In the prepper community, we all have different ideas on how to get ready for “the big one.” We've learned to focus not so much on how and when it will take place but on being ready to do what's necessary to survive no matter what happens. The main question in our minds is, are we ready?
Every prepper has his or her own survival philosophy, and that's okay. When SHTF, having people with different outlooks and talents can be tremendously helpful.
Prepper Mistakes to Avoid
But no matter what, there are things that every prepper should know not to do. Some of these mistakes are obvious, but others might come as a surprise. These survival pitfalls can be life-threatening, so it's important to take the time now to learn what they are and how to avoid them.
Read on to learn more.
Prepper Mistake #1: Focusing on One Potential Disaster
It is acceptable to focus on and prepare for a volcanic eruption, nuclear, chemical, or biological attack, or even a 10.0 magnitude earthquake, but do not forget the fact that prepping is about surviving any artificial or natural disaster.
You cannot spend all of your limited resources on one endeavor. Over time, you will likely have to survive multiple disasters. You must generally be prepared for all possibilities. Read more…
Prepper Mistake #2: Focusing on supplies instead of skills.
Of course, just because you have all the best survival books doesn’t mean you shouldn’t bother to learn survival skills. It’s possible your books will be destroyed or you won’t be able to get to them. The same rule applies to your survival food and gear.
What if you’re at work when your home is destroyed by an explosion, earthquake, or some other disastrous event? Would you still have the skills to survive, or are you completely dependent on your food and gear? Click here for the full post.
Prepper Mistake #3: Poor Knowledge
“Be Prepared” is the motto of the Boy Scouts, unfortunately, most people who find themselves in a Wilderness Survival situation have very poor knowledge of how to survive and are usually totally unprepared.
Know the 5 keys to Wilderness Survival
1. Know how to build a shelter
2. Know how to signal for help
3. Know what to eat & how to find it
4. Know how to build and maintain a fire
5. Know how to find water and prepare safe water to drink.
Prepper Mistake #4: Poor route selection
Choosing a poor route, as you move through the wilderness is a recipe for disaster. Outdoorsmen of little experience or poor judgment will sometimes opt for a shorter route between two points, even if it poses a greater risk than would be faced if a longer route were chosen. For the full article click here.
Prepper Mistake #5: “If you’re lost for any length of time, you’ve got to find food immediately.”
That really isn’t true, and you can actually survive for weeks and weeks without it. Your priorities should be finding shelter and water, especially since in most places you’ll be dead in three days without water. Eating food will also dehydrate you faster, so focus on getting water before food. Read more…
Prepper Mistake #6: Building an arsenal
Weapons are important for every prepper but so are other supplies. Via theprepperjournal.com
I see this all the time. Many new survivalists spend thousands on weapons and related gear, yet have only a two-week supply of food and no water filter. This is stupid. I love guns and gear as much as the next person – but I know food and water are more important to my survival. Sure; we need weapons to protect what we’ve put away, just don’t neglect the other stuff. Click here to know more.
Prepper Mistake #7: Look after No:1 – That means YOU
To be ready for anything, preppers must stay strong and fit. Via The Prepper Journal
Your own health and well-being are essential for you to look after others. Put yourself at the top of the list of important things! If you can’t function with all your prepping skills and knowledge then how will anyone else.?
Remember the simple things – if you wear glasses then ensure you have several spare pairs available.
If you need any form of medication to help you keep going each day, then ensure you have lots. I would say at least six months supply of essential medication is your bare minimum. See more…
Prepper Mistake #8: Preparing for a specific date
Similar to people who planned for Y2K, some feared the Mayan Calendar ending at the end of 2012. They did the same thing when nothing happened and the world kept on spinning. The danger of prepping for a specific threat that is date-based is believing that nothing else in the world could happen to you.
Natural disasters in the form of wildfires, earthquakes, floods, tornadoes, and winter storms happen every year and any supplies you store should keep you alive regardless of the disaster. Don’t believe that if the world doesn’t end, you will never see any disruption-causing event in your life. Read the whole article here.
Prepper Mistake #9: Getting too comfortable
I should again raise my hand on this one. We all do it. It is too easy not to be in today’s society. Everything around us screams comfort, and that’s what we all want, isn’t it? I wrote an article about how the money we have in banks could put a major kink in our lives because we depend on them.
