Preparedness: a simple four-step guide to getting started

Congratulations! Since you are here, you have obviously taken the first step, often the most difficult, to become better prepared and more resilient. This first step is to recognize that we live in an unpredictable world. Like millions of others who have gone before you, you are fed up with the anxiety, worry and concerns that come with our modern world. You want to be prepared, but you don’t know where to start and you wonder how to start preparing.

That is where I come in. I am here to make the process easier. Hello, my name is Mathieu Montaroux. Alongside a longstanding commitment to personal preparedness, my background includes the armed forces, action service work, paramedicine and writing several successful books on preparedness. I have travelled the world helping keep others safe in some of the most inhospitable places and circumstances. Now I am sharing that experience with you in this step-by-step guide.

This guide will help you avoid feeling overwhelmed and no longer have any doubts about how to start preparing. It avoids all uncertainties by telling you exactly what to do. All you need to do is take a few minutes to read the information and have the will to act. Now let’s start preparing!

Step 1: Understand preparedness

To begin with, you need to understand what preparedness is. I define preparedness as:

All efforts made to ensure survival, minimize unwanted difficulties and live the best possible life.

There. Ultimately, the concept of preparedness is quite simple. It’s all about what you do to help yourself and your family members live the best life possible. That’s why you are here now: to be more resilient in your daily life.

Being prepared doesn’t make you a survivalist.

Many people worry that preparing for the emergency will make them look like survivalists. Nothing is more false. Being prepared doesn’t mean you’re a survivalist. It simply means that you are taking common sense steps to protect your family and friends at the most important time.

To prepare is to give power.

Be aware that people often feel anxious, worried or fearful when they begin to prepare. If this is your case, don’t worry, you are completely normal. Fortunately, this will fade as you prepare better.

This is because being ready to face life’s adversity is a source of motivation. Knowing that you are ready with the basic supplies and the know-how in terms of autonomy strengthens confidence while dispelling the anxiety that accompanies the lack of preparation. You are on the right track and in good hands.

Here is a motivational article I wrote about the The True Meaning of Preparation 

Disclaimer:  this article contains affiliate links, for which I can receive a small commission without cost to you  if you choose to purchase a product via a link on this page.

Step 2: Create your basic emergency kit

Many people consider building their basic emergency kit as a later step in their preparation. However, I want to give you a quick example of preparation. I want you to know that you have the necessary elements to deal with a disaster if it happens.

To help you avoid common mistakes, here is a list of basic emergency supplies to consider wherever you live. I have organized it so that, even if you are starting from scratch, you can identify what you need and follow the links to obtain it.

Most articles have links to Amazon products. This allows you to easily access what you need and create your kit as you go. I also made it easier for you by adding links to my Amazon Store so that everything is in the same place.

1. Clothing

Our first line of defense against the environment is what we carry on our body. Our clothing helps protect us from cuts and abrasions that occur during a natural disaster or other emergency situations. Likewise, they also protect us from the sun and wind, while helping to maintain our core body temperature.

Replacement clothing (1 set)

When it comes to clothes, start by making some spare clothes. Focus on the clothes you would like to wear if you were forced to walk through bushes and on rubble and debris. As I am usually in shorts and flip flops, this is an important starting point for my preparation kit.

Change of clothes:

• 1 – Pair of long pants
• 1 – Belt
• 1 – Work shirt with long sleeves
• 1 – Pair of sturdy, broken-in shoes or boots

Hats (2)

Protect exposed parts of your body, including your head and neck, rather than relying on a universal percentage of heat loss through the head. Clothing, conditions and the amount of exposed skin all matter. A sun hat or cap with neck protection can be useful in warm weather; a suitable warm hat is useful in cold conditions. Choose headwear and the rest of your clothing for the weather and activity, and keep suitable dry layers available.

References for this clarification: Johns Hopkins Medicine: myths and tips about winter clothing · CDC: preventing hypothermia ·

Recommendations for hats:

• Sun Protection: Sun Runner Outdoor Research Cap
• Sun Protection: Boonie Cap
• Central body temperature control: Wool Beanie

Long sleeved SPF T-shirt with hood (1)

As I usually wear a t-shirt, I want a more protective shirt. So I’m wearing a long-sleeved, hooded shirt with FPS. They are very effective in protecting my arms and my head from the sun. And in winter, they are a good base layer to keep your body warm.

