Guest Post: “The Survival Pyramid “
by Spudfarmer
As many of us who are preparing for an uncertain future have discovered, trying to prepare to become self-sufficient
It is easy to become so overwhelmed that you just run around buying things you know you will need at some point in the future. A box of bullets here, some canned veggies there, and so it goes.
After all, these are things you know you will need and will be able to put to use at some point, why not buy and store? The problem with this is that is leads to prepping without method and it does not systematically satisfy basic levels of needs. You need a method to keep your efforts focused and deliberate.
The tool I constantly use to help overcome this problem is based on Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs. As most of you probably know Abraham Maslow (one of the founders of modern psychology) developed a pyramid of human needs with five separate levels. Each level contains different requirements that must be met before moving on to the next level.
Furthermore, each level is supported by the level below it and a person cannot move on to the next level until the previous level has been satisfied. The bottom level of the pyramid contains things like food, water, and sleep.
The top of the pyramid is a level called self-actualization which is the pinnacle of human existence. Many people strive to reach this level but very few ever do. (Think Mother Teresa and Gandhi) It is very simple to apply this same principle to building a survival pyramid with the pinnacle being truly prepared.
I personally like the pyramid analogy, but you can replace it with whatever you like. The basic concept is you are building a survival structure. This structure is all based on a strong foundation and supporting levels. Just like Maslow’s pyramid, each level rests on the previous level and if you try and skip levels or build on a weak foundation, the structure will collapse.
With this information in mind, there are a couple of caveats before we begin. First, the fundamentals of the pyramid are universal, but each person’s pyramid will be different based on their circumstances.
For instance, while my first level living in the Northwest would be food, water, shelter, and heat – someone who is insulin dependent and living in Florida would have a first level of food, water, shelter, and insulin.
Secondly, any item placed in a level will also by extension have things that allow us to use items on the list. So if insulin is on my level one, I must also have a way to refrigerate and use insulin on my level one list. If my food storage consists primarily of grains, a grinder must also be on level one. If my water supply is a year round stream, a filtration system must also be on level one. You get the idea.
So without further ado, here is MY pyramid based on my age, location, family size, financial status, etc… Again, this is extremely abbreviated and only some examples of items in each level, not a comprehensive list.
Level 1: Life Requirements
Water- My water will come from my well with a back up hand pump
Food- 1 year supply of long term storables like wheat, salt, sugar/honey, powdered milk, hand grinder, spare grinder parts, etc…
Shelter- My house
Heat- Wood stove to heat and cook with plus 5 cords wood storage, matches, splitting maul, ax
Level 2: Long Term Survival Tools and Protection
These are things that will be essential to any long term survival plan. This is not even close to a complete list, just examples. Things like toiletries, non-hybrid seeds, garden tools, seasonal clothing, canned fruits & veggies, guns, ammo, medical supplies, etc….
· A Side note – It was extremely difficult to place guns and ammo on level two instead of level one. I’m one of those guys who doesn’t go to the grocery store without my gun. My thinking is that in the purest sense of the word survival, a gun is not necessary. You have to have food and water to exist, but you can survive without a gun. The best part is you don’t have to debate this because it’s my list, you can just make your own.
Level 3: Quality of Life
These are things that would be very nice to have and would upgrade your status from merely surviving to living borderline comfortable. These are things like books for your survival library, chicken coop w/hens, goat for milk, taking an EMT course, vitamins to supplement your diet, antibiotics, etc….
Level 4: Barter/Trades
These are items/skills that will allow you to get the most out of a survival situation. Some things on this list will increase your value as a person in a true TEOTWAWKI situation. This will also allow you to live much more comfortably in this scenario. These are things like welding, mechanical, medical skills that you can use to improve your personal situation as well as trade for other items. Other things might be a beehive for honey production or solar panels to recharge batteries or power electronics. These are skills/things that everyone should be striving to acquire after meeting basic needs.
Level 5: Add to existing stores and luxury items
These are things that are not at all essential but would make life better. Things in here would be candy for children (and yourself), board games, DVDs, music, etc. You would also increase previous set levels of need. More bullets, food for barter, etc….
