26 Things That Can Get You Killed During SHTF

Some actions or omissions can be fatal during such a time, especially when mistakes can compound rapidly in high-stress situations. Here are 26 things that can get you killed during a SHTF scenario, to help you avoid them and maximize your chances of survival.

SHTF & SECURITY

9/26/20247 min read

a couple during shtf in a destroyed house

26 Things That Can Get You Killed During SHTF (Sh*t Hits the Fan)

When society collapses or a major disaster strikes, survival becomes the priority, and staying alive requires careful planning and the ability to adapt. Some actions or omissions can be fatal during such a time, especially when mistakes can compound rapidly in high-stress situations. Here are 26 things that can get you killed during a SHTF scenario, to help you avoid them and maximize your chances of survival.

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I’ve spent years working with clients who believed they were ready for anything—from hurricanes to riots, blackouts to sudden disaster evacuations. And I’ve seen firsthand how quickly things can spiral out of control when the cracks in their plans reveal themselves. When disaster strikes, survival isn't just about having a bug-out bag or a basement full of canned goods. It’s about navigating the minefield of choices and actions that can make or break you. Through experience, I’ve learned that the most dangerous threats aren’t always external. Sometimes, they’re the missteps we make, often without even realizing it. I think, the people of hurricane Katrina who had belongings and guns seized can relate to this. Since then, laws in most non-blue states have been passed to prevent this dangerous practice of infringement and confiscation during a disaster.

Complacency is a killer. It’s human nature to assume that “we’ll be fine” or that “someone else will handle it.” This mindset leads people to ignore obvious warning signs. Tornado sirens blare, and yet some folks will stand outside to film the sky. They underestimate the speed at which a crisis can escalate. The same people who’ve lived through one disaster may grow overconfident, believing their past experience guarantees their safety next time. But the truth is, every situation is different. The moment you think you’ve got it all figured out is often the moment disaster catches you off guard.

Another fatal mistake is failing to understand the environment. Whether it’s urban or rural prepping, every setting has its own risks. In a city, blocked roads can turn an evacuation into a death trap. Over-reliance on GPS or phone apps for navigation can leave you stranded when the grid goes down. In the countryside, the isolation that’s so comforting in peaceful times can become a nightmare when medical emergencies arise, or supplies run dry. Ignoring local hazards—like flood zones, wildfire paths, or earthquake fault lines—is like walking into a battlefield blindfolded. Knowledge of your surroundings is as critical as the gear you carry.

Poor communication, lacking emergency devices like satellite phones, can also lead to deadly outcomes. In the chaos of a disaster, assumptions can kill. Families separated without a plan for regrouping often fall into disarray. If you don’t discuss and rehearse your emergency plans with everyone involved, you’re relying on luck to keep you safe. And luck has a way of running out when you need it most. Miscommunication extends beyond your immediate circle. Encountering others during a crisis—whether it’s strangers or emergency responders—can escalate into conflict if intentions are misinterpreted. In the absence of clear, calm interaction, suspicion and panic take over.

Ignoring physical and mental training is another path to destruction. When adrenaline kicks in, people often overestimate their capabilities. They’ll push themselves too far, refusing to rest or hydrate, believing they can outrun or outlast the situation. But exhaustion and dehydration can take you down faster than an advancing threat. On the flip side, there’s the paralysis of fear—freezing up instead of acting when seconds count. Training and preparation are supposed to mitigate these extremes, but too often, they’re neglected. Many people underestimate how stress can unravel even the best-laid plans.

Finally, overconfidence in equipment can seal your fate. A flashlight with dead batteries or a water filter you’ve never tested is worse than useless—it’s a liability. Survival tools and gear is only as good as your familiarity with it. Yet, time and again, I’ve seen people buy the newest survival gadgets only to leave them unopened until disaster strikes. They’ll trust an untested generator or rely on a single weapon without considering maintenance, spare parts, or even basic operational training. The belief that tools alone will save you is a dangerous illusion.

Disasters don’t care about plans or preparation on paper. They test the individual, the family, and the community in ways that can’t always be anticipated. The smallest oversight can cascade into a life-threatening situation. The key isn’t just to prepare but to recognize and avoid the traps that can turn a bad day into your last.

1. Lack of Situational Awareness

Failing to stay alert and monitor your environment can make you vulnerable to threats, from hostile people to dangerous conditions. Without situational awareness, you may miss critical signs of danger.

2. Overconfidence in Skills

Assuming you can handle every survival scenario without proper training or practice can lead to catastrophic mistakes. Overconfidence can cause you to underestimate challenges or overestimate your abilities.

3. Hoarding and Not Hiding It

Hoarding essential resources without discretion will make you a target for desperate or hostile individuals. Always keep a low profile about your supplies and be prepared to defend them.

