21 Strategies To Survive War In The United States

What Would You Do If The United States Is Invaded?!
These are some of the most crucial points of strategy and behavior I recommend or discourage to survive war in the United States.
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Table of Contents
- What Would You Do If The United States Is Invaded?!
- 21 Steps To Survive War In The United States
- Practical Preparation For Survival During A War Situation
- 1. How To Discuss Emergency Strategies And Survival
- 7. How To Manage Yourself In A Chemical And/Or Radiological Threat
- 8. How To Use Iodide Prophylaxis
- 9. What To Do When Coming Back From A Chemically-Biologically Radiologically Contaminated Environment
- 10. What To Do If You Spot A Suspicious Object Or Explosive
- 11. What To Do If Trapped Under Rubble
- 12. What To Do If Caught In A Pushing Crowd
- 13. What To Do When The Emergency Is Over
- 14. What To Do When You Have Been Taken Hostage
- 15. What To Do In An Air-Strike Alarm
- 16. What To Do If Hostile Forces Turn Up
- 17. What To Do If Shooting Is Heard Near You
- 18. How To Evacuate A War Torn Area By Yourself
- 19. How To Survive In A Territory Seized By Enemy Forces
- 20. What To Do If Soldiers Are Surveying Premises
- 21. What To Do When Outside Military Forces Are Temporarily Established In Your Area
21 Steps To Survive War In The United States
I hope this post helps you to obtain some really helpful knowledge to enhance your survival preparedness skills and abilities to survive war in the United States, if necessary.
- How To Discuss Emergency Strategies And Survival
Discuss all possible worst case scenarios with your family members.
- How To Be Prepared For Evacuation
Take stock of what you will need to do in case officials direct you to evacuate, i.e. abandon your home and go to a safe area.
- How To Gather Supplies
Gather supplies, necessities, and your basic and extra items in case of a war in the United States.
- How To Convert Your Basement Into A Shelter
The best choice is a basement with concrete ceiling and strong walls.
- What To Do In Case Of Emergency
Call 911 in case you need to request assistance needed for injury or other unsuspected danger or adversity.
- What To Do When You Hear A Warning ⚠ Signal
Information will be made public when evacuation of residents is announced.
- How To Manage Yourself In a Chemical And/Or Radiological Threat
Learn how to manage yourself in a contaminated area.
- How To Use Iodide Prophylaxis
Some radiological emergencies may release large amounts of radioiodine to the environment.
- What To Do When Coming Back From A Chemically-Biologically Radiologically Contaminated Environment
If you are coming back from chemically biologically-radiologically (CBR) contaminated environment, take precautions.
- What To Do If You Spot A Suspicious Object Or Explosive
Never touch it!
- What To Do If You Are Trapped Under Rubble
You cannot afford to despair.
- What To Do If You Are caught In A Pushing Crowd
If you are stuck in a big throng or a crowd overtaken by panic, button/zip up and throw away anything you have sharp or piercing to prevent yourself or others from getting injured.
- What To Do When The Emergency Is Over
Practice this safe behavior when you are back home.
- What To Do When You Have Been Taken Hostage
Mind your conduct in case you have been taken hostage.
- What To Do In An Air-Strike Alarm ⏰
Unplug electrical appliances, shut off your gas and water supply.
- What To Do If Hostile Forces Turn Up
If hostile forces turn up in the area where you live, you have to stay calm.
- What To Do If Shooting Is Heard Near You
In case you hear shooting or exchanges of fire in your house, do not go near windows; turn off the light and retreat to a windowless room (e.g. bathroom, closet).
- How To Evacuate A War-Torn Area By Yourself
Choose roads where civilian movement is controlled or the ones that were pointed out by the authorities organizing the evacuation and withdrawal.
- How To Survive In A Territory Seized By Enemy Forces
Take care to have water supplies because it is probable that water supply will be disconnected or pipes frozen (in case it is winter).
- What To Do When Enemy Soldiers Are Surveying Premises
Learn what to do if soldiers are surveying premises and demand you to present your documents.
- What To Do When Outside Military Forces Are Temporarily Established In Your Area
Learn what to do when military forces of the aggressor temporarily establish themselves in your area and set up their military occupation authority.
