How To Survive Civil Unrest Like They Do In The Movies

Lights, camera, chaos! So, it's a great time, I feel, to discuss what we can learn from movies and Hollywood about how to survive a civil unrest situation. Yes, the golden screen is mostly for entertainment; however, action, survival, and thriller movies actually have survival golden nuggets written into the script that can help us here in the real world survive a potential situation.

A car on firePhoto byRichelleg

But first, what do I mean by civil unrest? According to any dictionary, it's "violent activity such as rioting or fighting in public places, especially involving a group or large group of people." This can be anything from protests to riots to demonstrations and everything in between. We have a huge election coming up, (and Black Friday shopping), and regardless of what side you're on, we've seen destruction, supply chain delays, more economic stress, people going hungry, job losses, ect.

Let's take a look at what we can learn from the big screen movies below:

What we could see

Basic Disruption: blocked streets, stores shutdown, supply chains broken, communications lines cut, large gorillas climbing buildings. Protests and demonstrations. Strikes. Screaming, yelling, people fighting amongst themselves. You may not be able to make it to someplace you need to go, like home. Events may be shut down. Civil unrest could derail your daily life, and so could the aliens from Independence Day.

Action thrillerPhoto byRichelleg

• Basic Crime: Mob mentality takes over and looting starts. We’ve all seen it. This can be in stores, homes, and public places.
• Destruction: civil unrest and riots can include destruction of property—public and private. Fires, broken windows, cars tipped over, graffiti.
• Violence: When the mob gets really stirred up and anyone gets in their path, violence could happen.

Martial Law

The authorities will eventually (most of the time) try to maintain or seize control. All of these are helpful things to know in case you get caught or pass through an area where an event like this is taking place. You will probably want to stay away from the police or National Guard because they will be on high alert and in a stressful situation, and you will appear to be just another rioter.

Don't tase me bro won't work here.

Don't feed the zombiesPhoto byRichelleg

What is the purpose of martial law?

A government that declares martial rule suspends or takes direct military control over regular civil operations, usually in reaction to a short-term emergency when civic troops are outnumbered. Curfews, the suspension of civil law, civil rights, and habeas corpus, and the application or extension of military law or military justice to civilians are typically associated with the implementation of martial law.

HOW TO PREPARE

Stock the basics: water, food, first aid, sanitation, and medications.

Have a plan: You'll need to be on the same page as your family and your people if something happens while everyone is away from home. Where will you go? Where will you meet? How will you talk?

Know your routePhoto byRichelleg

• Your meet-up spots should be away from the city if possible. If that's not possible, pick a spot that's generally never busy if you can.
• Don't choose government buildings, stores, hospitals, or Apple stores.
• Learn more than one route. Get out your printed Mapquest binder and burned CD collection.
• Keep an extra bottle of water, a snack, and emergency information in your child's backpack if you can.

If you have to bug-out, make a plan for that too

If you are forced to leave your home due to civil unrest or the monsters from Stranger Things, you'll need to know where to go and what to do.

• Have your bug-out bags for all family members ready to go.
• Know your routes
• Avoid major highways and large cities if possible
• You may need a resupply plan too; know where to go
• Stay away from large groups of people, especially if they're shuffling sideways through the streets and growling.

Security

If riots (or a zombie virus) break out and starts to move, and you're bugging in, you'll need to protect things.

• Have a security system; by that, I mean the Home Alone kind.
• Have locking gates.
• Personal protection and extra magazines.
• Know your neighbors and look out for each other, unless it's the cast from American Horror Story.
• Know some sort of martial arts.
• Don’t wear flip-flops, ugs, or crocs everywhere.
• Be ready for fire, get a few extinguishers.
• Don't go outside and investigate a strange noise if you're running from those zombies.

Be Aware

Situational Awareness: Know when to get yourself out of a situation or to avoid it all together. Keep your head on a swivel and your ear to the ground.

That's not a weather balloon.

