A simple definition of prepping in the UK

By John Hicks of the UK Health Radio's weekly talk radio health and wellness 'Health Kicks Show'

So what is 'prepping' and who are 'preppers'.

Here in the UK, there are a growing number of people to devote some of their time and resources to learning about and preparing for  a major disaster in their locality which restricts the about of government resources to be able to support them in the immediate future.

Our newspapers, radio news and television news broadcasts are increasingly bringing us information about catastrophic events such as violent tornadoes, hurricanes and other natural disasters which are are on the increase.

The world economy is still faltering and many are facing an uncertain financial future. Some people believe that the world will end because of an economic disaster; while others believe that there may be an EMP from a solar eclipse or the polar shift scientists have discovered will devastate the world we live in. All believe that in their lifetime that there will be a tipping point that will create social unrest and chaos.

In times of instability more people are looking for ways to not only provide for their families but to protect them. They want to make sure that in the event of a financial meltdown, catastrophic weather event, EMP, social unrest, or terrorist activity such as an attack on a nuclear power station, that they can provide their loved ones with the basic necessities required to survive.

We all watched in horror at the TV images of looting in riots here in the UK. And we stand by helpless when striking lorry drivers at petrol refineries threatened to starve fuel stations of the petrol and diesel supermarket delivery drivers needed to re-stock the shop shelves.

Those people who have decided to rely on themselves rather than waiting for the government to come in and rescue them from a crisis are called Preppers.

I am not an extreme prepper. I am ensuring that I have enough food, water, medicines and basic essentials for at least four weeks. But I am also looking at how I could take care of, and protect, my family over an extended period.

My first prepping handbook

By John Hicks of The Health Kicks Show on UK Health Radio

My daughter Chelsea-Anne thoughtfully gave me my first handbook on prepping - and I welcome this opportunity to share details with you as it is a very good starting point.

The book is called "The Doomsday Prepping Crash Course" by Patty Hahne and published by Skyhorse Publishing Inc.

I found it an easy read and a useful beginner's guide to being prepared for any event so I often return to it for tips and ideas as I develop my own personal emergency survival plan.

I was surprised that Chelsea bought me this book as, being a teenager, she finds my passion for such things as stocking-up on tins of foods and buying a generator slightly amusing. But she knew that it was something of great interest to me and I am hopeful that there is a begrudging acceptance in her mind that disaster can strike any of us, anywhere in the world, at any time. I certainly do not want her to be worried but I would like to think that she too will go on to have a plan in place when she comes to have a family of her own.

I explain to her that it is like having a car breakdown insurance policy or a life insurance policy. We all try and afford one, even if just a basic plan, but hope we never have to use it.

Patty Hahne's book is a good first step in being prepared.





Join John Hicks every week on UK Health Radio, your local radio station, iTunes or Podbean for The Health Kicks Show - follow the links on www.health-kicks.co.uk

Welcome to Prepping UK from UK Health Radio

By health and wellness radio talk show, John Hicks, of The Health Kicks Show on UK Health Radio - which is syndicated to radio stations worldwide and available on demand on iTunes and Podbean


This is just a brief note to welcome you to my new blog on prepping in the UK.

It is intended as a gentle introduction for people new to prepping as well as an opportunity for established preppers to share their expertise and passion with a whole new audience.

My name is John Hicks and I present a health and wellness radio show on UK Health Radio. My interest in prepping, however, started some years ago when the UK government circulated a newsletter warning every household that we should have enough supplies to last at least two weeks in the event of a national or regional emergency.

So, I began to stock up and build up reserves, including equipment such as gas heaters and a small generator. In the severe winter of 2010, these became very useful when heavy snowfall drew transport to a complete standstill for a week or more so that shop shelves became depleted and it was too cold for petrol station pumps to operate.

Then when we founded UK Health Radio, we had the opportunity to air The UK Prepper Radio Show with Tom Linden. His interesting insights into practical prepping caused me to become even more interested and to share ideas in The Health Kicks Show.

I am now looking particularly how traditional herbal remedies and natural medicines could, in the absence of medications on pharmacy shelves, could treat everyday ailments and common conditions the natural way of our forefathers!

I hope you find my blog interesting. If you have expertise and a passion for this subject, do please share your blogs with me by writing to john@ukhealthradio.com - and join me on Twitter @preppingUK








Keywords: survival techniques, prepping, UK preppers, bushcraft, being prepared, survivalists, survival kits, SHTF, disaster preparedness, emergency planning, practical prepping, natural medicines, herbal healing