Dangerous storms, floods, and wildfires are increasing. So more people are taking action to prepare themselves for extended power outages, evacuations, and other disruptions.
“We’re starting to see the trend where people are starting to become less reactive and more proactive,” says Shane Hobel, founder of Mountain Scout Survival School.
Hobel teaches classes in primitive survival skills.
“Learning how to make shelter, learning how to find water, learning how to make fire the old way — literally, by rubbing sticks together, foraging,” he says.
He also teaches urban emergency preparedness courses. They cover topics such as planning travel routes and rendezvous points in an emergency evacuation, preparing a go-bag, and communicating if cell networks go down.
He says over the years, the audience for his classes has grown, with students coming from all walks of life.
“It’s literally everyone coming,” he says. “Families … single moms, grandmas.”
He says a growing number of people are realizing that the systems we rely on are vulnerable to disruptions. And he says it’s empowering to be prepared to help yourself and your community when disaster strikes.
Also see: Everything to buy if a hurricane is forecast for your area
Reporting credit: Sarah Kennedy/ChavoBart Digital Media