The Prepper Journal

Prepping 101 – Preppers List of Supplies

Pat Henry
Prepping 101 - Preppers List of Supplies - The Prepper Journal

Are you prepared for the next event nobody is expecting?

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.

Big Berkey Gravity-Fed Water Filter with 2 Black Berkey Elements Provides Clean, Refreshing Water at Home, Camping, RVing, Off-Grid, Emergencies
  • 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.
$384.00
Buy on Amazon
  • 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

Methods of obtaining/Storing additional 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.

Food Storage should be one of the first items on your prepping checklist to take care of.
  • 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

Security

If you are prepping for doomsday and don’t have a firearm for self-defense, you need to reevaluate your plans.
Survival Guns by Mel Tappan – A timeless resource.

Shelter

  • Clothing
  • Repair Materials if needed
  • 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

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

Lodge Pre-Seasoned Cast Iron Combo Cooker
Cast iron has been around for centuries and it is a great option that allows you to cook on the range, in the oven or over a fire.
$49.90
Buy on Amazon

You can read more about cooking when the grid goes down in this article.

Lighting/Power

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.

Sanitation

Communications

You can read more about Ham Radio in this article.

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.

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