How Can A Civilian Survive A War?
In a war, zone civilians are at risk and are limited to what they can do. It’s not easy, but as long as you follow the rules and keep your head down, you’ll have a much better chance of making it out alive.
It’s All About Minimizing Risk
In a war zone/war you should not be looking to expose yourself to necessary risk if you can help it. The more rational and safe decisions you make the better. Such as getting out of the way of soldiers.
You should not or try to be as far as possible away from any type of military personnel. If they are not in uniform and you recognize them. Again, avoid them at all costs.
If they are wearing a uniform and they ask for your name or identification card, give it to them. Do not overshare your personal information. The less information the better. If they ask how much money you have, what will you say?
You should not start lying because if they ask for the money and you don’t have it then you made things worse. Your money is not worth your life, always remember that.
Don’t Carry Extra Money
The more money on hand the worst things can become. You may think the opposite. You become more of a target for soldiers to intimidate or hurt you for money. The less you carry the better.
What You Carry Is Easy Pickings
Keep in mind everything you carry in a warzone, is subject to be taken. Even if it’s against the law. In war, things change for the worse not the better. So keep that in mind.
Have You Seen This Person?
Another common question that is asked in a warzone by an enemy force. If they show you a photo of a person who looks familiar you need to think carefully. You could easily be digging yourself in a bigger hole if you think you do know them. Even if you do not, or are mistaken you have created a bigger problem for yourself. Remember, minimize your risk.
Trying To Help Or Save Someone
You see someone running away or is injured. The reality is you might want to help them or maybe not. Helping someone is something I always think is right, but in a warzone, it could cost you your life. This person can lead to you being killed as well.
Especially if they are being chased or looked for. You have to weigh the cons of helping someone in a warzone. Such as “if I help this person could this lead to my family’s imprisonment or death”? You could easily become a victim by helping.
Stockpiling Food And Water
In war there most likely will be limited resources. Food supplies and water will be the main to that will dry up. Even with foreign aid into a conflict zone. The main point is to have enough food and water to get you through. I would estimate to have at least 3 months’ worth of food, a year’s worth would be more advisable.
And as much water as humanly possible to store.
Staying Informed!
A key element to survival for a civilian in war is knowledge. So staying informed about what is happening is essential to survival!
You can stay informed by listening to your local radio stations and staying up to date on social media/youtube/news.
Get Out Of The Fighting
The best way for a civilian to survive a war/warzone is to get out of there. If you are no longer in immediate danger, you have a good chance of surviving. That may not be possible if things change, but if things get to dangerous you might do well with getting out.
Sometimes it’s better to stay put so that you aren’t exposed to as many risks or dangers. Especially if those risks can be mitigated by staying put.
It really depends on the situation at hand!
If you’re in a war zone, there are two things you need to do: get out of there, and stay there. Or Plan B which is to stay put and hunkering down.
If the situation is dire enough that you need to get out, you should get out by car. Or any other means that will get you to safety the fastest. It could be next to impossible if there are barricades and other things blocking the roads.
They may not let anyone leave if a war is going on around you. That being said, if it’s safe enough for you to get into your car and get away, then do it!
What If Things Get To Dangerous?
This can happen where leaving your home or whatever building you’re holding up in becomes to dangerous to leave. There could be fighting on every street and shooting in all directions. I would wait till things calm down more and try to evacuate. There is always a lull in fighting.
Shelter and Refugee Camps
If you find yourself in the midst of a war, it can be hard to know what to do. But if you’re lucky enough to have some time to think, it’s important to make sure that you have a plan in place. The next best thing to do, as a civilian during a war is to look for shelters or refugee camps. They could offer food, water, and medical supplies that you may need. It’s also probable that you could find people who will help you evacuate.
It’s good to explore all your options to survive a war. If there are no shelters or refugee camps nearby, make sure that you prepare yourself with supplies and food before leaving your home!
Do Not Make The Enemy Angry
I’m a firm believer in standing up for what you believe in. But I also think it’s important to keep your head down and stay out of trouble when you’re in a warzone.
Let’s face it: war is hell. It’s not the time or place to be making enemies, of your enemies. When you’re in a warzone, it’s easy to get caught up in the moment.
But remember: there is a time and place for defiance and resistance. You don’t want to antagonize or intentionally provoke the enemy. Yes, it’s a small way of showing your support for your cause, but it could also have serious consequences. Both for yourself and those around you.
You want to lay low and not attract attention to yourself so that no one gets hurt or killed because of your actions.
Keep Morale Up
In the midst of war, it can be easy for a civilian to feel overwhelmed and helpless. While you may not be able to do much about the situation as a whole. You CAN take steps to maintain your mental health and keep morale up. You can:
1) Staying in touch with family either on social media or by phone can help tremendously in keeping spirits up.
2) Then try to listen to music that you enjoy that makes you happy.
3) Watch things that are happy and will help lift your spirits. If you have internet.
3) You could also play games on your phone or computer to help distract you from the war raging on around you.
Whatever you do to keep morale up you have to keep doing it.
Stay Calm
If you find yourself in a situation where war is breaking out, do not panic. This is easier said than done for many people, but it is important to remember that having a level head will help you stay safe and make rational decisions.
If you are panicking or making irrational decisions, this can put you in danger. When we make decisions based on emotion, we can often make choices that are not good for us. It is better to take a moment before deciding what your next step should be.
Learn The Basics Of Self-Defense
If you’re a civilian in a war, you never know when you’ll need to defend yourself. I’m not saying that you need to become Jackie Chan, Bruce Lee, or Van Damme. Knowing basic self-defense is important during war.
Just like fighting with your fists isn’t the only way to defend yourself. You should know how to fight with a weapon such as a knife or a gun. You could be attacked with a knife and you will only have your training to defend yourself from bodily harm. The fact is that having basic self-defense knowledge is a good idea.
The important thing is to keep your head on straight when it comes to defending yourself.
Keeping A Low Profile
Keeping a low profile is not just a good idea in war or in a war zone, it’s one of the best ways to stay alive. The less attention you attract to yourself the better. You do not want to stand out from the crowd. You want to blend in with everyone else.
Reach Out To Family Members
When you’re facing a war, it’s important to make sure that you have every resource at your disposal. The most obvious resources are your friends and family. But there are other options too. For example, if you have family members in another country that could be an even better option than staying there.
What If I Find Myself In The Open In A War?
If you’re a civilian and you find yourself in the open when the fighting has broken out you should do two things. First, get down immediately and stay down. It’s really important to protect yourself with as many barriers as possible. If it’s safe to do so, try to get to a building or structure that will provide protection from the fighting when you can.
If you can’t find shelter, try to find something to hide behind, such as a car or tree. This will help shield you from bullets flying by at high speeds.
You should have a good idea of how can a civilian survive a war? There will be many people who will die during a war. With these tips and advice hopefully, you will not be one of them. That’s how you survive a war as a civilian!
