Last Updated on June 8, 2021
Remember March 2020 when everything got surreal and you realized that your preppers list of supplies had been ignored? There were many who weren’t prepared at all and got caught off guard. Make sure this doesn’t happen to you next time. We have compiled the best preppers list of supplies for you.
There are people who come to the Prepper Journal after they read something on another prepping blog or they may have been visiting our site for a year. The newer visitors are usually just getting starting in this crazy world of Prepping and if they are anything like I was at the beginning, knowing where to start can be pretty daunting. But, prepping isn’t the same for everyone. Most people eventually look for a simple guideline to follow so I have pulled together this preppers list of supplies.
So you may be asking how is this preppers list of supplies you need going to be different from any of the 523 million other lists out there? Maybe it won’t be, but I am going to try to go in order of importance so you can follow along at home and let me know what I missed or what should have received priority.
You should be prepping now.
Your list of prepping supplies may be completely different from mine. What your family might need is going to be different from your neighbor down the street, but I believe the items contained in this list of prepper supplies will be common to most people and more importantly will be required of anyone if you are going to be as prepared as possible when the manure hits the hydro-electric powered oscillating air current distribution device.
This preppers list of supplies list is not all-encompassing either. Could there be a million other valuable items in certain situations? Yes, of course, but the average person will probably not have blacksmith supplies or leather working tools – although I can see the utility in each of those.
This list is going to be for the average person to get by if we have a SHTF event. This list will keep you safer and healthier. What it will not do is give you everything you need to start a new life in the wild west. Please let me know what additional items you would recommend and I’ll keep this list updated so you can print it out whenever you need to purchase items or want to build your supplies out.
Lastly, this list is primarily for Sheltering in Place and the requirements/resources are items that the average person would be able to lay their hands on at stores you probably already visit each week. This doesn’t take more extreme climates into consideration but should still provide a base regardless of where you live. For other lists, you can check out our Resources page. For something more specific to the Bug Out Bag checklist, click here. Also, this list is going to be missing the specifics of the amounts because each family or individual is different. So without further ado, here we go.
Getting started with your Preppers List of Supplies
Water
Why should preppers worry about drinking water? Simple. Water is something you absolutely can’t do without and supplies can become contaminated or diseased in the worst conditions. How likely is this? It really depends on the disaster, but most of these options are reasonably priced and will give you an extra advantage should the worst happen.
Method of Disinfecting or Filtering Water
For the water component of the preppers list of supplies, we are talking about gear and tools to filter and collect water.
Each of the items below can work together or separately to give you methods of ensuring the water you give your family is clean and safe. Some of the items in the preppers list of supplies below are short-term use for fewer individuals and others can support an entire extended family for years.
Go back to your prepping plan and start with short-term disaster scenarios that are more likely and gradually work your prepping checklist out so you are protected for longer and more protracted scenarios.
- ENJOY GREAT-TASTING TAP WATER EVERY DAY AT HOME- The Big Berkey System can be used on a countertop in your kitchen or office to transform bad-tasting tap water into delicious drinking water that's also ideal for making your favorite beverages or cooking. Equipped with Black Berkey Elements, the Big Berkey System addresses over 200+ typical contaminants that could be present in tap water.
- POTABLE WATER IN THE GREAT OUTDOORS- Black Berkey Elements remove or dramatically reduce over 200+ typical contaminants that could be present in lakes, rivers, ponds, streams and other freshwater sources—no electricity, tools, or plumbing are required. The Big Berkey Water Filter System provides clean, refreshing potable water while camping, fishing, RVing, off-grid living and in emergencies, disaster preparedness and recovery scenarios.
- ECONOMICAL, LONG-LASTING- Black Berkey Elements provide filtered water for just pennies per gallon. Each pair of Black Berkey Elements lasts for up to 6,000 gallons before replacement is recommended. Elements may require replacement sooner based upon the quality of influent water. Each additional pair of Black Berkey Elements (sold separately) adds an additional 6,000 gallons of contaminant reduction.
- INDEPENDENT TESTING- Black Berkey Elements have been tested by accredited third-party labs that have reported that the elements remove or reduce over 200+ typical contaminants found in tap water and other freshwater sources.
