Welcome and it’s time to buckle down and get serious.

If the recent pandemic has shown us anything, it’s that being self-sufficient and survival-ready is no longer a choice, but a necessity.

Most beginner survivalists tend to feel overwhelmed when learning about prepping. There’s just so much to prepare for – and so much studying to do. Survival is 50% action and 50% knowledge.

That’s why we wrote this guide for you: 30 actionable prepper tips you can act on.

This is real-world survival info!

If you apply them one at a time, you’ll be an experienced survivalist who’s well-prepared for most crises and survival situations.

Enough talk. Let’s begin...

Tip 1: Water Storage

Having sufficient drinking water is crucial to weathering most crises that involve lockdowns and/or damage to infrastructure.

For example, during a hurricane, the water supply is usually compromised.

During times like these, it’s imperative to have your own drinking water.

One common scenario you’ll witness during times of turmoil is how fast supermarket shelves become empty; people start scrambling to get necessities such as bottled water. To avoid being part of this panicky crowd, here’s what you need to do:

Calculate how much water your family (all members and pets included) will need for drinking (and maybe showering) for a 2–3-week period. Then store that amount of water.

You may wish to get the equipment below to help with your water storage...

Jerry can

Emergency water packets

Tip 2: Water Treatment

In Tip 1, we looked at storing water. In Tip 2, we’re going to talk about treating water.

If you’re staying home during a crisis, having access to your stored drinking water is easy.

But what if the situation requires you to bug out (camp) in the wilderness or somewhere where you don’t have access to potable (drinking) water. You may have to drink from puddles or boil water from a lake.

During situations like this, you MUST use water treatment tablets or better still, own a Lifestraw. This one ‘tool’ is priceless during a survival situation.

Ensure that every family member has their own Lifestraw. If you have pets, you can treat their water with the water purification tablets.

Lifestraw

Water purification tablets

Tip 3: Food Storage

The rule of thumb is that during a crisis, you’ll first consume the perishable foods in your house FIRST, before starting on the ‘survival food.’ This will ensure that you make your supplies last.

If the electricity goes out, you’ll cook whatever foods you have in the refrigerator. Once all these have been consumed, then you can start using the food rations.

Stock up on the canned items listed below (which you may need):

· Canned beans (black beans, kidney beans, chickpeas)

· Canned tuna, salmon, sardines, or chicken

· Spam or other canned meats

· Peanut butter

· Canned fruits (peaches, pears, pineapple)

· Canned vegetables (corn, peas, carrots, green beans)

· Tomato products (diced tomatoes, tomato sauce)

· Canned soups (chicken noodle, vegetable, etc.)

· Broths (chicken, beef, vegetable)

· Canned pasta (ravioli, spaghetti, etc.)

· Canned rice dishes

· Canned bread or biscuits

· Evaporated milk

· Powdered milk

· Canned cheese or cheese spreads

· Canned stews and chili

· Condensed soups (cream of mushroom, chicken, etc.)

· Coffee or tea (if preferred)

You may also want to purchase premade survival food kits:

Protein bucket

30-Day emergency food supply

Survival tabs

72-hour food kit

Tip 4: First Aid

First aid is one of those skills that is best learned from a trained professional. If you’re able to enroll a first aid course, that would be great.

Leaning how to treat lacerations and burns; performing the Heimlich maneuver or CPR; tying a tourniquet are all highly useful skills you should have at your disposal.

First aid kit

Tip 5: Bug Out Bags

A bug out bag, often abbreviated as "BOB," is a portable kit that contains essential items to help an individual survive for at least 72 hours during an emergency or evacuation situation.

Your bug out bag should be pre-packed and ready to go at a moment’s notice. Every member of the family should have one with items they may need.

The purpose of a bug out bag is to provide immediate access to crucial supplies if you need to evacuate quickly due to natural disasters, civil unrest, or other unexpected events.

