The Importance of skills

The Importance of Skills

We all talk about how we want to take classes, take a course here and there. Do any of us really get around to it? It's more important than you might think to learn some necissary skills that could save your life one day.

In my opinion, every prepper should have some basic survival skills under their belt. The ability to make shelter with only natural materials, being able to make fire unaided by flame, being able to find water and food in the wilderness. These could all come in handy one day. Sure we can stock pile as much food as we want, eventually that will be gone and we will be left living off the land.

I suggest each prepper looks into taking a wilderness survival course. Not only is it a fun activity, but will give you the essential tools you will need later on. Only issue here, I have yet to find a credible and suitable wilderness survival course in the Ottawa area. There are many in different provinces and if your up for a little bit of a road trip, than these courses may be perfect for you. Feel free to share if you are able to find an appropriate instructor in the Ottawa area.

Another important skill to have is self-defense. It may be necessary to protect yourself in a survival situation and having the basic tools at your disposal could save your life. One option is learning Krav Maga. Unlike other forms of self-defense, Krav Maga teaches you to avoid confrontation first, avoid others who may pose a danger to you, and then fight as a last resort. It is more modern and practical than others forms of self-defense and is designed for practical and realistic potential situations. Police, military, SWAT and security generally choose this discipline above others. There are a few places in Ottawa that specialize in Krav Maga, you can choose one that is in your area and suits your schedule. If you are unsure whether this is for you, Krav Maga Ottawa offers a free class, you can go in and try it out for free and see if it's something you would be interested in.

Another important skill to have would be how to safely and effectively handle  a firearm. Even if you never plan on owning firearms yourself, knowing how to use them safely could come in handy one day. If you do plan on owning firearms, it is also important to ensure you are 100% legal with all training and licensing up to date. the RA center in Ottawa offers courses for both the restricted and non-restricted firearms safety course, also known as the CFSC (Canadian firearms safety course) and the CRFSC (Canadian restricted firearms safety course). In order to get your license to buy or own firearms, you need to have taken these courses, depending on which type of firearm you plan on owning. For non-restricted, you only need take the CFSC. If you plan on owning restricted firearms as well, then you need to successfully complete both the CFSC and the CRFSC. Upon completion of the exams, you will be eligible to apply for a restricted and or/non-restricted firearms license. Remember, always take the required courses and ensure your documentation is legal and up to date.

Other important skills would be hunting and fishing. Again, ensure your documentation and licenses are up to date. In order to obtain hunting and fishing licenses, you will need an outdoors card first. This card is good for a number of years however each year your hunting and fishing licenses must be renewed (They simply affix a sticker to your outdoors card). A fishing license can be obtained by almost anyone without any course requirements. In order to get a hunting license you will have to take a hunting safety course which is also offered by the RA center in Ottawa. Once the course has been successfully completed you will be eligible to apply for a hunting license. If you plan on hunting with firearms, you will also need to obtain your firearms license. Quite the process but worth it! The skills will be essential. You will need to know how to catch your own food if needed. Eventually, your preps will run out and you will have to rely on your skills to feed yourself and your family.

First-aid and CPR training will also be essential. Many people take these courses through work but you can also sign up for them on your own time. These skills will enable you to save a life, perhaps even your own, should the need arise. Wilderness first-aid is likely the best bet for this specific purpose however any first-aid training is better than none. Chances are in an emergency situation it will be next to impossible to find a doctor, unless of course you have one in your survival group.

Any others skills are also great to have including manufacturing and fabrication, engineering, mechanics, carpentry etc. Even a skill you currently have now could prove useful down the line. If you have a preppers group, see if you can distinguish what skills others in the group have. Each of you will have a job and the more variety of skill sets you can include in your preppers group, the more ready you are going to be.

Overall, skills are an essential part of your preps. Invest some time in learning these skills and be ready for anything!

- Breezy River

Introduction to Prepping

Preppers Ottawa: Introduction to Prepping

What is prepping? How do you become a prepper? Where do you start?

