Since COVID-19 broke out, we have altered several things about our lifestyle. People are continually looking for ways to stock up on essential items like food, water, medicine, survival kits, and other supplies. Store shelves are always missing isopropyl alcohol, sanitizers, wipes, and other cleaning materials.
However, the effects of the pandemic arent something out of the blue. The panic, anxiety, and uncertainty most people feel are with good reason.
Most of us havent had any experience tackling situations like the COVID-19 pandemic, let alone plan for when it would happen. Although, there is a group of individuals who we can all learn from – the Preppers.
Preppers are people who like to prepare for any catastrophic disasters that may occur in the future. Theyre concerned about wars, terrorist attacks, natural disasters, and even a zombie apocalypse! These people can weather anything as theyve been preparing for years, and true enough, they were right all along!
Theres No Such Thing As Over Preparing
When it comes to getting ready for disasters, preppers spare no effort. They always go all out and see to it that their supply is still sufficient. Here are some of the items you need to stock up on when prepping:
Food
Of course, food is one of the essential items you need to have for your doomsday kit. Not eating for a few days will lead to fatigue and a lack of nutrition. During disasters, you need your mind and body to stay sharp so that you can make quick and sensible decisions.
Preppers focus on the longevity and the nutrients they can get from their food. There are several ways you can preserve food, and one of them is pressure canning. You can also search the internet for recipes that are easy to make and will last long.
Another way to preserve food for an extended period is by using Myler bags, which are durable, light, and can seal food properly.
Heat/Fire
Fire is beneficial for when cooking food, staving off predators, and a source of warmth. You can also use it as a source of light, especially when traveling or hunting at night.
It will help if you look for reliable fire starters that you can easily pack and use. Good examples of fire starters are matches, magnifying glasses, and a bow drill. You also need to have a specific set of skills to correctly use them and look for materials that can sustain the fire.
Water
Another essential item on your list should be water. Without a clean source of water, your chances of survival become slim. More than quenching thirst, you can also utilize water for cleaning wounds.
One of the items you need to have is an excellent portable water filter. No matter where you go, you can always have water available, the problem arises if it is dirty and therefore not viable for drinking. Water filters do an excellent job of continually providing you with clean water.
You also need to upgrade your skills in looking for water. If the disaster pushes you to live in the wilderness, you might need to rely on the environment for a water source. There are also techniques that you can employ to test the water. Disease-causing bacteria, iron, lead, and other foreign substances can cause more harm than good to your body.
Shelter
Despite what might be happening in the world when the event you are preparing for happens, you still deserve a good nights sleep. Shelters are also essential to keep you safe from outside elements, especially the weather. Too much cold, and you get hypothermia. Exposure to too much heat will also cause hyperthermia.
You need to secure a durable item that can shelter you. An excellent example of this is a tent and body bag.
Durability And Longevity Is Key
After securing your essentials, you need gear and other tools you can use during the disaster. What you need to consider for these items are durability and longevity more than style.
The necessary gear you need to have are backpacks, cutting tools, and items for self-defense. It would be best if you looked for trusted brands. After all, your life may very well depend on these things, so dont go for cheaper alternatives that might break after a short period of use.
Go for items that went through a battery of tests to brave the elements. Rain, heat, and constant friction might degrade your tools in the long run. It is good to have peace of mind that your gear will not give up on you.
Focus On Self-reliance
Another aspect that preppers can teach is that you need to learn self-reliance. As we continually grow to depend more on technology, we have lost the essential skills we need to have to survive. With a click of a button, anyone can order food, hire someone for repairs, and communicate with anyone across the world.
Unfortunately, heavy reliance on technology and the comforts the modern world can offer us has made us practically inutile when disasters come. We now have a generation that does not know how to do simple everyday jobs that might be useful and save their lives.
Preppers do not become fully prepared overnight. It takes months, even years, to master the skills they have today.
It might look useless and foolish to practice self-reliance, especially in the world we live in now. However, we can never be too sure of what might happen. Do not be limited by the comfort this world can offer you, instead, go out of your way to improve your skills and build them up, so you become more self-reliant.
Knowledge Is Potential Power
Reading books, watching instructional videos, and hearing stories and lessons from other people – these are some ways you can gain knowledge. There are several resources you can pick up and study, so you learn more and be able to do more when a disaster arrives.
As much as it is crucial to stock up on food and water, you also have to fill your mind with essential skills. One of these skills is learning how to administer first aid to a wound or injury. Whatever the cause, you need to attend to wounds and injuries if you want to survive in SHTF situations. Knowing which medicine to take can spell life or death for you and your loved ones.
Another important skill you need to learn that you can pick up from preppers is navigation. Knowing how to get around and look for safe passageways is a guarantee that youll survive longer than most. In SHTF situations, you might need to be in constant movement to stay safe from the elements and potential predators. Knowing your way around a jungle, the sea, the mountains, etc. can help you.
Proper Control Of Mental Health
More than the threats to the physical body, disasters, and SHTF situations will have a heavy toll on ones mental health. It would help if you learned techniques on how to calm down, so you can have a sharp mind to make crucial decisions.
Knowing how to handle stressful situations properly will also help you and your group if you are in one. Tension, anxiety, hunger, etc. will most likely lead to fights damaging to your chances of survival.