Emergency preparedness:
Because sh** happens and you should be ready for it

What is emergency preparedness?

Emergency preparedness is not just for doomsday preppers or hardcore survivalists. It's an essential mindset and a set of practical skills that anyone can adopt to tackle life's unexpected curveballs. Whether it's a natural disaster, an economic meltdown, a pandemic, or a good old zombie apocalypse, being prepared gives you a fighting chance when things go really, really wrong.

 

The concept is simple: You anticipate potential emergencies, make a plan, and gather essential supplies, so you're not left scrambling when chaos becomes the norm. Think of it as your personal insurance policy for life's unexpected challenges. At the first stages of emergency preparedness, the steps to take are relatively simple as well. But once you reach the bunker stage, well, that’s where things get complicated.

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Let’s start with basic emergency preparedness. You know, those first 72 hours after disaster strikes. When we talk about emergency preparedness, we’re going to talk about the basics and necessities that you’ll want to consider from day one to 365. These are things to keep you alive, hydrated, and with a roof over your head. The topics covered under basic emergency preparedness will not cover rewatching your favorite movies from the comfort of your 40’-deep, concrete-encased container with high-tech ventilation and solar power.

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Let’s get started. 

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What are the five elements of preparedness?

Let's dive into five essential elements of emergency preparedness; the day-to-day requirements that will keep you alive and kickin’.

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1. Water

Water, glorious water! It's the elixir of life, especially when you're living through the apocalypse or stranded on a deserted island. Stock up on water like a camel in the desert. Aim for at least one gallon per person per day. 

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There are a lot of options for water storage and purification. Even with a generous supply of clean, treated water, you’ll want to have backup power to power a personal well (if you’ve got a well), and you’ll want to have a rainwater collection system in place along with a fine filtration system such a Berkey with extra filters for long-term use.  

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We recommend you diversify your water supply options as well. Multiple sources will ensure you’re not dependent on a single point of failure and allows you to have water that may be adequate for some purposes, even though it’s not drinkable. This is more lifesaving than any financial portfolio when it comes down to basic survival.

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Be smart about your water collection and filtration. For 72-hour emergency kits, include some essentials such as:​
 

• Bandanas for pre-filtering your water from debris
   

• Stainless mug to filter the water into and boil water
   

• Water-filtration straw
   

• UV water purifier with batteries packed separately
   

• Water purification tablets

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2. Food

When the world goes topsy-turvy, a stash of non-perishable grub becomes your best friend. And, don't forget the can opener. Imagine staring at a can of beans, drooling, and realizing the added work it’ll take to get inside. 

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There are some important guidelines for food storage such as storing food in a cool place, rotating it, and storing what you’ll actually eat. Some foods last longer than others too, so do your research. One more thing, make sure you include items with a long shelf life — we’re talking 25 years for some properly sealed and stored foods. This could include rice, beans, grains, sugar, and a variety of dried and freeze-dried food.

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Emergency preparedness foods for bug out bags (the first 72 hours) are a different story, Forget the cans. You don’t want the extra weight if you’re bugging out somewhere. You want lightweight, densely nutritious food. We like backpacking meals such as Backpacker’s Pantry, because each meal is in one package, cleanup is easy, and you can choose meals that are actually good for you. Include this tiny backpacking stove with a small fuel canister and you’ll be set — with very little weight added to your bug out pack. 

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For short or long term, you may also consider MREs (Meals Ready to Eat) — if you don’t mind dense calories and processed food that will be around long after the last cockroach has died! But seriously, it doesn’t hurt to have a stash of these on hand as you never know what your future food needs will be.

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Whatever your food needs and situation, be sure to have the necessary equipment to properly process and cook what you have. It’s not uncommon to hear that someone has tons of stored wheat but no grinder. Or lots of meal kits with no thought as to the amount of fuel or water needed to cook them.

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3. Shelter

The shelter you need will depend on the situation you find yourself in, so prepare for everything from a warm summer night to months without power in the dead of winter. Ideally, your home is your shelter, but the need to bug out or move around temporarily might shake up your situation. Even if you’re lucky enough to hunker down at home, you need to consider that you may find yourself without any utilities or security and in terrible weather.

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Consider your emergency shelter options in these scenarios:

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1. Bugging out on foot. This means you have seconds-to-minutes to leave and grab your emergency preparedness kits on the way out. Your bug out bags should contain essential and basic emergency supplies including ultra-lightweight, reflective blankets,  sleeping bags, layered clothing, a hat, etc... In this case, your “shelter” is whatever you have with you, and will provide basic protection from cold, heat, precipitation, and wind. 
    

