Are you a prepper looking for the most important projects to help you survive any SHTF situation? You’re in luck! We’ve compiled a comprehensive list of the thirteen most important survival projects for preppers.
You’ll be able to develop the skills and resources necessary to survive and thrive in any long-term crisis. These projects will help you prepare for any crisis, giving you the confidence that you can take care of yourself and your family.
Let’s dive in and get started on the projects that will help you survive any SHTF scenario!
Why We Chose These Survival Projects
You’ve likely heard about ‘the big ones’ when it comes to emergency preparedness, but we’ve chosen these 13 DIY projects to help you get ahead of any unexpected problems.
For example, having a stockpile of non-perishable food, water, and medical supplies will help you be ready for any crisis. But don’t stop there. By taking on DIY survival projects like water purification, creating a survival garden, and having a solar oven, you can make sure you have a comprehensive SHTF plan in place.
Not only will these projects give you a sense of security, but they’ll give you a real sense of belonging among fellow preppers. Knowing that you have the skills and resources to handle an SHTF scenario is a huge relief. Plus, you can rest easy knowing that you have the knowledge and supplies to take care of yourself and your family.
Build Out A Water Harvesting System
Setting up a water harvesting system is a great way to ensure the survival of you and your family with access to clean water in any situation. Rainwater harvesting, water purification, and long-term water storage are all key components of setting up a water harvesting system.
Here are three reasons why every prepper should have a water harvesting system:
- In a grid-down situation, your city’s water pumps won’t work.
- Rainwater harvesting lets you collect and store rainwater for later use. This means you won’t be dependent on access to clean water from a public source.
- As food and water become more expensive, you’ll need rainwater harvesting to help in your gardening efforts.
Building a water harvesting system should be one of the first survival projects for any prepper—and they’re not hard to set up. Take a look at how your roof drains and where you can set aside some space for barrels and outdoor storage. For most preppers, it only takes a little knowledge, and you can set up a system that collects and stores clean water no matter what situation arises.
Setup a Prepper Water Purification System
Having a reliable water purification system in place is essential for any prepper. It allows you to ensure that the water you consume is safe and clean. There are many options available to you, such as boiling the water, using chemicals like chlorine, or using a filter. You can also save money by learning some DIY skills and building your own water purification system.
Start by harvesting water from a source such as a rain barrel or a pond, and using a filter to remove physical contaminants like dirt and debris. Then use a chemical treatment such as chlorine to kill any bacteria.
You should consider establishing an inventory of filters for your water purification system. You’ll want filters on hand for a bug-in system as well as filters you can carry in a bug-out situation. Do the math and calculate the size and/or quantity of filters you’ll need to last you for a specific amount of time.
Finally, it’s possible to construct your own filter from activated charcoal, sand, and coffee filters. Take the time to learn how to do this. Know that you’ll still need to take one more step and boil the water or treat it with chlorine to kill bacteria.
Establish Your Long-term Water Storage
Storing water for long-term use is an essential part of prepping. It’s not complicated but it is one of those survival projects that takes up a fair amount of space. To prepare for SHTF scenarios, many preppers opt to store enough water to last them for a few weeks or more.
You’ll want to have a few options for water storage, including some that can be kept in your home and others that can be stored outside. Consider using large containers, like barrels or drums, to store water in your backyard. You can also have large fillable bladders that will line your bathtub in situations where you get some notice.
Having plenty of water stored can help you to ensure that you will still have access to clean and safe water during an SHTF situation, as well as provide you with the ability to grow your own food and plants in a backyard survival garden.
With careful SHTF planning, basic prepping like water storage can be the difference between life and death.
Start a Survival Garden
A survival garden is a great excuse to turn off the internet and not read an SHTF blog! And with careful forethought, it could be the difference between scraping by on government rations and thriving – It’s an absolute necessity for surviving an SHTF event!
Gardening is one of those truly enjoyable survival projects that can provide you with a reliable source of food and nutrition during a crisis. You can plant a variety of vegetables and herbs that will provide you with a steady supply of nutrients. It will also provide you with a sense of security and control during a stressful situation.
Here are a few thoughts to consider for your Survival Garden:
- Plant a variety of vegetables that can be consumed fresh or stored for later use.
- Make sure to grow some herbs that you can use to spice up your meals and boost your nutrition, and morale.
- Keep a prepper pantry list to track the progress of your garden and monitor your SHTF plan.
With a little bit of planning and the right resources, having a survival garden can provide a reliable source of food and nutrition during an emergency. Not only will it give you a sense of control during a crisis, but you can also have peace of mind knowing that you have the tools necessary to survive a SHTF event.
Build a Compost Bin
Building a compost bin is an easy DIY project that will add nutrient-rich soil to your garden. Compost bins are easy to build and maintain, so you don’t have to break the bank to build one.
There are a couple ways they can be built…
The first option is a bin style: With just a few basic supplies like wood, nails, and wire mesh, you can easily construct a compost bin in your backyard or garden. You’ll need to layer the bin with layers of organic waste, such as vegetable and fruit scraps, yard waste, and coffee grounds, and then cover the top with soil or other organic material.
The second option is a barrel style: You’ll need a 55-gallon drum, a few 2 x 4’s, some brackets and screws. This setup allows you to easily roll the compost every couple of days to keep the mixture brewing. The hardest part of the project is cutting the door in the side, but the long-term benefit of being able to easily mix the compost will pay dividends.
Once your bin is constructed, it’s just a matter of turning the compost regularly and adding water as needed. After a few months, you’ll have nutrient-rich soil to grow plants in your survival garden.
