Individual Preparedness
1. Health and Fitness – Are you healthy now and can you maintain your healthy lifestyle? Let’s
get one thing straight… You do not want to become a liability to yourself and your family,
your neighborhood and community. Try to get into better shape and build stamina, and know
how to maintain the best you can be. You will have limitations in your performance. Make
sure you know your limitations. Be careful about pushing yourself too hard, as this can cause
injuries. Safety is a major concern in a future grid down situation.
Stock up on vitamins and minerals. You will need them. Also, when building a food storage
program, keep in mind your own dietary restrictions.
Hygiene is critical. You must be able to keep yourself clean in a grid down situation, in order
to maintain good health. Stockpile all the normal personal hygiene products you use now.
Soap, shampoo, toothpaste, tooth brushes, deodorant, shaving supplies, foot treatments,
treatments that work for you for acne, headaches, dry skin, chapped lips, etc.
2. Clothing – Durable work clothing. It will need to last. Keep in mind our climatic conditions.
Be prepared to be outside and able to work in all weather conditions, including wet weather.
Stock up on heavy socks and underwear, thermal underwear, wool sweaters, Gortex shells,
rain suits and ponchos. Also tactical clothing for different types of operations. Don’t forget
several pairs of good boots.
3. Shelter – Shelter is critical in adverse weather conditions. Rule of threes: 3 hours without
shelter! 2-3 man 4 season tents are optimal. If not, go 3 season with extra tarps and ropes.
Ground mats are vital. You need a barrier between you and the ground. Sleeping bags or
poncho liners, or wool blankets. Don’t forget extra tarps, ropes and cords.
If we are able to shelter in our homes, or even share homes, we should acquire as many cold
weather materials as possible: warm sheets, blankets, comforters, bedspreads, anything that
can be bundled around to maintain body warmth. Even heavier curtains or blankets in the
windows can insulate some.
4. Food and Water – Any lightweight food that can be reconstituted with water. Be creative.
MREs, life boat rations, granola bars, energy bars, tobasco sauce and seasonings for interest.
All of this can fit in a pack or in utility pouches on your gear. Water purification (hand
pumps, Life Straws or similar type purifiers, water purification tabs) Ways to carry water on
your body: canteens, camel back type bladders. Carry powdered drink mixes and Gatorade
for the electrolytes.
5. Weapons and Ammo – One rifle, one pistol, in common calibers only. Preferably on AR
platform for magazine interchangeability. Pistols are a personal choice. Make sure you are
trained to handle both safely. This is not complicated. People try to make it complicated.
6. EDC (every day carry) kit – This is simply a small amount of items you carry on your belt at
all times, when not in full kit. Knife, pistol, magazines, flashlight, medical pack, survival
items, etc. Tailor this to your own needs.
7. Special Equipment – This is everything, including the kitchen sink. All your customized web
gear, packs, optics, night vision, field gear, stoves, lanterns, medical kits, tools, support
equipment, electronics, radios, laptops, notebooks, palm pilots, vehicles, motorcycles, quad
runners… you get the picture. Now start to inventory, and make lots of lists. Where are you
deficient? Make corrections now.