These guidelines offer only applicable practical recommendations and relevant information for American citizens‘ to survive war in the United States.
It is very important that Americans demonstrate a deep interest in the subject of war survival, now.
When you do, it is a sign that our society is conscious and mature.
Understanding gives us advantage even over a potential aggressor and makes us stronger and safer.
These recommendations and strategies will equip you with 21 strategies for a variety of emergency and war situations.
Practical Preparation For Survival During A War Situation
1. How To Discuss Emergency Strategies And Survival
Discuss all possible worst case scenarios with your family members.
Find out in advance locations of the nearest emergency shelters or buildings for protection that you could hide in.
The United States is not immune to adversities of any nature.
The most vulnerable part of the state is citizens who need assistance from state authorities and community.
Nevertheless, protecting yourself from adversities and overcoming them safely is perfectly possible if everyone is familiar with practical guidance in advance and follows it carefully.
Discuss possible worst case scenarios with your family members:
- Find out what adversities are likely to come about.
- Discuss among yourselves your likely behavior in case of each of these adversities.
- Clarify with each family member which places of your home are the safest, when to hide away from windows, and then contrarily, when hiding may be harmful.
- Decide your survival strategies in case all family members are in different locations when an emergency strikes.
- Make arrangements how you will take care of young, old or disabled members of your family.
- Agree about the place where you will meet in case all the family members are in separate places when an emergency strikes, and in case you have to flee your home immediately.
- Plan two rendezvous locations for your family, one should be somewhere outdoors, the other at the place of some people you trust.
- Make sure you know the addresses of rendezvous locations and phone numbers of your emergency network.
- Find out in advance locations of the nearest emergency shelters/buildings that you could hide in (such buildings will be marked with a special sign. Find out what it is in your area.
- Consider how you will take care of your pets.
2. How To Be Prepared For Evacuation
Take stock of what you will need to do in case officials direct you to evacuate, i.e. abandon your home and go to a safe area.
Make advance arrangements with your friends or relatives living in other towns so that they can house you in case events take a bad turn.
- What are the quickest ways to evacuate
- How will you evacuate
- Could you be ready to depart any moment
- Despite rising gas prices, keep the gas tank of your vehicle filled
- Pre-pack the most necessary items for an emergency evacuation.
3. How To Gather Supplies
Gather supplies, necessities, and your basic and extra items in case of a war in the United States.
Pack in advance the articles you would need to have with you in case of both, emergency evacuation and sheltering at home.
Make sure the whole family are aware where the packed articles are kept so as to pick them up immediately.
Keep enough food and vital medicine supplies at home for your whole family to last at least 3 days.
Keep your stores in a tight durable bugout backpack that is convenient to pick up.
In advance, attach a card with your name and address on it (in case you lose your belongings) to the backpack.
It is sensible to store small-sized items in the trunk of your vehicle.
Keep original copies of your documents in a place you know is safe.
What Are The Basic Necessities
The most important things are:
- Water (12 gallons)
- Medicine
- Money
- Documents
- Matches
- Food
- Battery TV
- Water Documents
- Radio set
In advance, pack the articles you would need to have with you in case of both, emergency evacuation and taking shelter at home regularly take:
- Spare batteries to your hearing aid or wheelchair, spare glasses, etc.
- Cell phones and chargers for each member of the family
- Extra necessities (for the event of evacuation)
- Change of clothing for each member of the family (shoes, waterproof jackets, caps, gloves, warm clothes, sunglasses)
- Sleeping-bag per each member of the family
- Kitchenware (can opener, disposable cups and plates, a multitool knife, trash bags, etc.)
- Sanitary and hygiene items (toilet paper, trash bags, paper napkins, towels, soap, detergents, shampoos, deodorant sticks, toothpaste and brushes, hair combs, lip balms, etc.
- Items for pastime in case you need to wait (books, games, toys for children)
- Family heirlooms, several family photographs
- Other necessities (paper, pen, needle and thread, trowel, pair of tongs, wrench, whistle, tent, compass, rope, adhesive tape, etc.)
