As I surf around the web, it seems there are more and more people out there who claim to have a One Size Fits All prepper plan/list/course they want to sell you. Then, there are others, like myself who loudly declare that there is no One Size Fits All Prepper Plan because it’s impossible. What works for one person and family will not work for many others. Plans made for surviving a disaster in Arizona will be completely different than a plan for surviving a disaster in Maine. Then, the truth hit me like a freight train. There really IS a true One Size Fits All Prepper Plan. It consists of the things that every living thing needs to live, to survive.
Most prepper plans get into fine detail and provide lists of things they think you need, places to get them, etc. Sometimes they sell you these lists of items. For some, it may be very helpful to have it spelled out for them. For others, they look at the list and think “This doesn’t work for my area, what a waste!” The truth is that not every person needs product A or B. Need is usually a subjective term that doesn’t apply to everyone the same. In fact, there are only 5 things that humans truly need to survive and they make up the only true ‘one size fits all prepper plan.’ The only variation on the list is how you will fulfill those needs.
We will detail the things absolutely every single person on the planet needs to survive and then give suggestions on different ways you and your family can meet those needs in a way that suits you. Ready to jump in?! Here we go!
Air
Though not often mentioned when talking about prepping, air is rather necessary. Having clean air to breathe is pretty important! If you find yourself in an area where the air isn’t so good and you can’t get to a place that has clean air, consider making one room the ‘main’ area and block off the other rooms by closing doors and windows. If you can, cover them up with blankets or tape plastic sheets (consider cutting a garbage bag and unfolding it) to minimize the air flow. Beyond that, there are still a few other things you can do to be more prepared.
- Masks
- Simple surgical masks will go a long way to limiting how much bad air you breathe in.
- Air filter systems can be purchased and installed but in a large disaster scenario, chances are pretty good the power will be out.
- Gas masks are another option and are less expensive than you think. These are a little more extreme but it is a viable option!
Water
Hands down the most important prep there is for without water, everything else stops. Every living thing needs it to survive! We also need water to clean our bodies, clothing, and keeping wounds dry. Cooking with water, especially in a disaster situation is a big deal, too. Think of all those dehydrated meals as one example. You may not be flushing the toilet or taking showers everyday but you’ll need more water than you think! To survive, each person needs a gallon of water a day. This amount doesn’t include washing, first aid, or cooking. You need to drink about a gallon of water a day to maintain hydration. If you have 4 people and are making even a one week prep plan, that’s 28 gallons of water! Don’t forget Fido or Whiskers, too.
As stated above, you need to be able to catch or gather, filter, and store the water.
- Catching or Gathering Water
- You can use the gutter system on your house (or other buildings), disconnect the downspout and get it from there. Other options include wells, lakes, and streams. Be mindful of the color, smell, and look of the water. If it smells bad, try somewhere else. If it has a lot of algae, chances are pretty good the water is stagnant and not safe. Of course, with filtering and boiling, you can make it safe.
- Filtering or Treating Water
- There are all manner of filters available out there and it’s up to you to choose which one will serve you and your family best. For a good list of options for emergency water filtration, click here. It has everything from a hand held individual sized filter to something that can serve an entire home and medium to large sized groups.
- Storing Water
- Sure, old milk and juice containers will work and hold the water but if possible, get something larger. In a pinch, plastic totes will work well for not only catching the water, but also storing it once filtered. Keep the lid on top so debris like dust and ashed can’t get into it. There is always the bathtub that you could use to store water and don’t forget the water heater! It has water in there and can hold more for you, too!
Food
Like any machine, we need fuel to keep going. In a survival situation, the fuel used and needed goes up considerably. Everyone needs it but not everyone thinks beyond the next day or week, leaving them in a real pinch when you can’t just go to the store and get more. A lack of food will incite more panic than no water will for most survivors and that starts the looting. You don’t want to be anywhere near a grocery store during a SHTF event! Though we all need it, people’s preferences and dietary restrictions vary and that is why it’s up to you to decide what, how much, and how to store it.
One of the best pieces of advice I can give you is to never stock things you don’t normally eat! Food is a huge comfort mentally and having a sense of normal, especially when eating, goes a long way to making it through. There are so many options out there about what kind of food to get and store that many preppers are left in indecision. Here are some things to remember when planning the food part of your prep plan:
- You want stuff that’s already shelf stable, meaning it doesn’t need refrigeration.
- You’ll want stuff you can heat and eat, whether that’s in a can or a pouch.
- You need to decide whether or not you want to use freeze dried food like Mountain House (I love their beef stroganoff!), or canned meats and veggies to get by. Consider the benefit of having food preservation equipment (and skills) on hand. Those who know how to preserve food without electricity are very rare! When only one person in a 5 block radius knows how to preserve food, there’s a problem. Learn at least one food preservation method ASAP! Pickling is a rather easy one (and inexpensive!).
This is the only ‘one size fits all’ plan. How you meet the needs is up to you!
