Mindset

These articles are about getting yourself and others into the right mindset. These easy-to-read articles discuss the psychology of disaster prepardness.

These articles are here due to the generous help from Solymar Wellness Group, who offer affordable online counselling and therapy for a range of issues.

What's the difference between a "Prepper" and a "Survivalist"?

David Crawford Mindset 16 March 2023

While the terms "prepper" and "survivalist" are sometimes used interchangeably, there are some differences in their beliefs and practices:

Focus: Preppers tend to focus on being prepared for natural disasters, economic collapse, or other disruptions in society. Survivalists, on the other hand, tend to focus more on the ability to survive in a wilderness or post-apocalyptic scenario.
Lifestyle: Preppers often prepare by stockpiling food, water, and other supplies, as well as learning skills such as gardening, canning, and first aid. Survivalists often focus more on developing self-sufficiency skills such as hunting, trapping, and wilderness survival.
Mindset: Preppers may have a more optimistic outlook on the future and seek to prepare for potential disruptions while still hoping for the best. Survivalists may have a more pessimistic outlook and prepare for worst-case scenarios.
Community: Preppers often form communities or networks of like-minded individuals to share resources and knowledge. Survivalists may be more individualistic and seek to rely on their own skills and resources.

In summary, preppers tend to focus on being prepared for disruptions in society, while survivalists tend to focus on the ability to survive in a wilderness or post-apocalyptic scenario. The two groups may have different lifestyles, mindsets, and approaches to community building.

Top 10 Mistakes Preppers Make and How to Avoid Them

David Crawford Mindset 22 February 2023

Preparing for emergencies is a wise decision, and there is no doubt that it is better to be prepared for the worst-case scenario than not. However, there are many mistakes that preppers make, which can result in their preparation efforts becoming futile. In this article, we will take a look at the top ten mistakes preppers make and how to avoid them.

Failing To Evaluating Your Risk

One of the significant mistakes preppers make is failing to evaluate the risks they face. Many people plan for one scenario and do not consider other possibilities. It is essential to evaluate the potential risks in your area, such as power outages, tornadoes, hurricanes, civil unrest, economic meltdown, nuclear incidents, and pandemics. By evaluating your risks, you can prepare for life and be better prepared for any situation that may arise.
Focusing on Gadgets Over Skill

In the age of the internet, we have access to a wide range of gadgets and novelties that can seem appealing to preppers. However, one of the most significant mistakes a prepper can make is focusing on gadgets over skill. Skill is much more important than the tools you have. Having the right tools is essential, but it is more important to have the skills to use them effectively. Focus on learning practical skills such as first aid, self-defense, and gardening, and have high-quality gear that can withstand harsh conditions.
Failing to Have an Evacuation Plan

While your primary residence should be your first priority, as it has all your equipment and supplies, you must have an evacuation plan in place. If you are physically unable to carry all the necessary supplies, or if you have small children or elderly relatives, you must have a plan in place. Having a way to move yourself, your family, and all your supplies is of vital importance, especially considering roads may be jammed, or even closed.

Ensure you have a location you are heading to and alternative routes to get there.
Relying on Technology

In a grid-down situation, relying on technology can be disastrous. Many preppers rely on their cell phones and computers to communicate with others, but if the grid is down, these devices may not work. Get to know your neighbours and establish a communication plan in case of an emergency.
Failing to Rotate Supplies

Preppers often make the mistake of hoarding supplies without properly rotating them. You may have stockpiled a large amount of food, water, and other essential supplies, but if you don't rotate them, they may become stale, expired, or even dangerous to consume. It is essential to rotate your supplies regularly to ensure they are fresh and usable. Make sure you keep track of expiration dates and use the first-in, first-out (FIFO) method to ensure that your supplies are always fresh and usable.

