How to Survive a War

Although no one ever desires it, unfortunately, people still find themselves caught in the devastating grip of war every day. You can navigate these high-stress, dangerous circumstances by remaining focused and taking the right steps. Be sure to prepare and stockpile essential supplies. Secure food and water resources in case supplies become scarce. Avoid direct confrontation, and move to safer areas if the situation demands it. Lastly, learn basic first aid skills to treat any injuries or illnesses you might encounter. By combining all these strategies, you can protect yourself and your loved ones during critical survival situations.

Relocate to an area away from combat zones if possible. Unfortunately, your home may become unsafe in the event of war. If your area turns dangerous, try to leave and find somewhere else to live. Where you go will depend on the course of the conflict. Stay updated on the situation and try to predict which areas are still unaffected.

• Avoid conflict zones by seeking out rural or less strategically significant towns.
• Safe zones may be designated; if one exists near you, head there.
• Rural areas might be safer as fighting often focuses on cities and populated areas. However, be aware that survival skills for wilderness living may be necessary, and aid might be less accessible in such places as relief organizations tend to focus on cities.

Find a sturdy brick house with a basement for shelter. These types of homes can withstand most damage and remain standing. Be especially on the lookout for homes with a basement. A basement increases your protection and can serve as a place to hide in case you need to take cover. Search for such houses in your area and move to one as soon as possible.

• Try to find a house with windows that can be sealed off in case of chemical attacks or hazardous material leaks. Look for intact windows that you can shut and seal with wet cloths.
• If there are multiple suitable houses in your area, list their locations. This will be helpful if you need to quickly relocate from one shelter to another.
• If no such house exists, look for any building with a basement where you can hide.

Build a shelter if you retreat to the forest. If you flee the city and head into the woods, your greatest enemy may be the weather. Set up a shelter as soon as you reach your new location to protect yourself from rain, sun, and cold temperatures. Maintain your shelter by repairing any damage immediately.

• Choose a location that allows for easy concealment in case hostile forces pass by.
• To make things easier, try to use nature to help you build your shelter. For example, a fallen tree could provide the frame for your tent.

Avoid confrontation at all costs. While war is often associated with combat, in reality, civilians survive by staying away from direct clashes. Unless you are part of the fighting forces, in most cases, you will be much safer by avoiding confrontations. Stay low and avoid initiating fights. Take care of your family, friends, and yourself, but try to stay clear of trouble that doesn’t involve you.

• If enemy forces enter your area, it’s best to hide or avoid contact with them at all costs. Let them know you are not a threat.
• Do not steal or harm anyone unless it’s in self-defense. These actions could eventually lead to conflict, as people pushed into a corner may act in self-preservation.
• Avoiding confrontations can also mean escaping from dangerous areas. Always be prepared for the possibility of needing to relocate in order to stay safe.

Learn to use weapons for self-defense or hunting. Although avoiding violence is ideal, you should always be prepared for situations where it may become necessary. It’s much easier if you already have weapons available and know how to use them. If you don’t have any, gather whatever weapons you can find and learn how to operate them. Keep them in a readily accessible location in your shelter in case of emergency.

• If you own a firearm, keep in mind that ammunition may be scarce in an emergency. Additionally, gunshots could draw attention during training. If you’ve never used a gun, learn to handle it well without firing live rounds.
• Don’t overlook other types of weapons like bows, axes, clubs, or knives. These could be valuable tools for defending yourself against attackers.
• You should also train your family or group members to use weapons. Your group will be at a disadvantage if only one person knows how to fight.

Defend yourself if necessary. Even if you’ve tried to avoid violence, there may be times when fighting is unavoidable. Some people may take advantage of the crisis to harm or exploit others. If someone tries to hurt you or your loved ones, or steal the essential supplies you need to survive, fight back if possible. Try to drive away those who seek to do you harm.

• Having weapons on hand can be incredibly useful in these situations. Keep your weapons in a safe place out of reach of children, and be ready to grab them when needed.
• If you must protect yourself or your family, having strong relationships within your community can be a tremendous asset. People can band together to resist robbers or anyone intending to harm the community.

