Bugging Out
Before you really get into the nitty gritty of what things you will need to survive, there is one thing that most people forget when talking about survival gear. You will want to make sure you have everything prepared for an evacuation or bug out situation.
This includes having enough food, water, medicine, and shelter ready. But beyond those basics, you will want to be prepared for anything else that may happen during your stay away from home.
Bugging out refers to escaping your house or retreat in case of an emergency by taking some action. This can include fleeing as a group, finding safety somewhere more protected, or seeking help at another location.
Some examples of bugging out are leaving town after being informed that the area has been evacuated, heading out for a few days vacation, and retreating to a friend’s house until things calm down. All of these play a part in helping you feel better about your readiness.
Communication
Having enough communication equipment to stay in contact with loved ones is one of the most important things you can have as an emergency or survival situation unfolds.
This includes having cell phones, landlines, computers, tablets, and other devices that people use for communicating. You may also want to consider investing in some basic radios such as AM/FM radio receivers and handhelds so that you can tune into local stations to get information and keep up-to-date on what’s going on.
Not only does this help you be aware of what’s happening around you, it also gives you something productive to do while waiting for rescue or figuring out where your next meal will come from.
Having adequate communication not only helps individuals, but it also helps groups and families remain connected during times of crisis. It is very possible to survive without electricity for several weeks, if not months!
So how much money should you set aside for communication supplies? That depends on your budget and what kind of coverage you desire. A good starting place is to spend about $100 per person.
More expensive options include two-way radios, GPS units, and smart phones with built-in cameras. However, unless you are prepared to invest in these longer term, they are better left untouched until later.
Defense
Defensive weapons are one of the most important things for a true survivalist to have in their arsenal. You will probably be surprised by how many people who call themselves a prepper never even pick up any type of firearm!
Running out of food is much more likely to end your life than being attacked by other humans. That’s why it is so crucial to always keep some kind of weapon at hand, whether it’s a rifle or a knife.
Having a gun makes you feel safer and helps you establish trust with others which can save your life in an emergency.
Most importantly, education about firearms should be given to all adults, not just those wishing to acquire a license to carry. This way, everyone has the same level of knowledge and understanding about guns, which reduces overall fear.
Many governments offer free training to learn how to use a handgun, which is very helpful if needed later. It also gives you the basics of safety which is another good thing to know.
Food
Having enough food is one of the most important things for any prepper. You don’t want to be stuck waiting because you ran out of food!
There are several reasons why having plenty of food is so crucial. One being that even though you may not eat much food, someone who is in desperate need of food can always take what you have. Another reason is that hunger can sometimes distract people from logical thinking, which could make them perform irrational actions.
I would also like to add that food can be a form of currency. If someone needs something such as medicine or groceries, they will usually offer to work for it by offering their food. This is especially true during times of crisis when resources are limited.
Running out of food is very frustrating and annoying. But if you keep your stockpile large enough, you won’t run out ever. Just remember that our ancestors had done this for generations before us and it still works today.
Fuel
Having enough fuel to keep your home or business running for at least a few days is an essential part of being a prepper. Even though most people think about refueling their cars every day, little thought is given to what kind of fuel they use in their homes.
Most home furnaces require natural gas as a heat source. Luckily, there are ways to stock up on this energy source so you’re not left without heat during a power outage.
Stocking up on canisters of compressed natural gas (CNG) is one of the best things you can do as a prepared individual. These usually contain a three-month supply, which is more than enough to meet your furnace’s needs while also putting some money back into your wallet.
Gasoline is another common type of fuel used in home heating systems. Many people run out of it during a major disaster, so stocking up is important. You should always have a reasonable amount of both CNG and gasoline on hand.
Planning ahead will help ensure that you don’t go hungry or cold due to a lack of resources.
Light
Having enough light for your activities is an important part of being a prepper. Luckily, you don’t have to spend a lot to be prepared. There are many ways to make sure you have adequate light for activity nights.
Solar panels are one of the most efficient ways to gather light energy. Some people even choose to use flashlights as their main source of illumination because of how durable they are!
Many hikers and campers already know this, but just making sure your flashlight works is not a bad idea at all. It can really help in creating more awareness about potential disasters.
Something that some may not consider when buying a new lamp or flashlight is if it has additional features like motion sensors or back-lighting. These things are very expensive, however, so try to find one with none before investing in those.
Weighing down your lantern with sand (or putting a sheet of paper under it) will also help conserve power.
Medical
Now that you have determined how to start your journey towards being a prepared individual, one of the first things is to determine what medical supplies you will need to feel comfortable. You don’t want to be in a situation where there isn’t enough medicine for yourself or someone else because you didn’t bring enough!
Fortunately, while buying some basic health products may seem expensive at first, they are usually cost-effective in the long run. For example, a small bottle of aspirin can typically be purchased for around $3-5.
More substantial items such as prescription medications and vaccines require more money upfront, but they also tend to stay on the shelf longer, saving you money in the long run. Pharmacies offer discounts on most medicines, so it is not only worth it, but also financially smart to stock up.
Shelter
Having enough food for at least two years is very important to survive a major disaster! While some people may worry about running out of food after the initial year, that’s actually when most deaths occur due to hunger.
Most experts agree that your first winter will be the hardest as you struggle to find adequate shelter and nutrition. Luckily, home improvement stores carry lots of materials to help you prepare for this.
You can make sure your house or apartment is fully insulated and protected from weather. If needed, invest in plastic sheeting to protect your windows and doors.
Additional tips include taping up all cracks and holes, and filling any empty spaces with blankets so heat cannot get into the area. This applies even to small places like under the refrigerator or beneath the bed!
Experts also recommend investing in one-gallon Ziploc bags to keep extra water safe and easy to access. These are great for storing wet items such as used towels, dirty laundry, and leftover foods.
Tools
Having the right tools is very important to being a successful preparedness beginner or advanced person. The way you use these tools can make a big difference in how well you prepare for emergencies.
Most experts agree that we’re going to run out of things quickly during an emergency, so it makes sense to be sure we have the right tools. Luckily, there are many types of tools that anyone can get or make themselves. Some of the most common ones include:
We go through a lot of snacks and beverages during a crisis, so having enough bags and containers to keep them safe and organized is essential. There are several brands that offer good quality zipper–lock bag storage systems. These have clear plastic zippers that lock into place, making it easy to access your items.
Having appropriate amounts of food for both yourself and others is another key part of being a prepared individual. If you don’t know what kind of first aid people have been practicing, then buying some basic supplies can help you learn more.
There are also different ways to organize and store your foods to ensure they stay fresh and natural ventilation is adequate. A simple index card or piece of paper can be used to list each item with its corresponding picture or description.
Lastly, knowing how to cook and/or create recipes is a nice to have, but not necessary ingredient in any survival situation. Fortunately, with technology today, this is much easier than ever!