Posts tagged "biginning prepper check list"

Prepper Basics – Solar Powered Equipment For Disaster Prepping

 

Being able to use the awesome power of the sun has become more and more popular and that is no different for preppers. As a new or experienced prepper when you sit down and look over various fuel sources you realize that there is only a finite amount. This is especially true in a disaster or doomsday scenario. This makes using solar power an ideal option and a real advantage to any prepper. Using solar power can be ideal for not only long term doomsday prepping but also very useful in any power outage situation.

 

A solar power system will contain three basic components which include solar panels, charge controller, and batteries. Rays from the sun hits the solar cells of your solar panel or Photovoltaic (PV) panel from there the power is transferred to a silicon semiconductor. From there your power is converted into direct current or DC electricity , it now flows through your connecting wires and will end up in your storage battery.

First thing to do when you consider purchasing equipment for your solar power system is to target which items in your home you want to power and how many watts you will need. Maybe you just want a small or simple system for use during a short-term type of disaster for items like rechargeable batteries , small lights , or laptops or maybe you are looking at something more permanent and more advanced. Once you figure out what kind of system suits you best you can build a solar power system to best fit your needs. You can always start off small to keep your investment manageable and then expand on it a little at a time.

There are various types of Solar Equipment for you to consider. Each has there own advantage and use. Here is a break down of some types of solar equipment for preppers to consider.

 

 

Solar Panels

Starting out with a simple solar power system may want to start with a basic set of Photovoltaic panels. These Photovoltaic panels can be used to set up three different types of photovoltaic power systems. These systems are stand alone , grid tied , and grid connected with stand alone capabilities. You can get a detailed outline of the solar panel equipment needed to each of these three Photovoltaic power systems and how to use them here.

Solar Generators

These are great alternate options over your basic diesel and gasoline generators. They are of course very energy efficient because they require no fuel for them to run , they don’t produce any of the dangerous fumes, and they are very quiet units. They can be a bit of a larger investment but they can last for as long as 25 years and they require no addition cost once purchased to run them. These can be great no only for preppers in a disaster scenario but can be used regularly to help reduce your current electricity bill while maintaining the unit.

Solar Battery Chargers

These are great for preppers and ideal for a doomsday or survival scenario to recharge much needed batteries. These units come in different forms some which use a trickle charge and some that can be connected to solar panels for quicker charging and even provide small scale lighting for a limited time. It is important to be sure the unit you choose can charge a variety of battery sizes and is setup with smart capabilities to not over charge your batteries. These units can be waterproof making them ideal items to add to your bug out bag.

Mobile Solar Power System

These units are also great for a preppers bug out bag. Being able to utilize fold-able solar panels will give you a mobile option to be able to power small devices. Just keep in mind that these fold-able solar panels that are 35 watts or greater will provide 6 volts of power so to get 12 volts of power you will need two panels wired in a series.

Be the first to comment - What do you think?
Posted by Prepper - June 5, 2012 at 8:40 am

Categories: Prepper How To   Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Important Questions For A Beginning Prepper

 

So you have come to the conclusion that you want to join in on the prepper movement and become a prepper yourself. You want to be able to feed and protect you and your family should a survival scenario ever present itself. Every one has there own reasons for becoming a prepper and we all have to start somewhere. It can at times be overwhelming when trying to gather information on what you should do and need to have as a prepper.

We have put together some important question that beginning and even current preppers need to ask and answer. Having a game plan to begin with is very important and can make your prepping go a lot smoother. It is also important to remember that being a prepper is a process for novice as well as advanced preppers. Being a prepper is a journey so don’t burn yourself out by trying to do everything at once.

We believe sitting down and answering these key questions will make becoming or being a prepper much easier and more productive.

What am i prepping for ? – It is important to identify what kind of event you are prepping for. Whether it be a some type of doomsday scenario or a more short term problem like storms. This is essential for determining your level of prepping needs.

Type of Food/Water reserve i need to have ? – Once you have answered question number one then you can move on to what kind of food and water reserves necessary for the type of event your going to be prepping for.

To Bug In or Bug Out ? – Making plans for doing both is always encouraged. Also remember that bugging out should be some what of a last resort unless you have a secure bug out location already prepped. Being out in the elements can be very tough especially for your untrained family.

Am i prepared to defend my family and property ? – Having a great stock pile for you and your family is important but being able to protect it from something goes wrong is just as important. In a disaster or doomsday situation being able to protect your family and property could become a must.

Will you be able to produce light and or electricity ? – This can be an important area that many tend to over look. Having and knowing how to use various options could be extremely important such as solar equipment and rechargeable battery options.

Will u be able to heat your home ? -  This is of course more important depending on your area but winter and cold weather is a worry for many. Having and knowing how to use alternative heating options is a must.

