Survival For The Blind

Discussion in 'General Discussion' started by TailorMadeHell, Jun 14, 2012.


  1. TailorMadeHell

    TailorMadeHell Lurking Shadow Creature

    So here's a question that I have been pondering and I'd like to get some new perspectives on it.

    The thing is that one of my friends is totally blind. She is my roommate and we live in this apartment. Not the ideal building so a bugout would happen. The question is, does anybody else know of any other blind people that would have to be brought along on a bugout and how would you go about doing it? Feel free to add whatever. Any ideas help out.
     
  2. tacmotusn

    tacmotusn RIP 1/13/21

    Pray, prepare, practice

    How much does she get out in the outdoors now? The reason I ask is, we are supposed to be preppers. Merely thinking and worrying about it ain't gonna do much of anything without immediate action now. I would suggest woodland hikes with the two of you. You leading of course, and her maybe behind with her hand on your shoulder. Go slow and build her confidence. Get a set of night vision goggles for yourself. Night travel on foot will be safer for the two of you than daylight. Face it. Like it or not, she is a liability you are going to have to deal with the best that you can.
    .
    Maybe a better solution would be to relocate now or soon to a bug in location.
     
    TailorMadeHell and Silversnake like this.
  3. sgt peppersass

    sgt peppersass Monkey+

    Blind people are supposed to have stronger other senses. Could also profit from it if she could hear something before you could see it :)
     
    VisuTrac and tulianr like this.
  4. groovy mike

    groovy mike Immortal

    I would not "bug out" unless you had a place to go to. Relocating to a better place where you have supplies and a defensive position is different than trying to just be on the run.

    I see your friend exactly like my elderly parents - limited in mobility but very valuable as a contributing member of my household should we need to CONTINUE to care for each other in a post SHTF world.

    Your friend is not a liablility, she is an extra set of hands and storehouse of knowledge and skills - and someone you can trust is far more valuable than a stranger without a "handicap"
     
    Yard Dart, Silversnake, Tracy and 2 others like this.
  5. mysterymet

    mysterymet Monkey+++

    We have 2 little kids. It doesn't matter if its kids or elderly parents or handicapped friends or loved ones. If we want to maintain our humanity when TSHTF we adjust our plans and prep with their strengths and weaknesses in mind. Does she bike? Maybe you could get one of those 2 person bikes in case you couldn't bug out by car. She could help pedal, you'd carry more than you could on foot and you can do the steering.
     
  6. Tikka

    Tikka Monkey+++

    Is there a bug out destination? We live in a bug out location, dirt road with switchbacks so a vehicle can get in etc. The reality is survival in the NC mountains in winter would be quite a challenge. Unless the climate where you live is mild, I'd recommend a destination which includes shelter.
     
  7. snowbyrd

    snowbyrd Latet anguis in herba

    Here we go, I am a realist. What skills/knowledge does she have? What value to you/your group? Friendship aside, is she 'worth' the effort to protect? I have been called a cold heart, a real SOB for my views. What does she 'bring to the table'? I won't even allow my own family to leach off my supplies, I won't even give a cup of beans or rice. They have been warned of this fact. Don't talk of being 'civilized' or maintaining our humanity, talk of pure survival. Some peoples set up 'might' be able to take in unproductive persons, mine can't, won't, I (we) cannot allow 'pity' for those that have no value. Who desides 'value, the group does. No vote, no debate. It should be obvious. Is it an easy decision, hardly, is it a harsh nasty way of looking at life? There are people, many of them, that I/we will turn out/away or just...dispose of. Yeppers harsh but needful. Do I advocate 'cleansing' of the unfit, NO! Do I think I will have to go against my 'moral obligations' to help those that cannot take care of themselves? YES. The needs of the whole out weigh the needs/wants of the individual. Kids are always welcome. Boy do I sound like a real prik. I have debated this view with myself for many a sleepless night. Harsh as it may seem it is something that should be thought of before it is thrust upon us. Like eating long pork, could you? Would you? Ponder these things and I hope you sleep well, I don't. There are people I would gladly die for, and there are many more I would not. If she is one of the former, take the best care of her you can, if not.... "man hath no greater love than to give his life for his brother".

    Good thought provoking post, even tho' I shant sleep well tonight...
     
  8. groovy mike

    groovy mike Immortal

    lol, NC is a mild climate ;)
    I'm in NY closer to Canada than PA.....
     
