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The state of the world is undoubtedly more tense and uncertain than ever. The likelihood of a SHTF scenario is growing by the minute – so what can you do to stay prepared?
As we enter 2025, you have the opportunity to focus on your SHTF preparedness plan so that you are ready for anything that may come your way. We cannot control the outcome of these situations, but we can do our best to take all necessary precautionary measures to stay safe and calm through them.
If you want to enter this new year with peace of mind, read on for some tips on how to stay best prepared.
What Does SHTF Mean?
SHTF stands for “sh*t hits the fan.” This term is used in many instances, but for the sake of this piece, we will focus on the SHTF scenarios that are most likely to impact us in the coming year.
This acronym is often used to describe unexpected and catastrophic situations that ultimately impact people’s lives in the affected area. These situations range in severity, though they all cause some damage and force individuals to rely on themselves for survival.
5 Possible SHTF Scenarios
There are many possible SHTF scenarios that you should know about and learn how to be prepared for. Below are the more common SHTF situations that tend to occur most often in modern times.
Natural Disasters
These scary, life-threatening events can happen anywhere at any time. While some natural disasters, like hurricanes or monsoons, offer a planning period, others do not. Earthquakes, floods, and even wildfires can happen very quickly and can be life-threatening without the proper plan of action.
Economic Collapse
The economic outlook is certainly causing some people to pause and prepare for the worst. Inflation rates are at an all-time high, and layoffs are happening in every industry. Being prepared for worst-case scenarios, including losing your job or losing your investments, is essential as the likelihood of these happenings is rising.
Social Unrest
Tensions are continuing to grow worldwide, which has ultimately led to a more violent and negative social outlook. Protests and riots have happened at an alarming rate and can occur anywhere. Knowing the signs of social unrest and being prepared to protect you and your family if a riot were to break out near your home is incredibly important.
Pandemics
We are no strangers to the widespread impacts a global pandemic can have on society. Supply issues can arise, among other concerns, so it is important to keep your home stocked with food, water, and hygiene items in case there were to be another long-term lockdown situation.
Cyber Attacks
With more and more things taking place online, the risk of large-scale cyber attacks continues to grow. Many people do their banking online and tend to store personal information in digital format.
If you’re one of these people, you risk being impacted by a cyber attack. Knowing the signs of these attacks and having backup ways of keeping your information and money safe is a great precaution in case things spiral out of control.
How Do I Prepare for When SHTF?
Now that you know what you are up against, it is time to prepare. Below are some of the most important steps you can take to ensure you and your family are safe and prepared when SHTF.
Develop a Plan for Each SHTF Scenario
Take the time to research each of the scenarios above and curate an action plan that works for you. Everyone’s home life and family will require different plans, so don’t just copy what someone else is doing and assume it will work for you.
Rehearse Your Plan Regularly
Practice makes perfect and is the only way to guarantee success when SHTF. Take the time to practice your emergency plan on a regular basis and work through any issues you may have before you have to do it for real.
Stock Up Your Home With an Emergency Kit
Emergency kits should include anything and everything that would help you to survive if the grid were to go down. Investing in EcoFlow DELTA Series Solar Generators is vital to ensure you can keep power and stay connected while the situation plays out.
Keep your home stocked with plenty of food and water for everyone, and have the proper medical and emergency supplies at the ready in case something should happen.
The EcoFlow GLACIER Portable Refrigerator is an excellent addition to any home. It can store food items for as long as needed and is easy to transport, making it great for various SHTF scenarios.
Think With a Survivalist Mindset
The mindset you adopt in a SHTF scenario can make or break your ability to get through it. Think like someone who is going to survive and thrive in these instances, and do your best to work through the unknown with a strategic and hopeful thought process. Being pessimistic about the situation is guaranteed to carry hefty consequences, so be prepared and remain positive.
Build a Network
Build a community of people you can trust, and make sure to have a plan for contacting them once things go south. Knowing who you can call and who you can rely on is a great way to have some peace of mind during this trying time. SHTF situations can cause people to act out, so you must find people that you genuinely trust and know you can work with.
Have a Way to Stay Informed and Connected
If the grid were to go down, it is safe to assume that typical communication lines may also be down. Do your research on alternate ways to stay connected and invest in some high-quality pieces to ensure you can communicate with others and stay informed on what is happening around you.
Build Your Emergency Fund
While money will not solve everything in these situations, it can help during the aftermath. Build a solid emergency fund and keep it somewhere safe and easily accessible so that you do not have to rely on banks during these times.
You should save enough cash for several months to ensure that you can cover the bare essentials. Investing in precious metals like gold and silver is also a great option that can diversify your wealth and keep your emergency funds stocked.
Common Mistakes To Avoid During SHTF Scenarios
- Panicking
- First and foremost, you must control yourself and resist the urge to panic in a real-life crisis situation. It’s easy to forget this critical step, but it can make or break all of the planning you have put into this if you give in. Crisis scenarios are stressful and high-stakes, so it is natural to feel panicked. But, with a well-thought-out plan, you stand a much higher chance of remaining calm and making it through successfully.
- Not Having a Solid Plan in Place
- When SHTF, you may not have the time to think or devise a strategic course of action for the situation at hand. It will lead to unnecessary stress and ultimately leave you in a much scarier position. As you build your emergency preparedness kit, develop a plan in which to follow in case of SHTF. Take the time to practice it and work through any kinks in your strategy before you are faced with a real scenario.
- Overpacking or Underpacking
- Packing too little or too much can be your downfall in a SHTF scenario. Knowing exactly what you will need to use while in this crisis situation is incredibly important and will help ensure you have the perfect amount of supplies at the ready. The EcoFlow DELTA 3 or EcoFlow DELTA Pro 3 are great additions and are easy to travel with. These items will serve multiple purposes and help you stay connected until things return to normal.
- Waiting Too Long to Act
- When SHTF, you will have a short period of time to act. So, make your plans and preparations ahead of time, rehearse what you have planned, and be ready to move at the drop of a hat. Waiting too long can complicate the situation and even make it harder for you, so be ready and move quickly.
Frequently Asked Questions
To be best prepared in a SHTF situation, you should always have at least 72 hours’ worth of emergency equipment at the ready. This emergency kit will look different for each person, so take the time to plan and be ready in case things go south. You should have a supply of food, water, clothing, and a way to stay connected if you have to quickly exit.
Final Thoughts
There is only so much you can do to be prepared for when sh*t hits the fan. This guide is a great starting point and should give you some good action items in developing your plan of action in case something were to happen.
Building a solid emergency kit is the best thing you can do for yourself, so work diligently and curate an emergency kit that will work best for you. EcoFlow Portable Power Stations are great additions to any kit and can make a world of difference once SHTF.