Common Prepping Errors

What NOT to do when emergency planning

So you've decided that the threat posed by climate change and natural disasters is something to take seriously. Now what? We've looked at the things you definitely shouldn't do.

Buy, Buy, Buy!

Battering the credit card and simply buying a pile of emergency gear you've seen on Amazon is tempting - but probably not the best approach. You need to do your research. Take time to read advice and reviews from as many sources as you can find. Work out exactly what you and your family would actually need. Consider different scenarios; 

• What if you have to leave your home?
• What if you're forced to stay in your home? 
• What if you have to leave and can't use the car?

There's no one-size-fits-all solution for these situations; emergency preparation doesn't come in a neat box. You need to have a clear idea of what you'll need for whatever disaster arises. And don't dismiss what you already own. Blankets can work just as well as a sleeping bag.

Learn Survival Skills

Chances are, in an emergency, you wont be able to ask SIRI how to build a shelter, start a fire, or apply a tourniquet. You need to know how to do this stuff already. Consider taking courses on bushcraft, first aid, and foraging. Learn how to fish and how to prepare a fish for cooking. Buy books on survival - they don't require WIFI - and read them. Practise the skills you learn so you don't forget what you need to know.

Rice Again?

If you're going to stockpile food, there's no need - in this day and age - to rely solely on rice, pasta, lentils and beans. Freeze-dried food is easy to get hold of and will provide much needed variety. Include herbs, spices, salt, sugar. Check the use by dates and replace things as needed.

If you have a garden, grow vegetables and fruit so you have year-round produce to keep you going. Learn how to make preserves - jam, pickles, chutneys - and how to can veg or store in brine. Remember - you may not be able to leave your home to get fresh supplies.

Don't forget pet food, hygiene supplies and cleaning materials.

Don't Show off

Serious preppers don't tell everyone that they have the supplies they'd need for a disaster. They don't want anyone less organised expecting them to share or worse - trying to steal what they have. 

And don't build an arsenal like you're preparing for a military siege. A couple of utility knives will be fine. A shot gun or hunting rifle (depending on where you live) might help you find fresh meat, but don't assume you'd need it for defense.  Weapons are heavy and mistakes could be made in a high pressure situation.

Don't under estimate how much water you'll need

Perhaps the single greatest mistake a novice prepper can make is under estimating just how much drinking water is required to stay healthy. Two to three litres (one gallon) per person, per day, is the recommended allowance. When stored, that takes up a huge amount of space and weighs a lot. A portable water purifier will clean any water still coming through taps and you can take it with you to purify water from rivers, lakes and streams. Keep a spare filter in case one fails.

Somewhere to start

Here's a list of some of the websites and resources we've found helpful.

Resources

Online survival courses - https://theprepared.com/
Tips, reviews and bushcraft courses - https://www.youtube.com/funkyprepper
Strategies for a prepared home https://thesurvivalmom.com/
Prepping in an apartment - https://apartmentprepper.com/

Supplies

https://readywise.co.uk/
https://www.preppersshop.co.uk/
https://www.thebushcraftstore.co.uk/
https://www.thebugout.co.uk/