Can we stay clean ?  – Another area often over looked by many preppers is personal hygiene and sanitation. Stocking items needed to keep you and your family clean and sanitized will be important in an extended event situation.

What do i have to offer for trade ? – In a survival or doomsday scenario having items that can be used to trade for supplies you may not have could pay off in a big way. Ask yourself what items you will be able to offers others in a trade transaction. Things of convenience may be wanted in trade during these types of situations.

Will i be able to stay in communication with outside world ? – In many prepper scenario’s TV, Radio’s, or even cell phones may not be working options for staying in contact and knowing what is going on around you. Having and knowing how to use an alternative communication method is important like a HAM radio (a preferred tool inside the prepper communities) etc.

Hopefully answering these important questions will help you become a better and more efficient prepper. Get your prepping game plan put together and stick to it and as you gain better and more useful information adapt it to fully support the needs of you and your family.

 

Be the first to comment - What do you think?
Posted by Prepper - May 28, 2012 at 8:34 pm

Categories: Prepper How To   Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Everyday Reasons for becoming a Prepper besides a Doomsday Scenario

 

The prepper movement has become more and more mainstream over the last year or two but there are still some with odd reactions. Im sure we have all heard some of the comments about preppers like they are nuts , paranoid worry warts , and onward. There are many who don’t believe that any sort of doomsday scenario will ever occur with in their lifetime. But the doomsday or end of world scenario alone is not the only reason to do a little prepping.

There are reasons which are a little more mainstream and may even make a little more sense even to those of you who don’t believe in prepping. We have listed here some reasons to have emergency supplies and stock piles like many modern day prepper would have. You may want to consider some of these reasons to prep even though you still wouldn’t consider yourself a prepper.

 

Natural Disasters – Most of us live in an area that can be hit by some kind of natural disaster be it a hurricane , tornado , or earthquake. This may not be a doomsday scenario but having a bit of preparedness could go a real long way to making your life easier on you and your family in this sort of situation.

Unemployment/Job Loss – With the economy in the shape its in these days job security is shaky for more Americans then ever before. Having a emergency food and supplies stock could be a huge edge for keeping you and your family fed and house running if you happen to have a sudden job loss or a massive cut in hours.

Evacuations – Never know when something happens in your area which causes you to make a quick evacuation from your home. Having a bug out type bag that can be grabbed quickly containing important documents and supplies can be very important. Having all your important papers and supplies organized can be a lifesaver.

Power Outages – Sudden and possibly extended power outages are something everyone has to deal with at some point. Having some emergency prepper supplies packed away can make a huge difference in keeping your family fed and as comfortable as possible.

House Fire – This could happen to any of us at any time and having a evacuation plan and a bug out type bag could be a life saver. With little to no time to get out of the home to avoid death or injury a little prepping could make the difference in saving the lives of you and your family and getting out some of your important paperwork , information, and supplies.

Mechanical Car Problems – I know not all of us travel in out of the way area’s at least on a consistent basis but if you do having a little prepping done could be very important. A breakdown can happen anywhere so having a way to communicate for help along with keeping you and your family hydrated , fed, and warm if needed until help arrives is a must. So a little prepping in this case can go a long way.

 

Becoming a prepper doesn’t mean you have to believe the world is going to end tomorrow or next week but simply being a little more prepared for various situations. You also don’t have to have massive stockpiles of food and supplies to be a prepper simply putting away enough to keep you and your family fed and hydrated should something unexpected happen can be enough for you. There is no set way or set of rules for being a prepper each and every one of us can be a prepper in our own way.

For more prepper information, please be sure to subscribe to the right or visit our homepage Here

Be the first to comment - What do you think?
Posted by Prepper - May 14, 2012 at 1:37 am

Categories: General Prepper Info   Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Prepper Basics : Tips for a Survival Tool Bag

 

Seasoned and beginning preppers alike focus on important basics like food, water , shelter etc which are all valid items that need to be attended to. But many don’t consider adding a survival tool bag to their prepper lists of important items. Having the right tools to do given task can makes things so much easier especially in a survival situation. Adding a simple survival tool bag to both your bug in location and your bug out bag can be extremely useful.

 

We will supply a list of recommended survival tool bag items that could prove to be very useful. First thing before you get into a list of tools is the bag itself and a small canvas bag is recommended. Try to stay away from using any kind of tool box as they can be more difficult to handle and too bulky. You want to keep your survival tool bag as light as possible especially if its to be added to your bug out bag while still having it contain items of use. Here is a survival checklist of tools that are recommended for your survival tool bag.

