Reference
The prepper glossary
Prepping has its own jargon. Here's what each term means, in plain words, with links to the guide that covers it in depth.
- Bug in
- Staying home during an emergency and living off your household supplies. It's the safest option in most situations: outages, storms, heat waves. See the 72-hour kit.
- Bug out
- Leaving home because staying is more dangerous, for example due to a wildfire or flood, or because authorities order an evacuation.
- Bug out bag go-bag
- A pre-packed bag with what you need for about 72 hours away from home. Also called a go-bag or 72-hour bag. See the 72-hour bag.
- EDC everyday carry
- What you carry every day: phone, keys, a small flashlight, cash, medication. See car and everyday carry.
- Emergency fund
- Savings set aside for the unexpected, usually three to six months of basic expenses. Many experts see it as the most important prep after water and food.
- FIFO first in, first out
- The method for rotating your pantry: use the oldest items first.
- Filter vs. purifier
- A water filter removes bacteria and parasites; a purifier also removes viruses. Most portable filters don't remove viruses. See water.
- Get-home bag
- A small bag kept at work or in the car so you can walk home if transport fails.
- Gray man
- Blending in: normal clothes and a civilian-looking bag instead of tactical gear. It lowers the risk of theft and conflict during evacuations.
- IFAK individual first aid kit
- A personal first aid kit focused on severe bleeding. See the first aid kit.
- Meshtastic
- An open-source project that builds a messaging network with LoRa radios, with no internet, no license and no fees. See Meshtastic.
- Mylar
- Aluminum-and-plastic bags that block light, moisture and air, used for long-term dry food storage.
- Normalcy bias
- The tendency to believe what's happening isn't serious and things will soon be back to normal. It delays decisions. See mindset.
- OPSEC operational security
- Not telling everyone, or posting online, what you have stored. Part of the gray man idea.
- Oxygen absorber
- A small packet of iron powder that removes oxygen from a sealed container. With mylar bags, it lets rice or beans keep for decades. See long term.
- PLB personal locator beacon
- A device that sends a distress signal via satellite to search and rescue, with no subscription. See PLBs.
- Power station
- A large battery with outlets and USB ports that's safe indoors and can be recharged with a solar panel. See power stations.
- Prepping
- Preparing in advance for emergencies and crises: supplies, skills and plans so your family is OK without depending on immediate help. A person who does it is a prepper.
- Rotating pantry
- A food supply that's continuously eaten and restocked, oldest first. No waste, and everything stays in date. See pantry.
- Rule of threes
- A rough order of priorities: about 3 minutes without air, 3 hours without shelter in harsh conditions, 3 days without water and 3 weeks without food. It helps decide what to prepare first; it isn't an exact figure.
- FRS and PMR446
- License-free walkie-talkies: FRS in the US and Canada, PMR446 in Europe. See the family plan.
- SHTF
- An acronym common on forums for a serious crisis. On this site we prefer to talk about specific, likely emergencies.
- Two is one, one is none
- A prepper saying: if you have only one way to do something critical, like purifying water or making light, expect it to fail. Always have a backup.