- 2.25 GALLON CAPACITY- The portable Big Berkey System effortlessly filters water for about 1-4 people each day. Add additional Black Berkey Elements, sold in sets of 2, to increase the flow rate (the Big Berkey System can hold a maximum of 4 Black Berkey Elements). The system is just 19.25” tall and 8.5” in diameter.
- Big Berkey or similar gravity-fed water filter (capacity 3.25 gallons). It doesn’t get much easier than this. The capacity in only one of these units might not be enough for a family of 4 in the summer though so plan accordingly. You can also buy the filters and make your own water filter much cheaper.
- Paint or coffee filters – to remove sediment prior to filtering. This will keep your filters working much longer if your source is murky. Bandannas or old t-shirts can be used too.
- Backpacking/ Camping Water Filters – MSR Miniworks, Sawyer for individual use, or travel. Gravity filters like the Platypus are fastest and have less moving parts to break.
- Bleach – Non-scented or Calcium Hypochlorite is a better long-term option that won’t go bad. For additional instructions on treating water, you can read this article.
- Boiling water over a fire will kill organisms, but will not remove chemicals.
- SODIS Method which you can read about online.
- Water purification tabs – These are last on my list because they do not last long.
- Polar Pure is an iodine-based disinfection method that will last far longer than any water tablets.
Method of carrying water
- Plastic Nalgene Bottles or Stainless Steel water bottle for each individual if you plan on needing to boil water for individual use.
- 5 Gallon water jugs – These are pretty heavy when full. Get the heavy duty plastic ones, not the collapsible bladder type. These will need to hold up to a lot of abuse.
- Yard wagon or wheelbarrow to haul the water jugs and reduce trips to your water source if it is remote.
Methods of obtaining/Storing additional water
- Assuming you don’t have running/well water on your property…. Rain Barrels are best in most climates if you plan ahead.
- Find additional water sources by exploring your neighborhood
- 55 Gallon Storage barrels are easy to set up and forget.
- WaterBOB is great for emergencies with a warning you are about to lose water.
Food
No matter what event you are preparing for, doomsday or a weekend power outage, food must be on your checklist. A great advantage of this element of your plan is that you are already doing this every day so there should be little to no adjustment here.
- Short Term Food Items – This should be the food you eat every day. Just ensure you have 30 days’ worth of food storage at all times at the minimum. Build out to one year as your resources allow. If you are faced with a doomsday scenario, unless your food is contaminated, shelf-stable food will be fine for 30 days and that is one less thing to worry about as you prepare for other items that will need your attention. We have a whole section on the Prepper Journal devoted to Food Storage that is worth a read.
- Long Term Food
- Canned vegetables, fruits, and meat (chicken/Tuna/Spam if you can stand it)
- Staples (Food to make food taste better)
- Flour
- Salt – Will last forever if kept dry
- Sugar
- Honey – Will last forever…
- Spices
- Yeast
- Baking Soda
- Baking Powder
- Powdered Milk
- Vinegar
- Ultra-Long Term Food
- Freeze-Dried foods would be the last item to stock up on unless you have an abundance of money and zero time. The benefit with these are super long shelf life and virtually zero work so even with the added cost, they are a really smart choice if you have the other bases covered first.
- Misc
- Canning Jars
- Pressure Canner
- Water Bath Canning pot (all of these are reasonably purchased at Walmart or Amazon)
Security
- Personal/Home Defense
- Identify what you will use to protect your family if a bad guy is beating down the door. For me, I have chosen several firearms and you can read what I consider are the top 5 firearms you need here, the best gun for home defense if you can only afford one and how to find the best handgun for self-defense in other articles on the Prepper Journal.
- Door Security – EZ Armor Door Security Kit
- Sandbags – great for protection from water and bullets.
- Barbwire
- Camouflage clothing – This can have multiple advantages
- Body Armor in either Soft or Hard panels
- Heavy Duty Knife
- Holster for Pistol
- Ultra-bright flashlight
- For firearms purchase additional ammo and use our Ammo inventory spreadsheet to help keep track of what you have
- Firearm Safe bolted to the floor
- Extra weapon cleaning supplies
- Financial Security
- Personally, I would store most of my extra cash outside of the bank. Your mileage may vary and this is not without risks. This doesn’t prevent a currency devaluation but it does circumvent bank holidays or power outages.
