Five Reasons to Prep
Kevin Felts 10.18.17
At first, this article was going to ask the question, “What would it take for you to stop prepping?” After thinking about it for a little while, the reasons I thought of were so unrealistic that I changed the topic to reasons to prep.
Let’s be honest, there are many reasons to prep that are realistic and based on current and historical events. Examples include the Black Death of 1348-1350, HIV, and the Spanish Flu of 1918.
In my opinion, any reasons not to prep would be based on unrealistic (thus unobtainable) expectations. Could we honestly expect there to never be another natural disaster or global conflict?
Diseases
Even with all of our technology we still do not have a cure for the simple virus. What about vaccines? Where is the HIV vaccine?
When HIV first came on the scene, scientists did not understand how it was transmitted. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) had not identified or isolated the virus. All they knew was that gay men were getting sick and dying. The U.S. Government under Ronald Reagan ignored the issue because HIV was affecting gay men.
Then there is Ebola and other members of the viral hemorrhagic disease family.
Have we learned a lot since the 1980s? Sure we have. Have we developed a vaccine or cure for HIV, Ebola, and all the other viruses out there? Nope.
History has a way of repeating itself. As such, we will have another pandemic. It is just a matter of when, and not if.
Natural Disasters
This was one of the big factors that changed my mind about the article topic. Natural disasters are impossible to prevent.
In 2017 we have seen:
- Northern California fires
- Hurricane Harvey
- Hurricane Irma
- Hurricane Maria
- Mexico Earthquake
We can not prevent natural disasters, but we sure can plan for them.
Global Conflict
Someone out there promise me there will never be another global conflict, a.k.a. world war.
Next, make a promise the next conflict will not include the use of nuclear weapons.
We are not taking about Iraq- or Vietnam-sized conflicts. This would be along the lines of another World War.
For those who do not know, during global conflicts food and other resources are rationed. Somewhere around here I have a food ration book that was given to my great-grandmother during World War II. How do you supplement food during times of rationing? You grow your own. This is one reason I stockpile seeds.
With conflicts comes the breakdown of utility services, such as water, sewage, and electricity.
Economic Collapse
While someone is making promises about global conflicts, promise me there will never be another economic collapse. We are not talking about the crash of 2008, we are talking about a Great Depression type of collapse.
Promise me people will not have to kill and eat armadillos because they cannot afford to buy food. During the Great Depression, armadillos were called Hoover Hogs.
Nothing lasts forever, and neither will the economy.
Self-Reliance
One of the most important reasons to prep, for me anyway, is to become self-reliant.
People should learn how to:
- Fish
- Garden
- Hunt
- Save seeds
- Compost
- Preserve food
By doing those things, we become less dependent on society.
While no man is an island, hopefully we can prepare ourselves and our families so we can weather the next storm.
