Oh, and another issue that Selco (Bosnia) brings up is that a lot of us WAY underestimate the psychology portion of the survival test. Most of us are not used to killing or having people trying to kill us. Our reactions can range from the subtle, to the extreme, to the fatal. Some people could not stop shouting — didn’t even know they were! — even when quiet is called for, such as active military looking for you in the ruins. Others froze in place. Others would Bansai and be shot down. Some people could not kill. Some people acted very bizarrely — one fellow insisted on wearing bunny slippers. Selco speculated that this reminded him of the old times.
We don’t know how we will react under fire and when required to kill. The training the military gets makes most people so trained, react in predictable and professional manners. We are not trained thus.
It is an important consideration. One thing I feel I have going for me is a harsh lifestyle for a while there that taught me some street smarts, and taught me not to panic. When people try to surprise me (in fun or jest) in real life now, I usually look at them cooly and determine if they are a fatal threat, and if I need to neutralize it. That’s a good reaction.
See the above two posts I posted. I think you will enjoy them.
“Alas, Brave New Babylon,” a new dark age, is a real possibility if the power goes out for even one month.