Where are Preppers Located?

Where Are Preppers From?

In recent years, the term ‘prepper’ has become a buzzword in the media, with images of people stockpiling food, water and supplies for the ‘end of the world’. But where exactly do preppers come from? Who are they, and where did this preparedness culture originate?

At its core, prepping is about preparing for potential disasters, whether natural, economic, or societal. Preppers believe in being self-sufficient rather than state-reliant, and ensuring that they, and their families, are ready for any situation that might disrupt the normal flow of life. Whilst the mainstream media likes to associate prepping with apocalyptic fears and poke fun at us, the movement is deeply rooted in various historical and cultural factors. History does after all seem to repeat itself, and we live in a time of cycles coming to an end and starting anew. Everyone was a prepper once upon a time, but now, in the 21st century, we are returning and relearning. Let's dive in.

The Historical Roots of Prepping

Mankind has had to adapt to survive in times of crisis. We’ve continued through glacial and interglacial periods, comet strikes and other disasters. Ancient civilizations, from the Egyptians to the Greeks, stored food and water to survive famines or invasions. In medieval times, European peasants would often stockpile food in grain stores for the harsh winter months. Similarly, Native American tribes developed sophisticated methods for preserving food and medicine. At Sgt Preppers we are keen on the Native American food ‘pemmican’, which is an excellent way of preserving beef to ensure long and healthy survival. If you want to survive and really thrive healthily, this is as good as it gets.

Our ancestors did it best and there is much to be relearned, however, in more modern times, some elements of prepping have taken a different approach, particularly in the mid 20^th century. For example, following World War II, the fear of nuclear war prompted defence programs in case of an attack. The Cold War era saw the rise of fallout shelters, stocked with supplies.

The Prepping Movement – Returning Man to his Natural State of Being

The modern prepper movement in the United States began to take shape in the 1970s, during a time of political and social upheaval. The energy crisis, the Vietnam War, and the Watergate scandal contributed to a sense of distrust in government and a growing concern about the country’s stability. During this time, survivalist communities started forming, with people advocating for self-sufficiency and preparation for a possible collapse of society.

The rise of the internet in the early 2000s further fuelled the prepper movement, allowing like-minded individuals to share knowledge, trade goods, and learn survival skills. By the 2010s, prepping had entered the mainstream, with reality TV shows and the like seeking to try and poke fun at people who prepared. It did not work, and people started to view prepping not as an eccentric hobby, but as a serious lifestyle choice.

It is probably fair to say that the powers that be prefer mass state reliance over mass self sufficiency. It is perhaps a first world phenomenon to separate oneself from our natural instinctive preparedness.

While the American prepping movement has gained the most attention, the culture of self-reliance and disaster preparedness exists in various forms around the world.

In countries prone to natural disasters, such as Japan or those in the tropics, disaster preparedness is a part of everyday life. In these regions, individuals and communities are often trained in emergency response techniques, and many households maintain emergency kits in case of earthquakes, typhoons, or other crises.

In Japan, for example, earthquake drills are regularly conducted in schools and workplaces, and they have set up extensive systems for emergency supplies, communication, and shelter. Also worth a mention - they build their houses like concrete fortresses.

In South America, where political instability has been common, prepping also takes on unique forms. In Venezuela, for instance, the ongoing economic crisis and hyperinflation have pushed people to adopt survivalist tactics, such as growing their own food and trading goods outside the formal economy, something we need more of in the UK! In countries like Argentina, where economic crises have led to shortages of basic goods, individuals and families prepare by creating networks of bartering and self-sufficiency.

Key Influences on the Prepper Movement

The prepper movement today is shaped by various cultural, political, and environmental factors that vary by region:

1. Natural Disasters: Where natural disasters, such as hurricanes, wildfires, and flooding occur, people in vulnerable areas are increasingly turning to prepping to safeguard their families and communities.

2. Political Instability: In regions where conflict is ongoing, the desire for self-reliance and resistance is not only there, it is necessary. Survival strategies to cope with war and displacement are adopted, or outright defence against oppression.

3. The Internet: The internet has created a prepper community in some sense and there is all sorts of knowledge available on the likes of Youtube. Who needs to watch normal television on a night when you have the likes of Dave Canterbury or MCQ Bushcraft to teach via their videos. And whilst we’re on, Dave Canterbury said it well: “I don’t see myself as a prepper, because I was always taught to be ready for emergency situations before they happen. I don’t consider that being a prepper, I consider that being smart”.

4. Economic Crisis: Economic collapse is the big one coming, and already upon us to some extent. Decent food, shelter, utilities, tax – it’s never been so unaffordable as it is in 2024 here in the UK. It’s led to all sorts of different approaches in response – from van lifers, to off-gridders, to those litigating heroes without capes who exercise their rights.

Conclusion: The Prepping Phenomenon

Preppers are urban, rural, old, young, men, women, north, south, east and west. Whilst prepping has deep roots in mankind’s design, the culture of preparedness is a relatively new thing. Even just 80 years ago we kept our cupboards full and our gardens growing without the need to categorise that kind of normal behaviour. However, it is unlearned behaviour which is being relearned with the necessary addition of responding to the modern political and economical climate. How do preppers do that? We stay aware of what could be ahead, whilst not panicking, we take a step back and looking at the historic cycles alongside the present happenings. We stay strong, constantly improving our knowledge and skills, and getting the supplies we need to tackle what is ahead