Long sleeve shirt options:

• Men: SPF T-shirt with hood and long sleeves
• Women: SPF T-shirt with hood and long sleeves

Here is a Useful article about layering clothes

Socks (3 pairs)

Taking care of your feet is an essential aspect of your survival skills. Add three pairs of socks to your kit. This allows you to wear one pair while the other dries. The third pair is a dry backup pair in case your feet get wet before the second pair has finished drying.

Options for socks:

• Economy: merino wool socks
• Very well rated: merino wool socks
• Women: Hiking Socks

Scarf (1)

The last garment I carry in my kit is a cotton scarf, often called shemagh. This large scarf has many uses, such as sun protection, towel, water filter, etc.

Scarf options (Shemagh):

• The best rated: Rothco Shemagh
• Friendly budget: Shemagh

Consult this article for more information on shemaghs.

Military Style Rain Poncho (1)

Finally, I always carry a military style rain poncho in my kit. I love rain ponchos because they have many uses. In addition to keeping you reasonably dry, they can serve as a shelter or bed and have many other uses. I will discuss this in more detail in the section on shelters.

Rain poncho options:

• Military: Rain Poncho USGI
• Cheap: Rain Poncho

2. First aid kit (1)

Cuts, scratches and injuries go hand in hand with disasters. Therefore, it is essential to have a first aid kit ready for use in the event of a disaster. The quickest and most convenient way to get your first aid equipment is to buy a ready-made kit. In addition to basic first aid supplies, you should also add your family’s personal medications and copies of your prescriptions to your kit.

Beyond cuts, scrapes and non-fatal injuries, there are the medical problems that life-threatening. Gaining this important knowledge and the trust that comes with it is relatively simple. Widely available first aid and cardiopulmonary resuscitation classes and a half-day course on stopping bleeding.

Armed with the knowledge and survival skills gained in these courses, you’ll be ready to expand your preparation by adding an emergency first aid kit to your basic first aid supplies.

Emergency first aid supplies:

• Basic: First Aid Kit
• More advanced addition to the basic kit: Emergency Trauma Kit

Pro tip: Just because you don’t have the expertise to use the most advanced emergency medical supplies doesn’t mean someone else won’t. So it’s a good idea to include the most advanced emergency trauma kit when your budget allows.

3. Shelter (1 system)

Having a shelter is about protecting yourself from the environment. This means keeping warm and dry in winter and cool and shaded in summer. It also means protecting yourself from wind, insects and anything that can cause you problems.

Read this article for More information about emergency shelters !

System 1: Tent and sleeping bag

If you do not have a building or a vehicle, the best option for a functional shelter is a tent and a sleeping bag adapted to the conditions. It is important to keep in mind that tents and sleeping bags can be both heavy and cumbersome to carry. Therefore, consider your situation and your ability to carry a tent and a sleeping bag. Otherwise, System 2, presented below, may be a better option.

Tent Options:

• Economy: the Coleman Tent
• Easier to pack: the ALPS Mountaineering Tent

Sleeping bag options:

• Very well rated (expensive): sleeping bag in down
• Economy: the Kelty Sleeping Bag

System 2: Improvised

If you find yourself in the unfortunate situation of not having a shelter (building, vehicle or tent easy to pack) to sleep, you will have to create one. Fortunately, there is a simple mantra to help you create a shelter. You want something to sleep under, something to sleep on and something to sleep in .

Shelter: something to sleep under (1)

Creating campaign gear starts by putting a roof over your head by creating something to sleep under. A cheap tarpaulin works well to create protection from rain and sun. The same goes for the military-style rain poncho we talked about earlier.

Something to sleep under Options:

• Economy: Amazon Tarp
• Specially designed: Multifunctional tarpaulin

Shelter: something to sleep on (1)

The soil can absorb heat from your body. So you’ll need something to isolate yourself from the ground. There are several solutions for this. You can fill a bivouac bag with leaves, dried grass, etc., to create an improvised insulating mattress. Similarly, an additional tarpaulin placed on a pile of leaves can also act as insulation.

