Scenario #11
THE BOATING ACCIDENT
Total Physical Loss
The waves crash against the small boat as the storm intensifies without warning. A massive swell hits the port side, sending you and your belongings tumbling. You manage to stay aboard, but watch in horror as your backpack containing your electronics plunges into the dark waters.
PHYSICAL LOSS STATUS: COMPLETE
You've made it safely to shore after the unexpected storm. Soaking wet and shaken, you take inventory of what you've lost:
- Your smartphone is gone, sunk to the bottom of the lake
- Your hardware wallet was in your backpack
- Your laptop is water-damaged beyond repair
- Your backup drive is missing, likely washed away
- Your physical wallet with ID cards is waterlogged
- Your notebook with various codes and passwords is now illegible
You're hours from home with no electronic devices, no physical access tools, and limited identification.
Your Situation
Standing on the shore, you assess your cryptocurrency security situation:
- All physical devices containing wallet software are destroyed or lost
- Your hardware wallet is now somewhere at the bottom of the lake
- Any paper records you were carrying are ruined by water damage
- You have no immediate access to your 2FA devices
- You're in a remote location with limited connectivity
- You recall the crypto community joke about "boating accidents" – except yours is real
Immediate Assessment
Recovery Challenge: Complete Physical Loss
- What recovery systems did you implement that don't rely on the lost devices?
- How much critical information had you memorized?
- What remote backups can you access without your usual authentication devices?
- Who could assist you with emergency access protocols?
- How quickly can you reestablish your security perimeter?
Complications
As you begin your recovery process:
- The nearest town has limited technological resources
- You have only the clothes on your back and what's in your pockets
- Your phone contacts are inaccessible without your device
- You notice unusual price movements in the market requiring potential action
- You had scheduled transactions that might execute automatically
- You need to prove your identity without standard documentation
Your Mission
Recover access to your cryptocurrency holdings after the complete physical loss of all your devices and access tools. You must rebuild your access infrastructure while maintaining security and preventing unauthorized access during your vulnerable recovery period.
How will you regain control of your digital assets when all physical components are gone?
You stand dripping wet in a small-town convenience store. The clerk looks at you skeptically as you ask to use their phone. "Just need to make one call," you explain. "It's an emergency."
RECOVERY TIMELINE: Critical Initial Phase
What is your first step in the recovery process, and what systems did you put in place for this exact scenario?