Prepping priorities

[Zoidberg]

A few weeks ago I seriously injured my knee and now need to use a stick to walk around and even then only over short distances at a time. I have gone from being reasonably well prepared and able to cope with most situations that the world could throw at me to being totally vulnerable and a sitting duck.

The good news is I think it will probably heal in due time.
The bad news is I am likely going to be stuck with limited mobility for at least the next six to twelve months, possibly longer.

This experience has taught me a very important lesson about prepping and what really matters. I have learned what preps should actually takes priority in real life. As a result of this I created a short list of prepping priorities for other preppers to consider for themselves.

Preps that matter most listed order of importance
1) Your health and fitness.
2) Your knowledge and skills.
3) Your family, community and other people you can depend on.
4) Your material 'preps' such as food, tools and any other equipment.

I expect that most preppers focus most of their efforts on number 4 and largely ignore 1, 2 and 3. Now I am not saying that number 4 is not important too. It is and would certainly make life much easier. However in my experience number 4 is nowhere near as important as 1, 2 and 3. In fact if SHTF and you had 1, 2 and 3 all good enough, you could probably still find a way to get by even if if you did not have any of number 4. However if you do not have number 1, 2 and 3 then you will be in big trouble if SHTF no matter how much of number 4 you have.

So my amateur suggestion is to focus less on shiny gadgets and other expensive stuff found in number 4 and spend more time working on number 1, 2 and 3. Just a friendly suggestion and I am happy to hear other peoples opinions on this even if you disagree.

[Frnc]

Deffo important to try to stay fit. I can't walk very far. Knees are knackered. But they are pretty much ok on a bike. I actually bought it for this reason, but didn't know for sure I'd be ok on it until I got it. I don't have a car, so it is my transport. And of course riding it keeps me reasonably fit. I do a few other exercises as well.

[GillyBee]

I would add the emergency fund in there as a priority. Being ill or injured gets expensive fast as I am sure you have been finding out.
And if you want to feel better about needing a stick, take a look at the some of the walking stick self defense videos. Mr Gillybee found these helpful for his well being & they were useful on one or two occasions when things looked dodgy. He noted that having a stick suddenly made the local lowlifes look at him differently - and not in a good way. Holding the stick in a way that said he meant business, they all suddenly decided that trying to surround him at the bus stop was a bad idea.
All the best with your recovery.

[pseudonym]

I've had to completely change my whole food storage twice due to diabetes.

First from normal to pre-diabetic- less to no carbs at all

that kept it in check for 10 years but time and genetics caught up.

Secondly from pre-diabetic to Type 2 Insulin dependant - eat what your BS say your body needs

Both times the foodbanks did well on store bought foodstuffs

My military rations are still sitting there if the SHTF. my reasoning is if I can't get my insulin I'm going out well fed

[JimmyJoeseph]

I have wondered about having to leave and maybe the roads are gridlock and dangerous (bit like in the films haha) and on foot is the only option.
My fitness is good for someone who doesn't exercise. But I would have an asthmatic wife and a 5 and 2 year old in tow.

[Frnc]

I have wondered about having to leave and maybe the roads are gridlock and dangerous (bit like in the films haha) and on foot is the only option.
My fitness is good for someone who doesn't exercise. But I would have an asthmatic wife and a 5 and 2 year old in tow.

In that big fire in Hawaii, it was only a small town, but people were having to abandon their cars. Not sure of the reason. Some places get gridlocked every day, so a disaster could easily cause it. Best to consider having to walk if necessary.

[pseudonym]

Snip> My fitness is good for someone who doesn't exercise. But I would have an asthmatic wife and a 5 and 2 year old in tow.

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