- Map and telephone numbers for the location you are departing to.
4. How To Convert Your Basement Into A Shelter
The best choice is a basement with concrete ceiling and strong walls.
Build strong and spacey shelves and stand them by the wall, so that you could also use them as bunk beds or benches.
Plan an emergency exit from your basement or install one if possible.
Install a vent in the basement, consider an auxiliary vent with a 5-6 inch pipe.
Think over the time it would take you to adjust it.
If you have a heater in the basement, extend its stovepipe outside and make the floor under the heater fire-proof (use bricks, a concrete block, or similar material).
Lay a wooden floor (wood planks or boards) to retain warmth.
If your basement has windows, have bags to fill with sand and cover the windows on the inside to shield yourself from fragments in case there is an explosion outside.
Bring a portable cooker (gas-fired) and a kerosene lamp.
Keep a part of your stocks (food, water), warm clothes and basic necessities in the basement.
Have a 40-gallon barrel or other vessel for water.
Plan a spot to be used as a waste container (a bucket with a cover may be used) or buy a portable chair commode.
If you live in an apartment building, your neighbors will probably use the basement as shelter too, so you will be able to band together.
Several heaters will be enough for the whole basement.
Place them by the windows and extend the stovepipes out the windows.
The heaters will also provide you with lighting.
Call 911 in case you need to request emergency assistance, injury or other unsuspected danger or adversity.
You will be able to use one room for keeping food, another as your waste container facility, cook together and restock your food and water supplies together.
5. What To Do In Case Of Emergency
Call 911 in case you need to request assistance needed for injury or other unsuspected danger or adversity.
In case you heard a TV/radio broadcast or received a message on your cell phone that an adversity has occurred or a threat is coming your way, follow the instructions:
- Minimize the number of phone calls you make to your friends or relatives by your cell or stationary phone because that might overload or block communication lines.
- If you hear a warning signal, turn on your emergency band TV/radio to hear information and instructions.
- Stay calm and focused, and gather yourself.
- Do not drive anywhere without a valid reason.
- What to do upon hearing a warning signal?
- If you hear a 3-minute long pulsing wail of sound, which means “Attention”, turn on your TV/radio to hear information and instructions.
- Follow the instructions carefully.
Leave your local and National Radio and/or TV programs running all the time.
Follow the broadcast for further instructions.
Information will be made public if evacuation of residents is announced.
The time you have before departing from the unsafe territory.
The way residents are unable to leave by their own means will be evacuated.
The location of evacuation shelters:
The location of intermediate shelters (if necessary)
The destination of evacuation and emergency shelters (for those using their own transportation) where vital services are available (food, drinking water, medicine, etc.)
The things to take along
The safety measures before departing your home
The roads (evacuation routes) you should take.
In the event officials have indicated to evacuate or you have decided that staying at home is no longer safe:
- Take basic necessities you may need in case of evacuation or temporarily settling somewhere else.
- Change into clothes that will protect you (full-length trousers, waterproof jacket, Wellington boots, cap).
- Choose the recommended roads for leaving, do not go for a shortcut because roads other than recommended may be blocked.
- Drive carefully over bridges and crossovers, do not pull over under high voltage cables.
- Go on foot if it is too late to leave by vehicle.
- Be aware of the truth that leaving ahead of time is better than leaving belatedly.
- If your family is leaving by vehicle, use one vehicle to minimize chances for any of your family members to fall behind (roads for departing must be chosen in advance).
- If you cannot opt for safely staying with your friends or relatives, go to the destinations indicated by official sources where you will be given the refuge and necessary aid.
- Stick to the routes recommended by official sources.
- If you are not able to evacuate by your own transport, find out in advance the location of the nearest evacuation points from where residents will be moved in an organized manner in the event of a serious adversity.
6. What To Do When You Hear A Warning Signal
Information will be made public when evacuation of residents is announced, in the event officials tell you to evacuate or you have decided that staying at home is no longer safe.
It may be unsafe to stay at home and you cannot evacuate.
Information will be made public if evacuation of residents is announced.
Make sure you are leaving your home protected (disconnect water supply, unplug all electricity-using gadgets, take food out of refrigerators and freezers, close and lock all doors, take into the house outdoor furniture and children’s toys).
