Prepping isn’t as simple as stockpiling food and water. It’s a complex and ongoing process that requires careful thought, planning, and action. No matter how prepared you think you are, there are pitfalls even experienced preppers can fall into. Below are 20 common prepping mistakes that could derail your survival efforts when disaster strikes – and how to avoid them.
1. Not Preparing Enough Water
One gallon of water per person per day might sound like enough, but that’s only if you’re considering drinking needs. Water is essential for cooking, cleaning, bathing, and sanitation. Many people overlook these additional needs. Make sure to store enough water or have reliable filtration and collection systems in place.
2. Focusing on Supplies Over Skills
Stockpiling survival gear is great, but what happens if you lose those supplies or can’t access them? The key to surviving long-term is knowing how to use the environment around you. Learn critical skills like purifying water, starting a fire, and identifying edible plants. Your knowledge will be more valuable than any item in your stash.
3. Prepping for Only One Disaster Scenario
Just because you live in a flood-prone area doesn’t mean you shouldn’t prepare for other types of disasters like earthquakes or power outages. Disasters rarely happen in isolation, and being overly specialized in your prepping can leave you vulnerable to other threats. Diversify your prepping to cover multiple potential crises.
4. Neglecting Personal Hygiene
Preppers often focus on food, water, and shelter but neglect personal hygiene. In a survival situation, cleanliness is essential to avoid diseases and infections. Stockpile soap, toothpaste, toilet paper, and feminine hygiene products, and learn how to dispose of waste safely.
5. Not Running Drills
It’s one thing to have a plan, but it’s another to know that it works. Regular drills, like practicing your evacuation plan or surviving without power for a weekend, are essential to identifying weaknesses in your strategy. This helps you and your family get comfortable with the routine and prepared for when a real disaster strikes.
6. Leaving the Family Unprepared
You might be ready for anything, but what about your family? If something happens to you, they should know what to do. Ensure that everyone in the household is familiar with basic survival tasks, bug-out routes, and emergency plans. Every family member should have their own bug-out bag and know how to use its contents.
7. Relying Too Heavily on the Internet
The internet is a treasure trove of survival knowledge, but what happens when the power or WiFi goes out? Invest in physical books about survival tactics, food foraging, and first aid. When the grid goes down, you’ll want hard copies of this critical information at your fingertips.
8. Overloading Your Bug-Out Bag
While it’s tempting to pack every survival item you own into your bug-out bag, you’ll regret it after a few miles of walking. The weight can quickly become a hindrance, reducing your speed and stamina. Opt for multipurpose items like paracord and tarp, and remember: pack light to move fast.
9. Forgetting About Your Pets
Your pets are part of the family and will need their own supplies in a crisis. Make sure to pack food, water, medications, and any necessary items like leashes and collars in a pet-specific bug-out bag. You’ll thank yourself later when you’re not scrambling to find food for Fido.
10. Having a Single Plan
One survival plan is not enough. What if roads are blocked, or your bug-out location becomes inaccessible? Always have multiple plans in place for different scenarios. This includes having multiple bug-out routes and backup locations, as well as knowing alternative ways to get home or contact your family.
11. Skipping First Aid Training
Stocking a first aid kit is essential, but it’s useless if you don’t know how to use it. Take time to get trained in first aid and CPR. A well-stocked first aid kit combined with proper medical knowledge can save lives when professional help is out of reach.
12. Underestimating Mental Health
Survival isn’t just about keeping your body alive; it’s also about maintaining your mental well-being. The stress of a disaster can cause anxiety, depression, or panic. Prepare by learning relaxation techniques, meditation, or even packing a favorite book or game to keep spirits up during tough times.
13. Ignoring Bartering Potential
In a long-term survival scenario, money may become useless, and bartering could become a primary means of trade. Items like extra clothing, batteries, alcohol, or even skills like carpentry could be invaluable. Keep a stash of barterable items in case you need to trade for supplies or services down the line.
14. Buying Before Researching
Not all survival gear is created equal, and flashy marketing can lead you to purchase ineffective or low-quality items. Do your homework before buying anything. Watch reviews, read forums, and look up customer feedback to make informed decisions about what you really need.
15. Failing to Rotate Your Food Stockpile
Food doesn’t last forever, even the non-perishable kind. If you don’t use the “first in, first out” (FIFO) system to rotate your stockpile, you’ll end up with spoiled food when you need it most. Set reminders to check expiration dates and rotate your stock every six months.
16. Neglecting Your Neighbors
In a disaster, knowing your neighbors can be an invaluable asset. They could provide extra supplies, protection, or even companionship. On the flip side, understanding who might be a potential threat is equally important. Build good relationships now to have a support system in place later.
17. Putting All Your Supplies in One Place
If all your food, gear, and water are stored in one location and it becomes compromised, you’re out of luck. Spread your supplies across multiple locations, including a bug-out bag, vehicle, and even hidden caches in strategic spots. This way, you’ll always have access to essentials no matter where you are.
18. Being Too Cheap
While there’s no need to spend a fortune on prepping, being too cheap can hurt you in the long run. Low-cost gear often means low quality. If your equipment fails when you need it most, you could be left stranded or worse. Prioritize durability and functionality over price when it comes to critical survival items.
19. Not Testing Equipment
The first time you use your survival gear shouldn’t be during a crisis. Practice using all of your equipment as soon as you buy it. Whether it’s a new tent, a water filter, or a multitool, knowing how it works will save you precious time and prevent mistakes in an emergency.
20. Concentrating Only on SHTF Scenarios
It’s easy to get caught up prepping for large-scale catastrophes like economic collapse or nuclear fallout, but don’t forget about more common emergencies like power outages, fires, or car breakdowns. Being prepared for everyday risks can keep you ready for larger, less likely events too.
A Marathon, Not a Sprint
Prepping is a marathon, not a sprint. Mistakes are part of the learning curve, but with careful planning and the right mindset, you can avoid many of the pitfalls that set others back. Remember to stay flexible, keep learning, and never assume you’ve got it all figured out. When disaster strikes, your preparedness will make all the difference.
Raised in a small Arizona town, Kevin grew up surrounded by rugged desert landscapes and a family of hunters. His background in competitive shooting and firearms training has made him an authority on self-defense and gun safety. A certified firearms instructor, Kevin teaches others how to properly handle and maintain their weapons, whether for hunting, home defense, or survival situations. His writing focuses on responsible gun ownership, marksmanship, and the role of firearms in personal preparedness.