The Differences Between Survivalists and Preppers

Australian disaster prepper Peter (last name withheld by request) runs the online Aussie Oz Prepper Forum. The free service allows Australians with similar interests to share tips, ideas, and strategies about how to survive a catastrophe, either short or long-term. He eloquently, but efficiently points out the difference between survivalists and preppers when he says …

 “Preppers prepare for disasters which are natural and man made, whereas survivalists, it’s a skill set.”

He goes on to explain that when people first look into the idea of surviving in the wilderness or outlasting the problems and dangers of a man-made or natural disaster, they believe that the terms are interchangeable. Nothing could be further from the truth. Peter launched the Oz Prepper Forum in 2013 after watching an episode of the National Geographic program Doomsday Preppers.

He said he did so because had friends who believe like he does – that it only makes sense to prepare yourself and your family to survive an emergency situation. A recent trip to the forum showed members chatting about bug out bags (BOBs), the best inexpensive fire starter available online, the simplest and quickest way to build an emergency shelter and a recent Australian football match.

Watching the conversations from the sidelines reveals that these are normal people who are concerned about their family’s safety, and not nut-jobs or lunatics like many television shows and movies profile all preppers.

Skills (Survivalist) or Provisions (Prepper) – Which is Better?

A quick search around the web shows the difference between survivalists and preppers that Peter mentioned earlier – survivalists focus on wilderness survival skill sets like trapping, hunting, fishing and living in the wild. Preppers prepare for catastrophic emergencies and disasters in advance with supplies, gear, food and water, attempting to replicate a “normal” existence as much as possible.

Prepping is Financially Much More Expensive

Another big difference between preppers and survivalists is the financial outlay needed to pursue each of those ideologies. Survivalists can make do in a worst-case scenario with a survival knife and their outdoor skills. Preppers focus on purchasing food, water, fire and shelter supplies, a self-defense arsenal and other gear to provide a more comfortable existence when the SHTF (S*** Hits The Fan).

A prepper with a 1 year supply of water and food tucked away in his emergency pantry does not have to know how to trap, kill, dress and cook wild animals for food. And alternately, a survivalist will never get caught with his pants down – as long as he remembers the skills he taught himself about how to survive with no fire, water, food or shelter, he can build or otherwise supply those essential human living elements.

(APN Editorial note: Being from America I feel the need to make a correction of this misleading,but understandable statement. While Preppers and survivalist “can” be two separate things, many preppers are also learning how to be survivalist as well. Lets face it, you can’t really have one with out the other and preppers do realize this and strive to be prepared for both events, natural/man made disasters and survival situations. That being said I think this article is wonderful and points out the need for both in case some folks are not aware of the need. ~ Jalapeño Gal)

Skill Set or Supplies – Why Not Both?

One thing that both survivalists and preppers agree upon is the need to be prepared. It just makes sense to educate yourself and your family with the skills that you may one day need if you find yourself in an emergency survivalist situation. The best case scenario is to prepare like a prepper and survivalist at the same time. Collect those physical things that help make your survival easier, while also learning life-saving outdoor survival skill sets.

BIO: Carrie Venclauskas is the founder of www.EmergencyReviewer.com and is a dedicated emergency preparedness enthusiast and survivalist. Carrie’s interests include a desire to support and assist others in their emergency preparedness efforts and to contribute to the disaster survival community in a meaningful way. When not actively involved in prepping, Carrie loves spending time with her two grandchildren and her three dogs, all of which are included in her emergency survival plan.

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