Mastering the Preparedness Mindset

Emergencies can happen when you least expect them — whether it's a natural disaster, a breakdown in your home systems, or a sudden personal threat. Having the right preparedness mindset is crucial for being able to handle these situations with confidence.

At Premier Body Armor, we believe that protection is more than just having the right gear — it's about developing a preparedness mindset. In this blog, we’ll dive into practical tips for building that mindset, improving survival skills, and creating a solid emergency response plan. Plus, you’ll hear directly from our Preparedness Expert, Jody, with advice on how to start preparing today.

Watch Our Preparedness Expert, Jody, Discuss the Mindset You Need

Before we get into the details, check out this insightful video from our Preparedness Expert, Jody, who shares key insights on the Preparedness Mindset and why it’s essential for everyone.

Why the Preparedness Mindset is Critical

As Jody emphasizes in the video, "No one's coming to save you." In an emergency, you are your own first responder. The average emergency response time in the U.S. is around 15 minutes, and those 15 minutes could make all the difference between life and death.

Think about it: you likely already have car insurance, home insurance, and medical insurance to protect yourself financially. But what about protecting your life and the lives of your loved ones with preparedness skills and equipment?

Having a preparedness mindset is the foundation for tackling any emergency, whether it’s at home, at work, or while traveling. It’s the difference between panicking and taking decisive action when things go wrong. Learn more about prepping for disaster and having an emergency preparedness guide.

Survival Skills You Need to Learn Today

Your mindset is the foundation, but survival skills are the tools you need to put that mindset into action. Here are some of the essential skills Jody recommends developing right away:

Learn How to Use a Tourniquet

As Jody mentions, "You want to learn how to put on a tourniquet." This simple but life-saving skill can make a difference when dealing with injuries. Severe hemorrhaging is a common cause of death during emergencies, but with the right tools — like a bleed control kit — and knowledge, you can stop it before it's too late.

Fire Safety and Extinguishers

One of the most overlooked skills in emergency preparedness is knowing how to properly use a fire extinguisher. If a fire breaks out in your home or workspace, having this skill will allow you to act quickly and potentially save lives and property.

Communication and Emergency Tools

In today's world, we rely heavily on technology for communication. However, Jody points out, "You need to know how to use your radios and jump box in case of an emergency." Power outages and loss of cellular service are common during disasters, so learning to use basic communication tools like radios can keep you connected when technology fails. Make sure your communication plan will work even during cellular outages.

The Gear You Need for Preparedness

Once you build your preparedness mindset and skillset, the amount of preparedness gear you need may shrink because you’ll be more resourceful. However, there are still essential items you should always have in your survival kit.

Water and Food Storage

Water is at the top of the survival hierarchy, as Jody explains in the video: "You can only go three days without water, and in a hot climate, you may not make it three days." Ensure you have access to clean water and purifying tools in any emergency situation.

Food is another necessity. While you can go longer without it, emergency food stores ensure you’re not facing hunger during a crisis. It’s important to stock up on non-perishable items that have a long shelf life.

Personal Protection

Protection doesn’t always mean carrying a firearm. Whether it’s pepper gel, mace, or discreet body armor, you need to have some form of defense ready at all times. As Jody emphasizes, having personal protective equipment in your car or emergency bag is a key part of being prepared.

Build a Preparedness Community

Having a preparedness mindset isn’t something you should do alone. Jody encourages building a community of like-minded people: "It's better if your neighbors are prepared, because when there's a challenge, we can all pull together." By forming a preparedness network, you can pool resources and skills in the event of a disaster.

The Hierarchy of Needs for Survival

Understanding your hierarchy of needs is essential when it comes to surviving any emergency situation. Jody breaks down this hierarchy in the video, starting with water as the number one priority. Let’s take a look:

1. Water: You can survive just 3 days without drinking water, so it should be your top priority in any emergency situation.
2. Food: While you can last longer without food, having emergency rations that can last up to 30 days is a smart move.
3. Shelter: Make sure you have shelter from the elements, whether that means having a tent or ensuring your home is secure.
4. Protection: From self-defense tools to body armor, you need a way to protect yourself and your loved ones.
5. Community & Barter: Building a preparedness community and having items to trade can be invaluable during a long-term emergency.

Always Have an Emergency Response Plan

Preparedness isn’t just about having the right gear — it’s about planning ahead. According to Jody, you need to have a specific safety plan for your home, work, and travel. This is where tactics come into play, and it’s critical to work these things out and know how to create an emergency plan before it happens.

PACE Planning

Jody introduces the PACE method in the video, a reliable system to ensure you’re always prepared:

• Primary: Your main plan for handling an emergency. For example, an evacuation route during a fire.
• Alternate: A backup plan if the primary route is blocked or fails.
• Contingent: A third option if the first two plans can’t be followed.
• Emergency: Your last resort if none of the other options are available.

By working through this process in advance, you’ll know exactly what to do, no matter what the situation may be. Don't forget to make sure all family members know any evacuation plans for different types of emergencies.

Start Preparing Before It's Too Late

The most crucial step in preparedness is acting now. Emergencies don’t wait for you to be ready, so it’s a good idea to start developing your preparedness mindset today.

As Jody says, "We don't rise to the occasion, we always fall to the things that we've mastered." It's like muscle memory; make sure you've mastered the things that will matter in an emergency. The time to start preparing is before an emergency hits.

Get the Right Gear for Your Preparedness Plan

At Premier Body Armor, we offer a wide range of emergency preparedness gear to keep you and your loved ones safe in any situation. From bleed control kits to discreet body armor, we have everything you need to build your emergency kit.

Remember, no one is coming to save you — it’s up to you to be prepared.

Conclusion: Stay Prepared, Stay Safe

Preparedness is more than just having the right tools — it’s about developing a mindset that will help you stay calm and focused in any emergency. By building the right mindset, learning essential skills, having the right emergency gear, and having a well-thought-out plan, you’ll be ready for anything that comes your way.