Posts tagged "preppers checklist"

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.

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Posted by Prepper - June 5, 2012 at 8:40 am

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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.

 

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Posted by Prepper - May 28, 2012 at 8:34 pm

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Prepper Basics: Alternative Cooking Methods for Survival

 

As many preppers from beginners to seasoned put together a food stockpile they put a lot of emphasis on the types of items and amounts of items they need. While these are certainly important details to take into consideration far too often preppers over look the important aspect of how these foods will be prepared. In a doomsday or survival situation whether you are in your bug in location or on the move your unlikely to have the use of your electric or gas stove. So having some available alternative methods for cooking your food is extremely important.

We will go over some alternative ways to cook your food besides the typical everyday stove. Not having the everyday comforts of a kitchen and its appliances can be a scary proposition to some but many alternative cooking methods are quite simple and can even be fun. Knowing these alternative methods can also be the difference between hunger or a hot meal.

Here is a preppers list of alternative cooking methods which may prove useful in a survival situation.

 

Open Fire/Camp Fire – One of the oldest time honored ways of cooking food is over an open fire or camp fire although only useful in an outdoors scenario. There are many ways of cooking using your camp fire from using a tripod for hanging pots and pans over your fire to using stones or wood to create an elevated cooking surface above your fire etc.

Wood Burning Stove – While only useable in your bug in location because of size and weight a small natural wood burning stove can be an excellent alternative. It provides an excellent high heat cooking surface , just be sure to remember your cookware needs to be heavy duty because of the high heat (like cast iron pots and skillets). Also if this is your preferred backup be sure to have an appropriate wood stockpile.

Solar Oven – These are great portable units which can be used to cook using just the power of the sun. They are less ideal for things that need to be cooked quickly or being used in bad weather. But they can be amazing tools and give you the ability to prepare a great hot meal in a bad situation with out any fire or fuels.

Pocket Stoves – These are very small and extremely portable little devices. They are limited size wise but can be used to heat several cups of boiling water in a short time frame for things like soups , noodles, dehydrated foods, etc. You can also cook anything which can be cooked inside of a small sized tin cup. These units use fuel tabs and will burn from 5 – 15 minutes.

Camp Stoves – These are a more bulky then the pocket stoves but offer more versatility and use different types of fuel sources like propane or liquid fuel. These can be stored to use as a last ditch method if everything else fails. Since they rely on a more bulky fuel source they should be considered for a last case scenario because once your fuel source is exhausted it likely won’t be easily replaced.

Charcoal Grill – Another alternative method used for outdoors type of scenario the charcoal grill is reliable and easy to use. You can cook just about anything on them with very simple cooking equipment. They do require charcoal and a type of lighter fluid for use but they can also be used to safely burn wood once your charcoal reserve has been used up.

 

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Posted by Prepper - May 7, 2012 at 8:30 am

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Preppers Checklist – Tips for your Emergency Food Supply

 

One of the most important items on a preppers checklist for a new or beginning prepper is to start to put together emergency food supplies. This step can sometimes seem a little overwhelming to a new prepper because there are so many choices and things to consider. We will provide you with some essential emergency foot storage recommendations so your food stockpile will be as efficient as possible. Having the proper food items stored could easily be the difference in if you survive or not.

One thing you may want to include into your food storage prep at the beginning is a food storage calculator this is a great tool to calculate how much food you or your family would need to survive a given emergency. You can also used the food storage calculator as a printout to keep track of what you have and what you are in need of some what of a inventory list.

 

Here are some great food prep rules and recommendations to keep in mind when putting together your emergency food stockpile. It could be used as a prepper checklist for food storage.

  • Begin by purchasing items for your food prep stockpile in small amounts consistently so it doesn’t put a strain on your current budget.
  • Buy multifunctional products. Things that can serve more then one purpose will help you to conserve space and save you money. Items like wheat , pasta , beans , and rice are all lower cost products that can be used in various ways.
  • Lots of Protein. One of the most important ingredients that can not be omitted from your daily diet if you plan to survive. Items on your preppers checklist such as canned meats like chicken , ham , tuna, and spam are great protein sources helping to maintain your energy levels. Another great protein source is beans which when combined with rice for a complete protein which provide all amino acids needed for survival in one meal.
  • High Energy Snacks. Stocking some high energy snacks that are high in proteins and complex carbohydrates are a plus for quick energy boost. Items such as granola bars , nuts , peanut butter , crackers , and trail mix are perfect for this and have fairly long shelf lives usually up to 1 year.
  • Comfort foods. Along with your basic essentials it is also important to stock some comfort foods to help with moral and add a little enjoyment in an emergency situation. So stock things like cookies , cereals , candy , cake , and popcorn or which ever favorites you prefer.
  • The Basics. Remember to also add some of the basic staples to your food stockpile like salt , flour , sugar , vinegar , cooking oil , and spices. These things shouldn’t be overlooked as they are used and needed in your everyday kitchen so add them your food stockpile also.
  • Back Ups. Remember when prepping it is always important to have back ups and this remains the same for your emergency food stockpile. Items such as MRE’s , food bars , and other freeze dried foods are perfect back ups. These items have extremely long shelf lives are provide the nutrition needed to survive. Just remember items such as MRE’s should be backups and not stocked as a main food supply because over time you could become vitamin deficient and nutrient if these are all you consume.
  • Rotate your stock regularly. Items bought for your food stockpile should be rotated and refreshed regularly to assure it remains as fresh as possible in case of emergency. It is recommended to do a food stockpile inventory check every 6 months to make sure that storage items are not expired and are consumable. So use and refresh items in your stockpile on a regular basis.
  • Avoid items with high salt levels. The more salt that you take in the more water you will drink. So try and avoid stocking too many food items that are high in salt. Some salt in diet and various items is ok but high salt level foods should be kept to a minimum This will help to conserve your emergency water supplies.