Questions I hear everyday from people interested in joining the Prepper community. Most have no real idea where to start. So let me give you the basics.

What is Prepping?

Prepping is simply preparing for any type of disaster or emergency situation to be ready for it.

What is a "Prepper"?

Someone who plans and prepares for any emergency situation advance, there are many different levels of Prepper that range from The most basic I.E. Prepping 72 hours of food and water in case of emergency. To the most dedicated and extreme Prepper who builds a bunker and stockpiles years worth of food and water. Preppers can be found all over the world. A Prepper refuses to be a victim or a statistic and will fight tooth and nail in a survival situation.

How do you become a Prepper?:

Anyone can become a Prepper. All it takes is recognizing the risks in your specific area and planning in case an emergency was to occur. More and more people are becoming preppers everyday. You don’t have to plan for the extreme. You just have to be prepared to be able to care for yourself and your family in times of crisis.

Why does someone become a prepper?:

For peace of mind. We have seen so many disasters, mostly natural, effecting thousands and thousands or people all over the world. Preppers prepare for these events in advance so they do not have to rely on the government or emergency personnel in times of crisis. It’s very important to us to have the ability to be self sufficient, especially if emergency services are not available to you right away.

How do you get started in Prepping?

Most individuals and families these days are on a budget, so understandably prepping does not always seem like the best use of funds. This is dead wrong. Would you neglect to spend money on life insurance to protect your family? Your preps are a second life insurance policy for you and your loved ones. Your preps can help give you peace of mind knowing you are prepared should an emergency situation hit your area.

In order to start prepping, you really don't have to dedicate a lot of funds right away. The best thing is to make a plan and a budget. Say, every time you buy groceries, put $10.00 or $20.00 aside strictly for canned or dehydrated food, bottled water or other essential prepping supplies. This allows you to build up your base preps without having to spend a whack load of money right away.

You should set a goal for yourself. How long do you want to be able to be self-sufficient without power, running water or access to the grocery store for food? You can start small, make a goal to be prepared for 72 hours, then, up it to a week. As time goes on, you will eventually see yourself being prepared for much longer periods of time. Every Prepper is different, so every Prepper's ultimate goals will be different as well.

Every start-up Prepper should also plan on investing in some standard prepping supplies, these can be purchased over a period of time or as funds allow. Here is a basic preparedness kit, this can be adjusted to suit your specific "timeline of survival" goal:

o  2000 calories per person, per day or more

o  At least 4 liters of clean bottled drinking water per person, per day. More is always better

o  First aid and medical supplies in case of injury

o  Flashlight and lanterns with a lot of extra batteries for both. This is essential to any Prepper's stock. Manually charging/hand crank flashlights are a good thing to add.

o  A wind up or battery powered radio or TV to remain informed about the events unfolding in your area and when/where help can be expected. If at all

o  Candles and matches and well as lighters and other fire starting materials

o  Extra clothing and footwear for everyone in the household

o  Blankets, sleeping bags and other camping gear in case of the need for evacuation from your area

o  Extra toilet paper as well as other personal items and toiletries

o  Extra set of keys to your home and vehicle

o  Cash and coin is essential, if the power is out ATM’s and banks will not be available to access your funds.

o  Tools and hardware

o  Any important papers including ID’s, passports etc.

o  Extra medications that anyone in your household might be taking, running out of vital medications can cause you to need emergency services faster than they can arrive. In an emergency situation you may not have access to a pharmacy and hospitals may be swamped with other more pressing cases.

o  Items for defense as a last resort. We have seen how society can crumble in a short time frame in an emergency situation and it’s best to be prepared to defend yourself and your family if needed.

o  Extra fuel for your vehicle

o  Any training you and your family can  get prior to an emergency situation is also key, first aid, CPR as well as survival and wilderness training.

o  If possible, outfit your home with other means of energy including solar panels or a generator with extra fuel.

o  All tangible preps should be kept in a waterproof container or area in your home that is safe where every individual knows where to find them. They should also be easily packed and ready to be mobile at a moment’s notice in case there is a need for evacuation.Also, considering hiding your preps in a spot where intruders would not be able to easily find them. 

