Survival Preparedness Checklist, Gear Recommendations, and Drills for Emergency Readiness

In the face of potential crises—80% supply chain disruptions from trade wars, power grid failures, martial law, or a "Red Dawn"-style invasion—being prepared is critical. This guide provides a detailed supply checklist, gear recommendations, and step-by-step drills to test your survival readiness, updated with comprehensive insights from military Survival, Evasion, Resistance, Escape (SERE) training and Community Emergency Response Training (CERT). Drawing from FEMA, Ready.gov, American Red Cross, and survivalist resources, this plan addresses immediate evacuation (72 hours), mid-term self-sufficiency (3-6 months), long-term sustainability, and specialized tactics for extreme scenarios, ensuring both individual and community resilience.

I. Supply Checklist

The checklist is divided into tiers: 72-hour go bag, 3-6 month stockpile, long-term sustainability, home cache, and vehicle kit. It accounts for scenarios like supply chain collapse (e.g., shortages of electronics, seafood, and canned goods from China), grid failures, and wartime disruptions, incorporating SERE’s minimalism and CERT’s community focus.

72-Hour Go Bag (Per Person)

Purpose: Rapid evacuation during power outages, martial law, or invasion. Keep under 20 lbs, 30-50 liters, in a tactical backpack with MOLLE straps.

• Water:

  • 3 gallons/person (1 gal/day): Carry 1-2 liters in single-wall metal bottles (e.g., Klean Kanteen) or collapsible containers (e.g., Platypus).

  • Purification: Sawyer Mini filter, LifeStraw, or Katadyn Micropur tablets. Small metal container for boiling.

• Food:

  • 1,200-2,000 calories/day: MREs (Mountain House), Datrex bars, Clif energy bars, canned tuna/sardines, dried fruit, nuts.

  • Tools: Metal spork, manual can opener, mess kit.

• First Aid & Hygiene:

  • Trauma kit (IFAK): Bandages, gauze, SAM splint, tourniquet (CAT), hemostatic gauze, chest seals, antibiotic ointment, ibuprofen, antihistamines, N95 masks, goggles, latex gloves, triage tags (CERT).

  • Prescriptions: 7-day supply (e.g., antibiotics, inhalers, EpiPen).

  • Hygiene: Hand sanitizer, wet wipes, toothbrush, toilet paper, feminine products, waste bag, Ziplock/trash bags.

• Shelter & Warmth:

  • Mylar emergency blanket, Aqua Quest Defender tarp (8x10 ft), Snugpak bivy, poncho.

  • Synthetic sleeping bag (sub-zero for cold climates, avoid down).

  • Rain gear (Frogg Toggs jacket), merino wool base layers, seasonal clothing, extra socks.

  • SERE: Camouflage netting for stealth.

• Tools:

  • Leatherman Wave+ multi-tool, ESEE-4 or Morakniv Garberg fixed-blade knife.

  • 50 ft 550 paracord, duct tape roll, work gloves (tactical/disposable).

  • CERT: Compact crowbar, rope, carabiners for rescue.

  • SERE: Wire saw, signal mirror for evasion.

• Fire:

  • BIC lighter, Exotac ferro rod, stormproof matches, cotton balls with petroleum jelly.

• Light:

  • Fenix PD36R headlamp or Streamlight ProTac flashlight, extra batteries, Goal Zero Crush solar light.

  • Chemical light sticks for marking.

• Navigation:

  • Local/regional paper maps, Suunto MC-2 compass, Garmin eTrex GPS (with maps.me offline).

  • SERE: Star chart booklet for night navigation.

• Communication:

  • Hand-crank/solar NOAA radio, Baofeng UV-5R HAM radio (CHIRP-programmed, license needed), whistle, notepad, pencil.

  • CERT: Walkie-talkies (Midland GXT1000VP4) for team comms.

• Power:

  • Anker PowerCore solar charger, hand-crank radio with USB.

• Documents:

  • Laminated copies: ID, passport, insurance, prescriptions, contacts.

  • $100-200 in small bills/coins, silver coins for bartering.

• Self-Defense:

  • Legal options: 9mm pistol (e.g., Ruger LCP II, if trained), pepper spray, tactical pen, silenced slingshot.

