If you are not already a disaster prepper, perhaps you should consider becoming one. No matter where you live, disasters can strike without warning.
Preppers are families and individuals that prepare to survive emergencies using disaster preparedness methods. These can be disasters of any type, either political or natural in nature.
Natural Disasters and Government Response
We should have learned a lesson with Katrina about how unprepared people were for the hurricane and how much they expected the government to come to their aid without any real effort on the part of the individuals caught up in that situation to deal with the situation themselves. They were utterly helpless and lacked any of the basic skills needed to survive the disaster. 1,836 people died as a result.
Although many people shifted the blame to George Bush, he did do everything that he could, given the unprepared nature of FEMA and the Federal agencies under his command. In addition to that, there were several independent relief agencies, including the Red Cross, that were prevented from entering New Orleans by both the Governor of Louisiana and the Mayor of New Orleans under the mistaken belief that food and supplies would encourage people to stay in the area. Huh?! Government does not get much more incompetent than this, but they always seem to find ways to hit new lows.
The fact is that New Orleans had a formal disaster evacuation plan that no one bothered to read or implement. The bottom line if that you cannot depend upon government in disaster situations. It is too large and inherently incompetent. In the case of any disaster, you must be able to fend for yourself and have a plan to survive by either coping with the situation or evacuating the area.
Political Disasters
You cannot depend upon what the government or the media tells you about economic issues. Both groups routinely lie about situations in an attempt to either prop up or tear down an administration, depending upon which side of the political fence they are on. While they are currently telling us how much the economy is improving and things are getting better, the real numbers (not the numbers being touted) say something quite different.
This morning I read that The Fed purchased 60% of our debt in 2011 in order to prop up the economy. Don’t forget that this is not money that they gave us, but rather is money that they loaned us and we will have to pay back with interest. The Fed, regardless of popular misconceptions, is not part of the Federal government and does not take direction from the government. This also means that China and Japan are no longer financing our overspending addictions. Regardless of what they are telling us, a complete economic collapse is a real possibility, and in this situation, all government services are also likely to collapse.
How to be a Disaster Prepper
A disaster prepper lives by the Boy Scout motto, “Be Prepared.” Preppers know that you cannot always depend on others for survival in the case of large disasters, such as tornadoes, blizzards, earthquakes, floods, wild fires, and of course hurricanes. This means accumulating survival tools and enough food so that your family can survive any sudden disaster that leaves you without food, water and shelter — the three essentials for survival.
The government’s Ready.gov web site recommends that each American build a kit that contains enough provisions for each member of your family to survive without any outside assistance for at least 72 hours. They even provide recommendations for the components needed for an emergency family supply kit. This kit contains the minimum that you will need to survive if your water supply, electricity, heat, food and other necessities are suddenly cut off.
This is, of course, the minimum requirement, and to a true survivor, a 72-hour supply is laughable. They plan for the long term with stockpiles of Mountain House and other freeze-dried foods in bulk #10 cans. These foods can last of to 30 years when stored properly. Cases of water or sources independent of municipal water systems are in the plan. Survival gear, such as strike-anywhere matches, knives, firearms, cook stoves, tents, first aid supplies, warm clothing and other essentials are also stockpiled and stored safely, just in case you need them some day.
Disaster preppers may stockpile a 90-day supply of essentials, and it is not unheard of for someone to stockpile a year’s supply. Keep in mind that you need to store enough for each member of the family to survive, and perhaps a bit more to be used for barter when stores are shut down or are empty. Don’t forget about your pets. While some people feel comfortable letting their pets loose to fend for themselves, in a urban situation desperate people are likely to slaughter your dogs and cats for food.
Bug-out bags are also an essential component. A bug-out bag typically contains three days of supplies, and each individual needs their own bag. A bug-out back is grabbed when you have to leave an area immediately and have no ability to save your stockpile from a flood. if you cannot afford to stockpile supplies, you should at least have a bug-out bag prepared.
The most important aspect of having a good disaster preparedness plan is to build your stockpile quietly and without your neighbors’ knowledge. If everyone in your area knows about your emergency supplies, they will be lined up outside of your door when they are desperate and hungry. You therefore never want to put yourself in a situation where you have to defend your supply of essentials from hungry friends and your family will certainly not be in a situation to survive if you find yourself sharing your supplies with all of the neighbors. This is not a matter of greed; it is a matter of survival.