Of course, every Prepper's kits will be different based on their specific families needs, what area they live in etc. For example, if you are close to a natural body of fresh water, or have a well and do not rely on the system for drinking water, you may not have to worry about prepping as much drinking water as others who may live in the city. Keep in mind, you can accumulate these items over time. Many of them you may already have in your own home, it is just a matter of compiling them. 

It is also important to ensure every member of the family knows where the preps are kept and can access them if needed. Also, make a plan of who is to carry what in case of an evacuation order. Every member of the family should have a sturdy and balanced back-pack that they can fill with preps and easily carry around for an extended period of time.

Prepper's should also spend some time researching the potential disasters that could affect their area. Of course, there will always be the unpredictable events such as disease outbreak, nuclear war or drought. However, most emergency situations can be planned for in advance. You can see the risks of each emergency situation in your area on the local government website or the government of Canada website. They offer a lot of advice and tools for emergency preparedness.

B.O.B Bug Out Bag:

Ah yes, the bug out bag. the most widely used and loved term in the prepper vocabulary, but what is a BOB? If your plan as a prepper is to escape or evacuate your area, or "Bug Out", then the BOB is the prep for you! Even if you plan is to stay at home and "Bug In", you should always have a plan B and an escape plan in mind just in case. 

Every Prepper's BOB is going to be different, it all depends on where you live and what you need personally as an individual. The main goal of the BOB is to allow you to survive for the next 72 hours or until you reach your Bug Out location or safe haven. 

Here are some basic items to include in your BOB:

• 2000 calories for you per day. dehydrated food is by far the best choice, it is light and portable. MRE's are also a prepper favorite and are perfect for BOB's. 
• 2 Liters of water per day. This may not always be feasible to carry on you. Invest in a portable water bladder that can be refilled if water is found, it also carries a large amount of water in an easy to carry container. You should also invest in a metal water bottle or cup so if you need to find and boil water on the road, you have that ability. 
• Strong cord or rope, survival cord is great to add.
• Multi-Tool
• Various sizes of knives, pocket to buck knife. Depending on what you want to include. Each knife you carry is a vital tool. They can be used for hunting, building shelter, gathering food and for defense should the need arise. 
• Extra set of underwear and socks, no explanation required on this one!
• if possible, an extra set of clothing. Not Everyone's BOB are going to be able to include this. It is smart to have depending on what weather you experience.
• work gloves to protect your hands during the building of shelters, climbing through rough terrain or even going through the city.
• Flashlights with extra batteries. Always conserve your flashlights for when you really need them, if it's dark outside, build a fire and don't waste your flashlights battery. You never know when you will be able to replace them! Consider investing in a crank flashlight that will never run out of battery power. This will also allow you to avoid carrying heavy batteries.
• fire starting materials. Flint and steel, lighters and matches. All work in different types of weather, good to have a variety. Every Prepper should also learn how to make fire without the aid of a flame. 
• 2 way radios with extra batteries. If you are traveling with other Preppers, communication is key. invest in some radios to allow you to communicate with others in your group. Do not rely on cell phone's as they may not be working during an emergency situation!
• Compass
• Survival shelter and blankets. let's say you waited too long to build your shelter and you only have a few brief minutes of daytime left, a survival shelter will be your safety net.
• Carabiners
• Sunglasses, hat, sunscreen and other sun protection
• First aid kit
• your Identification, medications and any other personal items you wish to include without adding to excess weight of your bag
• Items for trade like cash and coin or other valuables that can be used to barter with if needed. 
• The bag itself should be padded, comfortable and balanced. You should be able to run, fight and walk with it for extended periods of time. If you need to omit items to make this feasible then do so.

Every season will determine what is in your BOB. If it's winter you are going to have to repack and plan for the elements, same if it is summer.  Always plan ahead and revise your BOB as your specific needs change.

Escape Plans and Routes:
Every prepper should have an escape route from their general location. It is key to being able to get out quick and before the masses try to evacuate and clog up major transportation arteries.

