#122 | Blackout and the moment of truth

"A blackout is supraregional—and no outside help can be expected."

Many people consider blackouts to be apocalyptic scenarios—but how realistic is it that we will have to cope without electricity for days on end? And what happens when supermarkets, water pipes, cell phone networks, and heating systems suddenly stop working? Do we now have to become preppers, or are a few measures enough? Internationally sought-after blackout and crisis preparedness expert Herbert Saurugg sheds light on the situation.

"Preparedness is like insurance – in the hope that you will never need it."

In conversation with Georgiy Michailov, he explains why the power outage in Spain was a warning sign – and why our high-tech society is particularly vulnerable. Saurugg calls for a new culture of safety: less alarmism, more objectivity – and, above all, clear personal responsibility for each individual. How can companies prepare without panicking? What simple measures are often enough? How likely are blackouts in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland really? And why is it community, not money, that helps in such moments?

*Video only in German