The term ‘prepper’ used to be associated with a super paranoid person who was preparing for a zombie apocalypse or the end of the world. However, as recent events in the last few years show, a global pandemic is enough to cause mayhem and those of us who were more forward-thinking fared better. A prepper is simply someone who is prepared.
A prepper is someone who believes that a catastrophic disaster (pandemic!), or other emergency, is likely to occur in the future and want to prepare for it. Or they may simply be someone who wants to act wisely and be proactive in order to keep themselves, and their nearest and dearest, protected in any eventuality; from running out of toothpaste to being able to survive if there’s a power outage that lasts longer than a few hours.
Covid proved that we all have a bit of ‘prepper’ deep inside us, as supermarket shelves were stripped of pasta, baked beans, and toilet rolls. History also shows that some level of preparedness is a great idea as our more agriculturally focused ancestors would build up supplies through the year for winter or long journeys, and even in the World Wars people would save what they could to supplement rations. Our modern world has become more complacent with everything available in a supermarket or for next day delivery, but what if these things we rely on were no longer an option?
So, how can you become a more organised prepper, rather than a panic buyer, when something starts to go down in the world? This blog will look at some ideas for organising your prepping supplies.
What to prep for
There are various reasons to want to be fully prepared for any eventuality in our world today.
Natural disasters such as floods, fires, heatwaves, earthquakes, hurricanes or even a really big storm can cause blocked roads or damage to buildings and shops. Even the UK sees some extreme weather conditions, it isn’t just other countries around the world who suffer them, and if a storm knocked down your power lines you would be very grateful to have thought ahead enough to buy a generator.
Other disasters or challenges that might require a level of prepping include man-made disasters such as war, terrorist attacks and the threat of nuclear attack. Financial, personal, social unrest or health challenges also are situations meriting prior planning and thought and these issues are already pertinent in our lives, and those of our nearest and dearest. Basically, we all would be wise to consider being more prepared at some level or other.
Having some levels of supplies prepped will help to build up your self-confidence that you can be self-reliant and even able to help others around you. A true prepper works to be debt-free and even have back up reserves of money or saleable items. This clearly isn’t something that can be done quickly, it takes time, and you’ll have to build up supplies gradually. But if you start to buy in bulk when you can, you will have some reserves stored up enabling you to purchase less in weekly shops, and thereby saving you money that you can put by for emergencies!
Levels of prepping
To some extent your organisation will depend on your level of preparedness. Even people who do a weekly, rather than daily, shop are preparing on some level and keeping spare lightbulbs and batteries shows a level of prep which helps to take the stress out of life by having some supplies handy when they’re needed.
Basic prepping
This level of prepping involves having a non-perishable supply of food; tins, pasta, rice and dehydrated or freeze-dried foods. Also, first aid, candles, battery-operated lamps and bottled water. This level of prepping is aiming to allow you to be self-sufficient if there is a power outage or natural disaster which means you couldn’t get to a supermarket for several days or a week.
Medium-level prepping
This would involve preparing for a disaster that might last a month or more, such as a large hurricane or global pandemic. This would entail having stores of shelf-stable foods, a large supply of bottled water, vitamins, fuel, a generator, communication devices that aren’t reliant on the internet or phone network, bug out bags and even defensive weapons. This level of preparedness would ensure you could survive without power or a supermarket for some time.
Long-term prepping
At this level of prepping, you would have everything that a medium-level prepper would, but would also be producing your own food.
Off the grid
The goal here is to be totally self-reliant and to experience no change in lifestyle if there was a major disaster where none of the ‘normal’ amenities were available, such as water supply and power. This type of prepper aims to live totally outside the system with their own well and several generators to ensure totally independent power sources. All food would be produced for their own needs and there would be no real need for any interaction with the outside world.
Organising your supplies
The way you organise your supplies will depend on the available space that you have. If you live in a small flat in a city then you might only have some space for storing some food supplies and a bug-out bag under a bed or in the bottom of a wardrobe, but high-level prepping might prove to be more tricky. Serious prepping will definitely require more space for storage, and ideally you will have some space in a garage or cellar that you can dedicate to your prepping supplies, even a large cupboard will go some way to giving you a better level of preparedness.
Don’t store your supplies in an outbuilding or shed if you can avoid it, as it could be tempting for thieves, or even inaccessible in the event of a flood or fire cutting it off from your property. If you have a garage, cellar or storage space attached to your property, then you won’t even have to leave the house.
Group your supplies in sections that are clearly marked, as this will make it easier to access when you need something. Some categories for your supplies could be;
- Lighting, heating and power – batteries, lightbulbs, torches, lanterns, lamps, stoves and generators.
- Communication – a radio phone, walkie-talkie system or communication apps that don’t require internet or network.
- Medical supplies – first aid kits and basic medications like paracetamol and ibuprofen.
- Protective clothing and sanitation – prepared for all weathers and for having a self-sufficient sanitation system.
- Shelter and camping supplies – if you can’t stay in the protection of your house.
- Bug out bags, survival gear and security – items that are necessary for surviving days, or even weeks, off the grid and being able to hunt for food or protect yourself if needed.
- Food and water – shelf-stable foods such as tins, freeze-dried foods and bottled water.
If you have a suitable storage space, such as a garage or cellar, then the best way to keep your supplies prepared is with shelving where items can be categorised in sealed boxes, tubs or tote bags. Aim to keep medical supplies, food and clothes separated, in air-tight containers and clearly labelled. Anything that has a storage or use-by date will need to be regularly checked and rotated when reaching their end of shelf life dates, which applies to medical items as well as food supplies. If you have pets, then you also need to prepare for their needs and keep supplies of food and simple medications such as flea treatments and worming tablets.
If this all seems overwhelming then why not head over to Preppers shop to explore options for beginning on your prepping journey?
Or get in touch to chat with one of our experts for some helpful advice.