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
CME – Coronal 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?
8 comments
5 x 5 = Loud and clear
4 x 4 = Four square = True
Will add ’em
BOHICA, FUBAR, SNAFU
Thanks. I hear those often, but not sure they are unique to prepping circles.
I enjoy reviewing stuff from your page.
I’ve been compiling prepper, survival and camping info for years and would like share some with you.
Letter Z
Z
Zeer pot (noun). :A Zeer pot is a simple device to keep your foods cold without
electricity. A Zeer pot keeps it cool through evaporation. A Zeer
pot requires two clay pots (one nested inside the other with a
layer of wet sand in between), water and a cover.
Zippo: A Zippo lighter is a reusable metal lighter produced by Zippo Manufacturing Company of Bradford, Pennsylvania, United States. Thousands of different styles and designs have been made in the nine decades since their introduction, including military versions for specific regiments. Zippo lighters have been sold around the world and have been described as “a legendary and distinct symbol of America. In 2012, the company produced the 500-millionth unit. Since the company’s inception. Zippo lighters have been primarily used to light tobacco products. Zippo lighters can burn many types of fuels. Newer Zippos can also burn butane. Dub the flame proof / wind proof lighter. Also called a hand or pocket fidget, used to occupy time. Often given as gift to show allegiance or membership.
Zipp tie /Ty-Rap: A common nick name for a cable tie consisting of a flexible nylon strap with an integrated linear ratchet gear rack, and on one end a pawl within a small open case. Once the pointed tip of the cable tie has been pulled through the case and past the ratchet, it is prevented from being pulled back unless a large amount of force is applied; the resulting loop may only be pulled. Zipp ties are used to gather and hole materials in places. Great for on-the-spot repairs, a good item to add to a survival kit.
Zombies (plural noun). In short, Zombies are the unfortunate people who did not plan or
prepare for a sideways world when WTSHTF. They are a direct threat to the security of Preppers because they will be desperate and will attack for food, water and supplies. They will look much
like the zombies portrayed in movies. For example, they will appear famished as they not have eaten, and they will appear with scabs and wounds of infection because they have not had proper medical care. Zombies are the “undead” and a very real concern.
Zombie: Unprepared, incidental survivors of a prepped-for disaster, “who feed on the preparations of others”
Zombie apocalypse: Used by some preppers as a tongue-in-cheek metaphor for any natural or man-made disaster and “a clever way of drawing people’s attention to disaster
Silent Sentinel: A coin or object of value that draws your attention, placed in a visible spot, such as a doorway or foot path. An item picked up or kicked out of the way to detected movement of people or animals. Food can also be used to detected the presents of critters and animals. A log placed crossed a driveway or a broom / shovel in doorway can monitor and guard a home.
Ghost Garden: A low maintenance garden planted as a food cache. Berries, beans, carrot potatoes, onions and other eatable plants and herbs planted as survival food. Ghost Garden are planted away from the main garden and concealed among wild vegetation. Ghost gardens can be planted along bug out routes or other people’s property’s or on state and federal land. Often marked with single sunflower or corn stork.