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I thought I would toss this one out for discussion. While humans have organized themselves in such a way to share resources and skills since time immemorial, the Mutual Assistance Group (MAG) is one specifically setup to pull through a major disaster together, with defined roles, a communication system, supplies, training, perhaps even a central shelter, et al., already in place before it goes down.
The book The Survival Group Handbook: How to Plan, Organize and Lead People for a Short Or Long Term Survival Situation (2014), page 15, by Charley Hogwood and Dr. Joe Alton, defines the notion simply as:
So, some questions to ponder:
The book The Survival Group Handbook: How to Plan, Organize and Lead People for a Short Or Long Term Survival Situation (2014), page 15, by Charley Hogwood and Dr. Joe Alton, defines the notion simply as:
"A Mutual Assistance Group is a group of like-minded individuals who pledges to assist each other in times of crisis. It may or may not be in your best interest to to be aligned with one and there are several important things to consider before joining/starting one."
The concept, if not the phrase, has been around in the post-war preparedness community for some time. From How to Survive the H-Bomb and Why (1962), page 25—28, by Pat Frank:
"In Sylvan Shores, a central Florida exurb of spacious lakeside homes and small citrus groves, there has been constructed the most elaborate group shelter. 'Shelter' is not quite the proper word. It is a subterranean fortress in which up to a hundred people can exist for six months and be prepared to till the soil and perpetuate the race when they emerge. It is proof against heaviest fallout, and has its own power plant, water supply, and even air-conditioning. Some of the people hereabouts disrespectfully refer to it as 'the Catacombs,' or 'that underground country club,' but it is a serious enterprise that may become a model for similar projects elsewhere. It is designed to exorcise the specter of total war with assurance of total survival, as far as can be assured. Twenty-five families have subscribed for space. Each family is allotted one room, then feet by ten, and no more than four souls are allowed to the room.
...
Naturally, the Sylvan Shores shelter will operate under stringent rules. Only subscribers and their immediate families will be admitted. Even visiting friends and close relatives will be barred. And the twenty-five families have arms to defend the shelter against who try to force their way in; and plenty of ammunition."
Similarly, Life After Doomsday (1980), by Dr. Bruce Clayton, references such:...
Naturally, the Sylvan Shores shelter will operate under stringent rules. Only subscribers and their immediate families will be admitted. Even visiting friends and close relatives will be barred. And the twenty-five families have arms to defend the shelter against who try to force their way in; and plenty of ammunition."
"Many have formed 'retreat groups' by banding together and buying rural property which they intend to occupy when life in the cities becomes too dangerous. I had never heard of retreaters or survivalists, but a little research uncovered the fact that there are many thousands of such people throughout the country, with their own newsletters, newspapers, literature"
...
"Believe it or not, even a nuclear war is survivable. With an eye toward realistic preparation, you can see to it that your family and a small group of friends will be able to live through the holocaust and the post-attack period with a minimum of unpleasantness."
And the book Prepping for a Suburban or Rural Community (2013), by Michael Mabee, expands upon the concept at a small community level....
"Believe it or not, even a nuclear war is survivable. With an eye toward realistic preparation, you can see to it that your family and a small group of friends will be able to live through the holocaust and the post-attack period with a minimum of unpleasantness."
So, some questions to ponder:
- Are you currently part of a Mutual Assistance Group (MAG)?
- If so, how was it formed? From family members, friends, acquaintances, business contacts, intimate partners, a religious body (e.g., church, synagogue, etc.), a local CERT or other civil defense group, an ethnic community, etc.? Some combination of all those? If you would, please share your story.
- What unique skill set do you provide your group?
- Do you have medical personnel in your group?
- Over how large of a geographical location is your group, how do you communicate now, and how do you propose to communicate when it hits the fan?
- Have you standardized on any equipment, technologies, weapons, calibers, etc.? If so, how?
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