The Importance Of A SHTF Plan

When push comes to shove, that’s when you’ll know the importance of a SHTF plan.

Don’t wait until it’s too late!

Learning the Importance of a SHTF Plan

The global coronavirus pandemic has put things in perspective for much of the world. In just a few short months, a highly contagious and deadly virus spread from China to the United States, infecting dozens of countries in between. Tests are hard to come by and hospitals are overrun.

Within just a few weeks in the United States, the economy plummeted, millions of people found themselves out of work as nonessential businesses shut down, schools closed, and “shelter in place” orders were issued en masse.

It sounds a lot like a disaster movie, except that it’s very real, and it all happened very quickly. While President Trump hopes the country will “open back up” by mid-April, experts believe that is overly optimistic. Mid-May or June is a more realistic estimate.

So do you feel that you are ready for a crisis of this magnitude?

Disasters Abound

Survival and “Prepper” shows have become popular on television in recent years, although they are often used to poke fun at the people featured.

In the last 19 years, the American public has witnessed a major terrorist attack, debilitating hurricanes and wildfires, dozens of school shootings, and several global pandemics. Interest in survival techniques and preparation is high because more people than ever see the need to know how to survive in catastrophic circumstances.

Our constant access to media compounds things, with death tolls and statistics presented to us from every angle and with every update.

It is irresponsible to not prepare yourself for a possible crisis in your life, whether it is environmental, health-related, or personal. At the bare minimum, you should have a savings account with enough money to cover your medical and insurance deductibles.

RELATED: How to Make Commercial Grade Hand Sanitizer

Self-Reliance Is Key

Congress may have finally reached its $2 trillion stimulus deal this week, but relying on the government to redistribute money to you is not a long-term plan.

If shutdowns continue into May or June, that will be 2+ months that you may be unemployed or under-employed. Will a $1200 check be enough to keep you afloat for 2+ months?

Will Congress also deliver your basic necessities and dietary requirements during that time? If stores continue to have trouble stocking their shelves, can you get by on what’s in your pantry and refrigerator today?

These questions are not intended to spark fear or create panic; it has become inevitable that emergency conditions will arise in our lives. It is our responsibility to prepare for them.

Importance of a SHTF Plan: Preparing for All Scenarios

In the case of coronavirus, almost the entire country has been affected in some way. A global pandemic is just one scenario that you should prepare for. On a basic level, you should prepare yourself for a car accident or a health crisis.

The next level of preparation would be for natural disasters, like hurricanes, wildfires, tornadoes, earthquakes, severe flooding, or blizzards. Emergency services often cannot reach you during these times. You may not even have the ability to alert them to your needs.

The highest level of preparation is for man-made disasters, like global pandemics, terrorist attacks, or government shutdowns of utilities. You may be fully stocked up for the current situation, but would you be as comfortable if the power went out for several days or weeks?

Be Ready for Anything

Creating a SHTF plan does not have to be overwhelming, and accumulating gear does not need to be expensive. By researching and staying organized, you can easily put together supplies, food and water, medications, and important documents.

The most important thing is that you do not wait until it is too late to stock up on what you need. The earlier it is that you realize the importance of a SHTF plan, the better you can prepare ahead of everyone else.

Make sure that you account for all family members and pets when planning. Know why you’re purchasing each item and how to use it. Your skillset will be just as important as your emergency stockpile when the time comes to use them.

The time to prepare for a disaster is before it strikes.

Up Next:

• Prepping Supplies 101: Getting Ready For a Pandemic
• Welcome to Prepping: Your Best Defense Against Coronavirus
• A SHTF Plan For Your Pets | Bugging Out With Man’s Best Friend