Look around you. The state of our country is more unstable than it has been in decades. Our Government can’t function, taxes are at an all-time high, and natural disasters are crippling many parts of the country. It’s not if there will be a need to be self-reliant, but when there will be a need. That time is coming sooner rather than later.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), estimates that 60% of American adults have not practiced what to do in the event of a natural disaster. Furthermore, only 39% have developed a contingency plan in the event of a natural disaster, or other emergency. Over 80% of these people live within a County that has been impacted by a weather-related incident.

The average city has approximately three days supply of food and water for its citizens. The average home has approximately a week’s supply of food, and in many cases, no supply of backup drinking water. When the shit hits the fan (SHTF), emergency responders and law enforcement become overwhelmed very quickly. Government response is inherently slow. It falls onto you to keep your family safe. It’s you that must get your family to safer ground, or out of harms way. Ask yourself, if you were placed in a situation today, could you protect, and take care of your family?

There are a lot of TV reality shows and websites about Preppers, and Survivalist. Many people think of the folks that have chosen to be off the grid, self-reliant, and a bit paranoid of the Government to be just a little off. But are they really? I don’t think so. They are the 1-3% of the population that will be able to survive a total melt down of government, a major natural disaster, or whatever is thrown at them from society.

If the electrical grid was taken out by terrorist or natural disasters, it would take months or even years to repair it, and get it back up and running. How long do you think it will take for the 97% Americans not prepared to start turning on each other in order to survive? About 7-14 days would be my guess, since this is about all the rations the average household has. And where do you think those people are going to look for what they need? They are going to target whomever has supplies.

Preppers go the extra distance to not only be prepared, but to also defend what they have worked hard to accomplish. Many have remote Bug Out shelters. These are often hidden away places that are very difficult to locate, or penetrate by the outside world. It is here that many keep months or even years of emergency supplies on hand. Bug Out shelters can be simple or very elaborate. When an emergency requires them to leave their homes, and proceed to their Bug Out shelter, they simply grab their Bug Out Bag (BOB), and execute their predesigned and practiced emergency evacuation plan.

While it varies from person to person, I recommend, and have, a seven-day Bug Out Bag (BOB) for each member of my family. Under normal conditions, I can be at my Bug Out Shelter within six hours. During an emergency, it may take a couple of days. My Bug Out Bag (BOB) has everything I need to survive till I can get to my shelter.

Bottom line… the more people that are prepared, the less strain on national resources during times of need. There are many good websites dedicated to survival and self-sufficiency. If you are reading this, I encourage you to spend some time researching, and preparing, so that you and your family remain safe when the time does come to act.

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