Failing to prepare is preparing to fail

Boricua Prepper main goal is to help you learn about preparedness, planning and readiness, disaster crisis, and how to deal with and survive different types of natural or human-made disasters. With a prepper mindset, you can increase your chances of survivability in a current world full of constants changes in extreme weather, geological planet evolution like earthquakes, civilian unrest threats, terrorism, and many more challenges.

Are you ready? Be prepared; it’s our responsibility within ourselves and our families.

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April 8, 2022Food & Water Supplies / PreparednessThe Early Days I remember having Combat Rations (C- Rations) during field training. The small green cans needed to be opened with my P-38 can opener, and some meals also included green foil packages. Then came the MREs (Meals-Ready-to Eat). There was a menu improvement, but not much, at least to me. They were ok in taste; honestly, I preferred the kitchen tent, but sometimes the only food available was the famous brown box. Since the introduction of the MREs in 1983, MREs have been available for civilians during disasters and later available to anyone through military surplus stores. As you probably already know, MREs prices are skyrocketing high. Also, since the war in Ukraine, they are in high demand and on back-order in many online stores. If you own a vacuum sealer machine, you can make MREs at home, as many as you need, and save a lot of money. Vacuum seal MREs will last longer than any other homemade container meal because you take all the air from the bag. Remember that oxygen is the number one reason for food to spoil. Oxygen is an oxidant. Therefore, I strongly recommend adding an oxygen absorbent bag to ensure no oxygen trap between your MREs. So What Can I Choose? Choose products with high protein and of good quality. Make sure to pack one complete meal per MRE. A meal consists (from my days in the Army with the C-rations) of: One protein meal – soup, tuna, chicken, beef, etc. One side dish – pasta, rice, crackers, beans, vegetables, etc. One small dessert – dehydrated fruits, cocoa powder, protein bar, etc. A candy for later – a peanut bar (munch), chocolate bar, hard fruity candy, gum, etc. Candy bars packed in their original mylar bags should last longer than other wrapped candies. Candies play an essential part when surviving since they can give a sense of relaxation, especially chocolate. You can also make MREs for breakfast; just replace the meat protein with a breakfast protein or carbs, such as: Powdered egg, instant oatmeal, etc.   I recommend the original, not the flavored ones. You can replace the sugar with monkfruit sugar if you have diabetes. Use your imagination on the variety of food items you would like to have as a menu for your MREs. They have almost no limits but remember that the number one rule when choosing food is LONG-TERM. It means, whatever food you choose, make sure it can be used for long-term storage. The Vacuum Sealers Vacuum sealers are so convenient, and for the preppers, they have many uses.  Click on the picture down below for different brands and models. Vacuum Sealer Machines Vacuum Sealer Bags Food Saver Brand and Attachments Monk Fruit Sweetener One last thing, NEVER FORGET that this is survival food. The food you choose may not taste like home cooking, but it WILL KEEP YOU ALIVE. Don’t try to watch for low calories count; you need those calories in an emergency situation. Always keep your salt and pepper handy…just in case! Always Prepared If you liked this article, I’d like to recommend this other one OIL LAMPS – YOUR BEST CHOICE Boricua Preppers – Always Prepared – Preparados Siempre I agree to have my personal information transfered to MailChimp ( more information ) Join the more than 8,000 followers of Boricua Preppers. YOUR EMAIL WILL NOT BE SHARED OR SOLD TO ANYONE. Like this:Like Loading… […]
July 29, 2020ReviewsThese Roadside Safety Discs can be seen from over 5000 feet by oncoming motorists. Protect yourself and your family in all emergency situations, simply activate each light with a single click. The magnetic allows you to easily attach the discs to your car as well as the ground. They are waterproof and durable enough to withstand being run over and while still continuing to shine! Easy To Use Simply activate with 1 easy click Sticks on a car Lays on the ground flat Hang with the utility hook Magnetic Base Easily attach the discs to your car with the magnetic base Attach to your bumper if you are towing something behind your car Stick the disc onto the inside of your truck bed for extra work light Durable Waterproof/Crush proof/Shock proof Will float in standing water Can be seen thru fog or smoke Light distance up to 5000 feet away Find Yours Now 1Tac roadside safety discs are sturdy, compact, lightweight, and one of the most potent emergency safety lights for your car, SUV, or truck today. Each roadside safety disc features fifteen LED light emitters that have a lifespan of about 100,000 hours. Since the manufacturer has made the product dustproof, water-resistant, shock, and crushproof, it could outlast any other roadside safety discs in the market. The roadside safety discs have a digitally regulated output that seamlessly manages the brightness produced by each flashing mode. Furthermore, you can operate the light modes from one button for easy use. 1Tac provides the most efficient, brightest, and most robust emergency beacons available in the market. If you in a roadside emergency, you only need to press the button featured in the product. Your roadside safety discs turn into SOS safety beacons that secure you as you try to get your automobile back on the highway. The safety discs’ magnetic base feature makes it possible for you to use both hands in a roadside emergency. With the push of a button, you right away can create a safety wall around your car, SUV, or truck to keep you and your family safe. Find Yours Now Boricua Preppers – Always Prepared – Preparados Siempre I agree to have my personal information transfered to MailChimp ( more information ) Join the more than 8,000 followers of Boricua Preppers. YOUR EMAIL WILL NOT BE SHARED OR SOLD TO ANYONE. Like this:Like Loading… […]