Shelter
Humans are strong in brain power but weak in flesh. We need shelter of some kind from the elements out there and preferably a place we can trap heat in, too. Shelter is one of those things that is very fluid when it comes to survival. If in the city, there are all manner of places you could use for shelter (assuming you didn’t have a place to go already of course). If you’re in rural areas, you can make shelters from the resources around you like a lean-to. If you have tarps, you can use them. If you like to go camping, never underestimate the usefulness of camping gear in a survival situation! Your shelter needs can be put into two categories: staying in or bugging out.
- Staying In (Bugging In)
- This assumes that you are staying at home (or other family member’s home) and huddling in. Even though your shelter need is covered by doing this, there are still things you need to consider such as keeping heat in, hardening doors and windows in the case of potential looters, dealing with garbage and bathroom waste, etc.
- Bugging Out
- There is a LOT of information out there about bugging out and this can be its own article in itself. Remember that when bugging out, your bag should have what you need to meet all of these things on this one size fits all survival plan. The normal standard is having enough to last you for 72 hours (3 days). Click here for some insight on the food portion of the bag and links to many other articles about surviving while bugging out. Again, this is where camping gear can really come in handy!
Warmth
Warmth is the last thing on our list but that doesn’t mean it is any less important than the others! If you’re too cold, you can’t hold onto the matches to light a fire. If you’re sick and out in the elements, your body will spend more energy on keeping warm than fighting the infection. If you have a woodstove, great! For those who don’t, keeping warm can be tricky. Here are some options:
- Blankets, sleeping bags, space blankets
- Hand and foot warmers
- Piling on extra clothes, wearing thermal underwear
- Keep moving or huddle for warmth
- Fire place, oven, etc.
- Even a candle in a small space can heat things up!
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There’s no denying that the needs listed above – Air, Water, Food, Shelter, Warmth – is something everyone needs to live, let alone survive. This is truly a ‘one size fits all’ list! The way you meet those needs, though, that is entirely up to you. Don’t let anyone else tell you what is best for YOU and YOUR FAMILY! Remember that skills will take you further than stuff. What do you think? Share your thoughts below!
Wonderfully articulate article!
I see far too many sites that insist THEY have the “Ultimate” food storage plan, shelter plan, water collection or purification plan, etc., but I’ve preached for years what may work for me in the southwest desert of Arizona may not be appropriate for other climates and locations, EXACTLY as you mention.
I MUST have far more water reserves than, say, someone living in the Rockies near a stream or lake while they will need more rugged gear to survive a brutal and snowing winter as but two examples.
Yet too many businesses try and capitalize on the Fear Factor that if you don’t buy and own THEIR Ultimate 72-hour or longer survival kit you are putting yourself or family members in grave danger or risk of injury.
In addition to what you have laid out I suggest to those interested to review what packages are being sold then tailor those “kits” with items that are SPECIFIC to THEIR region and needs.
Let’s face it; how many folks living in landlocked areas have need for a salt water desalination kit? Really?
If you don’t need it, WHY buy it based on some nebulous criteria set by someone sitting behind a computer keyboard creating a kit to maximize THEIR earning potential?? It just doesn’t make sense, wouldn’t you agree?
To that end, knowing there is much to be gained by buying in larger quantities, source your needs from a QUALITY supplier with QUALITY components and ask for a quantity purchase deal if you are needing multiples of numerous items? They may surprise you by meeting your needs when designing, creating and supplying multiple units for your family or group. Try it. You might be happily surprised.
In closing, I want to thank you for broaching a subject that too few will discuss, as if they have some monetary gain by recommending Brand X 72-hour’s kit, etc.
Thank you and God Bless.
I think you covered these necessary basics very well and I definitely agree that there really is no once-size-fits-all preps “kit”. One things that I do thinks needs mentioning is that prepping is not a one-time thing; it is an ongoing process. It is a combination of gaining the materials, but also the knowledge, needed to survive. I have always said it is a way of life.
Well done, Dreamer! A nice, simple introduction to the what.
I also like to try to make people think about the why. Like Howard said, don’t need to prepare for a hurricane living in southwestern New Mexico, but a wildfire or a drought are distinct possibilities.
I also agree that the Fear Factor drives a LOT of sales of the kits. For a newbie, our community can throw a lot of scary things out into the web! A knee-jerk, panic-driven reaction isn’t surprising. As Harry said, preparing is an ongoing process. Learn the basics (from Homestead Dreamer, for instance) then tailor it to your needs. Spending all your time and money on the latest and greatest gadget isn’t necessarily going to ensure your survival.
I like to compare preparing to camping. If you can survive a week camping, and not in a fully equipped trailer or amenity-loaded “campground”, you’ve got a good start! You’ll also be learning about what you have that works and what doesn’t, or what’s extraneous.
Do the research! Talk to others that are getting ready. Take all advice with a grain of salt, because what “they” are doing might not work for you.
Above all, practice! Learn how to use that fancy fire kit you bought. Then find the alternate methods as well. Backups are never a bad thing. Two is one, one is none.
Cheers!
I love how open ended this is and how it shows that everyone’s situation and needs are different.
Great article! Howard Huggins and Mark covered my reactions pretty well. There are so many variables to each situation, but there are basics that cover everything well. I am an advocate to prepare for the worst, pray for the best scenario. We all must do what we must do. Blessings.