From medical first aid to welding to firearms...
Its easy to buy a pile
of things and call it your what ever will come preparedness. I could
buy the most expensive guitar but I will not be ready to be the next guitar
hero. So it goes with all other forms of preparedness -food, water, shelter,
protection...
What do I mean? Well lets start with :
food
- So you have a ton of beans
and rice? You have a pile of whole wheat, a side of beef jerky? OK how
do you use it? Do you what to eat only beans & rice with beef
jerky for what.. days, weeks? Cooking is a skill and a darn useful one.
Planning menus that are both good to eat and will
store for long term will take both skill and thought.
Next,
Water - You got that water filter that is gravity feed did ya? Well did you ever use it? Take it apart and put it back together? Now try it under stress or in the dark (should have lights...) What if something breaks and you have spare parts but now you need them and need them NOW!
Shelter - your home needs plumbing,
wiring, roof repair, and on and
on. If all is well and you have money you can call a repairman
but if you can't call one or you don't have the funds what will you do?
Live outside? If outside can you build a lean-to or put up a tent (maybe
your house was destroyed by flood or wind or what ever)
You need shelter man, what will you do?
Protection - Someone kicks in your front door you grab your... What
ever you got handy (planning ahead sounds really good at that point) and
use it how? Did you bring your Kung-Fu to a baseball bat fight? Maybe a
knife to a gun fight? Do you know how to deploy that weapon with skill
or are you going to start swinging and hope for the best?
What if someone you love needs CPR? 911 will not come over the phone and
give the breath of life to you or your loved one, but you could... IF
you have training.
Again, get a plan. Decide what's important to you.
As always make a plan and start doing it!