A recent ANP article provided evidence that many, many Americans that previously thought those considered preppers and survivalists, were "crazy" people that needed tin foil hats, are now rushing to become what they think "preppers" are.
With so many states implementing stay-at-home orders, grocery shelves in many areas sparsely stocked and completely missing many highly sought-after items, Americans are awakening to the fact that at some point, whether from the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic or something else in the future, they may just need to learn how to survive without their "delivery app" or closest restaurant or grocery store.
In the comment section of that recent article, reader "Tribulation"offered up an excellent suggestion for a follow up piece, discussing safety issues and mistakes that "newbies" (those new to the concept of prepping) often make, some of which can be dangerous and deadly to themselves and to others.
Via that comment section: Reader 'Tribulation' - "One thing that concerns me about the new found "prepping fad" among people is that they are first timers, rookies. They will make a lot of mistakes. Some will result in waste, some could be down right deadly. The one thing that bubbles up to the surface in my concern is first time firearms folks. From articles I've read it appears that Californians will have a tough time getting that first firearm. But when they do WATCH OUT!!
Would be a good idea to put up an article regarding basic firearms safety and/or link to a safety course or discussion for first time buyers. Maybe the article should address the five "Gotcha's" of first time preppers? Maybe someone here can write that article?!"
Outstanding point because while there are a number of available articles dealing with newbie mistakes, some which cover food integrity,things not to do when canning, etc.... It can be a challenge to find something covering the most dangerous and deadly mistakes, such as first time firearm owners thinking they can purchase a firearm, wait until something happens where they think they need it, and just point and shoot.
Yeah.... NO.
That is the perfect way for them to either shoot themselves accidentally, one of their kids, family members or spouse, or even get themselves killed with their own gun while the perpetrator then takes that weapon to go rob or kill other people.
As my response to the suggestion indicated, while I have a certain amount of firearm and safety knowledge, I am not in any way, shape or form qualified to teach, so we have hunted a number of resources as a starting point for those unfamiliar with weapons.
There are also other websites available, such as Lessons.com, where you enter your zip code and they offer a number of gun safety training classes near you.
OPERATIONS SECURITY (OPSEC)
To make a fairly long explanation short, OPSEC is all about protecting critical information.
As a prepper that would include not telling the world, or anyone other than family members and/or friends that would all be working together in a SHTF scenario, exactly what you have in stored food, supplies, etc....where you keep it, how much of you have or what you have to defend it with if necessary.
Many of us discuss prepping in the comment section, but most do so within certain limits, in vague terms of I have enough of this, or that, or I am getting this or that, or I plan to get this. You get the point. It isn't smart ot list your address and inform the world exactly what you have and where you store it.
Not unless they want someone to come try to take all of their stuff.
There are websites that discuss the basics of Operations Security, listing the five-step process of 1) Identifying critical information; 2) Determining threats; 3) Analyzing vulnerabilities; 4) Assessing the risks, and; 5) Applying appropriate countermeasures.
The point of this category is simple. It is never a good or smart idea, and in fact is dangerous and deadly to tell a potential enemy where you are, what you have, where you keep it, or how you plan to protect it.
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YOU CANNOT SURVIVE ON PIZZA ALONE
This one may seem like a no-brainer, but after reading certain reports, and seeing images sent to us by readers like the one above, it obviously is important to teach newbies to the prepping concept, that they cannot live off of frozen pizza, or single serving frozen dinners, alone.
The first thing that caught my eye when a reader sent over that picture in mid-March, is that is an entire section of frozen pizzas, almost totally empty.
Then on Saturday I ran across an article showing that wasn't the only store seeing this type of purchase choices.
The coronavirus pandemic has seen its impact hit nearly every area imaginable across the world. Perhaps the largest industry to see its demand climb as high as ever are grocery stores. From mega-corporation supermarkets to local grocery shops, stores are struggling to keep many items in stock. First, it was the toilet paper craze that settled over in the early going of the outbreak. Then it was the cleaning supplies from sanitizing wipes to hand soap. A new hard-to-find item now happens to be frozen pizza. Stores across the states are finding it hard to keep the easy-to-cook products in stock.
I like a good pizza myself now and then, but seriously? Worried about feeding yourself and your family and you decide to waste a ton of space in freezer, which could be used for meats or vegetables that could make multiple meals per package, on those big bulky boxes of frozen pizza.
That is almost as bad as when we see people rushing to prepare for a massive snow storm, prepping to have to live without electricity for a bit, deciding that frozen dinners are the thing to fill their carts up with, completely missing the point that without electricity they cannot keep the food good, nor slap a frozen dinner in the microwave or oven.... because they won't have electricity!!!!
Sometimes we wonder what the heck these people are thinking.
TIPS, TRICKS AND LEARNING FROM SEASONED PREPPERS
Some of the best discussions we have seen in the comment section is where seasoned preppers offer ideas, resources, tips and tricks. We have even noted that those same seasoned preppers can be reminded or even introduced to new ideas.
No one is too knowledgeable to learn something new and anyone that thinks they are, is a waste of space.
Many prepper mistakes, whether small, or deadly and dangerous, can be avoided by reading prepper sites, watching the comment sections for ideas, then researching those that look prudent to your situation and adapting them to fit your own needs and those of your family.
As always, our great readers, many of which are preppers themselves are encouraged to share their experiences, their initial mistakes to help others avoid them, their tips and tricks, resources, websites and prepping videos they find important.
BOTTOM LINE
Prepping for a post-pandemic world , a SHTF scenario, civil unrest, or any other type of situation where one may be forced to survive on what they have, what they can get and what they can trade and barter, is like any other skill.
It must be learned and practiced, and there will be mistakes made.
With that said, learning from seasoned preppers will help avoid those mistakes and may just help keep you alive by teaching you what not to do and what is dangerous and deadly.
God bless and be safe everyone.
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