The idea of becoming a full-fledged prepper may seem a little daunting, but even the most hardened of veterans had to start somewhere. Prepping has become quite mainstream over time and more people are becoming aware of the importance of preparing for an emergency or disaster. A good nudge to convince yourself to get started with the prepping lifestyle is to think of how much it can benefit you in the long run. (h/t to TheSurvivalistBlog.net)

Prepping for beginners

Things may seem to be calm and quiet on most days, but being complacent can bring you much closer to your demise. Disasters are unpredictable, they can strike anywhere and anytime. It’s better to be proactive than reactive when things fall apart.

If you’re looking to start prepping, here are a few things to keep in mind:

• Keep rotating your food stockpile regularly to keep your supplies from expiring. One of the most fundamental things a prepper should know is to stockpile food in case a disaster hits. However, most food and supplies don’t last forever. You can’t just buy boxes full of food and supplies and shove them into your pantry, and forget about them until things got bad. Adopt a rotation system for your stockpile – making use of things before they expire – so you wouldn’t be left with spoiled food and expired medicines.
• Learn various ways to start a fire. In a survival situation, fire can be a versatile tool in your arsenal and learning how to start a fire can significantly increase your chances of survival. You can create a makeshift torch to light your way when traversing the wilderness at night. You can also use fire to keep you warm and cook your food.
• Keep your vehicle maintained and your gas tank full. Some disaster scenarios would require you to get out of dodge toward a safer location. In this case, having a well-maintained car full of fuel is essential for survival. You car should also be stocked up with supplies and other survival essentials in case you need to live out in your vehicle for a few days. (Related: Prepper hacks: 20 Tips for surviving the next chaotic situation with ease.)
• Customize your supplies depending on your geographical area. One of the biggest mistakes you can make is buy a pre-made bug-out bag. While it isn’t inherently wrong, most pre-made bags are for general use, and will provide very little in terms of specialization. Those living in colder climates should customize their bags accordingly to protect themselves from the harshness of the elements. The same goes for those living in much warmer climates.
• Get out of debt. Having any kind of debt in an SHTF scenario can lead to you losing your important assets like your home or vehicle. Before things get dicey, it’s best to start paying off your debts as soon as possible.
• Make a plan and stick to it. Most beginner preppers will try to buy everything under the sun to prepare for SHTF, unsure if they actually need them. The best course of action is to always prepare a plan that will help you survive in your own home for about a day. Once you’ve gone through your entire checklist, you can start working towards living in your home for 72 hours onward.
• Practice makes perfect. Most prepper items would be useless if you don’t know how to use them properly. Find the time during your week to practice how to use certain tools to train yourself for when you need to use them.
• Focus on your water supply. Most people can survive three weeks without eating, but the average person can only survive three days without drinking a glass of water. Learn multiple strategies on collecting and filtering water, as well as pinpoint all water sources near your home.
• Learn basic first aid. Most disasters would shut down many of the essential services you enjoy, including healthcare facilities. When you or someone close to you gets injured, having knowledge on first aid can save a life.
• Keep a tight lip about your preps. When SHTF, you’ll never know whom you can trust. Even the kindest people could turn nasty once desperation sets in. Keep your prepping plans mostly to yourself and among your immediate family to prevent people from attempting to take your supplies.

Read up on more prepping tips to start your preparedness lifestyle at Preparedness.news.

Sources include: 

TheSurvivalistBlog.net

SkilledSurvival.com

BusinessInsider.com