Prepper 101 – The Essentials of Survival Prepping

While food storage is an important component of survival prepping, it should not be the only focus. Many people focus solely on food while completely neglecting the need to store water and other essential items. In a survival situation, power will most likely be spotty and you will want to store dry food over food that needs refrigeration. Besides, storing water is easier than preserving food in a can. You should also have a gun and learn how to use it for self-defense.

Learning how to grow your own food will challenge you, but once you become a master gardener, you will realize that growing food is a lifelong pursuit. You will learn how to identify common backyard plants and cultivate them in your backyard. Dealing with human waste and trash will become a part-time occupation. When your safety is threatened, you will realize just how strong you are. Many former strong people will turn to drugs, alcohol, or even suicide. When you are forced to rely on yourself and your family, nurturing close family ties becomes more important than anything else. Survival will be much easier for you and your family than if you’re caught up in the whirlwind.

There are plenty of other resources online for information on survival. For example, the blog More Than Just Surviving, by Thomas and Elise Xavier, is a great resource for survival advice. It also features reviews of survival gear. Modern Survival Online features a wealth of survival insight and tips on alternative power, homesteading, and farming. Similarly, Jane, a mom of three, blogs at Mom With a Prep, a blog where she shares her journey to living a more prepared life.

In the past, many prepper groups leaned toward a Lone Wolf mentality, assuming they’d be alone in the wilderness if a disaster struck. This view was based on research, however, and the results of depressions showed that people who lived in small communities and were protected far better than those who lived alone. Moreover, don’t make your prepping plans public – don’t post them on social media, hide them from view, and don’t paint yourself a target!

As you develop your survival skills, you’ll also learn how to build emergency kits such as bug out bags and get home bags. Survivalist.com features contributions from military pilots and emergency services experts who share their knowledge about survival. The site also features articles written by former White House advisors, US DOD employees, and major nonprofit organizations. Some of these experts also serve as shelter administrators and field medics in major disasters. You’ll need to develop an understanding of these topics before attempting them on your own.

Meat is an essential part of a balanced diet. Because of its long shelf life, it’s a good treat during a survival scenario. Also, oatmeal is a classic American food, as it’s low in saturated fat and high in fiber. However, prepare oatmeal with higher amounts of water. If you’re not planning to live on meat, consider oatmeal as a better choice. These foods are low in calories, and are good for your health.

There are plenty of books on survival preparation, including those by the authors of these websites. The American Preppers Network, a podcast, and a free online library are good resources. For example, the website of the American Preppers Network features several articles on food storage and defense training. There’s also Off Grid Survival, a website run by David and Chet Womach. In addition to these two websites, Prepper Survival Homestead is a comprehensive resource on emergency preparedness, food storage, and survival products.

As a general rule, stocking fire-making materials is a must for survival preppers in colder climates. Anything below 70 degrees Fahrenheit is cold to humans. Those who live in temperate climates, however, may want to stockpile a survival gas mask. But this is far from the most likely scenario. Most survival scenarios do not require breathable air or contaminated water. Therefore, you should focus on the other two: shelter and breathable air.

While the basic components of survival prep are vital, there are a few more items you must have as well. Waterproof matches, fire starters, and toilet paper tubes with lint are just a few of the essential items to keep on hand. Additionally, make sure to have a copy of all your important documents in a “docs box.” And, as always, common sense will come in handy. You’ll be glad you did.