Dependence vs. Preparedness: Why Self-Reliance Matters in the Face of Disaster

Jul 15
3 min read

By Dan Brenneman

Introduction: Dependence or Preparedness?

When disaster strikes, the difference between surviving and suffering often comes down to one simple factor: Are you dependent—or are you prepared?

Most people don’t think about this until it's too late. But at Summit View Survival, we believe it’s never too early to start preparing. And in a region like the Pacific Northwest, where a mega-earthquake could strike at any time, the consequences of waiting are deadly.

Defining the Terms: Dependency vs. Preparedness

Let’s start with two simple definitions:

Dependence: Relying on external sources—like government agencies, utility companies, or emergency responders—to meet your basic needs.
Preparedness: The ability to meet your own needs independently, especially during crisis situations.

In normal times, these two states can look similar. But during a disaster, the gap between them becomes a chasm.

A Simple Scenario: Flashlight or Emergency?

Say you realize your flashlight is dead while looking for something under the fridge. If it’s not urgent, you might wait until your next trip to the store. That’s not a big deal.

But now imagine you dropped a pill, and you're unsure whether your dog ate it. You need light—now. Waiting could cost you hundreds in emergency vet bills, or worse. Suddenly, a working flashlight becomes a form of preparedness that could save a life.

This is how small acts of readiness create real-world outcomes.

Modern Disasters Expose the Fault Line in Emergency Preparedness

Flood aftermath with a destroyed brown truck and debris in muddy water. Uprooted trees and scattered objects in the background under a gray sky.

From the devastating floods in Texas to wildfires in California and hurricanes on the East Coast, one lesson is clear: those who are dependent suffer more—both during and after the event.

Many people rely solely on weather apps or news stations for alerts, which are often late, incomplete, or ignored. Weather forecasts may show sunshine, while floods build miles upstream. Without situational awareness or preparedness, you could have seconds to react—and that’s not enough.

In Texas, security footage showed floodwaters sweeping away homes and vehicles within minutes of a seemingly clear day. That’s the cost of depending on reactive systems.

Our Local Risk: A Cascadia Subduction Zone Earthquake

The Pacific Northwest is overdue for a massive earthquake—a 9.0 to 9.5 magnitude event along the Cascadia Subduction Zone. When it hits, it will rival or surpass the strength of the 2011 Japan earthquake that caused the Fukushima meltdown.

Here’s what to expect:

A large road collapse with reddish muddy water below. Two people stand near a barricade on the intact section. Forested background.

Complete power grid failure
Roads and bridges collapsing
Widespread communication outages
Delays in emergency services (if they’re available at all)
Tsunami threats to the coastline
Weeks to months without access to food, water, or fuel

FEMA estimates it could take up to 6 months to restore critical services to rural areas. Even urban centers may be cut off for weeks.

If your survival plan depends on “calling for help,” you don’t have a plan.

The Supply Chain Reality: Food, Water, and Fuel Won’t Last

Let’s talk logistics. Most grocery stores operate on a “Just-In-Time” inventory system. There’s no back room full of extra food—what’s on the shelf is what they have. Once the trucks stop coming, shelves go empty in less than 72 hours.

We saw it during COVID—empty shelves for toilet paper, meat, and essentials—even when infrastructure was still working. Now imagine that, but with no power, no fuel, no backup, and no timeframe for recovery.

Water: If your home uses a non-artesian well, no power means no water. City water systems also fail if their pumps lose power or infrastructure is damaged.
Medical Care: Hospitals and clinics will be overwhelmed. Even minor injuries can become life-threatening without basic supplies and knowledge.

Dependency Can Be Deadly. Preparedness Saves Lives.

Preparedness doesn’t mean panic. It means thinking ahead. It means:

Stocking extra food and water
Knowing how to filter water or cook without power
Building a first aid kit—and learning how to use it
Having communication tools when the grid is down
Planning evacuation routes and family meet-up points

Prepared individuals don’t just survive—they help others, restore order, and rebuild faster.

Final Thought: The Time to Prepare is Now

If you live in the Pacific Northwest—or anywhere vulnerable to disaster—don’t wait for the government or an app to save you. Take control of your future today.

Preparedness starts small: