Bullets are made of lead, usually.

Lead is toxic.

There may be no surgically-immediate reason to remove the bullet when stitching up except that they will suffer from lead poisoning if you don't, and it will never be easier to remove the bullet than when the wound is fresh and you're already in there with whatever surgical ("surgical?") equipment you've got.

Hello Akto,

Was artillery fire was pressing threat to you or your countrymen? What were the threats that affect your morality? Were there any attempts to displace you?

I have heard somewhere that bullets are typically completely sterile due to the heat on firing. I have no clue to the truthfulness or whether it is best not to remove it/remove it depending on situation.

Are you talking about the siege of Sarajevo here? How old were you? Thanks for sharing. Most of us living in relative safety don't realise how quickly things can turn to shit.

Pao's idea of a safe space? A pre-school for adults.

Atko's idea of a "safe space"? A goddamn sandbag.

Damn, that's some really good info, thanks Atko.

But don't stock up on tetracycline antibiotics (they turn into poison over time)

I've been wanting to get into amuater radio for a couple years now, and have a few cb's that I use regulary. I think I'll be ordering the book and tkijg some tests now.

Thanks

Curiousity kills. When you hear an explosion, do not go out to investigate

This line probably just saved me if I ever would end up in a war. I am way too curious for my own good as it is, and I most certainly will have a real hard time keeping myself from constantly checking out what's going on.

Many thanks for sharing your experience with us.

Here in America I don't think very few people ever think about the real impact of a full on shooting war happening on your own turf. We've been so far removed as a citizenry from the conflicts that our government participates in that its easy to forget how brutal things really are on the ground for even non-combatants.

There's so much here that I never would have thought of. I'm thankful for people like you who take this kind of terrible experience and find a way to use it to potentially help others. I hope none of us reading this ever need the information, but I appreciate you taking the time to share.

whoa.

being a meatbag can be awesome..... but holy shit,

being a meatbag can be a mad dash for survival against a horde.

cheers, atko! keep the honey flowing out the voat-pot!

A provoking and thoughtful post, Atko! Thanks for contributing your knowledge and experience. Hopefully none of us will have to rely on your insights.

It can, but looting is not a civil war. I suspect dependents will not fight a government that cannot meet its obligations. They may fight law enforcement, but national governments can work against law enforcement.

Every revolution? I'd say the "March Revolution" of 1848 was more about freedom of the press. The Iranian Revolution happened in a period of prosperity.

Ohh, that's a really interesting read.

If you don't mind me asking, What and where did you study for college/university?

The advice that I liked most was dark canisters or receptacles for water.

Wow this is incredible. Atko is the Greatest of All Time.

All he said was basic prepper knowledge. This is nothing earth shattering.

where were u in a war

securing large quantities of lead will help you out in the long run, once people are out of ammo there gun are useless. lead will be worth more than gold.

Here's a tale from a Bosnian who had to survive during the war. Definitely a good read: https://sli.mg/Y8ebS5

And remember... Bottle Caps.

What country were you in and what are the details on the war? Also someone said that you are Muslim? Do you practice Islam or were you raised practicing Islam?

Wow, thank you Atko.
I sure hope that it doesn't come to this where I live but the world is on fire and is stupid to take anything for granted these days. Things can change fast!

I'd love to read more stuff from you!

Damn Atko, I'm glad you survived.

My condolences, can't imagine I'd survive if I were in your shoes. Better chance now, thanks to your advice.

Thank you for sharing. I'm sure that wasn't easy. This information will help someone, somewhere, when they need it most, remembering that nugget of information they read years ago in an online forum. For me, I am storing away the vegetable oil advice for later use.

I know this isn't an AMA, but can you comment on the "it can't happen here" mentality? Before the war Sarajevo appeared to be a world-class, multi-cultural, modern city on rise after the collapse of the Soviet Union. Was this an incorrect perception and the inevitable was obvious to anyone, or was this a surprise?

I appreciate your words and thoughts, Atko. I really hadn't thought you'd seriously dive into your personal experiences with this sort of thing, so to see you take such a no-nonsense subject that is obviously very personal and try to give everyone a glimpse - that's above and beyond, truly and honestly.

As you said yourself, may we never have to use these pieces of advice. May bright days come for all of us - but if the clouds roll in, I'll appreciate the advice even more.

Thank you, again.

So sorry you had to experience this. Thank you for sharing your advice, I hope there will be no need for it's use.

Thank you for the information. I hope it will never have to be used, but still it's worth to know. I'm sorry you had to go through this experience during your life. I know war only from the stories of my grandparents. Still it wasn't far from Poland to Serbia, an as a kid I remember the information in the media, about the fights in former Yugoslavia. I didn't understand much back then and didn't think that there were people my age whose childhood was completely destroyed.

I believe that we have two or three years before our collapse and racial civil war hits full swing.

You dream we are no where near close. I can tell you are young and do not know US history.

Consider the following the closest the US came to a civil war or collapse post civil war was in the late '60s early '70s. Back then there where multiple multi day riot in cities, that actually resulted in death counts and gun battles between the population and LEO's and national guard troops. The national guard was called out several times for civil unrest that lasted days. Some state Governor's directly challenged the authority of the federal government. There where regular political assassinations and bombings on the political left and the political right. Back then there was periods of time that there where price and wage controls used. Along with limited issues of rationing applies to goods.

Finally the clearest evidence we are no where close to collapse. Back in the '60s things got so tense at one point the White House was ringed by large passenger busses used as improvised barricades and national guard troops ringed the White House. Based on the fear of a particularly politically charged march that would result in the storming of the White House by citizens.

The present condition are nothing like the late '60s or early '70s in America nor like the conditions in late '80s USSR.

America is nowhere close to such a calamity as you envision. Basically learn more.

Now that you mention it, it really does sound like the Soviet Union. I wonder how long the US has? I know there are already several groups over there agitating for balkanization.

What's your take on this democrat convention where the democrats are having anti-police speakers and angering the police?

Someone needs to write a book.

"Atko: The King of Goats"

What are the warning signs?

Did you go to Sweden during the war or after?

Thanks for the interesting post. I'm glad you made it through all those years of crap in one piece, man.

Was there a resistance movement, and if so did they try communicating with the general public?

Any other advice for having 2 small children that might not be obvious?

Is it safer to not be armed as a civilian, because you'll be seen as a soldier? Was crime a problem?

Thank you for the information Atko, although I'm sorry you came about this knowledge first-hand.

There are several things I had not thought of in your list. I'm not a prepper, but in today's world...

Jesus Atko! This reads like the game This War Of Mine, I think it's called, but way less fun.

That's some solid advice Atko.

Saving this in hopes of never needing it.

I remember you talking briefly about your experience during the Serbian conflict previously. But it's hard for me to even imagine such a hellish and demoralizing atmosphere that you've been through.

God speed, king of the Goats.