The Practical Preppers Complete Guide to Disaster Preparedness Paperback – August 5, 2014

This book shares possibly the best multi-pronged approach to prepare for what may come.With subjects to include Water, food, shelter, power, medical, bugging out, security and community, this book guides you through an all out lifestyle change to preserve that which you hold dearest, your family.WATERI was very impressed with the amount of technical knowledge divulged in water storage and distribution. There are so many solutions out there to ensure a safe and clean water supply which I had not even considered before reading this book. Also, Scott's expansion on filtration, solar water pumping and heating shed plenty more light to the topic, if telling you how and where to find it weren't enough. His engineering background no doubt made it easy to explain in such great detail, the ins and outs of a totally offgrid water system.FOODWith regard to food storage, Scott did a more than adequate job of detailing the steps and methods of securing a reliable (while palatable) food larder for the rough times ahead. Much like the water section, he did not stop with the typical how-to-get-it... he went on to explain how to resupply and preserve that all important commodity. Just when you thought you'd read it all, Scott also added knowledge about essential oils and minerals, vitamins and the like. Included in the very thorough section were additional tips, tools and tricks to accommodate any intellectual level of audience which might be reading.SHELTERThe ever informative shelter section of The Complete Guide To Disaster Preparedness hits on key points of location, buying, building and equipping a very nice bug-in location. Even the not-so-nice topics of garbage and waste disposal were covered thoroughly. Honorable mention in the shelter chapter was some discussion about EMP and building your own Faraday cage. This segues well into the next chapter...POWERThe engineering brain of Mr. Hunt shines through again with this chapter, which is loaded with page after page of on and off grid power gems. Fuel storage, wood splitting, stoves, and generators are just a few topics covered in the very important chapter regarding how to do more than just keep the lights on in an emergency. The information contained in this chapter alone is worth the purchase price.MEDICALIn the medical section, Scott was very clear that he is not a medical professional and that some of the information may be subjective to some audiences with a higher proficiency in this venue. Nonetheless, he was able to find a layman's approach to cover some trivial and highly controversial topics like antibiotic storage. Enough said here.BUG OUT PLANLets face it, when its time to go, its time to go, but Scott shares some reasons you might not have thought about which might convince your group that its time to leave. Bug-out bags, checklists and caches are among the items covered in this chapter, which is also rife with new content which wont be covered in just about every other book like this one. Another gem in this chapter, geocaching.SECURITYBunkers, Karate, DRONES?!? This chapter is a very serious topic and was aptly covered. Defensive posture, radios and mindset are all key points during the security segment. The order of topics was very well thought out and some of the more eccentric items were only discussed in brief towards the end of the chapter.COMMUNITYThe last chapter in the book is community oriented. Points covered are networking, bartering and neighborhood watch type scenarios. This was a short chapter, but enough information was presented to get the mind going on some possibilities for you and your group.Overall this book was very well written and as a bonus EXTREMELY COMPREHENSIVE! This could be the last "Survival of the Unknown" manual that should need to be written. I gave it a solid five star review simply for the amount of VALUABLE content provided for such a small price.I would recommend this book to anyone interested in keeping their family comfortable in the event of a long term emergency. Even if you only try a few of the topics covered within, you'll be a big step ahead of the rest of the crowd.

Scott Hunt is well known in the preparedness community, in part due to his involvement with the NatGeo series "Doomsday Preppers." After having read this book I now understand why he is considered one of the 'experts' with Practical Preppers; the author knows his business, and knows it as well as anyone can.As for the book's particulars, it is a well written volume, with the step-by-step format being easy to follow. The presentation was engaging, and there is a lot of information. A lot. I mean really... a LOT.And here is where we run into a small issue, at least with the first four sections (Water, Food, Shelter, Power) - there is almost TOO much information. In those chapters we are provided with so many options, so much knowledge, in such a small space that you start to feel overloaded. Like a sponge which has become saturated, your brain absorbs so much so quickly you feel like some of what you are learning is just running off.For experienced preppers this will not be a huge issue, but for a novice it may be too much, too quickly, to be fully appreciated. Those first four entries could have been spread out and expanded into a book all on its own, to be honest, and would have been even more inviting on the first read. However, spending time re-reading these sections should allow you process all the information Mr Hunt presents there, and you should - for said-information is invaluable.I find it interesting that something seemed to change starting with Chapter Five (Medical), and that change carries through to the end of the book; the pace slows down just a tad, enough to where you start retaining everything that is presented. While the previously-mentioned four chapters felt a bit overwhelming, the rest of the book was a nearly perfect read, a rare thing to find in this genre of books. Many of his ideas were things I could - and did - implement immediately (even on my VERY limited budget), while others will take a larger investment of time and money.Based on all this I highly recommend this book. I learned much from it (his data on how an EMP would affect automobiles, for example, is very interesting, suggesting that what has been presented in 'doomsday fiction' is pretty much wrong), and I believe everyone will get vital solutions to complex problems - even the most experienced of preppers. One thing is certain - if you follow the suggestions presented here, you will NEVER feel at the mercy of chance.

This book shows a clear and common since way of preparing for a mishap.

This book is an excellent reference, especially if you are preparing to move, build a house, or join a community. Best to do things right the first time. It's more of a reference book than pleasure reading; I have already re-opened it many times after finishing the book. While this book often recommends things to purchase, it's all about getting the right systems set up, not just buy-buy-buy-more-more-stuff, which is a trap I have often seen preppers fall into.Scott Hunt's reputation and credentials are impeccable; this isn't just some random guy writing this book. He really is the expert on prepping from an engineer's point of view. The information on electromagnetic pulse is the best I've seen in any of the prepping books in my library. There is also great information on stoves, generators, and everything you would want to know about supplying yourself with water - including hot water! The medical information, while limited to one chapter, is also excellent and professional - he sought the advice of his wife (a pharmacist) and other medical professionals. The chapter on "preparing your community" is excellent as well; obviously the voice of experience.I guess I wouldn't really call it a "complete" guide. It plays to his strengths - water, heat, and electricity. He gives overviews and recommendations on other resources, like growing food and communication. And honestly, if you want more tactical or medical knowledge, you should go get some hands-on training rather than just buying a book.

Fantastic book with tons of useful stuff worth every penny the author knows his stuff and is a expert on the subject a must have for preppers

An excellent edition to any library and not just for the Preppers out there. Plenty of great ideas and some logical explanations as to why they are in the order they are. It also contains recommendations for other books to expand your knowledge base.

a good read even tho im not a prepper

This book is perfect if you are new to prepping and will get you well on your way to establishing a good emergency preparedness program, but the topics are not covered with enough depth for me personally. But if you are just getting started this will get the ball rolling and is a really good place to start!

Loved the book, lots of info