No one wants to be in danger or find themselves in a terrible life-or-death situation.
But we never know when disaster will strike.
Being prepared for the end of the world is crucial. Prepping should include stored water or a method of filtering water, long-term food storage, medical supplies, clothes, bedding, and an essential tool kit that includes survival gear. In addition, a positive mindset and healthy body will increase your chances of surviving any situation drastically.
These days we have seemingly useless governments who only serve themselves, civil unrest bubbling away under the surface, and the majority of the world’s population 2 electric bills away from an economic meltdown!
And this is before we consider any natural disasters that could occur.
But before getting too depressed it’s for these reasons that it’s crucial to be prepared and equip yourself with the basic tools and knowledge needed to survive any situation.
Using our years of survival prepping knowledge and 1000’s of hours watching YouTube videos and reading articles we’ve compiled a list of the must-haves to help you think about how to prepare for the end of the world.
Some obvious but some are not so obvious.
Table of Contents
Understanding the Threat
Everyone’s situation is different, you may be living in the middle of nowhere surrounded by nothing but fields and trees, or, you may be living in a one-bedroom apartment in the middle of a major city.
The thing we all share in common, however, are the basics we need to survive, and a good prep list is a vital step in how to prepare for the end of the world.
It’s crucial to keep the big picture in mind. What are some possible catastrophes that you might experience?
It is essential to consider your own situation and adapt.
Let’s be clear here when we say ‘how to prepare for the end of the world’ we aren’t talking about preparing for nuclear annihilation or an alien invasion who are intent on exterminating all of mankind. (we hope not anyway!)
It’s more practical than that.
Do you live in a hurricane or tornado zone?
What would you do with a breakdown of society or total economic collapse?
Pandemics and prolonged lockdowns (most of us are well drilled in these now but will they happen again in the future?).
Could you still eat with no gas or electricity?
Would you even have enough food to last you days, weeks, or months?
What about water if your faucet dried up?
You get the idea.
Survival Mindset
The key with how to prepare for the end of the world is having a well-rounded prepping list covering all your bases.
But before getting into specifics let’s discuss some general dos and dont’s.
The biggest DO in survival which isn’t talked about often is your mental attitude.
We can’t stress this point enough but a positive “I can endure and survive” mentality will separate you from others.
When the going gets tough it will take mental steel and resolve to get yourself through a situation.
This can be a daunting thought but being prepared will give you confidence and help develop that mental toughness.
Gain The Knowledge Now
Something else that isn’t spoken about a lot is gaining survival knowledge NOW.
This might be anything from books to videos on YouTube to bushcraft schools, and developing important skills before they are needed.
Anyone can build a survival kit with essentials but could you light a fire without modern conveniences?
Do you have those basic survival skills?
Equipping yourself with the basic knowledge now will enable you to make better-informed decisions on the type of equipment and supplies you need to suit your specific needs.
More importantly, you’ll know how to use it all.
The last thing you need in an emergency situation is frantically trying to read an instruction manual!
It happens to us all, I remember a few summers ago on a camping trip with a new stove I had bought and couldn’t get the thing to work!
Luckily this wasn’t a life-or-death situation or disaster but it highlights the need to be prepared.
Ensure you are familiar with your survival equipment and how it works before you need it!
Build A Support Network
You might already be doing this already without realizing with Facebook Groups and pages
Connecting with like-minded individuals and swapping ideas can be both satisfying and beneficial.
You can take this a step further and see if there are any local groups to join, if there isn’t create one!
This could be as simple as building good relationships with other people in your neighborhood.
If you nurture and build a community people are more likely to pull together in the event of a disaster, it’s human nature.
Staying Informed
Communication can be the difference between life and death.
You need to understand that in an SHTF situation, all conventional communication such as the internet, and cell phones will be disabled.
A portable analog radio is an important addition to your end of the world prepping list.
These are even available as “wind-ups” so you don’t need to worry about batteries.
Often they will have multiple uses and include a flashlight and compass.
Whether in a disaster situation or preparing for one it’s always important to follow trusted news sources.
How To Prepare For The End Of The World – Prepping List
Do you know how to start a fire and have the tools to find, transport, and clean water so that it is safe to drink?
Can you remove contaminants, germs, and viruses from water so you can drink it?
Keep a medical kit on hand, especially if you take medications regularly.
