HI everyone.
As most of us know, the moment where you finally wake up and realize the need to prep is a very confusing and daunting time in our lives. What do you need? what do you have? who should you listen too for advice? should you Bug in? Bug out? what exactley are you afraid of? the list goes on and on. I remember myself personally I made the decision to make prepping a part of my lifestyle about 8 months ago, and the first month or so was simply a sporatic panic buy of everything I thought I would need. I had no idea what I was getting into, and at the end of month 1, I had ammased a pile of junk and food I would probobly never enjoy eating. I started searching the internet for information and ideas and stumbled across several places that provided me with the guidence I needed to start moving in the right direction.
One of the things that I came across was the idea of prioritization of your preps. This simply means deciding what order to prepare. As an urban prepper in a major center, ideally I would like to bug out to a safer location. For myself, this is still my primary plan should things look to be really hitting the fan. However, with a career that places me on the front line of ANY disaster, I am somewhat hamstrung on my ability to Bugout at a moments notice. more likely for me it will be several days before I am able to finally justify leaving my post for greener pastures. Because of this, I have also begun laying the groundwork for a Bug in Plan to see me through the first little while. (of course, this is assuming that it is a slow decline into true chaos... ie: financial collapse, emp, etc). This plan would also be used for short term SHTF scenarios which are possible in my area, such as extended power outages, snow storms, disruption of supply lines for any reason, etc.
I realized very quickly that it was difficult to stay oriented on what I needed NOW as opposed to what I needed LATER. Things like solar panels, a homestead, a garden, etc might sound great, but for me right now they are not an option. I decided to break the priority of my preps down into timelines (3 days, 1 week, 1 month, 3 months, a year, permanant) so that I could work on prepparing for each Bug In time frame one after another. The idea is to get everything you need for a 3 day period... then a 1 week period... then 1 month... and so on. Here is what I came up with
(Please keep in mind that these ARE NOT MY preps... I have changed them for OPSEC. I am posting this to give new preppers some sort of a guideline to work off of and to give them an example of how to start filling it out. I also realize that these lists are incomplete, and should be filled out by each person on an individual needs basis.
The following is a sample prep list guideline for a group of 2 people, living in a house in an urban area. feel free to copy and paste this and adjust it to your own needs.
BUG IN SURVIVAL PREPS FOR 2
3 Days
Water/Sewage
- 4 water bottles (500ml) per person per day (24 bottles)
- 5 gallon jug for toilet/dishes/cooking
QUESTIONS: none
STILL NEEDED: n/a
Food
- 1 flat (24) of canned food (tuna)
- 1 flat (24) of chef boy-ar-dee
- Can opener 2x
- Eating utensils, dishware, pots/pans
- Assorted instant drink mixes (hot chocolate, Gatorade, tea, etc)
- Propane powered camp stove with fuel
QUESTIONS: none
STILL NEEDED: Camp stove and fuel
Security/Defence
- 12 gauge Shotgun (00 Buck 20 shells)(less-then-lethal beanbag rounds 20 shells)
- .410 gauge Shotgun (00 Buck 20 shells)
- 2x semi-automatic pistols chambered in .45 acp (.45 acp 50 rounds each)
- Bear Spray
- 2x Aluminum Louisville Slugger Baseball Bats
- Plywood sheeting (precut to window dimensions, upstairs and down)
- 2x4’s (precut for window and door bracing)
- Nails/screws/hardware/hammer/screwdrivers (power drill and manual)
- 50-100 Large Garbage bags
- Duct Tape
- Security bars on windows
- High strength Security door with Metal Frame
- Fire Extinguisher
QUESTIONS: For what circumstances do we decide it is necessary to fortify the home?
STILL NEEDED: pre-cut plywood and 2x4s, Window Security Bars, Security Door, Fire Extinguisher
Shelter
- My House
QUESTIONS: How will we stay warm in the winter months? Where is our backup location?
STILL NEEDED: method to warm house in case of power failure
Health
- Large home first aid and trauma kit
- Multi-Vitamins
- Tylenol
- Anti-Diarrheal medication
- Polysporin
- Personal hygiene bathroom supplies
QUESTIONS: none
STILL NEEDED: First aid and trauma kit
Communication/Power
- Solar/crank radio with am, fm, and short wave capabilities (perhaps usb charging as well?)
