Electromagnetic Pulse (EMP) Preparation

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EMP Preparation

I found this video online at YouTube and thought it was interesting.  There's some good ideas here, and also some questions.  It's a good place to start the conversation on EMP preparation.  Watch the video and let me know what you think of my take on it.


Why EMP Matters to the Great Plains

Power outages are one thing. Most of us in the Great Plains know how to manage a few hours without electricity after a thunderstorm or ice storm. But an electromagnetic pulse (EMP) event—whether from a high-altitude detonation or a solar flare—represents something far more serious. It’s not just about waiting for the linemen to fix the grid. It’s about the possibility of everything electronic failing at once. Phones, vehicles, radios, refrigeration—gone in seconds.

The YouTube video “10 Cheap Household Items That Will Still Work After an EMP Blackout” offers a list of practical items that might bridge the gap between chaos and survival. In this article, we’ll review the key points from that video, highlight strengths, and provide some balanced commentary where Midwest preppers may need to adapt the advice to local realities.

EMP preparation is often dismissed as “too extreme.” But if you live in tornado country, in the path of ice storms, or in rural communities where outside help can take days, then you already know: low-probability, high-impact events are part of our reality.

It’s also worth noting that the Great Plains isn’t just farmland and small towns—it’s home to a significant number of U.S. military installations, many of which could be potential targets in the event of a nuclear exchange. Bases like Fort Riley (Kansas), Offutt Air Force Base (Nebraska), and Minot Air Force Base (North Dakota) are well known, but there are also missile fields, training ranges, and other classified locations spread across the region. That reality makes the Plains more strategically important—and potentially more vulnerable—than many people realize.

Let’s break down what the video gets right—and where we need to push the conversation further.

Manual Tools: The Lost Art of Hands-On Skills

The video begins with a simple point: manual tools don’t fail when the grid does. Hammers, saws, and wrenches are timeless. FEMA’s own reports back this up—basic repair skills are disappearing. On the Great Plains, where barns, fences, and homes always need work, this advice hits home.

  • Keep a full set of manual hand tools: hammer, saw, screwdrivers, and a sturdy crowbar.
  • Practice real repairs before disaster strikes. Skill without practice is theory.
  • Don’t overlook sharpening files, extra blades, and a tool roll for mobility.

The contrarian question here: does every family member have basic tool familiarity? If dad is out of pocket or injured, can mom or the teenager fix a burst pipe or patch a roof? Skill redundancy is as critical as tool redundancy.

Faraday Cages: Simple Protection, Real Limits

The video highlights cheap Faraday cage setups—metal trash cans lined with cardboard. This is good, practical advice. Midwest preppers should absolutely consider protecting radios, flashlights, and spare ignition parts.

But here’s where we add caution: not everything fits in a trash can, and not every item is worth shielding. Store what you can actually use after an event: communication gear, small solar chargers, walkie-talkies, and maybe an old laptop with local files. Don’t waste time trying to shield every gadget in your home. Focus on what matters for survival.

Bicycles and Non-Electric Mobility

One of the strongest points in the video: bicycles don’t fry during an EMP. With vehicles disabled, bikes give you low-cost, muscle-powered mobility. In the wide-open Plains, where distances between towns are significant, a bike may not get you to safety, but it could be the difference between isolation and connection with neighbors.

That said, this advice has limits. Families with infants, seniors, or members needing medical equipment won’t find bicycles practical in a true bug-out scenario. Here, community planning matters. A neighborhood with a mix of bikes, wagons, older diesel trucks, and farm equipment will fare better than a single prepper family trying to cover all mobility bases alone.

Fire, Heat, and Light

Wood stoves, crank radios, candles, and lanterns all make the list in the video. None of this is new to rural folks, but it bears repeating: electricity isn’t just convenience—it’s survival when it comes to water pumps, heating, and information.

The real takeaway is this: stock light, heat, and information sources that require no chips, no firmware updates, and no utility companies. Practice blacking out your home with curtains to avoid drawing attention. Keep backup fuel dry and secure. And make sure your children know how to use a lantern safely before the emergency arrives.

Points for Debate: Too Simplistic?

While the video is strong in listing items, it lacks detail in three key areas:

  • Water: Yes, gravity filters work—but what about frozen pumps in a February Plains blizzard? Solutions must be season-specific.
  • Security: The advice on locks is solid, but EMP scenarios often overlap with social breakdown. That deserves deeper treatment.
  • Scale: Ten items won’t carry a family through a long-term blackout. They’re a starting point, not a comprehensive plan.

We should take this list as inspiration, not gospel. A prepper on the Plains must tailor their kits to their family, their land, and their community. A bike might work for one, but an old diesel tractor may be the lifesaver for another.

Conclusion: Start Small, Think Big

This YouTube video is a strong introduction to EMP readiness. It reminds us that simple, cheap tools—hammers, bikes, radios, and candles—can still save lives when the grid collapses. But for Great Plains preppers, the job doesn’t end with a shopping list. It requires tailoring these tools to our unique environment, building community resilience, and practicing now.

Ask yourself: if the power went out right now, could you reach your kids, light your home, pump water, or cook supper? If not, start with one step today. Build momentum. Because preparedness is peace of mind—and peace of mind is priceless when the world goes quiet.

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