As I see it our population in prepper terms is divided into three broad segments. First there is that vast majority who believe that Canada is a wealthy stable country that may be going through a rough patch economically mostly because of economic conditions in Europe, but recessions always work themselves into better economic times, the jobs situation will improve. As for disasters, the government has prepared community evacuation procedures (does Katrina come to mind?). A terrorist attack? Possible, but these are localized, and one can't live in constant fear. I see many flaws in this line of reasoning, but everyone is entitled to live their own life.
The next two groups are preppers by definition. The first of these is the vast majority of those who call themselves preppers, but in reality have taken only a few sensible precautions. They live in urban areas or densely populated regions for the most part, recognize they are vulnerable to riots, food shortages, power outages, and in some cases sit on top of flood plains, and fault lines. Most believe it is highly likely a magnitude 9 earthquake will hit the west coast soon with an ensuing tsunami. Although prepared to have to eat stored supplies for a few weeks, they are not prepared for the most part at all. Even in the event of fleeing a major earthquake aftermath along with millions of others they would unfortunately die on one of the clogged highways, and in many cases surrounded by their prepping supplies. The weakness in their plan is that they are only prepared to make it to a relief shelter where they would of course sacrifice the comforts of home, but the government would take care of them. They have no other plan, they have no network; a contact in a safer location to which they can flee. I think part of the problem for these people is a sensible fear of hooking up with some crazies off the internet.
The serious prepper is committed to establishing a rural life style. It could be difficult for some. One must give up the hum and energy of the food courts in the malls, parks and recreational facilities, a night out at a good restaurant, a decent job, the family doctor. There are good reasons for living in cities. There are good reasons for living in the country too. Quiet is one, growing healthy food is another, living much more cheaply but well is a third. And first and foremost freedom from the worry of "what if..." We face difficult choices don't we!!!
I think my own situation puts me and my family somewhere in the middle between these two groups. I dont see the world with rosy colored glasses, and i deffinatly dont trust our government to be there to help all of us should the time come. As for preps, my wife and i take a realistic approach, trying to prepare what we can, while maintaining a normal life. We do not obsess about the topic of prepping, but are takng steps to futher our plans of getting out of the city to a safe place should the situation arise.
On that note i have been in contact with a very level headed individual that uses these posts, and the communication has been good. We are in the process of working out a plan to meet up and take the next step in preparing. I realize that it is difficult to develop trust with "words on the screen" and like many of you out there have a family and security is a concern. The person i have been in contact with is a simple ordinary guy, who, like many of us is looking at the world we live in and not liking what he sees. He is not "crazy", he did not have any illusions of a zombie attack or invasion from outter space, i found his ideas to be very sensible.
At the end of the day, we all have to make the choices that we feel are best for our families. And family always comes first!!!!!
I am working towards the third group but it's slow going
It is hard, very very hard. But as long as a person is doing the networking to find a location to which they can go if the need suddenly arises then that is all that can be done. Interestingly some of those who are posting are already known to a degree and their names (handles)would be recognized. That is why posting is so important. It gives others a sense of who you are.
Great post Chilcotin. An interesting perspective; three types of people:
1. Not interested.
2. Preppers.
3. Serious Preppers.
I have been considering this a lot lately, especially after reading one eye opening post on this site. I believe that anyone who has made any steps towards prepping (including visiting this site) has made a commitment to prepping. Also I believe that urban preppers who have the means to bug in and, if necessary, a serious and realistic plan to bug out are very serious preppers indeed.
There is a big difference between a shtf situation and a teotwawki event. Any level of preparation will help in the former situation. A latter event would undoubtedly task even the most prepared of us. I would like to consider myself in the third of your categories but I realize that I still have a long way to go to get to where I want to be.
If you consider shelter, water, food, mindset, security, communications, participation in a group, location and long term sustainability all necessary then undoubtedly we are all at different points on the sliding scales of each these important elements.
Eventually everyone will prepare to a level at which they feel comfortable. For some this may be having a 72 hour emergency kit (bug in/out kit) suggested by our respective level of Governments. For most of us reading these posts we realize what a very, very tiny step this is towards being prepared.
I am a quantitative kind of guy. I would love to help develop a scale so that we could rate where we are on each element of prepping. Totaling the score for each element would give an indication of overall level of preparedness. The total score would still be a personal perspective because someone might think that communications is much more important than security and hence place more emphasis there.
Anyone else interested in developing such a system?
ICRCC - nope don't want a scale. I am so far down the list that a number would just have me giving up 🙁
This is a very interesting post. I kind of consider myself between the two as well. I am getting more and more serious about prepping, as the world as I see it is falling apart. I got my bug out bag, evac route, Im storing food and water and learning how to come up with these necesseties without depending on the system. Thats the main thing for me is becoming independant. I think theres a lot of people who believe prepping is synomous with fear, or paranoia. Although some preppers may live their lives this way, I do not. I am not afraid. Im just realistic and the reality is once the grocery store closes most ppl will be starving inside a week. Starving ppl are dangerous. Recent disasters like Katrina, the Haiti earthquake, and the japan tsunami/fukushima crisis all prove to us how incapable the government is when it really matters. I prefer to rely on nobody but myself.
chilcotin
Points well taken! I am aware of many in the first category you identified. I do not even attempt to discuss/
debate the current state of our world or discuss preparing with those folks . I view myself in the second category.
I have made several request to meet with other individuals on this site in the province in Manitoba. I am female. I am employed in the health care field. I unfortunately did not live in a rural area. I am looking for employment in a rural area in Manitoba and Ontario. I would really like to meet with some of those rural prepping folks to further a plan and determine a safe
location.
I do not want to meet any crazies off the internet either but want to meet genuine people who are serious about these
matters at hand.
PSands
Good post PSands. Too bad you don't live closer to BC, but then we have our own unique challenges too, minor things like earthquakes. But don't give up! Perhaps a post that you start to get a meeting going will bear results. There are a lot of good people on here. Also sometimes invite private messaging, sometimes people don't want to commit in an open forum. The people you are looking for are out there!!
PSands,
Good to see you are traveling to other forums. I agree with Chilcotin, keep trying. The folks in MB may surprise you - in good way. But you may need to take a leading role and get things started. Make some more posts on the MB board, find some local topics that blend prepping and community as starting points. Flood prepping, winter storms, etc.
Keep posting,
Mountainman.
Oldschool... Ouch I am hurt. I thought you would love to have a scale a yard stick if you like. As someone well ahead of the curve I know that you would never give up. Ever!
i'm so not where i want to be on that scale lol but everyday working on it
Preparedness is like a condom , I've rather have it and not need it, rather than need it and not have it
You are reading this forum. You are there!
so true my friend i pick up a water filter pump system from mec last weekend for 70 dollars it does 1500 litres on one filter and a 65 litre pack to for 130
not bad i guess
Preparedness is like a condom , I've rather have it and not need it, rather than need it and not have it
So now you can check off water on your list and move to the next item. Well done!