What to sleep Options:

• Economy: Foldable Sleeping Mattress
• The best rated: Big Agnes sleeping mattress

Shelter: something to sleep on (1)

Finally, you need something to sleep. Bivouac bags are great options specially designed to wrap you up and keep you warm. Another option is to use a military poncho liner. Poncho liners are a lightweight blanket that you can wrap around yourself. Similarly, they attach themselves inside a rain poncho to make it a practical sleeping bag in the field.

• Economy: Emergency survival bivouac
• More sustainable option: Snugpak Special Forces Bivouac Bag
• poncho lining: Zippered poncho lining

For more information on ponchos, here an article I wrote about the army’s poncho liners .

4. Drinking water

It is essential to stay hydrated. When it comes to drinking water, it’s good to expect that each adult will consume about a gallon (128 oz) of water per day. The easiest way to meet your hydration needs is to stock up on boxes of water bottles purchased in stores. They are quite easy to store in a closet and move around in your car. In addition, they are cheap and, as individual bottles, they are easy to slip into a bag.

A bottle of water purchased in a store contains an average of 500 ml, or about eight bottles per gallon. In other words, a case of 24 bottles of water should last three days for an average adult. For seven days, a single adult will need a little more than two crates, or even three crates if you round for security reasons.

Children need less water. For example, a ten-year-old needs about half a gallon (four 16-ounce bottles) a day. As a result, a ten-year-old will need a little more than one crate of water every seven days.

Keep in mind that these figures correspond to your average drinking water needs. The amount of drinking water required varies depending on a person’s activity level, air temperature, etc. Similarly, they do not include water for hygiene, cleaning or other purposes. If you think you need extra water, remember to take this into account.

Drinking water calculator

I’ve created this handy chart to help you calculate how much water you need based on your individual situation.

Drinking water consumption calculator for survival

*Arrondi for safety and simplicity

Water collection, purification and storage system

If you do not have potable water, you will need to be able to collect, purify and store the water. Due to the critical need to have drinking water at hand, I recommend this option in addition to the water you have on hand.

Drinking Water Tank (1)

You will need one or more containers to collect and store the water. The most economical water container is the good wide opening Nalgene bottle. Keep in mind that a typical 32 oz Nalgene bottle contains only a quarter of the daily drinking water needs of a 128 oz adult. You may want to consider having more than one water container.

One option to increase your capacity is to include a single-walled metal water bottle. This increases the amount of water you have. A single wall metal container, as opposed to a double wall container, also gives you the ability to purify your water by boiling it.

Container Options:

• Economy: Nalgene bottle with wide opening
• Multi-purpose: single wall metal water bottle

Pro tip: add a Tap Key A tap key is a tool that allows you to open a variety of water taps.

Water Purification (1)

Collecting water does not guarantee that it is safe to drink. Prefer properly stored drinking water and follow local health advisories. Treatment must match the contamination: many portable microfilters, including the LifeStraw Personal, do not remove viruses or chemical contaminants. Check the exact model and its instructions rather than assuming that water from a puddle is safe. Boiling can kill germs but does not make water contaminated by fuel or toxic chemicals safe. Use disinfecting tablets only for the specified water volume and contact time on their label; a universal thirty-minute rule is not appropriate for every product and situation.

References for this clarification: CDC: making water safe in an emergency · LifeStraw: filter and purifier limitations ·

It is essential to remember that water purification tablets kill the elements in the water that make you sick. However, they do not get rid of impurities in the water. A useful tip for purifying water is to use a t-shirt or other fabric (such as your shemagh) to pre-filter your water.

Water purification options:

• Reliable water filter: LifeStraw
• Economical relief solution: water purification tablets

Read this article for more information on Purification of water .

5. Food

Successfully managing stressful situations requires energy. The energy that powers your body comes from calories. Without ingesting calories, you will lose energy, concentration and efficiency. Therefore, it is essential to plan your nutritional needs when building your kit.

Basic emergency food preparation

2000 calories per day is the basic criterion of food preparation that many members of the preparation community follow. I suggest starting with the SOS Rations Emergency 3600 Calorie Food Bar. This is what I carry in my emergency bags as the basis for my emergency caloric needs. They require no preparation work to be consumed and have a shelf life of five years, making them ideal for any emergency situation.

