One of the first things people notice when they get out of the city and into the middle of nowhere is the lack of sound. There’s still the sound of crickets, locusts, and the wind mind you, but there’s not even a hint of cars, trains, trucks, or other people to ruin the stillness and quiet of a night in the woods.
While this is great for a weekend getaway to recoup and relax, it’s a very real and dangerous obstacle to overcome when in a survival situation. In a grid-down environment there won’t be electrical signals to make noise, no power to run the trains, and roads will most likely be too clogged with cars for any to be worth using. This means that anyone looking for someone with a generator or other working machinery becomes a lot easier, as all they have to do is follow the sound. Don’t believe this is such a big deal? Wait until there’s a power outage in your neighborhood and go stand on the porch. What do you hear? How hard is it for you to pinpoint sounds in the distance? When the inevitable generator kicks on, you’ll notice how piercing the sound is in the quiet of no power.
Noise Discipline
Noise discipline is paying attention to the sounds your actions make and trying to be as quiet as possible so any potential enemies don’t know where you are or what you have with you. In the military this is useful for being stuck behind enemy lines, but for a prepper this is important for bug-out situations and even bug-in situations.
In a bug-out situation you would want to hide from just about every person you see, as you’re most likely not prepared to deal with any major issues that could arise from meeting the wrong person. In a bug-in situation however, you would want to focus on hiding the sound of major machinery and repetitive actions like a grain mill or generator.
Tips for Practicing Noise Discipline
There are two major situations that noise discipline must be followed, and each is very unique. If you’re staying in at your house it doesn’t make much sense to walk quietly, just like it doesn’t make sense to worry about generator noise when you’re on a hike.
Hand Signals
When you’re in a situation where sound is your enemy, hand signals are the best way to communicate with others around you. Check out this site for some great information on hand signals and what each mean. Practice them with your friends and family so everyone is on the same page.
Bug-Out or Hiking Situations
Unnecessary Movement – Walking and shelter building are big noise makers, so pay attention to these when moving through the woods. Tapping your foot or absent-mindedly hitting a tree with a stick while you think are great ways to give away your position. Along with avoiding unnecessary noise, this can save energy, too.
Check Your Pack – Make sure your pack has everything nice and secure on it. That means no cup dangling from one side and your mess kit needs to be silent no matter how much your pack is jostled. The less noise you make when you walk the better.
Radio Silence – In a grid-down situation, short-wave radios and walkie-talkies are the only way most people will be able to talk, so it’s a pretty safe bet that you’ll have at least one of these. Make sure they’re off until needed. This will save battery power as well as keep them from squawking at an inopportune time.
Bug-In and Settlement Situations
Arguments – Slamming doors and yelling/loud talking are signs to anyone passing by that your house is occupied, and that there may be trouble. If someone is waiting for a good time to attack and liberate some of your supplies, during the middle of a fight would be a perfect time. Disagreements will come up, especially in stressful survival situations, but make sure you keep them quiet and short.
Electronics – When there’s no power, even a CD player can be a welcome escape from the harsh reality of survival, but don’t play music or other electronics too loud, lest you attract unwanted attention from those around you that didn’t plan as well. The same goes for generators. If you have one, try burying it or building around it to mask the sound to a degree.
Everything Else
Nighttime – Everything seems louder at night. Maybe it’s because there’s less going on at night, or maybe it’s because our sense are heightened when it gets dark. Whatever the case, all the sounds listed above will seem twice as loud at night, so avoid running generators and other sound-producing items when it gets dark.
Mechanical Items – Tools like grain mills are great, but can make a certain amount of noise when run, so make sure you only run them when there’s other noises and only do so inside a house or other building to mask the sound. Hearing that device might make someone wish they had one just like it, and do something about it.