Sunday 15 November 2015

How To Prep Without Raising Eyebrows

        - By Dan Sullivan from Survival Sullivan

Now that the prepping movement has gone mainstream, a lot of people would like to do it without looking insane. They’ve got relatives to worry about, co-workers, neighbors and, even though I would gladly advise them not to care what anyone else thinks about them, that’s not always the way.
If this is you, if you’re looking to prep without anyone knowing you’re doing it and avoid endless arguments, let me share with you a few tips on how to do it.

The first thing you can do is take self-defense lessons. These are very common and they’re a great way to increase your chances of survival particularly if you live in Europe where guns and knives laws are very strict.

Speaking of self-defense items, how about a stun-gun or pepper spray? Some of these pepper spray cases are really small and some are even disguised as everyday items (such as keychain lipsticks, for instance).

Hobbies. There are plenty of hobbies that help you prepare, either directly or indirectly. For example:
  • You can start cooking or improve your cooking skills. This will allow you to become good at some of the ways to preserve food (canning, smoking etc.).
  • You can start your own garden even if you have very little space. Concepts like vertical gardening might help.
  • You can start a hobby around your bug out vehicle. If it’s a car, you can become a better driver and learn how to take care of it. If it’s a bike, the same thing. No one will ever know the real reason you’re doing.
  • You can start working out, jogging, sprinting or even yoga. In fact, you should do all of them because they’ll help you improve your strength, your speed, your stamina and your flexibility (the 4 pillars of survival fitness as I like to call them).
Now, if you’re looking for a more serious hobby, you might consider homesteading. This encompasses a large number of activities besides gardening and, in the aftermath of total collapse, you’ll be doing most of them, anyway. Some of the things you can do around the house include:
  • sewing
  • knitting
  • plumbing
  • making candles
  • stockpiling seeds! (very important to ensure you have survival food post-SHTF)
  • beekeeping
  • starting an herb garden (because doctors will be scarce post-collapse)
  • fixing your own clothes and even shoes (this should save you some money)
  • installing a rainwater harvesting system (rainwater is safe to drink but if that’s not something you want to do, you can still use it for things like washing your car, showering or watering your garden)
  • renovating your home (which will give you an excuse to prepare it for burglaries and home invasions)
Speaking of your home, are you using your attic space? If you are, it’s probably full of junk gathered along the years, right? Well, many of those things might be needed in a post-apocalyptic society. If you think the stuff in your attic is junk, let me prove otherwise. Old clothes will be needed in a world were getting new ones will be difficult, toys, board games and books will make time more enjoyable, and who knows what else you’ll find up there that’s worth keeping.

Before you throw anything out, ask yourself these:

Would this item be of any use to me after it hits? Will I at least be able to trade it for something else? Would anyone else find it valuable?

How well do you know your town or city?  In case you have to bug out, it’s important to know every route, every dead end, every way out on foot, by car or any other bug out vehicle you may have. Walking around on foot is healthy and will allow you to get to know the less circulated streets, one of which might be your way out when SHTF.

What’s in your everyday carry kit? Some of the items that won’t raise eyebrows if you have them with you at all times include:
  • a mini-flashlight keychain,
  • chapstick,
  • cash,
  • a lighter,
  • a bandana
  • ...and even some items that are small and can be safely concealed so no one will ever know you have them, such as Band-Aids, paper clips or a button compass.
Can you think of more ways to prepare that won’t get people to wonder why you’re doing them? Leave a comment below.

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