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Preppers

Prepping for a total beginner

61 replies

Woollypullover · 16/08/2024 22:48

What would you recommend a newbie to prepping should
A) be mostly prepping for - war, disease, famine?
B) have in their basic stock
please?

I have candles and a first aid kit, but that's it! 😆

Thank you

OP posts:
BlackeyedSusan · 17/08/2024 01:03

Kelly kettle is not beginner level though.

A BBQ is more common and less scary. And you might pick up a bargain disposable BBQ and stand this time of year.

I remember starting prepping and three days of food seemed quite a big ask.

JFDIYOLO · 17/08/2024 01:10

Apparently Mormons are called to have a year's worth of food store ... https://www.learnreligions.com/food-storage-why-what-how-2159413

Louise303 · 17/08/2024 01:11

Just remembered one of the people on the thread had a chiminea outside for cooking and a water butt. There was some really in to prepping grew veg had stockpiled tins and household items. They also spoke about having a grab bag handy and where to head in a crisis. The thread was going for years I do not know if it was removed or moved on the mse website it was pretty popular. People bought pop up tents, sleeping bags, hot water bottles, waterproof clothing and had food ready to go bars,nuts,dried fruit, vitamins and drinks.

Louise303 · 17/08/2024 01:21

BlackeyedSusan · 17/08/2024 01:03

Kelly kettle is not beginner level though.

A BBQ is more common and less scary. And you might pick up a bargain disposable BBQ and stand this time of year.

I remember starting prepping and three days of food seemed quite a big ask.

I am sorry for telling my son about the mse prepping thread I have an unused Kelly kettle here, camping stove,pop up tent,sleeping bags etc. He bought these 6 years ago he is 25 now probably forgot about them in my attic.

BlackeyedSusan · 17/08/2024 01:27

We've discussed those as well on various threads. Just looking back at a few now! Many people have some of those things already and a few are hard core preparations.

Start with the most likely scenarios, and some easy stuff, and build up later.

Illness
Winter wind storms or snow
Summer heat
A and E visit.
Car breakdown or delay.
Power cut
Water off.

BlackeyedSusan · 17/08/2024 01:28

Louise303 · 17/08/2024 01:21

I am sorry for telling my son about the mse prepping thread I have an unused Kelly kettle here, camping stove,pop up tent,sleeping bags etc. He bought these 6 years ago he is 25 now probably forgot about them in my attic.

Shh.... you'll be all prepared

BlackeyedSusan · 17/08/2024 01:29

Don't remind himGrin

DreamTheMoors · 17/08/2024 01:44

I recall speaking to a gentleman who was a serious prepper in the US.
He told me that he had a warehouse full of cases of water and dehydrated packets of food that were made especially to last 50+ years (I think they’re available on online prepper sites). I mean they’re packaged to last 50+ years - you can purchase 50 years worth, I’m sure.
I don’t recall him telling me about any cooking methods or any kind of cooking stove.
He had shortwave radio equipment, like hobbyists have.
He was extremely serious about prepping and preparing for any and all inevitable disasters.
I recall him saying that water was the most valuable commodity you stock up on and that it would be the first thing that would run out in an emergency.
This was 5 or 6 years ago — that’s all I remember. He was extremely knowledgeable.

Louise303 · 17/08/2024 02:14

BlackeyedSusan · 17/08/2024 01:29

Don't remind himGrin

Never the boy has not even been camping in his life a crisis to him even now is if the wifi goes down.

AnonyMoi · 17/08/2024 16:50

BlackeyedSusan · 17/08/2024 00:21

So things that you might like to consider: (and we have had past threads for, which are worth a read)

Car preps

Fire (eg having insurance documents online/etc)

Floods

Illness

Hospital admission/A and E (hospital bag)

Terrorism/riots

Evacuation of home due to random incidents.

Summer preps

Winter preps.

Pandemic...

Power cuts

Water off.

Consider for each:
Food (how to heat water, or cook or snacks keeping food fresh)

Water/drinks

Keeping clean and toileting. (Carrier bag, cat litter, bucket, potty?) spare water, hand gel,

Keeping cool, warm, dry.

Keeping entertained

Power.