July 12, 2020Prepper GearOil lamps have existed for centuries, the only thing that has changed is the design, and for the last 100 years or more, the current design is the same. Made of metal, they are very durable and, with proper maintenance, can last for decades. These oil lamps require a minimum investment ($ 10 +). They come in various sizes, which is important since the size of the oil tank is going to decide how long it will continue burning, and that is one of the reasons that has made them famous. They are so reliable. Variations The lamps come in different variations and styles. They come in metal and glass (decorative). The model recommended for use in survival is the “hurricane”. It is the most resistant one to damage and made out of a metal design that resists shocks or abuse and protects the glass reflector (chimney) with a grid around it. Main Components For The Oil Lamps Wick – Made of cotton. It comes in various thickness sizes. 5/8”(size # 1) 1”(size # 2) 1/2”(size # 3) You must use the indicated size to maximize the lighting of the lamp. If you don’t know what size you are using, measure the size of the burner slit. The wick usually comes in rolls of 6 feet or more. When cutting a piece for your lamp, make sure you cut the wick slightly longer than the size of the oil reserve tank. Keep the tank full of oil, so the wick does not dry out; otherwise, it will go out. The Liquid Fuel Although I have titled this article “Oil Lamps,” you can also use kerosene gas. There are several types of lamp oils, and even oil from a can of tuna or sardines will work in an emergency, but I’ll mention the best ones to use. Paraffin Oil – A petroleum-derived, it is the most used in lamps. If you buy the one that says “ultra-pure,” it will burn 99% smoke and odor-free. Citronella Oil – There are three varieties, but preppers recommend “clean fuel oil,” which is colorless. Mosquito repellent. It burns very clean, almost like paraffin. Kerosene Gas – When buying kerosene, look on the label for K-1 type. Exclusively designed for oil lamps. It burns clean, gives outstanding performance, and burns a little brighter than oil (not too much). The advantage of oil lamps in your home emergency kit and even in your bug-out backpack is the advantages of using oil. Oil lamps can consume approximately ¼ – 3/8 of an inch of wick for each gallon of fuel. They burn approximately ½ ounce of oil per hour, yielding 512 hours per gallon. If you use it for 8 hours a day, it is equivalent to 64 days. Try to get that performance out of a battery or propane gas lamp. Simply put, oil lamps are the best option. Sizes Two sizes predominate among the “hurricane” lamps, which preppers use 8 and 12 inches. Any size is useful; it’s all about preferences and how long you want to use the lamp without the need to re-filling. Maintenance The maintenance of the lamps is easy and necessary. Lubricate moving parts frequently. Avoid friction and oxidation.Clean the fireplace frequently. The chimney is the glass globe in the lamp. When this chimney gets smudged with smoke, it reduces its brightness when lit up. Too much build-up of soot makes cleaning difficult.Inspect the chimney often and find if it’s broken. Buy a replacement if necessary. Other Lamps As everyone knows, other lamps are much more modern and illuminate more. The only drawback of them, in my opinion, is the performance they give. How long (hours) can I use them before I need to add a new propane tank or new batteries? Propane Lamps: they can be brighter.  One pound propane tank can last 14 hours on the minimum gas selector or 7 hours on max. The approximate price for each 1-pound tank – is $ 15. Battery Lamps: They are very convenient, compact, and lightweight.  Its brightness depends on the type of bulb you have (LED would be the best option).  The light duration depends on the batteries you use, how many you use, the charge capacity they have (the cheap ones do not last long), whether they are rechargeable or not, and if rechargeable, what is the maximum charge they can hold (mAh).  It also has the disadvantage of the cost of the batteries and how many you can carry in a backpack (if used in the bug-out bag). Conclusion Ultimately, deciding what type of lamp you want to use is yours. Among preppers, they prefer the hurricane oil lamps model. They are so efficient and reliable. You can carry a small 8-inch lamp in the backpack. Just hang it from the back of the bug-out bag and cover it with a towel or foam to avoid breaking the glass chimney. At home, you should have a few oil lamps ready to use at any moment. Always keep several gallons of fuel stored in your reserves. Teach everyone in the house how to use them. Share the responsibility of keeping them full of oil, lubricated, and clean. Doing so helps create a family circle of cooperation, where each is important in the family’s survival. Always Ready If you liked this article, I’d like to recommend this other one: Difficult Times Ahead – Are You Ready? Boricua Preppers – Always Prepared – Preparados Siempre I agree to have my personal information transfered to MailChimp ( more information ) Join the more than 8,000 followers of Boricua Preppers. YOUR EMAIL WILL NOT BE SHARED OR SOLD TO ANYONE. Like this:Like Loading… […]
