Prepping became a household word a little over 15 years ago. Fear and uncertainty riddled the masses. Whether the motivation comes from conspiracy theories or an observation that the government cannot take care of us when society breaks down, people across the land took to survivalist techniques and methods to feed, protect and withstand anything that might be coming our way.
It can be said that we certainly live in uncertain times. Just when things start to seem normal again, the Covid-19 virus awakens dormant preppers who might have gone inactive. Back in 2010 prepping was all the rage. You had shows on the History and Discovery Channel showing survivalists and their plans and bug out locations all over the country. Some even got to enjoy 15 minutes of fame among the community. The fad died down a bit though. Things started to go back to normal and many people figuratively went to sleep. The resurgence in the genre has been nothing short of monumental. After a mandatory lock down and empty grocery store shelves 5 years ago, people have realized once again that they can only depend on themselves, and they better be ready.
Where Do You Get Started As A Prepper?
When you get into prepping, most don’t know where to start. It can be an intimidating scenario. You can start small though, by maybe starting to save up some canned soups or canned seafood. They have canned meats you can stock up on too. Making sure you have a sustainable food supply is where most people like to start. At the Urban Suburban Prepper we are big advocates of pemmican, which is a survival food that goes back hundreds and hundreds of years. The main point is, there are so many survival food options that can sustain you through a crisis. We intend to give you all of our top picks and also other ideas you can consider. Ideas like potentially using a food dehydrator or a freeze dryer to have an abundance of food options in your prepper pantry.
In addition to food, your water needs will be essential. There are all kinds of different routes you can take to ensure that you have drinkable water. Maybe FEMA will be around to pass out plastic bottles of water, but you can’t count on that. Many people will resort to drinking unsafe water filled with bad bacteria out of desperation, and you don’t want to be in that position. Some people like to use a distilled water maker to ensure their drinking water is pure, and others like to filter their water with either reverse osmosis or a gravity fed filter. Whichever method you choose to go with, this is one of the most critical elements of prepping. If you had to choose between the two, you would choose going hungry over dehydration.
Considerations A Prepper Must Address For Survival
Once the food and water situation is squared away, there are other things to take into consideration. Interesting and fun gear to equip yourself with as well. There are all kinds of really neat compact tools and gear you can fit very easily into your bug out bag like pocket chainsaws, folding compact shovels, compressed towels and even tents and sleeping bags you can easily compress and store in your bug out bag.
You also need to consider that the grid will likely be down for the whole duration of your time of survival. How will you find a way to get a charge? There are lots of solar options that go beyond attention grabbing and expensive solar panels for your home. Low key inconspicuous solar gadgets like solar phone chargers and even a portable solar oven are options. It’s important to know that solar devices will work on overcast days as the sun’s rays penetrate gray skies. Using a conventional generator might draw the type of attention you aren’t seeking.
We also like to focus on the potential scenario of having to bug out. We like to put most of our emphasis on survival strategies from home, as that is the most likely scenario, but it’s important to prepare for the possibility of having to leave in an emergency. For these reasons its good to have a bug out bag for your home and a bug out bag for your car as well. You’ll want to strategize the best potential bug out locations as well. We are hopeful that survival can happen from the home, but you never know what can happen in a volatile situation.
Having some first aid skills to be able to handle any potential emergency that might arise is something you should get some practice with. You should also have a large and fully stocked first aid kit with all kind of products for all kinds of potential scenarios. Issues that can range from minor like insect bites and stings, to severe injuries like bone fractures, wounds, lacerations and abrasions. Being able to perform first aid will be essential both for yourself and for any family members you will be caring for.
Why Prepping In An Urban Or Suburban Location Is Advantageous
While some people who take on preparation as a hobby or as a way of life are fortunate enough to live in rural areas with low population density, sometimes on acres of land, most of us are not that lucky. We have jobs, we have lives, we have commutes that do not change. Living in a desolate area with country folk who are self sufficient just isn’t an option for many. It is possible to prep in an urban or suburban environment though. While it might not be as desirable as a bug out location in the woods, it can be done and it can be done successfully.
While some urban environments like the super dense New York City or Toronto for our Canadian readers are not ideal, many other relatively large cities are manageable in the pursuit of survival. Obviously the downtown core of said cities is not going to be ideal, but there are many neighborhoods that are viable. With ways to secure your home and defend your home, you can weather the storm successfully. You should be equipped with both lethal and non-lethal weapons to defend yourself. An arsenal of weapons actually. For those who cannot legally own a firearm, there are many other options to consider like a sword, machete, baseball bats, taser guns and stun guns. It’s not a pleasant thing to consider, but people will be very desperate and dangerous at this critical time.
At the urban suburban prepper we like to inform our audience on how they can have adequate food, medicine, supplies and methods of home defense and protection that keep them safe if there is a breakdown in society. There are means to survive the next catastrophic event that comes our way. There are ways in which you can help others as well. You don’t have to be worried if you’re not physically strong, elderly, a single mother or someone who feels they are in a vulnerable position regardless of the circumstances. Many will suffer and not know how to cope when this time comes. You truly don’t have to be one of them.
