When All Hell Breaks Loose, by Cody Lundin (Gibbs Smith, 2007, ISBN 13:978-1-4236-0105-0) is another straight-talking survival course laced with Lundin’s trademark irreverent humor. From detailed information about nutrition and nuts-and-bolts daily functions to spiritual guide pep talks to keep up morale, this book is a comprehensive guide to staying alive when disaster strikes.
Water, Shelter, and Food
It is easy to forget how difficult life could be without the systems and devices of modern civilization. Only when these systems are disrupted, as in large-scale disasters such as hurricanes and floods, does the harsh reality of survival become clear. Lundin describes, in painstaking detail, what is required to keep oneself and one’s “tribe,” or group of loved ones, alive and protected. He gives practical advice on obtaining or producing necessities such as water that can be made safe for drinking and creating shelter from extreme temperatures. When survival situations last longer than three days, it becomes necessary to find and prepare food. In addition to the advice in this book about what foods to store for emergencies and how to prepare them, Lundin treats the reader to straightforward information about eating rodents, insects, and a variety of other nutrients that are not part of a typical modern diet.
Hygiene and Medical Care
When toilets, sinks, and showers stop functioning, hygiene becomes a big problem. Lundin gives instructions for building and maintaining emergency toilets and for disposing of the waste. Although water supplies may be severely limited in an emergency situation, it is vitally important to keep hands and food sources free from contamination. The book includes clearly described techniques for washing and disinfecting hands, dishes, and anything else that might spread bacteria or disease. Horrific as it is to consider, in extreme situations survivors may need to dispose of dead bodies. Because decaying bodies pose a serious threat to the physical and psychological well-being of survivors, Lundin pulls no punches in his instructions on how to handle a corpse, pointing out that it is an unavoidable duty of the tribe leader to protect the tribe, even in the most unpleasant of circumstances.
Emergency scenarios are likely to include injuries resulting from the catastrophic event and from performing unfamiliar tasks following the event. Illnesses such as diarrhea and influenza are also possiblities. Lundin advises readers to have a fully-stocked first aid kit ready at all times, and he includes a complete list of items to include. In addition, he emphasizes the need to customize the emergency rations and medical supplies to meet the specific needs of the tribe.
Plan Ahead for Survival
Lundin’s advice is intensely practical. Those who envision themselves living off the ravaged land in science-fiction movie style may be disappointed with the no-nonsense advice in this book. Rather than suggesting that survivors must be impervious to the mental stress of their situations, he gives a big shot of emotional encouragement along with his technical instruction. For anyone whose basic needs are dependent upon the delivery of power, water, food, and sanitation services that would be cut off if a major disaster occurred, this book is a sober reminder of the old Boy Scout mantra, “Be Prepared.”
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