2. Bugging out by vehicle. This means you have minutes to leave and grab what you can on your way out. This may be the moment when you get an emergency warning on your phone that says, “You have 15 minutes to evacuate. Do not pack your belongings. Do not grab supplies.” Grab your bug out bag and an extended kit if you have one. It should be easy to grab and contain more shelter options, including a tent, sleeping bags, and extra blankets. 
    

3. Bugging in. This means you can hunker at home with all the supplies you’ve accumulated through your emergency preparedness efforts. If you’re going to face the end of civilization, this is where you want to do it. At home, there’s a roof over your head, power and emergency water storage options (if you’ve been prepping) — along with all your other resources.
    

4. Communication

When the brown stuff hits the fan, staying connected with loved ones is more vital than a strong WiFi signal during a Netflix binge. Have a plan. Talk with your friends and loved ones about emergency communication methods, invest in some decent GMRS radios (walkie-talkies), and decide which channels to use, what time of day to turn them on, etc. Share this only with your trusted team. These radios will also be good to listen to what’s going on around you. Keep them charged and/or have batteries on hand.

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Make sure your friends and family have a compatible device and know how to use it. We’ve had great success with this handheld GMRS radio and this one for the truck or as a base station at your home. 

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You may also consider getting a handheld ham radio or scanner as well, as these will transmit and pick up frequencies coming from much longer distances which will be useful if your emergency extends beyond your metro area.

Note: You can use a GMRS and ham radio without a license in an emergency scenario. Just be sure you know how to use them ahead of time. And let’s be honest, who’s going to be tracking you down for unlicensed frequency usage in a SHTF scenario?

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5. First aid

 

Accidents happen, especially in the midst of chaos. Be prepared for medical emergencies and stock more than Band-Aids and antibiotic ointment. You need a first aid kit worthy of a medic.​

 

What this means:
 

• Bandages, antiseptic wipes, pain relievers, etc. (the stuff of tiny first aid kits)
   

• Wound closure or emergency laceration kit
   

• Blood clotting powder
   

• Activated charcoal
   

• Tourniquets
   

• Nasopharyngeal airway kit
   

• A small first aid reference such as Wilderness First Aid Field Guide
   

• A big medical reference book such as The Ultimate Survival Medicine Guide

 

Along with the first aid equipment, know how to use it. Take first aid courses or join a CERT team to get the training you need to keep your loved ones alive when you can’t call an ambulance.

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Emergency preparedness supplies and tools

In an emergency, you need to be ready for anything. In the short term, pack some versatile tools in your emergency survival kits to help you navigate the unknown. Consider the places you might be when an emergency happens and prepare kits for these various situations. Outside of the usual bug out bag, put a kit in your car, a small kit in your work bag, an EDC kit that you carry with you, and even a small version you keep in your luggage (that is airline safe). Imagine the problems you could solve if you only had some bandages, a multi-tool, an extra phone charger, or pocket knife. Taking this to the next level, consider vehicle recovery kits (towing, winching, etc.), and advanced first-aid kits for helping others who may not be prepared.​

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And when the emergency becomes a way of life, one that could easily be summed up in an issue of Better Homes and Bunkers, make sure you’ve planned ahead with bigger hand tools such as: hand saws, axes, hand planers, and more — really anything that will help you repair, rebuild, or repurpose the products left over from a (somewhat) civilized world.

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Don’t forget about your children

Supplies can vary depending on the unique makeup of your household. Have kids? Then you’ve got to consider emergency preparedness for children as well. This could include everything from reusable diapers to baby formula. Do your research and stock the right things to help get your infants and children through any situation.

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What are the basic steps in disaster preparedness?

You don’t have to be a doomsday prepper to be ready for disasters, and you certainly don’t want fear to rule your life. When you know what you have to work with and you’ve got a plan, you can kiss paranoia goodbye and rest assured that you’ve at least got a head start on surviving disasters — anything from a fender bender to an apocalypse.

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1. Assess your risks 

Before you dive into prepping, take a moment to identify the potential disasters that could be lurking in your neck of the woods. Is it hurricanes, earthquakes, wildfires, or rabid squirrels? Understanding your risks helps you tailor your preparations accordingly.

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2. Make a plan 

Develop an emergency plan with your family or loved ones. This plan should include meeting points, communication channels, and what to do if Aunt Edna insists on packing her porcelain doll collection when fleeing from a volcano. Creating a clear plan of action ensures that everyone knows their role and reduces the chaos during emergencies.

