There are a couple of critical principles in preparation that everyone needs to practice. The first one I will write about is “two is one and one is none.” What it means is always have more than one item whenever possible to achieve a level of redundancy. After all, if you only have one item and its broken/unavailable in an emergency, you will have to do without.
Simple concept, but what does this mean in practice?
There are two ways I address redundancy in my preparation. The first is having at least two of a given item. For example:
- Two flashlights
- Two pair of gloves
- Two multi-tools
- Two lengths of paracord
- Two fire extinguishers
The other way to have redundancy is addressing a function using two different methodologies. That means having at least two different items that accomplish the same task. For example:
- Lighting – flashlight, candle, chemlight
- Fire starting – lighter, matches, flint and steel
- Weapons – shotgun, club, pepper spray
- Food – Freeze-dried food, food bars, MREs
- Water – Bottled water, water filter, water purification tablets
What form “two is one and one is none” takes will vary depending upon what you are preparing for, budget, space available, and other factors. Remember that this is a principle and not a prescription, you will have to use discernment to determine what form redundancy takes as you make preparations. The key is not to rely on one item that could let you down when you need it the most. Large companies, governmental agencies, and military units all practice redundancy as a safeguard against failures. If you do the same, you will be ahead of the game and be better able to handle contingencies.
Having a single point of failure makes your planning fragile, having redundancy makes it more robust. So as you prepare, continue to keep the ‘two is one and one is none” thought in mind. You will be glad you did if you ever have to take action, and have increased peace of mind in the interim.