Beware of gluten: SOS rations contain gluten. If you or someone close to you is sensitive to gluten, consider meeting your calorie needs in other ways.

Options for restoration:

• Full of energy in the long run: SOS Rations emergency food bar with 3,600 calories
• Without gluten: Food Bars and Dried beef

Calorie calculators

SOS rations are a great start. However, some people want to plan their diet more accurately. To help you, I have created the tables below. These calculators give you the information you need to determine exactly what calories and macronutrients people need.

Plus, I’ve also included low-carb calorie options in case you’re preparing for someone who’s sensitive to carbs.

Pro tip: When filling your emergency food stores, look for foods that have a long shelf life, require minimal preparation or cleaning, and are rich in nutrients.

Daily Calorie Calculator (Women)

*Restricted carbohydrates for diabetics (30%-30%-40%)

6. Fire

After a natural or man-made disaster, lighting a fire can be life-saving. A fire makes it possible to boil water, to warm up when it is cold, to alert the rescue, to warm food, etc.

Storm Lighters and Matches (1 of each)

The easiest way to light a fire is to use a standard Bic lighter. Although a Bic lighter can be used repeatedly, it is difficult to use when it is cold and wet. That’s why it makes sense to have a backup solution to light a fire. Stormproof matches are a reliable and easy-to-use backup solution.

Lighter and match options:

• Essential: the Bic lighter
• Emergency storm control lights: UCO Survival Match Kit

Firelighter Amadou (1)

If you have never lit a fire, it may seem easy. However, this can be difficult. To help you through these difficult times, I recommend having some of these fire starters in your kit.

Firelight options:

• Economy: Amadou for wet fire
• Very well rated: Fire discs Pathfinder Inferno

Pro Tip: add a candle to your ignition kit. It serves as both a flame extender to help light a difficult fire and an additional source of light.

Read this article to get information on alternative methods of ignition of the lamp .

7. Electronics

Lights: Flashlight and headlamp (1 of each)

You need to be able to see at night, so you’ll need a reliable flashlight. I like flashlights that have several power options. Some can work with different types of batteries, while others are both rechargeable or battery-powered.

In addition to a flashlight, I always carry a headlamp. While I can point the flashlight where I need it, a headlamp allows me to have my hands free to illuminate. My favorite headlamps are rechargeable, water resistant and offer a red light option to preserve night vision.

Lighting options:

• Headlamp at low price: Nitecore rechargeable headlamp
• My headlamp: Princeton Tec tactical headlamp
• Flashlight: EDC flashlight with multiple power sources

Pro tip: the Light Sticks are perfect for monitoring your children and pets at night. Simply bend the stick to activate it. Once ready, attach it to your child’s belt or collar of your pet.

Pro tip: Cellular networks can be damaged and overloaded in the event of a disaster, making it difficult to make voice calls. SMS, on the other hand, requires less bandwidth. Therefore, if you are unable to make a voice call, use text messaging.

Radio (1)

It is essential to stay informed in case of emergency or survival. While mobile phones are generally excellent, mobile networks can be unreliable in the event of a disaster. So I suggest you include a radio in your emergency preparedness kit. Many radios can be cumbersome, so choose the one that best suits your situation.

Radio options:

• Very well rated: Emergency Handheld Radio
• Compact and economical: NOAA/AM/FM battery-powered radio

Pro tip: Cellular networks can be damaged and overloaded in the event of a disaster, making it difficult to make voice calls. SMS, on the other hand, requires less bandwidth. Therefore, if you are unable to make a voice call, use text messaging.

Battery Bank (1)

It is essential to keep our electronic devices powered on. To do this, I use a portable external battery. As long as I keep the battery charged, I’m sure I can keep my phone, lights and other important electronic devices running.

Battery group options:

• Popular model: Anker Power Bank
• Solar charge combo: SunJack External Battery

8. Navigation

It is important to know which direction you are going. In some situations, your GPS may break down and a backup device is needed.

Compass (1)

The compass is a backup tool that replaces the GPS. By going out and enjoying nature with your compass, you can always find your way.

Compass options:

My reference compass: the Suunto MC - 2 Compass

Quality and economic option: Suunto A - 10 Compass

Pro tip: add a map of your area to your kit and practice using it, so you’ll always know where you are and where you’re going.