Here are the most common items bug out bags should have:

· Water bottles or collapsible water pouches (at least one liter per day per person)

· Water purification tablets/Lifestraw

· Non-perishable, high-energy food items (e.g. energy bars)

· Freeze-dried meals or MREs

· Utensils

· Tent or tarp

· Sleeping bag or emergency blanket

· Extra clothing (climate-appropriate)

· Hiking boots

· First aid kit

· Prescription medications (if needed)

· Tweezers, scissors, and a thermometer

· Multi-tool or Swiss Army knife

· Duct tape and paracord

· Flashlight/headlamp with spare batteries

· Fire-starter kit

· Portable stove and fuel

· Mess kit

· Soap, hand sanitizer, and/or disinfectant wipes

· Toothbrush, toothpaste, and dental floss

· Toilet paper or tissues

· Feminine hygiene products (if applicable)

· Small towel or washcloth

· Map of the area and a compass

· Whistle

· Signal mirror

· Portable radio or two-way radios

· Notepad and pen or pencil

· Copies of identification, important documents (in a waterproof container)

· Cash in small denominations

· USB drive with digital copies of important documents

· Sunglasses, hat, and sunscreen

· Emergency poncho or raincoat

· Gloves

· Entertainment items (book, deck of cards, etc.)

· Pepper spray or personal defense item (if legal and applicable)

· Personal alarm

· Multi-purpose tool for self-defense (if needed and legal in your area)

You’ll need a strong backpack to hold these items and it should be comfortable enough to carry around, should you need to walk long distances.

Check out the model below…

Bug out bag

Tip 6: Physical Fitness

Being physically fit is something every serious survivalist should aim for. When you’re agile, strong and have a high level of stamina, almost every physical activity becomes easier.

Usually, during a survival scenario, the power may go out or situations may require you to get very physical. You may need to do a lot of manual chores, or carry a casualty, or walk a long distance to a safe zone.

Whatever the case may be, being fit will make your life easier. So create a fitness plan (training regimen) for yourself and stick to it from now until your golden years.

This is NOT a one-tip thing – it’s a lifetime thing. Being physically fit is a lifestyle choice.

Tip 7: Preparing Your Home (Security)

During a survival scenario, people will get desperate (especially if they’re not well-prepared.) During times like these crime rates will go up. It’s inevitable to have more lootings, muggings, burglaries and so on.

Depending on the crisis, law enforcement may have its hands full just coping with the effects of the crisis. When the cat is away, the mice will play – and in this case, the criminals will see it as an opportunity to get up to no good.

As a survivalist, you want to be able to turn your home into an impenetrable fortress. At the very least, you want to have measures in place to discourage the miscreants.

Having motion sensor floodlights outside your home will deter them from sneaking around the perimeter of your house at night. So will alarms, security systems, CCTV, guard dogs, etc.

Look at the items below and see which you may need to protect your home.

Door security bar

Window and door alarm

Doorstop alarm

Security camera system

Solar outdoor lights

Video doorbell system

Motion sensor lights

Tip 8: Preparing Your Home (Lighting)

Let’s assume there’s a hurricane, and the power is affected – the first inconvenience you’ll experience is that you won’t have light at night.

This can not only be aggravating, but it can also be dangerous. The simplest way to get around this situation will be to use battery-powered lights.

Ideally, every member of the family should have their own tactical flashlight. These are far more resilient and sturdier than the usual flashlights. If you’re camping out in the wilderness, these flashlights are waterproof and more suited for the outdoors.

You’ll also want to have camping lanterns. Having one for each room will make it more convenient. It’s best to have a collapsible lantern packed in your bug out bag too… and also have several more in your home.

You don’t want to be rushing around your house packing these in your bag when you need to evacuate urgently.

Here’s some equipment you may get to light up your home:

Camping lantern

Glow sticks

Tactical flashlight

Tip 9: Preparing Your Home (Climate-Ready)

You may have heard of the Texas power crisis in 2021 where winter storms caused a power crisis that left over 5 million people without electricity.

(Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2021_Texas_power_crisis)

This was a true survival situation because of the freezing temperatures.

You need to be prepared for situations like these. Besides just having equipment, you must know how to retain heat in a room and so on.

Spend time researching and studying what you need to do to stay warm during winter if you have no power; such as insulating the home, etc.

You should be aware that it’s easier to stay warm in a winter sleeping bag than it is to sleep on a bed where your body heat dissipates easily.

You’ll also want to get blankets, candles, a tent (it’s easier to warm up a tent than an entire room), and so on. The items listed below will help you stay warm during a crisis.

Mylar thermal blankets

Heavy duty survival blanket

Wool socks

Winter gloves

Pop up tent

Winter sleeping bags

Tip 10: Preparing Your Home (Fire Prevention)

This is straightforward. During a crisis, fires can start. Portable stoves can get knocked over and so on.

While fire prevention should always be a priority, you should still be prepared to promptly address any small fire before it escalates out of control.

You’ll only need a few pieces of equipment like fire extinguishers, a fire blanket, etc.

What’s important to know is that you’ll want one fire extinguisher in each room… and have one in your car too.

By having one within reach, you’ll be able to put out a fire quickly without scrambling to another room in the house just because the only fire extinguisher in the house is there.

Having smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors installed in the house is a MUST. You may also wish to have a fireproof safe to keep your important documents, cash, etc. safe.

Fire can spread fast. Even with all your prevention, you may face a situation where you need to evacuate the home immediately. So you’ll want to have a well-thought-out evacuation plan and ensure everyone knows the escape routes and meeting points in case of a fire emergency.

Now let’s look at some important fire-prevention items you may need:

Fire extinguisher

Fire blanket

Smoke & carbon monoxide detector

Tip 11: Emergency Evacuation

There may be situations when you need to evacuate your home. For example, if there’s a hurricane approaching and your house is in its path.

Generally, there are 2 types of evacuation – you’re either leaving the house ASAP and time is of the essence… or you have more time and can go about the process with less urgency.

If it’s the former, all you’ll have time to do is grab your bug out bags, lock up the house and leave with the family.

If you have more time, you can plan what extra items you’ll bring with you.

Whatever the situation may be, you’ll need an evacuation plan.

You should have a checklist that tells you exactly what to do so you can do it fast without thinking (e.g. shut off your utilities, grab your cash and important documents, secure the property, etc.)

Your bug out bag will need to have the equipment mentioned earlier. You’ll also want a battery-operated radio to stay updated on the latest news.

You must have a personal vehicle to get out of the vicinity fast, or at the very least, have a plan which gives you access to immediate transport.

All family members should be aware of a designated meeting place, just in case not everyone is together during the evacuation. You may also wish to notify family, neighbors, etc.

Survival radio

Tip 12: Bugging Out

"Bugging out" refers to the act of leaving one's home or current location quickly and temporarily, usually in response to an emergency or impending threat.

Since you already have a bug out bag, you just need to grab it and go.

But where will you go?

This is a good question to ponder on.

Will you stay at someone else’s place?

Or will you camp outdoors?

Most self-respecting preppers will spend time honing their wilderness skills so that they can survive off the land.

Being able to start a fire, prepare food, build a shelter, etc. are all crucial skills that will improve your chances of survival.

Here are some skills you may wish to develop over time:

· Building and Using Snares and Deadfalls

· Creating and Using Natural Camouflage

· Emergency Natural Navigation Techniques

· Fire Starting

· Fishing Techniques

· Food Sourcing (Wild Edibles)

· Foraging for Medicinal Plants

· Hunting and Trapping

· Improvised Weaponry

· Knot Tying

· Natural Cordage Making

· Navigational Skills

· Plant Identification

· Primitive Cooking Methods

· Reading Animal Tracks and Signs

· Shelter Building

· Shelter Location Selection

· Signaling for Help

· Tool Crafting and Use

· Tracking Techniques

· Understanding Terrain and Landscapes

· Understanding Wildlife Hazards

· Water Sourcing and Purification

· Weather Awareness

· Wilderness Hygiene and Sanitation

Since you’ll be camping outdoors, there’s quite a bit of gear you’ll need to get.

