As you know, I live and work in Greece which, just in case you have been living under a stone, is going through a crisis at the moment. The government has been given the final countdown by Europe to play their game or get out. Having seen what happened when Cyprus wouldn't play by the rules and with the images of Argentina's bankruptcy still in mind, like any mum, my concerns were feeding my family in difficult times. A pantry well stocked with basic supplies is something modern living has little need of with 24 hour shopping, so I decided to Google it and, low and behold, I found a whole subculture who live in fear of disaster. I thought I'd shared my findings with you!
Preppers have lists of supplies with which to fill their store rooms or bunkers, these include edible products and non-food items that are used in everyday life and are seem to be essential for survival. Not only that but they keep themselves fit by hiking and working out, they are usually skilled hunters as they will tell you that the apocalypse is no place for a vegetarian. They have there own terminology (see below).
When Robert Baden-Powel, founder of the Boy Scouts, chose
the motto “Be Prepared” he intended that a Boy Scout should be ready to face any
situation. Scouts take wilderness treks, go camping, cook on an open fire,
learn to tie knots, light fires without matches and how to communicate using semaphore.
It all seems like an adventure and a fun thing to do if you are a kid. However, there
are people who live everyday of their lives honing their survival
skills just in case disaster strikes.
They are called “Preppers” or “Survivalists”. This is not a
new concept and Preppers are currently in the third wave of development. The
first were those born in the 1930s-50s who experience World War II, then there
were those of the 70s and 80s who were worried about nuclear attack more than
anything or socio-economic collapse and since the 2001 September 11th
attack in the US there is a new generation of people who see impending doom, be it natural disaster, nuclear war or even
alien or zombie invasion, looming just around the corner! On the web there is a plethora of sites dedicated to
the Prepper Lifestyle and culture.
Preppers have lists of supplies with which to fill their store rooms or bunkers, these include edible products and non-food items that are used in everyday life and are seem to be essential for survival. Not only that but they keep themselves fit by hiking and working out, they are usually skilled hunters as they will tell you that the apocalypse is no place for a vegetarian. They have there own terminology (see below).
Sound crazy to you? Even reputable
organisations such as The American Red Cross recommend having an emergency box. (More information on their site.)
Survivalist terms
(Adapted from Wikipedia)- Alpha strategy: Having extra supplies of consumable to swap or use to be (seen to be) charitable.
- Ballistic wampum: Ammunition used for bartering. (Wampum are beads that Native Americans used in Exchange.)
- BOB: Bug-out-bag/G.O.O.D. kit = an Emergency supply kit.
- BOL: Bug-out location. = a place to escape to.
- BOV: Bug-out vehicle = an escape Car.
- Crunch: any major, long-term disaster.
- EDC: Everyday carry. The things we ordinarily carry with us in case disaster strikes, this could include a weapon.
- EOTW: End of the world
- Goblin: A criminal,
- Golden horde: The people who will escape from the cities when disaster strikes.
- G.O.O.D.: Get out of Dodge (city). Escaping a city in time of disaster.
- I.N.C.H. Bag: I'm Not Coming Home Bag. = a bag carried at all times so you don't have to go home and pack if disaster strikes while you out.
- Pollyanna or Polly: You are probably one! Someone who doesn't believe the worst will happen.
- Prepper/ survivalist/ retreater: someone prepared for disaster.
- TEOTWAWKI: The end of the world as we know it
- WROL: Without rule of law.
- YOYO: You're on your own.
- Zombie: Those of us who weren't prepared and rely on other's preparedness. (Eating their brains - get it?)
- Zombie apocalypse: a metaphor for any natural or man-made disaster (and sadly in some cases it seems to be taken literally!)
FOOD FOR THOUGHT QUESTIONS:
What situations do you need to prepare for?
Do you think people who prepare for disaster have genuine concerns or are they extremists, crazy or both?
Would be able to survive if disaster struck?
Do you already have any of the skills/supplies that are mentioned in the text above?
If you had 24 hours to prepare for impending disaster, what would you do?
What items do you consider are essential to survival?
If you had to escape now, what one thing would you take with you?
Where do you think a threat to our lifestyle is most likely to come from?
Are you a Prepper? Why? If not, would you become one? Why?
Have I put you in the mood for a disaster movie? Try these ones to keep this crazy theme going!
Divergent
The Maze Runner
Waterworld
Terminator II/Salvation
The Hunger Games
The Day After Tomorrow
2012
Elysium
Alive!
Cast Away
Contagion
Outbreak
Children of Men
The Host
Dante's Peak
Mars Attack!
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