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Preparing for the end of civilization or the world is serious business.
Whether it’s a zombie apocalypse, an economic collapse, or a natural disaster, you must be ready when the time comes to survive the event. Let people make fun of you and call you a doomsday prepper, but be proud of that title. The hecklers won’t be laughing when society falls and they’re not prepared.
What Disasters Can Heavily Impact Society?
There are a variety of disasters that can cause terrible damage and break down the distribution of community resources, wreak havoc on commerce, and crush society. World history records disasters in the past and shows us where we went wrong. Don’t think these events can’t happen again. They can and they will.
Earthquakes strike with no warning and, even though we prepare for hurricanes, the devastation can be catastrophic. All we need to do is look back at Hurricane Katrina to see this. There are also volcanic eruptions, tsunamis, flash flooding, tornadoes, and more.
Economic disasters cripple the economy. The most severe financial crises in the world include:
- 1772’s Credit Crisis in Europe
- The Great Depression 1929-1939
- The OPEC Oil Price Shock –1973
- The Asian Crisis –1997
- The Financial Crisis of 2007-2008
These economic disasters brought down some of the largest companies and banks in the world. The International Money Fund stepped in to develop bailout packages to help some countries avoid default.
The zombie apocalypse speaks for itself. Then there’s the nuclear holocaust and an asteroid strike—although we’re not sure any supplies can save you from an asteroid strike.
Survival Gear and Supplies Needed to Survive Disasters
To survive a disaster, you’ll need reliable survival gear and plenty of necessary supplies. Here are the main supplies and gear essentials that will keep you out of ration lines and increase the odds of your survival. Experts recommend stockpiling at least a 30-day supply of essentials for disasters of epic proportions.
Water
Water should be the number one priority on your list of survival supplies. You can go about two weeks without food but only 72 hours without water. The key here is drinkable water. Each person requires approximately one gallon of water each day, so, for a family of three, that’s 90 gallons of water.
There are short-term solutions, such as water bricks. They take up less space than other containers. You can also use a 50-gallon drum, as long as it’s for food. Don’t just purchase gallon water jugs and put them in your basement or garage. Over time, chemicals in the plastic leach into the water, contaminating it. Always look for food-grade plastics to store food or water in.
You don’t know what will be polluting your water supply. Keep bleach on hand because one gallon of bleach can cleanse about 3,000 gallons of water. It eliminates things such as pathogens, parasites, and bacteria from water, but not oils, poisonous substances, sewage, or chemicals. You can also purchase water filters, disinfecting tablets, and other methods to purify water. Boiling water also kills parasites, pathogens, and bacteria.
There are other long-term solutions to your water problem. You can set up a rainwater catchment system quite simply with a rain barrel.
Food
A 30-day supply of food is a lot to store at once, so you may need to stockpile food over time. Five-gallon buckets with gasket lids are excellent for storing dry, staple, and bulk foods. You can also purchase mylar bags for food storage. Just make sure that you get oxygen absorbers to drop in them before sealing them up.
Bulk, staples, and dry foods to store include:
- Sugar
- Honey
- Salt
- Legumes/beans
- Rice
- Wheat
- Oats
- Flour
- Powdered milk
- Pasta
- Powdered cheese
- Canned cheese
- Canned butter
- Energy/power bars
- Peanut butter
- Coconut oil
- Freeze-dried foods for variety
- Baking soda/powder
- Tea
- Coffee
- Cornstarch
- Soy sauce
- Spices
- Apple cider and white vinegar
- Canned food
You’ll also need things to cook with and some other necessary items for food preparation, such as:
- Can opener
- Paper cups, plates, utensils, and towels
- Cast iron cookware
- Camping stove or wood-burning stove
- Solar oven
- Pet food
Medical Supplies
Medical supplies are also critical for survival, especially when no more community resources or stores exist. Keep in mind your family’s special needs when storing medical supplies. There are some basic supplies that you’ll want to keep on hand:
- Band-Aids
- Hydrogen peroxide
- An antibacterial ointment such as Neosporin
- Steristrips or butterfly bandages
- Tape, pad, and burn gel
- Duoderm
- Rolled gauze
- ACE bandages
- Material for splinting
- Shears/scissors
- Blister treatment
- N95 masks
- Alcohol pads
- Surgical gloves, preferably Nitrile
- Aspirin/Tylenol
- Snakebite kit
- Mercury-free thermometer
- Vaseline
- Benadryl
- Needles/sutures
- Hand sanitizer
- Tweezers
- Syringes
- Quikclot
- Q-tips
- Chapstick
- Insect repellent
- Antibiotics
- Prescriptions/vitamins
- Potassium/iodide tablets for radiation poisoning
- Sunblock
- First aid manuals
Security
You’ll need to protect your family and property if things really go south. People may know that you stockpile supplies and, in desperation, they may try to hurt you or your family or break in to gain access to those supplies.
Purchase a handgun and a shotgun if you don’t already have one. Shotguns can be quite intimidating when you rack the slide. That sound makes people stop in their tracks. You may want to add a rifle to your collection. If the end truly is near, hunting for food may become a necessity. Don’t forget to stockpile extra ammunition.
You’ll need a knife for various reasons—perhaps for protection or for processing the animals you hunt. Good tactical equipment can also give you the advantage when the end is here.
Here’s another tip: Get to know your neighbors. If there is complete anarchy, your neighbors will be your closest enemies or friends. Get them into prepping for the end of the world and develop a plan for keeping your neighborhood and family safe.
Regardless of what others think, prepare for the worst but hope for the best—that’s an excellent motto to live by. If you prepare and nothing happens, then that’s okay, but if something happens and you’re not prepared, it’s too late. Stock up on important items such as medical supplies, food, and water. Create a defense plan with neighbors and stock up on ammo for your guns. Preparing in advance increases your chances for survival during whatever natural disaster or apocalypse occurs.
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