Q&A for How to Survive a War

It would be hard to survive without them (since you're probably young and have close ties to them), but staying self-sufficient is important. By protecting yourself and restoring your sanity, it will be easier to plan what you should do after the war.

There is no timeline for the duration of a war. They can last a few months to several years, such as both World Wars and the current conflict in Syria. Following news reports will give a person some info into the situation. As the political situation deteriorates, begin preparing, if you haven't done so already. Stock non-perishable foods, as they will not be affected (so long as the container/packaging remains intact). The more you are able to have on hand, the better.

You may want to try and find other people to stay with so they can keep you safe (and vice versa) until the war is over.

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I would, yes. Even if it's hot outside and you don't have transportation, you should leave if you think your life will be in danger at home. However, be sure that you pack enough essentials for several days, especially water.

The Swiss army knife itself is a pretty good weapon, but you could also sharpen the ends of the sticks into points and use them as spears.

I heavily doubt North Korea will defeat the USA, unless they have China or Russia on their side, but if they do win, and invade the USA, moving to Canada or Mexico might be your best option. If you are worried about nuclear war, there only way to survive nuclear war is avoiding it. Go to a country far from the nukes, such as somewhere in Africa or South America.

Hopefully there will not be any more world wars. China is a large country that has acted peacefully in the past. It is possible that China may help to prevent future wars. If for some reason there is a world war, follow the steps in this article and try your best to survive.

The desert, being isolated, is a good place as long as you have a source of clean water and experience in a dry climate. If you are in the desert, it will be quite difficult to source weapons; although it may be unethical, theft or raiding abandoned houses might be your best bet.

Although it’s unlikely someone will walk up to your door and ask you to stand in the front lines, if this does happen keep a close eye out for snipers hiding in bushes and, once you hear gunshots, run for cover.

If you are on a flight heading toward a country that is fighting in war, your flight would likely be rerouted to a safer destination. If you are on a flight that just left a country at war, you'd likely fly to your destination if it's a different country (and perhaps be rerouted if it's in the same country). If you haven't taken off yet, you might be stuck at the airport. Your flight could get cancelled.

It's possible, but air travel could be restricted during a war.

If you are in a race war, move to a place that favors your ethnicity.

Yes. Maintain food and water for your dog. It can help you by detecting danger, hunting small animals and providing companionship.

It would be your best bet to find fresh food or dog kibble, but if you have only canned food, use foods which aren't high in sodium.

Stay in your home if you're in a city likely to be targeted. After 24-48 hours, go out and search abandoned stores/houses, only if it is safe to do so. There's likely to be some resources, even if they're scarce. Get medical supplies too, just in case.

Be submissive/comply. Always. Even if you don't believe in what they say. In such a situation, you may get injured, or at worst, killed.

At the first sign, whether that be news, or the actual announcement, stock up on food that you usually feed your birds. Bottled water helps too. Try your best to keep them healthy, as vets will most likely be closed. Have carrier cages, backpacks or boxes ready if you need to leave in a hurry, and keep an emergency bag of food and pet needs packed at all times for grab and go.

You will have to exit your home, asking your neighbors for whatever they can spare, searching abandoned homes or stores. Do not steal unless you are truly desperate as the consequences can be lethal as others are desperate too.

Iceland is usually very safe. But in the event of a war involving the United States, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) would step in to assist. Iceland, being a part of NATO, would be required to do the same. However, Iceland is not a target for invading forces.

Gather food and other essential items (e.g. a carrier) that should last your pet for at least a few weeks. Realise, however, that except in limited cases a pet will often be more of a liability to you than a help, and if the chips really come down, then you may have to deal with neglecting your pet's needs in favour of your own or your family's. It really depends on the context, the length of the war, where you are and the type of pet. Research what happened to pets in London at the beginning of WWII; it makes for sad reading.

Usually yes, but defending forces will probably retreat there as well because they are great natural fortresses.

If the opposing army is following the Geneva Conventions, a set of guidelines agreed upon by almost every country internationally as to what is acceptable during armed conflict versus what constitutes a war crime, civilians are to be protected and provided aid whenever possible. Any opposing soldiers who attack civilians would face criminal charges. It would be a good idea, however, to avoid wearing military or paramilitary clothing so that you're not mistaken for a hostile force. If you encounter opposing soldiers, keep in mind that they may not speak English and that gestures' meanings can vary greatly by culture, so be sure to make your peaceful intentions very clear and avoid any sudden movements or erratic behavior.

There are plenty of safe places on Earth. If you live near a bunker you might be the luckiest person but if you are not near bunkers, then caves and basement will be your hideouts. If not, you can build a bunker yourself. However, I would recommend you stay on a small island which is not near US, China, UK, Russia and North and South Korea.

This may vary. If you are waiting for allied forces wait for your country''s military to arrive and occupy the area and they spot you, they will hopefully tend to your wounds. But if you are in danger of being found by the opposing force or nobody at all, then you may need to tend to your own wounds.

Conscription is most likely to happen when war is inevitable and when heavy conflict(s) begin. You will be conscripted if you meet the requirements to fight (age, where you live, family circumstances, etc.) This is also a last resort when a country needs untrained men to fight in long-lasting and casualty-heavy conflicts. If you feel like you will be conscripted, you have an option to leave that country and head to another country that is neutral in the theater of war.

For a primary, an AR-15 (Specifically a 5.56 instead of a .22 LR or 9 mm model, semi automatic) and, if possible, the enemy's weapon (Russia: 7.62 x 39 AK variants). For secondary, a .40 caliber (Glock, for example) or .45 ACP (1911, for example). The reason For the higher calibers is because your enemy will likely be wearing armor, and these rounds can do some damage up close, so these are very recommended. A small backup specifically chambered in .380 (Walther PPK, for example) or 9 mm (Glock 17). For melee, one long-bladed weapon (machete or katana) and one short-bladed weapon (U.S. Marine Corps KA-BAR or a simple hunting knife).

Research long-lasting foods that will suit your pet's diet, like kibble. Stock up on a lot of these if there are signs of war on the horizon. Do not wait for the stores to be stripped of foods; order them in or go out and buy them ahead of time when it seems war is becoming a real possibility. Also, have carrier cages or boxes ready and check they're in excellent condition and easy to carry, as well as firmly lockable to prevent escape. When making any plans for escape, pets need to be considered too, remembering that their presence reduces the available space in vehicles or for carrying of goods if you plan on taking them with you. You may also need to learn to hunt in order to keep pets supplied with food.

Probably not, because a skyscraper could fall, break, or have similar problems, and such happenings in the past have resulted in numerous deaths. Although a skyscraper may have various resources inside, it is also going to be located inside a city, greatly increasing the risk of bombs, or worse, nukes. However, post-war, if it is still standing and structurally sound, it could be an interesting place to stay for a time and to use as a lookout afar.