July 1, 2020Prepper GearDescription: A tarp is a sheet of waterproof fabric. In most cases, it’s made out of Nylon (preferable Ripstop Nylon) and attached with 550 paracord lanyard to trees, aluminum rods, rocks, and other stable things to form a shelter. They are the lightest and cheapest portable tarp shelter to carry inside a survival backpack. Although many preppers prefer to sleep in a tent, however, if you know your bushcraft skills, you can build a proper shelter with the right size tarp. The Extras Different modular components are available for tarp shelters, such as indoor insect nets, blankets, sleeping bags, bivy sack and hammocks. An insect net, for example, is useful in hot climates to prevent mosquitoes from entering the shelter, while a protective sack will protect you against precipitation that blows horizontally. You may think that it is much simpler to bring a tent or plastic cover, but using a tarp shelter with modular components allows you to pack according to the camp site expected conditions. Thus, you can significantly reduce the weight of your backpack by leaving unnecessary things at home. Tarps are also inexpensive and highly versatile. However, some skills are required to assemble the tarp, so it will be beneficial to practice setting up the tarp before you need to use it in an emergency.  Tarps are also inexpensive and highly versatile. However, some skills are required to assemble them, so it will be beneficial to practice setting one up before you need to use it in an emergency. The canopy is installed and secured depending on the terrain, but a wooded area is generally the best place to set it up. The tarps must also be set up according to the weather; For example, in stormy conditions, it should be closer to the ground for better protection from rain and wind. In hot weather, it may need to be higher for better ventilation. To efficiently use a tarp shelter, you should also know necessary knots skills. What is the most important thing when buying a survival tarp shelter? The Weight: Experienced preppers prefer tarps instead of tents to carry in their backpacks because it is lighter. Therefore, choosing one that is significantly lighter than a tent will allow you to have additional gear in your bug-out bag. A high-quality emergency tarp that can accommodate two people weighs as little as 10 ounces, while high-quality two-person tents weigh about 3+ pounds. Size And Occupancy When Stored: Tarps generally take up very little space in a backpack, less than tents. There are preppers that once they have folded their tarp, they place them inside a sealable plastic bag and seal them with a vacuum to compact them much more. Remember that as an experienced prepper, you should always maximize your bug-out bag with only the necessary items to survive. Size When Deployed: The larger the tarp, the more area it will cover and protect you from rain and wind. A preferable size for a survival tarp shelter is between 8×8 to 10×12. You can also increase the covered area by decreasing the internal height (A pitch). However, if you reduce the internal height too much, you will have trouble using modular components such as an inner mosquito net or a bivy sleeping bag. Material: Tarps used by preppers are made of nylon, the same material from which the bottom or floor of the tents is made off. The nylon fabric is usually impregnated with silicone or covered with a polyurethane layer to make them weatherproof. Many manufacturers also use ripstop technology to increase resistance to abrasion. For example, the material is reinforced with interlocking threads). The fabric of a tarp is not breathable but rarely has condensation issues, as the setup is well ventilated. However, you must ensure that no part of your sleeping bag or your clothes is in direct contact with the tarp. The heat from the sleeping bag or your body can cause condensation to form on it, causing the sleeping bag or your clothes to suck up that condensation. Fixing The Tarp In Place Survival tarps have six or more attachment points or grommets, depending on size and design. Typically, there is one attachment point near each of the four corners, while two additional attachment points that are located on the sides in the middle. Attachment points in the middle allow you to suspend the tarp. These two attachment points can usually hold the tip of a trekking pole or aluminum pole to quickly set up the tarp in an “A-frame” configuration, even if there are no trees. The other four attachment points (grommets) are used to secure the tarp to the ground with stakes. Some Boricua Prepper Recommendations   Sea to Summit Escapist Tarp Show Me MSR Thru Hiker 70 Wing Show Me Wise Owl Outfitters Rain Fly Tarp Show Me Kelty Upslope Tarp Show Me Aqua Quest Safari Tarp Show Me Eagles Nest Outfitters ProFly Rain Tarp Show Me REDCAMP Aluminum Tarp Poles Show Me If you liked this article please check out this other important article. Practice To Overcome Difficulties Boricua Preppers – Always Prepared – Preparados Siempre I agree to have my personal information transfered to MailChimp ( more information ) Join the more than 8,000 followers of Boricua Preppers. YOUR EMAIL WILL NOT BE SHARED OR SOLD TO ANYONE. Like this:Like Loading… […]