- Precious Metals – Investigate this for yourself, but I find the arguments and historical track records against fiat currency and the current rumblings of Government wanting to take care of your investments for you very compelling. Gold is easier to transport with the high cost to weight, but you might have problems cashing a gold coin for a tank of gas. Silver is where I have chosen to invest in precious metals.
- Pay off bills – move now to ensure you won’t be in debt if the economy collapses.
Shelter
- Clothing
- Make sure you have appropriate clothing to be outdoors. Trendy stops when you have to live outside in the elements. This goes for children too.
- Layers are key in winter, wicking garments in the summer. If you have plenty of camping gear you should be set.
- Sturdy Work Boots
- Heavy Duty Socks – Wool Blends like Merino are my favorite for winter.
- Heavy Duty Gloves
- Repair Materials if needed
- Spare wood – Plywood and 2 x 4’s will handle a lot of different repairs until you can get the right materials.
- Tarps
- Plastic Sheeting – Good for blacking out light or making an infection barrier.
- Duct Tape
- Cordless Screwdriver
- Nails
- Temporary Shelter
- Camping tents and tarps can be used to effectively keep the elements off you if needed.
- Bivvy Bags are great emergency shelters, but not meant for extended use.
Heat Source
- Kerosene Heater
- Wood Burning Stove
- Propane Heater
- Fuel for either in abundance. For Kerosene, you can treat it so that it will store it for much longer.
- Fire Extinguishers
- Smoke/Carbon Monoxide Alarm – make sure your heat doesn’t kill you.
Hygiene /First Aid
I have plenty of hygiene items but it is not my major focus/worry. If you can shower every couple of days and wash your hands before eating and after touching anything nasty you should be fine.
- Shampoo
- Soap
- Toothpaste
- Comb/Brush
- Clippers
- Floss
- Razors (Read the review of razors)
- Vitamins
- Fish Antibiotics – In a grid down situation a healthy supply of these could save a life. Also get the Survival Medicine Handbook to know how to use them.
- Hand Sanitizer – Also good for lighting fires
- Sunscreen
- Chap-stick
- Feminine Products
- Alcohol and Hydrogen Peroxide
- Calamine Lotion – Benadryl
- Children’s Fever Reducer
- Neosporin or Fish Antibiotics
- Plenty of bandages
- Latex or Nitrile Gloves (these are cheap so buy two boxes)
- Face-masks (regular and N95)
Cooking
You can read more about cooking when the grid goes down in this article.
- Gas Grill
- Camp Stove
- Rocket Stove like the EcoZoom
- Fire pit
- Solar Oven
- Spare Propane Cylinders
- Disposable lighters/ Matches
- Manual Can Opener – or you can use this method.
- Butane Stove – Spare fuel Canisters
- Cast Iron Cookware – The best option for cooking when the grid goes down.
- Fishing equipment – A small telescopic rod (guide here) will go a long way in helping you get the food you need for surviving.
Lighting/Power
- Rechargeable Batteries X 2 for the important items (radio, lights)
- Battery Charger w/ solar or vehicle adapter for batteries and cell phones
- 1000 Watt Inverter connected to car battery for charging devices/running small appliances
- Spare fuel to run vehicle (min 25 gallons)
- 5 – 5 Gallon gas cans
- PRI – G gas treatment for long-term fuel storage.
- 3000 W Generator
- Tri-fuel generator (gas, propane, natural gas)
- Spare fuel for generator (min 90 gallons)
- 7 – 14 gallon gas cans
- 100 Watt Solar Panel kit
- Deep cycle Batteries
- Siphon pump to acquire additional fuel
- LED Flashlight with spare batteries – 1 per person
- Candles – 15 Hour Emergency candles
- Battery powered lantern for common areas
- Headlamps for each individual – infinitely easier and more practical than flashlights. Allows for hands free tasks.
- Propane lanterns – great outdoor lighting option or use within well-ventilated area.
- Oil lamps – the right kind can provided plenty of light and last longer than batteries, or should according to use.
- Lamp Oil
Tools/Misc.
For tools, these will be basic and not specialized. There are a lot of people who don’t live where there are any trees for example and most will not be building their own log cabin even if they do. Buy the best quality you can afford. You will feel the pain in your wallet one time, but the tool should last long enough to offset that.
- High quality non-GMO seeds.
- Shovels
- Large Pry Bar
- Med-Large Bolt Cutters
- Plastic Zip Ties – Various sizes
- Plastic Bins – 5 Gallon buckets
- Chain Saw – Good for clearing roads or closing roads.
