A short practical guide of "what to do" when a disruptive event happens. In this guide, you will find a prioritized list of critical things that must be thought of and performed if you are to survive and/or ensure the survival of others.

1. WHAT NOW?
A PRACTICAL GUIDE TO BEING PREPARED
With Bonus Material
WHAT TO DO AFTER AN EVENT!
Michael Tubbs

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What Now? ©2020 Michael Tubbs 2
All materials within are copyright ©2020, Michael Tubbs
This book cannot be printed or reprinted without the express written consent of the author or publisher.

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What Now? ©2020 Michael Tubbs 3
This work is dedicated to my wife and three daughters, who inspire me to continue to not only survive
but also be better every day. In addition, JA, thank you for your edits +

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Contents
Preface ..........................................................................................................................................................5
The Basics......................................................................................................................................................6
Water ........................................................................................................................................................7
Security .....................................................................................................................................................7
Shelter.......................................................................................................................................................7
Fire ............................................................................................................................................................7
Light...........................................................................................................................................................7
Medical......................................................................................................................................................7
Food ..........................................................................................................................................................8
Others (people).........................................................................................................................................8
(Bonus Material) The First 24........................................................................................................................9
Assess The Situation..................................................................................................................................9
Stabilize Medical Needs............................................................................................................................9
Execute The Plan.......................................................................................................................................9
Secure a Location....................................................................................................................................10
What Next? .................................................................................................................................................10
Societal Changes .....................................................................................................................................10
Long Term Plan .......................................................................................................................................10

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PREFACE
“BE PREPARED” - THE BOY SCOUT MOTTO
There are so many benefits to having a healthy “backup plan.” Since the dawn of time, people have
been preparing. Preparing for life by planting food, saving money, and storing things that can be used in
the future. This has been acceptable socially for as long as societies have existed.
Many Americans have become dependent or even expectant on localized food and water sources.
Accessibility to “fast food” and so many other amenities have become as easy as walking across the
street. Easy access to necessities have made us dependent on others to provide for ourselves.” There is
a way to reverse this, but it is not easy and it will take some work.
Because of my experience working in the field of Disaster Recovery and Business Continuity for a fortune
100 company, I have decided to take what I’ve learned and apply it to prepare my family for possible
events. After months of research and digging through countless hours of “prepper” videos and reading
numerous blogs, it became apparent that there are many different views towards “preparing”. I’m a fan
of simplicity, straightforwardness, and more of a way of life rather than a quick 1-2-3 guide. It’s my goal
to present you with a very practical and applicable guide to being prepared.
In addition to preparation, there are important things to remember after an event happens. So, I’ve
included a bonus material section that will give you specific steps to help ensure that your preparedness
isn’t wasted or worse taken from you.
Whatever the situation, you’ll have the information you need to survive and to teach those around you.
If you take time to prepare, you’ll significantly increase your chance of survival and continue to live.
Remember: Prepare. Survive. Live.
-Mike

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THE BASICS
“BY FAILING TO PREPARE, YOU ARE PREPARING TO FAIL.” ― BENJAMIN FRANKLIN
One of the most basic requirements of survival is a positive mental attitude (PMA). You’ll need the items
included in list below, but keeping your mind on the tasks at hand with your eyes on a future objective
are just as necessary. Never underestimate your will to survive! In addition to PMA, I highly encourage
spiritual fitness. Control is an illusion and you will come face to face with this when your normal daily
activities are interrupted. Being spiritually fit means, you have come to terms with the fact there is a
God and you are not him. Be responsible for what you say and do. Beyond that, you have no control.
Prayer can help buffer your emotional response in tough times, even a simple prayer can help.
Reminder
Under stress, your body releases adrenaline to give you the energy you need to take care of
business. This is known as a “fight or flight” reaction. Cortisol tempers bodily functions that
aren’t necessary such as digestion or growth during this time. It will be difficult but not
impossible to focus during this reaction, so it is important and recommended to train/practice
doing certain tasks under pressure.
As you begin building your store of supplies, keep in mind the rule of three. I’m a fan of the rule of three
because it is workable in our modern society. The rule of three applied here is; Three days. Three weeks.
Three months. Three years. None of us are independently wealthy and therefore most build our supplies
gradually. Utilizing the rule of three allows you to shop as you normally would except, as you do, add a
few items to build up your stores. If you normally buy 2 cans of corn, buy 4. Repeat this every time you
shop, adding your “extras” to your shelf. Make sure to label your items by date using the first-in, first-
out (FIFO) method. This ensures you will use your oldest supplies first. I suggest using your supplies in
your normal meal rotation so that your supplies are rotated in and out regularly.
Here are the basics you’ll need to survive:
1. Food
2. Water
3. Shelter
4. Security
5. Fire
6. Light
7. Medical
8. Others (people)

