Prepper Acronyms and Survival Phrases – Complete List

by Derrick James
prepper speaking in acronyms

People sure do love acronyms and the prepper community is no exception with so many prepper acronyms. We have so many acronyms that they’re even difficult for me to keep up with!

As someone who’s been prepping for over 10 years, I tend to forget that not everyone knows what every acronym means. I often have people ask me, “what does SHTF mean?” I hope that this article is going to help all of those people, and maybe that’s you.

Just about anything can be turned into an acronym, there are thousands of acronyms depending on context and industry. In the below list I’m going to explain some of the most common prepper acronyms that you’ll most likely be exposed to. If you’re ever confused about a particular acronym, I hope you’re able to refer to this list and be sure to share it with friends and family.

Are we missing anything? Let us know in the comments section and we’ll add it!

Here’s a Complete List of Prepper Acronyms

Numerical

2A – The Second Amendment

4 x 4 – True

5 x 5 – Loud and Clear

550 Cord – Paracord


A

ABC – Airway Breathing Circulation

ALICE – All Purpose Lightweight Individual Carrying Equipment

ARES – Amateur Radio Emergency Service


B

BOB – Bug Out Bag

BOL – Bug Out Location


C

C-Ration – Combat Ration

CCW – Concealed Carry Weapon

CERT – Community Emergency Response Team

CMECoronal Mass Ejection


D

DIY – Do It Yourself


E

E&E – Escape and Evasion

EDC – Everyday Carry

EMP – Electro Magnetic Pulse

EOD – End of Days


F

FRS – Family Radio Service


G

GHB – Get Home Bag

GMRS – General Mobile Radio Service

GOOD – Get Out of Dodge


H

Ham – Not really an acronym, but a term to refer to Amateur Radio Operators


I

IFAK – Individual First Aid Kit (or just FAK – First Aid Kit)

INCH – I’m Never Coming Home


J

JIC – Just In Case


K

KISS – Keep It Simple Stupid


L

LEO – Law Enforcement Officer

LOS – Line of Sight


M

MAG – Mutual Assistance Group

MIA – Missing in Action

MIL-SPEC – Military Specification

MOA – Minute of Angle

MOLLE – Modular Lightweight Load carrying Equipment

MRE – Meal Ready-to-Eat

MSM – Main Stream Media

MURS – Multi Use Radio Service


N

N95 – N95 means the mask blocks about 95 percent of particles that are 0.3 microns or larger

NAV – Navigation

NRA – National Rifle Association

NRP – National Response Plan

NWO – New World Order


O

OBE – Overcome By Events

OPSEC – Operational Security

OTC – Over The Counter


P

PACE – Primary, Alternate, Contingency, and Emergency

PDW – Personal Defense Weapon

POC – Point of Contact

PPE – Personal Protection Equipment

PSK – Personal Survival Kit

PTSD – Post Traumatic Stress Disorder


R

RACES – Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Service


S

SAR – Search and Rescue

SERE – Survival, Evasion, Resistance, and Escape

SHTF – S**t Hits The Fan

SOL – S**t Out of Luck


T

TEOTWAWKI – The End Of The World As We Know It

TOPO – Topographical Map

TP – Toilet Paper


W

WROL – Without Rule of Law

WTSHTF – When The S**t Hits The Fan


What are some other acronyms that you’d add to this list?

You may also like

4 comments

Jeff August 6, 2021 - 9:10 pm

5 x 5 = Loud and clear
4 x 4 = Four square = True

Reply
Derrick James August 6, 2021 - 10:55 pm

Will add ’em

Reply
sput August 7, 2021 - 4:11 pm

BOHICA, FUBAR, SNAFU

Reply
Derrick James August 8, 2021 - 12:12 pm

Thanks. I hear those often, but not sure they are unique to prepping circles.

Reply

Leave a Comment

As an Amazon associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. This site also participates in various other affiliate programs, and we may get a commission through purchases made through our links. Please read our complete Disclosures and Privacy Policy for more information.