There’s a story about a guy who moves to the country and asks a farmer how long it will take for him to learn farming. The farmer answers - ”10 years”. The guy informs the farmer that he has a PhD and asks again. The farmer answers – “10 years” (should be 15 given today’s educational system). The reality is, you learn something every season and there is always a new twist – different seeds, drought, late frost, too wet, poor soil, too hot, different bugs, etc.
The Essentials of Preparedness: Beyond Just Stuff
Most people start on the resilience path with extra canned goods, keeping more cash around and perhaps buying a gun. Having more stuff is always part of be being prepared but it isn’t enough. Owning a gun does not mean you understand the legality of using it OR that you are willing to use it if necessary OR that you can be fast and accurate OR that you will use appropriate tactics to ensure success. Beyond buying items, you need to (1) learn the basics of how they operate, (2) test them to be sure they function as intended and (3) develop the skills to use these items during a crisis. Back to the firearms example – let’s assume you own an AR15 and have done some extra work to take a basic course and install a light. Can you load it, operate the safety, and use the light when awakened from a deep sleep in the middle of the night? Do you know the angles of fire where you won’t endanger other family members or neighbors?
Critical Skills for Self-Sufficiency
What skills should you consider? If you don’t have access to fresh water – knowing how to filter / disinfect water from other sources is essential. No heat – can you cook over an open fire? No emergency medical services – take a first responder course or better yet an EMT course. Cells phones are down and you want to communicate – get a ham radio license. Home gets damaged – learn basic carpentry / electrical / plumbing. Car needs maintenance – learn mechanics. Farm equipment broken – know how to weld. Firearms not working – have some gunsmithing skills. Long term food shortage – have experience gardening and with livestock. Need to store food – have canning, drying, root cellar experience. You probably don’t have the time or interest to learn all the above – but having a few of these skills gives you an advantage at your site and makes you a more valuable member of a community that is working together.
The Importance of Physical Preparedness: Sweat Equity
On to the sweat category. In an extended crisis – there will eventually be few if any modern conveniences. Without the grid or trucking or fossil fuels – we will be relying on human power for most tasks. Are you in shape to walk out of the city? Can you fell trees and split wood? Work in the garden several hours a day? Feed and care for animals? Build items with hand tools? This marries nicely with the skills aspect – if you don’t do some sweating to practice your skills – they won’t be adequate when you need them.
You can find much more in my book “Thriving in Times of Chaos” available on Amazon. It provides time-phased actions to become more sustainable in any location along with links to additional information and useful products. A more complete description of the book along with a PDF version are available on my website.
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