Mark Coletti
September 13, 2023
10 minute read
Prepping to survive means setting aside some supplies to help you through a natural disaster, a pandemic, wartime, or economic challenges. That’s where prepping resources come in handy.
Preppers understand that disasters, emergencies, and food shortages can hit out of nowhere. When they do, you often have little to no time to get ready. And when your neighbors are scrambling for the same limited supplies — like emergency heaters, solar-powered lights, nonperishable food, and other essentials — you definitely don’t want to be caught empty-handed.
When you prepare for an emergency, it’s not just about gathering supplies. A big part of being ready is knowing what to do in different situations and how to keep yourself safe. Contrary to what some might think, emergency preparedness isn’t just for doomsday scenarios. It’s also super useful for weather-related events, power outages, and more!
1. Know what disasters to expect
Take some time to research the history of your area to get a sense of what kinds of emergencies or natural disasters might happen. You could be looking at tornadoes, hurricanes, earthquakes, chemical spills, droughts, wildfires, and more. Also, keep an eye on current events like the threat of war, inflation, recession, job rates, food deserts, and pandemics. Once you know what disasters to expect, you can start getting ready for them. This will help you figure out what supplies to gather and what plans to make.
For instance, if you live somewhere that’s prone to hurricanes, it’s a good idea to have a plan in place for when one hits. Make sure your plan includes at least a month’s worth of supplies to stay put, where you’ll go if you need to evacuate, how you’ll get there, and what you’ll need to bring along.
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2. Memorize prepping categories
Prepping can feel a bit overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to be! One great way to simplify things is by memorizing some key prepping categories. This way, you can focus on gathering the supplies you need without getting sidetracked.
Here are the main categories to prep for:
I. Water
II. Food
III. Warmth/Shelter
IV. Light/Power
V. First Aid
VI. Hygiene
VII. Communication
VIII. Protection
IX. Financial
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3. Have a plan in place and practice accordingly
Once you know what disasters to expect and have gathered your supplies, it’s time to make a plan. Everyone in your family or household should be aware of the plan and understand their role. To make sure everyone is on the same page, practice the plan together and ensure everyone knows what to do to avoid confusion during evacuation or emergencies. This will help things run more smoothly if an emergency ever arises. If you're unsure where to start, check out these prepper resources:
Home Fire Safety Guide
Hurricane Preparedness
Earthquake Guide
Nuclear Shelter in Place Tips
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4. Get Connected
A great way to get ready for an emergency is by staying connected. This means keeping up with the latest information and alerts. There are plenty of ways to receive alerts and get involved with your neighborhood’s emergency prep efforts. Here are four things you can do to stay in the loop:
A. Start or join a neighborhood watch, a neighbor text group, or a city social media page.
B. Sign up for local city alerts.
C. Set up a news feed app for topics you want updates on, like disaster prepping.
D. Follow survival prepper blogs like this one or join a preppers group on social media.
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5. Have a bug out bag
During an emergency, stores can be crowded, empty, or even closed. A smart way to prepare is to have your supplies packed in a backpack or a 5-gallon bucket, ready to grab and go. This way, you won’t have to stress about packing when things get hectic, and you’ll be one of the first to hit the road.
Make sure your emergency go bag has items from those prepping categories we talked about. Don’t forget to include important documents just in case you need them. Keep your emergency bag in an easy-to-reach spot, like right by the door.
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6. Prepare your home
Once you have a plan, think about how to get your home ready. First, find a spot to store your emergency supplies and bug-out bag. Next, pick a room in your house to be your Off Grid Room or “safe room.” Add some home defense strategies for extra protection. Don’t forget about fire prevention—like trimming trees near your home or power lines. Finally, figure out a few escape routes and practice them as part of your evacuation plan.
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7. Plan for a power outage (most common need for preps)
Power outages can happen during emergencies, whether it’s bad weather, natural disasters, or even an EMP. Extreme temperatures can lead to rough weather, making power outages more likely. Sometimes, these outages can last for just a few hours, but in disasters, they could stretch on for weeks. So, it’s a good idea to create a power outage kit.
Don’t forget about power surges—they can damage your appliances and are pretty common during disasters. I learned this the hard way when I had to replace my fridge, toaster, and toaster oven because of a surge. They seemed fine at first, but soon the fridge started spoiling food, and the oven took forever to heat things up. By the end of the month, I had dropped $1200 on replacements! Make sure you grab at least two surge protectors for your kitchen: one for the fridge and one for your other appliances. You might also want to protect your TV, DVD player, computer, printer, stand-up freezer, and lamps.
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8. Stock up on food and emergency supplies
When disaster strikes, you might not be able to leave your home or run to the store for supplies. That’s why it’s super important to have enough food and essentials to last a while. This is where prepping categories really come in handy. Think about what supplies you want in each category. Here’s a handy prepper checklist PDF.
It’s smart to stock up on non-perishable snacks that don’t need cooking, like granola bars or peanut butter. Plus, having a manual can opener is a great idea in emergencies, especially if you've got canned food on hand.
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9. Store your emergency preps properly
If you're going to the trouble of getting emergency supplies, make sure to store them right! Keep food and water in a cool, dry spot and sealed in airtight containers. Don’t forget to rotate your food and water storage. Organize your other supplies so you can easily find them when you need them. Check out this comment from Gloria, who was in Hurricane Ivan's path and is now all about organizing her prep. [We’re rooting for you, Gloria! So happy you and your family are safe!]
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10. Choose a self-reliant skill to develop
Having self-reliant skills can really pay off in an emergency because you never know when you might need them. For instance, if you know how to fix a car or change a tire, it can be super useful if your car breaks down or gets a flat. So, what are some survival prepping skills? Here are ten you can start working on today:
i. Gardening
ii. Raising chickens, rabbits, or starting a worm farm
iii. Hunting
iv. Fishing
v. Canning
vi. Learn how to use a compass
vii. Self-defense techniques
viii. Get a ham radio license
ix. Getting CPR certified
x. Learn how to operate a generator safely
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Wrapping Up
If you want to be prepared for an emergency but aren’t sure where to start, these ten tips are great for introducing yourself to survival prepping. Don’t hesitate to take the time to plan and prepare now. Disaster prepping takes time, a plan, and prepper resources. Below are some tips to help you add to your emergency supplies.
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Let me know if you'd like further adjustments or help!
