When it comes to prepping basics, it is not unusual for people to get them confused with survival basics. Although they might sound the same, they are far from being the same thing.
In this article, I hope to share some of these distinct differences, because while one might save you from a potential disaster today, the other will ensure you’ll survive for far longer.
Others often ask why preppers appear so different from regular survivalists. When I compare the 2, I can see that while one aims at more immediate solutions to surviving nature itself, the other is more of a long-term planner.
Prepping isn’t just about surviving an immediate threat. It’s about following a long-term survival plan that involves a long list of things that need including.
Things like food storage and creation, water storage and sourcing, heating, power generation, medical supplies, and knowledge, practicing sustainability, and lots more. Here’s more on getting prepped.
Prepping is an art form and takes a lot more planning than simple survival. It is a wealth of knowledge designed to work together, with a single purpose; to keep you and your family alive beyond a significant emergency.
The plan you have in place with prepping basics should continue indefinitely. With no end date, you should have enough supplies and knowledge to remain self-sufficient for a long time to come.
Tips to Prepping Basics
Tip #1: Water Supply
The first priority for any prepper is getting their water supply right. There should be a minimum of 3 options in any prepper’s plan to make sure it covers every avenue.
Why is water so important? Because without it, a person only has 72 hours before they die. That’s 3 days before you dehydrate to such an extent that your body will simply give up.
Thankfully certain foods contain enough water to help with your daily water intake, including fruits, vegetables, and meat. For the rest of your daily water needs, make sure you have access to several sources. These should include-
- Emergency water rations
- Reliable clean water supply
- Water filters
Emergency water rations should be in your bug out bags and scattered around your home and bug out location. The steady water supply could be underground tanks or even bottled water, but make sure you have purification methods as well, such as tablets.
Having a bug out location close to a permanent water source also works well. Water filters could be anything from life straws to portable water filters.
Tip #2: Food Supply
There’s more to a food cache than simple emergency food rations. While those are great for initial calories, it’s the other food types that provide long-term sustainability. Again, the foods you need to prep will fall under a couple of different categories.
- Emergency Food Rations
- Long-term food stores
- Home-grown foods
Each variety plays a specific role in your prepping plan. While the emergency rations may be more for the initial emergency situation, the other 2 will provide sustenance on a more long-term scale.
Foods with long shelf lives, including dried grains, beans, cans, and others. Home-grown foods include vegetable gardens, domestic animals like chickens, sheep, and goats, and herbs gardens.
Tip #3: Energy Supplies
It’s pointless having certain foods if you don’t have the means for cooking them. Make sure you have the means to generate heat, either by industrialized fuels like gasoline, propane or electricity, or natural fuels like timber.
Not only do these provide ways to heat foods, but they also provide your home with heating and lighting. Heating is especially important if you live in a zone with harsh winters, while lighting may be necessary to provide security and entertainment after dark.
Tip #4: Bug Out Supplies
Not all prepping plans will come to play out exactly as you’d hoped, particularly if the disaster or emergency situation doesn’t follow your plan. Some situations will force you to abandon your home and possibly trek a considerable distance to safety.
While your prepping plan and supplies may be great for a home environment, most will be useless if you need to shift camp quickly.
Bug out bags will ensure enough emergency supplies remain mobile. One bag per person is a good rule of thumb, which may also include any dogs you have. Bug out bags should contain everything needed for a minimum of 72 hours of survival.
Tip #5: Prepare for Off-Grid Living
When needing to live off-grid, be prepared to return to a lifestyle from history, because most of the modern conveniences you use now, won’t be available. No running water; no electricity; no gas; no working toilet facilities; no laundry facilities.
What you’ll be left with is as close to nature as you’ll ever get. It’s important to set certain boundaries up, some of which affect your very life. Because one thing humans are notorious is creating waste.
Human waste has the ability to enter subsurface water and travel extensively. Make sure you create a toilet at least 30 to 40 yards away from any water source, as well as any washing facilities. The 2 don’t mix. Consider these prepping basics as your starting line.