I would start with first aid kit. (Try home bargains)
OT meds.:
Paracetamol (adult/kid) two or three packs
Aspirin (soluble)
Ibuprofen (adult /kid)two or three packs
Syringe/spoon
Cough linctus.
Antihistamines (adult and kid)
Diarrhoea meds
Haemorrhoids meds
If you are prone to thrush, meds for that
Decongestants (adult and kid)
Vitamins.
Antacids.
Sick bucket and disinfectant

This is very useful, thank you!

LibertyPrime · 17/08/2024 19:06

Preparing for emergencies, commonly known as prepping, is a broad topic that can cover many potential scenarios, from natural disasters to societal collapse. For a beginner, it’s crucial to focus on basic, versatile preparations that can cover a range of situations, rather than concentrating on a specific threat. Here’s a guide on where to start:
A) What to Prep For
While the exact nature of future emergencies is unpredictable, most prepping experts recommend preparing for the following:

  1. Natural Disasters: These are the most common emergencies and can include floods, hurricanes, earthquakes, and extreme weather. Preparing for these often covers a broad range of other scenarios.
  2. Short-term Disruptions: This includes power outages, water shortages, or temporary disruptions in food supply due to anything from local events to larger systemic issues.
  3. Long-term Economic Instability: Job loss, inflation, or economic collapse can make it difficult to afford basic necessities.
  4. Pandemics/Health Emergencies: The recent global pandemic has shown how vital it is to be prepared for disease outbreaks.
B) Basic Stock to Begin With Your initial stock should focus on covering essential needs: shelter, water, food, health, and safety. Here’s what you should consider:
  1. Water:
  2. Stored Water: Aim for at least 2 liters per person per day for drinking, plus additional for cooking and hygiene. A two-week supply is a good start.
  3. Water Purification: Water filters, purification tablets, and bleach (for emergency disinfection).
  4. Food:
  5. Non-perishable Foods: Canned goods, dried beans, rice, pasta, and oats. Aim for a minimum two-week supply of food that doesn’t require refrigeration.
  6. Comfort Foods: Chocolate, coffee, or snacks can boost morale in a stressful situation.
  7. Cooking Supplies: A camp stove with fuel, or a portable solar cooker, can be invaluable if power is out.
  8. Health & Hygiene:
  9. First Aid Kit: Expand your basic kit to include a wider variety of bandages, antiseptics, painkillers, and any prescription medications.
  10. Hygiene Supplies: Soap, hand sanitizer, feminine products, toilet paper, and trash bags.
  11. Masks & Gloves: Useful for pandemics or if you’re dealing with contaminants.
  12. Shelter & Warmth:
  13. Emergency Blankets: Compact and heat-retentive.
  14. Clothing: Sturdy, weather-appropriate clothes and footwear.
  15. Tent/Tarps: Useful if you need to leave your home or make repairs.
  16. Safety & Security:
  17. Candles & Lighting: Hand-crank or battery-operated flashlights and lanterns.
  18. Fire-starting Kit: Lighters, matches, and a fire steel.
  19. Self-defense: If comfortable and legal, consider pepper spray or other non-lethal self-defense tools.
  20. Communication & Information:
  21. Battery-powered or Hand-crank Radio: Stay informed during power outages.
  22. Extra Batteries: For all your devices.
  23. Printed Emergency Contacts & Instructions: Keep a list of important phone numbers, and instructions for first aid, purification, etc.
  24. Miscellaneous Tools:
  25. Multi-tool: Versatile and essential.
  26. Duct Tape: Endless uses, from repairs to makeshift solutions.
  27. Manual Can Opener: Don’t rely on electric openers.
ImRonBurgandy · 17/08/2024 20:28

@LibertyPrime what will you do if AI goes down?

LibertyPrime · 17/08/2024 22:48

ImRonBurgandy · 17/08/2024 20:28

@LibertyPrime what will you do if AI goes down?

pen and paper, the old ways are better especially if emp is used, the show dark angel is a good example

BlackeyedSusan · 17/08/2024 23:21

Sounds US style, but lots of countries do recommend being prepared.

There is now a British list. The Swedish list has been linked to on here before.