Using these tips and recommendations should assure that your emergency food stockpile is as efficient and functional as possible. Also remember when putting together your food prep items that caloric intake is a key factor in your long term survival. You have to avoid malnutrition in any emergency scenario to survive so stocking the proper foods on your preppers checklist to avoid this health issue is a must.

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.

This package will go a long way to equipping yourself for your food needs in a survival situation. This is an exceptionally cost effective method of preparing for survival and all of the food provided will last a long period of time without spoilage.

For more information on Prepping your emergency food supply, visit another of my food posts at This Link. In addition, learn great tips for food and other preparation tactics by becoming a subscriber! Enjoy!

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Posted by Prepper - April 24, 2012 at 9:10 pm

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Prepper Basics – Get Home Bag

 

Everyone has heard the term “Bug Out Bag” and we all know it is an important tool for a prepper. But these days we find ourselves in our cars a whole lot be it a commute to work from a suburban home locations or general overall travel. Since we are in our vehicles so often it is important to also include it into our prepping needs. It is essential as a prepper to be ready for any scenario in which your vehicle would become a useless tool and you need to be able to get back to your home or elsewhere on foot. Putting together a “Get Home Bag” and having it in your vehicle at all times is an important step for all preppers. Your GHB may be a key tool in being able to get yourself back home to your family.

We will put together a prepper check list here for items that should be included in your Get Home Bag.

Water/Water Purification – Having water is one of the most important parts of your bag but remember you will be on foot so you will have to adjust your carrying limits. To offset for not being able to carry tons of water you need to plan on being able to collect and purify water along the way. So adding a water purification kit to your bag is recommended as having water is a key essential.

Food – Again since you will be on foot a smaller amounts of food 1-2 days worth should suffice. Things like peanut butter and crackers or energy bars are nice additions to the food section of your bag as they can take up little space and are light but full of essentials.

Hat/Rain Gear – On foot you would be in the hot sun for a long period of time and a hat (wide brimmed recommended) will help to prevent sun exposure. Also it is impossible to predict the weather conditions at the time so packing along rain gear is a key as it could be a life save in cold and rainy situations. You can also adjust this area to the weather conditions of your area.

Medical – Keeping a first aid kit in your bag is a must. Also be sure to add in pain relievers for muscle pains and headaches which may occur from the foot travel and possible dehydration.Also possibly small amounts of any personal drugs that you may need to take on a daily basis.

Shoes – A pair of comfortable and worn in shoes that are built for walking are a big key. Being often in business attire you may not be in footwear that are suitable for longer distance travel. This can also be adjusted for terrain found in your area.

Maps/GPS – In this kind of scenario you will likely need to take the shortest route to where your looking to get so using the roads won’t be as useful. Roads may also be packed with people you just as well stay away from.You will definitely benefit from any shortcuts which can be navigated using local maps or handheld GPS devices.

Protection – The decision on the level of protection carried is a personal one based on training and comfort. Not everyone is comfortable carrying or using a firearm so you may want to include items like knives or pepper spray. Also laws in your particular state may not allow for carrying concealed weapons leaving your bag needing other protection devices besides firearms.

Miscellaneous – You should also add in items such as fire starting devices like matches, lighters, or flints. Other items such as a flashlight , multitools, extra batteries , glow sticks, toilet paper, extra piece of clothing (sweatshirt), and binoculars are also great additions to your bag.

Just be sure to remember while packing your “Get Home Bag” that you will be on foot and having to carry this bag with you during your travel so keeping it to a comfortable weight is important. Be sure to first concentrate on your key essentials and then adding on some miscellaneous items as the space and weight limits you have set allow for.

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Posted by Prepper - April 20, 2012 at 7:53 pm

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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.

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Posted by Prepper - April 14, 2012 at 5:17 pm

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