Prepper rules

Discussion in 'General Survival and Preparedness' started by oil pan 4, Jul 2, 2020.


  1. oil pan 4

    oil pan 4 Monkey+++

    Let's get a list of rules for being a prepper going.

    I think the number one rule is...
    Opsec...
    Such as for example, don't tell people you're a prepper.
     
    Last edited: Jul 2, 2020
    Cruisin Sloth and Gator 45/70 like this.
  2. chelloveck

    chelloveck Diabolus Causidicus

    Yes.... I would agree....pepper is an essential condiment.
     
  3. chelloveck

    chelloveck Diabolus Causidicus

    Rules are for the guidance of the wise and the blind obedience of fools. I much prefer principles, which have some degree of flexibility when considered in context. What weight one gives to any given principle depends on its relationship with other principles that complement it, or are in conflict with it relative to risk vs gain.

    OPSEC is more than "not telling them you're a prepper", but not giving any sign' sign/indication that one is a prepper....that actually requires deception, concealment and counter intelligence planning and measures as well.

    It's wise not to allocate a fixed numerically important value to any particular rule...many are the vanquished, whose opponents had won giving priority to a different 'rule' entirely.
     
    Last edited: Jul 2, 2020
  4. DKR

    DKR Raconteur of the first stripe

    I've been a pepper for a long time



    on the other hand I've studied and lived 'Be Prepared' since the mid 60s.

    Being old is no fun, BTW
     
    Last edited: Jul 2, 2020
  5. arleigh

    arleigh Goophy monkey

    I have a pepper tree out front of the house I don't mind telling people I have it.
    As for being a prepper, I talk to people about it often, most of which have no idea where I live, and those I know well are welcome if they happen to be in need. My immediate neighbors are preppers, I've discussed it with them as well.
    I live in a rural area in wine country Which, if the power is off and the water is off the vinyards dry up and die, not much point in coming out here for food. practically every one here has a gun and every one knows it.
     
  6. runswithdogs

    runswithdogs Monkey+++

    Theres a spice company over here that currently has 37 difference types of pepper. (Well probably 34-35 as a couple are just ground vrs peppercorns)
    I think I have about 10-12 in my kitchen at the moment. Fav is a toss up between the Tellicherry whisky dried peppercorns & the Smoked highlands Bansura
    :D
     
  7. snake6264

    snake6264 Combat flip flop douchebag

    My grandfather loved black pepper an passed it on to me he would make my food just like his so gotsta have my black pepper
     
  8. oil pan 4

    oil pan 4 Monkey+++

    My auto correct refuses to accept the word "prepper" and I don't always catch it.
     
    Gator 45/70, Yard Dart and chelloveck like this.
  9. techsar

    techsar Monkey+++

    I did wonder with the title ;)

    Rules two and three go together - have a plan and actually implement it.

    Next?
     
    Oddcaliber and Gator 45/70 like this.
  10. 3M-TA3

    3M-TA3 Cold Wet Monkey

    The first rule about pepper is don't talk about pepper... OPSEC
     
  11. Yard Dart

    Yard Dart Vigilant Monkey Moderator

    First rule of pepper, don't; over pepper your eggs!!!
     
  12. BenP

    BenP Monkey++

    OPSEC is the key, if you are in the city or suburbs it is about staying quiet, hiding, etc. In the country there are more preppers than not so it is more about meeting your neighbors and establishing relationships so you can provide mutual defense of the area.

    We have established radio comms with most of our neighbors and they are all armed to the teeth.
     
  13. john316

    john316 Monkey+++


    HERE IS THE BEST I HAVE...........MORE AT THE SITE


    rules for being a prepper

    The Modern Prepper Mantra

    A NICE READ


    The Sane Prepper Mantra: Common sense rules for prepping
    Updated January 8, 2018

    By The Prepared




    Last Updated: January 8, 2018


    Prepping should be:

    • Responsible. It is smart and normal to get ready for emergencies.

    • Valuable. The whole point is to actually benefit from prepping if you should ever need it.

    • Easy. Don’t waste hundreds of hours digging through incorrect and confusing content.

    • Affordable. Almost any budget can cover the basics of prepping.

    • Comforting. Have the peace of mind that you and your family are ready.

    • Fun. It’s challenging and fun to figure out how to become a more self-sufficient person. It’s like Boy/Girl Scouts for adults.
    The Sane Prepper Rules:
    • You can’t predict what is going to happen. There are just too many variables. Don’t get tunnel vision or caught up in whatever people are freaking out about on social media.

    • Data and reason should always win over opinion and impractical ideas.

    • Follow the 80-20 rule to focus on the right things and get the most value.

    • It’s impossible to be 100% prepared for 100% of scenarios.

    • Great preps are a mix of gear, supplies, skills, practice, planning, community, and you.

    • For gear or skills to be useful they must be as simple, practical, and reliable as possible. That means good preps are always ready and double dipping is bad.

    • Don’t try to memorize lists and instructions. Focus on learning high leverage concepts and buying high leverage gear so you can think on the fly and adapt.