In case you refuse to evacuate when directed so by authorities, you will need to provide a written refusal giving your full name, birth date and place of residence.
This is only in case it is unsafe to stay at home and you cannot evacuate.
In case a sudden threat has emerged and you must retreat to a safe place, go to the nearest emergency shelter and protection facility marked by a special sign.
Take your personal ID documents and medicine (in case you are taking any or have health problems).
In case you are taking babies or young children with you, take food, disposable diapers, wrap and some toys for them.
Keep your respiratory system protected; close and seal windows of your living premises; seal ventilation system holes and window vents; and go to the upper stories of the house.
7. How To Manage Yourself In A Chemical And/Or Radiological Threat
Chemical Threat
Leave the contaminated area as urgently as possible.
Go perpendicularly to the wind direction so that wind is blowing on your side, and bypass low terrains.
Keep your respiratory system protected, cover your nose and mouth with a disposable mask, damp towel or handkerchief.
Use a respirator in case you have one.
Protect your skin by putting on waterproof clothes and shoes.
Be sure to take a shower when you come back home, change into clean clothes, put the contaminated clothes into plastic bags and remove them from living quarters.
In case you cannot withdraw from the contaminated area, stay in an enclosed space, go inside in case you are outdoors.
Close and seal outwards looking and inner windows of your living premises (either flat or house) with adhesive tape or other suitable means, seal ventilation system holes and window vents with cloth or paper, cover external doors with a piece of damp cloth.
Go to the upper stories of the house because many of the hazardous chemical material tend to collect in low altitudes.
Do not step out needlessly.
Prepare for possible evacuation.
Do not get thrown into panic, warn your neighbors and relatives.
Be sure to take a shower when you come back home, change into clean clothes, put the contaminated clothes into plastic bags and remove them from living quarters.
If you have animals or pets, take them inside.
A Radiological Threat
Do not get thrown into panic, warn your neighbors and relatives.
Stay in an enclosed space or go inside in case you are outdoors.
Urgently close all windows, window vents, ventilation system holes, doors, and shafts.
Once you have everything closed tightly, seal all door and window slots with insulating tape or paper.
Plastic windows and balcony doors are highly tight so additional sealing is not necessary.
Shut off ventilation, air supply, conditioning and air heating systems.
Put food into hermetic/tightly closable vessels, jars or plastic bags.
Put vegetables into boxes lined with paper and plastic wrap and cover with canvas or other type of dense fabric.
Do not go outside needlessly.
In case you do, try not to breath in radioactive dust.
Keep your respiratory system protected:
- Cover your nose and mouth with a disposable mask, towel or folded handkerchief.
- Use a respirator or a gas mask in case you have one.
- Store drinking water in tightly closable vessels or jars.
- Be sure to have stable iodine preparations (potassium iodide or potassium iodate) if you have been advised.
- If you have animals or pets, take them into enclosed premises or greenhouses.
- Cover your wells.
- Be sure to take a shower when you come back home, change into clean clothes, put the contaminated clothes into plastic bags and remove them from living quarters.
- Prepare for potential evacuation.
8. How To Use Iodide Prophylaxis
Some radiological emergencies may release large amounts of radioiodine to the environment.
Potassium iodide (KI) is a chemical compound that can be used to protect the thyroid gland from possible radiation injury caused by radioactive iodine (radioiodine).
If you have been informed to take stable iodine preparations through the media, take potassium iodide or potassium iodate (KIO3) pills or 5% iodine tincture.
Recommended single dosage of stable iodine per day is:
- Adults and teenagers between 13 and 16 should take 130 mg of potassium iodide or 170 mg of potassium iodate
- Children between the ages of 3 and 12 are administered 65 mg of potassium iodide or 85 mg of potassium iodate (half the dosage of an adult)
If you have been informed to do so, take stable iodine preparations: - Babies from 1 month to 3 years are administered 30-35 mg potassium iodide and 40-45 mg potassium iodate (a quarter of an adult’s dosage)
- Newborns up to 1 month are administered 15 mg of potassium iodide or 20 mg of potassium iodate (one eighth of an adult’s dosage)
If there are no pills available you can take 5% iodine tincture.