- Heavy Work Gloves – Several Pairs
- Oils and lubricants – Chain oil, motor oil, two-cycle oil, WD40
- Wheel Barrow or Yard Wagon
- Clamps
- Full set of wrenches (metric and standard)
- Good Hammer
- Ratchet Straps
- Bungee cords
- Rope
- Rake
- Hoe
- Pruning shears
- Loppers
- Limb Saw
- Hand Saw
- Pick Axe or Mattock
- Post Hole Digger
- Metal Tubs
- Full set of Screwdrivers
- Allen wrenches
- Pipe Wrench
- Spare PVC and PVC cement
- Garden Hose
- Nails
- Screws
- Spare Lumber
- Chain
Sanitation
- Quick Lime
- Spare 5 Gallon Bucket with Toilet Lid
- Trash bags
- Hand Sanitizer
- Bleach – Non-scented or Calcium Hypochlorite is a better long-term option that won’t go bad.
- Latex or Nitrile Gloves
- Camping Shower
Communications
You can read more about Ham Radio in this article.
- World Band Radio
- Ham Radio – HT (BaoFeng BF-F8HP 8W High Power)
- Antenna
- Base Station Short Wave Radio
- Spare Batteries for HT and Radio
- Solar Charger
Entertainment
- Games
- Books
- DVD on battery operated player
- Cards
- Frisbee
- ball and bat
So there is the list. I know that I missed a million things that people will think is important. Please let me know and we’ll grow this list so it covers everything.
I would definitely add honey, vinegar, heavy socks,and a butane stove ( plus fuel canisters) to the above lists.
Vinegar!!! I can’t believe I forgot that one too. Thanks Debbie!
Honey was in there but I also added socks and butane stove. Thank you for the suggestions.
Pat
I am just starting out and feel doomsday will happen before I am prepared? What is the first things I should purchase. I have made 2 purchases and those were 2 guns. It seems protection is the most important I am taking lessons on the gun’s I have purchased on shooting and care of guns. What next?
That is a common feeling to have when you start out. I had the same thoughts myself but things do not seem to happen as quickly as you think they will. Or at least they haven’t yet. I do still see a steady progression though and am glad I started prepping when I did.
I recently wrote a post that might give you some ideas:
https://theprepperjournal.com/2014/08/12/how-to-start-prepping/
Pat I felt the same way you did about becoming a prepper. One day something inside of me said ok look, it’s time to start making a list and to get going on this endeavor. I started with the basics. I have been prepping for about a year + and have collected quite a lot of supplies. I educated myself in ways to store food. I am a You Tube watching fool, always looking at videos on how to do this or that. I’d like to know how to meet others who are prepping as well. I don’t really know… Read more »
Thank you for the comments Lynda,
There are a lot of ways to meet other people. We cover some of them in our articles https://theprepperjournal.com/2014/10/22/find-other-preppers/ and https://theprepperjournal.com/2014/07/24/joining-a-survival-group-bad-idea-preppers/ and https://theprepperjournal.com/2013/02/02/hello-im-a-prepper/.
Of course the comments section in here is always another great resource of information.
Thanks,
Pat
Air guns (5000 pellets in a tin) for small game, rabbits – arrows and bows not ‘toy bows,’ reuseable and silent. Learn archery, good for upper body fitness as drawing much pulling weight in lbs over a few hours practice – and it’s fun 😉
Ya a good Sherman pellet rifle and 80lb. Bow with fishing attachment would work well. And all types of traps
Don’t let prepping overwhelm you because there are many companies wanting you to buy their product. And I agree with pat Henry, things are not as bad as what many think. I have been listening to doomsday talkers since 2011 about the imminent collapse around the corner and there will always be people saying this. So don’t rush to spend thousands of dollars. Do a little at a time and stay within your means. This is a good article because it gives you general categories such as a means to purify water, then food, then medicine, then security and also… Read more »
you can’t eat guns..and what happens when you run out of ammo? not wisdom!
Make friends with a farmer, that’s all just make friends with a farmer.
i also am sort of new to prepping only have been doing so for a year. The problem I am having is that I live in a mobile home so if something happens I am out of here, I just want to know how much water can I store in my car and how long would it last?
