another-emergency-survival-preparedness-list

Another Survival Prepping & Preparedness List

Survival Preparedness lists are helpful in that you may find a new idea within — something that you may not have thought of before. Or maybe to keep some extra of…

There are plenty of lists here on the site. But here is another survival prepping list, in no particular order, of some supplies that you might consider in your overall survival preparedness inventory (or having extra of…). You may already have lots of this stuff. But hey, it’s an excuse for another survival list, right?

This list of survival prep items is simply intended to promote thought, to provide ideas, and is not intended or designed to be an all-inclusive list for prepping & preparedness – because no list ever really is…

Oh, and I’m not suggesting that you need all of this ‘stuff’. It’s just a list of ‘stuff’. And I’m not saying that having ‘stuff’ is all you need. The first thing you need is…

  1. A Brain.
  2. Common Sense.

After that, it helps to have some inherent traits:

[ Read: Survival Traits – What Qualities Help Us Survive ]

Anyway, here’s a fun list of ‘stuff’… some small, some big, some inexpensive, some very expensive, some are entire categories of ‘stuff’…

Okay, ready? Lets brainstorm….

  • Food Storage (and all food related ‘compliments’) and Water (obvious priorities)
  • Cash, small bills – 20’s & smaller (questionable purchasing power for long-term SHTF)
  • Silver, pre 1965 coins or well-known 1oz coins such as the American Eagle, etc.
  • Gold (if you can afford it for wealth preservation to the ‘other side’)
  • Generator and fuel
  • Gasoline containers
  • Fuel stabilizer (for long term fuel storage)
  • Seasoned firewood
  • Fire-starters (all kinds)
  • How-to ‘reference’ books (electrical, plumbing, gardening, survival, etc.)
  • Binoculars
  • Notebooks, pencils, pencil sharpeners, writing paper
  • Important legal papers: copies of deeds, mortgages, insurance policies, wills, trusts, etc.
  • Fireproof, Waterproof, SAFE
  • Contact information (hard copy) family & friends; doctors, other professionals, financial/banks, etc.
  • Fishing accessories (line, hooks, lures, bobbers etc.)
  • Wagons and yard carts
  • Bicycles, tires, tubes, pumps, chains, etc.
  • Tents
  • Tarps
  • Stakes, spikes
  • Cordage, twine
  • Nails, screws, bolts
  • Rope
  • Backpacks, duffel bags
  • Sleeping bags, blankets, pillows, mats
  • Cots and inflatable mattresses
  • Carbon monoxide alarm (battery powered)
  • Goats
  • Chickens
  • Rabbits
  • Personal defense items
  • Water and Sanitation
  • Water Storage in Containers (all sizes)
  • Rain Barrels
  • Water filters/purifiers, countertop & portable models
  • Hand pumps and siphons (for water and for fuels)
  • Portable toilet and disinfectants
  • Toilet paper (as much as you can store!)
  • Ziploc bags
  • Garbage cans
  • Faraday cage with essential electronics inside (EMP)
  • Trash bags
  • Plastic containers with lids
  • Rat poison, d-con, rat/mouse traps
  • Alternative energy sources
  • Solar power systems (the sky is the limit here…)
  • Matches
  • Butane Lighters, Zippo, fuel
  • Magnesium Firestarter, FireSteel
  • Oil Lamps, wicks, lamp oil
  • Light bulbs
  • Solar yard lights (for emergency lighting inside)
  • Flashlights
  • Headlamps
  • Candles
  • Lanterns, hurricane lamps, lantern fuel
  • Kerosene
  • Radios: (AM/FM, shortwave w/SSB, HAM, CB, 2-way handhelds)
  • Batteries in all sizes (rechargeable is a good idea)
  • Battery charger (solar powered is a good idea)
  • Watch (wind-up or an automatic-kinetic watch)
  • 55 gallon metal ‘burn’ barrel
  • Lime (for outhouse doo-doo)
  • Communications (CB, HAM, FRS, GMRS, MURS)
  • Solar panels, alt-energy system (stand-alone, off-grid)
  • Firearms
  • The Black one
