Preppers and the Zombie Apocalypse
People have been forecasting the end of the world throughout history. Doomsday prophecies are nothing new. What is novel and gaining popularity is extreme disaster preparedness. With broad media coverage bringing stories of weather, war, epidemics, and more from around the world into the framework of our everyday lives, people logically become a little anxious. End of the world paranoia can make finding a balance between living for the moment and planning for the future a challenge.
The truth is that an extreme weather event or other emergency could strike at any time, and preparing for emergency situations with survival supplies is quite sensible. Unfortunately, many people may feel the hoopla over the end of the world is unwarranted and blown out of proportion and fail to prepare for much more likely emergency events. Fires, sickness, power outages, and severe weather are not uncommon. Having first aid supplies and emergency food on hand to contend with these emergencies is responsible behavior and shouldn’t be scoffed.
Taking doomsday preparation to the extreme, people known as preppers are preparing for global catastrophic events. Preppers will certainly be ready for isolated emergency scenarios, but their goal is to survive cataclysmic disaster. Preppers stockpile survival supplies and develop detailed survival strategies.
Modern mythology meets real life when preppers plan for the potential of a zombie apocalypse. In the event of world-wide disaster, preppers refer to desperate humans that resort to violent measures to survive as zombies. Preppers get ready for the zombie apocalypse with self-defense and self-preservation measures such as emergency bunkers, weapons, and supplies of food, water, first aid and medicine. Only time will tell if this extreme emergency preparation is warranted, but anyone looking to improve survival odds in the event of more typical emergencies can learn from these dedicated people.
Read MoreAlabama Proposes Sales Tax Holiday for Emergency Preparedness
Many Alabama residents know all too well the aftermath of a disaster, having endured a record breaking tornado season in 2011. Weather forecasters are concerned about the potential for a similar spate of extreme weather this year. In an effort to raise public awareness, Alabama Governor Robert Bentley proclaimed February 19-24 Severe Weather Awareness Week.
Governor Bentley also proposed a sales tax holiday on emergency supplies. This once per year tax reprieve would help Alabama residents stock up on items such as NOAA weather radios, first aid supplies, and emergency kits. The governor warns:
“The key is readiness. When storms strike, it’s too late to prepare. Let’s prepare now.”
The governor’s proposal has not officially been introduced into the Alabama State Legislature, but it is finding support from community leaders. Additionally, regions nationwide are vulnerable to the whims and fury of weather events and should heed Governor Bentley’s warning. The proactive strategies in Alabama should encourage other communities to evaluate the threats they face and prepare for emergencies.
Stores become depleted of emergency supplies soon after disaster strikes. Water supplies can become contaminated and food shortages are a threat. Households and disaster relief agencies can improve emergency preparedness by maintaining disaster supply kits including emergency food, water purification, and first aid supplies.
It is the unfortunate nature of weather related disasters that they are unpredictable. Emergency preparedness is a fundamental necessity of survival. Plan ahead and stock an emergency kit to help you contend with weather related disasters. Consider the shortages you may experience and stock up on supplies to help you survive.
Alabama residents have learned the lesson to prepare a survival kit from experience. Fortunately, many people won’t have to learn this lesson the hard way. The state of Alabama has done a service to the nation in bringing awareness to emergency preparedness. Avoid being caught without food and other emergency supplies by taking proper precautions today.
Read MoreChoosing a Brand of Freeze Dried Food: Wise, Mountain House, or Lindon Farms
Natural disasters come in all types. Some lock you inside your home or leave you isolated for days at a time, while others require swift and unpredictable evacuation. So, shouldn’t your emergency preparedness plan, including food storage, be adapted for the type of natural disaster you potentially may face? In preparing for an emergency, consider the conditions to which your area is most prone, and choose your freeze dried food wisely.
Although starting your food storage with basics is recommended, your emergency supply should require minimal preparation and, in some cases, be able to go along with you. There’s no right emergency kit, so consider the benefits and possible drawbacks of popular brands of freeze-dried foods.
• Mountain House is one of the most well-known. With freeze-dried foods packaged in #10 cans, Mountain House kits have a 25-year or longer shelf life and, with already-prepared meals, provide variety for each meal of the day. With Mountain House, add pasta, proteins, eggs, and vegetables to your diet of grains, beans, and milk. #10 cans, however, contain several servings, so, if you go with Mountain House, additionally have a plan for storing all leftovers, which must be eaten within a year from opening.
• Wise Food Storage is another prominent brand. With a similar variety of entrees and breakfast items, Wise considers easy transport with its kits. Although meals are packaged in airtight mylar pouches, a bucket holds all servings. In the event of an emergency, one or more buckets can be quickly grabbed. Additionally, the two-serving pouches are a solution to the leftovers conundrum.
• Lindon Farms eliminates the need for basics, as kits allow an individual to live off 2,000 calories per day. A full year’s supply can essentially be purchased at once. With mylar pouches holding five to 10 servings of entrees, breakfast times, fruits, or vegetables, Lindon Farms also uses buckets for grab-and-go instances. Because the pouches contain several servings, however, have a plan for storing the leftover freeze-dried food.
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