Global cataclysms that bring civilisations to an abrupt and unceremonious end are much more common than we realise and it’s just a matter of time before we experience one in the modern age.

This was my contention in my previous column where I also pointed out that mounting evidence suggests our ancestors experienced one such cataclysm as recently as around 12,000 years ago, which wiped out vast, ancient civilisations and set the clock back for humanity by thousands of years.

Be it Noah in the Book of Genesis, Utnapishtim in the Sumerian epic Gilgamesh, Manu in the Hindu Puranas or Deucalion in Plato’s Timaeus, ancient myths are replete with examples of individuals who, armed with foreknowledge of a coming deluge, prepared for it and hence survived while others who didn’t perished.

Just like these mythical figures, there are many today who have decided that it’s in their best interest to take heed and prepare for a host of emergencies. In popular culture, they’re called preppers or survivalists. Their concern is justified and their actions often smart.

Their once-pilloried way of life is now seeing a renaissance of sorts at the back of the Covid-19 pandemic, which has brought a plethora of new converts who realise the virtues of this mentality of constant vigil and readiness. Even major publications such as The New York Times, The Atlantic, and Time are singing praises of this previously fringe philosophy.

It’s about time they did.

Covid-19 has shone a bright, unforgiving light on how abysmally many governments have been dealing with the faceless, contagious enemy. Some might say that the Malaysian government swatted it away successfully but I wouldn’t be hasty in laying the victory entirely at their feet.

Yes, our valiant frontliners and decisive government action were pivotal in the fight but we also have a population willing to follow instructions, even if it means giving up freedoms, and the aid of favourable climatic conditions such as ample sunlight (UV rays, Vitamin D) and high humidity – which are factors that have been proven to dampen the virus’ infectivity.

Also, our supply chains, though strained, were still intact, largely because China was on the recovery path just as the world was being engulfed by the virulent invaders and could help provide the manufacturing might to cover our bases.

Let’s not, therefore, mistake this lucky break for resilience. The next time a calamity befalls us, things may prove different – and fatal. This is why I believe we will all be better off if we ensconce the prepper mentality in ourselves, a sort of insurance against a fatal calamity.

This sentiment is not lost on the more than 3.7 million people who identify as preppers in the US and certainly not on the 22,000 members of the Malaysian Preppers Facebook group, the largest online group of its kind in Malaysia.

The Swedish government has taken it a step further, mailing a booklet titled “If Crisis or War Comes”, which provides bite-sized survival and readiness tips, to each and every one of its 4.8 million households. Its rationale is solid: If a crisis of epic proportions hits, crippling the government and its emergency response, we need to be prepared to fend for ourselves.

But just how do we do that? Let’s hunker down to find out, shall we?

The foundational prepper philosophy is to take personal responsibility for our own safety. And we certainly can’t keep ourselves safe without first ensuring that we are in good health and possess at least a basic level of fitness.

If Covid-19 has shown us anything, it’s that a healthy body is our most precious possession, as those likeliest to succumb to the infectious disease are people with underlying health conditions such as diabetes, heart disease and obesity.

And in the event of a different sort of calamity, where making an escape is necessary, physical fitness becomes all the more important. Eating healthy and keeping fit should therefore be an integral part of every prepper’s ethos.

In addition, it’s important to have some items in our possession at all times so that we are prepared for any eventuality. In prepper lingo, this is called “everyday carry” (EDC) and the basics include having a compass watch, a multitool, a small notebook, a pen and a power bank, in addition to the usual wallet and phone.

I would also suggest downloading offline maps on the phone so it’s possible to navigate even when connectivity is compromised, and always carrying some extra cash in hand in case ATM machines are down and internet banking is unavailable.

Many preppers also have a bug-out bag (BOB), which would come in handy during a hasty escape. Among many other things, it usually contains a water filter, torchlight, batteries, solar charger, a physical map of the vicinity, a canteen, lighter, first-aid kit, a change of clothes and sometimes even a tent and sleeping bag.

In addition to this, a bug-out vehicle (BOV) is a crucial part of making a quick and safe escape. It’s generally a sturdy SUV or pickup truck that’s been strengthened to be able to withstand impact and to be able to handle rugged, off-road conditions.

Keeping a stockpile of essential items at home is also a key part of the lifestyle. This includes at least a few months’ worth of long shelf life food, an additional water reservoir, a comprehensive first aid kit, a fully stocked medicine cabinet and a fire extinguisher.

While this is good general advice for everyone, those with deeper pockets and a shallower belief in human civility during a crisis have many more ways of supercharging their preparations.

One of the best things to do is to buy or build a property on higher ground so as to lessen the risk of being affected by a flood. Building an underground bunker is another prepper favourite as it is the best way of surviving a host of calamities, including a nuclear fallout, an asteroid impact and arguably even post-apocalyptic marauders.

Some even go to the extent of constructing an earthship, which is an off-the-grid, self-sustaining home where all the food necessary to feed its inhabitants is grown.

Does all this feel intimidating? I hope not, for this is not about causing alarm. It is about raising awareness and being prepared.

Dr Bradley Garett, an author who spent years studying preppers, sums it up well: “Most of the people I’ve met aren’t getting ready for an extinction-level event, and sneer at the suggestion. Rather, prepping for them is about building up hopeful confidence that they’ve planned ahead for the inevitable catastrophes of existence”.

Don’t you think we should all do that?

The views expressed are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of FMT.