Preppers - All About Being Prepared
Outlook Oklahoma, April 1st, 2013
KW of Edmond is more likely to survive the end of the world than 90% of the population. At the very least, she can outlast a week-long blizzard or ice storm better than most Oklahomans. It’s all about being prepared.
KW is one of thousands of Americans who are part of the prepper movement, a community of people who learn to be prepared for any situation at any time. To those new to the movement, the word prepper brings about an image of heavily-armed fanatics crawling in bunkers and preparing for Armageddon, but the reality is that preppers are a lot less dramatic.
Water Storage
They prepare for ice storms or wildfires. They have a pantry that can support three months of being unable to get to the grocery store. They have enough water to be able to live comfortably in case water is not available for weeks. “There are a couple of reasons to prep and different levels,” said KW, who lives east of Edmond with her husband and two children. “Some think in extreme terms of economic breakdown, terrorism or end of the world. I try to keep it practical. I’m a practical prepper.”
Sadly, thanks to shows like “Doomsday Preppers,” many aren’t taking common sense steps to prepare their families for natural disasters or unexpected problems for fear of looking like a fanatic. Although prepping has become mainstream–with websites and social groups promoting skills like canning or water safety–it’s not something Americans are used to doing. “Seven years ago, we moved to Edmond and twice I’ve been stuck at home for a week or more due to ice storms,” said KW, who lives far enough from town that going to the grocery store is an impossibility during bad weather. “Being prepared is a practicality for living in Oklahoma with the ice, snow, tornadoes and fires. I always have back-up milk and food now–powdered milk and boxed liquid milk, just in case.”
What really made KW embrace the idea of being prepared were the wildfires that scorched through the rural areas around Edmond two years ago. “We had three minutes to evacuate due to the wildfires,” KW said. “What would you do if you had only minutes to leave? What would you take?”
LightingOne of the easiest ways families can be prepared is to have a three-day “bug-out” bag, a backpack for each member of the family. “I grew up in Galveston, so we were used to having extra water for bathing, batteries, candles and stuff like that for waiting out a hurricane,” KW said. “The backpacks are for if you have to leave in a hurry, like during the wildfires.”
Luckily, the bug-out bags were already prepared when the family had to evacuate, making their hotel stay more comfortable and less stressful. The only thing KW forgot was pet supplies, making a trip to the store necessary.
For the most part, KW’s preparedness is geared more toward being able to stay in her home after a natural disaster or other event. If one has enough food, water, backup supplies and anything needed to survive without water or electricity, then staying home is a possibility. During Hurricane Katrina, a refugee camp was established at the New Orleans Superdome. The camp became dangerous–deadly in some cases–and people were trying to escape the shelter. “It’s good to be prepared if you have to stay at a hotel or even camp it out.”
For those prepping for longer term situations, a three-month food supply in the kitchen pantry using organizational tools, like those found on canorganizers.com, means you can store food and use it as it nears its expiration. KW also has boxes of food supplies that have 25-year shelf life. “I even made a car emergency kit and an office emergency kit for my husband,” she said. “It’s not impossible in Oklahoma. We’ve had it happen…the Murrah bombing, tornadoes…I wish I could share these skills with more people. You never know when an emergency will happen.”
Keeping tents and bug-out bags in the garage, not to mention a supply of food that can last 25 years, may sound extreme, but it’s just common sense. Many communities have suffered power outages for up to three weeks after severe ice storms and after major disasters like tornadoes. It can take emergency workers three days to reach a neighborhood with food and water.
“We are on well water, so if our electricity goes out, so does our water,” KW said. “Most of what I do is prepare to stay in our home. We stock up on alternative fuel and lighting like lanterns and candles, matches, cook stoves. The most important thing is to have a family plan for every emergency.”
Bug-Out BagWebsites abound about how to begin prepping, such as FEMA’s recommendations at www.ready.gov.
For a basic three-day supply bug-out bag, KW suggests stocking a backpack for each member of the family with:
Food - Protein/Granola Bars
Trail Mix/Dried Fruit
Crackers/Cereals
Canned Tuna, Beans, Turkey, Beef, Vienna Sausages, etc.
Bedding & Clothing - Change of Clothing (short- & long-sleeved shirts, pants, jackets, socks, etc.)
Undergarments
Rain Coat/Poncho
Blankets & Emergency Heat Blankets (that keep in warmth)
Fuel & Light - Battery-powered Lighting (flashlights, lamps, etc.)
Extra Batteries
Flares
Candles
Lighter
Waterproof Matches
Equipment - Can Opener
Dishes/Utensils
Shovel
Radio (with batteries)
Pen & Paper
Axe
Pocket Knife
Rope
Duct Tape
Personal Supplies & Medication - First Aid Kit & Supplies
Toiletries: roll of toilet paper (remove the center tube to easily flatten into a zip-lock bag), feminine hygiene, folding brush, etc.
Cleaning Supplies
Medication & Prescription Medication
Keep immunizations up to date.
Personal Documents & Money - Place items like these in a waterproof container!
