Last week we discussed how all of us are in unprecedented times with the coronavirus that has spread across the globe. While we none of us would say there is anything positive about this illness affecting so many of us there are still valuable lessons to be learned from such an eye-opening incident. Probably the biggest lesson of all is that the term “prepper” should not have a negative connotation to it. Most of us for the last decade having watched “The Walking Dead,” a popular zombie apocalypse TV show, always attributed the term prepper to someone who is preparing for an end-of-days, zombie scenario that will never happen. What if something more realistic and crippling happened to society?... Like, a virus?...
To be prepared – to be a prepper – does not mean you need to build a bunker in the woods and wear a tin-foil hat. What it can look like though is an amply stocked pantry of non-perishable goods. So many people in the last month in the United States have been charging into grocery stores and buying unreasonable amounts of perishable food items without realizing they will expire soon. So, they will have to repeat that unnecessary mad dash again in another month. If you maintain a fully-stocked freezer and have a good amount of non-perishable food items always on hand at home though, in times of urgency you will not need to spend half your bank account to have that feeling of security wash over you.
Not hoarding ammunition, but simply having a continual large stock at home for good times and bad is another way to remain prepared. If you do a quick search on the internet it will show that ammunition is disappearing everywhere you look because of panic buying and hoarding. If you do not have enough ammunition for yourself at home and were late to your local gun shop, you might simply be out of luck! That is why it can be beneficial to “invest” in ammunition. Every paycheck, go and purchase a couple boxes of ammunition in the firearms you own. Not a pallet, but just a couple. Over time, you will be well stocked with no fear of running out. Taking it a degree further in preparedness, try your hand at reloading and making your own ammunition. Then, if the world runs out, you have a skill to create your own.
To be prepared can also mean you sign up for that community CPR or first aid class offered at city hall. Or, many concealed carry instructors are also certified in teaching simple medical classes related to firearm use. Understanding how to use a tourniquet is not just for First Responders, EMT, and Law Enforcement. It is a life-saving, valuable skill that everyone should know. Couple that with a basic understanding of first aid and you are more knowledgeable and versed on medical care than the vast majority of the public.
While the intent of this talk is not to create a legion of “doomsday preppers,” it is meant to show the normal side of being prepared. You can still be an executive at a million-dollar company and be prepared. You can still be a soccer mom and be prepared. You can still be a gun-loving American and be prepared. While none of us likely want to become the tin-foil hat, conspiracy-theorist prepper we all laugh at, we should still be prepared. The worst thing we can do during a pandemic like the one we are currently caught in is get caught with our metaphorical pants down. We hope all of you reading this stay healthy and safe in these trying times. Also, we at Tyrant Designs are working extra hard to ensure anyone wanting our components and parts will receive them. As always, let us know all of your thoughts in the Comments below. We love it when you participate in our articles and keep the conversation going!
