Prepper Project: How Do I Decide What To Prep For?

Before You Start to Prep Figure Out What You Are Prepping For:

Prepping is a personal journey and folks tend to f=do it for a lot of different reasons. Some of those reasons are influenced by our geographical location, changes in weather patterns, and or personal beliefs or concerns. The media tends to portray preppers as folks that are only preparing for the end of the world or total chaos. This is not a total truth by any means. A lot of preppers just want to become more self-reliant and to be able to make it through small disasters that can hit at any time. When you are starting out it is easier to focus on reaching small goals and you can always build from there.

Here are a few questions and lists to get you started:

  1. List #1: Create a list of what natural disasters happen in your area? What other possibilities out there have you concerned: loss of job, terror attacks, urban riots due to economic collapse, etc.

  2. Out of list one what of those items really have you concerned? What do you think will most likely affect you and those you love?

  3. Now ask yourself, how long are people usually affected by those types of disasters or situations historically? For example, if you are concerned about hurricanes how long are people usually without power or help? 3 days, two weeks or maybe a month? If so you should set a goal to have enough food, water, and medical supplies to last you for that time period.

  4. List # 2: What problems do people face when dealing with those types of disasters? Write a list out of these problems such as No water, no power, broken windows, down power lines, smokey air, etc.

  5. List #3: Create a list of items that you would need to have on hand to help address the issues you outlined above. Go all in and try to think of everything. You will fine-tune this list over time just write down everything you can think of. For example:

  • if there’s no power you may want a generator or solar chargers for your cell phone.

  • If windows tend to break you may want to buy and cut plywood ahead of time so you can cover your windows up.

  • If it takes two weeks you should build a two-week water and food supply

  • If phones go out you may need a ham radio

  • Candles, blankets, waterproof boots, etc, etc

Need a Few More reasons to prepare?

How to use your List & Fine Tune Your Goals:

Okay, so we have established why you want to prep, what tends to happen in those situations, and what you might need in order to live through them! You have accomplished a ton and as you learn more and go through this process you can always refine and add to these lists at any time. These lists need to help guide you through the prepping process so you stay focused and on target.

For now, we need to focus on List 3 and do a once over before moving forward. You should divide this list into three categories:

  1. Items you have already on hand

  2. Items that are essential and need to be obtained first

  3. Wish List: These are items that maybe you can not afford currently or are more of a creature comfort than an absolute essential survival item

Now take the list of the items you have on hand and do a physical inventory. Do not assume that you actually have it on hand as you might have used it or lost it. Find the items and inspect them.

  • Are they in good shape?

  • Are they the best quality item for the task at hand?

  • Do you have a replacement or back up item?

  • Make a note of where you have it stored. (You do not need to go on a scavenger hunt when SHFT Happens)

Next, let’s organize the items you listed as “essential” and make sure you have all the basic needs covered. This will help you to prioritize your purchases. For example, if all you have is food and no water you are going to be in trouble. So I suggest buying preps that satisfy each of these areas and continually rotate through that list.

  1. Water

  2. Food

  3. Shelter & Warmth

  4. Health

  5. Security

Use these five categories and write them next to each item on your needs list this will help you to identify that all your basic needs will be met, what areas you may need to focus on adding preps too, and what areas are you overly focused on. For example, if you have 10 items on your list and 7 of them are focused on the water you may want to balance that out a bit. Use this list every-time you decide to buy a prep so you can check it off your list and stay focused and balanced in the preps you buy.

“One is none and Two Is One”

You need to live by this quote as a prepper it is vital to your plan being successful. Things break and get lost all the time so you should always have backups to these vital prep categories. You should have multiple ways to filter water, start a fire, stay warm, cook food or help to treat a wound. If you come across a good deal or can buy in bulk do so! Just follow your list and stay on track don’t get lost following the next best gadget there is plenty of time for that when you get to your wish list. this is about building a balanced foundation!

Perfect you are now ready to start prepping and you can rest easy that you at least have a plan to get you started. You have a clear understanding of what you are prepping for and a rough guideline of items that will help to give you the best chances to survive and thrive! Now, let’s start getting you prepared!

Get prepared In One Year