We have all done it – made a mistake with our preps that was either a stupid use of our time, a waste of our money, or both.  The good news is that with a couple of years of prepping experience behind you, you will begin to recognize those things that are worthwhile and those that are folly.

I say this from personal experience.  This year I have completely overhauled my bug out bag, started over with my pocket survival kit and EDC, and have shifted my focus on food storage from anything and everything, to a more select group of products that are good tasting and simple to prepare.

And here is the big one: I recognize that while it is important to grow food, for some of us, growing enough to sustain ourselves is impossible due to space, climate, or other factors.  It is far more reasonable, for example, for some of us to focus on herbs and especially medicinal plants.

Fortunately, it is rare that any one person will make all of the mistakes in this list, but chances are you have made one or two.  Check them out; they are in no particular order.

11 Prepper Mistakes and Goofs

1.  Creating a 3 Day Kit and ignoring the long term

The government, the media, and the Red Cross have been promoting the 3-day kit for so long that it is safe to say that the term “3 day kit” is now common vernacular.  Not surprisingly, the 3-Day Kit has also become a marketing phenomena.

The good news is that the more that people jump onto the 3 day kit bandwagon, the better for the rest of us.  That is three days we will not have to reach out and help them.

On the other hand, something as simple as a winter power outage can last far longer than three days.  And a cyber-attack, pandemic, or earthquake?  Two weeks, a month,or even a year of emergency supplies would be much better.

2.  Not knowing how to use your gear

Who hasn’t been guilty of getting out that combination battery, wind-up, and solar emergency radio and forgetting to use it?  (There is a little doo-dad inside of mine that has to be switched over to change modes.)

Or how about the Sun Oven?  If it sits in the box and never gets used, how will you know how to place it in the sun to cook your food or boil your water when the sun is the only source of power you have.

Similarly, do you have copies of your gear manuals tucked away in case you need them?  Storing them on a laptop or flash drive is a great idea but only if you have some way to power your devices when the grid goes down.

3.  Failing to learn how to cook using food storage items

This is another way of saying “not knowing how to cook from scratch”.  Most of us store bulk foods to supplement our freeze dried food.  We would be broke if we didn’t.

Do you know how to cook rice and beans?  How about making a soup or stew without opening a single can?  As you plan your food storage, keep your habits in mind and if you don’t already scratch cook, at least learn the basics.

4.  Having a comprehensive first aid kit but not knowing basic first aid skills

Having a robust first aid kit (FAK) is a given as is having a supply of emergency medicines.  But what about knowing CPR?  Or cleaning and dressing an open wound that is bleeding profusely?

Many communities offer free or low cost classes on first aid.  Now might be a good time to check them out.

 

This article was written by Gaye Levy and the complete article can be viewed here:

https://www.backdoorsurvival.com/mistakes-and-goofs-that-every-prepper-should-avoid/

Gaye Levy started Backdoor Survival so that she could share her angst and concern about our deteriorating economy and its impact on ordinary, middle-class folks. She also wanted to become a prepper of the highest order and to share her knowledge as she learned it along the way. On Backdoor Survival you will find survival and preparedness tools and tips for creating a self-reliant lifestyle through thoughtful prepping and optimism.

To read more from Gaye, visit her website, Backdoor Survival. You can also follow Gaye on Facebook, Twitter, Google+ and Pinterest or purchase her eBook, The Prepper’s Guide to Food Storage on Amazon.com