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3. Assemble your arsenal

No, we're not talking about heavy artillery here, or are we? Building a basic emergency kit is like packing for a survival slumber party. Your kit should include essentials like water, non-perishable food, flashlights, first aid supplies, a multi-tool, and important documents.

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4. Create an evacuation strategy 

 

In certain emergencies, staying put might not be the best option. Figure out escape routes and safe havens, just in case you need to bug out. Get maps of your local area and mark them with the best escape routes. Remember, disasters may knock out cell towers and power, meaning you might be going analog paper maps on this one. Know how to read and follow the map — this is one very important step in an emergency evacuation plan.

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5. Prepare your home 

Your castle should be a fortress. Strengthen your home's resilience by upgrading deadbolts, retrofitting for earthquake safety, and having fire extinguishers on hand. Install security cameras. Know how to defend your home if needed. If you're feeling extra adventurous, consider creating a secret room for your comic book collection, or take it a step further with an underground lair just like your favorite villain. Lair/bunker, who are we to judge?

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Consider your operational needs during a serious situation. Would you need backup power? Water storage and filtration? Where does your sewage go?

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Emergency planning at a glance

No, we can’t cover everything about emergency preparedness planning in one article, but we can provide another overview on the topic. There are a few more basics to increase your odds of survival.

 

These include:

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• Stock up on essentials. In a pinch, you don't want to find yourself rationing ketchup for dinner. Think about what you need to survive if you're stuck in your home or bunker for a while. Food, water, medications, toilet paper (we’ve all lived through one shortage), and other daily necessities are crucial. Pro tip: Don't forget the chocolate. It's a survival staple.
   

• Stay informed. Knowledge is power, especially when zombies are at the gate. Keep an eye on actual news, and don’t be fooled by any media that’s pushing an agenda. Knowing what's happening around you is vital for making informed decisions during an emergency.
   

• Build a support network. Prepping doesn't mean you have to go it alone. Connect with your community, neighbors, or fellow preppers. Having a solid network can provide resources, knowledge, and a sense of camaraderie during tough times. Plus, it's more fun to share survival stories around a campfire.
   

• Learn basic skills. Channel your inner MacGyver and/or Norris and acquire some practical skills. First aid techniques, fire starting, navigation, and self-defense can go a long way when societal norms take a vacation. You never know when those knot-tying skills or sleeper holds will come in handy.
   

What emergencies should you prepare for?

Even the most seasoned prepper takes a step back on occasion and asks themselves, “Am I truly prepared?”

Take a step back, assess potential situations, and gear up for the calamities most likely to knock at your door.

 

Let’s take a look at a few essential emergencies you’d need to face head on:
 

• Natural disasters. Mother Nature has a wild side, and she's not afraid to show it. Depending on your location, you should know how to prepare for natural disasters, including: earthquakes, hurricanes, tornadoes, floods, wildfires, or even sharknados (okay, maybe not the last one, but you get the point). Understanding the specific risks in your area allows you to focus your efforts on the most likely scenarios.
   

• Economic meltdown. Money makes the world go round, but sometimes it spins out of control. Prepare for a financial crisis, recession, or job loss by having savings, reducing debt, and honing your frugal ninja skills. It's like being your own personal financial superhero, ready to tackle any economic turmoil.
   

• Pandemics. Ah, the good old "germs gone wild" scenario. Recent events have shown us the importance of stocking up on basic necessities, including paper goods and common foods. Have a plan for staying healthy and avoiding the masses when the need arises.
   

• Power outages. We've all experienced those pesky blackouts. Prepare for power grid failures or electrical disruptions by having emergency power sources like generators, solar, or your grandma's endless supply of scented candles. Remember, no electricity doesn't mean no fun. Dust off those board games and embrace the analog life.
   

• Civil unrest. While we all hope for peace and harmony, it's wise to be prepared for social and political upheaval. Civil unrest, riots, or mass protests can disrupt daily life and pose risks to personal safety. Stay informed, maintain situational awareness, and have a plan for hunkering down or safely evacuating if necessary.
   

• Extreme weather conditions. From scorching heat waves to bone-chilling blizzards, buy clothing that could help you through extreme conditions that may arise in your area and stock up the supplies you need in case you’re dealt a weather wild card. Then, get ready to ride out a storm.
   

Foil hats may be trendy but you don’t need one to be prepared

Emergency preparedness is about being a smart, resourceful individual who can handle whatever chaos comes their way. By anticipating potential emergencies, making a plan, and gathering essential supplies, you increase your chances of survival and reduce the impact of unexpected events.

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So, embrace the preparedness mindset, keep calm, and always carry a spare roll of duct tape. Remember … stuff … happens, but with a little preparation, you can handle it like a boss.