In any long emergency there is going to be shortages on key items. Many people who prepare for emergencies, never bother to think past food, water and medical supplies. Those are the most important things to stockpile, but there are other things you may want to have on hand. The following list is of items you may want to keep on hand for both your own uses and to use to barter.
1. Generators (Good ones cost dearly. Gas storage, risky. Noisy … target of thieves.
2. Water Filters/Purifiers
3. Portable Toilets
4. Seasoned Firewood. Wood takes about 6 to 12 months to become dried for home uses.
5. Lamp Oil, Wicks, Lamps (Buy CLEAR oil. If scarce, stockpile ANY!)
6. Coleman Fuel. Impossible to stockpile too much.
7. Guns, Ammunition, Pepper Spray, Knives, Clubs, Bats & Slingshots for protection.
8. Hand can openers, Hand egg beaters, whisks.
9. Honey/Syrups/white, brown sugar
10. Rice – Beans – Wheat
11. Vegetable Oil (for cooking). Without it food burns/must be boiled etc.)
12. Charcoal, Lighter Fluid
13. Water Containers (Urgent item.) Any size. Small: HARD CLEAR PLASTIC ONLY – note – food grade if for drinking.
16. Propane Cylinders (Urgent: Definite shortages will occur.)
17. Survival Guide Book.
18. Mantles: Aladdin, Coleman, etc. (Without this item, longer-term lighting is difficult.)
19. Baby Supplies: Diapers/formula. ointments/aspirin, etc.
20. Washboards, Mop Bucket w/wringer (for Laundry)
21. Cook stoves (Propane, Coleman & Kerosene)
22. Vitamins/minerals
23. Propane Cylinder Handle-Holder (Urgent: Small canister use is dangerous without this item)
24. Feminine Hygiene/Hair care/Skin products.
25. Thermal underwear (Tops & Bottoms)
26. Aluminum Foil Reg. & Heavy Duty (Great Cooking and Barter Item)
27. Gasoline Containers (Plastic & Metal)
28. Garbage Bags (Impossible To Have Too Many).
29. Toilet Paper, Kleenex, Paper Towels
30. Milk – Powdered & Condensed (Shake Liquid every 3 to 4 months)
31. Garden Seeds - Non-Hybrid (A MUST)
32. Clothes pins/line/hangers (A MUST)
33. Coleman’s Pump Repair Kit
34. Tuna Fish (in oil)
35. Fire Extinguishers (or large box of Baking Soda in every room for fire protection)
36. First aid kits
37. Batteries (all sizes…buy furthest-out Expiration Dates)
38. Garlic, spices & vinegar, baking supplies
39. Big Dogs (and plenty of dog food)
40. Flour, yeast & salt
41. Matches. (“Strike Anywhere” preferred.) Boxed, wooden matches will go first
42. Writing paper/pads/pencils, solar calculators
43. Insulated ice chests (good for keeping items from freezing in winter time.)
44. Work boots, belts, Levis & durable shirts
45. Flashlights/LIGHTSTICKS & torches.
46. Journals, Diaries & Scrapbooks (jot down ideas, feelings, experience; Historic Times)
47. Garbage cans Plastic (great for storage, water, transporting – if with wheels)
48. Shampoo, Toothbrush and paste, Mouthwash/floss, nail clippers, etc.
49. Cast iron cookware (sturdy, efficient)
50. Fishing supplies/tools
51. Mosquito coils/repellent, sprays/creams
52. Duct Tape
53. Tarps/stakes/twine/nails/rope/spikes
54. Candles
55. Laundry Detergent (liquid)
56. Backpacks, Duffel Bags
57. Garden tools & supplies
58. Scissors, fabrics & sewing supplies
59. Canned Fruits, Veggies, Soups, stews, etc.
60. Bleach (plain, NOT scented)
61. Canning supplies, (Jars/lids/wax)
62. Knives and Sharpening tools: files, stones
63. Bicycles - Tires/tubes/pumps/chains, etc
64. Sleeping Bags & blankets/pillows/mats
65. Carbon Monoxide Alarm (battery powered)
66. Board Games, Cards, Dice
67. D-con Rat poison, MOUSE PRUFE II, Roach Killer
68. Mousetraps, Ant traps & cockroach magnets
69. Paper plates/cups/utensils (stock up, folks)
70. Baby wipes, oils, waterless & Antibacterial soap (saves a lot of water)
71. Rain gear, rubberized boots, etc.
72. Men’s Hygiene: Shaving supplies (razors & creams, talc, after shave)
73. Hand pumps & siphons for water and fuels
74. Soy sauce, vinegar, bullions/gravy/soup base
75. Reading glasses
76. Chocolate/Cocoa/Tang/Punch (water enhancers)
77. Woolen clothing, scarves/ear-muffs/mittens
78. Boy Scout Handbook
79. Graham crackers, saltines, pretzels, Trail mix and Jerky
80. Popcorn, Peanut Butter, Nuts
81. Socks, Underwear, T-shirts, etc. (extras)
82. Cots & Inflatable mattress
83. Gloves: Work/warming/gardening, etc.
84. Screen Patches85. Paraffin wax
86. Glue, nails, nuts, bolts, screws, etc.
87. Chewing gum/candies
88. Atomizers (for cooling/bathing)
89. Hats and cotton neckerchiefs
90. Livestock
This list is not exhaustive, so there will be things you may think of that I didn't include. Feel free to comment on anything I may have forgotten.
Saturday, January 14, 2012
What is the point of prepping?
