Today we have Month 2: Strengthening the Basics in our series, A Month-By-Month Plan To Go From Emergency Survival to Long-Term Self-Sufficiency.
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Now that you have established the foundation of your prepping efforts, it is time to start strengthening those basics.
Don’t feel pressured to do everything at once. Continue building on what you have already started by leveling up each area of your preparations.
This process doesn’t have to break the bank, and it doesn’t have to happen overnight. The key is to gradually improve and expand your capabilities, making sure that each step forward leaves you more secure than you were the month before. With every addition, you increase your chances of handling emergencies efficiently and effectively.
B. Month 2: Strengthening the Basics
A Month-By-Month Plan To Go From Emergency Survival to Long Term Self-Sufficiency
As with Month 1: The Essentials, Month 2: Strengthening the Basics will have the same seven topics but will add to last month’s supplies.
So let’s start with the most important element, water.
1. Water: Adding Water Purification Tablets and Advanced Filters
After storing enough bottled water for immediate needs, it is time to think about long-term water purification. Bottled water won’t last forever, and if an emergency extends beyond your stored supply, you will need a reliable way to purify water from less controlled sources.
Adding water purification tablets to your prep is an easy way to enhance your water security. These tablets are compact, inexpensive, and highly effective at killing bacteria and viruses. Keep them stored in a cool, dry place and rotate them as needed, as they do have expiration dates.
Next, invest in a portable water filter, such as a LifeStraw or Sawyer Mini. These filters can be used directly from a water source and are effective at removing bacteria, protozoa, and other contaminants.
As you expand, consider upgrading to more advanced filtration systems, such as gravity-fed water filters, which allow you to purify larger amounts of water at once. These are ideal for longer-term emergencies where access to clean water is inconsistent. These devices can be used to get water directly from a pond or river.
Avoid relying solely on one method as with the other essential we are talking about. Having multiple layers of water purification—tablets, filters, and boiling methods—ensures you’re covered no matter the situation. This way, you can confidently handle both short-term needs and long-term contingencies. The more options you have the better your chances are for everyone to stay safe and comfortable.
The second part of Strengthening the Basics is, of course, food.
2. Food: Expanding Your Stockpile with Freeze-Dried Meals or MREs
Now that you have built up a base of non-perishable staples like canned goods, it is time to level up your food storage with options that are lightweight, nutritious, and long-lasting.
Freeze-dried meals and MREs (Meals Ready-to-Eat) are excellent additions to your stockpile.
Freeze-dried meals are easy to prepare—most only require water—and have a shelf life of up to 25 years. They are lightweight and take up minimal space, making them ideal for both home storage and emergency bug-out bags.
MREs, which are commonly used by the military, are ready to eat without cooking or boiling water, making them perfect for situations where you can’t access heat or clean water.
When buying freeze-dried meals or MREs, diversify your options to avoid taste fatigue. While these foods are practical, they are not gourmet, and eating the same thing day after day can wear on you mentally. Try a few different brands or flavors to find ones you like before buying in bulk. Here you may want to research and experiment to find some that are both healthy and tasty. Consider that you may be eating these for some time so be sure to get more than one and flavors or meals that your family will be willing to eat.
Avoid storing large quantities of fresh or frozen foods unless you have a reliable long-term power source like a generator. If you lose electricity, these foods will spoil quickly, leaving you with limited options. Focus on non-perishable items that require minimal preparation to maintain your food security even in extended emergencies.
There are several companies now that offer freeze-dried and MRE-type meal packages. Again, do your research, not all companies are equal or honest.
Next in Month 2: Strengthening the Basics is improving your first aid supplies.
3. First Aid: Expanding Your Kit with Splints and Wound Care
Your basic first aid kit has laid the groundwork, but now it is time to strengthen it with more advanced items that allow you to handle more serious injuries. Splints are essential for stabilizing broken bones or sprains, allowing for proper healing and reducing the chance of further injury. A SAM splint is a flexible, lightweight option that can be molded to fit any limb and is easy to carry in your first aid kit.
Expand your kit by adding more wound care supplies. Include items like sterile gauze, adhesive bandages of varying sizes, butterfly closures, and medical tape. You will also want to add antiseptic solutions like hydrogen peroxide or iodine, along with antibiotic ointments to prevent infection.
If you haven’t already, add medications such as antihistamines for allergic reactions, anti-diarrheals for gastrointestinal issues, and any necessary prescription medications for long-term use.
It’s also a good idea to invest in a trauma kit that includes items for more severe injuries, like a tourniquet, hemostatic agents to stop heavy bleeding, and a chest seal for puncture wounds.
Knowing how to use these items properly is critical, so consider taking a first aid or basic trauma course. Many of these advanced tools will come with instructions but do not rely on that to give you all the info you will have.
Stop the Bleed has a training course and a kit and is nationally recognized in first aid care.
You may want to think about having your entire family take the course, it’s short and specific to the types and severity of bleeding emergencies.
Consider CPR training for the whole family as well, even little ones can save a life by calling for help, activating the Emergency Medical Services, or assisting in CPR by keeping count of compressions.
