Last Updated on October 10, 2024 by Alice Benny
Prepping for survival, if you want to help your family, you need to learn to be prepared for survival. Make it your way of life so you are ready for Mother Nature and society.
An example would be the worldwide outbreak that is disrupting the global supply chain. It is not a mindset you get into when you hear about a storm or hurricane coming, it is a mindset that keeps you alert and prepared 24/7/365! This means you are prepared every day, of every month of every year. That is what it takes to be ready for anything. These skills are also good for off-grid living.
Prepping For Survival
Being ready for survival is not just about hoarding bottles of water and canned food. You need to be ready to protect your family. When disaster strikes, it will come from all corners, through the front door, through the window. You need to be ready to defend your loved ones.
Where to start Prepping
Supply readiness is the best way to start prepping. It is also easy as you only have to buy food from your local shops every other week. Purchase extra items whenever you go out to buy anything and store them in a cool dry place. Don’t keep them with the items you use every day. Keep them separately, for instance in your basement. But make sure they are off the floor.
Getting ready to get ready
Build shelves in your basement to keep the extra items safe from flooding. Buy extra water, if you usually buy one case, get two.
If you buy a packet of pasta, buy two or more. Store them on the shelves you made in your basement. How to Store Food Long Term
Whatever you buy, make a list with the date of purchase and keep the note on the same shelf. This will help if something is near expiry, you can use it and replace with new. If the item is non-perishable then you need not include them.
Learn basic hand-to-hand combat skills. You never know when someone tries to steal from you or hurt your family.
Perhaps you will take a class to learn to use security tools, everything from how to keep them safe to keeping them clean and in good condition.
Some will want to learn to hunt and cook wild game. This can come in handy when faced with a serious disaster situation.
Running out of stored food will mean you will have to hunt for food. Best Food Dehydrators
Document everything you learn on paper.
Make a photocopy and keep it separate from the original.
Disaster backpack ready with basic tools
- LIFESAVER Systems 4000 Ultra Filtration Water Bottle
- Batteries
- Duct Tape
- Emergency lighting — this could be a collapsible solar lantern or rechargeable flashlight
- Emergency weather radio
- Survival Knife – Learn what to look for in a knife.
- First Aid Kit
Having all these items will give you peace of mind knowing that you are ready in case of emergency or for a power outage.
Anyone who has faced a natural disaster or social unrest situation can tell you how being prepared can make such experiences so much easier to bear.
Emergency Reusable Sleeping Bag – Tact Bivvy: Ensure you will stay warm and dry with this sleeping bag liner you can use in emergencies. It’s designed to keep the body at 98.6 degrees. It’s waterproof and windproof.
When disaster strikes, things vanish from the shelves within hours and if you were among the smart ones then you did what every survivalist does, you didn’t wait until it was too late.
Prepping Survival: You prepared your mind and body for survival and planned ahead.
Must-have supplies
You need to protect yourself, secure your home, and prepare to stay put for days or weeks without the convenience of electricity.
Being prepared for a natural disaster will give you something priceless: peace of mind.
Start now with these supplies and products.
You will be ready no matter when something occurs.
Surviving in your home without power
In addition to your go bag, you should have some supplies stocked up to survive waiting out the storm at home during a blackout.
You should keep the following survival items on hand:
- First aid kit
- Flashlight and emergency lighting
- Portable charger for your smart phone: Once a luxury, these are now almost essential.
- Battery-operated or hand crank radio Many models are solar too.
- Manual can opener
- Lighter or matches
- Best portable generator: This is a great-to-have option.
When you buy a portable generator, you can use it at home or take it with you should you need to evacuate.
Plan for a five-day supply for each member of the family for these emergency supplies:
- Non-perishable food
- Water and remember to purchase a water filter
- Personal hygiene items
- Wet wipes
- Batteries
And, if they apply to you:
- Baby supplies (i.e. diapers, formula)
- Pet food
Additionally, books, a deck of cards, or other non-electronic recreational items will help you stay sane and avoid cabin fever. This will be especially important if you have children.
How to prepare for an emergency
There are several things you should do when you learn about an upcoming power outage. A power outage could mean that you may not have running water in addition to power. For this reason, fill up the bathtub and other containers with water while you still have it running.
This can be used for washing and flushing and can make a big difference in the comfort of your survival.
Cook your perishable food and while you still have power and freeze it.
That way, you’ll have the option of eating it as it thaws if the freezer goes out. You can also repurpose some common appliances during a power outage:
Washing Machine
Since it already has a built-in drain, you can use your washing machine as a cooler by filling it with ice or frozen water bottles.
Dishwasher
Store things you need to keep dry, such as important documents, photographs, or a stack of extra cash, in the dishwasher. It is sealed off extremely well and will stand up to the pressure of external water. For extra measure, it’s a good idea to seal off whatever you put in the dishwasher in a freezer bag.
Securing your home
Of course, at the first mention of an approaching situation developing, you should start securing your home.
Doors and windows
It is important to secure them as much as possible. The best defense is from storm or security shutters which are installed permanently and can be easily rolled down to protect all vulnerable doors and windows.
To properly secure a window without shutters, you’ll need to gather plywood that is at least 5/8 inches thick and 8 inches larger than the window or door frame on each side.
Anchor the plywood with heavy-duty screws to the walls of the home, not to the window frame or door frame. This option is effective and inexpensive. If you have the supplies on hand before the hardware store sells out, you’ll save yourself a lot of stress.
Garage door
You’ll also need to reinforce your garage door, which can be particularly vulnerable. If you live in a hurricane-prone area, you should definitely make sure that your garage door is at least 14-gauge weight and is securely mounted.
Additionally, you can strengthen your garage door with both vertical and horizontal 2 by 4 boards.
Anchor these to the walls surrounding the garage door with heavy duty screws.
Preparing for a disruptions and shortages is much easier to do when you don’t have the pressure of an imminent threat.
Keeping supplies like these around can be a game changer in both your comfort and your survival.
Want more preparation tips?
Check out our article on preparing for a food crisis next.
It’s a good idea to always have a well-stocked supplies stash so that you’ll be ready to weather the storm.
Make Prepping Your Way of Life to Be Prepared
Keep the packing light and restricted to essentials.
Consider a way to cook food — look into rocket stoves — and to purify water.
A must is to always carry some primary first aid and basic medicines as you really don’t know what will be available in the place you are heading out too.
Carrying insect repellents is also necessary is you are planning to camp rather than staying in a motel or hotel.
Lastly, while planning a on the road adventure the journey is as important as the destination.
So make sure there are enough people to take turns at the wheel so everyone has an equally enjoyable experience.
So what are you waiting for…Get Set Go PREPPING!
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