How To Prepare Now Without Being Scared: Creating An Easy SHTF Plan

There are many different types of disruptions, ranging from man-made catastrophes like conflicts to natural disasters like hurricanes that destroy entire towns, cities, and states all at once. It is important to know what is most likely to happen while putting together a SHTF (Stuff Hits The Fan) plan.

Almost as important as really preparing is knowing what to prepare for, since it lets you know what to anticipate, what the most likely obstacles will be, and how to overcome them.

Stock upPhoto byRichelleg

Collapse of the Economy:

What it affects: When the financial system is upset, there is a collapse in social order, widespread unemployment, and shortages of basic supplies.

Requirements for survival: Store non-perishable food, water, and essential medical supplies, cash. Learn transferable skills, such as gardening or simple repairs. Create, if you can, a community network to aid one another with those you trust.

P@ndemic Epidemic:

What it affects: A highly transmissible and potentially life-altering sickness spreads quickly, overwhelming medical facilities and upsetting social norms.

Requirements for survival: Keep a first aid pack filled to the brim with necessary medications. Maintain proper sanitation and hygiene practices. Make a plan to isolate yourself and your family. Have a full and healthy pantry of non-perishable food and water and a garden.

Discontent in Society, Civil Unrest, EMP:

What it affects: Violence, property damage, and interruptions to vital services can result from civil unrest brought on by political instability, economic hardship, or social injustice.

Requirements for survival: Lock up your house and, if needed, plan a bug-out destination. Establish a plan for communicating with your family. For temporary disruptions, have some non-perishable food and water in reserve, cash. Use fundamental self-defense skills (de-escalation, situational awareness), but put a higher priority on averting conflict.

All of these have materialized in some way in the US in the last ten years alone, and those who were unprepared for them suffered the most when it was avoidable with a little advance forethought.

Civil UnrestPhoto byRichelleg

Important Elements and Things to Think About When Creating Your SHTF Plan

Check Your Equipment and Reaction Time

Sort your demands according to importance and location. For example, don't prepare for earthquakes if you live where earthquakes have never happened. And while preparing for zombies isn't a bad idea, it's best to focus on what can happen first, first.

To prepare for the unexpected, run through your strategy with your family, especially during the off-season. Like fire drills when you were in school. Go over your SHTF drills, and make them fun! In this manner, you'll be prepared to respond without hesitation and not stumble around in the dark.

Note: Taking dietary requirements and preferences into account, aim for a minimum of a two-week supply.

You will have to make a big choice that could have dire repercussions in the event of a disaster: should you bug in or bug out?

Today, we'll be discussing bugging in (shelter in place):

This approach is most effective in situations where there are brief disruptions, confined disasters like tornadoes or floods, or hazardous evacuation routes. Let's look at the situations where staying put could be safer than moving:

Service or Power Outages: Although they may cause inconvenience, the best way to handle brief water or power outages is usually to remain where you are.

Hurricanes, typhoons, and tornadoes: It's safer to stay put unless you are ordered to evacuate.

Floods, tsunamis, or dam overflows: It may be safer to stay put on higher levels and seek high ground rather than attempting to flee if a flash flood is expected and evacuation routes are being endangered by rising water. If you are not on high ground and are ordered to evacuate, DO NOT HESITATE.

Hazardous Materials Spills: Staying put with adequate ventilation is preferable to leaving if there are chemical spills or releases that pollute evacuation routes.

Wildfires (Uncontrolled Fires): Unless you're asked to evacuate, wildfires that are quickly approaching and escape routes are completely engulfed in flames are extremely dangerous if you try and leave.

All kinds of weatherPhoto byRichelleg

There are numerous other scenarios to take into account, even though these are the most frequent ones in which sheltering in place is necessary. As a general rule, in every given circumstance, compare the danger of leaving and the risk of staying put, but ALWAYS listen to your authorities. If they say go, then you go.

Apply your best judgment in light of the particular circumstances. Hurricane Katrina and Helene, for example, demonstrated the unfortunate limitations of sheltering in place during a big disaster—not everyone was able to leave.

Here's a list of important factors to take into account before choosing to bug in:

Setting up your home: If at all possible, reinforce windows with storm shutters. Outside, secure unsecured items to stop flying debris.

Stockpile of supplies: Make sure you have enough non-perishable food, water, medications, first aid supplies, sanitation materials, and basic tools in your emergency kit.

Canned suppliesPhoto byRichelleg

Have a communication strategy with your family in case the phone lines go down (a pre-arranged text message list or a planned meeting place).

Reduce the amount of water and electricity you use, especially if you don't know the duration of your emergency situation.

Have a way to get news and updates on your situation via TV, radio, and local government social media.

Consider Your Level of Preparedness, Well Beyond the Initial Crisis

Being prepared isn't just about making it through the initial SHTF catastrophe; it's also about making sure you can carry on long after. You have to remember, in certain SHTF scenarios, the restoration of order will take longer than anticipated, and official assistance may not be forthcoming to save us. There are a lot of people experiencing this right now with Hurricane Helene.

Needs for Long-Term Bug-In

Essentials to Stockpile: Try to have enough non-perishable food, filters or pills for water purification, and basic hygiene supplies to last at least a year. Think about bringing extra supplies like as medicine, cleaning materials, and fuel for cooking or heating (based on your climate).

Is there another storm coming?Photo byRichelleg

The five primary areas of preparation are Security, Protection, Water, Food, and Medicine.

The following is a list of the essential goods required for extended SHTF survival:

• Water storage containers with tablets or filters for purification
• Generator (take noise and fuel storage into consideration)
• A battery bank and solar panels (for long-term power demands)
• Sewing equipment, basic repair tools, and other tools
• Prescription meds (enough for at least half a year's worth)
• Antihistamines, over-the-counter analgesics, and antidiarrheal drugs
• Bandages, antiseptic wipes, painkillers, and thermometer in a first aid kit
• EMP shielding (research efficacy and regional laws)
• Protection that fits your situation and surroundings, along with adequate ammunition for them
• Iodine tabs (for nuclear emergency)
• Pet food and medicines
• Other camping shelter supplies, such as tarps and tents (for temporary outdoor shelter)
• Products for personal hygiene, including soap, shampoo, toothpaste, and sanitation.
• Garbage bags to handle organic and human waste.
• Entertainment: board games, books, ect.

Check off your listPhoto byRichelleg

Making the mental shift to prepare for the worst-case situation is the first step in preparation. Additionally, you are developing a strong mentality. Being prepared helps you have a proactive and flexible mindset. Being flexible and realizing that unpleasant things happen over an extended period of time—rather than whether or not they will happen—is another aspect of preparation. You can't control anything; you can only prepare and adapt.

If bad things happen, you will be ahead of the game. Start small, and start today if you can.

Attributions and citations:

Gold, S. (2024b, August 21). How to Bug-In | The Bug-Out Alternative You MUST Plan For. TruePrepper. https://trueprepper.com/how-bug-in/

Contributor, G. (2023, June 30). How to Bug-In: What You Need to Know to Survive a Grid-Down Disaster. The Art of Manliness. https://www.artofmanliness.com/skills/outdoor-survival/how-to-bug-in-what-you-need-to-know-to-survive-a-grid-down-disaster/

Morgan, & Morgan. (2021, May 11). Ultimate Guide to Bugging In – Emergency Preparedness – Prepping 101. Rogue Preparedness - How to Get Prepared for Emergencies and Disasters. https://roguepreparedness.com/ultimate-guide-to-bugging-in-emergency-preparedness/