Rigad in iDNES LOUNGE: Staying Prepared When Crisis Hits

Crisis is no longer something that happens somewhere else. Recent years have shown how quickly disruptions, outages, and limitations can affect even environments we consider stable. The question is no longer if, but what we do when things stop working the way we expect.

The iDNES LOUNGE discussion focused on practical experience and grounded recommendations — without dramatics or unnecessary panic. This article brings together the key takeaways: what to prioritize first, how to think about supplies, and how to approach preparedness so it actually works in practice.

Preparedness is gradually finding its way back into everyday conversation — not as a response to hypothetical scenarios, but as a result of real-world experience. That was the focus of the iDNES LOUNGE episode, featuring SEALTAC tactical training instructor and Rigad collaborator Michal Ščepko alongside Radek Slabý, founder of Adventure Menu and PRO-RATION. Instead of general ideas, the discussion stayed rooted in practical approaches — from mindset to equipment and supplies.

Michal Ščepko (SEALTAC) and Radek Slabý discuss practical crisis preparedness on iDNES LOUNGE.

Crisis Preparedness: Who These Recommendations Come From

The discussion was grounded in real-world experience, not abstract theory.

Michal Ščepko works with people through SEALTAC tactical and survival training, focusing on situations where individuals have to rely on themselves — and inevitably run into their own limits. Those moments tend to reveal what actually works, and what doesn’t.

Radek Slabý has long focused on nutrition in environments where there’s no margin for error — from expeditions and emergency services to crisis scenarios. His work centers on maintaining energy and functionality when standard support systems are no longer available.

What connects both perspectives is straightforward: things have to work in real conditions, not just in theory.

Further reading:
A two-part interview with Michal Ščepko on Navy SEALs training and the principles behind SEALTAC courses.

The First Thing That Decides: Managing Stress

When asked what matters most in a crisis, the answer came instantly:
“First breathe. Then think. Then act.”

It’s simple — but it tends to matter more than any piece of gear. Under stress, everything shifts. Your ability to read the situation drops, decisions become either slow or rushed, and it’s easy to fall into reactive, impulsive actions.

In many cases, the real problem isn’t a lack of equipment — it’s not being able to use what you already have. That’s why training goes beyond technical skills. It deliberately puts people into uncomfortable situations and forces them to make decisions under pressure — not for performance or adrenaline, but to build familiarity with those conditions.

Typically, that means:

• operating without thermal comfort
• going for extended periods with limited food
• handling tasks while tired or under pressure

Once you’ve experienced that in a controlled setting, your response changes. You’re less likely to freeze or rush. You know what’s happening, how your body reacts, and how to get back to basics: slow down, clear your head, and act with intent.

It’s not about being tough for the sake of it. It’s about being able to function when it matters.

72 Hours as a Baseline

One recommendation came up repeatedly in the discussion:
be able to function for at least 72 hours without electricity or access to basic services.

Not as a plan for extreme scenarios, but as a starting point — a baseline you can build on.

Those first three days are when you’re most likely on your own, without reliable access to supplies, information, or immediate help. That’s why it makes sense to have the essentials covered — the things that keep you going until the situation stabilizes.

What That Looks Like in Practice

• enough water for at least three days
• food that doesn’t rely on cooking or complex preparation
• a reliable light source and basic power supply
• essential medical supplies

This isn’t about stockpiling as much as possible — it’s about function. Every item should have a clear purpose and be ready to use when needed.

There’s also a key distinction that often gets overlooked:
having gear at home is not the same as knowing how to use it.

In reality, that second part is where things tend to break down. Equipment stays stored away, untested — and when the moment comes, people don’t know how to handle it under pressure.

It doesn’t take much to change that. Go through your gear, try it out, and understand what to expect. That’s what turns “just in case” items into something you can actually rely on.

TIP: Want to go deeper?
Explore our 72 Hours of Self-Reliance series:

• 72 Hours of Self-Reliance – Why Be Prepared?
• 72 Hours of Self-Reliance – Emergency Food and Water
• 72 Hours of Self-Reliance – Home Supplies and Hygiene
• 72 Hours of Self-Reliance – Go Bag and Crisis Checklist
• 72 Hours of Self-Reliance – Handling Specific Crisis Situations

A discussion on supplies, gear, and crisis preparedness — Michal Ščepko and Radek Slabý on iDNES LOUNGE.

How to Think About Supplies

When it comes to building supplies, it’s easy to get lost in long checklists. In practice, a simpler approach works better: cover the body’s basic needs and stick to a clear structure.

The Basics

• proteins – meat (canned or dried)
• carbohydrates – rice, pasta, flour
• fats – oil, nuts, seeds

This combination gives the body what it needs to function, even under strain. It also allows for flexibility — from quick energy intake to a more complete meal, depending on the situation.

It’s equally important to keep supplies in a form that:

• has a long shelf life
• doesn’t require complex preparation
• is easy to store

Alongside these core nutrients, there’s another category that often gets overlooked.

What People Forget

• salt
• sugar
• spices
• coffee, tea, chocolate

At first glance, these might seem optional. In reality, they play a meaningful role.

In prolonged or mentally demanding situations, it’s not just about calories. Staying calm and maintaining motivation matter just as much. These small items help stabilize mood and keep a basic routine in place. They won’t determine survival on their own, but they can significantly affect how a situation is experienced — and managed.

That’s why it’s better to factor them in from the start, rather than treating them as an afterthought.

Compact Solutions

Alongside traditional supplies, there’s a more streamlined option that covers basic needs in a single package. Ready-made emergency kits are designed for immediate use, with no additional preparation required.

