You have, no doubt, heard of preppers, people who prepare themselves and their families for disaster. Preppers are not necessarily gun-toting wackos – they are simply fully aware that calamity could strike at any time, and they will have only their own resources to rely on for days, weeks, possibly months. Preparedness is something we should all practice.
In a recent essay I pointed out that The End could be closer than we think, not due to any prophecy or divine wrath but because of humanity’s rape of Earth. We have overextended ourselves, exploiting resources past the point of sustainability. Human action is heating the planet, changing weather patterns, melting arctic and antarctic ice, causing droughts in some areas and horrendous floods in others. Food and water shortages will result in famines, mass migrations of refugees, and bloody wars.
Climate change is not the only existential threat that could shred the thin fabric of civilization. A coronal mass ejection scoring a bullseye on our planet, a supervolcano eruption, a comet or asteroid impact, or any of a number of massive calamities could result in the you-know-what hitting the fan. We have already seen how the COVID-19 pandemic played Old Scratch with our society, as well as laying bare some of its weaknesses. The next pandemic could be a lot worse.
The event that forces us to be resourceful, and will vindicate preppers, need not be world-shattering – it could be hyperinflation, a gas pinch, massive civil unrest, or a natural disaster such as a hurricane or earthquake. Remember how Hurricane Katrina ravished Louisiana and Mississippi? People who didn’t have enough supplies at home had to loot salvage food, beverages, diapers, etc. Interestingly, people who owned guns apparently rarely took advantage of the unarmed; many gun owners protected their gunless neighbors from looters and hoodlums.
This is why we all should be Preppers. You don’t have to go full survivalist mode with a bugout bunker way out in the boondocks and enough guns to arm a platoon – all you need to do is take some simple measures at home. Stock up on nonperishable food and keep it in a safe place, well-sealed to preserve it and keep out bugs and rodents. You should rotate your stores too, especially canned goods so they don’t expire. Keep plenty of water on hand, too, because the plumbing may not be working, or water may be contaminated. Remember Flint, Michigan? If you have enough warning, fill bathtubs, sinks, buckets, etc. with tap water.
Since there may be no power after a major disaster, you’ll need flashlights, batteries, matches, candles, and means to heat food such as Sternotm. If you have a backyard barbecue, keep charcoal briquettes and lighter fluid on hand. Have a battery-powered radio in order to catch any news. If you have room for a backup generator, get one of those and keep fuel handy at all times. I know blackouts are no fun because I’ve lived through quite a few of those.
Necessities go beyond food and warmth. Hygiene is always vital, so include soap, shampoo, toothpaste, extra toothbrushes, dental floss, washcloths, feminine hygiene, and diapers if you have rugrats. Hygiene items could become items of barter with your neighbors, as maintaining a good relationship with all those around you will be important in the dark days.
Until whatever organization comes along to help, you will need to while away the hours without the Internet. Books, card and board games, puzzles, even jam sessions can take people’s minds off their troubles for a while. Thus, include books, games, jigsaw puzzles, crossword and other brain-teaser collections, and maybe sheet music in your survival stash.
You don’t need to spend a lot of money or go to a lot of effort in order to prepare for riding out a disaster and its aftermath. Look up prepping, invest in a survival book or three, maybe join a group to get and exchange tips. Never count on any government or even the Red Cross to save your patooty in a time of crisis – make sure you can look after yourself and those closest to you, at least for a while.
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