3 Major Reasons Why Preppers Will Die When SHTF

Sadly, many preppers are going to die when SHTF.  Labeling yourself as a prepper doesn’t guarantee that you will survive or that you have it all figured out.  In this post, I’m going to discuss why preppers will die when SHTF.

Our goal as a prepper is to extend our survivability.  That is all we can do.  No matter how many beans, bullets, and bug out bags we have it doesn’t guarantee survival.

Unfortunately, in a collapse scenario, a mass majority of those without a focus on preparedness will die off first very quickly.  Then even those with a preparedness focus will begin dying as well.  Below are 3 major reasons why preppers will die when SHTF.

Why Preppers Will Die When SHTF

1. Lack of Skills and Training

Most preppers rely totally on gear and supplies for survival.  However, these will not guarantee survival.  The first problem with that way of thinking is that they can be easily stolen or destroyed.  Once they are gone then you have nothing to rely on.  Gear and supply should just be seen as tools used to make survival easier or more convenient.

Another problem is that most preppers don’t know how to use the gear correctly.  For example, many preppers have an arsenal of guns but don’t know how to correctly use a single one.  They’ve never been taught or trained how to properly defend themselves.  As a result, this will cost not only their lives but those of their loved ones as well.

In a collapse scenario, society will be without rule of law.  Most likely armed forces and bad guys will be terrorizing communities.  Looting and violence will be running rampant because many will be without the necessities to survive.  People will be willing to kill others for canned goods.

So it is important to have some skills like survival or tactical skills.  In a collapse scenario, only those with proficient skills will truly survive and thrive. Yes, it’s easy to sit home all day in your underwear watching YouTube videos on survival and tactical skills.  It’s not enough.  You have to actually get out there and put the knowledge to practice.

If you are a part of the NRA you can find local certified trainers who can teach you to proficiently defend yourself and your family.  You could also find local courses on survival that will be helpful if you are forced to bug out.  Even organizations like Red Cross or CERT have free classes where you can learn the fundamentals of applying first aid.  There are tons of resources that we can take advantage of to build and develop important skills.

2. Lack of a Strategic Plan

When it comes to preparedness a lot of us are just winging it.  I can say that from experience.  When I first got into preparedness I didn’t know where to start or what to do.

As a result of that, many of us are partially prepared in many areas instead of being fully prepared in the important areas.  The rest of us get discouraged and frustrated causing us to lose focus or just give up completely.  Without a plan, we will never get anything accomplished.  For example, architects put together a blueprint before building.  Without it, the building would be a failure.

In The Strategic Prepper eBook, I share of how I’ve been able to put together a plan to help with preparedness.  As a result of that plan, I was able to stock up 90 days of emergency supplies within a month while being unemployed.  So it is definitely possible to prepare on a budget as long as there is a plan.

Most preppers only focus on collapse scenarios in their preparedness plan.  The first thing a new prepper typically does is build a bug out bag and buy a bunch of guns.  As a result, they fall victim to other scenarios that are more likely to occur.  One such threat would include natural disasters like hurricanes.  Instead of spending all of the money and resources on a threat that is not likely to happen we can be more prepared for the more severe and likely threats.

3. Lack of relationships

In the Bosnian collapse, it was said that those that were alone died first.  This is because strong men that gathered in groups targeted those that were alone and weak.  They took their supplies and left them for dead.

Undeniably, there is power in numbers.  2 is better than 1.  There is no denying that fact.

Still many preppers choose to be lone wolves.  Just the term lone wolf alone should be a discouragement.  Lone wolves typically don’t live long.

A lot of preppers choose not to reveal their lifestyle even to other preppers.  This is because of OPSEC, supposedly.  It is a concern that other preppers will target them in a collapse scenario.

So, as a result, a lot of preppers struggle with loneliness.  Gratification in life comes from relationships.  We were created to be social creatures.  This is why the institution of family is so important.  The concept of the community used to be so prevalent in the pre-urbanized times.  Communities would hunt and gather together in order to survive.  Nowadays we barely even say hello to our neighbors in passing.

We talk about the rule of 3’s a lot.  Yet, many overlook the rule of “you can only survive 3 seconds without hope.”  In a collapse scenario where you have nothing or no one then the thoughts of depression and suicide will abound.  Yet, if you lose everything and still have family and friends it will make survival easier.

We are all gifted with knowledge and skills in many different areas.  You are most likely a lot more proficient in areas than I am but at the same time, I am able to help you in areas that you are not proficient in.  This is why it is important to have a community.

In The Strategic Prepper, I consider having a prepper/survival group as an x-factor in survival.  Having such a group can multiply your survivability.  In a long term survival situation, people will need to work together as a community and team to survive.

Altogether, these would be 3 reasons why preppers will die when SHTF.  Please leave your feedback and suggestions in the comment section below.  Your feedback helps the community prepare the smart way now so that we can thrive later.