What groups do you think would make it in a SHTF scenario?

[Westfalia]

It’s a lot of talk about sheeple on the forum and don’t people wouldn’t make through an extreme long term crisis scenario. But if you would look on it from another perspective, how in today’s society have the best resources, knowledge and training to make it?

I believe that there is some group that has better resources and knowledge than others like:
* Private Security Companies and Private Military Companies: One of most well organized, trained, experienced and equipped non state actors in today’s world.
* Very rich people: Large resources to help them cope with problems and acquire the help of others
* People from the intelligence community: Can analyze the situation and handle information to help them overcome
* Special Forces and other organizations with specialized training, equipment, contacts and know how.
* Ecological farmers: Can grow food without fertilizers and pesticides
* The Homeless, knows how to survive with a absolute minimum of resources
* Entrepreneurs, have initiative and are use to making the best of different situations
* Criminal organizations: Man-power, already a part of the underground economy, contacts, resources, access to weapons and other goods.

So what groups do you think has the best chance to survive large scale long-term crisis situations and what can we learn from these groups?

[sendkeys]

I would take a guess and say for those whom have some intelligence it's all luck; everyone else is dead

[lanahi]

Small towns organized enough to stop invaders and to rebuild and replant.

[scaatylobo]

I dont see anyone staying 'organized' after the real EOTWAWKI moment becomes a reality - after that its a guessing game as to who owes allegiance to who ?.If money is not a binding factor what is,family,friendship,gang allegiance ?.So to answer your question - from my view = its a total crap shoot.

[punkwaffen]

All I have to do is outrun the rest of you saps and I am home free.

[DynoLa]

You forgot a group...

"Country boys can survive...."

[vicdotcom]

The groups with the most guns and least morals.

[singingtothewheat]

Those groups that are

Extremely remote but somehow still have the ability to grow good food

Extremely prepared

Extremely crazy

Money will mean nothing when the economy falls.

[Vanishing Nomad]

A group made up of a combination of all of the above has the best chances.

[OUTLAW TANK WELDER]

Originally Posted by DynoLa

You forgot a group...

"Country boys can survive...."

Hell Yeah!

Living off the land has been a "Family Tradition".

[WILL]

Homeless are completely dependent upon the scraps of our decedent society. They can't or won't work, and spend most of their day drunk or high. That's why their camps are always near supermarkets and Wal-Mart’s, in populated areas. They dumpster dive and beg roadside for their sustenance. Once those scraps dry up, the homeless will change their ways or die off in droves.

People who plan on using violence as a means of sustenance may experience some success. I like to believe that at some point their success will end for one of 2 reasons. Either they will die as a result of armed resistance to their violence or because they are killing off all the productive people who generate resources instead of steal them; thus, they starve to death as no new resources are produced and the existing ones eventually get used up.

So realistically, there is only one group that has a real chance of long term survival. Those who can generate resources and protect them from those who would steal.
I imagine that group as a combination of those productive people listed above.

[Tryptamine]

Originally Posted by WILL

Homeless are completely dependent upon the scraps of our decedent society. They can't or won't work, and spend most of their day drunk or high. That's why their camps are always near supermarkets and Wal-Mart’s, in populated areas. They dumpster dive and beg roadside for their sustenance. Once those scraps dry up, the homeless will change their ways or die off in droves.

People who plan on using violence as a means of sustenance may experience some success. I like to believe that at some point their success will end for one of 2 reasons. Either they will die as a result of armed resistance to their violence or because they are killing off all the productive people who generate resources instead of steal them; thus, they starve to death as no new resources are produced and the existing ones eventually get used up.

So realistically, there is only one group that has a real chance of long term survival. Those who can generate resources and protect them from those who would steal.
I imagine that group as a combination of those productive people listed above.