They typically combine food and water in quantities suited for short-term situations. The advantage is simplicity — no cooking, no setup, just open and use. They also come with a long shelf life, so they can be stored without frequent rotation.

Compared to standard supplies, they take up less space and function as a self-contained unit. That makes them especially useful where space is limited or when there’s no time to assemble individual items.

Where They Fit In:

• as a basic backup at home
• stored in a vehicle for unexpected delays or emergencies
• as part of a go bag

They’re not a full replacement for broader supplies, but a practical option when there’s no time — or capacity — to piece things together.

Bug Out Bag: The Essentials You Can’t Do Without

If you need to leave quickly, simplicity and function matter most. There’s no time to weigh every item or figure out complex combinations of gear. A bug out bag should be built around a few core elements that cover the essentials.

The Core Trio

• knife
• fire starter
• water filter

This isn’t a “just in case” list — these are tools that allow you to function without infrastructure.

A knife covers a wide range of tasks, from preparing materials to basic repairs. A fire starter provides heat, light, and the ability to cook. A water filter ensures access to safe drinking water — often the most critical limiting factor in the field. Each item serves a clear, practical purpose.

What to Add

• compass
• emergency blankets (several)
• radio (ideally with its own power source)

A compass provides orientation when technology fails. Emergency blankets are lightweight and compact, yet highly effective at retaining body heat. A radio has a specific role in crisis situations — it remains one of the primary channels for official communication.

A bug out bag isn’t about how much you carry, but how well each item works. Everything inside should have a clear purpose and be easy to use, even under stress.

Community: The Overlooked Factor

Beyond gear and supplies, the discussion highlighted another key element: community.

This isn’t about equipment, but about the people around you. In smaller communities, cooperation often comes naturally. In cities, it’s far less common. Yet in a crisis, it can make a critical difference.

An individual can only do so much. When people connect, the range of what can be handled expands quickly. Everyone brings something different — tools, experience, or information. What might be difficult or impossible alone can often be managed more efficiently as a group.

It doesn’t require complex planning. A basic awareness of who’s around you — and who you can turn to — is often enough. That simple knowledge can save time and energy when it matters.

In the end, it reduces pressure on the individual and increases the chances of getting through the situation. At its core, it comes down to one thing: knowing you’re not on your own.

Cash in a Crisis: What Happens When Systems Go Down

Another point that often gets overlooked is how dependent we are on electricity and functioning infrastructure. When systems fail, many everyday conveniences stop working with them.

Without power, the following quickly become unavailable:

• ATMs
• payment terminals
• online services and transfers

Card or mobile payments can disappear overnight. In that situation, cash becomes one of the few options you can rely on immediately.

That’s why it’s worth keeping a financial reserve in cash at home — enough to cover at least a few days of normal expenses. A more conservative approach accounts for longer periods, especially when there’s no clear timeline for systems returning to normal.

The discussion also touched on something less common today: small valuables such as coins or jewelry. In environments where standard payment systems fail, they can serve as a simple store of value or a means of exchange.

This isn’t about going backwards — it’s about accounting for the possibility that familiar systems may not always be available.

iDNES LOUNGE episode on crisis preparedness, hosted by Elen Černá with guests Michal Ščepko and Radek Slabý.

Preparedness as a Normal Part of Life

The discussion also touched on a broader point that puts the topic into perspective.

What some people see as excessive today was, not that long ago, a normal part of everyday life. Keeping basic supplies at home, having practical skills, and accepting that not everything is always available used to be standard.

That included:

• food and water reserves
• basic hands-on skills
• the ability to function without immediate system support

Over time, these habits faded. A long period of stability created the assumption that infrastructure is constant and reliable. Recent years have shown that this isn’t always the case.

As a result, parts of society are returning to a more practical approach. Not as a trend, and not out of abstract caution, but as a response to real experience.

Preparedness is gradually moving back to where it once belonged — as a basic part of everyday functioning.

Where to Start If You’re Starting from Scratch

If you’re new to preparedness, there’s no need to plan for complex scenarios or invest in large amounts of gear right away. What matters more is building a solid foundation — something practical that works immediately and can be expanded over time.

A simple framework can help:

Build a bug out bag
A basic setup for situations where you need to leave quickly. It doesn’t have to be extensive, but it should cover your core needs.

Secure at least 72 hours of supplies
Water, food, and essential items to function without electricity or services. Three days is a baseline you can build on.

Test basic skills
Starting a fire, sourcing water, or setting up a simple shelter. Knowing what to do isn’t enough — you need to experience it at least once.

Keep cash on hand
For situations where payment systems go down. Ideally, enough to cover several days of normal expenses.

Know the people around you
Be aware of who’s nearby and who you can rely on. In a crisis, that simple awareness can make a real difference.

Perfect preparedness isn’t the goal, and there’s no need to account for every possible scenario. The focus is on building a practical baseline — something reliable that can be expanded over time.

Preparedness as a Practical Discipline

The iDNES LOUNGE discussion reflects a broader shift: preparedness is moving beyond a niche topic into the mainstream. Not as a fringe interest, but as part of how people think about functioning in uncertain conditions.

The approach remains consistent: gear only has value if you know how to use it. Simple solutions tend to outperform complex setups, and preparedness is defined by the ability to respond — not by appearances.

The full discussion is available on iDNES platforms, including the iDNES.cz website, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and Youradio Talk. It will also be published on the iDNES.cz YouTube channel in the coming days.