So, it's been weeks since the SHTF, and someone (or a group of someones) stumble upon your property. They don't immediately attack, but now comes the dangerous part....
How do you talk to each other without risking your safety?
Here's what I came up with. Equipment wise, it relies on having rechargeable batteries, a solar charger (for said batteries), a remote control truck (ideally a few, all taking the same batteries).
First step is signage. We're going to have signs up stating terms of dialogue and trade, that are very clear. Follow the steps, or get shot on sight. We're willing to help and trade, but we're also going to prize our safety first.
Step 1. ONE person (only) approaches the outer gate. This gate is locked with a combination padlock. It has a small opening about the size of a small pet door. All others must stand back. To indicate the desire to talk, must wave their arms, and wait for a radio to be sent to them. By this time, sentries have rifles trained on person and group.
Step 2. Using the remote control truck, a handheld radio (cheaper version) is sent out to the outer gate. Attached are instructions, including a warning that any attempt to take or damage the truck or radio will be seen as hostile, and such folks will be shot on sight. A water bottle and granola bar is included for good faith.
Step 3. Dialogue. We'll converse, and assuming all goes well, go to the next step. Combination to the outer gate is given (will be changed after any such encounter), and the ONE person is allowed to proceed to the inner gate, after locking the gate back with another combination lock in the toy truck (different combo and type, so we'll know against a switch), bringing the initial combo lock with him. If more than one try to come in, warning shot, then shooting on sight.
Step 4. Approaching the inner gate. Instructions in the truck tell the person to strip down to undergarments and approach with hands held on their head, as well as rotating slowly so we can see there are no weapons behind the back, etc. The truck is driven back (along with radio). All the while, guns still trained on the person/s.
Step 5. Person is greeted by one of our people at the front gate ((one of our military folks, primarily our cop/ex marine/ex amateur MMA fighter) wearing bulletproof vest and helmet, like the sentries and anyone else out there....we'll have vests for all, but for now, two. (and we already have the helmets). Person is checked for weapons, etc. Dialogue then continues (where any companions of the person can see the discussion, but this is about 400 feet or so from main gate). Keep in mind, during all of this, sentries are on HIGH alert, checking ALL of the perimeter, and checking in with any scout/s.
Actions from this point all depend on the person's needs, group's needs, etc. and how the discussion went. They may need food and water, and be willing to trade/work for it, or may need some of our other goods/services we plan to offer. Always, the idea that they could be a feint or threat is still present.
There are additional protocols for how to treat someone who needs medical treatment, needs shelter, etc., but this post is primarily about first contact. Those protocols include keeping the person/group comfortable, but confined to quarters during sleeping hours, and accompanied when not. (stable stalls work well for this). Sounds bad, but post SHTF, these are 12'x12' areas with (barred) window and locking barred gate, and we'd of course have cots in there, each has water tap, etc. Not exactly the Hilton, but better than laying down in the woods, and a whole lot safer, etc.
Of course, feel free to point out flaws, potential pitfalls, etc. Obviously, no way to eliminate all risk, but at least we can try and minimize it as best we can. While it is easy to just say shoot any that come, I still want to retain some humanity also.
How do you talk to each other without risking your safety?
Here's what I came up with. Equipment wise, it relies on having rechargeable batteries, a solar charger (for said batteries), a remote control truck (ideally a few, all taking the same batteries).
First step is signage. We're going to have signs up stating terms of dialogue and trade, that are very clear. Follow the steps, or get shot on sight. We're willing to help and trade, but we're also going to prize our safety first.
Step 1. ONE person (only) approaches the outer gate. This gate is locked with a combination padlock. It has a small opening about the size of a small pet door. All others must stand back. To indicate the desire to talk, must wave their arms, and wait for a radio to be sent to them. By this time, sentries have rifles trained on person and group.
Step 2. Using the remote control truck, a handheld radio (cheaper version) is sent out to the outer gate. Attached are instructions, including a warning that any attempt to take or damage the truck or radio will be seen as hostile, and such folks will be shot on sight. A water bottle and granola bar is included for good faith.
Step 3. Dialogue. We'll converse, and assuming all goes well, go to the next step. Combination to the outer gate is given (will be changed after any such encounter), and the ONE person is allowed to proceed to the inner gate, after locking the gate back with another combination lock in the toy truck (different combo and type, so we'll know against a switch), bringing the initial combo lock with him. If more than one try to come in, warning shot, then shooting on sight.
Step 4. Approaching the inner gate. Instructions in the truck tell the person to strip down to undergarments and approach with hands held on their head, as well as rotating slowly so we can see there are no weapons behind the back, etc. The truck is driven back (along with radio). All the while, guns still trained on the person/s.
Step 5. Person is greeted by one of our people at the front gate ((one of our military folks, primarily our cop/ex marine/ex amateur MMA fighter) wearing bulletproof vest and helmet, like the sentries and anyone else out there....we'll have vests for all, but for now, two. (and we already have the helmets). Person is checked for weapons, etc. Dialogue then continues (where any companions of the person can see the discussion, but this is about 400 feet or so from main gate). Keep in mind, during all of this, sentries are on HIGH alert, checking ALL of the perimeter, and checking in with any scout/s.
Actions from this point all depend on the person's needs, group's needs, etc. and how the discussion went. They may need food and water, and be willing to trade/work for it, or may need some of our other goods/services we plan to offer. Always, the idea that they could be a feint or threat is still present.
There are additional protocols for how to treat someone who needs medical treatment, needs shelter, etc., but this post is primarily about first contact. Those protocols include keeping the person/group comfortable, but confined to quarters during sleeping hours, and accompanied when not. (stable stalls work well for this). Sounds bad, but post SHTF, these are 12'x12' areas with (barred) window and locking barred gate, and we'd of course have cots in there, each has water tap, etc. Not exactly the Hilton, but better than laying down in the woods, and a whole lot safer, etc.
Of course, feel free to point out flaws, potential pitfalls, etc. Obviously, no way to eliminate all risk, but at least we can try and minimize it as best we can. While it is easy to just say shoot any that come, I still want to retain some humanity also.
