Preparation Strategy Part I

Whether it is an economic / social collapse, natural disaster, or any kind of disaster before you run off half-cocked and start buying gold and a doomsday bunker you have to have some sort of plan.   The best thing about a plan is that a crappy plan is better than none at all.   Here are some main points to consider during your planning:

Security “The First Concern”

If you have prepared and stockpiled the basic necessities how will you defend them?   Guns and Ammo is the answer.   There is a rule of thumb when it comes to Guns and Ammo; “P” for Plenty.   Fortunately our founding fathers were smart enough to include  “the right of the people to keep and bear arms” in the Constitution.   In addition training in the safe use of guns is just as important as owning them.   Your first capital expenditures in preparation should be your security (to include firearms training).

If you are not a gun person and believe in gun control than good luck surviving, you will be a prime target for those that did not prepare.   If you have moral objections to defending your family and yourself; you will become a statistic.    It is as simple as that.

When deciding on what kind of guns to invest in consult professionals that are gun people.   My basic principle is own whatever the police and military owns.   That way there will always be a supply of ammo and parts somewhere in the system.   I also recommend two weapons per person (an assault rifle and a sidearm) my choice is an M4 carbine and a Sig Sauer 228.   Minimum ammo you should have is 2000 rounds for the rifle and 1000 rounds for the pistol.   For the price of a new flat screen TV you have total long term protection; not a bad investment.

I will cover other considerations when it comes to security in later posts, however, here are a few more basics:

• Defensive layout of your neighborhood, home, and roads.   What are the strengths and weaknesses?
• Fire dangers and equipment.   Fire is one threat you can’t shoot at to stop.
• Allies.   Who is there to assist you, have you recruited other people, who can you trust?   You will need help.
• Escape.   You need at least 2 escape strategies and routes.
• Communications.   What do you do when cell phones, internet, and GPS do not work?
• Remember security is a 24 hour duty.   Are there enough people in your family to cover it?

The Basic Needs

• Water, the #1 priority:   Much or your time will be consumed with finding, treating, storing and drinking water.   What do you do when your well goes out or city water stops?
• Food:   You need at least 3 months of food per person (6 months is better)
• Shelter & Heat: You need to think being forced outdoors and providing heat for in the home or outside of it.
• Medical:   A little training or allies that are medical professionals along with medical supplies are a must.
• Tools and Trading Material:   Think of all the tools you will need to replace modern conveniences and start collecting them as well as trading / barter items (silver coins, extra bullets, etc.)

Contingency Plans:

When (not if) your basic plan fails you need contingency plans.    If you are forced from your house you will need a place to go, methods of travel, and routes of travel.   The security posture of other communities or control of certain areas by unsavory predators will require alternate routes and methods to get to your fall back site.   Future posts will address the myriad contingencies you should plan for.

With these basic planning considerations you are far better off than 95% of the rest of the population.

De Oppresso Liber