About the Author
I’m Sebastian, the founder of OffGridSurvivor. For more than 25 years, my career in the military and law enforcement has put me in situations where preparation, practical skills and clear decisions really matter. Those experiences have shaped the way I look at preparedness today.
Experiences That Shaped My Perspective
I served in the Royal Netherlands Marine Corps for more than 12 years, including deployments abroad such as Afghanistan. I also trained and worked as a Combat Lifesaver. These experiences taught me a lot about what preparation actually means when things suddenly become very different from what you expected. It is one thing to know something in theory. It is another thing to actually have to use that knowledge when the situation is stressful, time is limited and things don't go according to plan.
Today, I draw on more than 14 years of experience as a police officer, a role I continue today. Among other responsibilities, I serve as a commander within the Dutch Police Mobile Unit, a specialized police unit responsible for public order and large-scale incidents, and have developed several digital specializations.
My background has given me a broad range of practical experience and skills, from emergency care and mechanics to working with vehicles and equipment. But perhaps more importantly, it has taught me to think about preparation in a practical way. What do you actually need? What can you realistically do yourself? And what happens when the things you normally depend on are suddenly no longer available?
Why I Created OffGridSurvivor
After all those years, my view on preparedness has become pretty simple. You can never know exactly what is going to happen. But you can make sure you are not completely unprepared when something does. For some people, preparedness might mean being able to deal with a power outage or a disruption in everyday services. For others, it might mean preparing for much more serious or long-term situations. I believe there is value in both. You don't have to prepare for everything. And you don't need a garage full of equipment to get started. What matters is understanding the basics, developing useful skills and having a plan for when the systems and services we normally rely on are suddenly unavailable.
That is why I created OffGridSurvivor.
I wanted to take what I have learned over the years and turn it into something practical. Something people can actually use, without needing to be an expert themselves. Preparedness doesn't have to be complicated. But I know that for some people it can feel difficult or even overwhelming. There is a lot of information out there, and it is not always easy to know where to start.
I hope OffGridSurvivor can make that a little easier.
A little preparation can make a big difference when you need it most.
Sebastian