  • Pellet rifle (they’re quiet, good for small stuff)
  • Ammunition
  • Ammunition
  • Pepper spray
  • Holsters (concealed, pocket, inside waist-band, outside waist-band)
  • Ammunition
  • Sturdy holster belts
  • Bow and Arrows
  • Crossbow
  • Ammunition
  • Sling-shot and ammo balls
  • Traps and snares
  • Nets (fishing, camouflage, etc.)
  • Knives (survival, pocket, etc.)
  • Knife sharpening tools (files, stones, steel)
  • A Dog
  • Gun cleaning kit with the extras
  • Ammo Reloading gear
  • Sandbags
  • Night Vision Device & Helmet
  • Laser Illuminator
  • Ammunition
  • Camping stove, fuel
  • Wood (or twig) fired Rocket Stove
  • Coleman’s pump repair kit
  • Charcoal and lighter fluid
  • Fire extinguishers
  • Cooking utensils (hand can opener, whisk, etc.)
  • Cooking pots and pans (large and small)
  • Cast iron cookware
  • Steel water cup-carrier-container with screw-on lid
  • Ice Chests
  • Aluminum foil (both reg. and heavy duty)
  • Canning supplies (jars, lids, etc.)
  • Pressure canner
  • Portable heaters
  • Grill (propane, charcoal), extra grate
  • Propane cylinders (filled)
  • Wood stove (heating and/or cooking)
  • Firewood, dried and ready-to-use
  • Dish pan, dish soap, scrubbers, sponges
  • Cleaning supplies (toilet cleaners, disinfectants)
  • Basin to do laundry, wash boards, laundry soap
  • Bleach (regular bleach, NOT scented – for water purification)
  • Pool Shock (for making chlorine – water purification)
  • Swimming Pool Test Kit (to verify 1ppm up to 3ppm chlorine for water purification)
  • Clothes pins, clothes-line and hangers
  • Laundry bar soap (Fels-Naptha or Zote)
  • Work boots, work clothes, hiking boots (heavy duty)
  • Rubber mud boots (Muck Boots)
  • Thermal underwear (tops and bottoms)
  • Winter coats and snow boots
  • Hats
  • Extra socks, underwear, t-shirts, etc.
  • Warm clothing, scarves, ear-muffs, mittens
  • Rain gear outerwear
  • Gloves: work gloves, leather, gardening, winter, rubber, etc.
  • Plastic sheeting (black and clear)
  • Garden tools, hoses and supplies
  • Compost
  • Fertilizer
  • Insecticides
  • Fencing
  • Seeds organic (non-hybrid)
  • Tools: bow saw, axes, hatchets, wedges
  • Honing oil
  • Oil products for lubrication, rust prevention, etc.
  • Tools for carpentry, plumbing, gardening, electrical
  • Super glue, wood glue
  • Staple gun and staples (light weight and heavy)
  • Duct tape, nails, screws, nuts and bolts
  • Paracord
  • Rags, towels, cloths (all sorts)
  • First aid kits
  • First aid reference books
  • Essential prescription and OTC Medications
  • N95 (or better) masks, respirator
  • Extra reading glasses, sun glasses
  • Sunscreen lotion
  • Insect repellent sprays
  • Dental repair kit
  • KI or KIO3 potassium iodide or potassium iodate radiation pills
  • Antibiotics and/or ‘fish’ antibiotics (same thing)
  • Feminine hygiene products
  • Hair-care, shampoo, brush, combs
  • Skin care products
  • Toothbrushes, toothpaste, mouthwash, floss, nail clippers, etc.
  • Shaving supplies
  • Tinfoil hat

Oh, and a warehouse to put it all in…

 Again, this list is simply for fun, intended to inspire thought.

40 Comments

  1. The last one is VERY important! Someone has to be the “crazy” one in the family. lol

  2. Having cash on hand is becoming a bigger area of concern for me. There have been numerous bank branches close in my area for virus lockdowns, or so many staff quarantining that branches cannot open for business due to lack of staff. The banks are still processing electronic transactions, and some ATM’s are still up and running, but you cannot walk in and withdraw cash (more than an ATM will allow) or conduct other in-person business. My credit union has had no such closures, but I’m not taking any chances. Cannot stress enough that everyone needs to have currency on hand!

