SKILLS
Emergency preparedness is about more than having fresh batteries in your flashlight and a full pantry - it's about being ready for no matter what.
Foundational Skills
Basic Survival Skills
Water Purification and Storage
-
Learn multiple methods to purify water, such as boiling, using water purification tablets, and filtering with portable systems.
-
Practice setting up and maintaining long-term water storage systems.
Fire Starting
-
Master fire-starting techniques without matches, like using flint and steel, fire strikers, or even natural fire-making methods (friction fire-starting with bow drills).
-
Practice building fires in various weather conditions and learn how to control them safely.
First Aid and Basic Medical Care
-
Take a basic first aid course, focusing on wound care, CPR, treating burns, and stabilizing injuries.
-
Build a comprehensive first aid kit and familiarize yourself with each item, including when and how to use them.
-
Learn to identify and use basic medical supplies, such as splints, bandages, antiseptics, and pain management.
Emergency Sheltering
-
Practice setting up tents, tarps, or improvised shelters using available materials.
-
Learn insulation techniques to stay warm and dry, as well as ventilation methods to prevent overheating in summer.
Intermediate Skills
Food and Water Management
Food Preservation
-
Start with dehydration and canning to preserve food. These methods extend the shelf life of fruits, vegetables, and meats.
-
Learn about vacuum sealing, pickling, and fermenting as alternative preservation methods.
-
Practice storing dried and canned foods safely to avoid spoilage or contamination.
Gardening and Foraging
-
Grow a basic garden with easy-to-cultivate vegetables and herbs. Begin with hardy plants like potatoes, carrots, and beans.
-
Learn about wild foraging in your region, identifying edible plants, berries, nuts, and mushrooms (avoid anything you haven’t confidently identified).
-
Master basic seed-saving techniques to keep your garden sustainable long-term.
Hunting and Fishing
-
Practice fishing and trapping for small game in your area, understanding the legal requirements and sustainable practices.
-
Learn how to prepare and preserve fish and small game meat using drying, smoking, or freezing methods.
Food Storage and Rotation
-
Organize your food storage by shelf life and rotate items regularly.
-
Use vacuum sealing and proper food storage methods to avoid spoilage and extend food usability.
Self-Defense and Security Skills
Safety-Oriented Skills
Self-Defense Basics
-
Take basic self-defense classes to learn how to protect yourself in hand-to-hand situations.
-
Practice situational awareness and learn to identify potential risks in your surroundings.
Home and Property Security
-
Understand how to secure doors, windows, and entry points with basic tools and available materials.
-
Learn about neighborhood watch programs and how to collaborate with neighbors for mutual protection.
-
Familiarize yourself with defensive landscaping (like using thorny plants near windows) and other low-tech security measures.
Firearm Safety and Maintenance (if applicable and legal in your area)
-
Get trained in firearm safety and practice regular maintenance if you choose to keep firearms for self-defense.
-
Know local laws regarding firearm use and storage.
NAVIGATION
Navigation and Outdoor Skills
Navigation Without GPS
-
Practice orienteering skills, including nighttime navigation using stars and other natural guides.
Foraging for Wild Edibles
-
Take a foraging course or study guides specific to your region, identifying edible plants, roots, and berries.
-
Learn the basics of safe preparation for wild foods, including cooking techniques that make certain wild plants edible.
Tracking and Animal Behavior
-
Study animal tracking to locate game or avoid predators in wilderness settings.
-
Learn to identify signs of animal movement, including tracks, droppings, and nesting areas.
HOME REPAIR
Goal
Practical Home Skills to Practice Before There's Trouble
Basic Plumbing and Electrical Repair
-
Learn how to fix minor plumbing issues, such as leaks or clogged drains, and how to shut off water or gas lines in an emergency.
-
Practice basic electrical repairs, like changing fuses, replacing light fixtures, or understanding circuit breakers.
Basic Carpentry and Repairs
-
Acquire basic carpentry skills to repair furniture, create storage areas, or build shelving for emergency supplies.
-
Learn simple construction techniques for building shelters, fences, or securing windows and doors.
Waste Management and Sanitation
-
Practice setting up safe, sanitary waste disposal systems for emergencies when sewer services might be unavailable.
-
Learn to create composting systems, especially if you have a garden, to manage organic waste.
communication
GOAL
Learn How to Stay Informed ... No Matter What
Radio Communication
-
Become familiar with HAM radio or GMRS/FRS radios to communicate during power outages or in remote areas.
-
Learn basic radio operation, including how to find and monitor emergency channels.
Signaling for Help
-
Understand basic signaling techniques using mirrors, whistles, and flares.
-
Learn ground-to-air signals and other methods for catching the attention of rescuers if stranded.
Emergency Planning and Networking
-
Develop and practice an emergency communication plan for your family and nearby friends or neighbors.
-
Create contact lists for local emergency services, shelters, and other critical resources, and make sure everyone knows how to access them.
Long-Term Sustainability Skills
Advanced Survival and Resilience
Alternative Energy Skills
-
Learn the basics of solar panel setup and maintenance to use renewable energy.
-
Understand fuel storage and safety for backup power sources like generators.
Renewable Water Collection and Storage
-
Set up rainwater collection systems and learn to maintain them safely.
-
Learn to purify collected water in bulk using filtration systems or solar distillation.
Mental Resilience and Adaptability
-
Develop stress management skills through practices like mindfulness or journaling, which can help in high-stress situations.
-
Practice scenarios where you live without modern conveniences (like electricity or running water) to become comfortable with limited resources.