Your lists should be as detailed and specific as possible. How much wheat? What Kind? Extra parts for a grain mill? What kinds of guns? Calibers? How much ammo? It could go on forever. Furthermore you could have some guns on level two and others on level four.
Your list will also change and will cycle as you become more prepared. The point is to stay focused and purchase starting with absolute necessities and work up.
I don’t care how great a deal you find on another case of ammo, it doesn’t matter if you don’t have your water needs met. Ideally this should take the emotion out of things and make you stick to a budget of sorts. Not as much fun, but far more effective.
As it has been repeated ad nauseam in most survival blogs, everyone’s survival list will be different. We all have basic needs we share, but we also have uniquely different life circumstance that prohibits making a one size fits all list. It’s your list; you get to determine what the priorities are for you and yours.
We all know what we need to survive. In fact, we can even picture most items we need and compile a detailed list. However, the fact remains we need to start viewing prepping as a structure. We have to start with a solid foundation and build up.
We all know what a house looks like, but we wouldn’t start building without plans. We know it would be a futile effort. You would have no idea what the exact measurements were and it would be pointless to try building walls before the foundation was set. The clock is ticking so draw your plans and start building from the bottom.
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March 3rd, 2010 at 8:13 PM
Very neat. Ineed to thik of mine. M.D,whats your pyramid?
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March 4th, 2010 at 12:10 AM
Hudson
Water- Spring near my place, filter Berkey filter, cistern, creek about a mile from my place.
Food- About a 5 year supply of basic foods, wheat, rice, beans, corn, salt, sugar, honey, canned foods. Garden, domestic animals, hunting trapping, fishing, wild plants etc.
Shelter- My trailer and a hidden cave in my area for back-up.
Heat- Small wood stove, Mr heater, propane cookstove. Can us woodstove for cooking if needed. Two burner camp stove.
Tools and skills.
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March 4th, 2010 at 5:43 AM
More good info for us to learn from. With good guest posts and M.D.'s help, we have no reason not to be prepared.
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March 4th, 2010 at 1:40 PM
I WOULD SAY MOST WHO PREPARE SERIOSLY ARE CLOSE TO WHAT MD HAS SAID FOR HIMSELF.IM A LITTLE WAYS FROM 5 YEARS OF FOOD,IM AROUND 2 1/2 YEARS.MY WEAK POINT IS WATER, I HAVE ABOUT 4 WEEKS STORED IF RATIONED THE RIGHT WAY.WITH THE STATE THIS GREAT COUNTRY IS IN I HSVE BEEN PREPPING HARDER IN THIS ONE AREA CONCERNING WATER.MY MAIN GOAL AS OF NOW IS FULLTIME EMPLOYMENT.FROM JAY IN NC
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March 4th, 2010 at 2:11 PM
This is an excellent post and, in my opinion, very important. I was fortunate many years ago to to be aware of Maslow's Hierachy of Needs. My roomate in college gave me a test 36 years ago based on Maslow's concept. It was a test to list, in order of importance, all the things I'd need if I were suddenly placed on the moon. This test, as hypothetical as it was, established good dicipline for me in my survival efforts.
Taking such a test now, using your own environment and individual needs, is far easier to take than considering all the needs you'd have if on the moon. I would, however, recommend considering taking the "moon" test because it grounds us in our basic needs. Take the "moon" test first and then do one for your present environment and needs. Save an outline of your results and review or change it from time-to-time. (W)
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March 4th, 2010 at 2:59 PM
Very well done article, thank you Spudfarmer & MD for posting and the personal insight. What I found valuable is that it created a context and a sense of purpose because I have been struggling with first steps.
MD, you probably have it somewhere in the blog but do you have a check list of suggested items for food, clothing etc?
Also, water is an essential item and those of us who do not have a well or stream nearby must use containers I'm guessing, which is a heck of a lot of containers, right?
Then bugging out with the H2O, wow – I have work to do to properly plan an escape route/destination. I've got lots of reading to do on this site.
