The “prepper” community is often considered strange by the rest of society. Why stock up on months and years of food, keep a large stock of weapons and ammunition, and be ready to live in very primitive ways when modern society is so well organized and seemingly ready to respond to even the most tragic disasters? Well, one day this system will all start crashing to the ground. Some things simply mean not being able to rely on the rest of the world. One day there will be an event in some form or fashion that everyone in the prepper community is prepared for: The End of the World as We Know it. TEOTWAWKI, as most hardcore preppers know it, may not come as a nuclear war, it may not be permanent, and it might not even affect everyone, but for those it does affect there will be a dire need for preparation.
The first thing to think about when deciding to “prep” is what it is you could be reasonably face as a life-changing disaster. These situations can be something that affects you, your community, or the world as a whole. Situations possibly involving the end of YOUR world as you know it involve home invasions, a missing child, or a life-threatening injury. Local emergencies that change your city or county as you know it could be a riot, terrorist attack, tornado, earthquake, or hurricane. And the ultimate end of the world as we know it situations involve things like major wars or global financial meltdowns.
But why prepare for these things? Isn’t the government going to help? Emergency medical services, the fire department, police, and maybe even the National Guard should be there for you, right? Well, maybe or maybe not. Someone breaking into your home? Your local police department is already busy answering neighbor disputes and high school kids smoking in the park. Good luck on that security system getting the police to you before they run off with your TV and your children. Think the missing person pictures at your local Wal Mart or an Amber Alert will save your child if someone runs off with them? Probably not. How about getting evacuated after a flood or hurricane? Parts of New Orleans had a tough time with that during Katrina. World War III starts? Get ready for food rationing. Don’t think for a minute that you’ll last if you didn’t prepare if the Dollar, Pound, and Euro collapse. You need to get ready to be able to thrive in situations where your world can be turned upside down in a heartbeat.
Preparing for situations like these is not particularly hard in most cases, and can be done by putting a little back each month to be able to stock up on supplies and equipment. You do not need a concrete bunker, years of canned food, and an arsenal of weapons, just enough to make due until the situation is resolved. Defending the home means owning a weapon and ammunition and adding security measures to your home. Keeping a child abduction from changing your life forever can be done by knowing where your kids are and purchasing GPS watches for them to wear. Riots, terror plots, and other man-made disasters can be mitigated by having a plan to get out of the area and regroup with family at a safer rally point as well as having a stock of ammunition for defense and food to keep you fit if grocery shelves are emptied or it is too dangerous to leave home. Natural disasters are often mitigated by having a well-stocked first aid kit as well as food, water, flashlights, and a battery-powered radio and having home insurance that covers disasters. Financial collapse can be survived by stocking up on silver, ammunition (for hunting, defense, and barter), and other goods that are easily traded if your money is suddenly worthless. Put aside $50 on each paycheck and use it to get something that will help you prepare. Why not prepare for these events when it is not terribly expensive?
The world is probably not coming to an end any time soon, but well something could happen that could change it as we know it. Be prepared for these things and it might just save your life and allow you to thrive in difficult situations.
