TEOTWAWKI – Prepping for Disaster

TEOTWAWKI – Prepping for Disaster

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Disasters are unpredictable. Preppers have tried predicting the end of the world as we know it (TEOTWAWKI) but with, obviously, no success. Life continues on as usual. But one thing we do know is that it will come. We just won’t be able to predict when that might be or what the factors will be involved (economic collapse, devastating storm, nuclear strike, etc.). What can you do in such an ambiguous situation? Prepare. Prepare for anything. How can you go about doing this? Follow the framework about to be illustrated, and you’ll have a plan when sh!t hits the fan (SHTF).

Keep it Simple

You won’t know the specifics about what will shake down when SHTF. It could be a massive hurricane disaster off the coast of California or Florida destroying everything in its path, a nuclear attack on New York City causing an all-out nuclear war, or recurrent and untraceable terrorist attacks across the United States. The point is you've got no idea what the specifics of the situation will be. So, you can take general steps that will allow you to survive in many situations. Here are some of those:

·         At least 3 months of food (canned or dried) and fresh water stored

·         Fortified doors and windows

·         Heavy locking mechanisms on all P.O.A (points of access)

·         Plan of action for the unit (group of associated survivors)

Necessary Skills to Learn

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Prepping without learning a few basic skills is like telling a city slicker to go out and till, plant, irrigate, and harvest a field of corn without teaching them how to first. Everyone should know how to do cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), how to load and clean any weapons owned, and how to forage for food when resources run dry. Part of prepping is survival. You’d like to think you’ll never have to resort to any of these skills, but it is a possibility. Water is a necessity for survival, teach members of the unit how to decontaminate water and make it drinkable. These are only a few of the most necessary skills each member of the group must know for survival in any situation.

Specialization of Labor

Each member of your “unit” should have a specialized skill they can bring to the table. One individual may have been a superb athlete with great eyesight; that individual could be designated as unit scout. A member of the unit that can fire a rifle with pinpoint precision can be designated as a soldier. A member that worked as a botanist “before the war” would be designated as chief forager and unit chemist for their knowledge in edible plants/nutritious roots. Designate individuals to the position most suitable for their skills and pre-disaster experience.

Emergency Protocol

When SHTF, each member of the unit will need a set of procedures they will unconsciously initiate. For example, each member can:  complete a brief threat analysis on a scale of 1-5, secure supplies, and relocate to the basement of the safe house for further strategic planning. From here inventory of supplies can be taken and the situation be further evaluated.  

If the safe house will not provide ample protection for the unit (hurricane, massive fire) each member must know the evacuation plan and the rendezvous point should the unit divide. The best rendezvous points are ones that can be seen with the naked eye such as a water tower, large tree at a well-known location, or otherwise.

As you can tell, communication is one of the most important aspects of prepping. Ensure each member of the unit is on the same page and understands each other’s specific role(s) and contributions. No man, woman, or child gets left behind. Family may be all you have left. Protect them with your life.

When SHTF, Will You be Ready?

By Guest Author: Carlee Quintas

"Carlee Quintas is an avid writer who specializes in green energy, the finer points of moving and all things utilities.  When she's not spending her time in front of her computer screen, she enjoys reading entirely too much science fiction and trying out new recipes (for better or for worse) in the kitchen."