Things have been pretty quiet lately regarding doomsday or potential SHTF events. With the election looming mainstream coverage seems to be down-playing Armageddon. Is it time to rest and relax on the preps?
I prefer a slow and steady, almost methodical, approach to prepping. In other words, good or bad news, I steadily prep. This is advantageous because:
- It allows you to use monthly budgeted amounts for prepping as opposed to large cash outlays (which our spouses may or may not like);
- It allows you to make a long-term plan for your needed preps based on your current situation and then accumulate them in an organized manner as opposed to haphazard purchases;
- You don’t get caught up in panic buying when prices spike thanks to the latest headlines;
- You should be ready (or close) when a sudden SHTF event occurs (earthquake, tsunami, terrorist attack, etc.) and
- It helps you automatically rotate stock or acquire fresh stock so you don’t have expired or soured preps.
Some standard set and forget preps are found below. All of the items listed below are also EXCELLENT barter items. I like www.amazon.com and their subscription services for these:
- Bandages. So critical. Try having a small cut on your hand and working the day without one. Your healing time increases exponentially.
- Antibiotic Ointment. When used in conjunction with bandages, you reduce your risk for infection and cut healing times down.
- Peanut Butter. Excellent source of calories and protein. Also very portable. Kids and adults love it the same. This is a great deal btw.
- Water Bottles. No real need to elaborate on this. Portable and potable water may be gold when SHTF. (sorry, no subscription for this one)
- Beef Jerky. Long shelf life, portable and another great source of protein.
- Toothbrushes. With no dentists around, dental care via preventive measures is key.
- Pain Relief – Ibuprofen. I like the generics since they are way cheaper but some people just love the sugary coating on Advil. Don’t forget Children’s Pain Relief too!
- Freeze Dried Food Stores. Food will be the currency. You can NEVER have too much.
- Batteries. You can’t have too many of these. I have been using the amazon.com brand for a while now and like them based on their price. Of course, if you are real prepper pro you get eneloops.
This list is not exhaustive but a good start.
PREP NOW – PREP HARD – PREP CONSISTENT
-SP
Posted on September 5, 2012 by
in bird flu, Prepper, Preppers, Prepping, SHTF, Suburban Survival, Zombies
12 Comments
needing to buy anything in a “panic”, is a preparedness failure. (but I’ve still done it) put it behind yourself, and prepare deliberately to the extent you can. if you are a newbie prepper there are a few things that you need to have, today. after that do whatever you can to not panic.
today you need a tarp, or enough heavy plastic, to create for yourself/family, a dry place to sleep tonight. if you already have a family sized tent, even better. today you need to have a mylar “blanket” for each family member. today you need a decent first aid kit. today you need a fire extinguisher. today you need a working smoke detector in your house. if you have these things, plus a few bottles of drinking water, you have what you need for now.
next you can get some food. then you can begin water storage. as soon as you can do it, get a synthetic filled sleeping bag for each member of your family. just having these items places you miles ahead of non preppers.
if the money is still burning holes in your pocket, and you want to throw it in the direction of preparedness, buy yourself a large cheap “stock pot”.
why? water supplies are often polluted during disasters. boiling will kill the microorganisms in water that would make you sick. in case there’s a chance your stove won’t operate without the “power grid”, then it would be an excellent idea to get a camping stove at the same time.
…suddenly i think i need to buy myself a “turkey fryer”.
oh yeh, I almost forgot: WOOL socks, for every body. and TYVEK would be even better than the heavy plastic. a home made TYVEK “bivvy” for each family member is lots of shelter for the money.
…so many uses for this stuff. ground cloth. bivvy. tarp.
another excellent preparedness material is closed cell foam: kneeling pads, a seat cushion, and sleeping mats.
edit “things you need to have today” to include: a working flashlight.
candle light is pretty, but if the gas mains are leaking, you will blow up the neighborhood. look for flashlights that are water resistant. “twist on” is good. (if the O-rings are good) rubber sealed on-off switch is also good. “Coast Guard Approved” or “Mine Safety” certified are best.
take stock of your situation. your home is full of stuff already. there’s reason to be apprehensive if most of it is useless junk. now is not the time to go back to sleep. cold weather will be here in a few weeks. Do you even own a wool blanket? do you have a set of jumper cables for your car? what else are you truly lacking?
pack a travel toothbrush and a change of “undies” for each family member. keep it in your car. that costs you almost nothing.
do you know two ways to get “over the river and through the woods”? is grandmother as un-prepared as you are?
try to have yourself a working shotgun, by the close of business November 3rd.
Regardless of ones politics, understand that the excrement is proximal to the air impelling device. By the morning of November 7, I believe there will be no doubts. Prep as hard as you can.
Thankyou Suburban Prepper, for the use of your soapbox.
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sorry. I thought I did read the entire article.