Emergency Preparedness

This is a subject which is 'dear to my heart'.  Though I have never suffered through a large scale natural disaster, there have been times when things were hard because of economic or physical hardship.  The counsel that I followed many years ago to become prepared by having certain things in place in my life made life bearable and even 'not miserable'.  We always had food on the table, clothing to wear, and sufficient for our needs.  

As a child, this was not always the case in my family.  There were times when all we had in our cupboards was macaroni and tomato sauce.  I remember eating that for weeks at a time for dinner.  It is important that we prepare for the unexpected in our lives.  Even if the economy doesn't collapse and Armeggedon doesn't happen, we have seen that anyone can lose their job and struggle to replace that income.  If you are prepared with the basics, it will make those times much less stressful.

So to help you with that, I will help you find resources to aid in your preparedness journey.  Regardless of where you are now....just starting out....or a veteran looking for your next adventure to tackle.  We can help one another along this journey.

Please feel free to post links for each of the following categories in the comments section.  I welcome advice from those who are even more advanced at this than I am.  I will update this page and create others that link to the categories as our discussion progresses.

Let's separate this into categories:

1.  The beginner.  Where to start and what you should look at first.  

     It always helps to start with a plan.  That way you won't be wasting your money and time on things that might not be beneficial.  For example, buying a bunch of wheat for storage will not help you much if you don't know how to use it.  It also might be detrimental if you don't learn how to store it properly and end up with pests that can ruin not only it but also other parts of your vital storage....not to mention, that you also wasted vital resources because of your lack of knowledge.  

2.  The Novice.  So you've done some preparedness.  How can you become better at it?

    You've got some food and other basics and some knowledge. You could probably make it through 3-6 months if you had to but it would be in survival mode.  Let's ramp it up and get really organized.  Start learning to grow and process your own food.  Learn how to do more to survive longer and better.

3.  The Awakened.  You are realizing that there is much more to preparedness than just having food, water, and shelter.  

     You have what you need to provide for you and yours for a year or more.  But what happens if the SHTF and you become the target of those who weren't so forward thinking.  We know it happens and will happen if a natural disaster occurs in your area or if our economy collapses.  We saw it in New Orleans with Katrina, in Puerto Rico after the earthquake, and in oh so many other situations.  You should be prepared to defend yourself from predators and keep yourself and your loved ones from becoming victims.

4.  The Prepper or Survivalist.  You are working on becoming more self-sufficient and getting off of the grid.

     Wonderful!  You will probably be able to survive and protect you and your loved ones.  You may not live as you did before the SHTF but did you expect to.  That's not realistic.  Nor do I believe that you would even want to if you are truly concerned about preparation.  Once we are in this stage, our society has to work towards rebuilding in healing ways.  The way of life that our culture has lived both now and in the past should show us the error of our ways.  A society that takes and takes and takes is not sustainable. Future generations will pay for it.  Our children and grandchildren will pay for it even if we don't.  So let's find ways to help become more self-sufficient so that we can then be in the position to help rebuild in productive, healing ways.

5.  The Leader.  You're prepared.  Congratulations!  Now think about what you can do to help others around you work towards that (even if they aren't aware of it).  

    But why, you ask?  Think about it.  The most dangerous persons to you if the SHTF will be those who are not prepared and will be looking at you and yours to meet their needs.  If you have helped form a community in which even a small percentage are doing their own prepping, your chance of surviving with some semblance of civilization is greatly increased.  I know you can defend yourself against many comers but what if it's not just a few?  What if it's hundreds and they have guns too?  And would you even want to live that way if you didn't have to do so?  Don't leave this to chance.  Try to get others involved that will know what to do and will help lead those who will be driven by fear...because that will be the major driving force.  And the best way to stay it is with sound leadership and planning.  If you haven't read or listened to 'One Second After', you should.  Your attitude could make the difference in whether or not your community survives or becomes like the 'posse'.  How would you rather live?  How would you rather your family, neighbors and friends live?

This page is a work in progress and I a considering moving it to a website.