perfidy

Ministry readers are familiar with our ongoing concern for surviving the onslaught of any number of real or ethereal enemies: the robots, the zombies, the aliens, the Dark Ones, the Atlanteans- the list is long and dread. Those readers also understand that we are, to put a fine sharp point on things, concerned with our survival.

But we recognize that in order to rule the stooped, half-mad survivors of the smoldering afterworld, there will have to be stooped, half-mad survivors. With that in mind, we do have to maintain some concern over the wellbeing of the balance of our species, and it is in that spirit that I share this link and discussion with you now.

Slate has some thoughts regarding a short-term, family-scale survival kit. Alot of the products make sense- particularly regarding the storage, transportation, and treatment of water. The collapsible water cans are a great idea. Also, anything that can function without a wall socket or batteries, like hand-crank flashlights and radios would be terrific.

A couple things though have been overlooked. A decent multitool, for example. A small portable Gerber or Leatherman ought to be handy anyway, in your usual life, and one certainly belongs in a survival kit. And they don't break the bank, either- I got a good Gerber for like $50, but it pays to shop around. Other tools should be included as well, like a decent knife. Sharp things have been fundamental to the success of the human species thus far; why would it not be so after the Poppyclips?

Another item that's overlooked in these discussions is dry bags. That is, nylon (or other non-naturally occurring material) duffel-type bags. I think people tend to underestimate how fast water can fuck up everything, even just being in the rain for a couple hours. You can buy these in any camping supply store or online, and they're not expensive, either. They come in all sizes, so can keep food, documents, or delicate equipment dry, besides clothes or blankets. When empty of course they can wad up to nothing, so there's no space constraint. More of these is better, I feel.

And it goes without saying that no survival plan is complete without considering personal safety. It is surely inadvisable to keep loaded firearms in a duffel bag in your closet with your hazmat suit and respirator, but that doesn't mean you ought to eschew them entirely. Seriously, what in your personal life experience with other homo sapiens leads you to conclude that, in the absence of governmental authority -even if only briefly- people would not hesitate to take from you what they need to live another day? Are you willing to put your own survival- and we are talking survival here, not comfort and convenience-in the hands of strangers? For your family's sake, I hope not.

All of these things though are only things. Valuable and important things, but tangible objects. People also need intangibles, like a plan for how to get to where they feel safe, or training to build a fire, erect a shelter, apply first aid, or use a weapon.

Apply these ideas to your actual survival plan, and you will be in a much better position to be ruled by us later.