The Beginner’s Guide to Prepping: 12 Practical Tips to Get Started in 2025

The Beginner's Guide to Prepping: 12 Practical Tips to Get Started in 2025
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If you’re new to prepping, figuring out where to begin can feel overwhelming. I can totally relate—I feel like I’ve been working on survival planning forever, and I still feel like a beginner! This guide simplifies the process and provides us with a solid foundation for our journey into emergency preparedness. Here are 12 practical tips to help us get started in 2025.

1: Focus on the Basics

Your fundamental needs—like water, food, and hygiene—remain consistent regardless of the emergency. Start by gathering everyday essentials you’ll need in any scenario. Once you have a foundation, you can build from there.

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2: Start with Two Weeks of Supplies

A great starting goal is to have enough supplies for two weeks of self-reliance. This milestone is achievable for beginners and creates a strong base for expanding your stockpile as you progress.

3: Prepare for Local Risks

Understand the specific risks of your region. For instance, Californians may prioritize earthquake kits, while those in coastal Florida might prepare for hurricanes. Once you’ve covered basic essentials, customize your supplies to address the disasters most likely to impact your area.

Read and Learn: Beginner Guides: Emergency Scenarios

4: Prioritize Water Storage

Water is critical for survival—you can only last about three days without it. Aim to store at least one gallon of drinking water per person daily, plus an extra gallon for hygiene and cooking needs.

Start small with store-bought water containers and gradually invest in larger storage solutions. Don’t forget water purification tools, such as tablets or personal filters, to ensure access to clean water in any situation.

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5: Build a Food Stockpile

Focus on non-perishable, shelf-stable foods that your family enjoys. Buy a little extra each time you shop to build your supply gradually. Organize your pantry, date your items, and rotate them to prevent waste.

Stock a variety of items:

  • Canned goods: Vegetables, fruits, soups, and beans
  • Dry foods: Rice, oats, cereals, and nuts
  • Long-term options: Freeze-dried meals and MREs

Remember to have a way to cook without power, such as a camp stove.

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6: Learn Food Sourcing and Preservation

Once your stockpile is established, enhance your prepping skills by exploring gardening, fishing, hunting, and foraging. Learn food preservation methods like canning, dehydrating, and pickling to increase your long-term food security.

Read This: Beginner Guides: Needs Evaluation

7: Prepare for Hygiene Needs

In a crisis, hygiene items can disappear from shelves quickly. Stock up on essentials like:

  • Toilet paper
  • Soap and toothpaste
  • Feminine hygiene products
  • Baby wipes

If plumbing is unavailable, plan for waste management. Consider options like a bucket toilet or other off-grid waste disposal solutions.

8: Brush Up on First Aid Skills

Having first aid supplies is crucial, but knowing how to use them is even more critical. Learn basic skills such as:

  • Performing CPR
  • Dressing wounds
  • Using a tourniquet

Being prepared to handle medical emergencies can save lives when professional help isn’t immediately available.

9: Plan for Power Outages

Power outages can happen for many reasons. Stock up on:

  • Flashlights (one for each family member)
  • Extra batteries
  • Lanterns, candles, and lighters

If possible, invest in a solar generator or power bank to charge small devices during extended outages.

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12/10/2024 02:27 pm GMT

10: Stay Connected Without a Cell Phone

Cell phones might not always work during emergencies. A basic emergency radio can inform you about weather alerts and other critical updates. Consider a HAM radio for advanced communication, which allows two-way communication in emergencies (no license required during crises).

11: Plan for Mental Well-Being

Emergencies can be stressful. Don’t forget to include items that provide comfort and entertainment, like:

  • Books, cards, and board games
  • Small treats like chocolate or snacks

These small touches can help maintain a sense of normalcy for you and your family.

12: Prepare for Mobility

In some situations, staying home may not be an option. Prepare a “bug-out bag” with essentials like:

  • Water and portable food
  • Hygiene items and a change of clothes
  • Survival tools (multi-tool, flashlight, fire-starter)

Ensure it’s packed and ready to go at a moment’s notice.

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Peace of Mind Through Preparedness

Prepping is no longer about bunkers and extreme scenarios. Recent events—from pandemics and supply chain disruptions to natural disasters—have shown us the value of being prepared. By starting with these practical tips, you’ll gain peace of mind from knowing you’re ready for the unexpected.

Have you prepared for emergencies? Do you feel like you are a survival prepper or are starting out as a beginner? What have you done so far to prepare? Please comment below to assist others in their survival practices.

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