Where do you live? Cities are more likely to be reconnected to the National Grid first compared to a village at the edge of the network.

Are you prone to flooding or high winds?

How many in your family? Where do relatives that can help live?

Do you have a car, house, flat, garden?

Are you close to lots of shops or a long drive away?

How much storage do you have?

Is your house warm and dry without heating or cold and damp?

What do you have already?
What skills do you have?

AnonyMoi · 20/08/2024 09:01

BlackeyedSusan · 17/08/2024 23:21

Sounds US style, but lots of countries do recommend being prepared.

There is now a British list. The Swedish list has been linked to on here before.

Where do you live? Cities are more likely to be reconnected to the National Grid first compared to a village at the edge of the network.

Are you prone to flooding or high winds?

How many in your family? Where do relatives that can help live?

Do you have a car, house, flat, garden?

Are you close to lots of shops or a long drive away?

How much storage do you have?

Is your house warm and dry without heating or cold and damp?

What do you have already?
What skills do you have?

Are those lists the ones from Red Cross?

BiddyPop · 20/08/2024 09:58

Think about what you are most likely to face, the problems that would cause, and what alternative options you already have or could easily get.

Power cuts - power banks for iPads, phones etc already mentioned. You could think about folding solar panels (for camping) to recharge those as next level - but start with charging from sockets and having them charged up generally.

If the power went out, especially in winter, do you have heat, light, and ability to cook?

You might already have blankets to snuggle under, hot water bottles to fill, possibly an open fire or wood stove to use. Think about just using one room in cold weather to reduce the need for heating (if the power is out), and close the doors to other rooms to prevent the cold moving around easily.

You might already have a torch, solar lights in the garden, candles for smells or dinner parties etc. Candles need to be carefully used in proper holders, away from draughts, away from children and always supervised (so the room you're in only). A camping lantern, especially a rechargeable one (using your power bank) could be useful to light the hall and stairs. A headtorch around a large bottle of water and facing inwards makes a surprisingly good lantern. You might already have the motion-detector type lights in your hall for DCs who wander to the loo in the middle of the night - if you use battery operated types, they will still work. Garden solar lights could be recharged outdoors in daytime and used indoors at night - they might not be very bright but will help and can help make it cheerful which also hugely helps. Also, don't underestimate the value of clearing the main paths around the house (kitchen to bathroom, living room to bedrooms, etc) of clutter so that there is less to fall over if the light levels are low.

Cooking. Do you have a gas cooker that still works if the power is out? Do you already have any kind of BBQ? We have a gas one that's been used for all sorts of cooking at all times of the year including when we've had power cuts. Putting a normal pot on it with water is slow but works to get hot water for tea/hot water bottles etc. You might need to give pots a good scrub after to remove smoke from the outside, but you can use them to cook as normal, on top of the usual grilling of meats, cooking things in tin foil parcels etc. Do you have a few cup a soups or ramen noodles that just need hot water to make up, or a few tins that need very little heating up or could be eaten cold if needed (baked beans, spaghetti hoops, chilli in a can etc)?

If the water stopped, what would you do for toilets and drinking? Do you have a water butt from your drainpipe outside that you could use for toilets? Do you have a cat, that you could make a toilet in a bucket using some of their litter in a black sack? You might have a couple of large pots or bottles to fill with water if you know there will be a cut, or get a few bottles from the supermarket to have in a cupboard just in case. A basin or a bucket might be useful to let you wash with a sponge if you can heat up a kettle/pot of water, and to wash up the dishes.

The other thing to think about is if you might have to leave the house in a hurry (weather, gas leak, house fire (you or neighbour), floods etc). What do YOU and YOUR FAMILY need for a couple of days, and what would you not want to lose? You might want to make a bag with a set of clothes each for everyone, meds for a couple of days for anyone who needs them, some emergency cash, and at least a photocopy of your important documents (marriage cert, everyone's birth certs, list of phone numbers of important people (family, GP, insurance company etc), list of bank account details and insurance policy numbers, etc. Any important medical notes (not actual files - but a sheet saying any long term issues family members have, meds they are on, contacts of specialists etc). Perhaps a couple of family photos for ID, or photocopy of passports, driving licences etc, but also a couple of actual photos of extended family and special moments (in case the bag is all you have later on - unlikely but can happen).