Gather all essential items and valuables as soon as war breaks out. Wars usually erupt with little or no warning, meaning you may not have time to prepare and stockpile supplies. Act immediately once you hear about the war. Collect all valuables, cash, food, water, and store them in a safe location. Hide precious items to prevent them from being taken if your home is searched. If possible, go out and buy as many essentials as you can. Don’t delay, or you may miss the chance to gather supplies before they run out.

• Focus on stocking up on canned goods, packaged food, and bottled water. Save these supplies for emergencies when fresh food and clean water are scarce.
• Also prepare medications and hygiene products. These will be critical for maintaining your health during tough times.
• Don’t forget to store all important documents. Keep your birth certificate, marriage certificate, social security card, and other documents that prove your identity safe. This is particularly important if you need to leave your country, as other nations may refuse you entry without proof of identity or family ties.
• Withdraw cash from the bank to have physical money on hand. You may not be able to access electronic banking during this crisis.

Identify water sources. Water is essential for survival, and clean water may become scarce during wartime. Bottled water won’t last forever. As soon as the war begins, look for all available water sources in your area and any other places you plan to relocate to.

• Nearby lakes and rivers can provide usable water, but you may need to filter it before drinking.
• Never drink seawater if you live near the coast. While it may be tempting, seawater can make you severely ill.
• If you find clean water, use it and try to save bottled water for emergencies.
• If no nearby water sources exist, collect rainwater for drinking and bathing. Place containers outside to catch rain, and be sure to purify it before drinking.

Stockpile canned goods and non-perishable food. Regular food supplies may be interrupted, so non-perishable foods will be vital. Once you hear about the war, begin stockpiling these foods as much as possible. Purchase them from stores and any other locations where you can find them. This way, you’ll have a steady supply of food in case other supplies start to dwindle.

• During the war, abandoned grocery stores may still have canned goods. Grab any unopened cans of food you come across. You never know when you’ll find more.
• Avoid foods that are high in salt, as they will make you thirstier. These foods will increase your water consumption.
• Your home should always have at least three days' worth of non-perishable food in case of disaster or other emergencies. With a reserve stockpile, you won’t have to rush to the store when the war breaks out.

Learn how to hunt and fish to supplement your protein intake. If food becomes scarce, knowing how to hunt and fish will give you a significant advantage. Hone your hunting and fishing skills to provide other sources of meat. Additionally, learn how to fish for a steady supply of protein. Both skills will help you survive periods of food shortages.

• Learn how to butcher, skin, cut, and preserve meat to prevent spoilage before consumption.
• You don’t have to hunt just in rural areas. Small animals can be trapped even in urban settings.

Stock up on hygiene products if you can find them. Hygiene products may not be your top priority in survival situations, but they’re more important than you might think. Maintaining good hygiene helps prevent infections and illness, and it can give you peace of mind. When gathering essential supplies, don’t forget to stockpile as many hygiene products as you can carry. You should also collect more while searching for other necessary items.

• Important hygiene products to have include toilet paper, hand sanitizer, toothpaste and toothbrushes, soap, feminine hygiene products, and disinfectants.
• Items that may not be essential but are still important include combs, razors, shaving cream, and deodorant. While these aren't necessary for survival, keeping your appearance tidy can make you feel much more comfortable in harsh conditions.

Identify edible plants in your area. Almost everywhere has some form of edible plant, and learning to recognize these plants could help you survive in tough circumstances. Study your environment and gather edible plants regularly to have a reliable food source.

• If you’re unsure about a plant, start by smelling it. If it has a terrible odor, it’s likely not safe to eat. Next, rub the plant on your skin for 15 minutes to check for any irritation. If there’s no reaction, try pressing it against your lips for another 15 minutes, then take a small bite. If you don’t experience burning or stomach pain after 15 minutes, it’s probably safe to eat.
• If possible, you could also start a small vegetable garden, but keep it hidden. When food supplies run low, people may try to steal your produce.

Don’t waste anything. During wartime, every resource is valuable, so make sure to keep everything you can. Reuse old fabric for clothing, cook leftovers into broth, collect rainwater. Don’t throw away anything that could be useful later.

Take essential items if you have no other choice. Sometimes survival requires doing things you wouldn't normally consider. If you come across essential supplies or find an unattended store or one that seems abandoned, take what you need. This may feel morally wrong, but you and your family need to survive.

