(Bugout.news) Prepping may be old hat for some readers, but the movement gains notoriety and supporters every day, so it doesn’t hurt to review some of the basics. And you never know, you might learn something new yourself.

There are certain things that everyone who is serious about achieving and maintaining the highest state of readiness should know and do in order to accomplish the goal of not only surviving any emergency but also being able to ride out the storm, so to speak. These fundamentals don’t change over time and are vital pillars of preparedness and self-preservation.

1. Make a bugout bag: Look at your situation and decide if its best to bug out – that is, leave your home and try to make it to a predetermined, pre-stocked location – or bug in, meaning you’re going to try to hole up in your home and defend yourself from within. But whatever you decide, a bugout bag is a must-have. This portable lifesaver should be stocked with long-term storage food (we recommend NuManna foods) and water, clothing, and basic survival items that you might need to make your way to safety, should an “event” occur while you’re away from home. Obviously this bag needs to be small enough to be portable but big enough to carry what you want. There are endless suggestions about what to put in a bugout bag but there are some bugout bag mistakes you should avoid as well, and those are here.

This video will get you started:

2. Stock up on food: Again, no matter what you decide to do – bugout or bug in – you’re going to need to make sure you have enough long-term storage food for everyone in your family (see our recommendation above). As for daily calories, this will depend in large part on whether you’re bugging out, in which case you’re going to need extra calories because you’re going to be packing equipment (and probably a weapon), or staying put and therefore burning fewer calories.

Of course, stocking up on water is part of this process; water is more important than food, even, because most humans can’t survive beyond three days without water. Smaller bottles water are best because they are easier to grab and go, if you’re forced to abandon your home anyway (another reason why No. 1 above is necessary).

3. Rotate your food and water stocks: One of the most overlooked basics is rotating food and water stocks. You’ll have to rotate your water before your food, most likely, since long term storage foods like the brand we use and recommend literally remain fresh for years.

4. Rotate your clothing: Most of us live in a part of the country that is hot for about half the year and colder the other half, so our prepped clothing should reflect that. If you packed shorts and a tee as your spare set of clothing, those obviously won’t do if the temperature outside is freezing. So be mindful to rotate your clothing in your bugout bag to make sure you dress for the season. If you’re bag is large enough (and you don’t mind the extra weight) then the better suggestion is to include a set of winter and summer clothes.

5. Study, study: Prepping for survival in a myriad of conditions takes time to do – and to learn. In today’s increasingly interconnected, online world, there literally is a limitless supply of material you can access from your laptop or personal device. Spend some time each day learning what you can about critical survival skills like building a fire, disinfecting water, building a quick shelter and so forth.

6. Get in shape: One of the most important aspects of being prepared is making sure you’re in the best physical shape possible. Let’s face it, in a societal collapse situation or other natural emergency, your body is going to be tested in ways it hasn’t been in years, or ever.

So how you decide to get in shape is up to you, but ask yourself this question: When was the last time you hiked several miles with a backpack that weighs 30 pounds? If you haven’t done that lately, you need to – and you need to do it often. Running/jogging/walking, doing some leg exercises to build strength and endurance, and working on your back/upper body will all help improve your physical ability to bugout if/when it ever becomes necessary.

Remember, we can’t predict the future so the time to begin prepping, if you’re serious about it, is now, not later. Good luck!

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