Survivalism

A survivalist is a person who anticipates a potential disruption in the continuity of local, regional or worldwide society, and takes steps to survive in the resulting unpredictable situation.

The specific preparations made will depend on the nature of the anticipated disruption.

The natures of these disruptions range from earthquakes, tornadoes and hurricanes to chemical spills, terrorist attacks and nuclear war.

Common preparations sometimes include preparing a clandestine or defensible "safe place" and stockpiling food, water, clothing, seed, and agricultural equipment. While some survivalists do not emphasize also stockpiling weapons, many do. The common goal is to allow a group to remain completely self-sufficient for the duration of the breakdown, or perhaps indefinitely if the breakdown is predicted to be permanant.

Specifically, survivalists assume they cannot prevent the collapse, and prepare to survive as individuals, as families, or in in small communal groups.

Some businesses have arisen around providing survivalist supplies, including businesses that sell complete sets of food supplies for specified periods of time.