Points Of Preparedness Failings

So, over the last several years in my quest to be more prepared for disasters and other disruptive events, I, like most experienced "preppers" have ran into a few standard fault-points where I stumble. Below are a few of these areas where I let-loose the reigns and tend to fail with my on-going preparedness level. I'm outlining these in hopes to 1. stop myself from doing them and b. help others to be watchful of these pitfalls to preparedness, themselves.

Failure to follow the “always improving” protocol

The Marines follow an edict that drives them to always improve their current situation, regardless of what that may be. Too often I find myself buying preparedness equipment on a budget, but not improving that equipment when I have a little more money. We all fall into the "a little is enough" fallacy where we skimp on gear, supplies, or even training in order to just put a checkmark in that box and move on. 

Imagine if you will that you buy a $5 "survival knife" from Walmart and chuck it in your BOB only because you're told you need one, but don't want to spend more cash at the time. A year later the zombie apocalypse occurs and you grab your BOB and hit the local state park (yes, I know some are cringing at that). Unwrapping your "trusty" $5 Walmart special, you're able to cut up some tinder and grab the ferro rod, but on the first strike of the rod the blade of the knife snaps. Now, guess what? You're likely about to face some zombie chompers.

The "always improving" protocol dictates just that; identify lacking or slightly insufficient components of your preparedness plan and, as soon as you are able, improve them to the best of your ability. Sure, you may only be able to buy a $5 knife from Walmart when you first build your BOB, but, say 6 months down the road you have a little more cash so that would be the time to head back to Walmart and upgrade to the $30 knife. This isn't to say you should eventually spend $1000 on constant knife upgrades; there is a peak limit on quality, training, and experience, but this is why it's critical to have a realistic preparedness plan with obtainable goals. Those goals should include a rugged and reliable knife, for instance, so going back to our analogy  once a sufficient knife is equipped in your BOB then you can slow up, check off the box and relax regarding that particular requirement... until you win the lottery and can afford that $400 laser-etched survival knife used by Bear Grills in his latest adventure.

Of course, always improving goes beyond BOB's and knives to every single aspect of preparedness. Again this falls to your plan. See more on that below.

Failure to regularly review preparations

Yep, the zombie apocalypse has occurred and your $5 knife just broke, but you're in luck, the shambling crowd of undead got distracted by a family of four setting up their tent so you're safe for now. The only problem? It's late December and it's just started snowing. Desperately digging through your BOB before you get too wet and cold you realize the only clothing you have in there is a pair of cargo shorts and ankle socks tossed in when you first configured your BOB...in late spring.

Sometimes burn out or boredom take hold and I fail to perform regular maintenance on my preps. However, this is a dangerous task to miss. Depending on your tolerance, I would recommend a review of current preparations at least once every three to six months. I tear my BOB apart and review it's contents at least every six months A. to refamiliarize myself with the content and location and 3. to swap out seasonal gear. I do the same for shelter-in-place preparations for the same reasons, and to check expiration dates on consumables.

Failure to regularly review and update preparedness plan. 

Sprinting back to your house to get more appropriate clothing during the winter-time zombie apocalypse you meet up with, of all people, your wife of 3 years who was also desperately trying to get home from work, herself. Oh yeah, you think as you surreptitiously check her over for zombie bites while she cries in your arms. Almost forgot I got married a while back. Together you make it back to your house and as you go through your shelter-in-place preps you realize you only have enough food and water for one person for two weeks. Since there's now two of you, you only have food and water for one week. Balls. 

Within the last 2 years I've relocated and tripled the number of people I have to prep for. During my divorce three and a half years ago I had to sell all but one firearm, so within the last year and a half I've had to re-evaluate not just my preparedness supplies but my plan over-all. Life changes occur regularly, and sometimes so smoothly, or even not so smoothly, that you don't consider your preps during those changes. A regular review of your preparedness plan with the necessary updates helps to prevent these surprises. Any time you have a major change to your life; marriage, divorce, a new child, etc... it's time to review and upgrade.  Since moving in with my fiance, we've tripled our food and water storage, dramatically increased our security operations and posture, and made countless other preparation changes to accommodate not just more people, but the animals we own, too.

Final Thoughts

It really is easy to get burned out regarding preparedness, or to get distracted from the tasks-at-hand when other life events, good or bad, sweep your attention away from your preps. These three fail-points can be avoided as long as proper balance with life and preparedness, and a bit of mindfulness, are applied. In the past I've even set quarterly or bi-yearly reminders for my preparations reviews on my Google calendar. Going through your preparations and reviewing your plan, even just twice a year, can help prevent these pitfalls without consuming your attention or leading to burn out.

Stay safe.