July 1, 2020First AidI believe that every Prepper has a first aid kit in their Bug-out-bag and at home. It is one of the most necessary items after food and water, as it is part of taking care of our health in times of crisis. If you are a Prepper with experience in the field of practical medicine, then you know well what products you should have in a first aid kit. And those who have no experience in functional medicine (which is the vast majority), end up buying a cheap first aid kit, relying on the products and items that the manufacturer includes in that kit to make them eye-catching to the buyers. Unfortunately, the products and items that the manufacturer has chosen for their kits, in most cases, are low-quality products, putting your health at risk, and it becomes a waste of money in the long run. Unless you did your proper research before buying and making sure you bought a perfect quality kit. Many store-bought first aid kits are made in China. The quality of these kits is proven to be appalling. For example, cut bandages only last for minutes before they start to peel off from the skin. The absorbent speck inside the dressing hardly absorbs when there is a cut. Aspirins, creams, and alcohol pads are also of deficient quality. In short, you get what you pay for and put your health at risk by not having high-quality equipment and products. First Aid Kit – The Basics When you are preparing your basic first aid kit, you have to think about everyday and current situations that can happen, and that are not life-threatening. Examples of this would be; slight cuts, small burns, muscle aches, insect bites, eye cleaning, and other situations that immediate medical attention. Below is a list of essential first aid kits items. Good quality adhesive bandages in different sizes Sterilized gauze of different sizes and thickness Disposable alcohol and non-alcohol wipes Triple antibiotic cream Ointment for burns Aspirins and tablets for pain (acetaminophen, ibuprofen, and others) Eye cleaning cups and eye cleaning wash. Disposable gloves Tweezers Scissors for medical use Digital Thermometer Surgical tape Ointments for insect bites Salt tablets  You can add more things to the list according to your needs, but remember,  always taking into account the weight it attaches to the backpack. Also, learn about natural remedies; they may be handy during survival situations. Advanced First Aid Kit – The Trauma Kit There is an essential distinction between a first aid kit and a trauma kit for starters. The first aid kit is to treat any mild medical situation that does not require immediate medical attention or no medical attention. A first aid kit does not require any training, although it is advisable to familiarize yourself with practical essential teaching videos. The trauma kit is for treating high-risk medical situations that require immediate medical intervention. It is imperative to stabilize a person’s wounds until professional help (paramedics) arrives. The trauma kit does need basic trauma training. Certified training is not necessarily required (although it is recommended). But still, the person owning the advanced first aid kit should know how to use or how to apply each item that comes in the bag. There are many videos on YouTube about how to treat trauma cases and some of them with a survivalist mindset. *** You should not, for any reason, have a trauma kit in your backpack if you don’t know how to use it. You can create more damage to the injured person. *** The Basics of a Trauma Kit Tourniquet – Very necessary to stop the flow of blood (major wound) in one of the extremities (arms/legs). Elastic Pressure Bandages – It’s for when the bleeding wound is not so severe, and direct pressure can help to stop the bleeding. Chest Patches – To seal puncture wounds in the lung area. Blood Coagulant – To apply to a bleeding wound before being bandaged. As the blood coagulates, it is easier to stop the bleeding with direct pressure bandages. Thermal Blankets – To maintain body temperature and avoid hypothermia. Triangular Bandage – For wounds in different areas of the body. Gauze Sponges – For wound cleaning. Recommendations So. Which of the two kits should you have? Boricua Prepper recommends having both, as they have different functions. But if you decide to have both, take seriously about wanting to train for the use of trauma kit. You should have both, your first aid kit and trauma kit be in separate compartments, to have access from outside the backpack for immediate use if necessary. Many preppers use “MOLLE” compartments connected to the main bag and disconnected when needed. It is essential to emphasize the importance of taking into account the backpack’s final weight when preparing the first aid kit. When making a backpack for one person, it is easier to have a light bag, since the medical equipment needed can be reduced, by omitting some items. But when the bag gets prepared for the family needs as well (and more if there are children), it is more difficult to omit any articles. It is challenging to avoid the temptation to buy a ready-made first aid kit, but as I said initially, the quality of the content in most purchases is deficient, then you end up paying double. I recommend that you buy the empty compartments (or MOLLE attachment) and gradually build a good first aid kit. Remember, you may never use your first aid or trauma kit, but if you do, you can, by all means, depend on what you have because you took the time to research and spend the money on good quality products. Lastly, my preppers, train yourself in skills necessary for survival and first aid, are among them. Find out if there are any government or private agencies that provide free or low-cost training locally. Look for videos on YouTube. And above all things; Practice-Practice, and Practice more. The more skills you dominate, the more reliable you become. In the worst-case scenario, your expertise becomes an asset in your community. You could also trade your skills for something that you may need (food and water be at the top of the list). I hope you can take advantage of this article and please share it with family and friends and remember… Always READY Useful Videos These videos allow you to begin the process of self-training in the correct use of some first aid kits/trauma kits. If you liked this article please check out this other important article. Prepared For Difficult Times – Are You Ready? Boricua Preppers – Always Prepared – Preparados Siempre I agree to have my personal information transfered to MailChimp ( more information ) Join the more than 8,000 followers of Boricua Preppers. YOUR EMAIL WILL NOT BE SHARED OR SOLD TO ANYONE. Like this:Like Loading… […]