That would be sweet to start a community of people who know long term survival skills and can grow crops and they build a town, and welcome in others, employ guards for the town and expand. It would be like megaton in Fallout 3

[singingtothewheat]

Originally Posted by WILL

Homeless are completely dependent upon the scraps of our decedent society. They can't or won't work, and spend most of their day drunk or high. That's why their camps are always near supermarkets and Wal-Mart’s, in populated areas. They dumpster dive and beg roadside for their sustenance. Once those scraps dry up, the homeless will change their ways or die off in droves.
Can you imagine a world where most addicts are unable to get their fix. It's going to be really really ugly.

People who plan on using violence as a means of sustenance may experience some success. I like to believe that at some point their success will end for one of 2 reasons. Either they will die as a result of armed resistance to their violence or because they are killing off all the productive people who generate resources instead of steal them; thus, they starve to death as no new resources are produced and the existing ones eventually get used up.
I'd prefer not to be part of that test.

So realistically, there is only one group that has a real chance of long term survival. Those who can generate resources and protect them from those who would steal.
I imagine that group as a combination of those productive people listed above.

I do think people will begin to form up communities rather quickly because there is strength and safety in numbers.

[Sail Man]

I have to agree with those who have chosen an "all of the above" grouping. I think the best chances for survival include groups that include a large variety of skill-sets. Look at society as a whole and scale it down. People versed in construction (electrical-namely 12v systems and alt. energy, carpentry, plumbing), medical (docs, nurses, medics, midwives), communication (ham radio nets), weaponry (use/tactics, gunsmithing, reloading), farming (growing/harvesting, ethnobiology, foraging), manufacturing (welding, blacksmithing, tool and die, woodworking) are just some of the skill-sets that would prove valuable to sustaining a larger group. Of course, those that are jack of all trades/masters of none would also prove valuable.

[kev]

My opinion - rich people and back to basics people.

The rich - Through out history, the rich have been able to move outside the affected areas, or have been able to buy the resources that they needed. During the black death of 1348 - 1350, or the plague of London in 1665 - 1666, the rich secluded themselves to their estates, or went to one of their estates outside the affected areas.

From the protection of their land and homes, the rich were then able to hire people to buy food and other items. There was no need in the rich going to town, just pay other people to do it for them. Thus reducing their exposure to the infected public.

The farmers and gardeners - should do well - anyone that can raise their own food, have their own livestock, chickens, rabbits, milk goats,,,,, anything that can provide them with food and trade items.

The poor with nowhere to go - are usually the worst hit. These are the people who can not afford to move, can not afford their own land, and have no resources to pull from.

[Hairy]

The New York Cannibal society should do well

[adobewalls]

Probably need to add certain religious groups to the list.

Certainly not all, but those that can establish networks and can set up infrastructure to support their members.

[robawen]

Mormons will do well.

[Froley]

The Police...
When East Germany collapsed the State Police, the "Stasi" immediately went underground with all their gear as a criminal organization.

Regards
Froley

[MikeK]

It depends on what happens and how fast. In a slow decline, a rich person's wealth can buy him resources. If he's smart, he'll buy enough early on to get him through if it all crashes.

Farmers have a head start towards self sufficiency, but can also become major targets to those in need. If they have a strong security planned out in advance, I can see them doing fine.

The trained security forces, military, LEO, etc., might have the skills, but without the resources, they're in the same boat as everyone else. Although they're probably going to make the best raiders, taking what they need from others. Sadly enough.

The homeless are skilled at making due with less, but they're also extremely dependant on society. Without handouts and dumpsters full of things to salvage, they will have no way to feed themselves. They're probably going to fare worse than the average citizen.

I think it's going to come down to resources, skills and a lot of luck. And with everything, location, location, location. For example, here in the desert we don't have adequate natural water, we don't have abundant vegetation or game animals, so for us, it's a matter of prepping as much as possible and raising what you can. I think luck will play a big part too, as some people are going to be well squared away when it comes to resources and skills, only to be in the wrong place at the wrong time and not make it.

The reality of it is that a lot of us simply won't make it, no matter how well we've planned and prepped. It gives us an advantage, but no guarantee.