Welcome to Part 1 of our practical guide on prepping, specifically on how to effectively hide your preps (caches, concealment, and more). As survivalists, we understand the sheer importance of being prepared for any eventuality. However, the act of prepping goes beyond just purchasing supplies. It’s about strategic planning, which includes knowing how to hide your preps effectively to ensure they’re there when you need them the most.
So, why is it so important to hide your preps, and what are the best ways to do it. In this article, we’ll answer these questions and more. So, fasten your seatbelts as we embark on this journey of strategic survival planning together.
Understanding the Importance of Hiding Your Preps
Prepping is the act of preparing (hence the term ‘prepping’) for potential scenarios, such as natural disasters, pandemics, or even societal collapse. A survey by Finder. com reveals that an estimated 3. 7 million American adults classify themselves as ‘preppers’. Yet, one aspect of prepping that often gets overlooked is the hiding of these provisions.
You might wonder why hiding preps is so essential. After all, isn’t the whole point of prepping to have supplies ready at hand. However, consider this: in a crisis situation, resources become scarce, and human behavior can become unpredictable. Hidden preps can act as your secret insurance, ensuring that you have a backup when your main supplies are compromised.
Different Types of Preps and Their Ideal Hiding Places
There’s a wide variety of preps available, each with its own ideal hiding place.
Some common types of preps include food and water supplies, medical supplies, tools, and weaponry. In 2021, a National Survey found that 91. 4% of Americans store extra food as a part of their prepping habits.
Your food and water supplies should ideally be stored in a cool, dry place, away from sunlight. Attics, basements, and dedicated pantries are excellent options. Tools and medical supplies are best kept in easily accessible areas. However, they should also be concealed to avoid drawing attention. As for weaponry, it should be hidden yet within reach in case of emergencies.
When selecting a hiding place, two main factors should be considered: accessibility and discretion. You need to be able to reach your supplies quickly during emergencies, but they should also be hidden enough to avoid drawing unwanted attention.
In the next part, we’ll delve into the techniques for hiding your preps effectively and maintaining access to your hidden preps. We’ll also provide some statistical insights about the growing number of people who are prepping and the most common types of preps and where people typically hide them.
Stay tuned for more practical and insightful tips on becoming an efficient survivalist. We’ll be back with Part 2 of our comprehensive guide on how to hide your preps effectively, ensuring you’re always prepared for whatever comes your way.
Techniques for Hiding Your Preps
Picking up where we left off, now that you’ve identified the types of preps you need and considered their ideal hiding places, let’s really dive into the nuts and bolts: how do you actually conceal your preps in a way that keeps them safe, secure, and accessible. Whether you’re a prepping newbie or a seasoned survivalist, these tried-and-true techniques can make all the difference when it comes to safeguarding your supplies.
1. Caching: Going Underground (Literally)
One of the most popular and effective techniques is creating a cache—a hidden stash purposely placed in a secure location, often outside the home. For example, many preppers bury waterproof containers (think military ammo cans or heavy-duty PVC pipes) filled with supplies in their yard, at a bug-out location, or even along a planned escape route. The key to caching is to choose containers that are both waterproof and airtight, label them discreetly (or not at all), and use natural landmarks or GPS coordinates to remember their exact location.
Pro tip: Bury your cache at least three feet deep to avoid detection from casual digging or metal detectors, and always consider the effects of weather or flooding.
2. Concealment Inside the Home
Not everyone has land to dig up, so indoor concealment is a great alternative. Think creatively—false bottom drawers, hidden compartments in furniture, hollowed-out books, or even fake electrical outlets can all provide excellent hiding spots. Some preppers even take it a step further by building custom “hidden rooms” or using crawl spaces for larger caches.
A real-world example: a 2023 survey from Prepping101. com found that 68% of respondents used modified household items (like fake air vents or storage ottomans) to hide food and small valuables. The beauty of indoor concealment is that it blends seamlessly into your daily environment, making it less likely to be discovered by intruders searching in a hurry.