February 16, 2019Difficult TimesProtecting your identity has become the most important thing to do in many things that we do daily. From buying at the store, going into the gas station to surfing online. No matter what we do, we have to protect our identity at all costs. It is the year 2019 of the 21st century. It is amazing to see the advances in technology that exist today and from which many of us benefit on a daily bases. For those who have already turned into living half of a century, they can make a great distinction of what it was like to live in the decades of the ’60s, ’70s, and ’80s and what is to lived now. Certainly, the most significant changes in technology occurred with the arrival of personal computers in the 1975-76 periods. After that, the introduction to the Internet between 1992 and 1993, which revolutionized the lives of millions of people around the world ever since. Today we use the internet for so many things and for some people all their day revolves around the internet. People connect into the internet with their smartphones, their computers, and tablets. With such advanced technology, there is always a risk of some kind of cyber intrusion and the biggest of them is the rise of identity theft. Every day many people are becoming victims of some type of identity theft. Years ago having a good antivirus program was enough to be safe (or felt safe) from the “hackers”. But the hackers have become smarter and more high-tech. So at the same token, you need to step up in protecting your identity. According to the Insurance Information Institute website (iii.org) in 2017, there were 16.7 million victims of identity theft. In 2017 North Carolina made the number 1 position of the states with the most incidences of identity theft. Washington came in number 2 and Florida number 3. The cases of compromised Social Security numbers are growing fast from year to year. In 2017 the Equifax suffered a breach that exposed the personal data of 145 million people, including Social Security numbers. It was among the worst breaches on the record because of the amount of sensitive information stolen. These should be reason enough for you to act in protecting your identity. Despite all the cases of identity theft reported, every day more and more people move to be on par with all the modernization and technology that exists today with the internet. The internet continues changing lives in many households and families around the world at giant steps. Buying through the internet is something that is already very common within many families. It’s a commodity that many of us enjoy to used and help us with our modern lifestyle where our schedule is always busy or too busy and doesn’t have the time to spend hours shopping elsewhere. Nowadays it’s so easy from a laptop or phone to just order whatever we want or need. There is also the convenience of paying all our debts and bills online with just a few clicks away. Such commodities have some risks within and risks that can lead to loss of money (sometimes a lot of money) and to go through tough times and headaches. Once again, protecting your identity is a most! In 2017 there were 16.7 million victims of identity theft. In 2017 North Carolina made the number 1 position of the states with the most incidences of identity theft. Washington came in number 2 and Florida number 3. What Can You Do? The federal government recommends several steps to follow when the person believes he or she is the victim of some form of identity theft. If you believe your Social Security number has been compromised, call one of the credit bureaus as soon as possible and request a “Fraud Alert”. Call one of the Credit Bureaus or visit their website. By reporting the incident to one of the Credit Bureaus the other two will be informed as well. Experian – 888-397-3742 experian.com Equifax – 800-685-1111 equifax.com TransUnion – 888-909-8872 transunion.com It is also recommended that you begin monitoring your credit and obtain a credit report at least once a year. You can access your “free” credit report once a year through annualcreditreport.com or call 877-322-8228. If you already have proof that identity theft had occurred against you, you must report it immediately to the Federal Trade Commission at 877-438-4338. Fill out an incident report here…Form to fill. The truth is that having a good antivirus program is no longer the perfect solution because the antivirus works by detecting programs installed in your computer made to infect your computer with a virus or some other programs to damage your computer or to steal data from it and transfer it to the hackers. But now there are other ways to steal your information without setting up a virus in the computer, but by simply infiltrate into your computer through its “Internet Protocol Address” (IP address). Get your VPN  VPN or Virtual Private Network is your own personal and private network within the public network. The VPN masks your internet protocol address (IP) so whatever you do online is not traceable and hackers won’t know your real IP address. Therefore, they can touch your personal information saved on your computer or phone. It works by creating an encrypted tunnel for the data that you send and