‘Doomsday Preppers’ Star Jay Blevins Shares Survival Tips [Interview]

Doomsday Preppers star Jay Blevins recently sat down with The Inquisitr to discuss the hit National Geographic series and his hit book, Survival and Emergency Preparedness Skills. Blevins is an experienced law enforcement officer who decided to engage in a more self-reliant mindset due to both natural and man-made disasters he considers a threat to national security. Many of the individuals who appear on Doomsday Preppers discuss and prepare for civil unrest scenarios, Blevins is no exception. Choosing to engage in a neighborhood preparedness plan is where the former Washington, D.C. deputy sheriff differ from some of his co-stars

IQ: How do you feel about the way perception of National Geographic’s hit series, Doomsday Preppers, and how you personally were portrayed on the show?

Jay: For only having 15 minutes to fit 24 full hours of filming into, I think NatGeo did an outstanding job of telling our story. There were aspects of my writing, and our faith I had hoped would make the show, but because we’ve had so many other TV, radio, print, and internet opportunities, we’ve had a chance to supplement information the show wasn’t able to get to.

IQ: During your appearance on Doomsday Preppers, your law enforcement experience was noted as one of the guiding principles in your preparedness activities. How big of a role does your professional background play in plans to survive a natural or man-made disaster?

Jay: Of any career I’ve had, my time as a deputy sheriff in the Washington, DC area shaped my approach to prepping. First, the training was invaluable. Second, that experience allowed me to see the unfortunate realities of the human race. I’m not jaded, but I’m far from naive about the evils that people are capable of inflicting on each other. That experience opened my eyes to the reality, that if certain people will victimize their fellow citizens under normal circumstances, how much worse they will be in emergency situations.

It taught me that there are some people who cannot be reasoned with, talked down, or stopped from harming you or others without the use of force, and so I know I need to have ways to protect myself and my loved ones as part of my preps.

IQ: You live in a suburban area. What survival tips can you offer to others who live in a similar setting?

Jay: Tap into local resources (neighbors, emergency responders, utilities) and find out what emergencies have had the most profound affect in the last 20 years. Have plans to shelter in place, as well as to bug out. Don’t wait until things get bad to bug out…get out before everyone else gets that idea. Have multiple bug out locations and routes picked out. Most importantly, know the basic skills like land nav, self-defense, etc. DON’T just rely on technology like GPS. In the worst case scenarios, some of the best technologies fail.

IQ: During the Doomsday Preppers episode, your neighborhood-wide approach was highlighted. Why did you decide to create prepper network instead of going it alone after a disaster?

Jay: I believe in the idea of having a critical mass of people in order to truly survive. I’m not so prideful as to say I have a deep expertise of every skill needed to survive. As a network, we cover all of those skills. From medical specialists, to outdoor survival skills specialists, to hunters, trappers, nurses, cooks, etc., we have every skill covered that is necessary for extended survival. There is also safety in numbers, and mutual assistance.

Sure, I understand why many preppers don’t want to tell others about their supplies and/or about what they do, and I respect that. I just think I have a better chance of survival having a close-knit, trusted group of preppers to work with.

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IQ: Why did you decide to write Survival and Emergency Preparedness Skills? Is it for just individuals new to prepping or for seasoned survivalists as well?

Jay: I began working on SEPS in 2008, about 5 years after I got serious about prepping. At the time, I was building emergency kits and bug out bags for people, but have always thought that your gear doesn’t do any good unless you know how,why, when to use it. So, in 2008 I started researching for a supplemental guide to include in my emergency kits. It conducted research on recent emergencies, interviews of people who had survived different emergencies, and consulted many different resources to put SEPS together. It was released on November 2, 2012 – just a few weeks before the premiere of our NatGeo episode, and has received great reviews.

For newbie’s, SEPS offers a solid definition of prepping, and why it’s done, as well as a solid foundation in what I believe are the six most important aspects of survival and emergency preparedness skills. For veteran preppers, I’ve noticed there are many books out there that talk about supplies, gear, etc. Those things are important, but the two areas I address in SEPS that you might not see in other places, not matter how long you’ve been prepping, are mental preparation, and spiritual preparedness. I’ve gotten emails, calls, and letters from people across the country who have used the book to begin prepping, and also to add to their prepping “tool kit.”

IQ: You are among Doomsday Expo featured speakers. What will you be discussing at the June 27-29 Denver event?

Jay: I’ll share a message I’ve entitled “SEPS 101: Six foundational aspects of survival/emergency preparedness. I’ll give some updated examples for the six aspects of prepping discussed in my book, and will have ample time to answer questions, do a meet and greet, etc. Books will be available for purchase and signing after I speak, and at my booth, which I’ll be at for all three days of the expo, anytime I’m not speaking or doing other media appearances. I strongly encourage people to come out to this expo, as it will be a one stop shop for many of the prepping supplies they’ll need, as well as a line up of incredible speakers, and other prepping-related activities.

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