8 survival tips that could help you survive the apocalypse
- Certain survival skills and useful pieces of knowledge could be invaluable in the event of an apocalypse or other dangerous scenarios.
- You can stockpile food and water, but seeds might be more helpful.
- You'll want to get out of large cities and towns.
Your first aid kit and emergency gallons of water might get you through a snowstorm or power outage, but what would you do if the apocalypse hit?
Being prepared for the worst-case scenario is always a good idea, so INSIDER spoke to Professor Lewis Dartnell, senior editor of Astrobiology journal and author of "The Knowledge: How to Rebuild Civilization in the Aftermath of a Cataclysm," to learn what everyday people should do to make it through a potential world-ending disaster.
Notably, Dartnell stressed that a global catastrophe or apocalypse is extremely unlikely to occur during our lifetimes. But just because a world-ending situation may not be looming doesn't mean you shouldn't have a crisis plan in place. These tips may be able to be applied to any dire situation in which you're faced with limited resources.
Whether you’re looking to outlast the end days or just want to sharpen your survival skills, here are some tips to help you stay safe in the event of a major disaster.
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You can stockpile food and water, but seeds might be more helpful.
In the event of an apocalyptic scenario, survivors will have to figure out how to feed themselves without commercial food products.
Although it might seem smart to start hoarding canned goods and water now, Dartnell advised that stockpiling isn't really the wisest use of your time or money.
"I think it's important to remember that you can stockpile all the canned food, bottled water, or other consumables that you like, but they will all run out, sooner or later," he said.
What should you do instead? He said learning how to grow your own food and keeping a stash of seeds might be more helpful in the long term. Becoming self-sufficient now will definitely help in a post-grocery store world.
In the event of an apocalypse, you'll probably want to get out of large cities and towns.
Dartnell advised that after any collapse of civilization, survivors would do well to get out of urban areas.
"Modern cities are incredibly artificial environments, and they simply don’t function without electricity, water, and gas being pumped into them. Where would you go to find a natural supply of clean water in your city, or a patch of fertile ground that hasn't been smothered over with concrete or tarmac?" he said.
If you want the best chance of surviving the end of civilization, he advises that you get out of the city as soon as you can.
You should try to find a rural area where you can live off the land.
When the apocalypse strikes, it could be the perfect time to lace up your hiking boots and find a secluded spot in the countryside to set up camp.
"To start rebuilding, you'd be much better off finding a quiet rural location with fresh water, a nearby supply of timber, and arable land where you can start growing [food and trees]," advised Dartnell.
With fewer people around to compete for scarce resources like packaged food, water, and gasoline, relocating to a rural area might also help you avoid conflict with fellow survivors.
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