  • SERE: Quiet, concealable tools for evasion.

• Pets (if applicable):

  • 3-day food, leash, collapsible bowl.

• Miscellaneous:

  • Emergency contact list, written communication plan.

3-6 Month Stockpile (Per Household)

Purpose: Self-sufficiency during sustained disruptions. Store in watertight containers, hidden or fortified.

• Food:

  • 1,200-2,000 calories/day/person:

    • Bulk: Rice, beans, oats, flour, lentils, pasta (Mylar bags, oxygen absorbers).

    • Canned: Tuna, sardines, vegetables, fruit, peanut butter.

    • Freeze-dried (Mountain House), dehydrated vegetables, powdered milk, sugar, salt, spices.

    • Multivitamins.

  • Seeds: Heirloom, non-GMO (squash, beans, corn).

  • Fishing gear: Cast nets, trotlines, hooks.

• Water:

  • 14 gal/person (1 gal/day for 2 weeks): 55-gal barrels, stackable containers, WaterBOB bathtub storage.

  • Purification: Berkey gravity filter, LifeStraw Mission, unscented bleach (8 drops/gal).

  • Rain catchment: Gutters, food-grade barrels, tarps.

• Cooking & Energy:

  • MSR PocketRocket or Sterno stove, 10-20 lbs propane, Esbit solid fuel stove, cast iron cookware.

  • Fuel: Matches, lighters, dry firewood, axe, saw.

  • Power: Goal Zero Yeti 400 or Jackery 1000 solar generator, Anker solar panel, Eneloop AA/AAA batteries.

  • Heating: Wood stove, rocket mass heater, wool blankets, candles.

• Medical:

  • Trauma kit: Sutures, sterile scalpels, antiseptics, antibiotics (if legal), antifungals, blood clotting agents, burn cream, CAT tourniquets, pressure bandages.

  • Prescriptions: 30-day supply.

  • Reference: Where There Is No Doctor, wilderness first aid guide.

  • CERT: Mass casualty supplies (extra gauze, splints, triage cards).

• Hygiene & Sanitation:

  • 5-gal bucket toilet, heavy-duty trash bags, cat litter/sawdust, bleach, 3-6 month toilet paper.

  • Bar soap, feminine hygiene, vinegar, baking soda, hand soap.

• Security:

  • Firearms (if legal): 9mm pistol, AR-15, shotgun; 1,000+ rounds each.

  • Non-lethal: Pepper spray, crossbow.

  • Surveillance: Moultrie A-900 trail cameras, motion lights.

  • Fortification: Security film, plywood, sandbags, barbed wire, thorny bushes.

  • SERE: Tripwires with bells for stealth alerts.

• Tools:

  • Hatchet, shovel, pickaxe, saw, machete, entrenching tool, pry bar, bolt cutters, sharpening stone.

  • Snares, deadfalls for trapping.

  • Toolbox: Hammer, nails, screws, wire, zip ties, plastic sheeting.

  • CERT: Rope, carabiners, gas/water shutoff tools for rescue.

• Barter Goods:

  • Coffee, alcohol (small whiskey bottles), ammo, soap, seeds, salt.

• Reference:

  • Books: Wilderness survival, foraging (Peterson Field Guide), first aid.

Long-Term Sustainability (6+ Months)

Purpose: Indefinite self-reliance near water sources, emphasizing renewable resources.

• Food Production:

  • Gardening: Potatoes, beans, squash (heirloom seeds, compost, raised beds).

  • Preservation: Mason jars, pressure canner, drying racks, fermentation crocks.

  • Livestock: Chickens, rabbits, goats (feed, fencing).

  • Foraging: Peterson Field Guide to Edible Wild Plants, foraging bag.

• Water Security:

  • Rain collection: Gutter systems, large barrels.

  • Purification: Solar stills, greywater recycling.

  • Access: Manual wellpump, river/lake proximity.

• Shelter:

  • Natural: Debris hut, wattle-and-daub (logs, mud, moss).

  • Urban: Fortified basement, concealed entrances.

  • SERE: Camouflaged bases (forests, caves).

• Skills:

  • Tool maintenance: Sharpening, welding, repairs.

  • Crafting: Sewing, leatherwork, shoe repair.

