Definitions

This page is a work in progress. If you have any additions you would like to see here, please send them to Chaplain Tim (ranamacarATgmailDOTcom) or Erin Palette (erinDOTpaletteATgmailDOTcom).


BOB: Bug Out Bag. A portable kit meant to sustain an individual for at least 72 hours in the event of a crisis that requires evacuation or results in a grid-down scenario. The focus of a BOB is mobility; any long-term kit is properly called a survival kit, aka I'm Not Coming Home (INCH).

BOV: Bug out Vehicle. What you plan to ride or drive to your bug out location. Can also be used to describe any vehicle that is properly equipped to handle a disaster.

Bugging Out: Leaving your current position (usually your home) and moving to a safer location (hopefully one that is off the beaten track and stocked with supplies).

Bugging In: Staying in your current position (usually your home) until either the disaster has passed, or it is safe to evacuate. Also known as Shelter In Place.

Cache: A stash of supplies. Usually hidden and protected against the environment.

CYA: Cover Your Ass(ets).

DEEP: Disaster & Emergency Preparedness.

DLP: Defense of Life and Property

Doomstead: Combination of the words "Doomsday" and "Homestead." Usually means a survival retreat (bug-out location) of some kind.

EDC: Every Day Carry. The things you keep on you every day. See Erin's EDC post.

EMP: An electromagnetic pulse, generated either by a solar flare of sufficient size or an atmospheric (airburst) nuclear explosion, that will disable/destroy electronics. See the Wikipedia entry for more information. 

FAK: First-Aid Kit. Sometimes spelled IFAK, with I standing for "infantry" or "individual". 

Faraday Cage: A metallic enclosure that protects electronics from an EMP. See David's article on how to construct one on the cheap. 

Food Insurance: A prepper's stash of food, at least a month's worth for each person. So called because it's like having insurance against malnutrition or starvation. 

FUD: Fear, Uncertainty, and Doubt. Three things to minimize in yourself and maximize in anyone working against you.

Genny: Slang term for a generator.

GHB: Get Home Bag. What you use to get from one location (usually work) to your supplies in a crisis situation, it's more complete than an EDC kit but less robust than a BOB. See Erin's bag post.

GOOD: Get Out of Dodge. Alternately, Get Out Or Die.

Golden Horde: Derogatory term for the mass of refugees fleeing a city in the wake of a disaster. Named after the Mongol Armies of the 13th century because it is expected this group of people will ravage the countryside in a similar manner looking for means to feed and clothe themselves.

Ham: A slang term for amateur radio operators.

INCH: I'm Not Coming Home. An INCH bag is more long-term than a BOB.

JIC: Just In Case.

KISS: Keep It Simple, Stupid.

Off the Grid: Living self-sufficiently and without electrical, gas, sewage or water hookups. Can also be used to describe living without leaving a credit trail (which requires the former).

OODA: Observe, Orient, Decide, Act. A system of steps to use for any operation. See OODA via wikipedia.

OPSEC: Operational Security. Protecting yourself and your family by not letting everyone else know the extent of your preps, or that you're a prepper in the first place. (If people know you have spare food, they will come looking for a handout during a crisis).

PFM: Poo Flinging Monkey. A normal internet troll who can't cite facts, but wants to argue anyway.

PSH: Pants Shitting Hysteria. The normal reaction of the press whenever guns are mentioned.

Rule of Threes: In any extreme situation you cannot survive for more than
  • 3 minutes without air
  • 3 hours without shelter
  • 3 days without water
  • 3 weeks without food.

SHTF: Shit (or Stuff) Hits the Fan. A general term for any major crisis. Also see TEOTWAWKI, below.

SIP: Shelter In Place. See Bug In, above.

TEOTWAWKI: The End Of The World As We Know It. Also see SHTF, above.

WROL: Without Rule Of Law. Another term for complete anarchy. WROL does not specifically require TEOTWAWKI to occur, but definitely is a result of SHTF.  

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