Water should be able to be stored indefinitely provided it is not contaminated in any way. The problem with storing water in a car is the heat or cold. In the summer time, your water could bake. In really hot environments, if your water is stored in plastic, chemicals in the plastic can leech into your water. There could be some debate about what is the greater harm, chemicals or death by dehydration, but it is something to consider. In the same way, water in the winter can freeze, but as long as it isn’t getting contaminated from any other… Read more »
I realize this isn’t totally on point with the question, but a great source of water if you lose access to clean water from your water utility is your home water heater (assuming you don’t have a tankless heater). Those suckers can store as much of 60 gallons.
It’s still a good point! Thanks for the comments Health Maven.
A hot water heater (or multiples thereof) can be plumbed in series with your regular hot water heater to keep stored water continually fresh. — They don’t need to hooked up for heating.
If the grid is going down, a plastic pool can be set up and filled before the water tower is depleted..
Get some lifestraws. No weight to worry about or spoiling due to temperatures. They filter the water as you drink.
I don’t know if most people know this but if you use the SODIS method to purify water, Cryptosporidium won’t be killed until after 10 hours in sunlight (as apposed to the specified 6 hours), and Amoeba aren’t killed unless the temperature of the water is above 122° F (50° C). Both can be pretty bad.
That’s why I have a Big Berky myself. I would rather not leave that type of thing up to chance.
Great information here. I would add some type of vitamin supplements to your list too since nutrition is going to be a big issue too. I found a great whole food vegetable concentrate made from freeze-dried veggies that has a long shelf life at http://www.simplyenof.com/Articles.asp?ID=304.
I found a good way to acquire gold in 1 gram increments, for those on a budget. https://www.karatbars.com/?s=goldtouchstone just register as customer or affiliate. Good commissions too.
first find a spot were you will go when the end comes. next recruit a few buddies that share the same end of the world views. fill them in on the spot you will go to when disaster happens. now the fun begins, every recruit has a job to do when its time to run for the hills. steal and pillage all supplies and food from anywhere you can in a 4 hour period, than take it back to camp and live your life to the fullest. that simple. any walmart or small store will have everything you need to… Read more »
This isn’t the end of the world prepping. If the end of the world is happening there is no need to prepared. What you just described is a good way to die really fast. You think you’re going to wait until something happens and hold down a store for supplies? Last place you want to be is in the middle of a situation happening. Looting and stealing supplies while a disaster or incident is happening good way to die. Why? Because there’s going to be thousands of other people doing the exact same thing. Anything happens, i’m going to sit… Read more »
Everyone thinks they will “walk toward the light”, until they realize how precious life is. Then they fight for every second of breath.
The best “survival” is having enough where-with-all to keep your head down and get through the cataclysm. Nuclear war can be survived either being given or having made the right circumstances. I estimate we have until the fall of 2018 to make those “right circumstances”.
Seeds!
Also, I don’t think it’s a bad idea to put together an encyclopedia of information (how-to reference, maps, etc.) on a thumb drive/Kindle/tablet
It certainly doesn’t hurt. As long as you have access to something that will read those files you could have a ton of information in a tiny carrying space.
I just read your article, its great your helping folks out like this sharing your knowledge and experience. Ive been prepping now for about 5 years slowly growing our preps for our family but I noticed a couple of items I really think you should add to your list if you dont mind my suggestions. Not that I know anything you dont but if we all share ideas we can help each other. which is my first point. If you have a couple of friends you can trust, work with them and each work on specific lists to grow your… Read more »
Thank you very much Dearl and great ideas! I’ll get those added to the list also.
Pat
Amen! Thats at the top of my list. God bless you and yours!
I made the mistake of trying to wake people up to my concept of what the country was coming to. My view of shtf and how i thought it was going to happen. I also told people about my prepping and how i believed it would help. Now i’m pretty sure if anything did occur i would have a few or more uninvited guests. The one guy literally said “Im coming to your house if shit goes down” No the hell you aren’t. I tell people these things so they will prepare themselves. Or help them awaken to the things… Read more »
Great informative stuff @ this website.
I’m just getting started and just have a hunch time is getting short…
I get that same hunch…
Pat you should go to Chinese grocery store and buy one pot wood cooking stove.very small and cost only $20.00
I’ll have to look into that Johanna. Are they like the rocket stoves? I have an EcoZoom that would probably be similar in concept.