  • Trade skills: Medical, mechanical, herbalism.

  • SERE: Primitive skills (bow drill, snares).

  • CERT: Teaching first aid, organizing community gardens.

Home Emergency Supply Cache

Purpose: 2-week self-sufficiency at home during grid-down or lockdown scenarios.

• Water: 14 gal/person, purification (Berkey, bleach), storage containers.

• Food: 2-week non-perishable supply, camp stove, manual kitchen tools.

• Power & Light: Goal Zero Yeti generator, flashlights (1/person), headlamps, solar lanterns, candles, extra batteries.

• Shelter & Warmth: Alternative heater, blankets, sleeping bags, cold-weather clothing, tent (evacuation).

• Sanitation: Bucket toilet, trash bags, cat litter, disinfectant, hygiene supplies.

• Medical: Comprehensive kit, trauma supplies, 30-day prescriptions, OTC meds.

• Tools: Toolbox, fire extinguisher (Kidde 5-B:C), shovel, axe, saw, rope, duct tape, plastic sheeting.

• Communication: NOAA radio, two-way radios, signal devices (mirror, flares), maps, emergency contacts.

Vehicle Emergency Kit

Purpose: Mobility and survival during travel disruptions.

• Basics: 1 gal water/person, non-perishable food, blankets, first aid kit, flashlight, NOAA radio.

• Vehicle-Specific: Jumper cables, tire inflator/sealant, basic tools, tow strap, reflective triangles, ice scraper, cat litter (traction), portable shovel.

• Multi-Purpose: Multi-tool, duct tape, paracord, work gloves, maps, emergency contacts.

II. Gear Recommendations

High-quality, multi-use gear ensures reliability, balancing cost and durability with SERE’s minimalism and CERT’s community utility.

Category	Recommendation	Budget Option	Premium Option	Additional
Backpack	5.11 Rush 72 ($180)	Mystery Ranch 3-Day Assault ($150)	Arc’teryx LEAF Assault ($300)	SERE: Low-profile, dark colors
Knife	ESEE-4 ($130)	Morakniv Companion ($15)	Benchmade Bushcrafter ($250)	Leatherman Wave+ ($100)
Water Purifier	Sawyer Squeeze ($40)	LifeStraw Personal ($20)	Berkey Gravity Filter ($350)	WaterBOB ($30)
Shelter	Aqua Quest Defender Tarp ($80)	Snugpak Ionosphere Bivy ($150)	Hilleberg 4-Season Tent ($600)	Camouflage netting ($30)
Firestarter	Exotac Ferro Rod ($30)	UCO Stormproof Matches ($8)	FireCord Paracord ($15)	Cotton balls/petroleum jelly
Flashlight	Fenix PD36R ($100)	Hand-crank Flashlight ($15)	Streamlight ProTac ($120)	Chemical light sticks ($5)
First Aid	North American Rescue IFAK ($100)	Adventure Medical Kits ($30)	Professional Trauma Kit ($200)	CERT: Triage tags ($5)
Comms	Baofeng UV-5R ($25, license needed)	Midland GXT1000VP4 ($70)	Garmin inReach ($400)	Signal mirror, whistle ($10)
Power	Anker PowerCore Solar ($60)	Hand-crank Radio ($30)	Goal Zero Yeti 400 ($400)	Solar panel array ($100)
Clothing	Merino wool layers ($80)	Frogg Toggs Jacket ($30)	Arc’teryx Rain Shell ($200)	Work gloves, eye/hearing protection

Specialized Tools:

• Entrenching tool ($30), pry bar ($25), bolt cutters ($40), gas/water shutoff wrench ($15).

• SERE: Wire saw ($10) for stealth cutting.

• CERT: Kidde 5-B:C fire extinguisher ($20) for suppression.

III. Step-by-Step Drills for Testing Survival Preparedness

Drills simulate real-world conditions to test gear, skills, and readiness, incorporating SERE’s stress inoculation and CERT’s team coordination. Conduct every 6 months with family or community.

Drill 1: 15-Minute Bug-Out Simulation

Objective: Test rapid evacuation with go bag (SERE-inspired).Duration: 15 minutes.Steps:

1. Setup: No warning, family engaged in normal activities, set timer.

2. Execution:

   • Announce “Bug-out now!” (e.g., chemical spill, martial law).

