Prepare for a Crisis
First, take a deep breath.
Did that? Good, now let's begin.
The world likely isn't going to end tomorrow, but there's probably some event that has you worried. So, where to start?
Before buying, planning, or any other steps take place, first evaluate what exactly you're wanting to prepare for. It can be overwhelming seeing many potential disasters, but you need to start small.
While planning bunkers and a year's supply of food is more fun, one should prepare for the more common threats first.
These include:
- A house fire
- Financial distress (job loss, emergency car repair, etc.)
- Local disasters (hurricane area, tornadoes, wildfires, etc.)
A fantastic resource on where to start is ready.gov for a basic supply list (the Store tab has links to many suggestions.)
Preparedness is built on a few foundational pillars:
- Food
- Water
- Communications
- First Aid
- Self-defense/personal health (including fitness)
Most supplies are, in general, an extension of one of those five areas.
FEMA recommends two weeks of supplies. If that seems overwhelming, just start with three days! The options on the left menu further break down each of those five areas to start you off on your self-reliant journey. The Store Tab has some recommended products for the foundational pillars of preparedness as well.
For more information, and a more comprehensive list involving disasters and how to prepare for them, I would urge you to visit ready.gov. This site only covers some of the major potential disasters, and is not comprehensive.