People who have always dismissed the idea of a big disaster will now probably understand the value of being prepared. The COVID outbreak has suddenly changed lives and preppers definitely have a head start. The pandemic indicates that you cannot consider yourself to be safe because anything can happen anytime. You may have to be cooped up in your home for weeks, without supplies or help from outside. So if you have not been gearing up for a sudden invasion or natural disaster, it is time to get ready sooner rather than later. If you wait until something actually happens, you will be too late. Here is a checklist for first-time preppers who want to get ready for surviving a disaster.

Food and water

Obviously, the first thing you would need to survive is food and water. Stockpiling emergency food kits makes a good idea because these have a long shelf life and can keep you and your family well-fed even when you cannot go out. Since it is not possible to store fresh produce, you may consider buying seeds that you can sow in an emergency situation to create a small indoor kitchen garden at home. Similarly, you need to stock plenty of water- whether you would want bottles or gallons depends on your needs and preferences. 

Medicines and first-aid

Another thing that you cannot manage without is medicines and first-aid. If you are on medication for a long-term chronic condition, it always makes sense to have at least a few months’ supplies in stock. Additionally, you will also need over-the-counter medicines for common conditions like fever, coughs and colds, diarrhea, etc. Don’t forget to have a proper first aid kit in your prepper gear because you could need it more often than you may think.

Safety gear

For a pandemic-like emergency, safety gear is all about personal protective equipment such as masks, gloves, and goggles. But the requirements will be quite different if there is war or civil unrest. Consider investing in weapons like a gun and knife to keep your family safe. Knives can serve as tools too. You will also need ballistic protection; buying a Backpack armor is a good idea as it offers you safety from bullets and sharp weapons. And it doubles up as storage gear if you need to pack some emergency stuff and travel to a safer place in an emergency.

If you are on the move, take your trusted lockpicks to gain access to any abandoned property for food and shelter. Opt for a kit or set of lockpicking tools you can fit into your pocket, and use them as the situation demands.  

 Batteries

A good prepper will always have some extra batteries on hand. You will need it for running flashlights and radios, which can be vital in the time of power outages and loss of other means of communication. Even if the situation is not that bad, batteries are essential for keeping things like remote controls and kids’ toys running. Surely, you cannot manage without entertainment during a lockdown. Do pick plenty of them and stock them because they seldom get expired.

This basic checklist for first-time preppers has you almost covered and ready for the worst. Apart from the right gear, you also need a resilient attitude to survive with the minimal and keep going in tough situations.