9. Personal hygiene articles

We must not neglect to stay clean in the event of a disaster. In addition to raising morale, staying clean as part of your rescue plan helps prevent disease and infection.

So be sure to add a personal hygiene kit consisting of a toothbrush, toothpaste, soap, toilet paper, wet wipes, feminine hygiene products, lip balm and sunscreen.

10. Repair tools and articles

Multifunction Tool (1)

A multifunction tool is an essential part of any emergency kit. A good multifunction tool combines multiple tools into a single compact and portable device, making it incredibly versatile and useful in various situations. Choose a knife, saw and a variety of other useful tools.

Options of the multifunction tool:

• Economy: Mossy Oak Multifunction Tool
• The best rated: Leatherman Wave

Cordage (100′)

The term “string” is a sophisticated term that refers to a rope, cord, string, etc. It allows you to attach objects and connect them together. For example, the rope makes it possible to attach a tarp to a tree to make an improvised tent.

String options:

• Preferred string: Paracord 550 lbs
• Versatile option: SurvivorCord 620 lbs

Sturdy adhesive tape (15′)

The highly durable adhesive tape, usually called the Duct Tape, is the multi-purpose adhesive tape. This tape is ideal for fixing objects, plugging holes and performing other emergency repairs.

Robust adhesive tape options:

• My favorite brand: Gorilla Tape
• Economical travel pack: Adhesive Tape

Pro tip: to store your tape, wrap several rounds of resistant tape around your Bic lighter. In addition, Gorilla and Duct Tape work well as improvised firelighters.

11. Species

It can be important to be able to make purchases, especially in the event of a power outage. ATMs may be out of service, as are credit card machines. It can be helpful to carry small bills of cash, such as five-, ten- and twenty-dollar bills.

12. Important documents

Take the time to make copies of your important documents and necessary information.

Administrative considerations:

• Identification: Driving license, passports, identity cards
• Emergency contact information: phone numbers and addresses of friends
• Other documents: Everything you think is important

13. Backpack, trash can or sports bag

Finally, I recommend that you group all your items in a safe and easily accessible place. It could be your home, your vehicle, or some other safe place. To keep your emergency kit organized and easily transportable, I suggest putting as many items as possible in backpacks, bins or sports bags. That way, if the time comes when you need your equipment, you’ll have it ready to go.

Storage options:

• Economic option: 45 L Waterproof Backpack/Sport Bag
• My backpack/emergency bag: Maxpedition Entity

7-Day Basic Survival Kit

Once you have all these supplies at your fingertips and ready to go, you’ll be ready to deal with a wide variety of emergency situations. Remember that storing enough food and water for seven days will help you cope with 99.9% of disasters. After all, even in large-scale disasters, relief has flowed in a matter of days. And if you have at least two weeks of water and food in reserve, you’ll be better prepared than almost everyone else.

Pro tip: other than checking them to make sure they are working properly and cool and to recharge your batteries, DO NOT use your emergency reserves for anything other than an emergency. These are your vital emergency supplies. If you or others get things out of your emergency reserve, chances are you’re missing things when you need them most. Don't do it!

Step 3: Assess your risk

Now that you have your basic supplies kit, it’s time to look at your particular situation. This requires an honest assessment of your risks. This is often referred to as a personal risk assessment. Understanding your risks will help you develop your Global Preparedness Strategy.

Determine what you need to protect

Start your risk assessment by determining what you need to protect. Of course, you need to protect yourself, your loved ones and your supplies. What else do you need to protect?

Identify potential threats

Think about the problems that are most likely to occur in your area. Are these natural disasters such as tornadoes, earthquakes, floods or fires? Perhaps these are man-made threats such as power outages, civil unrest, crimes or something else?

Name your vulnerabilities

Our vulnerabilities show you where you can improve your preparation. Basically, a vulnerability of one degree or another corresponds to an absence of preparation to one degree or another. Vulnerabilities can be a lack of resources and supplies, systems and procedures, knowledge and experience.