Some of my friends ask me what the point of all this prepping is. They tell me that if we are facing an economic collapse, then isn't it pointless to prepare for it? They point out that any supplies I stock up on would either be used up in a few months or that they would be confiscated or stolen.
Of course they are correct in the estimation that anything I have stockpiled would eventually be used up. Whether or not they are confiscated depends on how visible my preparations are. I would not make any of my extensive stockpiling public knowledge. As to it being stolen, well that is one good reason to harden your homes defenses and to get yourself some items for self protection. A good firearm will be invaluable in the case of a total collapse. Those who have been through monetary collapses like those that happened in Argentina, Zimbabwe and the former Yugoslavia can attest to the necessity of guns for self protection.
Still there are those who repeatedly shake their heads when I mention prepping for disasters both natural and man made. I suppose those who have a fatalistic attitude are not the kind of people who like to prepare for the worst. I have always had the belief that you should hope for the best but prepare for the worst. One thing I do not recommend is to go it totally alone in your preparations. You should make strategic alliances with other like minded people. You may be uncomfortable with the idea of a Survivalist Group and I can understand why you might feel ill at ease with the idea. The media likes to paint a picture of those who believe in being prepared as kooks, alarmists and just maybe a bit dangerous. After all the government currently is of the opinion that people who stockpile food and supplies are possible terrorists.
Instead of thinking of your group as a survivalist group, it may be better to think of it and refer to it more of a mutual aid group. If the subject comes up with people you may want as part of your group, it is usually much safer to refer to your group as preparing for natural disasters and possible terror attacks. This is the acceptable kind of preparation that even the US government recommends. Keep any conversations about economic collapse, hyperinflation, guns, gold, etc to those who you are sure about.
The point of prepping is not just to survive. Survival is just the first step. The idea is to survive the initial shocks and then to go on to thrive as an independent community.
Of course they are correct in the estimation that anything I have stockpiled would eventually be used up. Whether or not they are confiscated depends on how visible my preparations are. I would not make any of my extensive stockpiling public knowledge. As to it being stolen, well that is one good reason to harden your homes defenses and to get yourself some items for self protection. A good firearm will be invaluable in the case of a total collapse. Those who have been through monetary collapses like those that happened in Argentina, Zimbabwe and the former Yugoslavia can attest to the necessity of guns for self protection.
Still there are those who repeatedly shake their heads when I mention prepping for disasters both natural and man made. I suppose those who have a fatalistic attitude are not the kind of people who like to prepare for the worst. I have always had the belief that you should hope for the best but prepare for the worst. One thing I do not recommend is to go it totally alone in your preparations. You should make strategic alliances with other like minded people. You may be uncomfortable with the idea of a Survivalist Group and I can understand why you might feel ill at ease with the idea. The media likes to paint a picture of those who believe in being prepared as kooks, alarmists and just maybe a bit dangerous. After all the government currently is of the opinion that people who stockpile food and supplies are possible terrorists.
Instead of thinking of your group as a survivalist group, it may be better to think of it and refer to it more of a mutual aid group. If the subject comes up with people you may want as part of your group, it is usually much safer to refer to your group as preparing for natural disasters and possible terror attacks. This is the acceptable kind of preparation that even the US government recommends. Keep any conversations about economic collapse, hyperinflation, guns, gold, etc to those who you are sure about.
The point of prepping is not just to survive. Survival is just the first step. The idea is to survive the initial shocks and then to go on to thrive as an independent community.
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