New (UK) Member saying Hi

Danny5 - June 12, 2023

Just wanted to say hello. Stumbled across this site somewhat accidentally but it’s already been life changing for me. 

I’m based in the UK down near the Surrey/Kent borders. Live in a modest house with a great family and a decent job.

TL/DR – First forum post of a new guy in his 40’s from UK, been inspired to consider home safety, bugging in & general first aid. Done a handful of bits and feeling good about starting the prepper style. 

Why the sudden interest and thought in this stuff. Well I have been watching some dystopian series and films and one of them had a first aid incident and it made me question how prepared I/we were even a simple moment to occur. The answer was both prepared and unprepared which sounds odd to say I guess. We had tons of first aid supplies BUT crucially none of them quickly accessible. This set me on a path of ‘readiness’ and has opened my mind. 

I began looking into FAK’s and was quickly swallowed into a whole of stuff that I was not ready for or on my scope to be honest. I read through many articles and quickly started thinking about Bug Out Bags and caches etc and realised I was making the biggest mistake of would-be preppers. Bugging IN is the more likely scenario first so I ditched all thinking (well not quite all) of bugging out and concentrated on home, work and commuting. 

I’m proud to say that in just a few short weeks I feel I’ve done a lot. A kitchen FAK on a wall mounted bracket was purchased (contents then improved), with a larger FAK slightly less accessible but re-organised, re-packed and contents improved upon. As a family man this gave me a great sense of relief and safety. We have 2 cars and whilst there was some FAK present they weren’t great nor were their contents. I upgraded them and doubled them – 1 FAK accessible in the front (door pocket) and 1 in the boot with the thinking that we’re far better covered regardless if it’s a front or rear collision and that potentially if we saw an accident both my wife and I could grab separate FAKs and help others quickly. 

We also had them but a seat belt cutter with diamond tip for smashing windows is in each car too. 

I carried out some home security updates – such as removing the shorter screws in our front and back doors and replacing them with much longer ones. Made some adjustments to our security lighting too. I added a keysafe which whilst I’m not crazy about the idea of them it is hidden and wouldn’t include our mortice lock key. There’s an added benefit that my wife and I are often out running individually so there’s no longer a need to run with a key. Health is also important for the prepper lifestyle! 

All this got me thinking that home is safer and we’re better equipped on journeys too BUT what about work. I asked at work about the FAK and ensured we had a good coverage and supplies. I then invested in a cheapish but well reviewed multitool that’s now part of my work everyday bag. I’ve used this countless times already and whilst it won’t be the best tool out there it’s already paid for itself. 

I’ve started introducing the idea of stocking up/bulk buying on certain foods and home items. Nothing fancy just a pack of extra toilet roll here, some double the canned goods order there – that sort of thing. Next thing is to create a storage area for this stuff.

Changing my outlook has crept into other areas too. Luggage is tough on family holidays and including the dog gets even harder. Whilst we recently bought a new car I was then offered a free large roof top box on the proviso that they key was lost. Replacement key sourced, roof bars sourced and I just need the specific roof bar fittings which I’ll purchase over the next weeks/month. Whilst this isn’t ‘prepping’ for my POV it IS being more prepared for all eventualities. I also play in a rock covers band so naturally there’s some logistics benefit to it there too. 

So anyway I wanted to share with you where I’d got in less than a month and to offer thanks as I’d read a lot of guides and forum entries which really set me on my way.

So, I’ll leave you with ‘What’s Next?’
Some (legal) anti climb spikes on the gates by the side of my house. The roof box fittings. 
I’ve found out that in the next 18mths our water supplier will be mandating water meters on all properties they supply. My plan is to pick up a few water butts.
Long term plan is to get some planters and grow some veg in it. We already have 4 chickens so adding any thing home grown combined with our bulk buying puts in a far better position than we were in just a short time ago. Problem is I have zero knowledge on that so no doubt I’ll create a forum post when the time is right. 

I know I’ve only scratched the surface with this stuff. But if SOMETHING had happened a month ago compared with today I’d have 2 vastly different outcomes. Thanks all! 

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Welcome, Danny! That’s really amazing progress! That was all in a month?!?

“Whilst this isn’t ‘prepping’ for my POV it IS being more prepared for all eventualities.”

That’s the difference between doomsday prepping and sane prepping. No point collecting zombie equipment if you’re not even ready for the real problems that happen every day. 🙂

https://theprepared.com/prepping-basics/guides/sane-prepper-mantra-common-sense-rules/

Sounds like you’re on the right track. Let us know if you have any questions. And I’m looking forward to hearing more of your adventures.

 

Thanks Eric. It’s actually giving a real purpose to getting stuff done. I’m not just ‘improving a lock’ I’m actually improving the safety or our home and my family. That small change in mindset has made me look at lots of things totally differently. 

Fixpoints for the roof bars delivered today. That leaves the roofbar footings to purchase (the most expensive bits of course) and then I’ll be collecting my free roofbox from my Dad and hopefully fitting it without any issue. I’ll then drive it home and remove it, power wash it then store it and that’s a decent large multi-scenario item ticked off. 

Another small project I have is that I’ve just acquired for free a 2nd plastic compost bin so I want to clear an area of the garden for that one and our existing one to sit. 

 

Just a quick technicallity on the British Standard locks you have improved the screws on. The locks were tested to BS3621 with the included screws, and tecnically, they no longer comply to the standard if different(better) screws are used.

This is of course complete garbage, as it’s known in the trade that the supplied screws are made of cheese, and anyone with any sense has upgraded them. But, your insurrer could argue the point, (I have never known any do this, they are only concerned with the kitemark on the faceplate).

Otherwise good work on the sane prepping. Don’t go buying a crossbow!

 

“Don’t go buying a crossbow!”

Out of curiosity, what are the rules/regulations regarding crossbows over there?

 

Legal as long as you have a valid reason for having it with you. Normally private land is fine. Walking around near a school, not so much.

Air rifles must are limited to a certain power, you must be over 16 (I think) and you must be on private land, or with the landowners permission (say on a farm) and the shot must not endager the public, or go over a public road

(this is a rough and ready summary)

 

Actually its age 21, but better put in the article below

Crossbows And The Law

 

Hi from up on the Borders of Scotland. 

Nice start on your prepping journey.  With prepping I find that once you have the basics covered, most “events” can be covered with a little nudge.

I am also a great believer in Software beats Hardware,  or the more you know the less you need to carry.  

 

Welcome Danny5, it seems you’ve started your journey down the rabbit hole. Great work on your first aid and home security. 
Regarding the Screws in your British standard locks, as long as they comply with or exceed the standard then your insurance company will not take issue.