319,000 Alaskans are self-described ‘survivalists’, reveals survey.

Hollywood has long captivated audiences with blockbusters centered on apocalyptic events. Movies like ‘Armageddon,’ ‘Deep Impact,’ ‘The Day After Tomorrow,’ and ‘Mad Max,’ and popular TV series, ‘Doomsday Preppers,’ ‘The Walking Dead,’ and ‘The Last of Us,’ brought the idea of a dystopian, bleak future for mankind home every week.

For others, it isn’t thoughts of an apocalypse that have prompted disaster planning, but rather real world events. With the Chinese balloon and other unidentified objects found flying over Alaskan skies has prompted, it seems that the possibility of such catastrophic events happening in real life has people actively planning and preparing for them. These preparations are no longer confined to the realm of fiction, but rather a response to the very real threats facing our world today.

In a survey by Primal Survivor, a website dedicated to providing practical prepping advice, 3,000 respondents has revealed that over half of all Americans (57%) now consider themselves to be ‘survivalists’. That's right - almost half of the US population is preparing for the worst. But who can blame them? Between Chinese spy balloons, extreme weather, a global pandemic, and a war in Ukraine, it's no wonder people are starting to get a little anxious.

Closer to home, when it comes to the Last Frontier, 58% of Alaskans consider themselves as survivalists, which equates to a sizeable 319,906 people. The results are not all that surprising, given the state’s size, many villages are geographically quite remote from normal shipping systems, and many residents choosing to live off-grid or homestead.

Hawaii, the other state not connected to the continental United States, has the highest proportion of survivalists, with 80% of the population, nearly 892,000 people, stating that they have already prepared for an extreme event. One possible explanation is the state's geographic isolation and vulnerability to natural disasters such as hurricanes, tsunamis, and volcanic eruptions. These events could potentially cut off the state's access to supplies and resources, making it more important for residents to be prepared for emergencies. Additionally, Hawaii's large military presence, which includes several bases and installations, may have led to a culture of preparedness and readiness in the state.

Meanwhile, Rhode Island seems to have a more laid-back approach, with only 17% of the population having taken steps to prepare for disaster.

So what exactly are survivalists preparing for? Well, it turns out that extreme natural weather events are what keep them up at night. 54% of respondents said that this is the main reason they're prepping, followed by economic uncertainty (16%) and an international conflict (14%).

The survey also revealed that recent news about Chinese spy balloons incursions into US airspace has prompted 34% to become more engaged in prepping. Another 13% are most concerned about another pandemic. Indeed, of those who did not consider themselves a ’survivalist’ before the pandemic, 54% say they are more likely to join the movement now. Finally, 3% prepare for domestic political uncertainty.

Despite the growing number of survivalists, it seems that most Americans aren't actually that well-prepared for an extreme event. When asked how long they could survive without help from authorities if the power were to go out, the average response was just one week. And 17% of respondents said they wouldn't even make it past day two.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) recommends having a basic Disaster Supplies kit ready, which includes items such as three days’ worth of bottled water and non-perishable food, a battery-powered radio, a flashlight and extra batteries, a first aid kit, a whistle, and warm clothing.

According to FEMA.gov, “A disaster supplies kit is a collection of basic items your household may need in the event of an emergency. Most of the items are inexpensive and easy to find and any one of them could save your life. Once you take a look at the basic items consider what unique needs your family might have, such as supplies for pets or seniors.”

For over half of the Alaskans, it seems that prepping has become a way of life. Fifty-seven percent of those surveyed said they now consider prepping to be a mainstream movement.

“The stats don’t lie – 2 in 3 Americans have been affected to some degree by an extreme weather event. Even if the worst-case scenario doesn’t ever transpire, preparing thoroughly will give you peace of mind on a day-today-basis” says Paul Simpson from Primal Survivor.

For more information about the survey, please visit www.primalsurvivor.net

For a downloadable checklist of items for a disaster kit, please visit www.ready.gov