receive. Another great advantage of having a VPN is the privacy of all your searches from the government since they are always snooping around on everyone. Also, privacy from third-party websites searching what we do online. As you already know, companies like Facebook and Google are always keeping track of everything that we do to sell information to other companies. Many companies offer a good professional VPN service but of all those that I analyzed, I found that the BEST VPN and cheap too is NordVPN. This company offers the best VPN service at a reasonable price. I do not recommend free VPNs, after doing researches and comparisons I am convinced that they are not reliable and their security features cannot exceed the ones from paid VPN and NordVPN is by far the BEST VPN available. Looking for the best VPN for your android phone or your iPhone? The best VPN for windows 10 users? Then NordVPN it’s all you need. NordVPN offers the following: Being based in Panama, NordVPN falls under the country’s jurisdiction and Panama has no data retention laws; A strict no-logs policy. We want to ensure user privacy and security; therefore we never log user activities; Military-grade AES-256-CBC encryption and a variety of protocols to choose from OpenVPN (UDP and TCP), PPTP, L2TP/IPSec, IKEv2/IPSec; Risk-free 30-day money-back guarantee; Unlimited bandwidth and data; +5000 servers located in 62 countries (the server number is always growing); Fast speed servers that are also reliable and consistent; Multiple ways to contact 24/7 customer support (live chat, email, ticket system); CyberSec features that block dangerous websites and lets users avoid annoying ads; An automatic kill switch (can kill individual processes or kill whole internet connection); 6 simultaneous connections; P2P friendly; Works in countries (China, the Middle East countries) where internet access is restricted, and strong censorship is in place; Double encryption to ensure top-level privacy and security                                                                Recomended by Special offer: Pay only $ 3.49 per month when you make a 3-year contract. Click here Take advantage of this EXTRA DISCOUNT offered through Boricua Preppers.  Receive 40% cashback when you make your NordVPN purchase with the Rakuten discount code. Click here  Remember to be one step ahead from the cybercriminals by protecting your identity. -Always Prepared- Other Important Articles Drill..Drill.. Drill – Are You Ready? Boricua Preppers – Always Prepared – Preparados Siempre I agree to have my personal information transfered to MailChimp ( more information ) Join the more than 8,000 followers of Boricua Preppers.YOUR EMAIL WILL NOT BE SHARED OR SOLD TO ANYONE. Like this:Like Loading… […]
February 19, 2018Planing & ReadinessFor years we have witnessed many changes in nature. We had learned to use the term Extreme Weather in our daily vocabulary. Back in the old days, I don’t think our grandfathers used that term too often. Too often, we see days with extreme temperatures (hot or cold), intense storms, strong earthquakes, volcanoes erupting, icy poles melting, and many other situations. That shows us how nature and its extreme weather is affecting us as a whole planet. Therefore it is crucial to acknowledge that we need to be prepared for difficult times ahead of us, and we need to act now. Different countries had begun redirecting part of their budget to studies and to promote consciousness within their citizens through the news media and social media. We need to get ready. Scientists and governments acknowledged the changes in the planet and are alerting that difficult times are coming. Difficult Times Ahead – Hurricanes Harvey, Irma, and Maria Was Just The Beginning In 2017, Puerto Rico never thought to see and experienced in their lives a terrible disaster as Hurricane Maria brought it. Since Puerto Rico is a Caribbean island, they have always been exposed to hurricanes before, years after years. Now, Maria was the “big exception,” a vast and robust nature phenomenon. It felt unreal for the majority of the people, it was the mother of hurricanes that hit the island of Puerto Rico, and this weather monster left a deep scar in their hearts for the rest of their lives. No one could deal with such difficult times, and no one got prepared. The same happened to those living in Texas and Florida with hurricanes Harvey and Irma. Are You Ready? Be Ready- has been the voice of the government to the public. For years, the alert sound to live a lifestyle in total preparedness was always there, but unfortunately, only a few folks listened and truly believed in the call. Those few folks (preppers) took action to get prepared right away. For so many decades, Puerto Ricans have seen so many other hurricanes that became big and strong, and, at the last moment, it took a turn north and disappeared in the waters of the Atlantic Ocean or went south to the Caribbean Sea. So why hurricane Maria would not be any different from the others? Unfortunately, it was not like any other hurricanes in the past. Everyone on the island experienced the force and fury of nature with a category 4 hurricane (with cat 5 wind gusts), and some other islands in the Caribbean were also devastated by this monster of extreme weather. Extreme Preparations Hurricane Maria in 2017 and hurricane Dorian in 2019 had to be one of the biggest lessons for many families. In the Caribbean and the U.S., families are waking up to an awareness and are taking the preparedness very seriously. Many preppers groups and websites are flooding social media and new people joining them every week. Families want to get ready, getting prepared for difficult times that may (or will) come to us in the future. You