3. Diversification: Don’t Put All Your Eggs in One Basket
Another golden rule in the world of prepping is diversification. Instead of hiding all your supplies in one place, split them into multiple locations. This could mean having some supplies in your main pantry, others in a locked toolbox in the garage, a cache in the backyard, and a go-bag in your car. This strategy ensures that even if one cache is discovered or compromised, you still have backups to fall back on.
4. Camouflage and Disguise
Sometimes, the best way to hide something is to make it look like something else. Camouflage techniques—like disguising food buckets as paint cans, hiding supplies in plain sight among other storage boxes, or using old luggage—can be highly effective. Remember, the less your hiding spots draw attention, the better.
Maintaining Access to Your Hidden Preps
Once you’ve hidden your preps, the next challenge is making sure you (and only you) can find them when you need them. After all, it’s no use having a well-hidden cache if you forget where you put it.
1.
Create a Discreet Inventory System
Start by keeping a written or digital record of your hiding spots, but do so in a way that isn’t obvious to others. For instance, use code names or a simple numbering system that only you understand. You could also draw a rough map with symbols instead of explicit labels, or use a password-protected file on your phone or computer.
2. Regularly Rotate and Check Your Supplies
Set a calendar reminder to check your hidden preps every 6-12 months. This ensures you can still access them, and also gives you a chance to rotate perishable items (like food and medicine). It’s also a good time to make sure the hiding places haven’t been disturbed or compromised.
3. Practice Makes Permanent
Just like fire drills, practice accessing your hidden preps. This isn’t just for muscle memory—it helps you stay confident in case you ever need to retrieve your supplies quickly during a stressful situation.
Statistics: Prepping by the Numbers
The prepping movement has seen a significant rise in recent years, especially following events like the pandemic and extreme weather incidents. Let’s look at some eye-opening stats:
- Growth in Prepping: According to the 2023 FEMA National Household Survey, 40% of Americans report taking at least some steps to prepare for an emergency, up from 32% in 2017.
- Most Common Preps: The most commonly stored items are food and water (91. 4%), flashlights and batteries (89%), and first aid kits (75%).
- Hiding Spots: A 2022 poll from The Prepared found that 54% of preppers hide at least part of their supplies outside the home (yard, shed, garage, or buried cache), while 72% use multiple hiding spots inside their home.
- Discovery Risk: The same poll revealed that 1 in 5 preppers have had a cache accidentally discovered by a friend or family member, underlining the importance of creative concealment and careful record-keeping.
These numbers underscore a growing awareness and sophistication in prepping habits nationwide. As more people join the movement, techniques for hiding and maintaining access to preps continue to evolve.
In Part 3, we’ll add some fun to the mix with unexpected facts about prepping and hiding your supplies, spotlight a leading prepping expert, and tackle your top FAQs. Plus, we’ll explore a powerful Bible verse to keep your prepping spirit strong. Stay tuned for the next installment—your journey to becoming a savvy, strategic prepper is just getting started.
Welcome back to Part 3 of our guide on how to hide your preps effectively. In the previous installments, we discussed the importance of hiding your preps and introduced various techniques. Today, we’re adding some fun with ten unexpected facts about prepping. We also have an exciting “Author Spotlight” featuring a leading prepping expert.
Fun Facts Section: 10 Facts About Prepping
- Emergency Preparedness Isn’t New: The concept of preparing for emergencies dates back to ancient times. The biblical story of Joseph advising the Pharaoh to store grain for seven years of famine is one of the earliest examples of prepping.
- Prepping Has Its Own Lingo: Terms like “BOB” (Bug Out Bag), “BOL” (Bug Out Location), and “SHTF” (Stuff Hits The Fan) are common in prepper communities.
- Preppers Are Everywhere: According to a 2020 FEMA survey, nearly 70% of US adults have taken at least three basic actions to prepare for an emergency.
- There’s A Prepping Spectrum: Not all preppers are preparing for an apocalypse. Some are just ready for natural disasters or extended power outages.
