So, what is a prepper? It could be someone who stores up a ridiculous amount of food, water, and ammo. Someone who builds a secret underground bunker where they can hide for the next 50 years if need be. Or it could be the little old lady that saves all the coupons until the day before they expire and shows up at the store to redeem them. A prepper could be anyone who plans and prepares for something. But let’s face it, the term “prepper” has taken on its own meaning. And there are not many people in the middle. They prep or they don’t.
A prepper is often viewed as someone with extreme views. I was talking to someone at work not long ago and mentioned having some water stored in our basement. Our water company had just issued a boil order. When I said it didn’t bother me because we had water in storage, she said, “Oh, you’re one of those preppers.” She didn’t say it with admiration either. It was more of an accusation. As she walked away, I wanted to say, “Go boil your water and I’ll go drink my non-contaminated water,” but I didn’t. I did, however, find it odd that someone thought I was the weirdo for having some extra water at home.
Why do people prep?
For those of us that have been labeled a prepper, we think it’s perfectly normal to have some items on standby for emergencies. Some people take it further than others. How much you prep may also depend on resources, time, and motivation. But we all see the obvious reality looming out there like a storm cloud. If something happens and we lose public resources, we still need to survive. What if a large area was without water completely? Are you going to rely on the government to get water to you in time? They can’t even balance a budget, so I don’t think I would rely on them for the necessities of life.
Anything we do should be done in moderation. So selling everything you own and running off into the woods with a pocketknife and fanny pack is probably too extreme. But if you can afford to stop at Taco Bell before heading to the movies, you can afford a few bottles of water and some food for the garage. Stocking up little by little makes you ready if things ever go bad. Basic items like food and water can disappear faster than most people realize. Any number of events could change everyday life into an issue of survival overnight.
What should we be ready for?
The thing about the unknown is that it’s unknown. We can try and predict what could happen or what the most likely outcome of an event is. But in the end, the world is an unpredictable place and all we can do is prepare the best we can. The most common events we need to be ready for are natural disasters. You may live down tornado lane, at the home of hurricanes, or in earthquake alley. Floods, fires, and snow can devastate communities. Most of the time, the life-saving supplies that must be brought in are necessities like food, water, and medical supplies.
In today’s world people just don’t feel the need to be ready for anything. They expect Mcdonald’s to be open every day so they can eat, and they think water will always come out of the faucet when they turn it on. But we should be ready for anything. Besides natural disasters, there is civil unrest, mass panic, and finally war. We hope these things will never come to our door, but anyone who says they are not possible is either lying or extremely naïve.
What preparations should we make?
Again, there is no exact way to be ready. The items you stock up on will vary depending on where you live. But everyone should at least have some basic supplies that include food, water, a first aid kit, toiletries, and more. And this isn’t just the recommendation of a prepper, the US Government recommends these items and more. If you haven’t been to Ready.gov you should check it out. They tell you how to build an emergency kit and keep it up to date. I guess calling it an emergency kit under an approved emergency preparedness plan doesn’t make you a prepper. So, if the prepper title bothers you, make an emergency kit.
I like to have items to survive at home and have a way to carry those items should we need to leave. Having plenty of backpacks, buckets, and totes is a good idea. Canned foods are good for long-term storage; water, medical supplies, batteries, and flashlights are all basic things you should have. If you want to be labeled a prepper, buy some iodine tablets, extra magazines, and ammo. A gas mask isn’t bad to have around, and a family-size water filter is priceless for long-term events.
And don’t forget …
If you lose power, your phone may not work anymore. If it’s for an extended time, having a medical book and some other how-to books are handy. Even some magazines to read will help pass the time. An interesting project is to take a few receipts from a store you shop at regularly. Look through them and highlight the items you could use in emergencies and leave the ones off that are not important when things go bad. A lot of my receipts were full of non-essential items that didn’t really matter in the big picture. It also helped me see what items I buy regularly that I may want to stock up on—extra toothpaste, soap, pens and paper, matches, and candles.
Will you be a prepper?
If you start making lists and try to buy everything on the list, you will run out of money and storage space. Preppers like to make lists for every scenario under the sun. You don’t have to be extreme about it, but don’t ignore it either. Get some ideas, review what items you use on a normal basis, and plan in advance. Buy a little at a time so you don’t go bankrupt planning for something that may or may not ever happen. It never hurts to have some extra ammo, mags, mag holders, or tactical gear for your weapons. If you stock up on too much water, drink it! If you’re smart about it, you won’t waste any of your money.
Just remember, if you stock up on too many supplies, they may call you a prepper.