One way to determine your vulnerabilities is to ask yourself, “What if? » What would happen if a disaster happened while the children were in school? What would happen if someone broke into your home while you were sleeping? What would happen if you lost your job or source of income? What would happen if supply chains stopped working and food became scarce? What would happen if a loved one broke down during a car trip? It is the hypothetical questions asked in response to our risk assessment that help us develop our emergency plan and guide our preparedness.

Read this article to get more detailed information about the realization Risk Assessments .

Step 4: Take Action

Now that you know your risks and where you can improve your preparation, it’s time to take action. Ultimately, as you take action and your preparation increases, your risks decrease. That’s an excellent thing!

Map

Start by planning the most effective ways to address your vulnerabilities. Whether it’s improving your basic survival skills, upgrading your supplies and equipment, or revising your emergency preparedness plan. As you plan, consider making backups of your plan.

For example, if you live in an area that is prone to forest fires, what is your backup plan if the route you usually use to return home after work is blocked? What route will you take if your alternative route home is blocked?

When planning, keep in mind that your goal is to increase your abilities, which decreases your vulnerability. Since your abilities are made up of your mindset, knowledge, skills, and resources, anything you do to improve any of these factors decreases your vulnerability.

By doing what you are doing right now, by learning more, you are increasing your knowledge. Similarly, by doing a home fire drill or learning how to use some of the equipment you purchased for your emergency kit, you will increase your skills. Speaking of your kit equipment, these are your resources, just like time and money. And by recognizing the need to prepare and approaching it in a positive way, you improve your state of mind.

Read this article for Understand how to plan for the unexpected !

Don't worry! You can do it!

Speaking of state of mind, remember that this is often when people feel overwhelmed because they feel totally unprepared. As a result, they unnecessarily spend a lot of money preparing, using their credit cards and getting into debt. Don't do that! Slowly but surely, we win the race.

Since you know your vulnerabilities and threats, you know your most important personal risks. Therefore, look at the threat you are most vulnerable to and plan how to deal with it. Save money, budget for it and act gradually. The advantage of the preparation is that the rising tide lifts all the boats. In other words, what you do to prepare for a risk will likely reduce your vulnerability to other risks.

For example, if you think job loss is your biggest risk, creating an emergency fund is a great idea to prepare for it. By increasing your savings account in the event of job loss, you now have room to manoeuvre in the event of a vehicle problem. As you live in a hurricane-prone area, having a well-functioning vehicle is a key part of your plan. Therefore, your efforts to cope with a job loss prepare you, by default, to better cope with a tornado.

Act

Start now to implement the plans you have created to deal with your potential risks. When you have your emergency kit in hand, take it out in the yard or go camping and try it out. Hang this tarpaulin. Take out the map and go hiking to practice using your compass. Take the time to drive on your alternative escape routes. Increase your food supply in the short term. Talk to your family about what to do in an emergency. Watch videos on YouTube and take classes on topics you need to know better. Remember that the action reduces your vulnerability.

Evaluate

As you reduce your vulnerabilities by improving your preparedness, you need to constantly evaluate and re-evaluate your efforts. Indeed, it involves continuous learning about the relationship between your abilities and your vulnerabilities.

Are your plans effective? Do the actions you take help reduce your risk? Has the situation changed?

For example, you’ve stocked up on water and adopted a new four-legged friend. Do you have enough water to keep Fido hydrated? Do you need to adjust your preparations?

A new shopping mall has transformed the journey you usually take to pick up your children from school into a veritable madhouse. Is there a better route?

Perhaps your biggest risk was getting a burglar into your home. Now, thanks to your efforts, this is no longer your greatest risk. What should you focus on now?

Once you’ve assessed that your situation has changed, it’s time to re-evaluate your risk. Then, based on your new risk profile, adjust your plans and actions accordingly.

The essentials on how to start preparing

That’s it, that’s it. Here’s how to start preparing in a few words.

I'm impressed. The fact that you have arrived so far tells me that you are well advanced in your journey of self-sufficiency and preparation. This means that you are ready to be your own first responder. Either way, you want to be prepared for any problems that arise at any time. It is a wonderful situation.

Again, congratulations for taking the plunge to ensure that you and your family always have the opportunity to live the best life possible, regardless of the circumstances.

Do you have any questions or suggestions on how to start preparing? Feel free to post them in the comments below.

Be careful.