If you have a vehicle, plan for a safe escape using your vehicle first. You can travel much faster and farther in a shorter period of time using a car then on foot. If this is your primary plan, always invest in extra fuel (replace every 6 months). If you have a bike and your vehicle has a bike rack, then bring your bike along. This allow you to have two different methods for escape. If you vehicle is trapped and you cannot bring it along, then grab your gear, hop on the bike, and pedal your way to safety. With a bike you also have access to other escape routes that may not be available to those in cars.

If you do not have a vehicle, than invest in a bike for the reasons stated above. they are also quiet and can go anywhere you could go on foot. A mountain bike is likely the best choice as they are designed for may different types of terrain. 

Always have multiple escape routes planned out in advance and avoid all major roadways and highways if possible. You want to plan to avoid populated areas when possible. Populated areas and highways will be clogged up and may prevent you from reaching safety.

It is smart for each prepper to practice their Bug out plan. Pack your gear, get in your vehicle and practice your route. time yourself to see how long it takes and take note of any issues along the way that could cause problems in a real emergency. You may find one of your alternate routes is better suited for your evacuation. Have a plan to pack your preps as efficiently as possible. You may not have a lot of time to escape before others do. If the situation looks dire, try to leave before an evaculaton order is given to avoid being trapped in the traffic that will ensue. 

Safe Haven:
In your plan, you should have a predetermined location where you will be traveling to should the need arise. This location should be somewhere away from large population centers. It should be able to house you and the rest of your prepping group/family. If possible, it should be close to natural resources like fresh flowing water and forest for firewood and for food. Ideally, it would also have a good sight line for around the property for defense purposes and should also be somewhat hidden if possible. Bonus points go out for a fenced property not accessible by anyone but you. It is also important to think about having a garden on the property and the ability to raise livestock if needed. If this emergency turns into something more serious, you are going to want to plan to be self-sufficient for a long time to come. Keep in mind that many people who are unprepared will also be trying to escape and trying to find safe haven's like yours. So defense is key to your successful survival. There is no point in spending money on preps if you cannot defend them from others. 

Defense Plans:
Your preps are only as good as your plan to defend them. You don't need to plan on deadly force, you simply need to be smart about your planning and hiding of your preps. A simple early warning system around your safe haven can help you. Surviving in a group is easier in this respect. Each member of the group can contribute to the security. Have one member of the group on watch at all times of the day. Everyone would have a shift. This would allow you to see others coming and be able to deal with it in a timely fashion. A spot on the property that can see all around the area is a good place to keep watch.

Your preps should be kept in a somewhat hidden location at your safe haven. It is also smart to separate your preps and keep water and food in different locations. If looters come to your haven, there is less of chance they would be able to make off with all of your preps if they are stored in different locations around the property.

It is smart for each prepper to learn a skill in the way of self-defense. A few classes now could save your life sometime down the road.

Each haven's defense plan should reflect the location and population in that area. Try to build up a prepper community in your haven's area. If your neighbors are prepping as well, they will be on your team. Those who are prepared have no reason to loot. It is the ones who do not prepare that will need to steal from those who are.

Plan B:
Always have a plan B. For every aspect of prepping. You should have multiple escape routes and if possible, multiple safe havens you can bug out to if needed. If preps in one area are compromised, you should have back up preps stored elsewhere. Having a back up plan is key to every aspect of prepping. Always plan for the worst case scenario. Murphy's Law does indeed exist, you don't want to wait until a survival situation to figure that out. So plan for the worst and hope for the best.

How do you decide it’s enough?

It’s hard to say when each individual prepper is done.  It’s up to each individual prepper to decide what their goal is going to be and make plans to achieve it. We call this goal the "Timeline of Survival", each Prepper can prep for survival for one month, then once they have completed that, they can set another timeline of survival goal for themselves. As long as you are well prepared and have peice of mind. You were successful.

Overall, prepping is not only a great hobby, but may just save your life one day. To me, that is worth the investment.

- Breezy River