    1. My credit union did have these issues. They’ve temporarily closed branches or limited hours or we had to use the drive through. I certainly didn’t like not having access to my safety deposit box and ended up emptying it out when I got the chance. This sure made me realize how vulnerable we are when it comes to their arbitrary decisions. I agree with the need to have a stash of cash at home. Growing up, my mom had her private cash that she called her “mad money.” It was definitely hers to do with as she wished! I’m definitely following in her footsteps.

  3. The thing I missed most was chocolate, cotton swabs, and a toothbrush.

  4. Unfortunately, some are going to have a hard time finding the first two items (brains and common sense) on the list, not anyone here at MSB though. Knowledge on how to use all this stuff to stay alive is something we can all share with family and newbies, and it doesn’t cost us a thing. I take it a good relationship with our Creator is a given.

    1. Minerjim,
      brains and common sense are not in abundance anymore. supply chain ? : ) Gee Wizz who knows. something happened about 20 yrs ago, watch your back bro.

      1. Speaking of common sense.

        Did you hear some libs are talking of price controls?
        because it works so darn well.
        College degree in stupidity, not a new thing.

        1. Just like Socialism, THEY can make it work because THEY are smarter than previous generations.

        2. Horse and Lauren,

          Funny thing, back when the covid-19 toilet paper shortage hit…I remembered back to the empty toilet paper shelves during the Jimmy Carter fiasco…yep, price controls…Carter fixed the price, the stores price was more than they were allowed to charge for it…it cost the factories more to produce it than they could charge for it…solution? Quit making it.

        3. price controls? if i remember right they did that in the late 70’s under Carter. they put a freeze on prices for a short while. i may be wrong , that was a long time ago but i was working in a lumber yard at the time and seem to remember talk about that.

        4. MamaLark,

          Correct, those expired in ’74…Carter tried it again, leading to the shortages I spoke of.

  5. Extra eyeglasses, couple of magnifying glass (the Sherlock Holmes type), bulk tobacco (barter, probably end up with some nice stuff from someone nicotine jonesing). Also, when in a legal state, bag of mary-g-wanna…”Dude! You got stuff!!! Take my car for it?”

    1. Agreed on the tobacco Grey, even if you dont use it. Also add cheap vodka in quantity. Extreme caution need to be taken when bartering this stuff though. People with addictions are very irrational when they need fix!

      1. Thought of that but only four 375ml smeirnoff plastic bottles so far.
        Not a thing I like spending money on normally.

  6. thanks ken,
    manual tools and more tools. things break at my house all the time. garden tools.
    this is a great list. i need to up my game on several of those items.
    this list was a great reminder.
    aluminum foil, i’m able to get a 24″x500 ft roll of the heavy duty foil at sams for less than 20.00, that’s a football field and a half. it’s invaluable for campfire cooking. DW calls it her once a year foil box.
    all of this stuff won’t do you any good if you don’t put it into practice.
    this spring when it gets nice, go out and do some primitive camping for a few days. and i don’t mean in your backyard, it’s to easy to cheat, its great fun and great practice. practice your squatting skills, fallen logs come in handy : )
    ken, one day an article on primitive camping may be fun and informative.

  7. After doing a quick read thru, I see you forgot to mention ammunition!
    LOL!!

  8. Caliche Kid,
    He didn’t mention ammunition once….BUT Twice! And in a row too!

  9. Ken, your latest list reminds me of the old Cabela’s catalog that was the same weight, size and page count as the King James Bible. Everything in the catalog from Sorel Pac snow boots for those in Alaska to Snake-proof boots for those living in the swamps of Florida or Louisiana. tough to be prepared for everything butt…your list might have that covered. My truck and storage space at home has purpose built kits to handle some emergencies that are most likely to happen versus preparing for an eventuality that has little chance of happening.

