Replies

1. You die of thirst or waterborne illness.
Katadyn Pocket Water Microfilter for about $250 has a lifetime capacity of perhaps 12,000 gallons on a single filter. If you have any water, that makes it drinkable until order is restored or you have time to find a substitute. [There are cheaper homemade options http://www.cdc.gov/safewater/sand-filtration.html , but this is easy.]

2. You die from fantasy-world planning.
The best protection here is practice. I eat from my stored food regularly, even the #10 cans with a 30-year shelf life. I open at least one of each type can each year and use it in meals. I have a garden that I eat from every year. I cannot grow enough to feed myself for a year, not with my other activities, but I know how to garden where I live. I chop firewood every year. Not enough to heat the house for the winter, but enough to know I could. For now. I have books on edible plants in my area, but only as a last resort. And I have eaten several of the most abundant. [mostly yuck, but occasionally tasty]

3. You freeze to death.
I’ll set up a tent inside the house, if necessary, plus I have firewood.

4. You starve to death.
I’m good there for a very extended period. Unlike water, which I have to get and purify, I have more than a reasonable amount of food. I like the LDS prices, quality, and shelf life. https://providentliving.lds.org/self-reliance/food-storage/home-storage-center-order-form?lang=eng I count calories and measure my food by how many 2,000 calorie days worth of stored food we have. I could eat more in demanding times or go on short rations to stretch the stored food, but I assume 2,000 a day for planning purposes.

5. You have an accident involving major trauma.
First aid training, supplies, and practice are all I can do.

6. You get murdered when raiders or looters come to steal your stuff.
I’m in trouble there - boating accident. At least I have a neighborhood map with notations on who the decent people are and who supports Obama. It’s nice to know who the likely allies are.

7. You get sick.
I have a generous supply of soap, medicines, and wipes. I’ll add prayer and hope for the best.

8. You get an infection.
See #7.

9. You die because you are fat and/or out of shape.
I walk or run at least a 5k almost every day, without resting. For those who cannot do that, I recommend getting a pedometer and increasing your distance no more than 10% per week until you feel confident in at least adequate fitness.

10. You die when you daily medication runs out.
No one in my family does daily medications. Yet.

My plan: Die of bad luck, die from something creative instead of sticking to the top ten list, or die of old age. I’ll be happy to go home to God, but I am in no hurry to do so.