1. Something else to consider is a smart phone. My phone has a 32gig memory chip. It can holds LOTS of info. Some paperback books will be good to have. But even off the grid a phone can still access certain apps that have been downloade. I have about 50 books on my phone. A compass. Maps. I can draw a quick map or list with my stylis too. I can easily share documents and file by just tapping my phone on another smart phone. Take pictures and zoom in on them. Great to check progress walking and general references.… Read more »
Great thoughts, thanks Neville!
Pat
I would also add-1. A bible (in times of distress it’s good to have hope!) 2. Grapefruit seed extract (we used it in Africa to clean water and ward off parasites) 3. Essential oils (most of anti-vital, anti-bacterial, anti-fungal and last a long time!)
Thanks for all the great info!
Being from the south, we eat a lot of cornbread, so I would have to add cornmeal to this list. I think that cornbread would be an excellent option for a grid down situation. It’s very simple to make, cornmeal, and water, plus salt or any extra veggies you may have. I would also add dry pasta, and oil, for cooking and seasoning your cast iron. I may have missed this, but what about peroxide and alcohol? But you thought of a lot of things I never would have. Great list!
Thank you Issac. Excellent point about the oils for seasoning your cast iron!
Peroxide expires pretty fast.
It’s not recommended that you wash wounds with peroxide anymore–it kills infection-fighting cells and bacteria. Copious amounts of clean water, under pressure if the wound is dirty (squirt from a big syringe through a small opening) suffices. –An ER doc
Liquor for trade.
not sure if anyone mentioned, but a bicycle. i know i keep mine tuned up – quicker than walking, dont need any fuel but yourself.
I don’t know if that made this list Leah, but we have mentioned them before. I agree that they are good items to have but sadly I don’t even have one. I do have plans to get bikes for the family, maybe Christmas this year…
Alcohol! Can be used for trading, to make suspensions of medicinal plants, and disinfect wounds in a pinch.
I don’t know if I saw drinking alcohol (many uses) or coffee (helpful when you need energy to keep going) on the list.
Good additions Kathy. I know I have both stocked up.
Pat
Maps? I just started collecting them for my area, the places around me and the state. I get lost all the time 🙂 oh and a good compass.
Might want to add a sewing kit to your list. You never know when you are going to have to fix your clothes or yourself! Not sure if I missed fishing supplies as well.
Glad i started prepping. I’ve slacked off for awhile, but i’m back. Last year my cities water was considered undrinkable for about 3 days. Couldnt drink it, use it in anyway, not even a shower. Was said to cause vomiting, rashes, etc. You couldn’t go to a store in this city and find water any where. It was crazy. I had about 6 10 gallon jugs of water, stored away. Another thing was the whole gun ban hype after sandy hook. For a long long time you literally couldn’t find ammo. Or if you did you were paying a few… Read more »
Great list 🙂 The only thing I would suggest to add would be applied knowledge- for example there is no point in having seeds if you don’t know how to grow what you’ve got. Even if you don’t have access to land or a garden atm try growing crops in pots. Learn about the different soil and nutrient requirements for your selected plants, how to make fertlisers etc. If you are collecting tools know what to do with them, if you have info on foraging apply it now or go on foraging walks with local groups. Whatever skills you think… Read more »
I would add seeds .Vegetables seeds plus edible and medical herbal seeds for instance wild oregano oil or thyme can be used orally for infection. I use wild oregano instead of antibiotics all the time. Good idea to learn how to grow edibles as well storing. Also if done right seeds can be stored for years. Buy in bulk alot of garden sites sell heirloom seeds in large quantities. This is what I have been working on and plan to expand on. It’s also a really good idea to have a detailed map of your immediate area with it you… Read more »
Didn’t see this on the list and it could be an entire new thread. But first have a olan of what you will do. Think of all scenarios. What to do if you are not at home with the family. Where do you meet? Do you have a bug out site that everyone who needs to know has a map to it and knows when to bug out. Make sure you have what you need from this llist at the bug out site already. Do not try to haul what you need once you get there. You wil never make… Read more »
Hey, boss man,
Sorry if I read over it – smoke/CO2 detector(s)?
I saw the fire extinguishers, but the alarms can buy time.
We lose lives, property and buildings – and unfortunately, livestock and barns – every year for lack of that pair.