Children up to 2 years old should take 1-2 drops of the tincture three times per day for a period of time not exceeding 7 days. Children above the age of 2 and adults should take 3-5 drops of the tincture three times per day for a period of time not exceeding 7 days.
9. What To Do When Coming Back From A Chemically-Biologically Radiologically Contaminated Environment
If you are coming back from chemically biologically-radiologically (CBR) contaminated environment, take precautions:
- Avoid physical contact with your family members so as not to transfer pollution onto them.
- Take off all the clothes you were wearing in the CBR contaminated environment.
- Take off your clothing in a head-to-feet direction: jacket first, then shirt or blouse, and pants or skirt in the end. Do not pull your clothes over your head so as not to transfer pollution onto your face and into your eyes.
- Wrap your clothes with the contaminated surface inside, put into bags (two) and put in a safe place. Later you will be given instructions on what to do with them.
- Wash yourself very thoroughly in a hot shower (38-40 Celsius) or cold shower with soap (laundry soap is recommended).
- Wash your hands first, continue to your face, neck, eyes, and ears, clean out your nose and wash your mouth, thoroughly wash every part of your body.
- Continue washing yourself for 3-5 minutes, prolong the time to 10 minutes in case you have been exposed to radioactive contamination.
10. What To Do If You Spot A Suspicious Object Or Explosive
Never touch it!
Never try to find out what is inside of it, do not lift it or carry it elsewhere, do not fling it aside, never try to find out what it is exactly on your own.
Drop to the ground and cover your head with your hands, use any shelter available.
Do not smoke or use your cell phone near suspicious objects.
Step away from the suspicious object and hide behind a firm structure, preferably a building.
Report your finding to police officers as soon as you can.
Be sure to meet the arriving police officers because you are the one who can give the most precise description of the suspicious object and to show its exact location.
While you are waiting for the police, keep other people away from the suspicious object, warn people near its location to retreat to a safer place.
In case you have spotted such an object in public transport, be sure to alert the driver.
Help the injured evacuate to a safe place, render first medical aid and report the event by calling 911.
Your behavior in the event of a detonation near your home:
- Drop to the ground and cover your head with your hand.
- Use any shelter available – buildings, ditches, hollows, trees or cupboards, tables or walls in case you are indoors.
- Do not hasten to leave your shelter because some fragments travel like a boomerang – circle in the air and hit near ground zero.
- If you escaped injuries, assist the wounded to evacuate to a safer location and provide first medical aid.
- Do not choose damaged buildings for shelter, these can collapse any moment, whether fully or partly.
- Use emergency exits in case a detonation had taken place while you were indoors.
- Never use elevators!
- Report the event urgently by calling 911.
11. What To Do If Trapped Under Rubble
You cannot afford to despair.
Breathe deeply, take stock of your situation and do everything it takes to survive.
Slowly and carefully (so as not to loosen the debris atop you) try to free your hands and legs.
Check your injuries, squeeze the wound to stop bleeding in case you are.
If it is cold, lie on your side, snuggle down, and put your arm underneath your side to reduce contact surface with the ground.
If you can opt for sitting, draw your knees to your chest, bow down and cover your head with your hands.
Find a way to communicate your presence/location: shout, make noise with anything (e.g. hammer a piece of metal or rock against a pipe), especially if you can tell there are rescuers nearby.
If you have your cell phone, call and report yourself in emergency.
Be aware that rescuers will hourly shut down any equipment they will be operating to make at least a 10-minute silence to hear calls for help.
Try to find a possible escape.
Just do not try moving bricks or other rubble thoughtlessly.
If you can opt for sitting, draw your knees to your chest, bow down and cover your head with your hands.
If you have your cell phone, call and report yourself in an emergency supporting a large mass of debris above you.
If you recklessly remove the supporting fragment, you may be buried under the mass it now supports.
Try to find out if there are more people trapped nearby.
12. What To Do If Caught In A Pushing Crowd
If you are stuck in a big throng or a crowd overtaken by panic, button/zip up and throw away anything you have sharp or piercing to prevent yourself or others from getting injured.
