First Steps To Prepping In The UK

A global pandemic that ushered in waves of successive lockdowns, followed by the most serious armed conflict since the Second World War in Ukraine have been reminders to many that it’s important to prepare for the unexpected.

When a crisis or emergency hits, you’ll need to be prepared not only with the skills, stores, and supplies to survive the first few days but, potentially, for the long haul too.

Your Shopping List

When you’re just starting out on your journey as a prepper, it is easy to imagine that it’s all about gathering around you lots of backwoodsman or survivalist kit and equipment.

As we’ve often said, though, no amount of equipment will ever replace your skills, knowledge, and simple know-how unless you have practised the use of the basic kit.

When it comes to prepping, it’s not what you’ve got – still less how much you’ve spent on getting it – that matters but knowing just how and why you’ve set aside the provisions and essential supplies you have in store.

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Keeping in mind that simplicity, knowledge, attitude and being open to learn are the real keys to successful prepping, here are some suggestions about where you might start with a basic shopping list:

Water

if you didn’t yet know, you’ll have to learn pretty fast that no human being can survive for longer than a few days without water to drink – around 2½ pints (1.2 litres) every 24 hours;

the most common storage options are made out of food-safe plastic (polyethylene) and some have a capacity of up to 100 litres – remember to rotate your use of any drinking water in storage to ensure that it stays fresh;

Food Storage

probably one of the first thoughts to occur to the first-time prepper is the need to lay down stores of food – and that’s a great idea;

lasting success will be achieved if you choose the appropriate storage containers and apply a little thought and knowledge to what you actually store – once again, it’s less a question of spending a lot of money on your food stores but a matter of choosing long-lasting and non-perishable supplies;

take a look at our blog on the 20^th of September 2021 about choosing non-perishable foods, where to situate your food stores, and tips on avoiding some of the most common mistakes when it comes to storing food;

Tools

if you’ve been watching TV shows on the subject across the Pond in the USA, you might imagine the typical prepper to be armed to the teeth – constantly having to fend off marauding hordes intent on doing you some evil or other;

when it comes down to it, you’re unlikely to need much in the need of defensive weapons – other than your good common sense – and you’ll have realised the even-handed tone we took in our blog on the 21^st of December 2021;

but a good survival knife – or multi-function tool – is likely to prove an indispensable item of kit for any prepper;

as you grow into your role as an experienced prepper, you’re likely to have gathered around you an assortment of other tools and devices that have a particular attraction – but, once again, remember that it’s not the amount that you spent acquiring these tools that will make a difference but your talent and practice in using them effectively.

Shelter

There are many options you need to think about relating to shelter, whether you choose a simple emergency tent and blanket or you have a purpose built bunker. Our blog – How To Build A Shelter covers this subject in more depth.

Fire

Warmth is obviously another essential. Our Preppers Guide To Fire provides more information.

The above might serve as the most elementary of shopping lists as you embark on your prepping journey. None of the suggestions is set in stone. Adapt and amend to suit your own particular needs and circumstances as you see fit.

Further reading: Beginners Guide to Prepping in the UK

About The Author

Article by the Prepper Weekly editor. Prepper Weekly covers practical, UK-focused preparedness – from emergency planning, power cuts and flooding to food, water, kit and outdoor skills – without the fear-mongering. Find out more about Prepper Weekly.