Survivalist lays out what Brits actually need to survive WW3 but warns ‘we aren’t Rambo’

As the war in Iran sparks a spike in sales of survivalist gear in the UK, an expert has warned Brits to ditch the Rambo image and use common sense

Forget the Hollywood image of camouflage-clad lunatics clutching assault rifles in a desert bunker. The new face of British prepping looks less like Sylvester Stallone and more like your next-door neighbour.

Following the outbreak of war in Iran, survivalist stores across the UK have seen a massive surge in interest as families scramble to secure their homes against global instability. However, according to one expert at the heart of the prepper boom, it’s not about the zombie apocalypse – it’s about good old-fashioned common sense.

Leigh Price, owner of The Bugout survivalist store in Builth Wells, mid-Wales, says the phones haven’t stopped ringing since the US and Israel launched a joint military operation in Iran at the end of February.

Speaking to the Daily Star, Leigh said: “It’s always pretty busy anyway, but when there’s something in the news, it does spike interest. Food supplies and water filtration equipment are probably the two biggest things going out at the moment.”

Despite the doomsday prophecies, Leigh is quick to point out that British prepping is a far cry from the gun-toting subculture seen across the pond.

Keen to dispel the Rambo stereotype, he said: “You have to remember that we’re not America. You haven’t got people running around holding rifles and ammunition and all that sort of stuff.

“We’re not like American preppers. People in this country come from all walks of life and all the political spectrums.

“I haven’t met some hardcore prepper who was geared up like John Rambo and waiting for the end of the world. I’ve never met him unless they’re in hiding. We’re not bunkering down ready for a zombie apocalypse.”

Instead, he says, it’s everyday people making sure they can survive a local flood, a fire, or the increasingly likely threat of electrical blackouts. Leigh warns that modern Britain has become dangerously reliant on technology. In big cities, where food is delivered in minutes via an app, a single cyber-attack could spark total chaos.

He said: “If they can’t get to the shops, or there’s been a cyber-attack and the tills are down, they can’t get money out, they can’t use a card and can’t use a phone – what do they do?”

His own interest in prepping was triggered by a 1992 blizzard that cut his town off for days, leaving locals scratching around for basics like food and baby formula. He also issued a stark warning: don’t wait for the government to save you.

Leigh said: “When something happens, the government is very slow and more often than not, you’ve got to help yourself. Prepping is all about self-reliance.”

While tech billionaires like Bill Gates and Mark Zuckerberg are reportedly building massive underground fortresses, Leigh says regular Brits are being far more pragmatic. “Most people haven’t got that sort of luxury,” he said.

Leigh advises prioritising calories over tactical gear when assembling a survival bag. The core of your kit should focus on the fundamental needs of food, shelter and water, utilizing reliable items like a sturdy coat, stove and tent.

To round out your preparation, include life-saving essentials such as water filters and a first aid kit. Leigh balances practical preparation with a sobering dose of reality when discussing high-end survival gear.

While acknowledging the demand for extreme protective equipment, he remains candid about the limitations of hardware in the face of a true catastrophe.

Leigh said: “Some people do buy gas masks. I do sell them, but I always say to people that if we ever need that sort of stuff because there’s a nuclear war, then we are in dire straits.

“A respirator at home may not save your life – though obviously, you will do better than someone who hasn’t got any kit.”

His philosophy centres on being pragmatic rather than extreme, emphasising that small, steady actions prevent future chaos.

Leigh said: “I always say to people that if you’re going out shopping, just get a couple of extra tins of food or an extra bag of rice to put in your larder.

“We saw it during Covid, with people rushing out, panic buying toilet paper and fighting on the streets. We don’t need to do that.”

Ultimately, he believes that staying ahead of a crisis starts with acknowledging our vulnerabilities.

He added: “Human beings are pretty basic. You’ve just got to think about what you’ve got in place that can mitigate those scenarios. Just be pragmatic.”

For the latest breaking news and stories from across the globe from the Daily Star, sign up for our newsletter by clicking here.