If you are wearing glasses, take them off, you would rather want to lose a clear view than your eyes; take out earrings, take off chains, bracelets, necklaces, scarves or scarves.
Do not put your hands into your pockets.
Move to the periphery of the crowd, further from stage or platforms.
In case you are stuck in a throng in an enclosed space, work through so as not to be in the center or on the ultimate edge of it.
When you move with the crowd, do not hold on to any objects, just go with the flow.
Stay away from drunk, aggressive or armed people.
If you find yourself in a pushing crowd, keep your hands beside your diaphragm or on your sides, the real risk while in a crowd is to be crushed, not to stumble.
In case you drop something, do not try to pick it up, no matter how dear it is, your life is dearer.
If the crowd is pushing hard, try forming a triangle (face to its inside) with two more people by pressing your shoulders together, which would provide the minimum amplitude your chest needs for moving (breathing).
In case you trip, try to keep your head protected and try to stand up.
In case you cannot stand up, lay in a fetal position, press your knees to your stomach and cover your head with your arms/hands to provide as much protection for vital organs as possible.
13. What To Do When The Emergency Is Over
Practice this safe behavior when you are back home.
Stay careful when you return to the place where the emergency has just occurred.
Inspect buildings thoroughly for damage or ravage that could cause them to collapse any moment.
As you enter a building, never light your way with open fire and do not be smoking – all of that could start a fire or explosion for many reasons, primarily, gas or flammable material leak.
Stay at a safe distance away from loose wires (including those of your telephone line), any loose wire is a fatal threat.
Do not switch on lights before making sure the wires are in order and have not been damaged.
Check out for the smell of gas or other chemical materials around and in the house.
As you enter a building, never light your way with open fire and do not be smoking.
Prior to consuming any products you left behind make sure they are not chemically contaminated, musty or gone bad.
Prior to consuming tap or well water make sure it is clean/not
contaminated.
In case you have found yourself near a site where emergency aid is rendered, but your help is not needed, do not disturb the rescuers without a serious cause.
Check out for the smell of gas or other chemical materials around and in the house Stay at a safe distance away from loose wire (including those of your telephone line).
14. What To Do When You Have Been Taken Hostage
Mind your conduct in case you have been taken hostage:
- Keep in mind, your sole goal is to survive.
- Accept the situation and prepare for a wait. Work to put yourself together and hold back your fellow hostages from panicking.
- Face it that being afraid is natural. The initial 15-45 minutes are the peak of risk so obey your kidnappers’ instructions immediately.
- The more time you spend together, the smaller the risk is that the abductors will do you harm.
- Do not talk without necessity, only if you have to, maintain a friendly bearing and do not cheat.
- Do not beg, apologize or start crying.
- Do not make any observations or suggestions to your kidnappers.
- Do not argue with kidnappers or other hostages, adhere to the common view.
- Do not turn your back to the kidnappers unless they direct you to do so. Eye contact with your abductors is a welcome thing, people tend to kill less when being looked at, however, do not stare at them without cease.
- Eat if you are offered food even if you are not feeling hungry. That will make you feel stronger, while refusing would bring in more hostility.
- Try to get some rest, sit down if you can opt for that. In case the hostage situation persists, try getting some sleep.
- Do not try to escape unless you are absolutely sure you will succeed. If you are sure, double check the probability.
- Do not beg, apologize or start crying.
- Eat if you are offered food.
- Do not turn your back to the kidnappers.
- Do not talk without necessity.
- Try to get some rest.
In case any of your fellow hostages need medical assistance, tell it to the abductors, speak consistently and in a calm manner, and do not attempt doing anything before you are allowed to do it.
In case you have a reason to think a rescue operation is going to take place soon, or you can hear noise and shooting, find a safe place, lie down, cover your head with your hands and do not make any abrupt movements.
Never start running towards the officers who have come to the rescue – they may mistake you for an abductor.
The state may announce mobilization in preparation to counter armed aggression or to fulfil international commitments.
This is practical advice to help you protect yourself and your family in a war torn survival situation controlled by enemy forces.
