So you're thinking all that provident living stuff is cool and all but, what about ARMAGEDON and prepping for the  end of the world, 2012, astroids crashing into the earth and the end of life as we know it. How do you plan to live through all that with 36 bottles of apricots and a casserole?

This is the first blog just for prepping. As always begin with a plan. What is it you are prepping for? Super volcano? Not likely to happen, Asteroid crashing into the earth? Low probability. The chance of you being witness to a world-wide devestation are very low.  The possibilities of you being affected by a regional or local emergency are much greater. The chance of you experiencing a life altering personal catastrophie are almost 100%. That's right, during your life, some bad things are going to happen. You may lose your job. Divorce or death of a primary wage earner, illness, disabilites, fires and a lot of other bad things happen every day to a lot of people.

When making a preparednes plan start by getting ready for the most common things first then build up to the more extraordinary.

This is the smallest kit I would make. It is for an evacuation.

The most basic plan is for the first 3 days. Sometimes called a 72 hour kit or a bug out bag. Over the next few posts I will be going over some specific items and things you may want to include in your kit.

So lets get started. You will need a bag. Do not run out and get some spendy pack or pre-made kit till you have had some time to determine your needs. Just find a box, bag, old backpack, plastic bucket or whatever can hold a few things and you can carry.

Number one thing you will need is water. Just to live you need one quart/liter of water each day. 2 quarts/liters to be confortable and 1 gallon/4liters if you are being active or if it is hot weather. So first find 3 gallons of water.

 The water needs to be in a food grade plastic bottle.  This is a bottle that drinks like juice, soda, or other beverages come in. You can also buy bottled water. Some of the bottled water bottles are very thin and do not hold up well so choose carefully. If you are using used bottles first wash them with hot soap and water. Do not use white milk jugs. They degrade and it is hard to get all the milk fat out of them.

Fill the empty bottles with clean water. Put them in your pack.



Next get  6 cans of chili, soup or stew. You will have 6 meals. This is 2 meals a day for 3 days.
Be sure they are pop top cans.

Now get a spoon so you can eat from the can.

Strange as it may seem this is the basic bug out kit. If you have food and water for 3 days you are in good shape to survive. I do not think you will be comfortable nor happy, but you will stay alive.

Next on the list is a blanket. Wool is the best but for now use what you have. So far this is your list of supplies.

Always include any medications you have to take.

Water 3 gallons
food 6 cans
blanket.

Frequently if you have to leave your home due to an emergency you will be told where to go for shelter by the local authorities. When you reach the evacuation point you can make a plan as to where you will go from there. You may choose to stay there or you may go to a friend or relative's home.You could choose to get a motel until your local crisis is over.

We will go over a few more things tomorrow.