These are some of the items you may need:

. Axe/Hatchet

. Backpack

. Bandana

. Binoculars

. Camp Chairs

. Camp Stove

. Carabiners

. Compass

. Cooking Utensils and Cookware

. Cordage or Paracord

. Dry Bags/Waterproof Containers

. Emergency Blankets

. Emergency Whistle

. Fire Starter (Lighter, Matches, Fire Steel)

. First Aid Kit

. Fishing Gear (Fishing Line, Hooks, Lures)

. Flashlights/Headlamps (with Extra Batteries)

. Folding Saw

. GPS Device

. Hammock/Sleeping Bag

. Hand Sanitizer/Disinfectant Wipes

. Insect Repellent

. Map

. Multi-tool/ Swiss Army Knife

. N95 Masks

. Outdoor Clothing (Moisture-wicking, Insulation)

. Personal Hygiene Items (Toilet Paper, Soap, etc.)

. Pocket Chainsaw

. Solar Charger

. Rain Gear (Rain Jacket, Poncho)

. Repair Kit (Duct Tape, Sewing Kit)

. Shelter (Tent, Tarp, Bivvy Sack)

. Sleeping Bag

. Small Mirror (for Signaling)

. Spare Clothing (Extra Layers)

. Survival Manual or Guidebook

. Tarp or Ground Cover

. Tent Repair Kit

. Bottles/Hydration Bladder

. Water Purification Tablets/Lifestraw

. Waterproof Matches or Lighter

. Ziplock Bags or Sealable Containers

. Emergency Radio/Communication Device

. Solar-powered Lantern

. Small Notepad and Pen

. Multi-day Food Supply (Non-perishable)

. Portable Toilet/Shovel

. Solar-powered Power Bank

. Emergency Fire Blanket

. Portable Camp Shower

. Heat Reflective Emergency Bivvy

. Hand-cranked Emergency Radio/Flashlight/Charger

. Collapsible Water Container

. Space Blankets or Reflective Tarps

Almost all of these items can be found on Amazon at very affordable prices.

Click on the link below and you’ll be taken to the page where you can find a cool survival hatchet. From there, you can search for the other items and add them to your cart.

Check out survival hatchet: https://amzn.to/3tZEH9W

Tip 13: Support System

When it comes to survival, no man is an island. It’s always best to have a network of like-minded individuals that you can exchange information with.

While you should NEVER tell anyone (other than your family) about your food and water storage, you’ll still want to get to know your neighbors well enough so that you can rely on each other when times get tough.

If you’re in need, they could help you – and if you see that they could use some assistance, you’ll be able to step in. You’ll never know when a situation may arise where you need help.

For example, if your car won’t start during a crisis, you may need to borrow your neighbor’s jumper cables… or if they have candles for their home but lack matches, you can always give them a box. There’s an old African proverb, “If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.”

Survival situations, in most cases, may last a week or more. That’s going far… and you’ll need others to go the distance. Build your network.

Tip 14: Sanitation & Personal Hygiene

This is a topic that you have to pay extra attention to. If water is short, you’ll need to know when to use the flush, how often you can shower, how much water you can use when brushing your teeth and so on.

If you’re camping outdoors, you’ll need to maintain good personal hygiene. That will mean having outdoor shower equipment, a portable toilet and a few other amenities.

Here are a few quick tips:

. Purify all drinking water

. Dispose of waste away from living areas

. Wash hands thoroughly and frequently

. Use hand sanitizer when water is limited

. Keep clothing and bedding clean

. Maintain trimmed nails and hygiene

. Boil water for cooking and cleaning

. Keep cooking areas sanitized

. Protect wounds from contamination

. Use antiseptic wipes for surfaces.