   • Each member grabs go bag; designated person collects shared items (food, water, first aid).

   • Meet at rally point (vehicle, outside home).

   • Verify essentials: Clothing, meds, water, comms.

3. Debrief:

   • Assess: Was time met? What was forgotten (e.g., meds)? Was bag too heavy?

   • Update go bag, practice weak areas (e.g., faster packing).

     
     

     SERE Elements: Speed, minimal gear, S.T.O.P. (Stop, Think, Observe, Plan).

     
     

     CERT Elements: Family accountability, role assignment.

     
     

     Metrics: Evacuate in <15 min, all essentials present.

Drill 2: 24-Hour Home Blackout Drill

Objective: Test grid-down self-sufficiency (SERE/CERT hybrid).Duration: 24 hours.Steps:

1. Setup: Schedule weekend, turn off circuit breakers/water main, limit cell phones.

2. Execution:

   • Use flashlights, headlamps, solar lanterns for light.

   • Cook with camp stove (e.g., MSR PocketRocket), ration water from storage.

   • Use bucket toilet with cat litter, practice hygiene with wipes.

   • Maintain warmth with blankets, alternative heater.

   • Test comms (NOAA radio, two-way radios).

3. Debrief:

   • Assess: Was food prep adequate? Water sufficient? Sanitation effective?

   • Identify gaps (e.g., insufficient light, cold sleeping arrangements).

     
     

     SERE Elements: Resource discipline, low-tech solutions.

     
     

     CERT Elements: Home-based damage assessment, resource management.

     
     

     Metrics: Sustain comfort, hygiene, and comms for 24 hours.

Drill 3: Night Navigation & Land Nav Challenge

Objective: Navigate without GPS in low visibility (SERE-inspired).Duration: 4-6 hours.Steps:

1. Setup: Choose 3-5 waypoints 5-10 miles from home using topo map, dusk/night setting.

2. Execution:

   • Navigate to waypoints with map and compass, maintain pace count.

   • Avoid obvious routes, use terrain masking (SERE evasion).

   • At each waypoint, solve a task (e.g., send radio message, signal with mirror).

   • Return via alternate route.

3. Debrief:

   • Assess: Navigation accuracy, time taken, comms clarity.

   • Practice weak skills (e.g., pace counting, star navigation).

     
     

     SERE Elements: Night movement, terrain analysis, light discipline.

     
     

     CERT Elements: Comms protocols, problem-solving.

     
     

     Metrics: Reach all waypoints with <500m error, complete in <6 hours.

Drill 4: Fire, Shelter, Water in 3 Hours

Objective: Establish survival triangle (SERE-inspired).Duration: 3 hours.Steps:

1. Setup: Choose safe outdoor location, bring go bag only.

2. Execution:

   • Build shelter (tarp lean-to or debris hut), ensure weatherproofing.

   • Start fire with ferro rod, maintain for cooking.

   • Locate/purify 1L water (filter, tablets, or boiling).

3. Debrief:

   • Assess: Shelter stability, fire speed, water purity.

   • Improve slow tasks (e.g., fire-starting in wet conditions).

     
     

     SERE Elements: Field craft, Rule of Threes (shelter, water, food).

     
     

     CERT Elements: Resource prioritization.

     
     

     Metrics: Complete all tasks in <3 hours, shelter withstands wind/rain.

Drill 5: Med Response Under Duress

Objective: Perform trauma care under stress (CERT-inspired).Duration: 1 hour.Steps:

1. Setup: Simulate injury (arterial bleed, fracture) on dummy or volunteer, post-exercise (e.g., after running).

2. Execution:

   • Apply tourniquet, pressure dressing, or splint (CERT medical).

   • Call for evac via radio with clear message (e.g., “Medical emergency, grid X”).

   • Time performance under 5-minute pressure.

3. Debrief:

   • Assess: Treatment accuracy, speed, comms clarity.

   • Practice weak areas (e.g., tourniquet application).

     
     

     SERE Elements: Stress inoculation, combat breathing.

     
     

     CERT Elements: Triage, bleeding control, comms.

     
     

     Metrics: Treat injury in <5 min, clear radio message.