    Case in point: For those that live in areas of the country that has porcupines, running and hunting with your dogs can be hazardous to the curious pup or dog off leash that will get quills in their mouth and nose when encountering one for the first time. Most long time residents and hunters in porcupine country carry with them a small kit that contains: bottle of fast acting dog tranquilizer to put your dog to sleep so you can remove the quills with the pair of pliers that are also in your kit. Dogs explore the world with their nose and mouth. Hence, most of the quills will be in that vicinity on the dog’s anatomy.

    My own constant run-ins with skunks led me to my recipe for skunk removal formula of lemon scented dish soap, lemon juice, hydrogen peroxide, bucket of warm water and a scrub brush to remove the worst of the droplets prior to taking the clothes to a laundromat. This formulation works on dogs too.

    Each area we live in has its own unique problems to overcome. Where ever you live, personalize your kit(s). I have not yet had to deal with chiggers in my neighborhood but Dennis will sometimes threaten to ship some to folks like Kula or others that make him angry. Until then, I am suspicious of all packages from Arkansas or Texas.

  10. I also noticed Ken typed in ammunition 5 times in the above list. I have been able to find a lot of rimfire lately in my AO which is good for the Springtime Sage Rat shoots coming up. Handgun ammo is available at pretty high prices but it is available. Tell me something that actually dropped in price during the last 2 years. High power rifle ammo has spotty availability unless you have an odd caliber weapon or a 5.56. Good luck finding ammo out there and be prepared to pay more for loaded ammo when you do open your wallet.

    In these lean times, if you see ammo for your rifle that you like to shoot because it works well, grab 2 boxes and walk to the registers. You could be waiting a long time for the price to go down.

  11. Love the list, really gets the mind going, and as you mentioned there are lots of lists out there and I think I have read most of them. One thing that always seems to never show up on the list is enameled camp plates. When you start to do dishes in a tub outside you increase the chance of breaking them camp plates are great and long lasting and almost indestructible, they can be expensive so another alternative for plates are metal pie pans and they could even be used for soups and stews.

  12. LOL, the visual you just gave me with your comment. I can see it now, Minerjim, out there in Colorado, doing barter with bags of Mary Jane. Hysterical.
    Ain’t gonna happen.

    1. Tom,
      You got that right! That crap is growing all over, not much barter value. Now booze…..that’s another matter.

  13. Pick the ten most important items on your list, add 20% more to them, and label as barter items, ( 10 of my favorites are ammo, food, water, firearms, silver, sleeping bags, clothing, med kits, booze, radio) you will be able haggle for items you either forgot, used, or broke. On reviewing the list I added hard copy maps, laminated are best, I always when traveling pick up several state maps they are free in most cases. An EMP will permanently destroy or damage anything electronic that has not been faraday protected….so keep that thought in mind….a few sheeple believe all their electrical items will be functional, from electrical firearms scope, led lightbulbs, flashlight, alarms, vehicles, solar and gas generators, oh and their coveted cell phones…..seriously back to what if basics.

  14. Not too long ago I bought 5 more 100w solar panels but at this time expanding my system ( only 4 panels) is pointless because I can’t afford more batteries.

    1. Horse,
      Similar boat here, 7kw of panels waiting for install until I can buy hybrid controller and batteries. Lithium batteries are going to go up in price, so I am building a parallel system to offset my daytime electrical use. I will add batteries as I can. But my plan will include an operational change ….shifting my high electrical use to daytime and only using battery power for light loads at night.

  15. I would add a moonshine still for alcohol and a woodgas producer to generate the carbon monoxide for the extermination of troublemakers.

  16. A really good set of files. I can’t tell you how many times I watched an older neighbor make needed parts out of scrap stuff with a good set of files and file card. I watched him make a part to fix an old 73 Winchester because another neighbor couldn’t afford to order the part. Mr. Rawls did the work for a jar of honey. It was a good way of life back then. Hard, but still a good way of life.

  17. Did I see ammunition on the list…….. :) (Five times!)

    Good barter material.

  18. New tires for vehicles.

    Hand operated pump to siphon gas from the largest gas storage source we have, our vehicles.

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