What is a "Simple Prepper"?

Prepping. Even the word conjures up images of camo-clad ninjas stockpiling goods in anticipation of the collapse of the world.  There may be a few like that, but for the most part preppers are just normal people taking the Boy Scout oath of "Be Prepared" seriously.

You've probably seen (or heard of) the Discovery Channel series "Doomsday Preppers."  Like any other "reality" show, they focus on the most extreme people they can find.  Personally I think those folks are wasting their time and money. 

I grew up and spent most of the first 50 years of my life in the San Francisco Bay Area.  AKA "Earthquake Country." I lived about 1/4 of a mile from the Hayward Fault for a long period of time. As far back as I remember, FEMA and the CA Dept of Emergency Services have recommended having 3 days worth of food & water on hand.  I was blessed to have been in a home where food was always available. I really can't remember a time when we didn't have food in the house.  In an emergency situation it may not have been exactly what we wanted, but I am sure between the freezer, pantry and cupboards we probably could have gotten by for a couple weeks, maybe longer. A habit I carried over when I had my own place. Back then no one stored water.  I don't even know if you could buy drinking water back then, the only water I recall being sold in stores was distilled water.

Back in those pre-internet days news was disseminated via the TV and Newspapers.  TV for the headlines, newspapers for the in-depth stuff. Mainly the Sunday paper. I was a voracious reader of the papers back then, often reading two or three a day.

I recall reading a newspaper article (which paper I've forgotten) after the Loma Prieta Earthquake in 1989. It stated that in the event of a major earthquake, the water supply to the area could be destroyed. The article stated that in that type of event, it would take 6 months to restore limited service to the area and two years to restore full service. That was probably the beginning of my "prepping", although I don't think that was a word back then.  :-)

We've seen time and time again when disasters have struck that the folks that were prepared did all right.  Others were stuck while the government mismanaged relief efforts.

My plan then, and now, is in the event of a localized disaster is to have enough on hand to last a few months. Somewhere within that time frame I am sure will be the opportunity to leave the area and drive to the home of a friend or relative outside of the disaster zone.  And I have them all over the country.  :-)

What is the essence of "simple prepping"? Simple  ;-)

• Keep the tank on the car full of gas.
• Have an emergency supply of meds.
• Have a few months of food & water on hand.
• Keep a reasonable amount of cash on hand.
• Keep a reasonable amount of personal hygiene items on hand
• Same for cooking items and such.

Some of these items are subjective and I will go into more detail in future posts.

You don't have to be a "Doomsday Prepper" to be ready for an extended emergency!