Prepping for Women
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There are a lot of strong, competent female preppers in the world. But most of the advice in the prepping community comes from men. Let’s talk about prepping from a woman’s viewpoint.
Being a Woman Doesn’t Mean You Are Weak
Some say that women can only be competent if they become “one of the guys.” But you don’t have to mimic the guys to be a competent prepper. Women typically don’t have as much muscle mass or strength as men, but they have a lot of other strengths that can be used for survival. To be prepared as a female, the first thing you need to do is get your attitude straight. Do things your way, not the way the men say you should. The best disaster-prepping book for women is “Disaster Preparedness for Women,” by Diane Vuković. It takes a level-headed approach to prepping specifically geared towards women.
Upgrade Your Menstrual Hygiene
We need to talk about menstrual health or we won’t be able to prepare for it, and it’s a huge part of a woman’s life unless you are blessed like I am being past all that junk. One option is to stockpile tons of tampons or pads. But this means a lot of expense and a lot of space. Instead, maybe it is time to get started with a menstrual cup. A menstrual cup is a reusable silicon cup that is inserted into your vagina to collect blood. It is proven to be safer than tampons (remember the Toxic Shock Syndrome scare?) and works great. The best thing is that one lasts about 5 years. It doesn’t take up much space, so you just need one for all of your menstrual hygiene preps. A good resource is “Feminine Hygiene in a Disaster Scenario”.
Take a Self-Defense Class
Women are often seen as easy targets because they are perceived as weak. But you can disable an attacker by delivering a strong blow to the vagus nerve or a Krav Maga groin kick, my personal favorite. If you decide to take a self-defense class, make sure it’s specifically tailored to women. Don’t be afraid to fight dirty. “Practice Emergency Conditioning
This is something that all preppers should be doing, not just women. Emergency conditioning is a mental training technique in which you visualize a disaster situation in great detail. It helps trick your brain into thinking that you’ve already gone through the ordeal, and you’ll respond quicker and better if it does occur. This works; I’ve proven it.
Be Sure To Put Boots in Your Get-Home Bag
A get-home bag is similar to a bug-out bag, except it’s designed to help you get home during a disaster situation. If a disaster struck while you were at work, this bag would have everything you’d need to get home quickly and safely. For instance, if you often wear heels or dress shoes when out, then you better have some boots in your get-home bag. I don’t think you want to run through rioting mobs or piles of burning rubble in high heels.
Get In Shape
Don’t wait until everything goes “to hell in a handbasket” to get in shape. Being fit isn’t just about bugging out in the wilderness. You must be fit to handle the stress that comes with a disaster, especially with a lack of food, and in situations that require strength, like hauling items you’ve scavenged or climbing over walls. So, do it, and do it NOW.
Cut the Weight From Your Bug-Out Bag
Backpacking 101 says that your pack shouldn’t weigh more than 20% of your body weight. So, if you weigh 140 pounds, your pack should not weigh more than 28 pounds. Ideally, your bug-out bag should be even lighter because even 28 pounds can get heavy if you have to travel too far with it or through inclement weather. The 20% rule is good for avoiding back pain when hiking long distances, but it’s not suitable for times when you might have to run.
Hopefully, these tips will help make you a safer and more efficient prepper.