Drill 6: Family/Cohort CERT Training

Objective: Simulate community disaster response (CERT-inspired).Duration: 6-8 hours.Steps:

1. Setup: Recruit 3-5 neighbors, simulate disaster (e.g., storm aftermath), designate command center.

2. Execution:

   • Assign roles: Team leader, search/rescue, medical, comms.

   • Conduct mock triage: Tag 5 “victims” (Immediate, Delayed, Minor, Deceased) using START system.

   • Perform light search/rescue: Extract “victim” from debris (cardboard, branches) using crowbar, cribbing.

   • Set up aid station, treat one “Immediate” injury (e.g., bleeding).

   • Practice crowd control, comms via radio.

3. Debrief:

   • Assess: Triage accuracy, rescue safety, comms clarity.

   • Plan retraining for weak roles (e.g., slow rescue).

     
     

     SERE Elements: Team coordination under stress.

     
     

     CERT Elements: ICS, triage, search/rescue, disaster psychology.

     
     

     Metrics: Triage 5 victims in <10 min, rescue in <15 min.

Drill 7: SERE-Inspired Evasion Exercise

Objective: Practice stealth and evasion in hostile conditions.Duration: 6-8 hours.Steps:

1. Setup: Designate “safe” and “restricted” areas in wilderness, deploy “observation” team (friends with binoculars), create map with checkpoints.

2. Execution:

   • Navigate checkpoints without detection, using terrain masking, camouflage (mud, leaves).

   • Practice noise/light discipline, avoid skylines.

   • Evade “observation posts,” maintain navigation accuracy.

3. Debrief:

   • Assess: Detection avoidance, route selection, movement discipline.

   • Improve weak tactics (e.g., better silhouette breaking).

     
     

     SERE Elements: Evasion, concealment, OPSEC.

     
     

     CERT Elements: Team movement, comms discipline.

     
     

     Metrics: Reach all checkpoints undetected, <500m navigation error.

Drill 8: Community Grid-Down Simulation

Objective: Test neighborhood coordination (CERT-inspired).Duration: 12-24 hours.Steps:

1. Setup: Recruit neighbors, simulate grid-down (e.g., cyberattack), designate staging area, prepare challenge cards (e.g., “Injured resident,” “Water shortage”).

2. Execution:

   • Establish comms network (radios, runners).

   • Assess needs (e.g., medical, food), pool resources.

   • Address challenges: Treat “injuries,” allocate water, monitor security.

   • Practice info sharing (e.g., situation reports).

3. Debrief:

   • Assess: Speed of organization, resource efficiency, leadership.

   • Plan community training to address gaps.

     
     

     SERE Elements: Resource discipline, small-team tactics.

     
     

     CERT Elements: ICS, resource management, community cohesion.

     
     

     Metrics: Organize in <1 hour, address all challenges effectively.

Drill 9: Weekend Wilderness Survival Challenge

Objective: Test comprehensive field skills (SERE-inspired).Duration: 48 hours.Steps:

1. Setup: Select diverse terrain, bring go bags, establish safety protocols.

2. Execution:

   • Build shelter (tarp or natural materials), ensure concealment.

   • Start fire with field techniques, cook rations.

   • Purify water from natural sources (filter, boiling).

   • Practice signaling (mirror, whistle), navigate to extraction point.

3. Debrief:

   • Assess: Shelter/weather resistance, fire/water efficiency, navigation.

   • Address gaps (e.g., slow shelter-building).

     
     

     SERE Elements: Field craft, survival mindset, signaling.

     
     

     CERT Elements: Resource management, problem-solving.

     
     

     Metrics: Sustain 48 hours, navigate with <500m error.

IV. SERE Training Principles for Civilians

SERE (Survival, Evasion, Resistance, Escape) trains military personnel for hostile environments, emphasizing survival with minimal gear, evasion from capture, resistance to interrogation, and escape. Civilians can adapt its principles for preparedness without classified elements, focusing on mindset, field craft, and OPSEC.

Core SERE-Derived Skills

1. Survival Mindset:

   • S.T.O.P. Principle: Stop (pause), Think (assess), Observe (gather info), Plan (act). Prevents panic in crises (e.g., martial law).

