"I would agree that most Americans are truly unprepared for a dire emergency (i.e. Katrina). Most people are too reliant on our government, which, in a disaster has proven and will prove to be inept at dealing with the situation and protecting its citizens, to the point that we may well fall the way of some 3rd world country.



Personally, speaking as an urbanite, I know, especially now that Im hooked on the show, that I am not ready for a disaster of any magnitude.



In regards to the bartering system and whether it is a plot whole, I believe that the producers are purposely leaving wholes which get the fan community talking. They did say that they are monitering all the comments left and are keeping notes. I believe, as with other story lines, that several of them will be answered in episodes coming up as well as HOPEFUL subsequent seasons. Gotta have a story to tell to keep the show going right???"

"It is very true that it is a true folly to believe that all we are currently privileged to have will be there forever.

Get out into the country, go hiking, camping, white water rafting. Learn first aid, a very very useful tool and one that should really be compulsory. Have a survival kit with some necessities incase you end up without your normal services, i.e. wind-up torches, food for 3 days, a first aid kit, potable water to last for at least 3 days, a battery powered radio etc etc.

One day something big will happen and even if you don’t experience it at least you will have given your kids or partner or whatever a better chance of surviving.

General Ashnak"

"I wasn't suggesting "young people" are not going to survive, I am not yet 30 (though that makes me middle aged for an Orc!) and realistically it is the 15-50 age bracket who have the best chance of survival after any disaster. The children and the elderly are those most likely to die from illness, injury and extremes of weather.

General Ashnak"

"Don't give up on us old people yet. I am 53 years old and I have had the opportunity to learn a lot in those years. I have always kept emergency supplies like what you listed. I can also build a solar heater and a shelter if I have to out of whatever is available.

Just because there's snow on the roof doesn't mean there are bats in the belfrey.

My grandparents and great grandparents knew things about survival that have been forgotten by most people.

Survival would depend on both young and old working together and pooling their knowledge and resources."

"How about in the long term?? Assuming DC doesn't get nuked, how would you get heat or get fuel for cooking?? I am not talking about age here. I am asking in reference to urban survival. There are no forests to cut wood in. Gas stations are out of gas. The power grid is shot.



Assuming you could hunt or otherwise get food and water, how would you cook or heat your apartment/house????????"

"The city doesn't have it's own power grid. When New York had the big blackout a couple years ago parts of Canada, Ohio, and Pennsylvania also lost power. The problem came from a switch in Ohio. When that station went down it triggered the other stations.



There are not enough "forests close at hand" to heat DC and New York for any long term outage. Also, most houses/apartments don't have wood stoves or fireplaces. Think!

There is another way to heat and cook without using wood, charcoal. or gas."

"why would the power grid be shot if the city didnt get nuked? no boom, no EMP. we'd still have power. and cities like DC and New York have forests close at hand, even if the cutting party had to hike!

to survive in the city your best bet is to hope that the city holds its government together."

"True, but have you ever been through a diaster...that's what happens ,like it or not , people like to be numb to forget."

"from reading this thread, i get the feeling that y'all think no young people are going to survive a disaster. we're not as unprepared as you might think. personally, im out there in the mountains hiking, i know how to shoot to hunt and shoot for defense. i have survival kits(with rations for two people for five days, a wind up/solar radio, a wind up flashlight, thermal blankets, siphon bag, water bag, glowsticks, basic tool kit (much more extensive kit in the truck)) in my truck and at home. i im not the only young person around here with those skills/that equipment around here. and a lot of young people are tougher than you might think. unfortunately, i live right next to DC (Alexandria, VA), so if we get nuked im screwed regardless. "