Summary: Are you interested in preparedness but unsure where to start? In this article and episode, we'll go over the prepping basics that are essential.<br> <br> It's easy to get overwhelmed if you start out planning for epic long-term disasters reminiscent of the Mad Max movies, but the reality is, it doesn't need to be like that.<br> The Prepping Definition<br> Let's start with a prepping definition from the Oxford dictionary:<br> The practice of making active preparations for a possible catastrophic disaster or emergency, typically by stockpiling food, ammunition, and other supplies.<br> While the Oxford dictionary gives you the general idea, the true definition of prepping isn't that extreme.<br> What are the Prepping Basics<br> It's a mindset of thinking ahead and trying to avoid catastrophes or emergencies in the first place, and also being ready for events that only affect you personally: your car breaks down, and you have to walk home, your spouse loses their job, or you have to provide first aid for a family member.<br> <br> While less dramatic than Oxford's definition, all of these events will be easier to handle if you are prepared.<br> <br> You are far more likely to use practical prepping items like a filter for drinking water or a small food supply than a gas mask and a full-body biohazard suit.<br> The M4S Prepping Basics<br> There are more details in this article, but let's take a quick peek at the basics of preparedness.<br> <br> The basics of prepping covers five fundamental areas.<br> <br> Those areas are Mindset, Situational Awareness, Survival, Safety, and Self.<br> <br> An excellent way to remember the Mind4Survival fundamentals of preparedness is by remembering M4S.<br> Mindset<br> Mindset is the first and most important aspect of practical prepping.<br> <br> It's our mindset that establishes the foundation of our preparedness.<br> <br> Mindset determines how you approach your life. I say "life" because our mindset is the attitude we use to navigate life, and life includes our preparedness.<br> <br> Mindset sets your motivation level for preparing. Mindset sets the tenor and tone of whether people prep or not and how they go about it.<br> <br> And, it's our mindset which determines how we face adversity when disaster strikes.<br> <br> Situational Awareness<br> So, what is situational awareness?<br> <br> Situational awareness is your next most important prep. It's the prepping basic that determines whether you notice what's happening around you.<br> <br> Your situational awareness also determines how you perceive what's happening around you.<br> The Survival Pyramid<br> <br> <br> Situational awareness is the first rung in the survival pyramid.<br> <br> Less than .3 seconds without situational awareness can cost you.<br> <br> Take your eyes or mind off the road while driving and see what happens? Stop paying attention for a third of a second as a worst-case scenario approaches, and you may not see it in time to avoid it.<br> <br> Stay alert! Stay alive!<br> Perception<br> Your perception of what is happening around you is based on how you interpret the reality of a situation.<br> <br> Do you unconsciously bend reality based upon personal bias, cultural perspective, and past experiences?<br> <br> The bottom line is that your chances of survival increase as you become more aware of what is truly happening around you.<br> <br> So, get out there and practice some situational awareness!<br> Survival<br> Now that you know what's going on around you, it's time to focus on the act of surviving.<br> <br> Other than your values, there isn't much that matters more than your survival.<br> <br> The fact is, since we're born, we're all on the countdown to exiting this life.<br> <br> However, delaying that as long as possible is a really go...
