These days, Britain is experiencing prepping’s own popular surge. What used to be the domain of a few eco-minded early adopters is quickly becoming an essential practice. The surge in interest can be attributed to a combination of global events, including the COVID-19 pandemic and geopolitical tensions such as the invasion of Ukraine. Fear of the unknown has people all over the country—not to mention here in the D.C. area—looking for disaster preparedness solutions. In turn, sales of survival gear and emergency supplies have clearly skyrocketed.
The UK government even started a public prepping campaign last year, at prepare.campaign.gov.uk. This initiative encourages citizens to assemble essential supplies for a few days, including a “grab bag”—commonly referred to as a bug-out or go-bag—and necessary medications. This government initiative is a reflection of an increasing realization that being ready for many different emergencies is paramount.
Canadian Prepper, another leader in the prepper movement, often reminds his followers to be ready for anything unexpected. They all carry at least two knives, as well as a multitool and a torch which has a natural fit as an improvised weapon. The Canadian Prepper has created a widely viewed YouTube video titled “100 Things to Prepare for What’s Coming,” which has garnered significant attention and raised awareness about preparedness.
Leon, who runs the Urban Prepping resource and prepping supply site, gave his thoughts on what makes prepping different in the UK. He remarked, “We don’t really have space to go off-grid in the UK,” highlighting the spatial constraints that many potential preppers face. Yet despite these inherent disadvantages, interest in prepping supplies has only grown.
The virtual storefront for survival and prepping gear has seen immense growth. Justin Jones owns the UK Prepping Shop, a company that sells emergency food, wind-up radios, crossbows and body armor. In truth, his shop is representative of the national movement toward self-sufficiency and preparation for unforeseen disasters. Meanwhile, the UK Preppers and Survivalists Facebook group rocks a stunning 22,700 members. At the same time, the UK Preppers Club Facebook group has attracted 6,000 members. These platforms are important resources for all those looking for information and community support in their preparedness efforts.
The COVID-19 pandemic was an interesting moment in time, as it acted as a unique catalyst for so many Americans to dip their toes into prepping. As you can imagine, at this time there was an increase in demand for freeze-dried food and all survival supplies. When the conflict in Ukraine escalated, consumers turned their attention to acquiring wet food, dry food, and even crossbows—items that signify readiness for both societal and personal emergencies.
Prepping shouldn’t just be focused on getting us ready for WW3 either, but on getting all of us ready for these other disasters—including cyber war. Ana, a 40-year-old Texan and self-described prepper, believes the basics of preparedness are just good common sense. Providing this perspective highlights the fact that for many people, what they consider as prepping focuses on a more practical, less fear-based approach.
David, an instructor in bushcraft and survival, comes at the discussion from a different angle. He describes a bushcrafter as someone who “is sat inside and wishes they were outside.” Rather, this characterization ignores that resistance that many of the people attracted to prepping tend to want a stronger connection to the land and independence.
Though prepping has grown increasingly accepted, prepping still has political overtones. In terms of left-wing identity, some of the earliest American preppers were communists. In her incisive book Prepping to Save Your Life, Clare Birchall, a professor of contemporary culture at King’s College London, probes the cultural effects of prepping. As a result, she explains, these dystopian themes have crept into our real lives. Most preppers today perceive themselves enshrined in an existential struggle against evil agents.
“It’s not exactly that life imitates art,” – Clare Birchall, King’s College London
Experts disagree on whether preppers are extremists or survivalists. Ed González-Tennant, a digital archaeologist at The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, frames the community as “a curiosity at best, a deranged group of weirdos at worst.” He’s just as quick to agree that the story of prepping can play – and should be playing – a loftier role.
“Because it reminds folks that prepping isn’t supposed to be about out-surviving others, but building a better world.” – Ed González-Tennant
Leon recently shared his thoughts about how prepping gear has been commercialized. He explained, “I hate to sell on fear,” reiterating his desire to influence an active outdoor lifestyle in a more positive way. Additionally, he did a great job highlighting how versatile things such as rucksacks can cover both camping recreational needs and emergency preparedness.
“You can use a rucksack to go camping or for your go-bag in case the zombies come.” – Leon
The development of prepping in the UK serves as an example of a larger societal movement driven by worry and paranoia about impending disasters. Now, more than ever, everyone is seeing the value of being prepared as an important everyday life skill. This transformation is further evidence that prepping is no longer a niche hobby, but is instead part of mainstream America.