SURVIVAL&SAFETY
Doomsday Prepping 101
Food & Water
The most obvious, and the most
important part of your stockpile.
Here, the objective is to store
non-perishable items, such as
canned goods, grains, beans, and
freeze-dried or dehydrated foods.
Of course, everything has an expiration date, but you’re looking
to maintain a commendable food
source for up to a year or more.
Water can be stored in gallon
jugs. Rain barrels, along with a filtration system is necessary.
First-Aid
This is the second most important
thing to collect. You will need bandages, antibiotics, ointments, vitamins and supplements, common
cold medications, and aspirin.
You will need to update this supply regularly, because these types
of medications do have an expiration date. However, in a pinch,
they’re good to have, especially
if you end up in a situation where
they become scarce or no longer
easily-accessible.
Self-Defense
This is entirely up to you, but it
is suggested that you maintain
some sort of physical protection,
whether that is a gate, alarm, and
camera setup that has the capability to run on a back-up power
source, or something as simple as
a baseball bat. This type of protection is necessary, not only if enemy forces try to invade, but also
for predators seeking your food
source, such as wild animals.
84 Summer 2016 Adventure Outdoors
Clothing & Hygiene
Because you’re still human,
even in a crisis. If the danger is
long-lasting, through changing
seasons and colder weather, you
will wish you stored snow gear
and warm clothing. If you have to
stay secured in a bunker with your
family, hygiene is going to be the
one thing that will maintain your
health (and your sanity). Stock up
on antibacterial soaps, wet wipes,
socks, undergarments, and blankets. Keep a standard sewing kit
on hand for repairing rips and
patching holes in worn items,
and always
have a
sturdy
pair of
boots on
hand.
Bug-out Bag
This is for when all else fails and
you need to evacuate your home
or place of shelter. This bag
should contain all of the above,
but in smaller quantities, specifically lasting at a 72-hour minimum. A good 20-30 lb. bag full of
the essentials is recommended.
Remember, it is for emergencies
only, so do not pack anything other than the bare minimum to survive. Examples of things to includ e
in your bug-out bag are: survival
kit, first-aid kit, change of clothes,
multi-tool, food, and a flashlight.
Important
Documents/Money
If it’s not the end of the world, then
you’re going to need your important documents, such as paper
versions of your assets, social
security information, birth certificate, and monies. Keep in a fireproof safe, inside of a waterproof
bag or container.
Communications
and Meet-Ups
This is if you get separated from
your family. You may want to consider meeting at a certain area
at a certain time or investing in a
2-way radio. These
options will open
doors for staying
in touch after chaos
awakens.
Books
For rebuilding your world after the
worst has passed. Books are essential in the sense that the internet will likely be down in this sort
of event, and Google Search will
no longer be at your fingertips.
This means that you will need to
keep on hand a series of howto’s for generating power and
re-building shelters, diagnosing
illnesses, etc.