15 Ideal Ways To Prepare For The Coming Apocalypse

Is the end of the world as we know it near? Well, we’ve heard doomsayers say it’s around the corner for hundreds, if not thousands of years, so any day now they might be right. As such, it’s a good idea to start prepping ourselves for when the time comes, or at least pick up some useful skills here and there.

This is why we’ve gathered here today the useful things to know should the zombie, economical, biblical, or otherwise cataclysmic apocalypse come knocking on your door. If nothing else, you’ll become the perfect camping partner.

Learn Essential First Aid and CPR

When emergency services are overwhelmed, you are the first responder. Knowing how to perform CPR can literally double or triple a person’s chance of survival after cardiac arrest, and basic first aid will be crucial for treating everyday injuries.

Cultivate Your Own Food Garden

The strategy goes into more than just planting seeds. Grow fast-producing summer squash for quick meals and hardy winter squash for long-term storage. Potatoes and kale do well in cool climates, while sweet potatoes thrive in the heat.

Master Canning and Preserving Food

This is how you make your harvest last. But you need the right method, since high-acid foods like fruits and tomatoes can be preserved in a water bath, but low-acid vegetables and meats require a pressure canner to be safe.

Secure a Sustainable Water Source

When the tap runs dry, you’ll need a backup plan. Nearby ponds, lakes, and rivers become your main reservoir. Having containers ready to collect and transport that water is step one, but it’s not ready to drink just yet.

Know How to Purify Contaminated Water

Any water you collect needs to be treated before you drink it. Adding a few drops of regular, unscented household bleach is a proven method. You can also build a filter using layers of charcoal, sand, and gravel for extra safety.

Learn Practical Self-Defense Techniques

The goal of self-defense is to create a chance to escape, not to become the ultimate martial arts champion. Simple moves like a palm strike or a knee to a vulnerable area can be effective enough to get you away safely.

Assemble a Comprehensive Go-Bag

If you have to evacuate in a hurry, this bag is your lifeline. Pack it with essentials like water, non-perishable food, a first-aid kit, a flashlight, and copies of important documents like your ID and insurance papers.

Identify and Forage for Edible Plants

It’s a risky skill without the right knowledge. Many edible plants have poisonous look-alikes, so a good field guide with clear color pictures is non-negotiable. If you have any doubt about what a plant is, just leave it alone.

Master a Few Essential Knots

This is a surprisingly critical skill that goes way beyond tying your shoes. Building a shelter, securing gear or creating a trap require knowing a few simple, reliable knots. In time, you’ll see their practical applications are almost endless.

Practice Starting a Fire From Scratch

Matches get wet and lighters run out of fuel. Knowing how to create a fire with friction, like with a bow drill, is a classic survival skill that provides warmth, lets you cook food, and offers security. It’s much harder than it looks.

Learn Basic Car and Home Repair

You can’t call a plumber or mechanic at the end of the world. Knowing how to fix a leaky pipe, patch a hole in the roof, or change a tire will make you invaluable and help keep your shelter and vehicle working.

Create an Off-Grid Communication Plan

When cell towers and the internet are down, you’ll need another way to stay in touch. While simple walkie-talkies work for short distances, getting licensed for a GMRS or Ham radio will let you communicate over many miles.

Improve Your Physical Endurance and Strength

You’ll need endurance to travel long distances and agility to cross rough terrain, so you’ll need to work on your physical fitness. Being fit also helps you manage stress and think clearly, crucial for dealing with the end of the world.

Navigate Using a Map and Compass

Your phone’s GPS is a luxury that depends on a fragile network. The old-school skill of reading a paper map and using a compass is a reliable way to find your way that never runs out of batteries or loses its signal.

Build a Long-Lasting Food Stockpile

Start with the basics that go a long way. Stock up on calorie-dense, shelf-stable foods like white rice, oats, pasta, peanut butter, and canned goods like tuna and vegetables. And whatever you do, don’t forget the can opener.