Who are preppers?

The word “Prepper” has been thrown around a lot in the past few years so we thought we would take a look at what a prepper is. Sure we all have our opinion of what a prepper is but I think it would surprise most people to learn that almost everyone is a a prepper, its just a matter of how much. I know you are probably thinking that a prepper is that nut case that lives in the woods, hates the government, doesn’t want to pay taxes and has lots of guns and is dangerous. Oh, did I forget to mention that they also wear camouflage and are waiting for the big apocalypse. While some of these things could be true, I feel we are all defining a new meaning for “Prepper”. Even though we are becoming more aware of this term, I know it’s still not quite there because my Microsoft word program still puts a little squiggly red line under as if to say, THIS IS NOT A WORD. Well is will be soon!

My definition of a prepper is just what it is, being prepared. Because we prepare with arms, ammo and food some people look at us say we are the extreme. WE prepare too much!  Is that really possible? I guess it could be. I guess if you prepared for 100 years then it might be extremebut I also realize in parts of Greece they build homes out of stone so they can last 100 years. So I feel that if what you have prepared for will be usable at the time you or someone else could need it, then by definition, it’s not too much.

Lets take a minute to look at some of the things that we all prepare for.

• Has a spare tire in case they have a flat.
• Has a 1st aid kit and knows how to use it.
• Learns how to grow and prepare their own food.
• Has enough gas in the car to get past the gas station
• Has any amount of canned food
• Has extra batteries and flashlights in case their power goes out.
• Has an evacuation plan for emergencies.
• Gets some extra food and water for times they can’t get to the store (or in my case, HATE to go)!
• Has any amount of items that will last more than what you can reasonably use in the new few minutes, hours, days, months or years?

So I guess the true definition of a “prepper” would be your personal definition of time and what is reasonable. I think we should take this a step further and say a prepper is someone who prepares for a period of time to which they feel they won’t need that items in a reasonable amount of time. In other words preparing for the unexpected is just plain smart. This what our grandparents did. Most would can vegetables, meals and even raise some of their own meats and eggs. They didn’t spend all of their money because that too can go away. You do still remember all the jobs that have been lost, right? They didn’t have 911 to call and bail their asses out or even a phone to use so they kept weapons in the home to protect themselves.

So the real question here is, is prepping a fad? Is it something that will die out and most people will go back to assuming that the government will take care of you in storms, earthquakes, fires, floods, civil unrest and terrorism? I could list more but I think you get my point. We have all seen people in some the situations listed go without food and shelter and also get attacked by those who also didn’t prepare and want to take what they have. Hmm, so prepping is a fad? I don’t think so. I think the real fad was not prepping for the past few decades. It was that misplaced feeling that the world should take care of us and that the stores will always have food, the police will always show up in time to protect us and medical services will always be there to save our lives. Get real (as Dr. Phil says), it is finally time that we realize that bad things do happen to good people and being self-sufficient is not crazy but not being self-sufficient is! I think it’s time all Americans wake up and just prepare. For how long? I can’t really say but I can tell you that the longer you prepare for, the better you feel. Yes the real truth is that preppers don’t worry more, they worry less. Why? Because they are prepared!