Best Skills to Learn First for Beginners?

[ChrysanthiDream]

When you’re just starting out with prepping, it’s overwhelming to figure out where to focus your energy. In your experience, which practical skills gave you the most confidence early on? I’m thinking of areas like basic first aid, water purification, or food preservation, but I know there’s so much more. For those of you who have been at this for a while, what would you recommend someone learn first to build a solid foundation? Would love to hear what’s truly made

 

[BlueMarigold]

Absolutely start with water purification—clean water is non-negotiable. After that, basic first aid and preserving food will give you real peace of mind. Have you tried pressure canning yet?

 

[BlueSkyWanderer]

Water really is the #1 thing, totally agree. First aid gave me peace of mind, too—just knowing how to clean and bandage wounds properly. I haven’t tried pressure canning yet, but I do a lot of dehydrating and freezing. Anyone else notice how much longer you can stretch your pantry when you learn even just a few food preservation tricks?

 

[OrbitJazz21]

Water filtration and first aid were definitely my starting points too. After that, I dove into learning how to use and maintain solar panels for some off-grid power, even if it was just enough to keep a radio or my old keyboard running. It’s surprising how empowering it feels to generate your own electricity, even in a small way. Anyone else tried tinkering with solar setups before focusing on food skills?

 

[ChamomileCraze]

Love the idea of tinkering with solar, but honestly, I still find the most comfort in knowing how to purify water and treat basic wounds. Solar’s on my list, but garden skills and herbal remedies have meant I barely touch the pharmacy aisles anymore. Have any of you found a solar setup that’s simple enough for beginners, or is it all a bit more technical than it seems?