• If you’re in a crowded area, you might encounter many abandoned stores. Don’t hesitate to enter and look for the items you need.
• If you’re on the move, stop and check houses along your path. The owners may have left behind something useful.
• However, don’t try to steal things that are being guarded. You could get injured or even killed in the process.

Learn basic first aid for minor injuries. Unfortunately, injuries ranging from minor to severe are almost unavoidable during wartime. It’s crucial to learn basic first aid skills to treat wounds that you or loved ones may sustain. While gathering essential supplies, make sure to pick up any first aid materials you come across and create a basic first aid kit.

• Only use clean water to wash wounds. Never use dirty or unfiltered water to clean a wound.
• Cover wounds with clean bandages. Change bandages regularly if possible.
• CPR skills can help save a life in an emergency situation.

Avoid weapons and unexploded munitions you may encounter. Mines and unexploded ordnance are the leading causes of injuries and fatalities among civilians during wartime. If you’re near a conflict zone, dangerous materials may be scattered everywhere. Don’t touch anything. Even if it’s a minor risk, you could suffer a skin injury, or worse, it could be an unexploded weapon that causes severe harm.

Maintain personal hygiene to prevent infection. While it may be challenging, keeping clean is crucial for your health. Take quick showers if running water is still available. If not, use one of the methods to collect water for bathing.

• Try collecting rainwater in a bucket. Dip a cloth into the water, apply soap to the cloth, and use it to wash yourself, then rinse with rainwater.
• Avoid wasting bottled water for bathing. You can use unfiltered water for washing unless you have an open wound. In that case, you need to filter the water.

Filter any unsealed water you intend to drink. Waterborne diseases can pose a serious threat to your life during an emergency. If you must drink unsealed water, always filter it first. The most common method is boiling the water for 1 minute to kill any pathogens. After that, filter out any large particles by pouring the water through a fine mesh or cloth.

• You won’t always know if the water is contaminated. However, it’s essential to boil water from rivers or lakes to ensure safety.
• In a dire situation, you might feel tempted to drink unfiltered water to quench your thirst. Regardless of the circumstances, never drink unfiltered water. It could lead to infections or parasites that may result in death.

Eat as healthily as possible. While this may not always be feasible, and you’ll likely need to survive on whatever food you can find, it’s important to try to maintain your health by eating nourishing food when possible. A steady supply of vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and fatty acids will help boost your immune system and fight illness.

• Try to keep meals balanced when possible. Eat vegetables, fruits, and protein if available.
• Look for nutrient-dense foods like leafy greens, fish, potatoes, and nuts. These foods provide the necessary nutrients for your diet.
• If fresh food is unavailable, try to find multivitamin supplements to boost your nutrition. You may find these products in stores or abandoned homes.

Keep track of the latest news about the conflict. Information is critical for survival during wartime. You need to stay updated on the war's developments so you know which areas are safe, which are dangerous, and where supplies can be found. While news may be scarce, there are methods to stay informed.

• Social media is a great modern tool for getting news. Check Twitter and Facebook for updates from residents in other regions. Use keywords or hashtags to search for relevant information.
• A battery-powered portable radio can also provide valuable news. See if you can tune in to any local news stations reporting on the conflict.
• Ask travelers passing through your area about the latest updates. Find out where they're coming from and if they have any new information.

Maintain relationships with family and neighbors. These personal connections will help you through tough times. Having family nearby reduces stress. Protecting your loved ones will strengthen your resolve during crises. Neighbors can share food and essentials, so it’s important to treat everyone kindly. These relationships may save your life.

• If you move to a new area, get to know the locals. You don’t need to be best friends, but don’t remain a stranger. You might need their help if the conflict spreads to your area.

Maintain a positive mindset. In any emergency, staying calm and being able to think logically is key. Despair and depression can cloud your judgment, making it difficult to make clear decisions. While it will be challenging during wartime, keeping a positive mindset is vital. Do everything you can to stay optimistic.

• Planning and adjusting your plans can help maintain a positive attitude. It keeps you prepared with a backup plan if things go wrong.
• Practice anxiety-reduction techniques to stay clear-headed during stressful situations.
• Building and maintaining good relationships can also help keep your mind positive.

• Remember, this is not a movie or a video game. Don't try out the things you see in films. Survival requires practical strategies and solutions.