We often talk about being prepared. It is our motto -- Be Prepared! Yet, what does it mean? Baden-Powell said, "Be Prepared! For what? Well, for any old thing!" I have personally found that the secret to being prepared is having a good imagination, as one must only imagine the challenges that he or she might face. For example, it takes some imagination to think that one would need a coat at summer camp at the end of June and July, but there we were at summer camp this year, wearing jackets, and that is why it is on our packing list. Being prepared goes beyond gear and equipment, it is ensuring one has the right training to take on what comes one's way.
This gives us another Baden-Powell quote: "Be Prepared... the meaning of the motto is that a Scout must prepare himself by previous thinking out and practicing how to act on any accident or emergency so that he is never taken by surprise." This brings us to the last element of being prepared -- mental readiness. One must steady him or herself to react to emergencies, which often is hard due to natural visceral reaction that most of us have when we see someone else in pain and bleeding. This is why we try and practice first aid under similar circumstances that we think we might face.
In summary, when planning to Be Prepared, our imagination is our greatest asset. We must think beyond the most probable and think of the possible and most dangerous and prepare accordingly.
Be Prepared!