Nearly two-thirds of British adults would be willing to buy government-approved survival kits to help them survive for three days during war or natural disasters, according to a new survey by the Workforce Development Trust, as Metro reports. The research of over 2,000 adults reveals growing public appetite for official emergency preparedness measures, with The i confirming that 70% of respondents support the government's resilience action plan.
The findings show one-third of survey participants would volunteer for 'Dad's Army'-style defense groups to protect critical infrastructure, as The i reports. This indicates significant public willingness to participate actively in national resilience efforts beyond personal preparedness.
The survey results come after the European Union earlier this year advised nearly half a billion people across 27 countries to create 72-hour survival kits, according to Metro. These official recommendations include bottled water, energy bars, torches, batteries, medicines, first aid supplies, and waterproof pouches for identification documents.
Military expertise guides preparation
Tom Blakey, a former member of the elite Pathfinders unit who served in Kosovo, Northern Ireland, Iraq and Afghanistan, believes current global tensions make preparedness essential. "There's a lot of people in high positions saying we're on the brink of World War Three," he tells Metro. The 53-year-old veteran operated behind enemy lines for the British Army's 16 Air Assault Brigade.
Blakey warns that modern threats may not follow traditional warfare patterns but could involve cyber attacks targeting phones, energy supplies and water infrastructure. "The first 36 hours of any disaster are crucial, but surviving that first night is just the start," he explains, as Metro reports.
Practical approach over extreme scenarios
Unlike American preppers who often focus on dramatic scenarios and weapons, British preparedness emphasises practical community resilience, according to Metro. Leigh Price, who runs the Bug Out survival shop in Wales after serving in the Army during the 1990s, describes prepping as an "insurance policy for your way of living."
Price has seen significant market changes since Russia's invasion of Ukraine, with freeze-dried food prices increasing by 56%, as Metro reports. His most popular items are freeze-dried tinned foods that can last until 2047, demonstrating the long-term planning approach favoured by British preparedness enthusiasts.
FSNAP framework for emergency readiness
Blakey has developed the FSNAP system to guide practical preparedness: Fitness for quick evacuation, Skills including first aid and navigation, Networking with like-minded people, Actions On for being prepared when things go wrong, and Personal Skills through hands-on practice. "You can watch a YouTube video on how to start a fire, but you really need to get out and try it first," he emphasises, as Metro reports.
The veteran stresses that survival skills require practical experience rather than just theoretical knowledge. Basic first aid, map reading, water purification and fire-starting form the foundation of essential capabilities, according to Metro.
Community resilience remains key
Both experts believe communities supporting each other will be crucial during emergencies, with Price noting this approach remains stronger in rural areas like Wales. "Everyone expects that the government will provide for them if things go wrong, but that might not be the case," he warns, as Metro reports.
The specialists suspect the biggest threat facing Britain isn't nuclear attack but technology-based disruption that could limit access to power and communications. "We can no longer sit here and think everything will be alright," Blakey adds, according to Metro.
Sources used: "Metro", "The i" Note: This article has been edited with the help of Artificial Intelligence.
