Prepper supplies are, generally, supplies you should stock up on for theoretical SHTF situations.That is, things you need if things go haywire. It’s difficult to create a comprehensive list because there are things that some people will need that others won’t but this is still a good place to start.
First Aid
Do not overlook the importance of essential first aid kit items among your prepper supplies or in your bug-out bag. In an emergency situation, a simple cut can turn into a life-threatening infection. You’ll need to be able to treat that.
Here are some things you should have:
- Basic disinfectants: This includes but is not limited to rubbing alcohol, hydrogen peroxide, and other topical disinfectants like Neosporin.
- Bandages and gauze: Bandages, medical tape, gauze, and sutures all have many different uses and are indispensable with respect to wound care.
- Tweezers: You’ll need a good pair of tweezers to remove splinters, a tick, or anything of the like.
- Pain relief: Over-the-counter pain relief like aspirin and ibuprofen should be in any collection of prepper supplies.
- Basic medications: Things like antihistamines for allergy relief, Pepto-Bismol for GI issues, etc. You can get these things over the counter and you should stock up.
Food Supplies/Food Preparation
In a survival situation, it’s not just about how much food you can stockpile, but how much food you can secure and preserve.
On the first note, canned food, dry goods, and other nonperishable items are essential because they all have a long shelf life. You will need these to keep going. MREs, or meals, ready-to-eat, are also good in SHTF situations.
As for food preservation, you’ll want to keep a lot of salt (it also doubles as a disinfectant and it is a vital mineral) along with canning supplies, like a hot water bath canner, cans (jars), lids, and rings.
Basic tools for food preparation are also a must. Several good knives, as well as can openers, cooking implements, and some quality, heavy-gauge pots and pans are also a must.
Since we are talking about food preparation, this is also the time to talk about heat and fuel, which is needed to cook. Make sure you have lighters, matches, candles, and tools for wood processing, such as an ax and a saw. Several are better than one.
The Overlooked Essentials
There are also a bunch of prepper supplies that often get overlooked simply because, while they themselves are not essential to survival, they’re easy to forget.
- Reference/Field Guides: There is a wealth of agricultural and outdoor knowledge out there, but it can be all too easy to forget. Having a library with useful reference information can save you.
- Spare socks: Socks wear out fast, and not having a spare pair will make you uncomfortable sooner rather than later. Moreover, worn out socks can be used as rags, for patching other clothes, and a lot more.
- Spare footwear: One good pair of boots is frankly not enough. What will you do when they wear out?
- Spare eyeglasses: For anyone that needs corrective lenses, having several spare pairs of glasses can be a lifesaver. You won’t be able to get contacts off the grid, but glasses last a long time. Consider this: Theodore Roosevelt himself carried 12 pairs of glasses on campaign!
- Games/diversions: Don’t underestimate how boring things can get when you’re “off the grid,” so to speak. Having some card games and board games can provide much-needed mental stimulation.
No List of Prepper Supplies Could Be Called Complete, but Here’s Where to Start Building
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