. Protect against insect bites

. Use biodegradable soaps for bathing

. Brush teeth regularly

. Properly dispose of medical waste

. Sterilize medical instruments if available

. Treat minor infections promptly

. Use masks and gloves when necessary

. Educate group members on sanitation

. Keep hair tied back for cleanliness

. Maintain personal hygiene standards

. Avoid contaminating water sources

. Use pit toilets or latrines for waste

. Secure trash to deter pests

. Control and prevent pest infestations

. Disinfect dishes and utensils

. Use chlorine for water purification

. Organize living spaces for cleanliness

. Regularly clean and air out shelters

. Plan for proper waste recycling

Useful equipment you may consider getting:

Portable toilet

Toilet replacement bags

Solar shower

Privacy shower/toilet tent

Biodegradable soap

Tip 15: Firecraft

Firecraft (also known as fire starting skills) is crucial to have when you’re bugging out in the wilderness. You’ll need to know how to start your own fire for cooking, warmth, to keep away bugs, signalling and so on.

While it’s easy to start a fire when you have matches and some lighter fluid, what will you do if your matches get wet?

Of if your butane lighter runs out of fuel?

Then you’ll need to get down to basics and use some flint and tinder. You’ll definitely need to spend time practicing this skill so you get good at it.

Fire starting kits are inexpensive. So get a few to practice with until you can start a fire in a minute or two.

You’ll want to experiment with different fire-starting kits to see which you prefer. The ones with magnesium are potent and easier to use, but slightly more dangerous.

Below, you’ll find links to a few fire-starting kits on Amazon. Get a few and try them out.

Once you decide on one you like, get an extra 1 or 2 kits for your bug out bags.

Fire starter kit

Tinder

Fire plugs

Permanent match

Tip 16: Cash

During a crisis, cash will always be king – and it’s best that you have it in lower denominations. Only when a country is truly in a state of collapse does the currency become worthless, but most survival situations never get that bad.

In reality, having money can mean purchasing hard to obtain items at higher prices, bartering, paying for transport, and much more.

In some cases, setting aside funds for potential relocation or evacuation can be a wise precaution. This might include savings for travel, temporary accommodation, or establishing a new base in a safer location.

You can never have too much cash. So you’ll want to set aside an "emergency cash stash" and keep your money in a fireproof safe at home. Start saving up early and take all family members' expenses into account when planning.

Do NOT keep all of your money in the bank.

During a crisis, it may not be safe for you to go out to the ATM to withdraw money. Or the machines may be out of service due to lockdowns and restrictions.

Fireproof safe

Fireproof/waterproof money bag

Tip 17: DIF Skills

This is one of those skills that some people are naturally inclined to… and others detest with a passion.But as a survivalist, you don’t have a choice in the matter. You must be relatively competent when it comes to DIY skills such as:

. Tying knots

. Basic carpentry & repair

. Basic plumbing

. Building shelter (setting up a tent)

. Basic electrical repair

. Basic vehicle maintenance (how to jumpstart a car, changing tires, etc.)

. Basic sewing

. How to sharpen tools

Having these skills will come in very handy when you’re in situations that require to make repairs for things to work. You’ll want to have a well-stocked toolbox with all the necessary tools that you can rely on in an emergency.

Tool kit

Sewing kit

Multi-tool

Car battery jump starter

Multi-sharpener

Tip 18: Self-defense (unarmed combat)

Unarmed combat is an extremely important skill every survivalist should have in their arsenal. This is especially true for women, who are often victims of more violent crimes.

As established earlier, during survival situations, more crimes can occur – and criminals prefer targeting individuals whom they deem weaker than them.

If someone wants to rob you, you could just toss your wallet/purse on the ground and run off. The criminal will be more eager to rush and grab the money and run off.

But what if the assailant has more sinister motives and wants to rape or inflict hurt on the victim?