Pets - do you have any and what would they need?

Money issues - saving up money to have emergency funds ahead of time, or building up some supplies in a cupboard to dig into.

But it starts with the thinking about what is realistic that MIGHT happen to you and your family, and how can you make it easier to get through that issue by doing a few things now. And how can you use what you already have, before ever thinking about going to get new things.

gamerchick · 20/08/2024 10:13

For the minute have a decent chunk of cash in the house.

Do you have a decent size cupboard in your house you can empty and line with shelves?

Check any tins you buy for damage, one little dent can wreck what's inside. If it's kept right it'll last long past it's sell by date. But rotate your stock.

Buy an inverter with plug sockets, they run off leasure/car batteries. If you get a car battery, make sure you keep on top of it's charge. They're handy in power cuts to keep the fridge running.

Choose what you're prepping for. A lot of people have observed COVID and what they wish they had done to avoid the panic buying.

First rule of prepping though. DON'T TELL ANYONE. People will take what you have if things are desperate.

Channel 4 did a program called blackout years ago. It's a decent watch for ideas if there are cyber attacks on the electrical grid.

UnderstandingPrepping · 12/11/2024 17:14

This reply has been deleted

This has been deleted by MNHQ for breaking our Talk Guidelines.

SquirmOfEels · 19/11/2024 15:00

Begsthequestion · 17/08/2024 00:12

Mobiles will work in most areas in a power cut. But not in some "not spots" which would need battery back up for broadband to work. Mobile phone battery back ups are also recommended everywhere.

Landlines are being digitalised in 2025 so they won't work anymore during a power cut.

Storm Arwen: Why power cuts left people unable to phone for help
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-cumbria-59564480

Mine's already been done Sad

WinniLoy · 23/07/2025 11:22

I’d say start by prepping for the most likely disruptions where you live - power cuts, supply delays or localised disease outbreaks - before you worry about full‑scale war or famine. For a newbie stockpile, focus on 10–14 days of water (2 L per person per day), easy‑to‑eat calories like canned meals or meal‑replacement bars, basic meds (painkillers, rehydration sachets), and a reliable light/power source from an outdoor online store. Throw in some multi‑purpose tools, a solar or battery‑powered radio, and personal hygiene basics to keep spirits up. Once you’ve nailed those, you can expand into more niche areas without the overwhelm.

Pootles34 · 23/07/2025 12:30

I'm not a prepper but do find this all very interesting.

Interesting that no one ever talks about books - as I think Google would be the first thing I'd probably miss, second hand books on first aid, gardening, self sufficiency, might be good?

I also keep meaning to write things down that live in my phone - such as phone numbers and addresses for family and friends.

WinniLoy · 24/07/2025 11:36

That’s such a good point – we rely so much on our phones that even basic info like phone numbers or recipes could be lost in a real outage. My hubby started keeping a small binder with printed how‑to guides (first aid, food storage, water purification) and a few second‑hand books on gardening and DIY skills. It’s low tech, but honestly gives us/him more peace of mind than most gadgets.

Pootles34 · 24/07/2025 16:11

Also, any excuse to buy more second hand books... Tempted by John Seymour's 'self sufficiency'...

PoopedAndScooped · 27/07/2025 05:23

I have recently got a battery operated radio with lots and lots of batteries

Also got atleast 5 torches

I have 3 power battery packs (to charge mobile)

And every week i buy one dry long life food that dont have to be kept in the fridge or cooked
Like crackers, rice cakes etc

WinniLoy · 27/07/2025 19:27

PoopedAndScooped · 27/07/2025 05:23

I have recently got a battery operated radio with lots and lots of batteries

Also got atleast 5 torches

I have 3 power battery packs (to charge mobile)

And every week i buy one dry long life food that dont have to be kept in the fridge or cooked
Like crackers, rice cakes etc

Sounds like you’re really covering all the bases—smart move with the radio and multiple power sources! Having small, easy-to-store food items is perfect for peace of mind without bulk. Do you also think about gear like rugged outdoor clothing or tools to round out your prep?

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