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WATER
You’ll need a clean source of water for hydration and cooking. You can survive for about 3 days without
water, but your mental acuteness will diminish greatly; In fact, you’ll feel like you’re in a fog until you
can rehydrate. If you do not already have water stored, this will be something you want to seriously
consider. A person weighing 150 lbs., living in a temperate climate and performing 60 minutes of
vigorous exercise a day needs approximately 100 ounces or, 3 liters of water per day to stay fully
hydrated. Consider that you will be in survival mode and need to conserve or ration your water.
SECURITY
When an event happens, you’re going to need some type of protection to keep you and your family
safe. Although highly debated, a firearm can offer you peace of mind to stop intruders or would-be
criminals and protect your life and property. Merely owning a gun will not protect you or your family
and could be dangerous if used improperly. Train and practice with your firearm. Check your local, state,
and federal laws regarding firearm ownership. The US Constitution second amendment guarantees the
right of every citizen “to keep and bear arms” unless you’ve been convicted of a felony.
SHELTER
It may be that the event you experience takes away your primary shelter or residence. If this is the case,
you’ll need to find protection from the elements. If needed, you can use scrap or debris from your
residence to build a temporary shelter. An alternative to this would be to keep a few durable tarps and
some paracord on hand. You can build a simple lean-to type tent. This will at the very least protect you
from the elements.
FIRE
This should be a staple in everyone’s house. Matches, lighters, or flint rock and steel are all acceptable
flame sources. If you’re going to store matches, do so in a waterproof case of some kind. Old
prescription bottles work great for this. Throw in a patch of sandpaper and you’ll have a striking surface.
Disposable lighters are also plentiful and can be stored for extended periods.
LIGHT
A dependable light source is essential. Light provides freedom in darkness. Grab a few inexpensive LED
flashlights and keep them in various places you occupy. Keeping one in the bathroom, kitchen, bedroom,
living room, and car are all ideal. While you’re at it, pick up and store extra batteries. No telling when
power will be restored.
MEDICAL
Often overlooked are first aid kits (FAK). Keep it simple, you’re not going to perform surgery with this kit.
Some basics like sterile bandages, antiseptic wipes, gauze, alcohol wipes, tape, and burn gel/cream,

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ibuprofen, and acetaphetamine should be sufficient for first aid. It is encouraged to add a combat
tourniquet (or two) to your FAK, especially if you are going to carry a FAK on your person or in your
vehicle. You never know when you’ll come upon a situation requiring the use of a tunicate. Learn to use
one as well!
FOOD
In today’s urban living scenarios, most if not all of us take advantage of the convenience of living near a
food source. However, in an event, these sources may be destroyed or looted and shelves left bare.
Leaving you concerned about your next meal. The average human can live about 30 days without food,
but trust me, you don’t want to get to that point. Storing enough food for you to survive independently
for up to 3 weeks is a good idea. Canned goods, packaged food with a long shelf life are ideal for this.
Ensure you have a small camp stove or some way to heat your food. While not necessary, eating warm
food helps your mind to stay in the survival game.
OTHERS (PEOPLE)
Surviving is something that you can choose to do on your own or you can team with others who think
like you. Consider including others in your community to participate in your preparations. Always
maintain operational security (OPSEC) when it comes to privately stashed food, water, or firearms. No
one should know where your reserves are. If you didn’t know, operational security is a “need to know”
protocol. Not everyone needs to know your entire plan. In uncertain situations, people react
inconsistently. You can never be too cautious. Remember this is your plan, your stores, and your
survival. Trust your gut and those whom you have a close relationship with.

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(BONUS MATERIAL) THE FIRST 24
“THERE COMES A TIME IN THE AFFAIRS OF MAN WHEN HE MUST TAKE THE BULL BY THE TAIL AND FACE
THE SITUATION.” - W. C. FIELDS
The first 24 hours are the most crucial in most situations. During these crucial hours, your mind will be
racing with “what ifs”, “How comes”, and “What nows”. You must do the following to ensure survival
within the first 24 hours.
1. Assess The Situation
2. Stabilize Medical Needs
3. Execute The Plan
4. Secure a Location
ASSESS THE SITUATION
After an event, this is a critical step. Check your surroundings, yourself, and ensure that you do not have
any immediate medical needs. Take care of yourself first, then those around you. If you don’t survive,
those who are depending on you may suffer as a result. Be careful as you begin to move about. Be
aware of broken glass, nails, sharp objects, fires, gas leak, or, electrical hazards. Assessing a situation
does not mean fixing the situation. It means taking an inventory of what has happened and what needs
to happen first.
STABILIZE MEDICAL NEEDS
Once you have a good grasp of your situation, it’s time to focus on any medical needs in your immediate
vicinity; these may consist of your family, coworkers, etc. Remember that emergency services may be
flooded or unavailable. If you come across someone who’s deceased, it’s best to leave them for now. If
you have or can find a sheet to cover them, do so, but you have other things you’ll need to do first to
ensure your survival.
EXECUTE THE PLAN
After the assessment and stabilization phases, you’ll want to begin executing your plan. Your
plan should consist of all the items discussed in the “Basics” section. It is acceptable to adjust your plan
to accommodate situations as they arise. This isn’t a math quiz, this is real-life and plans may change. Be
flexible in action, but firm in your will to survive.

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SECURE A LOCATION
Regardless of your plan, you’ll need to secure a location to make an educated and
informed decision about what to do next; bug in or bug out. Only you will be able to make this
determination, but you should have this in your decision tree.
WHAT NEXT?
“GIVE ME SIX HOURS TO CHOP DOWN A TREE AND I WILL SPEND THE FIRST FOUR
SHARPENING THE AX.” - ABRAHAM LINCOLN
SOCIETAL CHANGES
Following an event of a large enough scale, you need to be prepared for severe societal
changes. If you’ve prepared to have food, water, etc., for you and your family, you could be
targeted for theft, looting, etc. You have what people will want; Clean water, food, shelter,
firearms, ammo, etc. Trust only those whom you know well and never reveal all your secrets (OPSEC).
Desperate times will make people do desperate things.
LONG TERM PLAN
Remember that long term plan you put together? Well, now is when that plan would be executed.
You have priorities. Water, Shelter, Food, Protection, etc. and you have people depending on
you. Your long term plan doesn’t need to be set in stone in fact, it’s better if you’re flexible. Assume that
things will never be as they were before and you’re going to need to provide for yourself. You may not
be able to depend on others for services and help. Remember to review your “Basics” section and keep
your supplies up. The worst possible thing you could do is become lazy regarding your basic needs.
You now have the knowledge you need to make it! What you do with it is up to you. Don’t waste
another day, saying “I’ll start tomorrow”. Start today!