Over the past few years with global supply chains being decimated some medications that used to be freely available before can now often be out of stock.
So it’s important to keep medication supplies in check.
Get Fit
Get yourself in great shape (if you’re not already).
Not only will this improve your life now but being able to get away from a disaster zone or evacuate a city could mean hiking 10 miles with a heavy backpack over a harsh landscape.
Could you do that if required?
Take a self-defense class such as Judo or Jiu Jitsu.
This will equip you with both self-defense skills and also improve your fitness but make sure you consult a doctor first before trying any new sport.
You want to ensure you have enough stored for three days.
Things To Avoid
Generally, certain things to avoid are;
Don’t Panic. Always stay calm, and evaluate your disaster scenario before deciding what action to take.
Don’t make assumptions or rash decisions.
Don’t pack or carry unnecessary gear, use multi-use equipment that gives you options.
Avoid eating any plants or food you can’t identify.
Now we’ve discussed some general tips and advice let’s get into specifics.
Water
When you are thinking about how to prepare for the end of the world water is essential in any situation or emergency.
We can’t state this enough but you can never have too much water in a survival situation.
It must be at the forefront of your mind, we can survive for weeks without food but only days without water.
That’s why it’s so important to ensure you have a good supply of water at all times.
Depending on conditions, a general rule of thumb is to store a gallon of water per person, per day; after all, we are talking about your life here!
I know not everyone reading this will be in a situation where they have the land or space to store water.
But fear not, there are alternatives.
If you can’t store water, you can look into investing in a water filter or purifier.
This will allow you to filter and purify any water you come across, making it safe to drink.
Remember, hydration is critical in a survival situation, so make sure you have plenty of water on hand!
Food
You’re going to need food when SHTF.
Not just for the short term but the long haul. It would be best if you had a variety of foods that would sustain you and your family.
That means storing things like grains, dried fruits, and nuts.
Canned goods and packaged meals are a good idea, as they don’t need cooking.
Pack foods that don’t need refrigeration or special handling if you can. That way, you’ll be able to eat even if there’s no power or the grid is down. See my article Bunker Food for more information on storing foods.
First Aid
When thinking about how to prepare for the end of the world medical supplies can be the difference between life and death – very quickly.
So, let’s talk about what medical supplies you should you put on your end of the world prepping list.
Let’s start with first aid.
You’ll want to ensure you have supplies for primary injuries, like cuts and scrapes.
But don’t stop there. Ensure you also have supplies for more serious injuries, like burns and fractures.
And don’t forget about medicine—both prescription and over-the-counter.
Finally, don’t forget to stock up on medical supplies like bandages, gauze, and tape. You never know when you might need them, so it’s best to be prepared.
Clothes and Bedding
Not to state the obvious here but you’re going to need clothes and bedding when deciding and planning how to prepare for the end of the world.
So what kind of clothes should you pack?
To answer this relies heavily upon your environment and the emergency you’re most likely preparing for.
In general, you’ll want to pack durable garments that you can wear in various weather conditions.
Do you need something that will keep you warm at night?
Or do you need something to keep you cool?
There’s no one size fits here (excuse the pun!)
You’ll also need bedding that can keep you warm and comfortable, night after night. Something warm and waterproof. A sleeping bag is ideal and easy to carry.
Tools and Supplies
It’s essential to have a well-stocked end of the world prepping list.
What should you include on your list?
First, you must ensure you have all the necessary tools and supplies.
This includes a reliable flashlight, a first-aid kit, a fire starter kit, and a sturdy knife, to mention a few.
And don’t forget to include some essential supplies like extra batteries, matches, and fuel.
These are all things we take for granted as we can pop by the store but in a disaster situation, this may not be the case.
It’s also important to keep in mind that you will need to carry this kit, along with food and water for potentially miles and miles, so please only consider the bare essentials.
What To Do Next?
We have covered the very basic essentials when considering how to prepare for the end of the world.
It is enough to get you started and more importantly get you thinking about what YOU need.
Remember, the key is to be prepared for any eventuality.
Start planning now, build up some essential supplies and work on improving both your mental and physical state.
Keep your prepping list updated, and review it regularly to ensure you have everything you need.
Check your prepping list regularly and make sure you update as required, especially with perishables.
No one knows when disaster could strike, so prepare for the worst and hope for the best!
Good luck, and stay safe out there!
