Today I had a chance to give a beginning prepping class in Orlando. I invited the students to join the site so they could benefit from the wisdom of you guys too.
My own critique of how it went: I had 2 hours, and was excited to share so much information that I actually went over. In hind sight I should have been more careful not to repeat myself, and maybe trimmed a little of the information. This would have made the class more enjoyable by not dragging, and would have left more room for future classes.
I did make a power-point which kept me focused and orderly, but I found some repetition.
Key points that I feel any beginners should consider:
Prep in stages, Prep in Layers.
This means start by getting 3 days worth of basic supplies- (Basics cover air, water, food, shelter, security)
then work on 3 weeks, 3 months etc.
As you get to the 3 months stage, start prepping in layers- (Layers is having more than one option for each item.)
For food, have dried goods, but also learn canning, dehydrating, foraging, gardening, etc. Do this for each basic
As you mature in prepping, try to move your investment into skill based prepping and away from simply "buying" your preps.
Skill beats stuff. You can be separated from your stuff, but you will always have your skill with you.
Bush-craft skills are great, and certainly worthy of study for layering your preps, but when in a real situation, focus on the easiest path.
If you know how to start fire with a bow drill, that's great. But if you have a lighter, in a real situation, use it. The time you save can be used for other stuff.
And lastly, firearms are a great tool. But they are a tool. They improve your odds against some survival threats. But, not all. Owning a firearm by itself does not mean you are impervious to threats. Training to use it, preparing yourself mentally, and having other security measures are the difference between it saving you, and it being taken and used against you.
I think those are the main "concepts" I covered. We also compared a lot of gear. Water filtration for specific use, items for a B.O.B. for specific uses, etc.