- Cell phones (1 per person)
- Solar/crank usb charging unit
- Assorted Batteries
- Generator
- Walky-Talkies with usb charging capabilities
QUESTIONS: what kind of generator? Solar powered? How would we run a fuel powered generator inside the house.
STILL NEEDED: Generator (and fuel if needed) , Solar/Crank powered charging unit
Training
- Physical training (cardio and strength)
- Fire arms safety training
- Target shooting close distance (less than 10 meters)
- Close quarters indoor fire arms tactical training (room clearing)
- Unarmed defence training
- Minimum EMR level first responder medical training
QUESTIONS: none
STILL NEEDED: Unarmed defence Training
Practice
- Try cooking without power on camp stove
- Try living a day on canned goods and bottled water, no power, etc. 2 days? 3 days?
- Make sure you know how to use and clean firearms as well as be safe around them
- Know where the studs in the walls are BEFORE having to nail up drywall.
- Practice mock “home defence” drills at least once per month
- Practice noise and sound discipline at home for extended periods of time
- Establish “safe zones” within the home (Alamo mentality)
QUESTIONS: none
STILL NEEDED: all of the above
Safety
- Work gloves, eye wear, and other PPE
- Know how to safely use and be around fire arms
- Ballistic Vests
- Ear/noise protection
- Extra Blankets
QUESTIONS: We must establish if it is a bug IN or bug OUT emergency. If Bugging out, most of this will not apply
STILL NEEDED: ballistic vests
1 Week (in addition to above)
Water/Sewage
- 72 bottles (500ml) of water
- 3 five gallon jugs
QUESTIONS: none
STILL NEEDED: n/a
Food
- 2 flats (48) of canned food (tuna)
- 2 flat (48) of chef boy-ar-dee
- 7 mountain house freeze dried entrees
- Extra fuel for propane camp stove
QUESTIONS:
STILL NEEDED: Mountain house entrees, extra propane
Security/Defence
- 12 gauge Shotgun (00 Buck 50 shells)
- .410 gauge Shotgun (00 Buck 50 shells)
- 2x semi-automatic pistols chambered in .45 acp (.45 acp 200 rounds each)
QUESTIONS: none
STILL NEEDED: n/a
Shelter
- My House
QUESTIONS: none
STILL NEEDED: n/a
Health
- Same as 3-day
QUESTIONS: more first aid supplies needed?
STILL NEEDED: possibly more first aid supplies
Communication/Power
- Hamm Radio
QUESTIONS: will we both be trained in the Hamm’s use?
STILL NEEDED: Hamm radio
Training
- Hamm radio license
QUESTIONS: what brand of Hamm should we get, where should we get certification from
STILL NEEDED: radio license
Practice
- Use the Hamm radio on a frequent basis
- Practice first aid, trauma care, and CPR on a regular basis
QUESTIONS: none
STILL NEEDED: n/a
Safety
- No additional concerns
QUESTIONS: none
STILL NEEDED: n/a
1 Month (in addition to above)
Water/Sewage
- Rain Barrel catchment system (50 gallon drums)
- 5 flats (98) of bottled water (500ml)
- Water purification system (Big Berkey Water filter)
- Designated waste disposal area outside of home
- Powdered lime, to assist in waste decomposition
QUESTIONS: how will we protect our rain barrels from inside the house, where will we dispose of our waste
STILL NEEDED: Big Berkey water filter, powdered lime
Food
- 5 flats (120) of canned food (tuna)
- 5 flats (120) Other assorted canned goods (chef boy-ar-dee, stags chilli, campbells soup, etc)
- 30 Mountain House freeze dried entrees
- 10 lbs pasta (spaghetti, macaroni, etc)
- Wood burning camp stove (backpack style)
- Pre-cut wood for stove
QUESTIONS: none
STILL NEEDED: Mountain House entrees, other assorted canned goods, pre-cut wood for stove
Security/Defence
- 12 gauge Shotgun (00 Buck 200 shells)
- .410 gauge Shotgun (00 Buck 200 shells)
- 2x semi-automatic pistols chambered in .45 acp (.45 acp 200 rounds each)
- 2x Semi-automatic rifles chambered in 7.62x39 (7.6x39 1000 rounds each)
QUESTIONS: none
STILL NEEDED: 2nd semi-automatic rifle
Shelter
- My Home
QUESTIONS: at what point do we try to reach out to others in our area?