Establish Your Prepper Pantry
Get ahead of the game by stocking your prepper pantry with all the essentials you need to prepare for SHTF, so you don’t have to scramble when an emergency happens.
It’s important to understand what items should be included in your prepper pantry and how to store them correctly. This project will require you to carve out space in a cool, dry space away from direct sunlight. Aim to stock up on long shelf-life items like canned goods, non-perishable items, rice, grains, and beans.
Once a disaster happens, it may be a while before FEMA shows up with rations. Your survival for the first several days and weeks may depend on how well you execute this project.
Build a Solar Oven
No matter the circumstances, you can whip up a delicious meal with ease when you’ve got a solar oven! With a solar oven, you can cook up a meal for your family and friends with no need for electricity or gas. It’s a great way to bring everyone together and help them feel secure in knowing that when SHTF, they’ll still have a way to make a hot meal.
Here are some of the amazing benefits of building a solar oven:
– Save Money: You can make your own solar oven with materials (plywood, 2 x 4’s, black paint, aluminum foil, and glass) you can find at your local hardware store.
– Enjoy Delicious Meals: Cook food without needing electricity or gas. Create a variety of meals, from baked goods to warm soups.
– Feel Secure: You can feel secure knowing you have a great way to make a hot meal even if SHTF. Enjoy meals with your family and friends without the worry of an unreliable power source.
Building a solar oven is one of the best SHTF survival projects for preppers. They’re inexpensive and you can build one in a weekend. It’s an easy and inexpensive way to make meals, even in the face of a disaster.
Install Solar Electrical Power
Installing solar electrical power will make you feel like you’re living in the future… Or if SHTF hits at least you won’t be living in the stone age. It’s the perfect way to make sure you’re ready for anything, no matter the situation.
Depending on your budget, you may choose to start small with an auxiliary portable solar array that you could carry in your bug-out vehicle, or you might go big with a whole home system. The second option isn’t exactly a DIY project, but either project is a better start than most people.
With solar power, you can power your home and keep your battery backup power fully charged. Solar energy also provides a reliable source of power for grid-down situations. You’ll have access to energy no matter what.
On the plus side, you may be able to lock in some energy savings before things go bad. With solar power, you can have the peace of mind that you’re always prepared for anything.
Make a Wind-Powered Electrical Generator
You can take your energy independence to a new level by building a wind-powered electrical generator. Not only will you have a renewable energy source, but you’ll also be able to harness the power of the wind and use it to your advantage on cloudy or stormy days.
Building a wind-powered electrical generator can be a great way to ensure that you have an energy source that won’t be affected by an SHTF scenario.
The process of building a wind power generator is fairly simple and can be done with just a few basic tools, but this preparedness project will take more than a weekend. You’ll need to find a suitable location that has a consistent wind speed and the materials to construct the generator.
The generators can be purchased for a few hundred dollars and used 35-gallon barrels can often be found at recyclers. You don’t need to be an engineer to build one.
Once you have everything set up, you’ll be able to take advantage of the free energy provided by the wind. Making a wind power generator is an essential part of any prepper’s SHTF planning and will help ensure that you have a reliable source of energy to keep your home running.
Install a Battery Backup Power System
With a battery backup power system, you can ensure that you have access to electricity even when the wind isn’t blowing.
For example, if you lived in a remote area that often experiences power outages, you could store energy in batteries and use them to power your home during an outage.
This would allow you to stay connected and keep your appliances running, even when the grid is down. By having a reliable power source in emergencies, you can join the ranks of preppers who’ve taken control of their lives.
Plus, you can rest easy knowing that you have the power to keep your family safe and comfortable in any situation.
This may not be one of those “DIY projects” though. It will require an inverter and an understanding of electrical theory. Make sure you’re informed before you tackle this one on your own.
Improve Your Home Security
The first rule about prepping is that you don’t talk about the resources you’re stockpiling; you don’t talk about prepping.
Unfortunately, solar arrays are usually visible. In tough times, this will show that you have something that people will want. Because of this, you’ll need to devote some focus to protecting your home from intruders.
Home security should be at the top of your priority list when it comes to your shtf survival projects. Securing your home will give you peace of mind that your loved ones and possessions are safe from harm.
Home security doesn’t have to be complicated or expensive and it’s the kind of prepper project that can yield results even when times are good. Start by assessing the areas of your home that are most vulnerable to intruders. Common entry points include windows and doors. Make sure these are securely locked with deadbolts or reinforced locks.
In an SHTF situation, you may not have enough electricity to power cameras and lighting systems. Because of that, it’s important to think about using plants to funnel intruders to specific points or to create cover for yourself. Any outdoor lighting you use to deter potential burglars will have to have a self-contained solar-powered battery.
Construct a Solar Kiln
Utilize the sun’s heat to build a solar kiln and dry wood faster for the winter. A solar kiln will speed up the seasoning process by months. Depending on what part of the country you live in, you may want to prioritize the project for winter survival.
You can make a kiln that’s relatively easy to use and efficient at drying wood. This can be a weekend preparedness project built with a sheet of plywood, a few 2 x 4’s, and some hardware from your local hardware store.
A solar kiln is simply a box with a glass top and some vents that allow moist air to exit. You’ll need to construct a frame and cover it with glass, then secure it with screws. When you’re done, you’ll have a solar kiln that can be used to dry wood and other materials.
Conclusion
As you think about the survival projects that it will take to prepare for SHTF, don’t allow yourself to be overwhelmed. No one who’s taken on this path has accomplished it overnight.
Knock out one survival project at a time, check it off, and knock out the next one. With each completed project, you’ll know your survival is a little closer to being a smaller fight.
Now all that’s left is to enjoy the peace of mind that comes with preparing for SHTF.