I came across this MSN.com article with the same title last week and became intrigued. I wondered what MSN or any other MSM website was going to teach me about preparedness? Could it be that I missed something?
Dental needs
The first relevant slide (because it’s not a blog post referenced above, but a slideshow which annoy me immensely) briefly discusses dental items as being overlooked. They mention toothbrushes and toothpaste, but also basic first aid and natural remedies for toothaches. Good on them for mentioning more than just toothpaste. But any prepper who’s spent any time thinking about this stuff will surely stock up on dental supplies, even natural remedies.
Financial preparedness
The next slide discusses financial preparedness, like having an emergency fund and even precious metals. Good! But this topic is rarely overlooked by preppers, and is often among the top items most of us consider once we get past the basics of food and water.
Food rotation
The third relevant slide talks about rotating food stocks. Yes, this is a problem many of us seem to have, me included. I can point out #10 cans of food that my mother-in-law purchased decades ago that haven’t seen the light of day is just as long. 🙂
The Importance of Community
Yup! That’s a big one that many of us lone wolf types, me included, miss or willfully choose to avoid. Whether that community consists of your neighbors, family, or friends … there’s somebody out there who you want around to have your back. Find those people and make nice.
Overemphasizing Firearms
The fifth slide talks about overemphasizing firearms to the detriment of other crucial supplies, like medical supplies and water filters. Sure, I get their point, but is it even possible to have too many guns? I mean, really!? Silliness aside, the article does have a point – what’s your weak link?
Physical Fitness
This is about not neglecting physical fitness, and I absolutely agree! Most preppers tend to be older, having children or grandchildren, and certainly aren’t at the top of their game so-to-speak when it comes to health. Even simply problems like bad backs or knees (ask my wife how often I complain about my back) or simple strains or sprains will make many survival-related tasks difficult. For me, it’s one of the biggest reasons I’ll be grateful to have others around if/when SHTF.
Not Practicing or Learning Skills
Agreed. Isn’t there a saying, “The more you know, the less you need?” Having stuff is one thing, and I strongly suggest you have the things you need, but it’s quite another to have the skills and knowledge that most people simply don’t care about any longer because we don’t think we’ll ever need them. I don’t even mean more nuanced skills, like how to trap game or how to preserve meat. Rather, I’m talking about the true basics, like building a debris hut or where to find (likely) clean water. Or just how to keep from freezing to death when the temperature drops. But, again, it’s one thing to know, it’s another to have done it.
Storing All Supplies in One Location
Guilty! Although I recommend against this practice in my survival course, I’ve gotten into a bad habit myself, especially with our food stores. Honestly, though, it’s difficult to avoid because our house is full of a bunch of crap that we don’t actually need … see my mother-in-law as the biggest culprit. 🙂
Gray Man Tactics
This was a topic I didn’t expect to be covered in a MSM article, but it’s a good one. Being able to blend in or, at minimum, not stand out as “the prepared person” is wise to consider. But, then, it depends on the situation, too. If all hell breaks loose and you’re the one sitting at the top of the hill with your feet up and a bevvy of solar panels lined up behind you, well, you’re going to be a target to somebody at some point. Thus, gray man tactics don’t merely apply to a single instance, like a bug out or get home scenario, but to the entire aspect of preparedness. Honestly, I’ve got some work to do here, too.
Neglecting Metal Health
This is a big one, too. Even being prepared doesn’t mean you (and your family) won’t suffer the effects of a devastating disaster. Just knowing that others around you are suffering or may have suffered as a result could be enough to put some people over the edge mentally. And that’s to say nothing of what might have happened to your family, friends, neighbors … even your home and belongings. Just ask the folks who are still attempting to recover from the devastating hurricanes that hit the southeast earlier this fall.
Communication Plans
This slide talks about having alternative comms, predetermined meeting points, and more. It’s a good thought-starter, but doesn’t do the topic justice. Honestly, this is a difficult topic for most people because our normal means of communications, like phones, texts, and emails, will be hit or miss in many instances. Trying to get everyone you care about on the same page of how to communicate will be difficult. But communication isn’t only about contacting family; it’s also about receiving pertinent information from authorities and locals about what’s going on out there. Thus, emergency radios, HAM, and other means of alternative comms are in order.
Hygiene and Sanitation
This topic is similar to the dental supplies needs, but I do like the fact that they point out how crucial it is to keep yourself clean since diseases spread quickly after a disaster strikes. They also mention the importance of waste management.
Tailoring Preps to Local Needs
Long story short: not all disasters are the same. There are hurricanes in Florida and earthquakes in California. Therefore, consider what those specific disasters scenarios might require of you in terms of actions and supplies.
Overcomplicating Bug Out Bags
Agreed. Even my suggestions for bug out bag supplies might be too much for some people. Get it down to what you need to survive (what I can tier 1 and 2 supplies), then add the rest as you see fit.
Neglecting Vehicle Preparedness
Yup! Although we like to focus on EDC (everyday carry) and BOB (bug out bags), the truth is that most of us will choose to evacuate via vehicle if possible. But you’ll only go so far as your vehicle allows. Thus, if your vehicle is in bad shape or merely out of gas, you won’t get very far. Even if it isn’t a natural disaster that forces you out, there’s not harm in ensuring your vehicle(s) don’t leave you stranded while you’re going about your day when some simple maintenance and supplies, like a battery jumpstarter or tire repair kit, can get you back on the road in no time.
Not Involving Family Members While Planning
Guilty again! Truth be told, my family doesn’t care nearly as much as I do about this stuff. Sadly, they leave about 99% of it to me. Worse, I don’t always share what I’m doing or where I stash things because I assume I’ll be around when something happens. Although I’ve tried to show/share this information over time with my wife and now adult child, who knows what details stuck.
Redundancy
Again, any prepper worth his or her weight in gold understands that a single point of failure, whether we’re talking about water filtration or food storage, can lead to disaster. Having backup plans for backup plans may feel a tad much, but when times get tough they could be a lifesaver.
OPSEC
Wow! I’m impressed now. First gray man tactics, and now operational security? Did I write this article? Keep your head down and mouth shut. I failed this test years ago by starting this blog and writing books. You shouldn’t.
Not Staying Informed About Current Events
Absolutely. While I rarely watch the local news, I do pay attention via my NOAA weather radio, various smartphone apps, and other email notices about local events. Odds are good that I’ll be aware of looming natural disasters and other events that I may need to know about. You should have some way to keep up with local events, especially big problems like hurricanes, too. But also the little things that might crop up, such as localized flooding or manmade concerns.
Concluding Thoughts, Plus 2 More Topics
By my count that’s only 19 topics, though I couldn’t see that I missed anything in the slideshow. Regardless, I’ll add two of my own: not preparing your pets for disaster and not thinking far enough ahead.
With regards to preparing your pets, I wrote a book about it, but it’s no longer for sale. If you want, email me and I’ll send you a copy. Long story short, they’re every bit as dependent as children are when a disaster strikes. What’s your plan for caring for them when something happens? How will you evacuate with them should something happen?
Although preppers are better than the sheeple about planning ahead, like realizing winter is coming and that we need to get ready for it, I’m afraid even most preppers aren’t thinking far enough ahead. Personally, I firmly believe times will get much harder over the coming years. I don’t know whether that another world war or merely internal strife here in America, but it’s coming. This country is so divided in so many ways that I simply cannot see how things settle down. Sure, the recent presidential election results have calmed the right side of the political aisle, but there are so many underlying differences that (not to mention other problems) that this might be the calm before the storm.
Keep your head down, and keep prepping.
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