Prepping 101 (with video)

Prepping 101

If you are new to prepping you might be wondering how to get started. One important thing to remember is that it is only too late to prep if you wait until a disaster occurs. So get started on creating a bug out bag today. You have to keep your sack packed because you never know when you might have to jam on down the road. Preparing for success will keep you ahead of the curve and hopefully in front of a disaster scenario.

This article is going to focus primarily on you, the individual. Prepping as a solo still takes quite a bit of planning. Having a sound plan is as important as having the gear that you will need to survive. Striking out on your own during a disaster scenario can be a very stressful and dangerous endeavor. Why don’t we run down a quick list of three things you should consider in order to stay on top of a disaster situation? This list can be applied to a variety of scenarios.

EVACUATION

Your destination – Depending on the level of the disaster your destination may be as close as right outside of the structure you live in to several states away from where you start and even across country. In any case plan more than one route to your destination just in case roads are closed or obstructed. The same approach can be taken in the event of a fire in your house. Make sure you plan several ways to leave your home. Keep a few local state and country maps on hand so you are not just wandering around and you can get a lay of the land.

INFORMATION

Stay tuned, keep informed, and pay attention to your environment. Information is a very powerful tool in being prepared. Try not to be a disaster dummy or an alarmist. It is true there are plenty of terrifying things going on in the world every day. The news bombards us with threats ranging from very real terrorist violence, civil unrest, natural disaster, and now even the onslaught of the Ebola virus that could surely run rampant on our country. This knowledge and information is one of the key factors that drives us to prepare for what we can perceive as an inevitable disaster. Whatever you do, try not to get bugged out to early or too late. The information we receive is what will help us decide when we should hit the road and move to safer ground. Keep a police scanner and a good hand held radio and extra batteries both in your home and vehicle if possible.

ORGANIZATION

Yes that’s right…Stay organized. Creating a plan and having all the gear you need will do you very little good if you do not have anything ready. Practice your evacuation plan at least twice a year. Keep your gear in the same place in an easy accessible location. Make two bug out bags one for your home and one for your car just in case you can’t get to one you can get to the other. Test your gear and become familiar with it. You are definitely going to want to know how to use your equipment before an emergency strikes. Do your best to stay as calm, cool, and collected as you can be. You do not want to become your own worst enemy because you panic and leave something important behind. Your life depends on keeping a clear head.

THE BUG OUT BAG

So now that we have discussed these three basic concepts let’s get to the meat and potatoes. Your bug out bag and its contents are going to be one of the things that keep you alive and safe. When selecting you bag think practicality, durability, comfort, and storage space. You are going to need a bag that is weather resistant and can take a punch. The conditions of any disaster are going to be rough. I would suggest military issue rucksacks, hip packs, back packs, and Alice packs. Of course the military is prepared, so why not use the gear that is already tried and tested. One of the last things that you are going to want to happen is for your straps to break, your bag to tear or your zippers and fasteners to malfunction. Get a solid pack that is built to last that has compartmentalized storage space if possible.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QygWsr3wujU

WHAT YOU NEED NOT WHAT YOU WANT

WATER – This should go without saying. Clean water is crucial to survival and will be your most valuable commodity. Remember water is heavy the last thing you want to do is bog yourself down and succumb to fatigue, carry at the maximum at least 3 liters of water which should hold you over for about 3 days. It might seem like a good idea to carry bottles or jugs of water, but in a long term disaster scenario you are going to want something that is renewable. This can be solved by using a light weight collapsible water container and carrying a small water purification system with you. You can also purify your water by boiling it or using iodine tablets. Keep coffee filters on hand to aid in the water purification process. Keep a backpacking bucket on hand to make gathering water a whole lot easier.

FOOD – Of course we are going to need food out there on the road. Think practically…peanut butter is a great source of protein, is relatively light weight, and does not need to be refrigerated. Energy bars, freeze dried foods, M.R.E’s, jerky, and even a couple articles of canned goods are going to be your best options. Keep at least a three day supply of foods in your pack.

CLOTHING – We are going to want some fresh duds out on the road try to pack enough close for at least 2 to three days. Here is a short list.

A pair of sturdy boots or shoes

A pair of long pants (preferably not blue jeans)

2 Pairs of socks (preferably not cotton)

2 Shirts (Maybe 1 long sleeve and 1 short sleeve for layering)

A Jacket that is both warm and protection from rain

Warm long underwear of some kind

A hat

A Bandana

SHELTER – Chances are we could end up sleeping outside or being in a situation where we need to protect ourselves from the environment. So we need some basics things to make an impromptu shelter. Here are some things you will need.

Some type of tent or tarp and a way to set it up

A ground tarp for underneath your shelter to stay dry or a sleeping bag (Never underestimate the importance of this)

Some type of Bedroll, preferably a good sleeping bag.

FIRST AID KIT – We most certainly do not want to forget a first aid kit. Accident and injury are bound to happen in any chaotic disaster scenario. You are going to need a way to clean and bandage wounds and possibly even handle broken bones and serious injuries.  Try to avoid just going with a pre-packed kit. Of course this is a great place to start, but most of these kits are designed for more pedestrian needs. Use this as a base. These kits have a ton of Band-Aids, but you are going to need more than that. Make sure you have your meds if you have any health conditions. Keep disinfectant, cold compresses, ace bandages, small splints, tongue depressors, and even an insect and snake bite kit just in case. You can use a belt, a bandanna, or even a length of rope as an impromptu tourniquet if needed.

GEAR – There are more than a few things that you are going to find that you will need that are easily overlooked when preparing your bug out bag. This is list can go on and on, but there a few things you should definitely have.

Rain Gear – at least 2 ways to stay dry in the rain. Poncho and Coat are good coupled with your Tent/Shelter

Fire – A bare minimum of 3 different ways to make fire.

Cooking – Bare minimum here is a small pot/large cup to boil water in for both drinking and freeze dried meals. A small backpacking stove and fuel are better.

Light – At least 2 dependable flashlights and a backup set of batteries for each. A hand crank flashlight is also useful.

Survival Knife – The most used and most versatile tool in your Bug Out Bag is your survival knife

Fishing line and hooks

Zip ties

Rope, Chord, Tie downs.

WEAPONS – This might be one of the hardest things for us to come to terms with. We would be foolish to not arm ourselves. People can be worse than any disaster, monster, or animal. Spend some time thinking about this. Choose weapons that you feel comfortable with and that can be easily concealable. Firearms are great but need to be maintained and you have to have ammo. Whatever you choose make sure you are armed and that you have spent some time getting to know your weapon.

So that is it for this article…hopefully you never have to use your bug out bag. Just keep it ready in case you do. Remember that sometimes even with strenuous planning everything may not work out according to your plan, but that does not mean you should not have one. Stay flexible, pay attention, and try to keep a cool head.In the event of a disaster maybe I will see you out there…In any case hopefully this article will help you save your life.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ApEixddBnqI