Even though it isn’t easy, you have to break away from the comfort. You have to get up and go to work every day, and then come home every day, and work just as hard at making sure your garden is growing, and that your rainwater collection system is working. See more…
Prepper Mistake #10: Forgetting that there is a life beyond prepping
Of all of the prepper mistakes, this is perhaps the most difficult to overcome.
For many, the call to prepare becomes a full-time avocation. Living and breathing preparedness become the norm, disrupting work and family activities as well as the personal quiet time we all need to recharge our internal batteries. Sleep becomes elusive as you fret about being ready. You live in a perpetual state of stress. Read more…
Prepper Mistake #11: Most Importantly, Don’t Panic
Whatever you do, don’t panic. Sure, easier said than done, especially when you find yourself in a life-or-death situation, but heightened stress drains vital energy and only hurts rather than helps. Calm yourself down, stop what you’re doing, take some deep breaths, and assess the scenario. To read the full post, click here.
- The Myth of the Undercover Preppers
- SHTF Life Hacks | Secret Prepper Tip List
- Prepper Mistakes to Avoid | Survival Tips
Editor’s Note: This post was originally published on Jan 5, 2015, and has been updated for quality and relevancy.
Best article yet…Good job
Good solid information. Thanks.
I train and equip people to deal with disasters. Your article is probably one of the best articles I have ever read on the topic; it gives SOLID information for people wanting to truly be prepared. No hype, no crap! Just sound advice. Great job!
Thanks, that was very good.
I THINK I’M OVER PREPARED.JUST WISH I COULD FIND MY BOOK ON WHAT BUGS AND PLANTS YOU CAN EAT IN THE WILD. GOOD THING TO HAVE IS A MAP OF YOUR NEAREST FOREST, OR WILDERNESS. A GOOD CAVE, OR A HALF CAVE IS GOOD FOR SHELTER AND FIND ONE CLOSE TO A STRONG RUNNIG STREAM. THE GAME WILL COME TO YOU. MT BUG OUT BAG HAS EVERYTHING IN IT TO LIVE OFF THE LAND FOR A LONG TIME. GREW UP IN THE MOUNTAINS OF LO SANGLES. WAS MY BACK YARD AND PLAY GROUND. WE WOULD CATCH RABBITS, OR SHOOT DOVES TO EAT. OPASSUM TASTE LIKE SHIT!
I also noticed that and wondered if it was an empty can collection or a full can collection.
While I agree with the overall reasoning of No. 1 you need to assess what you are most likely to face and start your preparation there and expand it to the other possibilities. For instance in Oklahoma your major concern would probably be Violent thunderstorms including tornados while in Kalifornia depending on where you live earthquakes and brush fires would likely be your first concern. Where I live my major concern would be power outages due to storms and the inability to go for extra or replacement supplies because of icy or otherwise blocked roads. Of course I also consider other possibilities such as the possibility while remote of an earthquake. Then there is the possibility of civil unrest in the nearest towns I would use for re-supply. While that is not a major concern where I live it is a possibility that has to be considered. So, to sum up I look first at what I am likely to face then expand my prep to cover the less likely events.
We focus on all aspects living on the coast. Most important to us is health and fitness, starting a fire with what’s in your pocket. I have been reading your site since I found it and my pockets have altoids can with things i need and other survival gear. On myself and in my wife’s purse as well in both cars with extra gear in the cars. You never know where you’ll be when things go wrong. Most important We are prepard, stocked and know how to purify water, and collect rain water. Mostly for the garden, but you never know when we may need it.
I noticed that, too ….
Perhaps someone has a different idea of priorities than the rest of us
Beer is probably one of the first things you want to grab…believe it or not, it has many vital nutrients that can buy you a load of time while collecting wildlife.
I do have some skills. I’m disabled and can’t do so some things for long period of time. I also have very little money. I do like to read about survival tech.
One of the 5 things was to look out for yourself. And if you take meds have at least a 6 month supply? OK so tell me how would you do this?
Keep Calm
Keep Prepping
examine your weak spots
prepping is an investment of yourself and in yourself
Danger is real but Fear is a choice