How many "preppers" have actually lived through a SHTF moment where they have practical knowledge of the whole situation? I've read numerous accounts of people surviving in war torn areas like Bosnia who say some very different things from what the preppers are saying. From the stories of real people living in real SHTF conditions, I have determined that most "preppers" are nothing more than LARPs. They act like experts on the subject, but they have never lived through one of those times where they had to put their metal to the test. I don't think they will fare much better than people who didn't prepare the same way simply because they really don't know what they preach and overestimate their skills and abilities. I always like to remind preppers that sleep is a necessary thing. Even if you have a sizable group of trusted family/friends who are heavily armed and trained, they can't really fight off a determined mob who will siege them and storm them when they succumb to fatigue or mental breakdown caused by heightened conditions. They also trust that everyone in their party will always have their backs and never betray them. That's pretty naïve thinking, even within families. The war torn survivors talk of such things where the trusted become the enemy. In the end it's every man for himself if things get too rough. I think I will trust the civilian war survivors more than LARPing "preppers".