5 Mistakes Experienced Preppers Make – Part 1

Some of us have been in the prep-o-sphere for a long time.  I, myself, have been around the block more than once in various scenarios.  I started prepping at least 20 years ago, and let’s be honest, sometimes it’s SO EASY to get complacent.  I still have skills.  I still have stuff.  I still have natural resources.  So what’s the big deal.  The longer you’ve been in any field the easier it is to get tunnel vision and to think that you’ve got all your bases covered.  As newbie preppers come into the arena, there is a set of rookie mistakes that they make.  Even though some of us have been around the preparedness world longer than others there are still mistakes experienced preppers make.

Mistakes Experienced Preppers Make  #5: Not Practicing Skills

In the realm of preparedness, where the unexpected can swiftly become reality, seasoned preppers are often revered for their vigilance and foresight. However, even the most experienced among us can falter when it comes to a critical aspect of readiness – practicing the essential skills we’ve acquired.

Even those of us who teach preparedness are NOT immune to this.  I can’t tell you how long I had a pressure canner before I broke down and opened the box and figured out how to use the thing!  Or my Sun Oven.  I mean really?  You’d think that having a fun ‘toy’/tool like that, it would be out all of time and be learning and having a blast.  

The problem for a lot of us is that we often get busy.  Sometimes we’re busy with things that can’t – and shouldn’t – be ignored, like family or doctor’s appointments or that pesky job that allows you to make money – I wish I had a winking emoji.  But no matter how busy we get, we need to be carving out time for learning and practicing those skills.  Why?  Because skill erosion undermines preparedness.

When would you rather figure out how to use that Sun Oven – when you have no way to cook dinner?  Or when you have a chance to make mistakes and perfect your skillset so that if dinner is a flop, there’s always frozen pizza!  Whether it’s first aid, fire-starting, navigation, or communication, skills form the backbone of your ability to adapt and thrive during a crisis.

Let’s be honest, experienced preppers – like some of us – may feel confident in their ability to handle various challenges due to their accumulated knowledge.  However, skills are perishable; without regular practice, even well-honed abilities can deteriorate over time.

I used to make EVERYTHING from scratch.  I mean everything – bread, bagels, tortillas, yogurt, noodles, condiments, pizza, sausage, and so much more.  But I haven’t practiced many of those in a long time.  I could probably pick them up faster than I did the first time, but wouldn’t it be so much easier to make something that I successfully made last week than having to stand there trying to figure out what it was that I did next all those years ago.  Believing that skills will remain sharp without practice is a fallacy that can lead to a rude awakening when those abilities are put to the test.  Because …

Theoretical understanding is valuable, but it’s only the foundation upon which practical skills are built. Knowing how to start a fire or perform CPR in theory is vastly different from successfully executing these actions in the midst of a high-stress situation. Regular practice helps bridge the gap between theory and action, making skills more readily accessible when needed.

Establishing a routine for practicing skills is essential. Set aside time for regular training sessions, both individually and as a family.  This could be as little as thirty minutes a week or two hours a month.  These sessions can include simulated scenarios, hands-on drills, and skill-building exercises. Such routine practice not only maintains competence but also fosters a culture of preparedness within your household.

To rectify the mistake of neglecting skill practice, more experienced preppers must embrace a mindset of continuous learning and improvement. Schedule regular skill-building sessions, allocate time for hands-on drills, and explore new areas of expertise.  

I know many people in the preparedness realm think that they are going to be lone rangers fighting the world.  What is more likely is that we are going to need other people – people from church, people from our work, our neighbors to survive and thrive if we have a big even thrown at us. Don’t be a lone wolf.  Gather a group of trusted people together to practice skills monthly.  It will help give you the impetus to actually work on them if others are coming alongside you at the same time.

Mistakes Experienced Preppers Make #4: Focusing Exclusively on One Part of the Wheel

In the intricate web of preparedness, where every thread contributes to the strength of the whole, even the most experienced preppers can stumble upon a pitfall that challenges their well-honed readiness. This mistake involves becoming fixated on one aspect of preparedness to the detriment of others, leading to an imbalance that can erode the comprehensive nature of their readiness efforts.

Effective preparedness resembles a wheel with multiple interlocking spokes, each representing a crucial element. As Toby from SHTF School teaches there are seven pillars (or spokes) on the preparedness wheel.  These are water, shelter, fire (heating&  cooking), food, comms, medical and hygiene, and personal safety.  Viewing preparedness as a holistic endeavor, where each element complements and reinforces the others, is key to being truly ready for a range of scenarios.

Some experienced preppers may excel in certain aspects of preparedness such as making fire, setting traps, or shooting. However, when they become overly focused on a single spoke of the preparedness wheel, they risk neglecting other equally important facets. This can leave them vulnerable in situations where a well-rounded approach is necessary.

Imagine a chain with one weak link; the entire chain’s strength is compromised. Similarly, overemphasizing one aspect of preparedness while neglecting others can create weak points in your readiness strategy. For example, having a vast stockpile but lacking adequate communication plans or having no way to protect yourself can limit your ability to respond effectively.

So we should strive to extend each spoke of our preparedness plan at the same rate.  If you have no water on your premises, but you have a month of food and sanitation item for a month on hand, but all you have is one case of 40 waterbottles on hand, then you need to be focusing on bringing your water supplies up to the level of your food and sanitation.

An unbalanced approach can also hinder your adaptability. Some of us may become accustomed to a specific scenario, such as a natural disaster, and overlook the potential for societal disruptions or other unexpected events. A holistic perspective encourages all preppers to be versatile and open-minded, capable of responding to a dynamic landscape.

To rectify the mistake of focusing exclusively on one part of the wheel, experienced preppers must adopt a mindset of balance and integration. Regularly assess your preparedness efforts to ensure you’re dedicating attention to all critical elements. Engage with fellow preppers to gain insights into areas where you might be lacking, and actively seek out knowledge and skills to fill those gaps.

So today …

If you’re a more experienced prepper, did you see yourself in either of these?  If you did, how do you plan to rectify the sitation?  Leave us an answer in the comments so that we can all help each other in our preparedness records.

As you consider these common mistakes that experienced prepper make, remember…

You’ve got this, Mama!