Soooooo happy to see those extinguishers already on your list.
🙂
Rebecca Ann
Good ones! I’ll add those to the list.
Unfortunately water and food isn’t gonna save us alone https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MJZsRE4epk8
The flashlight is bright using LED technology to power 1000 lumens. You are positive to get both qualities and even more, with the Vizeri flashlight. You can utilize it to visually communicate your location, with the brightness you have in your flashlight.
This is a superb collection of gear! I particularly like the water filtration products.
Have you come across the Life Straw it is my favourite item to pack in my bug out bag. I wrote an article about bug out bags a few weeks ago.
Check it out – http://goapocalypse.com/bug-out-bag-list-guide-prepper-gear/
ok, please don’t laugh, a lot of the ‘prepping’ lists for food contain pasta…should you cook it then vacuum seal it so you don’t have to waste water later on? or leave it dry and waste your water using it?
You want the pasta dry because it will last for years. If it is cooked and moist then it will spoil quickly.
I am a new prepper about to take my first trip to Sam’s Club. I want to start buying things over the next 6 months. I know water comes first. Should I start storing bottled water, or is there a better way?
Switch out portable DVD player on batteries (which usually only can play 1 movie before dying) and add cassette player and books on tape or audio cassette.
Great list for those people who want to start prepping but don’t know how. It would be really great to add survival seeds on that list. Learning how to homestead or growing food will save you a lot of money for survival food. Also, it would be great to consider the place where you’re residing and stock the necessary items you will definitely need in case of SHTF.
May I suggest a biolite stove. They can charge small devices, burn small amount of fuel for a meal, and provide LED lighting. Great little stoves. The base camp stove is larger and can do all of the above plus more heat. check them out.
Nice list, I know you have rope on there but I think 550 or paracord would be better. You could use it off the roll or pull the smaller cords out of the center for smaller work. That stuff has so many uses and is cheap.
With the availability of Kindles, I Pads, and other such battery operated data storage devices you might want to store your reference, survival and medical reference books on those devices for future use if needed
Additionally add some tampons and Sanitary Napkins to your first aid kits they are cheaper and better than Battle dressings for large wounds.
Wow, what a great article it is! Your posts are so interesting and providing me great information.This is really effective for us. Thanks for the shearing…
Well, seems a lot of effort when all you need to do is to make some friends in rural areas and go there. I live rural and everything mentioned on prepper sites I have lying around the place plus more. I pray for end times to hurry up so I can watch all those stupid city slickers run around like chooks with their heads cut off.
What if you don’t have friends in rural areas Conrad, or can’t get to them because of some disaster (like a flood or earthquake)? Prepping is supposed to reduce your reliance on other people and empower you to be able to help, not be a burden.
Fantastic list, thanks for putting this together and linking gear. In the midst of a possible corona virus pandemic, I’m glad I’ve been prepping for years and at this point I’m re-arranging bug out bags and home/car prep.
Thank you for sharing, Your posts are always amazing… Great information source.
ok, please don’t laugh, a lot of the ‘prepping’ lists for food contain pasta…should you cook it then vacuum seal it so you don’t have to waste water later on? or leave it dry and waste your water using it?
Gotta say, even though this post is almost 7 years old by now, it is still the most comprehensive resource. Outstanding job, Pat!
Thank you very much Jonas!
We are Seniors with medical problems needing meds. So we would never bug out. We are going to bug in. If we can’t get meds in 8 or 12 months, we probably won’t make it. But to protect yourself and loved ones, if you bug in, “fortify” your home. Even on a budget, you can do things to make looters and criminals, go somewhere else. Put safety film on your windows. Build a bullet proof area (we put a four foot high and four foot wide brick plant holder. The thing is, it will stop bullets from riddling your home.… Read more »
Thanks for your comments Rob and I wish you and yours the best. The home fortification tips you mention are great and we wrote a post not too long ago about that same subject – Home Fortification Tips That Can Save Your Life – The Prepper Journal
A great article and bookmarked for future use
I also am sort of new to prepping only have been doing so for a month.
Welcome to the world of Prepping! Glad to have you with us.
I have been prepping for a few years now. The world seems to be only getting crazier. I’ve been using FoodVacBags for years and was recently gifted a Gusseted roll from them. In what circumstances do you think these would be necessary to use?
I have vacuum sealed food, clothes, blankets in the past