    • Every budget level can prepare, but you get what you pay for. When it comes to saving your life it’s better to “buy once, cry once.”

    • Be proud that you’re taking steps to be responsible and self-sufficient. Share that prepping responsibility with your family, friends, and neighbors.

    • Prepping should not dominate your life or make it worse. Spend a reasonable amount of time, money, and energy.
    In this guide:

     
  14. STANGF150

    STANGF150 Knowledge Seeker

    John316, one line, the Valuable, well I benefit from my Prepping lifestyle NOW. Not "if you should ever need it". I never HAVE to go grocery shopping unless I want to when I want to. I never run out of any thing! Covid19 made people go into a tp buying panic. An yet, I have never ever experienced running out of tp like in sitcoms or comedy movies. An with my anxiety I've developed about & because of stupid people, I can pick & choose exactly when I want to go shopping. No having to brave the heat, humidity, & hordes of people at peak shopping hours, just to purchase what I want to make for supper that night.
     
    Gator 45/70 and Sunnyvibes like this.
  15. Gator 45/70

    Gator 45/70 Monkey+++

    Just a way of life in hurricane country!
    We share,
    We cook,
    We band together
    We have a party !
     
  16. coloradohermit

    coloradohermit Monkey+++ Founding Member

    I didn't see the old basic rule of "two is one and one is none".
     
  17. hot diggity

    hot diggity Monkey+++ Site Supporter+++

    I have to provide a little background to help ya'll understand one of my principles.

    I didn't know my parents were preppers and their parents before them. I always thought of them as somewhat older hippies. We grew our own food, Mom made our clothes, and we had lots of aunts and uncles that weren't really, but it was a great way to grow up. Just like we never called the Jeep an SUV, we didn't call ourselves preppers. Dad always found a way to keep us warm and Mom kept us fed, even if we were snowed in with no power for a couple weeks. We used lots of antique and obsolete methods on the farm, because they always worked. One of the most important tools was networking. A man can't get 20 acres of hay bailed and into a hay loft by himself. Weather, time, or simple exhaustion just work against you. Watch the Amish raise a barn some time. It takes a whole community.

    So my #1 Principle, even though it seems to go against the whole OPSEC thing, is You must build a community of trusted confidants, because you sure can't do everything by yourself.

    It could take years to establish a network that'll get you through any future disaster. You might meet these people because they make a slip and let you know that they're preppers. You might notice some really odd wires rigged on a pole and ask some questions. They may frequent the same places you do. People may be vetted by others that you trust and could introduce you. It's good to have a doctor, carpenter, gunsmith, welder, farmer, Veteranarian, electrician, communication specialist and even local media personalities and politicians that you can depend on for help when needed. How ever you build your network it's essential that their OPSEC is now your responsibility as well. I wouldn't expect anybody to reveal the total extent of their prepping efforts, and have never had anyone try to nose around in my business. It's more a wink and a nod sort of understanding. A conversation might lead to some mutual sharing, and perhaps the beginning of a barter arrangement that's beneficial to both parties. Building trust through small steps you'll eventually have friends that will open their door to you in the worst of times because they know that you'd do the same for them.
     
    chelloveck, SB21, STANGF150 and 4 others like this.
  18. STANGF150

    STANGF150 Knowledge Seeker

    hot diggity I didn't even really know I was a Prepper until I spent too much time here on the Monkey Forum!!! I wandered here liking to read & not getting enough to read from local libraries & book stores. Started looking for stories online to read. So blame Halffast's Lights Out for me being here. I just thought I was old style country boy! My mother raising two boys by herself in the '80s canned & froze. When sumthing was on sale she didn't just buy one. She bought two, with a coupon!! So stocking up food was just a way of life. Then came my damn tools! From age 18 on its grown! Maybe not as many as some here that are comfortable working with their hands. As I've slowly learned that #1 I'm a cheap bastard so paying other to do that I could do myself.... #2 I can't seem to pay anyone to do something & do it right, without having to go behind them & fix it, or redo it myself!! I still don't really think of myself as a Prepper. Only things I do that are prepperish, are a few scattered caches between work & home, and a Go Home bag in each vehicle. I don't consider my firearms prepperish. An my ammo is just my cheapass countryboy upbringing of stocking up.
     
  19. arleigh

    arleigh Goophy monkey

    I have been a supervisor on jobs, and your right, some people boast a lot of skills but not really perform so well.
    In my career as a mechanic, I did a lot of warranty repairs equipment that made it to the customer without being tested even once.
    In our family air compressor shop nothing made it out the door without having been run to its limits, and we had very happy customers all the time.
    I typically don't trust others to do things I can do especially in my own equipment.
    My own personal rule of knowledge is that if something can be done by someone 100 years ago, I have no excuse. I learn to do those things. Blacksmithing for example. I would like to smelt my own iron some day.
     
    SB21, STANGF150, Gator 45/70 and 2 others like this.
survivalmonkey SSL seal        survivalmonkey.com warrant canary
17282WuJHksJ9798f34razfKbPATqTq9E7