STILL NEEDED: n/a
Health
- Stockpile of multi-vitamins, vitamin C, and other supplements
- More gauze for the first aid kits
QUESTIONS: none
STILL NEEDED: all of the above
Communication/Power
- Nothing to add
QUESTIONS: none
STILL NEEDED: n/a
Training
- Nothing to add
QUESTIONS: none
STILL NEEDED: n/a
Practice
- Practice cooking over a wood camp stove
- Practice marksmanship out to 200 yards with rifles
QUESTIONS: none
STILL NEEDED: wood stove practice
Safety
- Establish a group to come and Bug in with us as soon if possible
QUESTIONS: at what point do we bug out? Who would we want to join us at our home to help defend ourselves
STILL NEEDED: find group members if applicable
3 Months
Water/Sewage
Food
Security/Defence
Shelter
Health
Communication/Power
Training
Practice
Safety
QUESTIONS:
STILL NEEDED:
1 Year
Water/Sewage
Food
Security/Defence
Shelter
Health
Communication/Power
Training
Practice
Safety
QUESTIONS:
STILL NEEDED:
Permanent
Water/Sewage
Food
Security/Defence
Shelter
Health
Communication/Power
Training
Practice
Safety
QUESTIONS:
STILL NEEDED:
This list can be used for those who currently live at their Retreat if applicable as well. In that case you could add other catagories such as Animals, Gardening, etc. Play around with the list, but remember that this is a TOOL to keep you focused on what you need next on your prep list. I hope this has been helpful to you all, as I know that I wish I had come across something like this when I had started.
Thanks for reading! sorry for the long post. Any comments or ideas are also appreciated.
- Buggie
[disclaimer: again... this is not a list of what I think people should have, nor do I think that this list is all encompassing. i just randomly filled it out to give people an idea of how it would look if you started to fill it out on your own.]
See you all after.
Thank you for sharing
Buggie,
Stand up for taking the time to produce that very good outline. If can suggest an exceptional book called Dare to Prepare.
Looking at the thread on "what's in your library" I was surprised this book was not at the top of the list and rarely mentioned if at all. I have many of the common popular books such as SAS and others but IMO this book is much much better. It is in the 40-50 dollar range which is much more expensive than the large majority of books people have praised in that thread which might be the reason it is lesser known. I believe that old adage you get what you pay for is the case here. For what its worth I would rather have this book and a small 2 day BOB than 10 days of well rounded supplies...and not because of the fire starting potential!
Cheers
A few thoughts and critiques of your plan.
1: You should plan on more “roughage” in your diet from the beginning. Freeze dried/dehydrated vegetables in cans are a good thing to have. Also reduce your level of protein (tuna) and diversify your diet. You will quickly get sick of tuna and being high in protein it will require more water for your body to process. You can also use rice or pastas from day one and have soups and stews as “flavoring” to stretch. Oats are good especially instant packets in the short term. You will also need oils for cooking and for your body to absorb certain vitamins etc. I would personally go with the British Berkefeld water system. It is different from the “Big Berkey”. The black filters from the Big Berkey have had a LOT of problems with seal failures allowing contaminated water into your lower tank. The filters from the British system are still made in England…not China.
2: I personally would reduce the effort put into defence . I would do my best to make my home an unappealing target. Also keep a high level of noise, odor and light discipline to again eliminate as much as possible any attraction to me. Defence would be concentrated on longer distances. If I am at the point of having to do “room clearing” it is already too late. In the typical modern home there is no where that can be considered safe. Virtually ALL rifle rounds will penetrate even the outside walls, even if they are brick veneer. Interior walls can be considered paper…. A barrier to vision only.
