Why This Skill Matters in an Emergency or Survival Situation
In post-disaster scenarios, resources such as food, water, and medical supplies can become scarce. Creating a diseased appearance can serve as a survival tactic to avoid unwanted attention or conflict over these limited resources. By making yourself appear too ill to be a threat or a competitor for resources, you can reduce the likelihood of being targeted by others who might see you as a competitor for survival.
What You Need
- A variety of makeup products (green, yellow, red, black)
- Cotton balls
- Bandages
- Fake blood or makeup in a dark red color
- A rag or torn clothing
- A pair of gloves
- A mask or scarf
- Knowledge of basic first aid and anatomy
Step-by-Step Instructions or Key Techniques
- Face Makeup: Apply green or yellow makeup around the eyes and mouth to simulate jaundice or a skin infection. Use red makeup to create the appearance of sores or rashes. Ensure the makeup is thick enough to be noticeable from a distance but not so thick that it looks unnatural.
- Bandaging: Use cotton balls and bandages to create the appearance of wounds. Place cotton balls under the bandages to make them appear swollen. Secure the bandages with tape.
- Blood: Apply fake blood to the bandages and around the eyes and mouth to simulate recent bleeding or ongoing infection. Use a rag or torn clothing to create the appearance of a wound that has been recently treated.
- Clothing: Wear torn or dirty clothing to further the appearance of neglect and illness. Avoid wearing anything that looks clean or well-maintained.
- Accessories: Wear gloves and a mask or scarf to cover your hands and face. This can help prevent others from seeing your eyes or mouth, which might give away your disguise.
Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
- Overdoing It: While it’s important to make yourself appear sick, overdoing it can make you look like a zombie or someone with a highly contagious disease. This could lead to others avoiding you out of fear rather than pity.
- Not Being Believable: Your disguise should be believable enough to make others think twice before approaching you. Use makeup and props that mimic real symptoms of illness.
- Ignoring Hygiene: While you want to appear sick, maintaining basic hygiene is crucial. Do not neglect washing your hands or face, as this can give away your disguise.
Variations, Tips, or Related Techniques Worth Knowing
- Symptom Simulation: Simulate symptoms of common illnesses such as flu, fever, or skin infections. This can make your disguise more convincing.
- Behavioral Cues: Mimic the behavior of someone who is sick. This might include coughing, sneezing, or appearing weak and lethargic.
- Use of Props: Carry props that might indicate you are receiving medical treatment, such as empty medicine bottles or a first aid kit.
TLDR
Creating a diseased appearance can be a survival tactic in post-disaster scenarios to avoid conflict over scarce resources. Use makeup, props, and behavior to simulate illness convincingly. Avoid overdoing it or neglecting hygiene. This technique can help you avoid unwanted attention and competition for survival essentials.