In the modern world, we rarely think about our survival from day to day. It’s uncommon for us to be lost in the jungle, or find ourselves in true life-or-death scenarios from day to day. We don’t have to hunt for our food or graze for berries, aside from a cold spell now and then we rarely have to contend with the temperature, and unless you live in an area known for dramatic weather shifts or other unfortunate precedents, most of us will never encounter a natural disaster.
In other words, compared to those that lived in history, most of us have it pretty easy in first world societies. Even so, putting practical survival preparations in place can be a worthwhile consideration. Of course, nothing is likely to happen, but maybe you want to ensure that IF something happens, you have the ability to protect yourself. You may have seen one too many disaster movies, or you simply wish to take back control of your potential. The thing is, you needn’t have to justify yourself in taking an interest here, no matter if you’re a fully committed ‘doomsday prepper’ or you wish you had a little more utility just in case something goes wrong.
Let’s cater to this latter mindset. Consider our blackout advice here, and also this following set of survival ideals:
Simple storage
It can be quite beneficial to have self storage options available to you. You might decide to bring camping gear here, a range of tools, and sometimes even documents you wish to keep private from your household. Valuables you wish to keep and lack attic or basement space for can also be kept for long periods of time here, especially considering the low cost required for keeping the space, and the confidentiality with which it’s treated.
It can also be worthwhile to keep your collectable, valuable items here. You never know when you might need to sell them when trying to raise emergency cash. For example, let’s say you’ve been locked out of your property due to familial tensions. It might be that having some items of value in your self-storage can help you gain the funding needed to move on and set yourself up appropriately. A private storage solution can be more important than you know, even if it’s simply a place utilised to keep your weather emergency gear. Don’t localise everything in your home.
Hidden money
It sounds dramatic, but having a hidden £500 that no one else knows about can help you get out of a sticky situation. It might even save your life. Of course, there’s no reason to have a thick wad of cash under your blankets as if you’re some kind of entry-level criminal, but simply knowing where funding could remain for you if you are locked out of your accounts could be extremely useful. Remember, this isn’t preparing for what will happen, but what could happen. Too often we completely rely on our digital accounts, not realising that there are several systems in place that could disconnect us from our savings if the worst happened. With a small quantity of cash, you’ll know that you have some wriggle room if an issue does occur.
Car survival kit
It can be important to keep a car survival kit at the ready. A simple set of tools, torch, rope, blankets, non-perishable food and distilled water could help you if unexpectedly trapped in your car. If it’s legal in your area, a flare gun might also help you signal attention if you desperately need it. It might sound overboard, but a little survival booklet can also help you plan for the future. A second, cheap mobile phone with a credited SIM card can also help you make contact if your regular smart phone runs out of juice. A first aid kit is always important and can be kept in the glove compartment. Also, ensure car maintenance tools & equipment are handy; jump leads, spare tyre, jack and spanners.
Social support
Having somewhere to go if something happens can potentially help you out of a jam. This might be a sibling’s flat, or perhaps a long-standing friend’s place. Perhaps you’ve come to an arrangement where you’re afforded a spare key to your friend’s home allowing you to spend the night in a secure place if needed. Also, drawing up an action plan with your family can help you ensure that if something goes wrong, you can find each other quite easily. Simply knowing each other’s movements is an essential element here.
With these tips, you’re sure to put practical preparations in place, even though we hope you never have to consider them.
[disclosure*]