3: In Hygene I would include a good hand soap. Cleanliness is what will do the most to keep you from getting sick. Prevention is key. Also laundry soap and a simple means to wash clothing. Clothesline too. Toilet facilities? If you have abundant water and the sewer system still works you could flush waste. If not keep solid and liquid separate and bag the solids and store in an unused room, garage or outside. The powdered lime would be helpful for this.
4: You asked the question of how to heat your home. I believe one of the most difficult things for people to do will be to shift gears and alter their thinking. You MAY be able to close off one room to keep above freezing. Look into how you can do this effectively. If you are using a fueled heat source you will need ventilation and a carbon monoxide detector. Also a place that is heat resistant to place it. Propane would be short term at best unless you have a very large tank. Kerosene is workable in the short term. Wood will require reworking your home to have at least a vent pipe (chimney) exiting through a window and a surface that will safely take the heat from whatever stove you will have.
5: In First Aid I would add Battle dressings, tourniquet, Quick clot or similar coagulating agent.
6: A fuel operated generator will be a beacon to everyone within hearing distance. The LAST thing you want. Go with solar for small to medium power needs…. Use hand crank for micro needs.
JAB
@JAB.
thanks for the input... but again this is not MY list lol. just a random list I typed up for example.
See you all after.
Hey Buggie,
We've been at this seriously for about a year and did the same thing it sounds like; buying lots of pasta and pasta sauce on sale (peanut butter out the wazhoo) etc. Even with the random items you threw into the list, it still got me thinking about some goals I have had over the last 6 months (as I didn't really have any in the first 6 months 😳 ).
This would have been a useful tool to keep me focused in the beginning but I can see that it is still useful to me personally to keep me on long-term projects.
Thanks for this idea!
Hey Buggie. My comments are of course for anyone reading the list. It is a great beginning and should lead to much thought on many peoples parts. I too wish to thank you for your time and effort in putting this together. Good job!!!!!
JAB
Hey Buggie,
Great work. I wanted to wait a day to see in some of the newer members would post comments. I believe your post is a direct benefit to new members and those new to prepping. None of us can have the single total solution that works for everybody in every situation. However, as each and every member posts their best suggestion everybody wins. The more solutions, plans and ideas that are posted and read, then more options everybody has to chose from when they need to make that decision for themselves or their family. Great effort and I believe it is successful. You are generating plenty of views and responses.
JAB,
Your suggestion are very valid. And once a new prepper has been at this more than a few months they to will see the value of your comments.
JFamily,
I am off to check "What's in your library?" I hope you have had some time to write a provocative post about "Dare to Prepare". I have seen the book and flipped through but I do not yet own a copy.
Cheers,
Mountainman.
I'm stealing this! I'm new to prepping, and already have much of the 'hard gear' needed for defence, etc., so using this outline I can organize and stave off my own 'buy it all and sort it out later' tendencies! Thanks!
no problem, glad I could help some people. NorthernCX, the good thing I found about organizing it this way was after a few months of "scramble purchasing", I was then able to simply fit those items I boght into their respected timeframes of intended use. then I could build around them. Just cause you bought stuff in a panic doesnt mean it wont be useful! this will just help to identify what exactley you had planned to do with the stuff when you bought it.
See you all after.
I love lists like this...while not overbearingly comprehensive for an experienced prepper, it is a great way to start. And if nothing, it gives the experienced person somethings to think on as to what could be added!
good job,
chevy55
Thanks buggie for list. It's really helpful for a noob with ADD.
I never thought costco shelving could be so amazing
The list is excellent, Buggie! Thanks for taking the time to post. I laughed at the panic buying for the first bit...I did that for sure! Then settled into making lists like this one, and being more systematic about it! It is great to compare my lists with others, to see what I may have forgotten. Some of the items I am now upgrading, or adding some extra to (frills).
Well, I had taken Buggie's list and cleaned it up, but the formatting won't transfer to here. If anyone wants my copy, feel free to PM me and I can email it to you. I use OpenOffice, so it will work for you Word users too...
you cant cut and paste it on here? or try cutting and pasting it onto a word document, then cutting and pasting that here.
See you all after.