The Most Important Thing

June 21st, 2021

I was watching a documentary about the last hunter-gather groups on earth. In it, they asked a tribe what they felt was the most important thing in their lives.

They said the animals hunted for food. Without them, they would die.

Their answer was as true as the day is long. And it is true for all of us whether we live off the land or buy food from grocery stores.

Food, water, and shelter are the most important things in our lives. You may not think so right now because it comes so easy to most of us, but I assure you it will be, should supplies be cut off.

And it will be the end for anyone who does not know how to grow, forage, fish, or hunt.

The crazies

Underground shelters are seen by many as a place for crazies to hide, but the truth is, a bunker or safe room is one of the best investments you can make. Think tornado, civil unrest, food storage, or for me as a kid, a place to camp out with my friends, only rising to the surface at midnight to sneak around the neighborhood. Now that I think about it, we were the crazies.

Yes, you should add some tarps to your preps

The tarp is not as glamorous as guns and ammo, but having some around after a disaster will make life easier.

Even if you have a tent to sleep in after your house gets flattened, a tarp will come in handy for making a lounging or cooking space to use throughout the day.

If you don’t have a tent, you can make a trap-tent to sleep in.

If your house survived, but your roof is leaking, a tarp can be used as a temporary patch. You can also cover broken windows.

If the area has been flooded, you can use a tarp to make as a container for collecting rainwater to be used for drinking after purification.

You can also use tarps to create a stretcher for the injured. They are also useful for dragging storm debris and can be cut into strips for cordage as well.

There are many more uses, but I think you get the idea. Go into any disaster zone, and you will see them, and for a good reason, they work.

Buying A Tarp

Tarpaulins (Tarps) come in a variety of sizes. They are generally about three to five percent smaller than the advertised size. Thus, a tarp advertised as 20 ft × 20 ft will actually measure about 19 ft × 19 ft.

They come in different colors, thicknesses, and weave counts. Thicker and higher weave counts will be more durable.

Some stores will sell them in generalized categories such as “regular duty,” “heavy-duty,” “super heavy-duty,” etc.

They can also be bought with or without grommets. If you buy them with grommets, I suggest you still buy a cheap grommet kit for repairs.