5 useful skills to have in an Apocalypse

An apocalypse can be described as any kind of world-changing event that causes a breakdown in governmental and societal structures. Basically, any event that stops the world from functioning as normal which could be anything from a virus to a giant meteor hitting the earth. If something like this did happen it would cause a huge wave of deaths and stop people from going to their jobs at power plants, water treatment sites, and farms amongst other things, leading to a lack of supplies which in turn leads to violence to obtain them out of desperation. At some point, the initial wave of deaths will pass and all available supplies will be used up, leading to groups of survivors living in isolated or protected areas where there’s access to food and water.

This is, of course, a worst-case scenario but the human race hasn’t had an apocalypse yet so some might say we are long overdue. If/when it does come, the usual bushcraft and survival skills will of course help you out greatly, but there are a few other things you should learn that will save your life in the right situations, so here are 5 useful skills to have in an apocalypse.

Sailing

When a boat’s motor runs out of fuel and the electrical navigation system is no longer powered, would you be able to find your way across a small sea using sail power and be able to land at a specific point? Most people wouldn’t and rightly so as sailing has long been abandoned as a general form of transport for most of the world. It may not seem like a skill you’d use but learning how to operate a sailing boat would give you access to isolated islands and allow you to travel along the coast away from whatever the danger may be.

Lock picking

There are very few padlocks that can’t be smashed off with a big enough hammer or an angle grinder, but it isn’t exactly subtle and may not be an option in certain situations. Learning how to pick a lock doesn’t take long and picking kits are usually very cheap and compact, making it a useful skill worth taking the time to learn. Coming across a lock on an interesting-looking cabinet in the middle of the night gives you the option of making a huge amount of noise or taking a long time to smash or saw it off, or you can silently pick it in seconds. There will also be many security doors where smashing the lock off won’t be an option, forcing you to leave it along with any supplies it might be hiding, or you can just spend £15 and a few hours of your time and learn how to pick locks.

Understanding circuits

When the main power grid goes down the only sources of electricity will come from renewable sources. Fuel-powered generators will quickly run out, leaving wind, water, and solar as the only sources of electricity. If you turned up at an isolated house with a load of solar panels you ripped off someone else’s roof, would you be able to effectively attach them to your new home and create electricity for a series of lights and appliances? You don’t have to become a fully qualified electrician, but understanding the basics of how a circuit works could help you not only fix things but create a new source of power in a post-apocalyptic world.

Proficiency in transportation modes

Learning how to operate various modes of transport, including self-powered transport will be a valuable skill to have in an apocalypse. The most important single thing you should learn is how to ride a bike, as strange as that may sound. A world-ending event, no matter what it is will undoubtedly cause mass panic and make millions of people jump into their cars and hit the road, looking to drive to wherever it may be they think is safe. It only takes one crash and the roads will become jammed solid, something likely to be seen across every single major motorway in the country. When the roads are jammed solid the only way to use them will be to weave in between vehicles, making a bicycle the best option. It’s silent and does not run out of fuel and unlike motorbikes or off-road vehicles can be picked up and carried over a wall or blockage.

Shooting and combat

There isn’t a single possible scenario in which civilization breaks down and people don’t kill each other over the last few remaining supplies. When the consequences of law go out the window, people will realize they can get away with anything and desperation will cause a wave of violence across the nation. Knowing how to protect yourself from this kind of violence will be something that you’ll need on a regular basis, but knowing how to shoot will also double as a way of providing food. In small countries with high populations like the UK, there is still a huge amount of small game to hunt, particularly rabbits and birds, but it’s still a large food source that no one else will be able to catch.