In situations like these, you’ll have no choice but to get violent. You MUST be trained in order to handle such situations proficiently. Watching old Chuck Norris movies is just not going to cut it here.

Sign up for self-defense classes and attend them for as long as possible. It takes time to build muscle memory and speed up your reaction time.

AVOID traditional martial arts like karate, taekwondo, judo, etc.

You want to focus on hard striking arts that are dynamic in nature.

Boxing, Krav Maga, Kali (Eskrima), and Muay Thai stand out as highly effective martial arts forms, renowned for their practicality in real-world situations. Choose any one of these arts and practice them often until the moves become second nature to you.

Should you ever be in a self-defense situation, your chances of survival will be higher; and most criminals would rather flee than fight because they prefer easy targets.

Tip 19: Self-defense (weapons)

There’s a saying in the self-defense industry, “Never fight with your hands unless you don’t have a choice.”

This is not about being a pacifist or being non-violent like Gandhi. No no. This is about never using empty hands to fight if you can use a weapon.

In a survival situation, it could be life or death matter. Your assailant may (and probably will) have a weapon. Your best option is to run away.

But if you can’t run away, you’ll need to fight back. If you can carry firearms legally, you can rely on one. Just make sure you’re trained at using it.

Alternatively, you could use a taser, pepper spray, tactical flashlight, survival knife or any other useful item (in this situation) to help you.

That said, each weapon has its own pros and cons. Pepper spray could blow back on you if the wind is in your direction.

Using a survival knife is very risky unless you’re very well-trained in Kali or some other knife-fighting art. Very often, people who try to use knives in self-defense end up getting stabbed with their own knife.

So, spend time studying which weapon will suit you and still be legal wherever you live. Always remember that there’s a fine line between self-defense and ending up in prison for manslaughter or murder.

Speak to a professional to understand the legalities and technicalities. Knowing the rules of engagement will help you stay safe from both the criminal and the law.

Useful self-defense weapons

Pepper spray

Tactical pen

Personal alarm

Stun gun

Tactical flashlight

Self-defense keychain

Self-defense key

Tip 20: Emotional Resilience

There’s a quote by famed survivalist, Bear Grylls, “Survival can be summed up in three words – never give up. That’s the heart of it really. Just keep trying.”

He’s talking about emotional resilience. The will to keep going even when everyone else around you is depressed because nothing seems to be improving.

In a survival situation, things can be unpredictable and unforeseeable. New problems may arise; and you won’t know how long it will take for help to arrive or for things to get better.

During times like these, you must take one day at a time, one step at a time.

Emotional resilience is like a muscle. The more you train it, the stronger it will get. You can build up your emotional resilience by adding some discomfort to your life daily.

For example, you could try going without social media for a week.

Or if you need your morning coffee daily, try skipping it for a week. In a survival scenario, you might run out of coffee at home. What will you do?

Make your physical workouts harder. Impose more self-discipline on your life. These are all highly effective steps for building emotional resilience.

The kite rises against the wind… and a gem can only be polished with friction. Step outside your comfort zone often.

Tip 21: Pet Preparedness

Pet preparedness involves making plans and arrangements to ensure the safety and survival of pets during emergencies or crises.

Many preppers overlook this point when storing water and food. Your pets will need water and food too – depending on the pet you have. You’ll have to factor in their needs during the planning process.

What about equipment?

You’ll need a carrier, leashes, food trays, water trays (or bottle), pet identification & documents, and also be aware of special considerations such as medication, dietary restrictions, etc.

If you need to evacuate your home, you may want to have a bug out bag for your pet/s too.

Tip 22: Survival Cooking

Survival cooking can either be done at home or in the wilderness. The assumption here is that you’ve run out of perishable foods and now need to rely on your stored supplies.

Since you won’t have fresh meat or vegetables, you’ll need to rely on canned foods. Being able to cook these foods well will ensure that your meals are tastier… or at the very least, more bearable.

