Why be Prepared?

By Brian Duff

So, Why Be Prepared?

After all, the city, state and federal governments will help us, right? Maybe our neighbors will help us, right? Sure, our government and friends may help us. Then again, maybe not. Maybe they too are overcome by the events we find ourselves stuck in.

If so, then what?

The answer to that “what” is the reason to be prepared. We should be ready because we may be the only people who can care for ourselves or others.

Tragedy Will Overcome Everyone?

No, it won’t; far from it. Many of us may never personally experience a disaster, be the victim of crime, become severely injured, etc.

Hopefully, that includes you! However, before auto insurance became mandatory, most people paid for it anyway. Did most people expect to be involved in a wreck, much less a serious wreck? No, most people bought it on the chance of the what if.

“I’m a great driver and will never cause an accident, but what if…?” “I never get sick or need to see the doctor, but what if…?”

The what if’s can go on and on. The answer to why be prepared is“What if?”

History Shows Preparedness Failures

Take this past week in Montreal, Canada, or on I-70 in Colorado, for example. In Montreal, 300 vehicles were stranded overnight during a massive snowstorm. While in Colorado, 200 people found themselves stuck for hours on I-70.

What do both of these events have in common, besides the snow and a highway of stranded motorists?

Both of these areas, Montreal and Colorado, are very familiar with heavy snowstorms. Both have public safety agencies geared towards ensuring the safety of travelers during winter storms.

Regardless of the reasons people were left stranded, one fact remains: People were stranded despite the systems designed to ensure people don’t get stranded.

Not all stories are doom and gloom involving being stranded and saving lives.

Being Prepared to Help Others

18-year-old Kaela Eads learned CPR in school, and so she was able to launch into action when a mom holding a lifeless little boy ran up to her. Kaela, prepared with her CPR skills, jumped in, performed CPR and saved the boy’s life. 

Just imagine how the mom felt? Just imagine how Kaela felt and how much confidence she must now have. The time and effort certainly paid off. It paid off even if Kaela is the only person in her class to ever have to use CPR.

We Should All Be Prepared

Whether we are prepared to be stranded in a snowstorm, know what to do in a power outage, or know how to give CPR, we should all be prepared to take decisive action. Being prepared means taking a little bit of time to help prevent difficult events from becoming tragic. Being prepared means taking the initiative to learn to help yourself, and in so doing have the ability to help others along the way.

Any way you slice it, those are great reasons to get up, get going and be better prepared.


Lastly, never forget, you’re just one prep away.


If you have any other information, suggestions, or thoughts on why be prepared, please leave a comment below.


Stay safe, secure and prepared.

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