Preppers survival gear refers to the collection of tools and equipment preppers utilize to ensure their survival during a disaster.
We are not only referring to a can of beans and a bottle of water, my friends.
Preppers survival gear includes a range of items that go from essential components such as food and water to more sophisticated tools such as shelter, clothing, and medical supplies.
These items have been specially designed to assist you in surviving temporarily until help arrives.
Consider this – when you find yourself trapped in the midst of a hurricane or a wildfire, you cannot depend on your nearby grocery store to supply you with food and water.
Preppers survival gear is what comes into play at that moment.
You can increase your chances of survival in extremely tough situations by ensuring you have the appropriate gear readily available.
Whether you have experience as a prepper or are a beginner embarking on this journey, it is crucial to dedicate some time to acquire the appropriate equipment.
In the event of a disaster, you wouldn’t want to be unprepared.
KEY ELEMENTS TAKEAWAY:
Preppers rely on their survival gear to effectively handle emergencies, disasters, and different survival situations.
To ensure easy access to your supplies, invest in a bug-out bag of excellent quality that can carry your survival gear. It is important to prioritize durability, comfort, and organization when selecting the bag.
Include in your survival gear essential items such as water purification systems, fire-starting tools, shelter materials, first aid kits, and communication devices.
When considering your survival gear, make sure to customize it to suit your individual requirements, including factors such as your surroundings, weather conditions, and any possible hazards or emergencies you might encounter.
In order to ensure its effectiveness and prolong its lifespan, it is important to regularly review, update, and maintain your survival gear. It is also advisable to stay informed about new gear innovations and contemplate upgrading your equipment accordingly, so you can remain prepared for any situation.
WHY DO YOU NEED PREPPERS SURVIVAL GEAR?
Imagine yourself in the midst of a disaster area, with disorder and devastation all around.
You wouldn’t want your mind occupied with concerns about the source of your next meal or water, or figuring out how to handle a wound or sickness.
Preppers survival gear comes in handy at that point.
Even when resources are scarce, having the appropriate tools and equipment available can increase your chances of survival.
Imagine a survival kit enhanced to the next level – this includes provisions such as food, water, medical supplies, and additional items.
Preppers survival gear serves not only for survival purposes but also for ensuring comfort.
When you find yourself in the midst of a disaster, it is probable that you will encounter extremely challenging circumstances.
Being honest, feeling uncomfortable can have a negative impact on your mental state.
Preppers survival gear comprises essentials such as shelter, clothing, and even entertainment to ensure mental stability in unfavorable situations.
If you are anticipating potential emergencies or simply want to be ready for unforeseen circumstances, investing in preppers survival gear is crucial.
Stocking up on the right gear will be appreciated by you when disaster strikes.
THE BASIC PREPPERS SURVIVAL GEAR CHECKLIST
Okay, let’s explore the in-depth specifics of survival gear for preppers.
Before going into detail, let’s first consider the essential checklist of items that every prepper should possess.
- First and foremost, water is essential. It’s recommended to have at least one gallon of water per person per day, and that’s just for drinking. You’ll also need water for cooking, cleaning, and sanitation purposes.
- Next up, food. You’ll want to stock up on non-perishable items like canned goods, dried fruit, and energy bars. Make sure you have enough to last for several days, if not weeks.
- Injuries are likely to happen in an emergency situation, so it’s crucial to have a preppers first aid kit on hand. This should include bandages, antiseptic wipes, pain relievers, and prescription medications if needed.
- Shelter is another essential item on the list. A tent, tarp, or other form of shelter can protect you from the elements and provide a safe place to rest.
- Don’t forget about clothing. You’ll need warm, waterproof clothing and sturdy footwear to keep you dry and comfortable.
- Lighting is also important. Flashlights, lanterns, and batteries can help you navigate in the dark and signal for help.
- Communication is key during an emergency, so make sure you have a ham radio and extra batteries to stay informed about the situation.
- Multi-purpose tools such as knives, axes, and saws can come in handy for a variety of tasks.
- Personal hygiene items like soap, toothbrushes, and toilet paper may not seem like a top priority, but they can make a huge difference in your comfort level.
- Last but not least, you’ll want to have a bug-out bag ready to go. This should include all of the above items, plus any additional items you deem necessary. Keep your bug-out bag in a convenient location so you can grab it quickly in case of an emergency.
Now that we have the fundamental aspects addressed, let’s delve deeper into essential items that should be included in your collection of survival gear for prepping purposes.
In emergency situations, it is important to remember that, besides the essentials, there are several tools and equipment options that can prove beneficial.
Items that could be included are a multi-tool, a fire starter kit, and a portable generator.
