How to Avoid These Common and Possibly Fatal Prepper Mistakes

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How to Avoid These Common and Possibly Fatal Prepper Mistakes

Prepping is not some fad or game that people are into these days. It is something to be taken seriously as one simple misstep may cost you your life or worse that of a loved one. Many preppers, veteran ones included, commit common prepper mistakes. It’s best to correct these errors now before it’s too late.

Lots of information on prepping and survivalism flood the internet . You need to be wary of what you read though. Despite the well-meaning intentions of those who share what they know, some of these pieces of information may cause more harm than good. Below are some of these common prepper mistakes that are making the rounds on the internet.

Preparing for One Possible Disastrous Scenario

It’s perfectly logical for people in California to prepare for an earthquake or for people living near a nuclear plant to be ready for a meltdown. However, one of the most common prepper mistakes that could be and should be avoided is limiting your prepping to one particular disaster or EOTW situation.

The Earthquake Bag Complete Earthquake Bag for 2 people for 3 days
The Earthquake Bag Complete Earthquake Bag for 2 people for 3 days

By all means, invest on the right earthquake survival kit if you live in an earthquake-prone area. However, you shouldn’t spend all your money preparing for that one potential disaster. Be prepared for other catastrophic scenarios such as an economic collapse, nuclear or biological attack, or a zombie apocalypse.

XUANLAN Emergency Survival Kit 12 in 1, Outdoor Survival Gear
XUANLAN Emergency Survival Kit 12 in 1, Outdoor Survival Gear

Invest on different survival gears that are useful in any scenario. Once you’ve built a good emergency kit packed with basic survival equipment, move on to specific items for specific needs. As you go along, you’ll be more prepared for any kind of emergency or EOTW situation.

Supplies Over Skills

Ready America 3000 The Survival Box
Ready America 3000 The Survival Box

Prepping is not just about hording food, water and other supplies. This is one of the most common prepper mistakes out there. It is necessary to have lots of food and water but it’s equally important to have the knowledge and skills to survive.

S.O.S. Emergency Water 5 year shelf life - 62 Individual 4.22 Oz Packets (With Tips)
S.O.S. Emergency Water 5 year shelf life – 62 Individual 4.22 Oz Packets (With Tips)

Ask yourself if you have the skills to procure food and water when your pantry runs dry. If you suddenly realize that you’re like Jon Snow who knows nothing, you should start looking up classes that teach survival skills. You can also do some research and read manuals and survival guides.

365 Essential Survival Skills: Knowledge That Will Keep You Alive
365 Essential Survival Skills: Knowledge That Will Keep You Alive

You should not depend on one source of knowledge, however. The key to surviving any EOTW scenario is to never stop gaining knowledge and learning skills. The basic survival skills you should know by heart include starting a fire, purifying water, and building a shelter. Hunting, fishing, foraging, raising animals and growing food will also keep you alive. You should also know how to treat different medical conditions and emergencies in case something untoward happens.

Re-using Plastic Bottles for Storing Food

Plastic bottles are so handy that some preppers have taken to utilizing them in different ways. The problem is that not all of these survival hacks are safe particularly when you use them with food. Never use plastic bottles to store dry food such as grains and beans. There are two main reasons why this is one of the common prepper mistakes that could be fatal.

First of all, these bottles are difficult to clean, especially those which contained liquids other than water. This includes sodas, juices, condiments, oils, and the like. Since PET bottles have porous surfaces as compared to glass containers, they are more likely to allow bacteria to thrive. The bacteria can then contaminate the food you store in the bottle. You can then get botulism once you partake of your hard-earned survival foods.

Another reason why using plastic bottles as dry foods container is one of the most alarming yet common prepper mistakes is Bisphenol A. Some plastic products today have labels saying they’re BPA-free but you can’t simply believe everything you see or read. BPA can lead to brain problems, increased blood pressure and other medical issues.