If people only knew the true value of this blog site, how much you (MD & guest posters who really care to help make a difference) put into this for our benefit.
It's really more than meets the eye and beyond the simpletons, like me who thought they can throw a few things together, drive to Grandma and sing Kumbaya while the storm passes by in a couple of days.
Thanks again to all who really give a damn about the overall good to help a neighbor – that is the heart of America.
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March 4th, 2010 at 3:05 PM
Thanks Spudfarmer and MD! I've been struggling with this lately, but I came up with a better plan last night. Priority #1 Berkey filter…more ammo can wait.
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March 4th, 2010 at 3:44 PM
Spudfarmer has a good approach. I used a priority system that kinda looks like a sideways tree that gets worked through like a project. Basic needs are at the far left and requisite items/skills branch off toward the right with non-critical/convenience items for each category being the farthest to the right. It works the same way, except in my system once the critical echelon 0 needs are met, I can follow any branch to total preparedness as my budget allows. I did it this way because it's much cheaper to bring water to the convenience echelon than it is to bring ammunition/defense to the 2nd echelon. It makes my preps lopsided, but having a few critical areas of my life convenient is a fair trade in my situation as long as all my core needs are met.
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March 4th, 2010 at 4:43 PM
I have just started getting interested in prepping so I have almost nothing done and I'm afraid with my current resources it will take me some time to really get on board. I think the viewpoint that this article describes will be a big help so that I don't waste time and resources in the wrong areas. I will have to say that, in my current location, Security will have to be a part of the first level. I live in the city, in a lower-middle class neighborhood that is declining a little each year. I am pretty sure that KEEPING my preps will be something I will have to plan for. Luckily for me, I already have that one mostly covered just from my gun hobby. Now if only I could come up with a good water plan… That doesn't rely on the drainage ditch a quarter mile away from my house.
s
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March 4th, 2010 at 9:07 PM
Stuart – Congratulations, you've accomplished the first step – the willingness to engage.
Next step is to analyze your budget and eliminate the frivolous spending – bring a lunch to work instead of buying it, consolidate trips in the car etc. it's pretty simple & easy changes to make which prepares excellent future habits.
Then take small, affordable incremental steps forward – buy a bag of rice & store it properly, 5 gallons of water and so on. The non cost items are planning & mapping a "bug out" plan, creating check lists, organizing storage areas etc.
Also, I have found that garage sales can be a great source for inexpensive prep items like camp stoves, gas cans and many other items.
Above all, keep it simple and (mentally) manageable and you'll be there before you know it.
Remember the old saying … Rome wasn't built in a day ~
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March 4th, 2010 at 11:27 PM
Great thoughts Spud Farmer….
Overwhelming is a good description of what I've been up to. I started out with a bit of a plan, and then got carried away. I was randomly buying things that I was finding on sale. Got some good deals on stuff I will need, but just bits and pieces of various needs.
Thanks for the reminder of structure importance.
Dean in Mich……
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March 5th, 2010 at 12:51 AM
EXCELLENT POST Spudfarmer. You really broke "survival" down to an easy to understand methodology. I plan on making my own pyramid as well and I think this just about makes sense to anyone who is remotely interested in actually being prepared. Again great job.
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March 5th, 2010 at 3:51 AM
Great post (applause). Kinda follows the old addage Keep It Simple Stupid. "KISS"
Lists and charts are the way to go when preping or planning thus keepin it simple. "Do I need this or that? Nope not on my list.
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March 6th, 2010 at 10:56 PM
Good article.Creates motivation.
We have been preparing for several years,and I don't think it's possible to cover every single need,as some needs will be circumstantial.
I've found it best to make lists of what I need,and then keep a list of what I have already,and what I buy.
I started out buying 5 gallon jugs of springwater,drinking the water,drying the jugs,and refilling them with rice,beans,pasta,sugar,flour,grits,potato flakes,etc..Then took it from there.Some of the jugs were filled for as little as 8 bucks each.I found great deals at a local discount store.Then worked on the rest.
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March 7th, 2010 at 12:05 AM
Thanks for the reply M.D.
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