Prepping With Chuckles #5 OPSEC

This week I'm going to look at OPSEC or 'operational security'. I know that this sounds like a recon mission for the SAS or Navy Seals or something but it is actually all about common sense really. The message about OPSEC is don't tell the whole world that you're a prepper, and keep your prepping as quiet as possible, except for those you totally trust ie family.

WHY?
The simple truth is that you have decided to become a prepper to take care of your loved ones in case a disaster happens and you are without government help. This can be temporary after a hurricane if you lose power and streets are flooded or a more long term issue such as an EMP or solar flare event. There will be more about that stuff in later posts. You may also have decided to prep because you are concerned about the nuclear situation with North Korea or even fear a total economic collapse in your country. Whatever the reasons, you have decided to act to look after those you love. The information about the dangers is out there and easy to find and you have taken precautions.

What would happen if you told your friends at work or your neighbours about your prepping?

1) Ridicule
It is possible that they might think you are one of the 'crazies' on TV who builds a fallout shelter in the back yard or has a zombie proof tank to drive around in. This can be the image of a prepper to a lot of people, who don't realise that prepping is about taking precautions just in case the worst happens, as you do when you take out insurance on your property or holiday or health. You don't want the worst to happen but you are ready if it does. Prepping basically IS a form of insurance.

2) Nosy Neighbours
When the word gets around the street that you are a prepper, you might find that neighbours take more of an interest in what you are doing, seeing what new 'project' you are working on or gossiping about you at the water cooler at work. It could make you feel a bit awkward and draw unwanted attention on you and your prepping. 

3) Feeding the 5000
Some of us might not be greatly bothered about those two points and not care what people think of us on a day to day basis. But lets imagine that the power goes off for three months or more and you are the only known prepper in the street. It's not going to be long before one person comes to your house saying they have no food to feed their family and that as a prepper you must have spare to feed them. You might feel reluctant to say no, even if you hate this neighbour and he hates you, and give them a couple of days supply. Three days later he is back for more and so are the other neighbours that the first man told about where he got the food. Before you know it, everyone in the street could be there asking for things and your supplies will soon run out. They might well get somewhat irate if you start saying no, they might want more than you are willing to give and in extreme circumstances, they might try to take what you have from you.

It might be deemed neighbourly to help others out but there is a difference between lending them a garden tool and deciding to look after their entire families, and that is what you could be committing yourself to. You need to think of your family first, then others if circumstances allow. It might sound hard hearted but the whole point in prepping is to be ready to look after your loved ones with the supplies you bought and stored. If those supplies run out, what will you do to get more? Are you ready to give your precious supplies to those who were laughing at you prior to the disaster? Maybe you would if you knew that things would return to normal before you run out of stuff but what if you don't know? Are you going to risk being emotionally blackmailed into feeding the neighbourhood? Is that your responsibility and should it be? Should you be looking after people who chose not to prepare and buy new gadgets instead of ensuring an emergency supply of food and water? That is a difficult decision for each individual and it is not a good choice to have to make.

The easiest way to avoid that difficult scenario is to maintain OPSEC while you gather supplies. Then if a disaster does come, you have the chance to offer practical advice to neighbours to help them survive instead of just dishing out your supplies to all who ask. Whatever you choose to do then is in your hands, not being forced on you. 

So who do you tell? If you have family, of course you want to tell them and even if they aren't convinced at first, if they agree to tell nobody then that is fine. Let them know to travel to you if something happens and ensure they have essentials to do so even if you need to supply them. If you all live in the same area, you might already have a plan in place for everyone to meet at one house, or you might all choose to stay in your individual homes. If one of you lives on a farm or has a summer home somewhere rural maybe you have decided to all bug out to that place. The main issue you might have is persuading them that prepping isn't for nuclear war fans and that it can be part of everyday life. If you can get them storing the basics like food, water, batteries etc enough for a few months, even if it's just to please you, count that a success. 

What about the friends and neighbours? This is harder. If you have friends you are particularly close to, you could carefully bring certain topics up in conversation about the state of the economy, solar flares, Trump etc or mention the prepper apocalypse book about an EMP that you found scary and just see the reaction you get. You might be able to convince them with reasoned arguements. It's hard to offer advice as you know your friends better than I do! If you can get a few friends on the same wavelength you can pool resources and look out for each other if a disaster comes along. Older couples who are self sufficient or former military people could also be preppers and not willing to say so but might reveal themselves if they know you are like minded. It's all about taking care to raise the subject.

OPSEC is really about being careful that only those you choose to inform know what you are doing or storing. It is up to you who you tell and how you go about it.

Good luck! Important links to check out:

Top Ten Ways to Blow Your Operational Security
https://www.mdcreekmore.com/preppers-operational-security/

https://graywolfsurvival.com/3318/basic-opsec-training-examples-achieving-balance/ 

http://readynutrition.com/resources/mums-the-word-using-opsec-with-preps_21032010/

https://preparednessadvice.com/operational-secrecy/opsec-its-not-just-about-loose-lips/#.V9nmvTMrLC0 

https://modernsurvivalblog.com/security/what-is-opsec/

http://theapproachingdayprepper.com/breaking-opsec/ 

http://www.prep-blog.com/2016/02/23/suggestions-for-opsec-when-the-shtf/