These are also helpful tips on how to help others in case there are hostilities around.
Your behavior in case you spot unusual groups of armed people in your neighborhood or any other location in your state.
If you spot unusual groups of armed people in your neighborhood, etc. report what you saw by calling 911.
15. What To Do In An Air-Strike Alarm
Unplug electrical appliances, shut off your gas and water supply.
Turn off the light, close the curtains and take shelter in your basement or other suitable place.
In case there is no place suitable for sheltering at home, take your ID documents, money, food, water, personal protection and medical aid necessities, the most necessary medicine, get dressed and go urgently to the nearest protection site or some other shelter.
Do not get thrown into panic, warn your relatives and neighbors.
16. What To Do If Hostile Forces Turn Up
If hostile forces turn up in the area where you live, you have to stay calm.
First, try to figure out what exactly is happening and only then decide on your further conduct.
If you have spotted soldiers in your yard, do not come near them because this may turn you into a target or make you a victim of a stray bullet.
Do not be prying, do not give in to temptation to take a closer look at military equipment, weapons or armed people – peepers may easily be taken for spies.
Do not let your children play out in the streets, kids are inquisitive, they can be run over by tanks, blunder upon an explosive, etc.
Do not provoke enemy soldiers by visibly taking video footage or photographs of them.
Keep your hands out of your pockets and make no abrupt movements when talking to an armed person.
Never argue with a person holding a gun.
Abandon your home in case armed individuals are entering it or are looking to settling down in your place.
If you are going to the town, prefer walking to driving.
Your behavior in case shooting or exchanges of fire are heard near you.
If you are outdoors the moment you hear shooting, do not start running, but drop immediately to the ground and cover your head with your hands.
Do not even think of looking for a cleaner place, drop down where you are standing.
Squeeze yourself to the ground as low as you can and remain so for as long as you can hear shooting.
Crawl to a safer place (be it an underground passage, a basement, if you have spotted soldiers in your yard, do not come near them because this may turn you into a target or make you a victim of a stray bullet ground floor of a building, a ditch, at least behind a garbage bin, or such) when the shooting pauses.
17. What To Do If Shooting Is Heard Near You
In case you hear shooting or exchanges of fire in your house, do not go near windows; turn off the light and retreat to a windowless room (e.g. bathroom, closet).
If you hear gunshots while you are at home and it is no longer safe to stay at home, go to the nearest protection site were you will receive shelter and assistance.
If you are able to opt for that, leave the city and go to another city, parish, to your relatives or friends as soon as you can:
- Fighting is less probable there, and you will have less difficulty in providing yourself with food and water.
- Plan in advance the route you will be taking, arrange were you could stay for a while so as to wait for the unrest to end or for outside assistance.
- Keep your basic necessities packed and ready.
- Always take care to fill the gas tank of your vehicle.
- In case it is too late to leave by car you still have to leave on foot.
You have to have a civilian appearance during evacuation:
Do not wear khaki or camouflage colors/patterns; do not pack you things in militaristic backpacks; do not attach hunting knives or flasks in visible places.
Do not hurry as you walk, look like calm civilians willing to leave (because this is what you are).
Make several packages from the necessities and water you have taken with you – five bundles are far better than one gigantic suitcase.
It is a must to pack one smaller backpack with water and food, which you must never take off you.

18. How To Evacuate A War Torn Area By Yourself
Choose roads where civilian movement is controlled or the ones that were pointed out by the authorities organizing the evacuation and withdrawal.
Other roads may be dangerous because of intense movement of military forces.
Look for check points:
- Every territory under army control has routes intended for civilian withdrawal and evacuation. You will receive the most essential information at the check points.
- Try to bypass the roads going past strategic objects.
Look for check points:
- Every territory under army control has routes intended for civilian withdrawal and evacuation.
- Try not to choose the roads you do not know or you are not sure about: These may lead you away from your destination and put you in danger.
Only travel after dawn or in the daytime:
It is very hard to distinguish between a civilian and a soldier in the dark.
Prefer open areas to empty buildings where fighting has taken place (these may be mined) when choosing a place to stay overnight. If there are killed people on the streets, you should not touch them.