   • Rule of Threes: Prioritize air (3 min), shelter (3 hours), water (3 days), food (3 weeks). Guides resource allocation in grid-down scenarios.

   • Application: In supply chain collapse, S.T.O.P. helps ration scarce food; Rule of Threes ensures water over food priority.

2. Evasion Principles:

   • Move at night, use terrain (forests, hills) for cover, mask scent (mud, plants), avoid skylines, minimize tracks.

   • Application: In Red Dawn scenarios, evade hostile patrols by traveling at dawn, using ridgelines for concealment.

3. Field Craft:

   • Shelter: Build debris huts or tarp shelters, prioritizing drainage, insulation, concealment.

   • Water: Identify sources (streams, dew), purify via boiling, filters, or condensation.

   • Fire: Use bow drill or ferro rod, build Dakota fire pits for low smoke.

   • Application: In power outages, field craft ensures warmth and water without utilities.

4. Resistance (Civilian OPSEC):

   • Protect personal data, avoid social engineering, maintain comms discipline (no social media in martial law).

   • Use combat breathing (4-4-4 rhythm) for stress, psychological first aid for morale.

   • Application: In martial law, OPSEC prevents confiscation by hiding supplies; stress management maintains group cohesion.

5. Escape:

   • Plan multiple exit routes, use “grey man” tactics (blend in), bypass barriers legally (e.g., bolt cutters for egress).

   • Application: In urban invasions, escape via alleys or sewers, blending with crowds to avoid checkpoints.

SERE Training Progression

1. Awareness: Study maps, gear, S.T.O.P., Rule of Threes (1 month).

2. Skills Practice: Master fire, shelter, navigation in controlled settings (3 months).

3. Integration: Combine skills in day-long drills, operate under stress (6 months).

4. Application: Conduct overnight field exercises, navigate unfamiliar terrain (1 year).

Comparison to CERT:

• Purpose: SERE builds individual survival in hostile conditions; CERT fosters community disaster response.

• Training: SERE (3 weeks, intense, military-only) vs. CERT (20-30 hours, civilian-accessible).

• Focus: SERE: Evasion, survival, resistance; CERT: Triage, fire suppression, search/rescue, ICS.

• Stress: SERE simulates capture/pursuit; CERT uses controlled scenarios.

• Gear: SERE emphasizes improvisation; CERT uses standard kits.

• Bottom Line: SERE builds a “worst-case survivor” mindset; CERT creates competent civilian responders. Combine SERE’s grit with CERT’s teamwork for optimal preparedness.

V. Community Emergency Response Training (CERT) Applications

CERT, sponsored by FEMA, trains civilians to assist communities when professional responders are overwhelmed, emphasizing triage, fire suppression, search/rescue, and organization. It’s ideal for supply chain disruptions, grid failures, or martial law, enhancing community resilience.

Key CERT Concepts

1. Disaster Preparedness:

   • Assess risks (e.g., flood zones, grid vulnerabilities), create family/neighborhood plans, map resources.

   • Application: In supply chain collapse, coordinate food sharing; in martial law, plan discreet comms.

2. Fire Safety:

   • Identify fire types, use PASS (Pull, Aim, Squeeze, Sweep) with extinguishers, create firebreaks, shut off utilities.

   • Application: In power outages, suppress generator fires; in Red Dawn, use firebreaks for defensible space.

3. Light Search and Rescue:

   • Assess structures, use crowbars for leverage, employ cribbing, mark searches.

   • Application: In grid failures, rescue trapped neighbors; in invasions, navigate rubble discreetly.

4. Disaster Medical Operations:

   • Use START triage (Immediate, Delayed, Minor, Deceased), treat bleeding, shock, fractures, burns.

   • Application: In martial law, treat injuries covertly; in collapse, allocate scarce medical supplies.

5. Team Organization:

   • Use Incident Command System (ICS), assign roles (medical, rescue, comms), document actions.

   • Application: In Red Dawn, organize guerrilla cells; in grid-down, coordinate resource pooling.

6. Disaster Psychology:

   • Recognize stress, use active listening, maintain morale via routines, shared tasks.

   • Application: In long-term collapse, prevent despair; in martial law, calm panicked groups.

7. Terrorism:

   • Identify threats (e.g., suspicious packages), respond to chemical/explosive risks, maintain OPSEC.

