Guest Article By: Emma Walsh
At last, Female Preppers are on the rise
no longer is it the domain of the macho man to save the word.
Without a doubt, over the years prepping has been a very much male orientated pastime.
With a view that women just can't hack it.
But, for you die hard Rambo types, I'm afraid your very wrong on this one.
Just about every female I have met who is involved in any form of bushcraft and survival can match the skills (or lack of them!) of most male preppers and bushcrafters.
When the SHTF I think having a female prepper by your side is going to be a dead certain asset, not a hindrance - here's one example:
The natural female ability to nurture and provide sustenance shines through when it comes to being able to collect, collate and store survival food.
While the menfolk are busy admiring their latest purchase, another hunting knife no doubt, a female prepper will be taking care of the real prepping needs......
Just saying....!
Whether your a Prepper Chick or a Prepper Girl, you need to know
the Top 5 Prepper Items Every Female Prepper Should Have.
Putting the obvious essential items to one side, namely, stored food & water, we all store those don't we.
I have a list of the top 5 items that are more geared towards the lone female prepper:
- No: 1 - Sanitary & Personal Hygiene Items:
This has to be the No:1 item for obvious reasons (unless you are of more mature years).
Regardless of what type of product you use, it is important to have a good stock of essential items.
As with all good prepping gear, try to ensure everything has more than one use.
Tampons and pads can also be used as first aid pads or fire starting materials if needed.
- No: 2 - A Means Of Self Defence:
Talking post SHTF and WROL (without rule of law). Then anything goes - knife, bow, crossbow, machete, shotgun... you name it you'll use it.
Right now though, in calmer times we wouldn't dream of using such weapons. Even in self defence you treading a very fine line and would probably land up in jail yourself.
For the moment, there’s really only one decent means of self defence and personal protect – the Farb gel self defence spray. – Used as a criminal identifier, it will deture an attacker enough to give you time to escape a dangerous situation.
* see UK Preppers video review of the Farb Gel in action here:
- No: 3 - Sensible Clothing & Footwear:
A woman's clothing must be some of the most impracticable items you can own, especially those high healed shoes.!
Invest in good lightweight, waterproof hiking shoes - you wont regret it...
Build up a wardrobe of outdoor, practical clothing. You don't have to be all 'cammo'd up', just decent quality, loose and comfortable clothing.
Equiping yourself with good footwear and clothing isn’t going to be cheap, so sniff out the value for money gear – these Hi-Tec Altitude Hiking Boots cost under £30 and are light and very comfortable.
Hi-Tec also do an all leather outer skin version – the Hi-Tec Altitude Boots, these are priced at under £35
- No: 4 - A Good Means Of Transport Or BOV:
Putting as much distance between you and any disaster is essential prepping - so always have a well prepared and reliable means of transport.
Always ensure you car has plenty of fuel (try to keep 3/4 tank at all times)
Store spare fuel in jerry cans and rotate usage over the months.
Always have a means to start you vehicle especially in the winter months.
A reliable vehicle to ensure you GOOD (get out of dodge) – always keep a means to jump start you vehicle.
Nowadays, jump starting is simple and compact. a Peak Portable Car Jump Starter measures only 6″ x 3″ x 2″ and will start most cars with ease.!
- No: 5 - Medication & First Aid:
In a SHTF scenario, you are the number one concern - your personal well being is paramount and highly important.
Do not attend to others until you are treated first, especially if you are worse off.
If you are someone who require medication on a regular basis, then you MUST stock up with supplies to help you survive.
A good stock should be kept in your bug out bag, and if you plan is to go to friends away from danger, you should have a stash there are well beforehand.
Emergency first aid is a gimme - everyone should own a first aid kit.
Even the most basic kit is better than nothing and will give some help in a lot of situations.
Join a first aid class.!
St, Johns Ambulance first aid and emergency classes are being run all the time.
Remember, you might need to administer first aid on yourself. Learn how to do it.
A half decent emergency First Aid Kit like the one shown is going to cost you around £40. It will not contain everything you need and will contain double or more of some things you don’t need. So always adjust to suit your requirements.
I would strongly suggest adding a blood clotting agent/pack for serve cuts, as well as a pack of Wound Closure Strips
Obviously this is just the the very start of a huge prepping list - but an essential part nether the less, you should always be adding more equipment.
Fortunately most gear is unisex (knives, cooking kit, shelter etc) and can easily be handled by a female prepper.
Don't get sidetracked into thinking that you can't do stuff - simply because your a weak girlie type....
They don't exist. Some of the most knowledgeable and skill-full bushcraft preppers I have ever met are just 'normal' women, running their family lives beside their prepping.
A very big thank you to Emma for this article.
Totally agree, there are some pretty dam good female preppers out there.
All are more than capable of holding there own against anyone.
Happy Prepping Folks.
Steve
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12 comments
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Glad to see something written by a fellow woman. Brand new to prepping myself, my other half is not that interested.
Just wanted to say that we all start off knowing not much and having minimal skills, whether we are men or women. We all have different strengths, physical, mental, emotional, and while those strengths aren’t always related to being male or female, I think we need a combination of the traits commonly associated with each gender to successfully deal with SHTF situations.
Female prepper here! Or just a prepper. Actually I like being referred to as a female prepper. Us girls are different to men. We cannot carry as much weight etc but as the artic all suggests we are better at organising and making sure everyone is cared for. Not a bad trait. Becbec
Have to say, brilliant website. I’m writing a fiction book series based on the aftermath of a HEMP attack. Your site is chock full of useful info and yes…. the main character is female. Thank you guys so much for covering this. James
I have been attempting to get a good “bug out” kit and self defence equipment going for quite a while. With my kit I try to think of what could happen at a given time and plan according.
I have read a few books on the subject but I don’t feel that some of it is right for my situation.
A list of what I have in my kit can be posted if people are interested and give me advise.
Preppette
My husband and I go out wild camping together, we both know a lot about bushcraft and prepping and tend to work to each others strengths.
Good article.
Thanks
Well said..
Couldn’t agree more.
Nice to see a bit more varied approach on prepping, especially from a woman’s perspective.
Author
Thanks Home Girl –
What do you prefer being know as:
A prepper girl, prepper chick, lady prepper, female prepper…?
Or just a plain ole worlde Prepper..?
Just a plain old fashioned prepper for me please!!
After all, never heard of a prepper bloke or a prepper man.
When the SHTF we are all in it together after all.
You need to have more article from ‘female preppers’ though.
Author
You are more than welcome to contribute with a female based article if you want.
just send it to me:
[email protected]
or any type of prepping based article for that matter.
thanks, Steve
Good to see more women getting involved in prepping.
Author
here here….
fully agree there Fred.
I go to the various bushcraft shows around the country and there’s a lot of women interested in prepping and survival.
All the female instructors are first class and really know their stuff.
I’ve been on classes where they have shown how to build shelters, skin rabbits, forage and tons more.
Good little article by the way….