One of the main reasons people get depressed during a survival scenario is because their meals are bland and abysmal. Having good survival cooking skills will ensure that your spirits are lifted whenever you have a hot meal.

Unlike the movies, in real life, eating food out of a can is nowhere as ‘cool’ or macho.

It would be a good idea to dedicate one day a week where all meals are ‘survival meals.’ This will allow the entire family to get used to the taste of food rations, freeze dried foods, and so on.

During a crisis, since everyone already has an acquired taste for these survival foods, it won’t come as a shock to them. It’ll also prevent wastage and help with rotating your supplies. Your rations won’t expire before you can consume them.

It’s a win-win here.

Tip 23: Alternative Energy Sources

When crisis strikes, the power may go down. You may not have access to fuel for your regular stove. Situations like these will require you to rely on alternative energy sources.

These are usually batteries, spare fuel, and solar power. Take inventory of all your survival equipment and note down which items require batteries.

Ensure that you have sufficient spare batteries to power the radio, flashlights, lanterns, and other battery-operated items.

If you’re using a camping stove, you’ll need spare cans of cooking fuel. Practice cooking meals on this stove so that you know how long the fuel lasts. You’ll then be able to plan your stores accordingly.

When it comes to solar power, you could use items that have built-in features that allow them to be recharged in the sun… or you could get a solar panel charger.

Here are some supplies you might need:

Alkaline batteries combo pack

Solar charger power bank

Camping stove

Propane fuel

Solar powered radio

Solar powered flashlight

Tip 24: Entertainment

During the Covid pandemic, people were going stir crazy because they were cooped up in their homes. Depending on the situation, when you’re in a crisis, you be stuck at home.

Having some sources of entertainment will help to pass the time and keep you in good spirits. While it’s easy to keep yourself occupied with your mobile phone or tablet during peaceful times, in a survival scenario, there may be a power outage – or horror of horrors… the Wi-Fi may be down!

Gasp! What will we do?!!

We’ll do what people did before the internet. These are some ways you can entertain yourself without technology:

. Books (novels)

. Puzzles

. Playing cards

. Portable board games

. Musical instruments

. Sketchbooks/journaling

. Outdoor activities (hiking, birdwatching, stargazing)

. DIY projects or crafts using natural materials

. Yoga

. Meditation

Tip 25: Navigation Skills

One of the best ways to prepare yourself for camping outdoors (wilderness) is to familiarize yourself with the place first. When times are good, take a few trips to the area and get to know the lay of the land.

Explore the water sources, scout an appropriate shelter location, get familiar with the local wildlife, and more. This will prepare you ahead of time so that you know exactly where to camp, how to locate water and what you can expect.

Another crucial skill you need to have is the ability to use a map and a compass. If you get lost, you’ll be able to find your way back. Spend time mastering this skill.

Tip 26: Waterproofing, Winterizing and Protection

If you’re camping outdoors, you’ll need to use waterproof pouches or bags to keep your equipment/documents dry.

The same applies to your food, shelter, firewood, fuel, etc. You don’t want a situation where everything gets soaked in a heavy downpour and becomes unusable.

Use tarps and other protection to keep your items dry. Learn how to do this well.

Winterizing your car means preparing your vehicle to withstand the challenges and harsh conditions typically associated with winter weather. You may need to install tire chains and perform other actions related to maintaining the vehicle.

Here are a few actions you can take to winterize your vehicle:

. Check antifreeze levels to prevent engine freezing

. Inspect and maintain the battery for optimal performance in cold weather

. Check tires, including tread depth and air pressure, or switch to winter tires

. Add tire chains, if necessary

. Ensure proper functioning of the heating system for defrosting and warmth

. Verify windshield wipers and use winter-grade washer fluid

. Maintain adequate levels of essential fluids (oil, transmission, brake fluid, etc.)