  • Set of 2 standard screw drivers (avoid sets w/ changeable pieces as they get lost easily)
  • Pliers (standard and needle nose pair each would be ideal)
  • Set of Alan Wrenches
  • Razor/Utility Knife
  • Wire Cutters
  • Small Framing Hammer
  • Ziplock bag (w/ nuts,screws,zip ties,and miscellaneous)
  • Duck Tape

Of course for a bug in location many more tools can be added to the list like saws, shovels, etc as weight is not an issue.

Some may consider this to be somewhat of a reach when considering weight and space for your bug out bag. But when task such as building a shelter or having to secure a location come up these items could prove to be life savers. This allows you a lot more durability then having just a simple multi-tool and will likely prove to be well worth the relatively small space it takes up and weight it adds to your bag.

Be the first to comment - What do you think?
Posted by Prepper - May 4, 2012 at 1:25 am

Categories: Prepper Supplies   Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Top 10 Preppers List of Must-Have items for Doomsday Preparation (Doomsday Prep List)


What does a doomsday mean to you?
End of the world or such an experience as the Hurricane Katrina experienced in the New Orleans and the likes? Whatever it means, what preparation are making to ensure you survive the disaster?

You need proper planning to boost your survival confidence and enhance your chances of staying alive. Below are the top ten items you must have to carry on in days of disaster.

WATER

Producing a large amount of water in survival situations can mean the difference between life and death and can allow yourself to work on other projects to keep yourself alive. One very interesting product that I have bought to try to fix the issue of cleaning a water supply in this type of situation is the Royal Berkey Water Filter System You can take a look at this product and other products by these guys in the wheel below…

FOOD RESERVE

You need a large collection of non perishable food items to carry on all through the period of the disaster. These include canned beans and spices, canned and dried vegetables, etc. You will need supplements such as vitamins, instant milk, noodles, fruits and protein powder.

My favorite prepared survival provider is the Chef’s Banquet ARK 1 Month Food Storage Supply (330 Servings)

Chef’s Banquet ARK 1 Month Food Storage Supply offers 330 servings of dehydrated food which amounts to 2,100 calories/day for 30 days. This food package is not only especially affordable for the amount of food provided, but it also provides wide range of nutritional benefits with a wide variety of food choices. These foods include Oatmeal, Servings Hearty Potato Soup, Chicken Vegetable Stew, ervings Mixed Vegetables, Servings Instant Potatoes, Macaroni & Cheese, Beef Flavored Vegetable Stew and Cheddar Broccoli Rice with over 20 pounds of dehydrated food.

FIRE STARTER

It is highly recommended that you include in your doomsday preparations at least three ways to make fire. Some examples of fire starter you should include in your doomsday prep are matches in a waterproof container , windproof lighters , and flint or magnesium starters. For more information about fire starters, visit our page Here

MEDICAL PROVISION

This 158-piece comprehensive responder kit contains first supplies that are essential in an emergency. It is an excellent product to keep in our car and has everything you need for a real emergency. Whether it is a small injury or a significant injury this responder kit can help. It is the type of emergency kit that professional EMTs use and is top of the line.

This kit comes highly recommended. It is the type of kit you want to have in your car or home. Although, if you are medically trained there are a few extras you may want to add to make it “complete” like a stethoscope, penlight, blood pressure cuff and a few more gloves that are plastic.

FLEXIBLE BACKPACK

Off course you will need a flexible backpack to carry most of your items such as some foodstuff, medical supplies, etc. However, what you need is a light-weight backpack with a good number of straps. In addition, you want your backpack to have the ability to carry all of your smaller supplies including your cooking supplies, hunting supplies, shelter and sleeping bag. This large backpack is especially important if you are looking for a proper shelter or looking to carry out a more nomadic form of survival.

SLEEPING BAG

In such days, what you need is a light stuff and anything cumbersome would cause you much harm. You need a sleeping bag that you can easily carry and construct your shelter as you go. Picking the backpack that best fits your survival strategy and geographic region is an essential element to any survival plan.

THERMAL COVERLET

Do you know that thermal coverlets reflect about 97% of the heat directly under their surface? The weightless ultra blanket is very essential in cold nights especially when it’s close to a fire. It’s very affordable and even if you are located or plan to be located in a warm area, nights often get to a temperature where a heavy sleeping bag and thermal blanket are necessary.

PROTECTION

A small gun is quite essential for hunting and defense. In the same vein, your two machetes and knife is as good as you’re your eyes. You need them.

RAIN GEAR

When you are soaked on a rainy day, your gear can bring you assurance and restore your comfort. You can fit it in your shelter to keep it dry. By staying dry, you can fend off hypothermia and other illnesses as well as maintaining your warmth. This water gear is also essential in water collection if you have an established shelter to keep you dry and are not in need of the rain benefits.

Be the first to comment - What do you think?
Posted by Prepper - April 14, 2012 at 5:17 pm

Categories: Prepper Supplies   Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,