  9. TailorMadeHell

    TailorMadeHell Lurking Shadow Creature

    All something to think about. If I were downright blunt about it, I'd leave her behind. However, you don't get to be where I am at by leaving buddies behind. It doesn't set well with me. I just have to plan for more. I understand the views of those who would keep and those who would throw away, they are all valid points. After I posted this, I thought of a plan for her that I will put into action. I am going to set a destination and as soon as I can, will start training her in tactics. She has value of memory and numbers. She's useful for logistics.

    She probably would not make it however due to health issues. She does have some meds that she is on. Whether alternatives can be found, I don't know, though will try. She is a friend of the family, which is more family to me than my family. The idea for her use is thus...

    If I ever, ever decide to bring on people, she will be their test. It takes a bit of patience to help a blind person do some things, and walk them around. It weighs on the nerves of saints at times. That will be her use. I would have someone that is new, escort her around and help her out with little odds and end jobs. This should be enough to tax their patience and temper. If they just get agitated, then it's understandable. If they blow their tops, then they are more of a risk to me than she.

    Maybe I'm looking at it from a skewed perspective, though it's what just struck me so I will have to make it work. Adapt, Improvise and Overcome.
     
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  10. VisuTrac

    VisuTrac Ваша мать носит военные ботинки Site Supporter+++

    20/20 hindsight will tell you if you made the right choice. We will all wind up making choices that may haunt us in the future.

    And most importantly, have you talked to her about the future and the possibility of bugging out? She should be the very first one that should have a say in the matter.

    You may be surprised in her answers and you may not actually have to make a decision.

    Peace out.
     
  11. tulianr

    tulianr Don Quixote de la Monkey

    I think you're smart to be considering such issues now, rather than later; and I agree with your decision to attempt to assist her.

    For me, if the price of survival is to lose my humanity; it's too high a price. I'm not saying I wouldn't kill or steal in order to survive; that goes almost without saying. Indiscriminate murder though, through direct action or neglect, is another matter entirely. There are ideals and causes for which I will willingly give up my life, and my integrity is one of those ideals. If I manage to survive, but can't look at myself in a mirror, what have I accomplished?

    So, I certainly have my priorities, and I will not let my assistance to someone threaten the survival of my wife and child - my number one priority - but if I can help someone out, I will.

    As for your plan to use your roommate to assist in vetting strangers, I think it's genius. Just as I work to develop my own humanity and patience, I value it in others; and I think little of someone who has none of either.

    When I was active duty, we did something similar to test out a Forward Command Element deployment plan. Realizing that our small team would probably be required to bring along other support personnel, with little to no training, at some future time; we sought to iron out some of the wrinkles beforehand. We selected the most inept individual that we could think of within our unit, and invited him to accompany the team on an insertion for a training mission. He was thrilled (we never did tell him why we asked him to go along), and we learned quite a lot about what to expect from someone with little to no tactical training, and a habit of falling over his own shoelaces. (This guy later broke his leg walking down a flight of steps while on liberty, and had to be evac-ed back to the States.)

    So, good on you, for both of your decisions.
     
  12. Tikka

    Tikka Monkey+++

    I've been to Upstate NY (and to show a total lack of brains) in the winter. ;) We get ice storms here and the terrain is steep which adds to the excitement.

    "Leave no man behind"

    Going on hikes together would be good "training." Start with easy hiking on maintained rated beginner trails.
    Also, teach her and yourself to crawl, very slowly and silently. Slowly and silently applies to everything. Amongst the best tactics is get so lost no one can find you. :D
     
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  13. TailorMadeHell

    TailorMadeHell Lurking Shadow Creature

    I'm working with her on things like noise discipline and walking. I just hope that in time, I will not have to take her with me, rather that she be where I'd be headed. I will post more ideas when I find faults and fix them. I may not be the only one that has a blind friend that may be helped out.
     
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  14. groovy mike

    groovy mike Immortal

    Think of it this way - how would YOU contribute if you lost your sight (even for a week or two)?

    Off the top of my head - how about sewing, reloading ammunition, splitting firewood, digging holes, fixing fence, prepping food, cooking, washing dishes or laundry or anything else, cleaning firearms, caring for livestock, monitoring communications (radio), logging information, taking care of infants and children - reading (Braille)/ telling stories, etc. especially in a shelter setting, defending a doorway - lots and lots of contributions. After all - you don't become instantly helpless and useless when someone turns the lights out. She has exactly the same potential to contribute that you do after dark.
     
    lonnielou, Yard Dart and tulianr like this.
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