10 Common Prepping Mistakes

[Skyowl's Wife]

Sometimes it's good to double-check ourselves. I found a couple of these where we are probably deficient in the Skyowl household and will have to discuss.

http://urbansurvivalsite.com/10-common-prepping-mistakes/

[herbalpagan]

we have never planned on bugging out, but after thinking about it, that is as important a mistake as over [lanning TO bug out. We made ourselves think of the things that would force us to bug out (fire being the primary) and made ourselves come up with a plan.
I think it's important for even experienced preppers to think about all of these issues.

[Skyowl's Wife]

I see us short there, too. The other is printing out all the survival info we have.

[Brother Bill]

I am always finding myself saying I'm almost done with my preps and then something comes up that shows me my gaps. Thanks for that heads up.

[Recently_Awoken]

Wish I could get us moved to a good BOL for a full-time stay. Working on that. Until then, my preps are leaning heavily on bugging in plans. Still, I always have a problem with folks who are adamant about the roads being 100% clogged in an emergency. I suppose in natural disasters, yes, that's pretty hard fact. But what about a slower slide scenario? I think most folks will sheep in place and raise their FEMA flags for help, and that migrations out of population centers will be more gradual. I hope to start a post about this topic, merely to get as much feedback and scenarios as possible, put down on the forum for all to consider. Sorry, I digress...

The list was an excellent source for me to go back and consult. I'm a newer prepper, just having passed the 1.5 year mark. I've got PLENTY of holes in my plan. Water being the big "ah sh!t" burger I've yet to start nibbling on. Filtering, okay. Can do. But gathering... I can't drill where I'm at. Anyways, great list. Thanks for the link.

[Skyowl's Wife]

We've been prepping casually for about 10 years, kicked into high gear in November 2008. I've always believed that when you stop seeking to learn you are either deluded or dead.

Glad to help both you and me!

[Echo2]

We have been plugging holes in our preps since we got started....

I find that many folks from my other forum home focus more on firearms...don't get me wrong...they definitely have their place.....but a gun does not make you prepped.

It rare to walk into my shop and not see a prepping project going on.....fun stuff really.

[Grim_R556]

We've been prepping casually for about 10 years, kicked into high gear in November 2008. I've always believed that when you stop seeking to learn you are either deluded or dead.

"The wise person always knows that there is always something more to learn."

[hminus]

I agree. There will be issues with traffic, depending on where you live, but I belive most will be able to get out. We are lucky. Our egress plan has both a vehicle and water plan. We have a river less than 300 yards from the house. I have conducted a map recon of the route. My plan is to take a week off and run it this summer. There are several places with waterfalls, so the run will enable me to establish dismount points enroute.

[Omegaman]

Every time we have had to tap our emergency gear because of long term power outages or flooding I have found gaps in our supplies or gear that did not perform as planned. These events have helped us to make changes and add or modify supplies. I think everyone should practice planned power outages and not just during good weather like the spring or summer. Each season will create a different set of needs and problems. I truly don’t think that you can plan for every situation that may arise but you can prepare for the events that you know could affect you.

[Echo2]

Every time we have had to tap our emergency gear because of long term power outages or flooding I have found gaps in our supplies or gear that did not perform as planned. These events have helped us to make changes and add or modify supplies. I think everyone should practice planned power outages and not just during good weather like the spring or summer. Each season will create a different set of needs and problems. I truly don’t think that you can plan for every situation that may arise but you can prepare for the events that you know could affect you.

Yup...

If you want to find out where your holes are.....walk in to your house.....and kill the power for a day....or a weekend....or a week.

A few years back....an ice storm hit pretty hard....we lost power.

With budgeting power...and moving the family closer into the area we heat with wood...all worked out ok.

I found that we would either need to set up the well buckets earlier....or have more fuel....I chose more fuel.

With budgeting....I have enough fuel at my house for 1.5 months.....and at the BOL....more than 8 months in gas.....more in diesel.

That is using power to run well pump at my house to fill water tanks for potable and sanitary....charging batts for lights and radios.....and charging fridge and freezer.

At the BOL.....we are much more set up to run w/o power.....but yet have more of a capacity for power.....go figure...;)

cooking is with propane....or wood.

[TennOutdoors]

Great thread. Ive been prepping off and on for years. mostly just bug out bags and get home bags. with a couple months worth of food stocked away and various equipment. but finally got serious and planted a large garden. and in the process of designing a water cistern Im thinking four hundred gallons.

I have a survival camping trip planned for this summer as well to practice my skills. a week in the back country should be fun. LOL.

[charliefox]

Great thread! More and more emphasis is being placed on "Shelter In Place" these days and it's probably a good idea. Home is where your stuff is and, unless there is a pressing need to leave, it's probably the best to stay put. I like the ideas put forth in the blog and here - keeps me thinking! Thanks!

[Snow Walker]

We are sheltering in place, but do have a BOL.

One thing to also think about is having more then one BOL to fall back on. You just never know!

[maric]

Good article. I have been working on storing water for sometime. Alghouth, we live on the river, have a water source, Im not sure if in a situation it would be reliable. I save all 2liter bottles, even milk and juice jugs. I think the plastic breaks down more quickly, but I figure IF I can rotate then if anything I can use for wash water. My biggest concern is coming up wth water purification. We have been looking into that. I agree, you can have a ton of food, but if no reliable water sourse, then.. dum dum dum......