I couldnt disagree more with Nursemike

Control is not an illusion. It is a necessity. Planning for survival is part of being human. Abandoning myself to fate just isnt in my nature, I suppose. The utility of preparing has been proven to me again and again.The fact I am still alive is no illusion.

The minimum unit of survival in a catastrophic event is the individual. WHat happens when the people you were going to survive with are killed or severely injured during the hypothetical catastrophe? What if YOU are injured and cannot get to the rendezvous point? Yes, it is nice to have company but not at the expense of ignoring the basic premise: you and yours must survive.