The fact that you've even started to think about the potential for emergencies that could require preparedness is a big step. Many people don't have the foresight or the sense of personal responsibility to get even this far. That said, there is definitely a learning curve associated with disaster preparedness. And while you're not reinventing the wheel, you'll still have to do some research if you want to be ready for any potential outcome when emergency scenarios strike.
What if you plan for food but fail to store enough water? What if your water supply is damaged or contaminated? What if you have an unanticipated medical emergency and no access to care? It's easy to make missteps and oversights when you start prepping. Here are a few common mistakes that you'll want to avoid.
Under-prepping Generally speaking, preppers strive to have enough supplies on hand to survive for a year. But prepping should be an ongoing process. You might start by prepping for something like several weeks without water or power in the event of a natural disaster.
From there you could prep for six months without a job. And then you may work up to a year or more of drought, recession, or other long-term issues.
But once you've reached your set goal, don't stop your prepping activities. Graduate to a new goal so that you can continue your efforts. There's no such thing as being too prepared.
Prepping for a Specific Event Some people worry about global warming, climate change, and the potential for natural disasters while others fear job loss or serious medical concerns. Others anticipate terrorist attacks, disease epidemics, war, or total financial collapse.
But when planning for emergency scenarios, it's best not to limit yourself to a specific disaster situation. It would be terrible to get caught unprepared for a certain scenario when you've spent so much time prepping for another.
Stockpile: yes, Skills: no Prepping is about more than filling your pantry with non-perishables. If you want to weather long-term disaster scenarios, planning for sustainability could be the key to survival. Losing a job may entail having to feed, clothe, and house your family for several months. But eventually, you'll get another job and begin to replenish your stores and your nest egg.
What will you do, though, in the face of total economic collapse, when no new jobs are on the horizon? How will you cope when your food stores run out? Having the planning and skills that will allow you to optimize your current stores and supplement your supplies is an often overlooked part of the prepping process You may have to learn to hunt, fish, and care for livestock. You might have to dig a private well or install a cistern to collect water. And having access to alternative energy sources and knowing how to maintain collection equipment is smart. So don't collect canned foods and then call it a day. Take the time to develop sustainable skills that will ensure long-term survival.
Lack of Community Telling people you're a prepper is a scary proposition. Thanks to media misrepresentation, some people have the wrong idea about what personal preparedness entails. But when you enlighten your family, friends, colleagues, and neighbors about the goals inherent to prepping, you'll find that many agree with your logic and want to know more about how they can become involved.
When disaster scenarios strike, having a network of other preppers around you for support can mean that everyone enjoys a better chance for survival, comfort, care, and protection.
Disregarding the Rest of the World Okay, so you're safely ensconced in your bomb bunker with enough food, water, medical supplies, and other necessities to last you for years. Unfortunately, you're not alone in the world. And it might not be long before desperate people begin knocking on your door, begging for handouts or even trying to take by force what you have so carefully prepared. Preparing for the well-being of yourself and your loved ones simply isn't enough. You need to take measures to ensure that others exhibit the same level of personal responsibility. And the only way to do this is through education.
If you declare yourself an island, you might end up surrounded by sharks. So once you've got your own house in order, make it your mission to help others understand the very real consequences of failing to prepare for potential disasters.
