So what's with the title? I thought of other titles like "Rational Prepper," "Liberal Prepper," and "Sensible Prepper," ("Sensible Prep" and "Sensible Prepper" were already taken). "Gunless Prep" didn't seem right b/c I'm not claiming to promote prep without guns (in fact a 9mm and shotgun are on my medium-term list of prep tech, and I like to shoot (though I don't do it often)).
One reason I called this blog "Gunless Prepper" is because that literally describes me. I currently don't have a gun in my bug-out bag or anywhere in my home.
The other reason is that I think a sensible prep scheme can be developed without guns, and guns should be the last thing on your prep list, since shelter, food/water, heat, medicine/first-aid, communications, and self-defense, are the most basic challenges in any survival situation (roughly in that order). Being able to fight off a zombie apocalypse or violent uprising are much less likely, and guns only provide one kind of self-defense (probably not even the kind that's needed in most situations). But that's a tangent for another post.
Ultimately, I thought the name made a point (in addition to describing my current state). It's easy to equate "prepper" with "gun nut" or "right-wing conspiracy theory idiot," but I don't identify with those perspectives and I don't think that those mindsets lead to smart prep. I tried to name the blog this "howtoprepwithoutbeingagunnutorrightwingradical.blogspot.com" but Blogger didn't like that.
My quick philosophy on prep:
1) Prep isn't about gathering an arsenal of guns. It's also not about theories about how the world will end or society will collapse. Unfortunately, shows like "Domesday Preppers" on Netflix have conflated the three things. I recommend watching this show, though, both for ideas about smart prep, and also guidance about how easy it is to get distracted by particular theories about how (or when, but not if, ironically), society will collapse. FYI: My favorite episode follows three urban preppers attempting escape from Manhattan (as an urban dweller this resonated with me). But other episodes provide excellent guidance (and a good laugh sometimes).
2) The only thing anyone can say for sure is that, we don't know when or if something will occur that will require us to be more prepared than we usually are. Could be a localized natural or human-made disaster or something more epic and global. But a lot of basic prep principles and tools will help in any situation, whether you have to bug-in, bug-out or whatever.
3) Planning for a specific doomsday scenario has two general weaknesses. First, it blinds one to other prep scenarios. For example, preppers on DDP on Netflix regularly get knocked down by the experts for defending against one risk while ignoring another (e.g., building a large firearms arsenal, but not having enough food). Another example might be stocking a lot of food but putting it all in one place (i.e., your basement...what happens if you have to leave home or somehow all the food in your basement is destroyed?). One family on that show had a massive amount of evacuation gear and a place in the mountains to go to, but quickly found out that they couldn't move it all when they tried a test-run. Sensible prep requires being flexible and fluid, and preparing for the most likely scenarios and with the most generally-useful tools. Flexibility and mobility are key.
Second, it takes efforts away form the action (the prep) and puts it on theory. This is at least a wasted effort (i.e., the time you take thinking about the cause the unsaid disaster could be spenter prepping and practicing). At worst, as mentioned above, the pet theory of the theory-driven prepper then circulates back into the prep plans, and directs them only toward scenarios that fit the theory (e.g., building a bunker b/c you expect a nuclear bomb). Survival is maximized when you're prepared for a range of events, but also the most likely ones. Creative outlets should be saved for writing, music, painting, building, etc., but have no place in a rational prep plan. Weighing good evidence/argument against bad becomes essential, but basic "common sense" critical thinking works pretty well. (Aside: Maybe critical thinking needs to be a concrete prep skill! After watching DDP, I think so!)
4) As I'm probably making clear, most of the things you need to prep for aren't doomsday events. They aren't the big "when the shit goes down" societal breakdown, racial riots, anarchy situations we imagine. They're home fires, earthquakes, tornadoes, hurricanes, and things like that. They might even include active shooter situations, major power outages, and "partial disorder" situations (think LA riots of the 1990s). Self-defense situations are in-scope, too, as well as car accidents, biking/hiking/camping accidents, and things like that. Being prepared is about being ready for the things that don't happen every day, and may never happen to you, but which can be avoided or severely ameliorated with just a little knowledge, skill, or tools. So before you go buy a gun, take CPR and first aid class!
With this in mind, here's my (admittedly off-the-cuff) amateur prep hierarchy. In other words, these are the things you should do first, second, third, etc. when beginning your prep plans.
1) Make sure you have plans! Plans for a fire. Plans for being split-up with your family in an emergency. Things like that. Does everyone have everyone else's contact info (work and cell) in their phone AND written somewhere that they carry daily? Where will you meet if you have to evacuate your home or the event happens when one or more of you are not at home.
2) Have a daily carry "kit." This will have the very basics for daily emergencies. Small first aid kit, water, and a snack. A knife (preferably in pocket with clip), flashlight (tactical grade) are good too. FYI, I need to do this, but a role model of mine from DC (and a fellow subway commuter) carried these things in his backpack.
3) Consider your whole self and dress as part of your prep. Are the shoes you're wearing good for mobility (would you want to walk out of the subway via the access tunnels in them). If you get in an accident, will you be able to patch yourself up before medical gets there?
4) Do you know basic CPR, first aid, etc? If not, that's a really good place to start (maybe it should even be point 1). You're more likely to cute your leg then to have the electrical grid brought down by an EMP (watch DDP if you don't know what an EMP is...it's probably the most popular DDP scenario).
5) Steps 1-4 are essentially the "everyday readiness phase." Phase 2 involves being prepared to shelter-in-place or "bug in," which could easily happen in a storm, earthquake, etc. Do you have enough water, food, heat, etc. for 3-4 days or more? Drinkable water being the most important one. A hand crank weather radio with USB charging port is also essential for information gathering and to charge phones for communications.
Phase 3 involves considering what you would do if you had to leave (i.e., "bug out" when the shit really does go down). I live in LA, so I thought this through for a while and consulted a fellow (more experienced) prepper and ex-military friend. I came to the conclusion (during a traffic jam) that evacuating LA by car is pointless (unless you get out early, which can be part of the overall plan). So I've shifted my thinking to "sheltering in place". That said, we still have bug-out bags. Whether your plan is shelter-in or bug-out, you need similar supplies. I'll share my bug-out bag checklist in another post.
6) A quick note on self-defense and fire-arms (back to the title of this blog). Self defense doesn't just involve a gun (or any weapon for that matter). Many self-defense situations happen faster than you could draw a gun or a knife, and you always drop or lose those. But you always have your fists and elbows. A comprehensive self-defense system, like that taught by Krav Maga, should probably include some firearm and weapons training, but you can't rely solely on things. And if you chose to use them, you have to train them. How will you carry that gun or knife? How quickly (and safely!) can you draw and use it? It's much easier to cut or shoot yourself than you might think? What do you do if that weapon is taken from you and used against you? Now you're back to hands, elbows, knees, etc. I'll share more on the values of empty-hand self dense v. guns and knives in later posts.
7) Finally, like any weapons you choose to include, ,make sure you know how to use all the stuff in your kit. Do a test run. Go camping with just the stuff in your bug-out-bag (BOB). Is it really enough to provide shelter and food? Can you really start a fire with those "waterproof matches" (keep in mind that the best sham industry is prep b/c people will buy things based on fear and claims stated by manufacturers, but may never have to use them...buy tested tools and test the tools you buy).
There are obviously more steps to a thorough prep plan, but I'll share those in later posts. I hope I've at least enticed you to read further :)
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