can never lower your guard. Besides, preparation will also help for any other crisis that may suddenly present. A good example will be in the case of an earthquake. Although preparing for such events entails quite substantial expenses. We need to see it as a necessary expense, a necessity. For this reason, you have to try to live frugal (minimalist). Many of us like to call it living “a frugal life.” To make this happen, we set priorities for our money. We learn to set aside money for equipment and supplies. As many already know, the cost of grocery products and equipment of first necessity after a disaster becomes scarce. In many cases, the price to pay has been doubled and even tripled by some stores. Although the government prohibits price gouging, some store owners still increase the costs. Whoever has not learned this lesson with the experience of Hurricane Harvey, Irma, Maria and Dorian certainly live on another planet. Relying On The Government Relying on the government can not be our main plan of action. It would be the biggest mistake that we ever made. Another lesson that Hurricane Harvey, Irma, Maria, and Dorian gave us is that the government is not ready for large-scale disasters. The logistics of food and water distribution and the repair of the infrastructure are very disorganized. Unfortunately, there are corrupt hands between them that make everything very difficult and out of control. For these reasons is why we can not depend on the government. To depend on the government is to be an irresponsible citizen. Due to their age or disability, some people have no choice but to wait for government assistance or for a good samaritan who can extend their helping hands to them. If more people seriously took the challenges and responsibility of living prepared for difficult times, I think the government’s burden to administer and supply their aid would be lighter and, in turn, more manageable to handle and more effective. Preparation Priorities It is crucial as Preppers to have a written plan of action. I know we like to do everything by memory, but having a written plan that we can go over and make sure we do not overlook anything is extremely important. It is like a checklist. Pilots who fly every day and know all the procedures to the dot still go through a checklist, so nothing gets missed and especially during difficult times.  You and your family have a written plan for different scenarios? If you do, you can practice that action plan repeatedly, just like the professionals do.  What things can we include in a preparation plan? The following information is beneficial in making a complete preparation plan:  Talk to your family – Preparation is everybody’s business. Wrap your family around and share opinions. They may have something important to say. Make plans for different types of situations – hurricanes, earthquakes, tsunamis, fires, etc. Evacuation routes and meeting places – Have more than one path and more than one meeting place. Shelter in Place – If you had to stay at home. What should you do? What is the plan? Your survival equipment – Make a list of the necessary equipment and then a list of the advanced ones. How much money do you need to get them? Your food and water supplies – You must discuss the what – food you are going to buy? How much – do you need? Where – are you going to storage it? Who – is doing what? Why – the importance of everything getting done and everyone’s help. Plan A and plan B – always have a RESERVE PLAN and even a plan C if necessary. Among all the experiences learned from previous hurricanes, storms, and disasters, I believe that preparedness is an ongoing process. We set small goals; once you reached that first goal, set your heart and mind for the next one. People usually get focus in getting a 72 hours preparedness kit and have food and water for that same timeframe. However, many survivalists, experts, and preppers promote to have enough food and water for six months or more. So, go ahead and get ready for any difficult times that could come in the near future. Remember always to take these matters seriously and teach your family to do it as well. These steps will help you be prepared and remember that difficult times can come to us with no warning. BE READY!! The Bug-Out Bag The bug-out bag is an essential part of a Prepper preparedness kit and is used for when you have to make a sudden escape outside of your central survival place (in most cases, your home). Most people have enough food and water for three days in their bags. You can add a little more food and water and rationed to last if necessary a week. By doing so, you are adding more time to settle in a temporary shelter (tent or tarp) and find food and water resources. You will have a fully packed bug-out bag, but you must make space for that extra supply. Dry food is your best option. Canned food or bottled water adds too much weight to your bag, and you know that you will get tired very soon and have back pains if you are not used to carrying heavy backpacks, which is most people’s situation. So take enough food and water to stay alive and not to have full meals. When you are out there in a crisis and fighting to stay alive, your state of mind needs to switch to the survival mode and adapt to the situation quickly. By adjusting to your crisis on hand, you will be able to concentrate on your survival skills, including eating less food and drinking less water. It would help if you learned to control yourself and adapt quickly. Otherwise, your mind and body will continue acting like on a typical day, and you will feel the effects of being thirsty and hungry and will drink and eat all your supplies in a matter of a day or two. And then what are you going to do? To achieve