As we dig through the internet researching different topics in the preparedness community, some are covered much more than others. This is because as preppers we love to read and talk about bugging out, we probably know 20 ways to start a fire, and the new trinkets and gadgets fascinate us.

This however shouldn’t be a barometer for how important a preparedness topic is in a real-life scenario. For most of us bugging out is a last resort option, yet you can find 100 articles on the internet about how bugging out will save your life.

It’s also important to note that most of these articles cover just the basics of that prepping topic. To have a well-rounded and well thought out preparedness plan that fits our needs and our situation, we need to do more than read a couple articles and watch a few videos.

As you read this or listen to the show it’s important to note that when I say “over-hyped” I don’t mean unnecessary or unimportant. There are many factors that go into where your focus should be. These include your level of preparedness, your geographic location, your family structure, your finances, and so on.

It’s important that we formulate a well-rounded preparedness plan that works for us regardless whether a disaster strikes tomorrow or 5 years from now. Focusing on 1 area of preparedness while ignoring the rest will leave gaps in your overall survival plans.

SPP270 The Over-hyped & the Underappreciated Prepping Topics

Below are the preparedness topics Lisa and I went over in the show. While all of these are important aspects of preparedness, not all are as important as the internet would have you believe. 

Over-hyped Prepping Topics

Large Scale Disasters: When we think about disaster scenarios we tend to automatically think about the worst case scenario…I know I do. But we can’t afford to lose sight of the smaller, more likely disaster scenarios.

Wilderness Skills: This is not to say that bushcraft skills are not important, because they are valuable skills to learn, but their importance can be a little exaggerated.

In most disaster scenarios the odds that you are going to need to forage for berries and mushrooms is very slim. And unless you get stranded on a deserted island (or your unprepared), making a friction fire with a bow drill probably won’t be necessary.

Solar Power (large scale): While alternative energy is one of the most important areas of preparedness, spending thousands of dollars on a solar setup may not be the best way to spend your money.

This is not to say that solar is not important, but you don’t need a roof full of solar panels. In a SHTF situation being the only one with light and heat will just make you a target. Also, an EMP could render that expensive solar setup useless.

Bugging Out: While getting out of Dodge before everything goes crazy could become a “life saving” task, the odds are we will be staying put. None of us plan on leaving everything we own behind, and bugging out ...