Prepping: a lifestyle and a mindset? Is it just a game, or a real fight for survival? Each of us has surely thought, at least briefly, about how to cope with a difficult life situation and protect our property and health. Since childhood, camp leaders have taught us how to deal with bad weather and how to prepare lunch in nature with limited resources. The difficult situation of the global Covid-19 pandemic and the war in Ukraine keep this topic relevant. What lies behind the mysterious term prepping?
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Who is a prepper?
A prepper is a person who systematically and actively prepares for an emergency, a crisis or an apocalypse, even when there is no immediate danger. The term “prepper” comes from the English verb “to prepare”, which means “připravit se” in Czech.
What prompted this activity? That is open to debate. Natural disasters have struck our planet and humanity since time immemorial, but the real driver behind this protective instinct is more likely the fear of war, and above all of a nuclear attack.
The Second World War ended with the dropping of atomic bombs on the Japanese cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. This led the next generation to look for ways to defend themselves. In 1986, another disaster took place in Ukraine, which unfortunately only showed how badly the situation was handled. The chaotic and late evacuation of the people of Pripyat later led to a great loss of life.
Another factor was the Cold War, which caused panic in a certain group of people about the use of nuclear weapons and a sense that they had to be properly prepared for it. This led to the rise of a community movement focused directly on survival techniques. It was inspired by the study of military manuals, which included the possibility of escaping into the jungle.
So what exactly is prepping?
Is it a life attitude or a lifestyle? Prepping, or survivalism, is not just about stockpiling long-life food and water, arming yourself and creating living space in a cellar or bunker. At its core, it is based on a religious ideology that seeks to preserve Christianity. The idea is to connect with other people, because an individual is more vulnerable alone.
In a broader sense, it is about finding techniques and ways to help people survive mentally and physically in difficult life situations. A prepper aims to become completely independent. They learn to fight adversity and manage without direct help from the state.
Many of us bake our own bread at home, grow all our own fruit and vegetables, or are thinking about buying solar panels. The energy crisis is a real threat currently hanging over Europe. The aim is to be prepared. Starting to prepare once the power has already been cut off is really far too late.
💡 Tip: Also take a look at an article that offers valuable advice on how to come to terms with yourself and find your own path in life: 11 Tips: How to Be Happy with Yourself?
What can prepping websites tell you?
Online, you will find detailed guides and instructions not only on what to pack in an emergency bag, but also valuable advice on how to secure your flat or house before you leave. It depends mainly on the type of danger you will face and how much time you will have to evacuate.
What should your emergency bag contain? This is a hot topic on many discussion forums dedicated to the subject. When packing your emergency bag, make sure you do not forget a first aid kit, drinking water and a supply of long-life food. Of course, it depends on where you are going and how long you will have to manage on your own.
Your emergency bag should contain the following:
- All personal documents, cash, valuables and important contracts.
- Spare clothes, shoes, a raincoat, a sleeping bag or a blanket.
- Any medicines you currently take and personal hygiene items (toothpaste, toothbrush, soap, shampoo, toilet paper).
- Cutlery, a pocket knife, a torch, a tin opener, a first aid kit and possibly a “survival tin”.
- Enough long-life food and drinking water, or a water purification product.
- A label on the emergency bag with your name and address.
Prepping in the Czech Republic
How do we Czechs view this issue? Being prepared for a crisis can be very useful if we think about prevention and handling a difficult moment as well as possible. Not only last year’s tornado but also the floods that recur irregularly in our country make us think deeply about this issue.
The foundation should be an ethical approach. This means training in first aid, storing and managing food, improving physical fitness and exercising every day. You can already find inspiration and guidance in magazines, on websites and in specialist online shops.
Many of us will surely look back with nostalgia on our school years, practising quick evacuations of the school building or putting on gas masks. However, prepping is not just about practising a quick escape. At its core, it should seek a deeper meaning in our existence and a better understanding with other people.
Friendship is the most precious thing a person can gain.
Jaroslav Foglar (1907-1999), Czech author of books for young people and Scout troop leader
In the Czech Republic, a prominent and respected figure is the writer Jaroslav Foglar and his Scout movement, which shaped whole generations of young people. Time spent in nature, tests of courage, the search for lifelong friendship and building a set of life values and goals can all be part of it.
💡 Tip: Also read an article that will help you organise your time better: 9 Tips: How Can You Save Time During the Day?
How to survive in the wild?
People have always longed to be in harmony with nature. Even today, we enjoy pleasant moments in interesting places around the world and look for ways to make lifestyle changes that bring us even closer to it. Eating organic food, cutting down on meat, one-day fasting, wearing clothes made from natural materials and spending more free time away from home all bring us closer to this ideal.
Knowing survival techniques for the wild can be an interesting experience. Although not all of us are keen hikers, fate could make us part of a road accident that forces us to act and find ways to survive in the wild. You will find inspiration and tips on handling difficult and unusual situations, as well as an introduction to prepping, in the book by Vojtěch Štrba called Prepping aneb Buďte připraveni (Prepping, or Be Prepared).
Do not see the prepper community as just a group of religious fanatics obsessed with the idea of an impending apocalypse. If you look more closely at their activities and philosophy of life, you will find that prepping can teach you many useful skills. After all, every human activity requires planning and good preparation. Prepping can also be a personal challenge for you.
