Prepper Survival Groups; are they right for you?

Hello, my friend and welcome back!  In today’s post, we are going to look at Prepper Survival Groups and if they are they right for you.  I receive email all the time of people looking to join a Prepper Survival group in their area. The trouble is that they don’t know any other Preppers or groups in their area to join.  Grab a cup of coffee and have a seat while we visit.

First, let’s look at what a Prepper Survival Group is.  Basically, it is a group of Preppers who have agreed to band together when SHTF hits.  They will meet at a prearranged location and band together to survive.  Usually, each person in the group has a particular skill which makes them valuable to the rest of the group.  They will work together, much as ancient Indian tribes once did and basically function as a tribe for all practical purposes.

Now, let’s look at the prevailing wisdom concerning letting others know you are a Prepper.  It says that you should never let anyone else know that you are a Prepper, because when SHTF hits, they will come and take what you have.   These same people also agree that trying to survive alone, or as a lone wolf, as they call it would be futile.  See the contradiction?   If no one knows you are a Prepper, how can they approach you to see about joining their group or joining with them to form a group?

It’s the proverbial “catch 22” and it is a no win situation, if you listen to it.  The simple fact is that your best chance for survival is to be a part of a group and to do that you will need to let others know you are a Prepper.  Now, I don’t mean that you would go out and put a sign in your yard and advertise the fact, but rather it should be done discreetly.  In some of my other post, I have spoken about how to locate other Preppers by hanging out where they do.  Places like Ham Radio Clubs, Gun Ranges, Survival Schools and so forth.  Once they feel comfortable with you and you with them, then you could broach the question in a roundabout way.

Once you have located a group or a potential member, you need to tread carefully.  You don’t want to give away too much information, in the beginning.  Take your time and get to know each other.  It’s kind of like dating; you don’t want to jump in bed together on the first date.  You get to know each other much better before that happens.  Joining a group is like getting married, it’s a long term commitment and it should not be rushed into.  The first group you find may not be the right one for you, so don’t hesitate to keep looking.

Let’s face it, you can’t hunt, work your garden, sleep and keep watch over what you have if you don’t have help.  There is safety in numbers as the old saying goes so don’t try to go it on your own.  Search out other Preppers and if you can’t find a group that suits you then you could always form your own group.  Something you should be aware of is groups that demand large sums of money up front or you hear them use the term “It’s my land and my rules!”  This is usually a sign of an authoritarian leader and could spell trouble down the road.  A good group is run democratically, with all members having a vote in major decisions.  They should have only one person that is generally in charge, for the times when taking a vote is not a viable alternative.

Look for personality conflicts between other members, as that is a sure sign of trouble which usually comes from an internal power struggle. Definitely shy away from these groups, if you see it.  The first thing you need to do, however, is to ask yourself what you have to offer in the way of skills.  Are you an experienced radio operator?  Maybe you’re a nurse or a carpenter etc.  or maybe have other skills that may be useful in a time of crisis.  You need to have something to offer to any group to make them taking you in worthwhile.  No one rides for free and especially not in a post SHTF world.  If you don’t have skills, then you can always learn some new ones.  In fact, even if you do have skills, it never hurts to learn some new ones.

Personally, I feel that every Prepper should be a part of a survival group and should be training together at every opportunity to become a strong team.  Fire teams will be critical and members of the team should move as one.  This only comes from practice and lots of it!  Whether or not you decide to join a team or not is up to you, but just remember that lone wolves are easy prey.   I decided to try something new and created a Survival Group Page on this site, for those who want other Preppers to see that they are looking for a group or team members.  Now, I know that I will get some crap from a few people about it, but this site is really only visited by Preppers and so it should be OK.  Just remember to be careful and choose groups and team members wisely.  While the page will be moderated by me, I cannot recommend anyone or any group that may appear on it.  Also, use it at your own risk as we are not responsible for any damages caused by using this page.

Well, that is it for today and I hope you have enjoyed today’s post.  Check out the new page and let me know what you think.  Until next time, stay safe, stay strong and stay prepared.  God Save America!

-Sarge-