Countdown to Preparedness: The Prepper’s 52-week Course to Total Disaster Readiness

Does the prospect of getting ready for a disaster seem overwhelming? I’ve just finished reading the new book by Jim Cobb, called Countdown to Preparedness, and thought I would share the lessons I learned.  

1. Small Steps Really Do Matter –

When it comes to disaster readiness, the details can seem overwhelming. The journey to self-reliance is often not even begun, because you don’t know where to start. Jim shows us how to take this big project and break it into small weekly steps. If you follow as he outlines, you will have it all together – 3 months of food and supplies for a family of four, plus 52 gallons of water and you will have saved and purchased it all with cash.

The last chapter outlines your mighty accomplishments – no cheating though, because small steps really to matter in preparedness!

2. You Need to Set the Foundation First –

Your journey begins with 10 weeks of basic training. In the Army, a significant portion of your nine weeks at Boot Camp will be taken up with marching, drill, ceremonies, and lots & lots of standing in formation. The Countdown to Preparedness training starts with creating your master lists. Keep them handy and add or edit them as you go along.  At the end of 10 weeks you will have worked your way through these essentials – all without a drill sergeant getting on your case!

• -making room for all your food and supplies
• -built a water storage plan
• -set aside supplies for a get home bag
• -create an evacuation bag
• -getting your family involved
• -figuring out how you will fund your preps
• -adding special needs and kids into the equation
• -making a plan for your pets
• -a solid food storage plan

3. It Doesn’t Matter When You Begin

Spring , summer, winter or fall, Jim has outlined preps that can be finished in every season. I really liked this part of the book, it’s so efficient! Once you have finished your 10 week basic training just continue with the plan – no matter where you are in the year.

This makes sense to me. You won’t need to worry about finding and storing firewood in the spring (that’s a fall item) and your spring time is better spent planning an awesome garden then it is getting emergency lighting for winter storms.

4. There are “Hidden” Bonuses to Working This 52 Week Plan

Jim has thought the whole process through for you, so you are ready to act when the time comes. As he says, “Being better prepared isn’t, or at least shouldn’t be, just about buying stuff. Skills trump stuff every single time.” And skills are one of the hidden bonuses of this book. You will be introduced to new skills to keep you prepared and safe.

The habit of saving $10 to $20 each week is a valuable skill you will use for years to come. One needn’t (and shouldn’t) go into debt for preparedness. Jim’s plan will have you saving for purchases – one week at a time.

And finally, the confidence you will gain as you put this 52-week course to work in your life,  is perhaps the best lesson of all.

The Verdict – Should you buy Countdown to Preparedness?

Yes, It will make a terrific addition to your reference library. If you are looking for a systematic way to implement a beginner disaster readiness plan, this book is for you. Even if you have already begun a plan of your own, the weekly task reminders are well worth the cost of the book. Most people do not continue their preparations in such a well thought out way and Jim makes it easy for us to do it.

Also, be sure and visit – Survival Weekly – where you will find other books by Jim Cobb.  I was given a free copy of  Countdown to Preparedness in exchange for this review. The opinions are entirely my own.