If you woke up tomorrow morning and discovered the power grid was down indefinitely, would you be able to make it to lunch? Or would you be the neighbor knocking on doors asking if anyone has a can opener?
This question might make you chuckle, but it cuts right to the heart of preparedness: Where do you actually stand, and where do you want to be?
The Problem with “How Prepared Should I Be?”
We get this question constantly, and here’s the thing – it’s like asking “How tall should a building be?” The answer depends entirely on what you’re trying to accomplish.
That’s why we’re so excited to share this incredible preparedness framework contributed by one of our amazing community members, Arlynn. This scale doesn’t just measure how much stuff you have – it evaluates the integration of three critical components: your skills, your resources, and how long your supplies can sustain you.
The Three Pillars of True Preparedness
Before we dive into the scale, let’s establish what real preparedness looks like:
- Skills: Not just knowledge, but tested, practiced abilities that you can execute under stress.
- Resources: Organized, accessible supplies that you’ve actually used and know work.
- Sustainability: The length of time you can maintain your standard of living with minimal outside support.
Most people focus only on accumulating supplies, but true preparedness requires all three pillars working together.
Arlynn’s Complete Preparedness Scale
Minimum Capabilities (Levels 1-4)
Level 1: Unprepared
- Skills: None
- Resources: None
- Supplies: None
- Duration: You might make it to breakfast
If you’re reading this, you’re probably already past Level 1. The fact that you’re thinking about preparedness means you’re moving up the scale.
Level 2: Insufficiently Prepared
- Skills: Little training (maybe Boy Scouts as a youth)
- Resources: A few basic supplies with no real plan
- Supplies: 1 day
- Duration: Very short-term only
This is the “stuff it in a drawer and hope for the best” level. You’ve bought a first aid kit, but could you find it in the dark during an actual emergency?
Level 3: Slightly Prepared
- Skills: Some self-training (YouTube videos, books)
- Resources: Will reduce the impact of short-term problems
- Supplies: 3 days
- Duration: Short-term disruptions
You’re in the learning phase, building knowledge but not yet consistently practicing skills.
Level 4: Somewhat Prepared
- Skills: Some formal training (Red Cross, CERT, IDPA)
- Resources: Untested resources that provide some safety protection
- Supplies: 1 week
- Duration: Reduces reliance on municipal support
You’re building a solid foundation of knowledge and beginning to acquire purposeful supplies.
Intermediate Capabilities (Levels 5-7) – The Sweet Spot
Level 5: Modestly Prepared
- Skills: Untested/unpracticed basic skills
- Resources: Untested resources providing protection with great effort
- Supplies: 1 month
- Duration: Allows safe living but requires significant effort
Getting to Level 5 is easy and attainable by all with time. This is where most people should start their serious preparedness journey.
Level 6: Partly Prepared
- Skills: Tested skills in past 6 months (camping, grid-down weekend)
- Resources: Tested resources providing protection with some effort
- Supplies: 3 months
- Duration: Allows safe living with moderate effort
This is a huge step that’s easily achievable with a plan. The key difference? You’ve actually tested your gear and skills.
Level 7: Reasonably Prepared
- Skills: Tested skills with community involvement, teaching others
- Resources: Tested, organized resources providing protection with limited commercial support
- Supplies: 6 months
- Duration: Allows safe living with minimal outside support
This is the sweet spot and a smart goal for most people. You’re not just surviving – you’re thriving and helping others do the same.
Extended Capabilities (Levels 8-10) – Serious Commitment
Level 8: Well Prepared
- Skills: Tested and refined skills, teaching others, personal training in new categories
- Resources: Tested, refined, organized resources allowing normal living with minor inconvenience
- Supplies: 1 year
- Duration: Normal living with limited commercial support
Requires large time and financial investment. Outside many people’s grasp but doable with patience and dedication.
Level 9: Very Well Prepared
- Skills: Expert skills with formal training in multiple categories
- Resources: Tested, redundant resources allowing normal, comfortable living
- Supplies: 2 years
- Duration: Normal living with limited outside support
Requires dedication and significant time (2+ years) to make refinements and achieve this level.
Level 10: Fully Prepared
- Skills: Expert skills in most categories, teaching others, recent practice and formal training
- Resources: Tested, redundant, organized resources allowing normal, comfortable living
- Supplies: 5+ years
- Duration: Normal living with little to no outside support
Getting to this level requires unique discipline. Few will attain this level. You’re essentially completely self-sufficient.
The Critical Details Most People Miss
- Organization Matters – Your supplies must be “quickly found, under stress, and possibly in the dark – without risk of causing injury.” If you can’t locate your flashlight when the power goes out, what good is it?
- Everything Must Be Tested – Not just accumulated, but tested. Your water filter is worthless if you don’t know how to use it or if it’s been sitting in a box for three years with dried-out seals.
- Redundancy is Essential – One is none, two is one. But it’s not just about having backups – it’s about having tested, reliable backups that you can access when needed.
- Skills Require Practice – Knowledge without practice is just trivia. Skills must be regularly practiced and refined under realistic conditions.
Where Are You Now?
Take an honest assessment of your current level:
- What skills do you actually have? (Not what you’ve read about, but what you can do)
- What resources do you have in place? (And have you tested them recently?)
- How long could you realistically maintain your current lifestyle?
The Real Goal of Preparedness
Preparedness isn’t about fear – it’s about confidence. It’s about knowing that whatever comes your way, you and your family can handle it. And it’s about community. When we’re all more prepared, we’re all more secure. Your preparedness journey isn’t just about you – it’s about being part of the solution.
Take Action Today
- Assess your current level honestly
- Choose your target level (remember, Level 7 is the sweet spot for most people)
- Identify the specific gaps between where you are and where you want to be
- Make a plan with concrete, achievable steps
- Start testing what you already have
- Connect with your community – preparedness is better together
Watch the Full Discussion
Want to dive deeper into this preparedness scale? Watch our complete video breakdown where we discuss each level in detail, share practical tips for advancement, and answer common questions about preparedness planning.
Thanks for being part of the solution!
Jonathan and Kylene Jones