There are many different types of preppers out there. Some are preppers because they are forced to be, they live in remote parts of the country, a great distance from the local stores and supermarkets; and if a rough winter hits, they could be stranded with no contact with the outside world for weeks at a time. There are the preppers that just have a couple days worth of supplies and medical equipment in case of a hurricane or other natural disaster. Then, there are the preppers who are storing years worth of food, water filtration equipment, and general supplies, so that if the fragile infastructure of the United States all of a sudden collapses, they can be self sustained.
Personally, I am trying to become the latter option. I like to prepare for the worst, and hope for the best. I am not a doomsayer, nor do I go around quoting scripture about the end of the world. I merely have a hobby that would allow me to live anywhere, at any time, and not just survive; but thrive.
If you are just beginning to start prepping, for whatever your reasons, I would begin by storing food. If you buy all you would need at one time, that can be VERY costly. If you are on a budget, as most people are these days, I recommend just buying three or four extra cans of your choice of food every time you go to the grocery store. Many of the canned foods are just 99 cents, then tuck them away. In a few months, you'll look at all those cans and be amazed at what you've accomplished.
Do the same with water. You can buy a 26 pack of bottled water for about 5 dollars. Buy one case every time you go to the grocery store.
After you get what you think is a good supply (you can never have too much in my opinion! and if it sits there for long enough, just use it and replace it!) of food and water, next I would go for batteries. Primarily the rechargeable kind (AA, AAA, C, D, CR123). And make sure you have some candles and LED flashlights.
Then move on to creating your own home medical kit. Just like with everything else, you can buy one piece at a time. Here is a guide on making your own How to make a Home First Aid Kit. Supplies for your first aid kit can be purchased anywhere, here is one good site: First Aid Kit Essentials
After that, I would recommend making a "Bug Out Bag". I have given the outlines of my own BOB in an earlier post How to make a Bug Out Bag. A BOB will give you the ability to at a moments notice, have everything you need to survive for three days in one bag. If your house is on fire and you have to get out, grab it. If there is a hurricane coming, and you have to evacuate, grab it. In my opinion it is essential.
One of the most important things to have, is a way to filter water. The average person drinks one gallon of water a day, and can only survive for THREE DAYS without water. If all of a sudden, the water stops flowing through the pipes, what would you do? (Remember, if the power fails, and your home is above sea level, or above the level where your water processing station is, you will not get water until power is restored.) I recommend getting one of these. Bucket Berkey Water Filter. They can filter up to 5,000 gallons of water. (A ton better than having to boil any water you want to drink first!) Or you can make your own, as shown here: How to make a Bucket Filter.
And make sure to have emergency supplies of all required medicines. Such as if you are a diabetic, have extra vials of insulin.
Those are just some of the basics of prepping, but some of the most important. Remember, only a few decades ago, every person in the world did this. Because they had to survive the winter. Without our international trade army of trucks, planes, and boats transporting food and supplies 24/7, the average grocery store has 2-3 days of food on hand for the local population; and likely that it would be stripped in the first couple days or hours of a major event. So be prepared! Don't have your head in the sand, be proactive.
Not with a bang, but a whimper.
-NCPrepper10
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