Set a reminder to rotate your supplies every six months to keep them fresh.
Focusing Too Much on Guns and Ammo

While being able to defend yourself is an essential part of preparedness, focusing too much on it can be a mistake. Preppers often forget about other aspects of preparedness, such as food, water, and medical supplies. Ensure you have a well-rounded approach to preparedness and focus on all aspects of survival.
Failing to Develop a Community

One of the biggest mistakes preppers make is failing to develop a community. Being part of a community of like minded individuals and communicate with them about your preparedness plans. Having a network of trusted individuals in your immediate community can be a huge asset in a disaster scenario. You can also invest in other forms of communication such as two-way radios, satellite phones, or even old-fashioned walkie-talkies. Make sure you have spare batteries, solar chargers, and other accessories to keep your communication devices powered up.
Failing to Maintain Health & Fitness
Another mistake that preppers make is neglecting their physical health and fitness. In a survival situation, you may need to perform physically demanding tasks such as carrying heavy loads, running, or even fighting. If you're not physically fit, you'll be at a disadvantage and more vulnerable to injuries or illnesses. Make sure you exercise regularly, eat a healthy diet, and get enough rest to maintain your physical health and fitness.
Failing to Maintain Mental & Emotional Well-Being
Preppers often overlook the importance of mental and emotional preparedness. In a disaster scenario, you may experience a range of emotions such as fear, anxiety, and depression. You may also have to make tough decisions or face unexpected challenges that can be mentally and emotionally draining. It's important to prepare yourself mentally and emotionally by learning coping skills, stress-management techniques, and problem-solving strategies. Consider taking a first-aid course or a self-defense class to boost your confidence and resilience.
Failing To Adapt

The final mistake that preppers make is failing to adapt to changing circumstances. While it's important to have a plan in place, you also need to be flexible and adaptable to changing circumstances. A disaster scenario may not unfold exactly as you have planned, and you may need to improvise, adjust your plans, or even abandon them altogether. Stay informed, stay aware of your surroundings, and be ready to adjust your plans as necessary.

In conclusion, being a prepper is all about being prepared for the unexpected. While it's important to have a plan, you also need to be flexible, adaptable, and willing to learn from your mistakes. Avoid these common prepper mistakes, and you'll be better equipped to handle any disaster scenario that comes your way.

How to Prepare for a Disaster: 10 Steps to Ensure Survival

David Crawford Mindset 20 February 2023

Natural disasters or man-made crises can strike at any moment, leaving entire communities in chaos. When everything around you is in disarray, it can be difficult to know what steps to take to ensure your safety and that of your family. However, with some planning and preparation, you can increase your chances of survival. Here are ten essential steps to help you weather the storm.

Establish Communication

In times of crisis, effective communication is essential to keep your loved ones and team members safe. The first step to preparing for an emergency is to establish a reliable means of communication with your family and team. Waiting until an emergency has already happened to develop a plan for communication can be too late, so it's important to do it as quickly as possible.

If your family members or team members are not in proximity, you'll need to develop a plan for how you'll communicate with each other during an emergency. It's crucial to keep in mind that during certain disasters, such as an EMP, communication over electrical devices may not be possible. This is why it's important to have alternative means of communication, like a ham radio, as a backup option.

Read more … How to Prepare for a Disaster: 10 Steps to Ensure Survival

13 Things Not To Do During SHTF

David Crawford Mindset 19 February 2023

In times of crisis, we often find ourselves in a state of confusion and panic. The recent pandemic has brought an awareness that people need to be prepared for any kind of situation. However, there are certain things that you should not do during an SHTF (Shit Hits The Fan) situation. Here are 13 things you should avoid during such times:

Don't Panic: Panic leads to irrational decisions, which will end up hurting you in the long run. The best way to avoid panic is to be prepared. Make sure your pantry is full, and you have basic survival items such as food and water.
Don't Obsess Over the News: While it's important to stay informed, being obsessed with the news can lead to confusion and inaction. Make sure you get your news from credible sources and don't let it take away from the action you need to take.

Read more … 13 Things Not To Do During SHTF

Turning Sceptics into Preppers

David Crawford Mindset 26 July 2022

I found the best way to convince someone to start prepping, is to get them to prep for situations that WILL happen. Nobody expects a nuclear war, or rioting (although there's been a lot of that in the US lately), or other major disruptions.

But everybody knows that this coming winter there's going to be snow. There will be thunderstorms next summer. Depending upon where you are there may be blizzards, tornados, hurricanes, forest fires, etc. So find something that you know will happen in your area. It may not affect you, but something that affects people in your region.

Now that you have that situation picked, plan what you need to get through that with the least disruption. If the power will be going out, you need a power source for fridges/freezers, cooking, TV and internet.

If it's snow or flood, you'll need a few days of food until the stores are open and you can get there.

The whole idea is to stress things that WILL HAPPEN in your area. These things are not "maybe.. what if..." these are GOING TO HAPPEN, it's just a matter of when and how severe. Plan & prep for them. Once you are prepared for that then you can start on the "what if's..."