Communication

• I know it's terrible, but watch the news if you can. Know what's going on and where.
• Make sure your phone is always charged or you have a backup charger.
• The networks will more than likely become congested, so stick to texts as they can squeeze through easier.
• Two solo cups and a string.
• If power is lost or cell towers go, have an emergency radio hand crank or solar radio.
• Keep emergency apps on your phone to get the info as soon as possible, like Red Cross Emergency or FEMA (informational purposes.)
• Local governments will sometimes have an app or an alert system to sign up for too.

Can you hear me nowPhoto byRichelleg

• Smoke signals.
• Backup comms like 2-ways, CB or HAM.
• If data/internet is available, social media is a great way to keep informed because the internet is our friend. The Marked as Safe feature on Facebook is a good one. Use it if you are unable to contact family or friends, because you know they will be stalking your socials if you don't check in. You know they can't resist scrolling their feed every ten minutes.
• In the event that someone actually tries calling you, change your voicemail to say that you're ok.
• You're going to need a bigger boat.

Fuel

• Keep your tank full. Fuel or time may be in short supply. You will want to be able to leave as quick as possible if things get bad enough, or just avoid the gas stations all together. If anyone has ever gone through a major hurricane, you'll understand the gas station scenario.
• Have additional fuel stored at home, unless you're living next to an angry volcano.

Bug-out bag essentials

• Backup USB chargers or battery banks.
• Face Mask/Bandana: Tear gas defense, cover your face, incognito.
• Water
• First Aid
• Exorcism kit
• Food
• Cash in small bills
• Identification and copies of ID.
• Ear plugs
• Tasty snacks
• Cards Against Humanity to keep those spirits up.

Riot controlPhoto byRichelleg

Know your surroundings

Understanding your city and surrounding area can be crucial in these situations.

• Having some road and/or topographical maps.
• Knowing alternate routes when things are shutdown.
• Knowing the areas that are safer and those that just aren't.
• Know alternate routes home.
• If you're trying to escape large UFO's, know the side streets to get them off your tail.

Vehicle

• Bug-out bag
• Fire extinguisher
• Have a spare tire and know how to change it.
• Keep it serviced and ready to go
• Know it's limits: If its The Day After Tomorrow, your car will be useless in that much water.

Paper mapsPhoto byRichelleg

First responders may be busy. Remember that 911 may be slow or useless. Avoid confrontation, keep your head down, and remember:

• Politics aren't worth it.
• Pride isn't worth it.
• Blending in and getting out is worth it.

Shelter

If you need to wait it out, consider church buildings, hotels, schools, museums, movie theaters, and recreation centers. Pick up a game of pickleball to pass the time.

Dumpsters seem easy to hide in, but I don't think that's a good idea, as that's one of the first things people set fire to for some reason.

Remember, if it looks haunted, it absolutely is.

Oh its hauntedPhoto byRichelleg

If you're in your car

• Keep your distance and always have a turn-around plan.
• Highly consider a good pepper spray.
• If you have any sort of weapon in the car, keep it out of sight but not hidden. People, for some reason,, have what they need in movies to survive but end up unalive due to carrying protection in the trunk where they can't reach it.
• Don't feed them after midnight.

Other Items to Carry

Make sure you safely carry some cash; it can get you a lot further in a crisis; plastic will likely be pretty junk.

Flashlight.

Lock pick, for picking the lock on the trunk where you left your protection.

Consider other protection things: spray, stun gun, smell.. things that will allow you to get away without really hurting anyone's feelings. Take a pink Stanley cup out of its box and throw it in the other direction to buy time.

Don't Panic. Stick together.

Lights camera action!Photo byRichelleg

Attributions:

Civil Unrest: Travel Advice and Planning | Harvard GSS. (n.d.). https://www.globalsupport.harvard.edu/travel/advice/civil-unrest-planning#:~:text=If%20a%20protest%20erupts%20nearby,as%20crossing%20a%20picket%20line.

https://www.ems.gov/assets/Guidance_Resources_Civil_Unrest.pdf

Protecting Yourself during Civil Unrest, Riots, and Demonstrations | Crisis24. (2023, March 20). https://crisis24.garda.com/insights-intelligence/insights/articles/protecting-yourself-during-civil-unrest-riots-and-demonstrations