Prepping 101

Be ready for whatever comes

by Joe Miller

Storms, power outages, job losses, pandemics, or worse. Prepping is just planning ahead so your family has water, food, warmth, light, medicine and a plan when the usual systems stop. Start small, build every month, and stay calm.

Prepare, don't panic. Prepping is insurance: a little each month adds up to a family that can ride out a storm, a power outage or a job loss calmly. Follow local laws, and in an emergency call 911 and follow official instructions.

The rule of threes

The rule of threes: what you can live without, and for how long3 minutes without airBreathing and bleeding come first3 hours without shelterIn harsh heat or cold3 days without waterStore and purify water3 weeks without foodStore food you already eatPrep in this order: first aid, shelter and warmth, water, then food.
A rough rule that sets your priorities.

Build up in levels

Prepping levels: start with 72 hours and grow72 hoursA kit to grab and go2 weeksWater and food athome for a storm oroutage3 monthsA deep pantry for ajob loss or longoutage1 yearLong-term food,water, power andskillsReady.gov recommends at least a two-week supply at home.
Each level builds on the one before.

What are you preparing for?

The most likely emergenciesWinter stormDays without power orroadsFlood or hurricaneEvacuate or shelterWildfireLeave fast with a bagPower outageHours to weeks$Job lossLive off the pantryPandemicStay home for weeksStranded on the roadCar kit and a planNuclear or EMPRare but seriousCivil unrestStay home, stay quietHouse fireOut in 2 minutesPrepare for the likely ones first; the same supplies cover most of the rest.
Ten common reasons people prep.

The free guides

Water

How much to store, and how to make water safe.

Food storage

What to store, how long it lasts, and how to rotate it.

Shelter and warmth

Staying warm, cool and dry when the power is out.

First aid and medical

The kit and skills, with links to doctorcritical.com.

Power and light

Flashlights to generators and solar.

Communication

Radios when the phones go down.

Security and defense

Layers of home security and defense.

Bug-out bag

A 72-hour grab-and-go kit, item by item.

Get-home bag and vehicle kit

Get home from work, and a kit for every car.

Sanitation and hygiene

Toilets, trash and staying clean without water.

Cooking without power

Cook safely without electricity.

Family emergency plan

Who goes where, and the papers to grab.

Prepping on a budget

Prep for $10 a week.

Members guides

One-year food storage plan 🔒

Long-term water: wells, rain and storage 🔒

Survival gardening and seeds 🔒

Chickens, rabbits and small livestock 🔒

Canning, drying and root cellars 🔒

Hunting, fishing and trapping 🔒

Off-grid power systems 🔒

Bug-out location and vehicles 🔒

Nuclear, fallout and EMP 🔒

Pandemic preparedness 🔒

Barter and a broken economy 🔒

Community, skills and keeping quiet 🔒

🔒 Members guides ($15 a month): a one-year food plan, long-term water, gardening, livestock, canning, hunting and fishing, off-grid power, a bug-out location, nuclear and EMP, pandemics, barter, and community, plus five more tests and the monthly newsletter. Membership opening soon

Start this week

Five things to do this week1Store water1 gallon per person perday, for at least 3 days2Add foodBuy a few extra cans ofwhat you already eat3LightFlashlights and sparebatteries in a known place4First aid kitCheck it, fill it, knowwhere it is5Make a planMeeting place and anout-of-town contactThen take the free prepping basics test.
Small steps, done now, beat big plans done never.

Sources

Checked November 11, 2026.