What can we do to start planning for potential disasters? The ideal situation is to buy a plot of land with a well, a pond or creek, and some woods. However, not all of us can realistically do that. If you do a lot of rough camping, chances are you’ll have several items you’d need to survive in the wilderness that you could start with and build on.
You can get ideas from many survival books that you can buy. Keep these books with your gear because they will help you find something to eat and stay alive if you are ever in that situation. There are some things we can do to prepare for survival if we live in the suburbs or a small town like I do.
Water is an essential item. Try to find a good water filter that does not require electricity. It will also necessitate the use of several filters. Some work on gravity and some smaller ones are less expensive.
Large water bags are also available for purchase that can be filled and hung up (outdoors on a tree limb). This way, you can keep a small amount of filtered water on hand for drinking or cooking. Find or buy rain barrels and place them beneath your home’s eaves spouts.
You could probably do this all year if you live in a warmer climate. For those of us who live in cold temperatures, special water barrels can be purchased and filled if you have enough space in your home. Purchase several water purification tablets on hand if you need to purify them for drinking.
Large containers should be used to store filtered water (preferably glass or at least the big blue water jugs). Smaller jars could be stacked in the bottom of a closet, then topped with heavy cardboard or one-inch plywood and stacked again. Stick a sticky note on the date you filled them with water. Begin by using the oldest date first, then refill and date again. If the power goes out for a few days, you’ll still have some to drink and cook with.
And, if the worst-case scenario occurs, you will have some to use (along with the filter to do more) until you can organize yourself to do what you need to do. Typically, you can draw water from the city tank for other purposes. However, keep in mind that others may be thinking the same thing.
I believe it will take electricity to pump water into the tank, which will likely empty quickly. Make sure you have some water boxes on hand if you run out of water. I do not recommend purchasing a large number of plastic water bottles to store because I am not convinced that the plastic is safe for long-term storage.
It is, however, up to each individual to make their own decision. Water bottles (usually quart size) have the filter built right in. Fill them from a creek or pond, close the lid and suck the water up through the straw. As it passes through the straw, it filters.
Some of them guarantee a bacterial and chemical-free environment. If you bought one for each family member right now and plenty of filters, these would come in handy if you can’t stay in one place for long. You can also buy water boxes to supplement your water supply. They are reasonably priced and last a long time.
Food is the next most important item. Every time you go grocery shopping, pick up some dried foods, such as rice, beans, noodles, or something like extra canned goods or anything else that will keep for a while.
Long-lasting canned meats, food bars, MRE meals, and canned cheese are available. Buy some of these each month to supplement your emergency food supply. These are ready to eat and will save you time from having to cook something under less than ideal circumstances. Keep in mind that there is no microwave or an electric stove without power.
If you have a gas cook stove, there may be no gas available. You will need a rotation plan, just like the water. Purchase another item as you use the first. Keep an eye out for sales and stock up on paper plates, cups, and plastic silverware. You might not have enough water to wash dishes.
Other valuable items: Have a few extra gallons of bleach on hand. In addition, I’ve discovered that hydrogen peroxide works better than bleach for many things and is helpful for first aid. It is available in quarts for around $1.00. Purchase extra gallons of vinegar and boxes of soda because you will find numerous applications for them.
Books have been written about what you can do with those items. If you don’t have a camping stove, some can be used over an open fire, and a small stove can burn wood or charcoal and is great for boiling water or cooking food. If you have a propane or gas stove, you may run out of fuel quickly, and wood may be easier to come by. All of these would need to be used outside. I haven’t been able to develop an indoor solution that doesn’t involve solar or gas generators.
The majority of the assistance provided here is primarily for short-term emergencies. I believe we must consider long-term survival. We need to regain our self-sufficiency and return to doing things for ourselves. We have relied on the government for many services for far too long, and they may soon be gone.
Long-term food packages available for purchase can last up to 25 years if properly stored. You can get a three-month, six-month, or twelve-month supply packed in buckets. Single packaged meals are also available, so you can get the meals you prefer. Buy some of these each month to supplement your emergency food supply.
By the way, we need to buy non-hybrid or GMO (genetically modified) seeds that we can plant and save for the following season. They are still available online and are packed in a container that will keep them for years. Make sure you have the necessary gardening tools. It would also be beneficial if you could find some people with whom you could collaborate in the event of a disaster. Each individual possesses unique talents and assets that can be shared with others.
These are just a few suggestions. More is not possible due to time and space constraints. You can probably come up with a slew of ideas. Consider what you wouldn’t want to be without and start saving now. Consider the worst-case scenario for your family and prepare for it accordingly. Prepare yourself right now! You’ll be glad you did when a disaster strikes.