In survival situations, medical knowledge is an invaluable skill. Teaching your children to be calm and giving them the tools to react decisively in any situation is life-saving both for them and for you.
Avoid relying solely on over-the-counter medications and small bandages. Prepare for more serious medical issues that could arise during a disaster when professional help may not be immediately available.
The next section of Month 2: Strengthening the Basics is shoring up your shelter.
4. Shelter: Identifying Safe Areas and Creating an Emergency Room
You’ve already started securing your home against minor emergencies, but now it’s time to identify specific safe areas in your home where your family can shelter during severe events like tornadoes, hurricanes, or civil unrest.
This could be a basement, interior room, or even a closet away from windows and outside walls. The goal is to choose a location that provides the most protection from external dangers.
Take it a step further by creating a dedicated emergency room. Stock this room with essentials like your first aid kit, extra water, non-perishable food, blankets, a fire extinguisher, flashlights, and tools.
This space should serve as a place where your family can stay safe for several hours to several days if necessary. Ensure it has the supplies you need to seal off windows and doors, such as duct tape and plastic sheeting, in case of hazardous conditions outside.
Do not depend on just one place for shelter, like an attic or a single room. Always have multiple safe areas in case your primary shelter becomes compromised.
The next step for Month 2: Strengthening the Basics is upgrading your defense.
5. Defense: Installing Motion Sensor Lights and Securing Entry Points
Last month, you began with basic home defense tactics, such as reinforcing locks and installing lights.
Now it’s time to expand on that. Motion sensor lights around your home provide an extra layer of security by illuminating potential threats before they reach your door.
They also act as a deterrent, as most intruders prefer to stay in the shadows. Place these lights at key entry points like doors, windows, and garages.
Solar-powered options are especially useful in a grid-down scenario.
Next, focus on securing entry points. Install reinforced strike plates on doors and upgrade your locks if you haven’t already. You can also consider adding window security film or bars to protect against break-ins.
Security cameras—either real or decoy—can provide a psychological deterrent to potential intruders. Make sure your perimeter is secure, but don’t advertise your defenses too blatantly. Discreet but effective deterrents are often more successful.
Avoid relying solely on passive deterrents like lights and cameras. Make sure you’re prepared for more active forms of defense if necessary.
One of the most important parts of Month 2: Strengthening the Basics is how to improve communication.
6. Communication: Introducing Two-Way Radios and Creating a Family Contact Plan
Now that you’ve acquired a basic battery-powered radio, it’s time to add two-way radios to your communication setup. These radios allow you to stay in contact with family members, neighbors, or a survival group when cell service is down.
Two-way radios are reliable for short distances and don’t depend on an external network, making them perfect for coordinating in a crisis. Look for radios with good range (FRS or GMRS models are excellent for most situations) and practice using them with your family.
At this stage, create a family contact plan. Identify an emergency contact outside your immediate area who can relay information between family members if local communication is disrupted.
Plan for multiple ways to communicate—text, phone, radio—and establish regular check-ins during an emergency. Having a clear communication plan in place before an emergency ensures that everyone knows what to do and where to go, reducing confusion and panic.
Don’t assume that cell service will always be available. Have backup methods like two-way radios ready to maintain communication in emergencies.
Last but not least in Month 2: Strengthening the Basics is the continued improvement of your transportation.
7. Transportation: Adding Spare Fuel and Mapping Evacuation Routes
Last month, you focused on ensuring your vehicle is fueled and equipped with basic supplies.
Now it’s time to store spare fuel safely. Gas shortages can occur during emergencies, so having an extra supply on hand is crucial.
Store fuel in approved gas cans, away from heat sources, and rotate it regularly to keep it fresh. For longer storage, consider adding fuel stabilizers to extend the shelf life.
In addition, map out local evacuation routes from your home. Know at least two or three different ways to leave your area in case one route is blocked or dangerous. Practice driving these routes ahead of time, so you’re familiar with them when the pressure is on.
Have alternative forms of transportation as well, such as bicycles or even walking, in case roads are impassable or your vehicle becomes unreliable.
Do not rely only on GPS or smartphone maps alone, as these systems may fail during an emergency. Keep physical maps in your car and emergency kits to ensure you can navigate even if technology is down.
This is a five-page Vehicle Emergency Kit Checklist that you can download and use for yourself.
This is a five-page Emergency Evacuation Plan Checklist that you can download and use for yourself.
And there you have a plan or blueprint, or whatever you want to call it for Month 2: Strengthening the Basics.
As we said last month, these things seem very simple but in order to keep moving toward self-sufficiency, or whatever your goal is taking small, focused steps is best. You should be starting to see the pattern here as we build each month on what we added last month.
If you are interested in other talks similar to this, please check out the ones below.
We hope you have both enjoyed and learned from this talk Month 2: Strengthening the Basics. Please stay with us for the rest of the series, we think and think it will be worth it for you.
Thank you for visiting and please come again for another edition of Out Standing in the Field.
