Prepare With Others for Maximum Benefit

It has always bothered me that when I read many of the online blog posts they say that you should prepare alone, in secret, and ensure that nobody has any idea what you’re doing. After all, it’s every man for himself post-TEOTWAWKI. People go so far as to tell you to only make your survival purchases in cash, have stuff delivered to another address or PO box, change your name on retreat land titles… the list goes on and on.

Unfortunately, this just doesn’t feel right to me.

Don’t get me wrong, it’s not like I have a sign in my front yard that says “walk this way to steal all of my survival supplies” but it’s certainly no secret to my friends and family that I’m very into disaster preparedness. Personally, I think it’s good for others to know what I’m doing for the simply fact that–maybe one day–they will follow in my footsteps.

Of course, this hasn’t happened thus far. In my experience, you’re either into disaster preparedness or you’re not. (And since you’re reading this you are!) I don’t blame others though. It’s just human nature. We are certainly more reactive than we are proactive. I wasn’t always such a disaster-preparedness-nut, you know!

Regardless of our nature, I’ve always wondered how I would feel if I was able to survive after a major disaster while my friends and family perished. I’m pretty sure I wouldn’t feel good at all. And besides, at the first sign of a real catastrophe I’m sure everyone I know will be at my doorstep with their hands out and mouths open!

So what do I do?

Buy enough supplies to feed a small army? Do I run away to my special hideout I don’t have instead? Should I turn all of my friends and family away? None of these are options. So, I do the next best thing, I talk to others about what I do if they ask and offer to help them if they like. If you have good friends and family that are interested in what you’re doing, then consider working with them to gather the supplies you might need. Of course, this is easier said than done but could work to save both families a lot of money. You see, there are so many things that could prove useful after a disaster, it is mind-boggling and wallet-depleting to say the least.

When you begin to purchase major supplies like long term water filters, food prep supplies (grain mills, canning equipment, kettles), gardening equipment and supplies (heirloom seeds, tools, amenities), major medical supplies (iv kits, surgical equipment, dosimeter), weapons (handguns, shotguns, ammo), solar panels, communications equipment (cb radios, ham radio), other equipment (chainsaw, generator) and so on, you can see the dollar signs adding up.

This could be a perfect opportunity to divvy up and share the responsibility.

What do I mean? For instance, if I have a buddy that loves guns, my father-in-law loves gardening, my brother-in-law is a ham radio nut, and I’m a doctor (I’m not) it might make sense to work out deals with these people in advance to share our supplies. I would suspect it would be a natural happening anyway, but, knowing who has what and precisely what would be expected of you and others is a always best before beforehand.

Unfortunately, there are a few major problems I see with this philosophy:

1. What you may need that moment may not be readily available to you because someone else has it
2. The equipment may not be accessible because it is across town with a friend or family member
3. Whomever you agreed to share with is no longer willing to share

As such, I would be willing to say that initially this philosophy could work to your advantage if money is a major concern. As time and money permits then work to gather the additional equipment and supplies you originally had agreements to share. Granted that you may still be expected to share whatever you originally offered but at least you will be somewhat covered until you can acquire your own supplies.