Planning For Survival

Calamities, Hard Times, The Last Days... I don't know where our family will be in the next 10 years or even the next six months or what things we will need to “survive”. All of our planning is being done in faith and guesses and following the Spirit. I trust people who claim to know, like Researchers, Geographers and Gospel Scholars and Apostles about what they believe is going to come. And I study the Scriptures. But more than anything or anyone, I am following the Spirit. We don’t know exactly what is to come or when, but we know it will and we want to be ready.

The idea of having a 72 Hour Kit is so that you will survive for 3 days after a natural disaster, before rescue services find you or you find them, but it could take longer than that. I am counting on that as I put ours together this month. I know… Most people put theirs together in two hours, or just buy one already put together. But the need to be prepared is more realistic for me now and more urgent this time. I am taking this project seriously, so I am putting more thought and effort into these than I have in the past.

The first time I put our kits together it took me 20 minutes. I bought ours years ago and added a few things of my own. I used to replace the perishable items every 6 months, on General Conference Saturday in April and October. But it’s been awhile. I’m in the middle of my process this time, so I will write about my first three steps today; research, making a checklist and personal inventory. I'll finish writing when I finish the kits.

My First Step, Research: I was curious what people are saying about 72 hour kits these days. I could guess what we might need, but thought I’d search Pinterest anyway to inspire my creativity. I came across some great ideas, but I also found that it can get overwhelming if you put too much time into it. This project can be simple and painless or intense and strenuous and very expensive.

How hard can it be? You need food and water and first aid and a little comfort <-- that is where all the effort is! Comfort to most of us is health, safety, shelter and sanitation, and for some fun and games and electronics with solar powered chargers is important to sustain sanity. What else is there? The thought that I keep having in all of my planning and at times stressing, is that the Lord will provide for our needs according to our faith. We do our part in faith and within our means, and He will provide the rest. I want our kits to be complete for what we NEED, but if they weigh us down so that we can’t walk, or put us into debt, they won’t do us any good.

There are some great resources on the internet if you need some help with your kits. I'll keep my favorite links and ideas summarized on my home page. And if you find some favorites of your own, feel free to share those with me. Lisa Bedford, The Survival Mom, is a well-known Prepper (someone who spends a lot of time preparing for survival after a natural disaster). She’s also a highly recommended Blogger (see her promotion for Brad Pitts’ movie, World War Z). She was in the military; she knows what it takes to survive and she tests her kits through periodic emergency drills. See her post; 36 Lessons from a 72 Hour Kit for some great tips.

My Second Step, Make a Prioritized Checklist: I figured out most of the things that I wanted, but I added a few things from Lisa Bedford’s checklist. I went shopping at the Dollar Store and bought a few things that I wanted and needed and kept the remaining things on my list for "some other day"; things are not urgent, but will be nice to have, like a Shemagh, (these are great for pillows, head and face coverings, blankets, first aid wraps, and for some people, fashion); a water filter, some Paracord or better yet, Fishing Kits with Paracords! 

Glenn Beck has some great ideas too; things that I have not found on other lists, like copies of legal documents and patriarchal blessings.

See also 72 Hour Kits; Emergency Preparedness on a budget from The Krazy Coupon Lady. I love her site! I have saved a lot of money from her coupons, which has allowed me to stock pile some of my purchases for my food and supply storage (including and separate from our 72 hour kits).

My Third Step, Personal Inventory: I pulled out our kits two weeks ago to replenish them because I knew it had been awhile. I had items in each of them that expired years ago! The clothes and shoes that I saved for our daughter fit her two years ago. I thought we were prepared! Our kits would have lasted 2 hours (if we were lucky). Following the every six months at Conference replenishing plan, allows me to not only have fresh food, but I also switch out the clothing, bedding and shoes that will work for the next 6 months; warm, winter clothes in October and cool, summer clothes in April.

Our Next Step, Family Council: Everyone in the family needs to be on the same page when it comes to surviving a disaster, but being prepared spiritually is more important for kids than talking about the what ifs or the could happens. Most people (not just kids) want to focus on God's love for us, on hope and faith and miracles. We will have as much or more of that to go with the hard times and having faith in that will be crucial for our survival.

Those of us who do well at packing for trips (like me), and planning for camp outs (like my husband), can take care of the boring stuff like what to put in our survival kits. Most kids don't care about what you're going to pack when you go camping. They're just excited for the adventure! They have faith that we will take care of them, and we will, if we are prepared.