to get around problems, and as you said we are all safer in numbers...

Reply to post by purplemer

Hey hi, your community sounds good. Being able to trust and help each other is absolute in any survival situation, even better on remote island. Would you / community allow outsider survivalists incase of shtf ?


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reply to post by purplemer


I think you point out a very important issue. I live in Boise, Idaho, US and am surrounded by many natural resources. Idaho was recently identified as one of the best places to survive a SHTF event. However, I also recognized in today's society we often don't even know our neighbors. I have made it a priority to introduce myself and get to know my neighbors. I have identified their resources and talents. I lend my own to assist my neighbors. If a SHTF event it would be good to know there is a nurse that lives down the street, that there is a mechanic across the street, that there is an accomplished gardener living next door. Community needs to be built on trust and mutual support. Much of what small isolated communities do as normal is lost in urban settings. Help build your local community by hosting BBQs, or leaf raking, etc. Demonstrate the value of working together.

Thanks for your thread. I couldn't agree more!

reply to post by purplemer


Nicely put OP s/f

Its much harder to break 7 pencils instead of one... I think community is and should be a huge part of a SHTF scenario. Working together would be much easier for all concerned, instead of trying to survive on your own. You will be safer, have company, be protected, have food, water, warmth and the list goes on..

When living in and being a part of a small community life is generally easier and more enjoyable.. Certainly without the community and the peeps around me where I live, I think I would find it incredibly difficult to live on an island off the West Coast of Scotland.

I agree purplemer community is important..!

Good question on outsiders a couple posts up....

Personally, my feeling is that I'd welcome outsiders, though with a probationary period, and they'd have to understand that trust is to be earned, not given, in such a world.

I was thinking of this when watching last night's Walking Dead, where they passed the hitchhiker (only to see him dead on the way back).... The more folks we have, the better chance we got, but at the same time, have to be people that can get along with similar goals.

Excellent thread. No man is an island. Work together as a community, but remember that some in the community will attempt to take what others have to maintain their present way of life. When things get tough they change and become a threat to the community, they have to be kicked out or somehow set straight. Rationality doesn't always work with people if the changes are negative to their beliefs.