Komax Biokips, The Original Airtight Cereal Container, 4 Side - Locking Lid, Watertight - Bpa-Free Plastic - Great Food Storage Keeper For Flour Sugar Dry Food. 16.9 Cup 135.5 Ounce, Set Of 2
Komax Biokips, The Original Airtight Cereal Container, 4 Side – Locking Lid, Watertight – Bpa-Free Plastic – Great Food Storage Keeper For Flour Sugar Dry Food. 16.9 Cup 135.5 Ounce, Set Of 2

Be on the side of caution and don’t use plastic bottles for storing food. Use glass jars or food grade BPA-fee containers instead.

Storing In One Place

It’s easy to make the mistake of keeping all your supplies and gear in your home. Most people don’t have access to another house or property that can be turned into a bug out shelter. However, it’s important to not keep everything in one place.

You stand to lose everything you worked hard for if you don’t think ahead. Always consider the possibility that your home along with your preps can be wiped out by an earthquake, tsunami or a raging inferno.

Premium Family 72 Hour Emergency Survival Bag for 4 People
Premium Family 72 Hour Emergency Survival Bag for 4 People

You actually don’t need another property to store more of your supplies. First of all, you need to have bug out bags and a bug out vehicle filled with food, water and survival gear. At least you still have something to keep you going until you find a safer place if your home or shelter is compromised,

You should also have supplies kept outside your house. The garage, tree house, barn, and even the dog house are ideal places to hide your stuff. Another option is to bury some supplies and weapons in your backyard. Just make sure no one sees you doing it. You can go farther and hide supplies in the forest or any other area far from your home. You can also rent a storage unit.

Prioritizing Gas Masks Over N95 Respirators

Don’t get me wrong. Gas masks are great to have. They are pretty useful during nuclear and biochemical attacks. For viral outbreaks, however, it’s better to have N95 or N100 respirators. A number of people thought a gas mask is a better way to prepare for a pandemic as evidenced by the spike in sales after the recent Ebola outbreak.

Richermall M04 Airsoft Tactical Protective Mask, Full Face Eye Protection Skull Dummy Toxic Gas Mask With Adjustable Strap
Richermall M04 Airsoft Tactical Protective Mask, Full Face Eye Protection Skull Dummy Toxic Gas Mask With Adjustable Strap

There is a chance that a gas mask will be contaminated once you use it during a pandemic. Hence, there’s a risk of contamination if you use the gas mask later on. Again, it’s wiser to use gas masks for chemical warfare. Respirators, meanwhile, are disposable, which makes them the logical survival gear to use in the event of a pandemic.

3M Aura Particulate Respirator 9211+/37193(AAD) N95, Stapled Flat Fold Disposable, Exhalation Valve (Case of 10)
3M Aura Particulate Respirator 9211+/37193(AAD) N95, Stapled Flat Fold Disposable, Exhalation Valve (Case of 10)

Get your hands on surgical masks and respirators first. Once you got enough for you and your family to use for an extended period, then you can go on and buy a gas mask. Of course, you can buy everything in one go if you have the means. The point is to use the right survival item for a particular situation.

Universal 4528 Non-Toxic Disposable Dust & Filter Safety Masks (50 Count Box)
Universal 4528 Non-Toxic Disposable Dust & Filter Safety Masks (50 Count Box)

These are just five of the most common prepper mistakes that could prove fatal if not corrected immediately. Perhaps one of the most dangerous mistakes is getting too comfortable. There will come moments when you think everything is fine and you fail to check your preps. This is a big no-no.

Keep checking and re-stocking your supplies. Take care of your survival gear especially those that need regular maintenance. Most importantly, continue to gain knowledge and skills that you can teach later on to your family.

Be prepared to defend yourself when SHTF. The StrikeLight tactical flashlight not only lights up the way but it can also be used as a self-defense tool.

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Gentleman Pirate Club aims to share valuable knowledge and tips on how you can prepare and survive emergencies and other dire situations. We think of different scenarios and show you the many ways you can survive them. We also believe in self-sufficiency as a way to prepare for whatever lies ahead. As our ship sails in these waters, we look for valuable treasures. When we spot one, we tell you where it is.

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