In another installment of Ask-a-prepper we get a chance to talk with James from ClearlyFiltered.com and learn a little more about his lifestyle and thoughts on prepping.

How long have you been prepping for?
A little over 5 years.

Any reason why you began prepping?
Getting into the water purification business, you see what a lot of other people are doing to prepare themselves for a variety of circumstances. All of which happen to include provisions for water. But regardless of what it is, there are a certain number of things you will need to survive even if only for a week or two. If you don’t have 2 weeks worth of supplies, then you might want to set a few items away to try and get there.

A specific event? Do you live in an Urban setting or a rural one?
Out West the two biggest/most likely instances will be A) An earthquake AND B) A nuclear fallout from either a weapon or an accidental release from one of the powerplants.

If the time comes are you bugging out or in?
Bugging In. Unless your home is totally destroyed, then you might not have a choice.

Has prepping changed your lifestyle?
Nope, not one bit. I just bring more things with me when we go somewhere.

Do your preps include an underground shelter or bunker?
No! I think that is more than a bit excessive. If we’re forced to live in an underground bunker for months/years… I’m not sure that’s the quality of life I’d want for me and my family.

Also, because you never know where you are going to be when an earthquake hits. Your best prep is the one you have with you.

If times ever got tough would you work solo or with a support group?
Family first. Fortunately we live close to our relatives. They would be our support system.

If you could give a new prepper some advice based on your past mistakes, what would they be?
Try not to bulk on items, instead think about what you need to survive and more importantly HOW you are going to survive. If you’re prep plan isn’t sustainable, then you’re doomed as soon as you run out of rations/equipment. Prep smart.

Did your significant other have a problem with your prepping?
No, she’s not as concerned as I am. But she sees the value in it. It hasn’t gotten to become an addition like you see on many tv shows. Really for us, it only took a little bit of time in the beginning, now it is just adding new/cool items to our bug out bags.

Did he/she back you?
Yes, like I said, prepping isn’t an all or nothing kind of deal. There are levels of preparedness. If you want to keep 2-3 days supplies on hand, great! You’re a prepper! If you want to keep 4+ months worth of stuff… well then you’re just hard core. But don’t let people fool you into thinking it has to be over the top to be effective.

Doomsday Preppers. Has the show hurt or helped the prepping community?
Both, it has brought attention to it in general which is good. But the light it has cast on the prepping community has pegged them as paranoid, conspiracy theory believers, hoarders, prepping addicts etc. It’s so over the top in most cases that people let the potential catastrophe alter their lives in a negative way.

If nothing happens in your lifetime or children’s lifetime for that matter, would you feel that you wasted your time and money?
Really sit down and make a list of everything you will need. Borrow from someone else’s list online or make your own, doesn’t matter. Then put a dollar amount next to each item. Bet you it wont add up to as much as you think if you really look at the essentials. Only thing you need to account for is the lifespan of the items you purchase. Replacing the perishables is something you will want to consider.

Best bet, don’t buy bulk water. Go get a filter for you and your family that will filter the water around you that you already have. Will save a ton of money & space that you don’t spend on bottled water.

Check out: www.ClearlyFiltered.com

Want to give some advice to a new prepper?
Seriously, get yourself a filtered water bottle and a good knife. Water is the single most overlooked item for most preppers. People notoriously underestimate just how much water they will need to stay hydrated in an emergency. DON’T OVERLOOK CLEAN DRINKING WATER!

Last words or thoughts you wish to share? I think everyone should be a prepper, it doesn’t take much and if there ever comes an emergency (big or small) you will be better equipped to handle it than most all your neighbors.

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