. Prepare an emergency kit with winter supplies for unexpected situations

. Inspect the exterior, undercarriage, and exhaust system for potential issues

Tip 27: Education and Training

As a survivalist, the learning journey is never-ending. Besides just learning, you’ll also need to apply what you learn. There are many survival guides/books sold on Amazon… and countless blogs and YouTube videos dedicated to this topic.

Consume the content and learn as you go. There are so many skills to cultivate.

Here are a few:

. Fishing techniques

. Herbalism

. Food preservation

. Raising chickens (livestock)

. Foraging and wild edibles identification

. Hunting and trapping for food

. Shelter building

. Soap making

. Knot tying

And these are just the tip of the iceberg. The more you learn, the better prepared you’ll be to weather any crisis.

Tip 28: Inventory and Rotation

Inventory refers to keeping track of your survival stores and supplies. You should know when your survival food stores expire and so on.

Keep a notebook with the expiry dates of the food listed there. Then you’ll know when to consume them by.

The same applies to your other equipment. Make sure they’re serviceable and not past their ‘use by’ date. Food isn’t the only thing that has an expiry date.

Even your fire extinguishers and some of the items in your first aid kit will have a ‘use by’ date.

Rotation of items means that you’ll first use (or consume) the items that are about to expire. Once those are gone, only then will you move on to the newer items.

Tip 29: Alternative Transportation

Alternative transportation could mean bicycles, ATVs, roller blades, public transport, a friend’s vehicle, boats… or even a horse, depending on where you are.

It’s basically a second option that you have when you’re not using your usual vehicle. If your car doesn’t start and you need to go to the store urgently, having alternative transportation such as a bicycle will help.

Planning alternative transport just in case such a situation arises will ensure that you’re mobile even if you can’t use your usual mode of transport.

Tip 30: Backup Documentation and Data

While you’ll want all your important documents stored in a fireproof safe at home (or somewhere safe), you’ll still want to make backup copies of these documents and data.

There are 2 ways to do this:

1. Photocopy all documents and place these physical copies in a waterproof bag. These documents will be carried with you during a survival scenario.

2. Scan all these documents or take photos of them with your mobile phone and save these images in a USB drive. This drive can be kept at a close family friend’s place. Remember to password-protect your files.

The question of whether you should carry the original copies with you will depend on the situation. If there’s a raging wildfire that’s on its way to turn a house into ashes, removing the important original documents is a must.

However, if there’s an environmental hazard and you’re going to a safe place just for a while till the cleanup is over, then you may leave the originals at home and just bring the copies.

It all depends. You don’t want to bring important original documents into places where they could be exposed to the elements or get lost easily.

Let’s Wrap Things Up!

Wow! There’s a lot of information to digest in this report… and it’ll take you a while to implement the 30 tips mentioned above.

But this is par for the course. Becoming a proficient survivalist doesn't happen overnight.

You don't need to implement all thirty survival tips at once. Take small steps each day, gradually integrating these strategies into your life.

Practice and consistency are key. Think of it as building blocks – each tip you adopt is a solid foundation for your survival preparedness journey.

It's true, preparing for survival situations can seem expensive due to the necessary tools and items you may need to purchase. But think of it as an investment in your safety and security.

While everyone else is scrambling to grab whatever they can off the shelves, you’ll be comfortable and not panicking because you have whatever you need.

Purchase these items gradually, focusing on the essentials first. Your investments will pay off in times of crisis, providing you with the resources and knowledge to navigate uncertain situations.

Above all, remember that preparation is a mindset. It's about being adaptable, resourceful, and resilient. Embrace the learning process, stay informed, and don't be disheartened by setbacks.

By applying these survival tips, you're not just becoming a better survivalist – you're empowering yourself to face challenges with confidence and ensuring the safety and well-being of yourself and your loved ones.

You've taken the first step towards being prepared by reading this, and with dedication and perseverance, you'll be amazed at the resilience you can build.

Stay safe, stay prepared, and thrive in the face of adversity.