The big event that we’re all ultimately preparing for is something that would cause The End Of The World As We Know It, otherwise known as a TEOTWAWKI event. While there are a number of possible scenarios that could be that serious, the most likely and the most talked about would be something that would destroy the electric grid, destroying our way of life along with it. Such an event would put us technologically in the mid-1800s, but without the knowledge of how to live without our electronic devices.
Whether or not such an event actually happens during our lifetime is not something that any of us can accurately predict. But prudence dictates that we prepare for it nevertheless. If we don’t, we risk becoming like the people in Houston who lost everything to Hurricane Harvey.
Since our electrical grid is old and fragile, it’s not unreasonable to assume that it will be severely damaged in any major disaster. Considering how many things we use electricity for, that would be a catastrophic loss, in and of itself. We would basically be living in a world where none of the “services” we are accustomed to would exist. Not only would there be no electricity, but no water, no sewage service, no gas for our cars and the store shelves would be empty. That’s the world we would have to be ready to live in.
So, what sorts of skills will be the most valuable in such a post-disaster world?
Water Purification
Without city water services, people will need clean water to drink. Trusting surface water or even water from a well, which has not been purified will be extremely risky. Our city water is treated to eliminate microscopic pathogens, which can cause illness. Since few people will have any sort of water treatment system available to them, having one could easily turn into a business.
Gardening
Most food today is grown on massive commercial farms. But those won’t be in operation without electricity to pump the diesel for the tractors and refineries to distill petroleum into diesel and other fuels. All food will have to be locally grown; probably in people’s backyard gardens. Even getting food from local farms to others will be difficult.
Most food today is grown on massive commercial farms. But those won’t be in operation without electricity to pump the diesel for the tractors and refineries to distill petroleum into diesel and other fuels. All food will have to be locally grown; probably in people’s yards. Even getting food from local farms to others will be difficult. Animal Husbandry
Animal Husbandry
Meat will either have to come from hunting or from raising animals. Of the two, raising animals is much more efficient and will become even more efficient as the wild animal population
Meat will either have to come from hunting or from raising animals. Of the two, raising animals is much more efficient and will become even more efficient as the wild animal population become reduced by over-hunting. Those who can care for and raise animals will be an important part of providing food to any community.
Hunting & Fishing
While raising animals locally will end up becoming the main method for providing meat, at least at the beginning people will be hunting for their food. How long they will be able to do that will
While raising animals locally will end up becoming the main method for providing meat, at least at the beginning people will be hunting for their food. How long they will be able to do that will depend a lot on where they live, how high the population is there and how much uninhabited land there is for wild animals to live in. Those living in sparsely populated states like Wyoming and Montana will have it the best, while those living in high-population areas probably won’t be able to depend much on hunting for food.
Fishing will probably provide more meat protein for most people, than hunting. However, lakes and rivers will probably end up overfished, reducing the population. Nevertheless, fishing is usually easier and more efficient than hunting, giving more meat protein per day.Food Preservation
Food Preservation
Some percentage of all the types of food which are raised, hunted or gathered will need to be preserved for the winter months. While our ancestors did this as a matter of course, few people today, outside of the prepping community, know how to preserve their own food.
Some percentage of all the types of food which are raised, hunted or gathered will need to be preserved for the winter months. While our ancestors did this as a matter of course, few people today, outside of the prepping community, know how to preserve their own food.
Tanning
In times past, every part of an animal that was usable, was used in some way. This actually still happens today, in commercial slaughterhouses, but most of us don’t see it. One important part of the animal is the hide, which can be turned into leather for clothing and shoes. But tanning, which most people in the Old West knew how to do, has become a lost art. Few people know how to tan a hide today, not even hunters. The average hunter has a taxidermy tan their
But tanning, which most people in the Old West knew how to do, has become a lost art. Few people know how to tan a hide today, not even hunters. The average hunter has a taxidermy tan their hides, if they want them for anything.
Sewing & Weaving
In the beginning, people will have plenty of clothing. But most of us don’t wear rugged clothing on a day-to-day basis, so our clothes will begin to wear out. As that happens, there will be more and more of a need to be able to sew clothing. Once the available supply of fabric becomes scarce, weaving your own fabric and even making your own thread will become more important.
Practical Engineering
If we are ever going to pull ourselves up out of that post-disaster world, it will be because we start a new industrial revolution. The advantage will be that it will be mostly about recreating technologies that we already have. But a lot of innovation will be needed, to create those on a local level, with limited resources. This will be the task of whatever engineers are available.
A large percentage of the engineers today won’t be very useful in this task, because their knowledge is too theoretical and not practical. People who design computers or integrated circuits won’t have the technology available to use their knowledge. Rather, it will be the engineers who are used to getting their hands dirty, working on things themselves who will be the most valuable.
Mechanics
Mechanics and other people with repair skills will probably be working hand-in-hand with the practical engineers I just mentioned, attempting to rebuild our world. Trying to make our modern cars run, without all the fancy electronics or trying to adapt them to other forms of fuel will be a high priority, as well as making engines for tractors, chain saws, etc.
Building Trades
Many of the building trades have a direct correlation to the types of rebuilding that I’m talking about. We probably won’t need to build more houses, but we will need to modify existing buildings, so that we can use them for local power plants and factories.
Depending on the type of disaster that strikes, there may be a big need for home repairs as well. Many disasters are hard on the buildings we live and work in, causing a need for regular maintenance.
Blacksmithing
The village blacksmith used to be the do-all fix-it-man for the community. There was little that he couldn’t produce from his forge and anvil. This has become a lost art, although there are still a few blacksmiths around. Without the ability to power modern machine shops and factories, there will be a huge need for the skills of the blacksmith.
Without vehicles, there will also be a shift back towards animal power. Horses and oxen will become extremely valuable, even while people will be wanting to kill them for food. Although it is technically a different trade, one of the many tasks the blacksmith did was to shoe horses.
First-Aid & Medical
Medical services will need to become much more localized than they are today. Driving ten miles to a doctor’s office or hospital may not be possible. Rather, most people will have to depend on someone living in their own neighborhood, who has at least some medical knowledge. Only the more critical cases will be taken to the hospital, and that only after being stabilized by local medical services.
Herbal Medicine
Medicines will become scarce, without the massive distribution system that brings medicines from the major pharmaceutical houses to local pharmacies. Once local supplies are consumed, the only thing that will be available will be locally produced herbal medicines. Fortunately, the roots of modern medicine is in many of these herbal remedies.
Midwifery
As with other medical professions, the work of giving birth to babies will have to become localized as well. Throughout the majority of human history, midwives delivered babies, not doctors. This will once again rise to the surface, as women won’t be able to get to the hospital quickly enough to have their babies.
A Final Thought
Having any of these skills, as well as many more that I could mention, will not only become invaluable in a post-disaster world, but could very well become a business for those who possess them. It would be highly advisable to learn something on this list, as well as prepping the necessary tools and materials to practice that skill. That way, should we find ourselves in a TEOTWAWKI world, you will be ready to offer your services to the community and through that, help to rebuild our world.