4. Isolation

Cutting yourself off from others completely can be dangerous. While too much trust can be risky, forming strategic alliances or building a small community is key to defense, resource sharing, and problem-solving.

5. Trusting Too Easily

In a SHTF situation, trust should be earned. Too much trust in strangers or unvetted groups can lead to betrayal, theft, or worse. Be cautious with who you allow into your circle.

6. Poor Physical Fitness

Your physical condition can make or break your survival chances. In an SHTF scenario, you may need to walk long distances, carry heavy loads, or defend yourself. Staying fit ensures you can handle these challenges.

7. Lack of Clean Water

Water is essential to life, and failing to secure a clean, reliable source can be fatal within days. Knowing how to filter and purify water is crucial, as well as identifying and storing safe water sources.

8. Ignoring Sanitation

In a collapsed society, waste disposal and hygiene often go neglected. Improper sanitation can lead to the spread of diseases like dysentery, cholera, or infections, which can easily turn deadly.

9. Food Poisoning

Eating spoiled or contaminated food can incapacitate or kill you. If you’re scavenging or hunting, be sure to prepare food safely, and know how to identify poisonous plants, bad meat, or contaminated sources.

10. Lack of Medical Knowledge

Basic first aid can mean the difference between life and death. If you lack the knowledge to treat wounds, infections, or common illnesses, minor issues can quickly escalate into life-threatening problems.

11. Not Having a Defensive Plan

In a lawless environment, the ability to defend yourself and your group becomes paramount. Failing to secure your perimeter, home, or supplies leaves you vulnerable to violent encounters.

12. Carrying Too Much Gear

Overloading yourself with unnecessary gear can slow you down and exhaust your energy. Pack smart, lightweight, and multifunctional items to avoid unnecessary fatigue and improve your mobility.

13. Fire Mismanagement

Fire can be both a tool and a hazard. Building a fire in the wrong place or mismanaging it can reveal your location to hostile people or lead to unintentional fires that destroy your shelter or supplies.

14. Overlooking Weather Exposure

In an SHTF scenario, proper clothing and shelter are critical. Hypothermia, heatstroke, and dehydration can kill more quickly than you think. Prepare to adapt to different weather conditions and environments.

15. Making Too Much Noise

In a dangerous scenario, attracting unwanted attention by making loud noises (e.g., firing guns unnecessarily or shouting) can invite trouble. Keeping quiet and discreet ensures you stay hidden from threats.

16. Not Rotating Supplies

Failing to rotate stored supplies leads to spoilage and waste. Expired food, water, and medicine will be less effective or dangerous to use. Make sure you regularly check and refresh your stored goods.

17. Depending Solely on Firearms

Guns are valuable tools for defense, but running out of ammunition or having a gun malfunction leaves you defenseless if you haven’t developed other self-defense skills or tools like hand-to-hand combat or improvised weapons.

18. Using Electronics Without Caution

If the power grid is down, using electronics can make you a target, as others will assume you have valuable resources (power, batteries). Any light or noise can also reveal your position in a blackout scenario.

19. Traveling Without a Plan

During SHTF, randomly moving without a solid plan exposes you to numerous dangers, from ambushes to getting lost. Always have a route planned, with alternate paths, to your destination.

20. Ignoring Warning Signs of Conflict

Tensions will run high during a societal collapse, and ignoring early signs of conflict—whether between neighbors or larger groups—can land you in the middle of violence. Stay informed and avoid areas where tensions are building.

21. Relying on Untrained Animals

While having animals like dogs can be useful for protection or hunting, relying on untrained or poorly disciplined animals can cause chaos. They might bark at the wrong time or attract predators, making you vulnerable.

22. Ignoring the Importance of Bartering

In the absence of currency, bartering becomes a critical survival skill. Failing to recognize valuable barter items like medicine, food, tools, or skills can limit your ability to trade for things you desperately need.

23. Neglecting Mental Health

Survival isn’t just physical; mental toughness is essential too. Stress, isolation, and fear can break down your ability to make good decisions. Having strategies to manage your mental health, such as routines, meditation, or camaraderie, can help maintain clarity.

24. Not Having a Backup Shelter

Your primary shelter can be compromised or destroyed by natural disasters, enemies, or accidents. Without a backup plan for where to relocate, you could be left exposed to the elements and threats.

25. Fighting Over Minor Issues

In high-stress situations, small conflicts can escalate into deadly confrontations. Learning to de-escalate, keep your ego in check, and mediate disputes within your group will reduce the chances of lethal outcomes.

26. Failing to Learn from Mistakes

If you keep repeating the same mistakes during SHTF, it’s only a matter of time before it costs you. Whether it’s poor planning, overexertion, or ignoring warning signs, learning quickly and adapting is critical to long-term survival.