this, you need a lot of concentration and staying focus on surviving. That energy and feeling to sustain will push you over your limits, and you will be able to do whatever it takes to stay alive. You will also be able to share that motivation and energy to the ones around you, like your family. Home Preparedness Be prepared at home at all times. For short or long term crisis. It would be best if you used all viable means to increase your food and water reserves. Store your food in the safest preservation methods, which are canned food (home canned or from the stores). Store grains and dry products in vacuum-sealed glass jars, in Mylar bags, or plastic vacuum-sealed bags. Learn which products are suitable for long-term storage and are easy to make or prepare in your campsite kitchen settings. Keep in mind that your chances of having power in your kitchen are almost none in a crisis. I can’t stop thinking about some of the pictures that I have seen online from preppers (some newbies and some with more experience) showing their reserves (which should be kept in top-secret). In those photos, I’ve seen products like biscuits mix, cake mix, candies, cookies, and many other products that involve a lot of preparation or are not good options for survival food. I think we need to be very wise about what to buy for our reserves. We need to ask ourselves before buying, how easy is it to prepared?, how many rations or servings I can get from a single product? And the intake values such as calories, vitamins, and minerals, among others. Junk food is not a good thing to have in your reserves, although it is good to have some goodies (to feel good), and hard chocolate candies are the number one option in the suggestion list (caramels are #2), and both required no confections. Your Home Infrastructure One major lesson learned from previous disasters (like hurricane Maria) is to have a backup plan for when there is no potable water and power. For non-drinking water, many people have learned to have and used water cisterns, rainwater retention, or rivers, creeks, and ponds near their homes. In this situation, water filtration systems are necessary if you are planning to use this water for drinking. Otherwise, the water it’s used for toilets, washing dishes, and personal hygiene. For power or electricity, a portable propane gas or gasoline generators (or hybrid), power converters (dc to ac) using the battery of your cars, solar panels, and many other options. Don’t wait until the last minute to try to come up with alternatives before a hurricane or any other difficult times. This Will Be Over Soon During Hurricane Maria in Puerto Rico, no one thought that a cat five hurricane was going to hit them; therefore, only a few families owned any generators or any backup system. Many people didn’t have candles for more than three days, and then again, a lot of people were out of power for more than six months and a few families for almost a year. Could you imagine living in the dark ages for nearly a year? Yeah, I know, only in Hollywood movies. But in reality, it happened to many families in Puerto Rico, too many other islands in the Caribbean and other countries in the world. Knowing that rebuilding the infrastructure of a devastated country involves a lot of time, money, and dedication on the part of the government, this is why it is our responsibility to find ways to become independent from government assistance. Before such crisis, we need to supply our selves with the necessary equipment to live as close as possible to a typical day amid the circumstances. All this entails extra expenses, and it is for this reason that we can not perceive this expenditure as unnecessary expenses. Your Prepper Mentality Since we are living in times never seen before and primarily this extreme weather phenomenon, year after year, it is much severe and more destructive. Therefore, let’s set aside any negativity in our minds that makes us think that investing in preparedness is a big waste of money, or that we can spend money but only limited to standard equipment made with cheap quality materials. Only by having a survival mentality, you will successfully face all the difficult times, challenges, and the survival needs of a crisis. It is not easy to face the reality of a disaster. We go through so much stress that we could quickly go in a panic shock, and all the survival stuff that we supposedly know is not helping us at all. Why? Because we let fear takes over us. Fear is our worst enemy. We could have everything that we need to survive and staying alive, but fear could drag us down to the hole. So stay calm!! Take control of that fear, your enemy. Let all that knowledge and that practice that you had with your family using your action plan sink in. You will survive. The Right Attitude Overcome these difficult times, challenge yourself, seek new knowledge and new information, and learn new skills every day, or every week, as often as possible. Instruction and practice can help you be skillful in surviving. Nowadays, there are no excuses not to learn something new. We have the benefit of the internet and YouTube to watch videos. The responsibility falls on you, do not let the crisis come to your doors and catch you unprepared and scared. Be mindful at all times and watch your six and protect those that you love the most. They depend on you. ALWAYS PREPARED Other Articles: Protecting Your Identity Boricua Preppers – Always Prepared – Preparados Siempre I agree to have my personal information transfered to MailChimp ( more information ) Join the more than 8,000 followers of Boricua Preppers. YOUR EMAIL WILL NOT BE SHARED OR SOLD TO ANYONE. Like this:Like Loading… […]

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