- Prepping Is a Multi-Billion Dollar Industry: The US survival industry is worth over $1 billion annually, with growth driven by concerns about natural disasters, pandemics, and civil unrest.
- Prepping Can Be Healthy: Many preppers adopt healthier lifestyles, like growing their own food and learning wilderness survival skills.
- Prepping Isn’t Just For Individuals: Cities, states, and countries also prep. The US government, for example, has the Strategic National Stockpile of critical medical supplies for use in public health emergencies.
- Technology is a Prepper’s Friend: Modern preppers use technologies like GPS, solar power, and water filtration devices to increase their chances of survival.
- Prepping Is Not Just About Hiding Supplies: Prepping also involves mental preparedness, like staying calm under pressure and making quick decisions.
- Prepping Can Be a Community Effort: Many preppers connect with like-minded individuals through online forums, local meetups, and training events.
Author Spotlight: James Wesley, Rawles
In our quest to guide you on your prepping journey, we’re highlighting James Wesley, Rawles, a renowned author and one of the most influential figures in the prepping community. A former US Army Intelligence officer, Rawles has been called the “intellectual father” of the modern survivalist movement.
He’s best known for his blog SurvivalBlog. com, a treasure trove of practical advice on prepping. His bestselling book, “How to Survive the End of the World as We Know It,” is considered a must-read in prepping circles. His writings encompass broad aspects of survivalism, including food storage, medical supplies, communication, and, of course, effective caching.
Rawles’ philosophy involves a mix of practical advice and moral encouragement, frequently reminding his readers that preparedness is not just about survival but about maintaining decency and compassion in the face of adversity.
In our next installment, we’ll tackle the most frequently asked questions about prepping and hiding your supplies. We’ll also share a powerful Bible verse to inspire your preparation journey.
FAQ Section: 10 Questions and Answers About Prepping
- What is prepping.
Prepping is the act of preparing for potential disasters or emergencies, such as natural calamities, pandemics or societal collapse, by storing necessary supplies and learning survival skills.
- Why do I need to hide my preps.
In a crisis situation, resources become limited, and your supplies can become a target for others. Hidden preps ensure you have a backup when your main supplies are compromised.
- Where should I hide my preps.
Ideal hiding places vary depending on the type of prep. Food and water should be stored in a cool, dry place. Tools and medical supplies need to be easily accessible but concealed. Weapons should be hidden yet within reach in case of emergencies.
- What are the best ways to hide my preps.
Techniques include caching (burying supplies), indoor concealment (using hidden compartments in your home), and camouflage (making supplies look like something else).
- How do I keep track of my hidden preps.
Create a discreet inventory system, regularly check and rotate your supplies, and practice accessing your hidden preps.
- What is the most common type of prep.
According to a National Survey, 91. 4% of Americans store extra food as part of their prepping habits.
- What is caching.
Caching is a technique where you hide a stash of supplies in a secure location, often outside your home. Many preppers bury waterproof containers filled with supplies in their yard or at a bug-out location.
- Who is James Wesley, Rawles.
James Wesley, Rawles is a renowned author and one of the most influential figures in the prepping community. His blog, SurvivalBlog. com, offers invaluable advice on prepping.
- How can I get involved in the prepping community.
Many preppers connect with like-minded individuals through online forums, local meetups, and training events.
- What Bible verse can inspire my prepping journey.
The NKJV Bible verse, Proverbs 27:12, is particularly inspiring: “A prudent person foresees danger and takes precautions. The simpleton goes blindly on and suffers the consequences. “
Conclusion
As we conclude this series on hiding your preps effectively, it’s important to remember that the act of prepping goes beyond just purchasing supplies. It involves strategic planning, mental preparedness, and community engagement. With the techniques we’ve discussed, from caching to indoor concealment, you’re now equipped to secure your supplies and ensure they’re there when you need them most.
Our journey doesn’t end here, though. In the spirit of Rawles’ teachings, continue to educate yourself, connect with fellow preppers, and maintain a compassionate heart even in the face of adversity.