   • Application: In invasions, detect enemy traps; in cyberattacks, secure electronics.

CERT Implementation

• Home: Create family plan, designate command post, practice damage assessment.

• Neighborhood: Map resources (e.g., generators, medics), establish comms, designate staging area.

• Local: Join CERT via fema.gov, understand activation protocols, connect with responders.

• Training: 20-24 hours, free/low-cost ($20-$50), hands-on (e.g., extinguisher use, cribbing).

VI. Integrated Preparedness Planning

Combine SERE’s individual resilience with CERT’s community focus for a layered system.

Layered Planning

• Personal: Develop skills (fire, navigation), maintain EDC (knife, flashlight), stay fit, build resilience.

• Family: Share go bags, assign roles, plan rendezvous, practice comms.

• Community: Share resources, form mutual aid agreements, inventory skills, host CERT training.

Training Schedule

• Weekly: Check gear, test comms, practice one skill (e.g., knots).

• Monthly: Rotate supplies, half-day drill (e.g., fire-starting), review plans.

• Quarterly: Full-day field exercise, test multi-skill scenarios, verify gear.

• Annually: Weekend simulation, update plans, adjust for seasons, integrate community.

Documentation

• Inventory: List supplies, track expirations, note locations, prioritize procurement.

• Skills: Record training, certifications, practice frequency, proficiency.

• Plans: Write procedures, map routes, list contacts, include alternatives.

Testing & Evaluation

• Skills: Conduct timed demos (e.g., tourniquet in <1 min), scenario tests, peer reviews.

• Gear: Verify function in wet/cold, assess weight, test field performance.

• Plans: Run tabletop exercises, test components, implement full drills, seek third-party feedback.

VII. Critical Notes for Specific Scenarios

• 80% Supply Chain Disruption: Stock calorie-dense staples, barter goods (coffee, ammo). CERT aids resource allocation.

• Trade War with China: Stockpile electronics, medical supplies, learn manual alternatives. SERE’s improvisation helps.

• Power Grid Attacks: Use solar chargers, manual pumps, Faraday cages. CERT mitigates fire risks.

• Martial Law: Carry ID, small cash, blend in. SERE’s OPSEC and CERT’s terrorism training aid navigation.

• War with China/Russia: Prepare for EMPs, fuel scarcity. SERE’s comms discipline and CERT’s ICS ensure coordination.

• Red Dawn Invasion: Evade with stealth, cache supplies. SERE’s evasion and CERT’s covert organization are key.

VIII. Practical Steps to Get Started

1. Go Bag: Assemble essentials in 1-2 weeks, test weight/fit.

2. Stockpile: Start with 2-week reserve, scale to 3-6 months, buy in bulk.

3. CERT: Enroll via fema.gov within 1 month, join local team.

4. Skills: Practice 1-2 hours/week (e.g., fire, navigation), take first aid course in 6 months.

5. Base: Fortify home, set up water collection, cache supplies in 3 months.

6. Community: Network with neighbors, join preparedness group in 1 month.

7. Drills: Run 15-minute bug-out and 24-hour blackout drills every 6 months.

IX. Legal and Ethical Considerations

• Weapons: Comply with local laws; unregistered firearms risk confiscation.

• Lethal Force: Use only as last resort, know legal thresholds.

• Bartering: Avoid illegal items (e.g., drugs).

• CERT: Follow protocols to avoid liability, prioritize safety.

• Ethics: Use non-lethal measures, focus on evasion in Red Dawn scenarios.

X. Conclusion

Surviving crises like supply chain collapse, power outages, martial law, or invasions requires a blend of SERE’s rugged individualism and CERT’s community teamwork. By building a go bag, stockpiling supplies, mastering skills, and running drills, you ensure readiness for 72 hours to years. Start now: pack your go bag, join CERT, practice one skill, connect with a neighbor. Preparedness is about resilience, hope, and humanity in chaos.

Sources

• FEMA, Ready.gov, American Red Cross: Go bags, CERT, emergency kits.

• Global Rescue, Wirecutter: Gear recommendations.

• Skilled Survival, American Contingency: Tactical strategies.

• SERE Training Manuals (public domain), CERT Program Guides: Core principles.