Once you have withdrawn, do not attempt to return if the armed conflict is still ongoing and enemy forces are still in control of your home area – you may be suspected of gathering intelligence.
19. How To Survive In A Territory Seized By Enemy Forces
Take care to have water supplies because it is probable that water supply will be disconnected or pipes frozen (in case it is winter) – fill all the vessels, even your bathtub, with water while you still can.
Fill your water supplies with water from wells, bores or open bodies of water.
If you are in the city, centralized water supply may be available in fire fighters stations, hospitals, active protection buildings.
The safest way to get food is in the sites of centralized distribution of humanitarian aid.
Shops may not be working or may be destroyed, however, there may be food or other necessities left even in damaged shop premises.
Stay alert for undetonated or deliberately left explosives when looking for food in such places.
Use a bicycle or a barrow to look for and to transport water and food to where you live.
That will help you attract less enemy soldiers’ attention.
In case you come across a weapon do not try to pick it up because it may be mined or used as a bait for enemy soldiers.
Weigh the need and feasibility of acquiring a weapon for self-defense from robbers and pillagers.
In case you come across a weapon do not try to pick it up because it may be mined or used as a bait for enemy soldiers.
Do not walk around at nighttime, you will get killed – enemy soldiers will judge a nightwalker to be an enemy trying to change position, transporting weapons or carrying out reconnaissance.
If you are in a city, walk only there where you can be clearly viewed and wear clothes that could arouse no suspicion to enemy soldiers, i.e. simple and plain without any insignia or militaristic elements.
Women and girls should wear concealing, baggy clothes so as not to provide a pretext for the highly risky company of enemy soldiers.
Do not give interviews to, do not agree to be filmed or photographed by the adversary.
In case a person introduces himself as a freelancer, make sure he really is what he says.
Find out if your housing is not near any mortar position or is not in a mopping up area, make sure there are no snipers on your roof.
Find some “fellow patriots”: You will defend yourself from robbers and looters more easily if you join forces with friends or relatives.
Make shelters: Lumber-rooms can be found in all apartment buildings, these protect you well from bombardment and is a good place to keep basic supplies of food, gas and pharmaceuticals. If you cannot find a lumber-room, rig up a safe room. Ground floors of brick buildings serve this purpose best. Choose a room that has the least number of windows for you will need to block them. But you must remember that if you barricade yourself in completely, you will be trapped in case the ceiling collapses. You must have an emergency exit for such cases and a window is really suitable for that.

20. What To Do If Soldiers Are Surveying Premises
If soldiers are surveying premises and demand you to present your documents:
- Accept the inspection as a necessary evil.
- If an enemy soldier is pointing a gun at you and tells you to present you document, do it in a calm manner.
- Do not look away from the soldiers conducting the verification, but do not stare at them insistently.
- Stand calmly and still where you have been directed during verification unless you are, e.g., directed to open some doors.
You can make the verification end faster if you obey instructions given and act in a natural and calm manner: Do not fluster, nervously look around you, chatter or fall unnaturally silent.
In case the aggressor has succeeded in seizing a part of the country’s territory, you must resort to the modes of civil resistance to prevent the aggressor from establishing a lasting rule.
Familiarity with the basic modes and principles of civil resistance makes us strong, and using them will defeat the aggressor.
21. What To Do When Outside Military Forces Are Temporarily Established In Your Area
When military forces of the aggressor temporarily establish themselves in your area and set up their military occupation authority:
- Do not collaborate with the military occupation authority.
- Do not obey orders from invaders and collaborationists.
- Do not attend any meetings, rallies or other events they organize.
- Do not give them any information.
If you can do it safely, take video footage of the aggressive actions of enemy forces and use mediums available (e.g. the Internet) to transfer it to international media outlets.
Spread information about the actual situation via social media and mobile communication networks as well as directly, in person.
If you can do it safely, take video footage of the aggressive actions of enemy forces and use mediums available (e.g. the Internet) to transfer it to international media outlets.
Provide aid to those affected by violence and repressive measures of the invaders.
Stay alive, stay healthy and stay safe to survive war in the United States, if and/or when it happens.
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