http://www.express.co.uk/news/science/64...vive-guide
UK population does not have the skills to survive in post-apocalyptic world
A THIRD of the population of the UK has prepared itself for an apocalypse but the majority of people don’t have the skills to survive afterwards.
(36% of us have BOBS)
Some 36 per cent of Britons keep a ‘grab bag’ full of essentials in case of a disaster, says a study led by the University of Leicester’s Dr Lewis Dartnell.
However, few of these bags are full of necessities, the report warns.
Some 61 per cent of these people have packed food, 53 per cent packed medical supplies, and the third most common packed item is a mobile phone, with 47 per cent planning on taking theirs.
The report – released in conjunction with science event The Big Bang Fair – advised that items such as a fire-starting kit, water bottle, small knife, rope and food should all be the top priorities.
Additionally, it says that people hoping to survive a disaster should head to the supermarket or a golf course.
A supermarket has enough food to sustain someone for an average of 55 years, while a golf course would be abundant in golf buggies, which could be used to store generated electricity, which would be extremely useful in trying to rebuild a society.
Dr Dartnell said: “Clearly we shouldn’t be worrying twenty four seven about a potential apocalypse but it’s interesting to take a snap shot of where we are now and how we’d fare – individually and as a society.
“People’s survival instincts are strong but without a greater focus on [Science, technology, engineering and maths] skills, the speed at which we’d return to ‘society as we know it’ would be seriously impeded.
“Rather than duck and cover, the country needs to know how to stand and recover from any disaster.”
However, only a fifth of people knew how to make chemical substances like fuel and only a third had the knowledge to repair engines and machines.
Paul Jackson, Chief Executive of EngineeringUK, added: “Many of the skills required to rebuild communities in a post-apocalyptic world reflect those held by the professionals currently addressing the global challenges of sustainable energy, clean water supply and food security.
“Apocalypse or not – these will be critical to our future."
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