Risks & Be Prepared

“Black Swan” events

You will have seen that most of the issues affecting the world at the moment were “Black Swan” events, meaning that most people had no idea that these issues were going to happen.

The sad truth is that the majority of people suffering now because of these events are suffering because they were in a vulnerable position to begin with, and not prepared for an event that could tip them over the edge.

People in the Western world in particular have enjoyed decades of peace, prosperity,growth, and comfort. The events of the last couple of years, and the events unfolding around us now, have shattered that lifestyle, perhaps forever.

What are the main risks in life to consider?

and how best to be prepared as best as you can be?

There are many sources of information from “preppers”, who are people literally prepared for the end of the world. They are prepared in terms of living off the land, having access to weapons and their own water supply, and having stocks of food and medicines.

Whilst that may have caused many people a few years ago to smile at what were perceived as strange hillbilly types living in the backwoods or mountains, that may not be so much the case now.

However, the fact is, most people cannot or will not adopt the lifestyle of a pepper. That is not to say though that an understanding of the risks, both existing, and potential ,should be ignored, and some realistic counter measures put in place where possible.

High level risks to consider

  • Country risk. Is your country vulnerable to attack by a foreign power?
  • Currency risk. Is your currency at risk of being devalued because of inflation?
  • Health risk. Do you keep yourself as healthy as you realistically can do? Do you have access to medicines and medical advice when needed? Do you know at least basic first aid?
  • Personal safety. Is your abode secure? Do you know at least rudimentary self defence if needed?
  • Access to food and water. Do you have reserves in place should access to food and water be disrupted?
  • Access to heat and light. Do you have back ups should access to power be denied?
  • Access to cash. Do you have some cash should access to your bank account be denied?
  • Access to vehicle fuel. What would you do in the event of access to gas stations be denied?
  • Loss of communications with others because the internet or mobile network has ceased to work.

Let’s consider each of these risks in turn, together with some ideas to help mitigate those risks. Just adopting at least some ideas is better than doing nothing.

1. Country risk. If you consider your country is in imminent danger, be ready with a grab-bag, and do not hesitate to move to a place of safety even if you only suspect something is going to happen. What’s in the grab-bag? A torch, snacks, bottled water, warm clothes, cash, basic medicines,phone,first aid kit, matches, and a weapon of some sort.

2. Currency risk. Consider holding some physical gold or silver. Even small amounts are better than nothing. Inflation will cause the purchasing power of fiat/paper money to dissipate, whereas gold and silver will always hold value.

3. Health risk. Keep a ready supply of basic pain-killers, and any medicines that you or a family member may be dependent upon.Ensure you have a first aid kit to hand.

4. Personal safety. Keep your abode as secure as you feasibly can, avoid straying into potentially dangerous situations, and learn at least rudimentary self defence.

5. Food and water. Hold a stock of bottled water, and some tinned and packeted food with long expiry dates.

6. Heat and light. Torches, matches and candles. Consider buying an inexpensive portable propane gas burner to heat food and water.

7. Cash. Speaks for itself.

8. Vehicle fuel. Consider keeping the tank of your vehicle topped up as much as possible, and have a jerry can in reserve.

9-. Communications. Establish with your family a plan whereby in the event of disruptions to communication, each person knows where to go, and what to do.

These are only some risks and measures to consider. Each person is different, and will be subject to different circumstances, including time and money. Again, the point is to at least do something according to your circumstances.