If you’re holding this book, chances are something’s been nudging at you. Maybe it’s the headlines that seem more chaotic each week. Maybe it’s the grocery shelves that take a little longer to restock. Maybe it’s just that deep-down sense that depending entirely on someone else to keep your family safe might not cut it anymore. I get it. I’ve been there.

I’m Scott Lochlan. I’m not a former special forces guy or some hermit with a bunker in the woods. I’m a regular person—a husband, a dad, and someone who likes a good backyard cookout just as much as a solid food storage system. I didn’t grow up in a prepper household. In fact, I used to roll my eyes at the idea. Now, I’m the guy folks come to when they want to know how to make sure their kids have what they need when the power’s out for days or when the stores are cleaned out in an hour.

This book isn’t written for elite survivalists or folks who want to disappear off the grid. It’s written for families. For people who have jobs, carpools, dinners to cook, and laundry piling up. This is about helping you prepare in a way that fits your actual life—not some fantasy scenario where you have unlimited time and money.

Here’s the truth. Prepping doesn’t have to be extreme. It doesn’t have to be expensive or stressful. And it sure doesn’t have to be weird. What it should be is practical, steady, and confidence-building. Like learning to fix your own faucet or teaching your kid how to ride a bike—it might take a little effort, but once you know how, you’ve got a skill that can last a lifetime.

This book will walk you through the basics, step by step. We’ll talk about gear, yes, but more importantly we’ll talk about mindsets, habits, and plans. We’ll cover food, water, shelter, communication, routines, and what to do when the unexpected shows up and tries to knock your world off balance.

You don’t have to do it all at once. You don’t have to be perfect. But starting now, starting small, and staying consistent? That’s how you build real readiness.

Let’s get started. Because your family deserves more than hope. They deserve a plan.