CHOOSING THE RIGHT PREPPERS SURVIVAL GEAR
To maximize your chances of survival in any emergency situation, it is essential to carefully select the appropriate preppers survival gear.
With such a wide range of choices, it can become daunting to make a decision regarding the contents of your emergency kit.
When choosing preppers survival gear, it is important to consider the following factors step by step:
- Type of disaster: Different disasters require different types of gear, so it’s important to think about what kind of emergencies are most likely to occur in your area. If you live in a flood-prone region, for example, you’ll want to prioritize waterproof gear such as tarps, rain jackets, and waterproof boots. On the other hand, those in areas prone to wildfires should focus on items that can help them evacuate quickly, such as a fire-resistant backpack, and a mask to filter out smoke and debris.
- Location: Your location can also impact the type of preppers survival gear you need. For instance, if you live in a rural area, you may want to include hunting equipment, fishing gear, and animal traps in your emergency kit. If you reside in an urban area, you may need to prioritize items that can help you navigate crowded spaces, such as a map and compass, pepper spray, or even a self-defense tool.
- Personal Needs: Don’t forget to consider your own personal needs when selecting preppers survival gear. For instance, if you have any medical conditions that require medication, make sure you have extra supplies on hand in your first aid kit. You may also want to pack items like glasses, hearing aids, or other medical devices that you need to function in your daily life.
Finding the right preppers survival gear requires achieving a balance, wherein you pack enough items for your survival without overwhelming yourself with an excess of gear.
To effectively prioritize your chances of survival, start with the necessities such as food, water, shelter, and first aid. Then, consider your personal needs, location, and the specific disaster to determine which additional items will further improve your chances of survival.
12 Emergency Preparedness Essentials to Stock Up On
A fully stocked first-aid kit
If someone were to slip and break their wrist during an ice storm, pre-packed first-aid kits that can be found at drugstores and large retail stores, consisting mainly of Band-Aids and aspirin, would not be very useful. In such situations, it is important to have a kit that contains a wide variety of bandages and creams, including those specifically designed to treat burns, which are commonly occurring injuries during disasters. Rusty Wheeler, a veteran of the Army and a gear tester for the Steel to Reel survival subscription box, highly recommends the Recon kit from My Medic as the ultimate first-aid kit. This kit contains 250 supplies for dealing with various first-aid and trauma situations, such as bleeding, burns, sprains, fractures, dehydration, and more. While you may not need most of the supplies that are packed into the convenient backpack, having this kit will provide you with peace of mind and support in situations where immediate access to medical care is not possible.
A way to cook
If you reside in an area with abundant overhead power lines and the possibility of losing electricity for extended periods due to falling trees, it would be wise to consider purchasing a portable stove. With BioLite’s advanced wood-burning stove, you can cook, generate heat, and even charge USB-compatible devices if you have firewood available and an open outdoor area. This stove’s internal fan system efficiently converts heat into electricity, making it a preferred choice for many, including Wurst.
Flashlights (plural)
While it is possible to use any flashlight, Thompson prefers Streamlights because they are extremely durable. They have adjustable brightness and beam width, and the company provides a lifetime warranty for their products, which are frequently utilized by military, police, and rescue personnel. Having one in every major room can help you avoid stumbling around the house in darkness.
One more innovative trick for lighting is to purchase basic landscape lights that run on solar power. Under normal circumstances, these lights illuminate your pathway. However, during power failures, all you need to do is remove them from the ground after dark and position them in important areas within your house. In the morning, retrieve them again to recharge. Repeat this process as needed.
A multi-tool
Plenty of water
Clean water is the most important resource in a disaster. Even a small amount of dehydration can negatively affect our health and ability to think clearly. If you have well water at home, a power outage can stop water from flowing. Have you ever experienced pipes bursting in extreme cold weather? The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention advises keeping at least one gallon of water per person per day for a minimum of three days, for drinking and basic hygiene. If feasible, it is recommended to store a two-week supply. For a family of four, this would mean having at least 12 gallons of water and potentially up to 56.
Where should you store all that water? It is equivalent to having 11 of those large 5-gallon jugs used by officers for drinking water, or approximately 17 cases if you prefer purchasing individual bottles. If your tap water is safe for consumption, it is a more economical choice both in terms of cost and storage space.
Shelf-stable food
By having a stock of long-lasting food items such as crackers, pasta, and canned goods, you can avoid the struggle of competing for available items at the grocery store. In general, it is advisable to consider consuming approximately 2,500 calories per day for men, 2,000 for women, and 1,200 to 2,200 for children. However, it is also important to estimate the number of meals required. Calculate the amount necessary to feed everyone three times daily using your pantry’s contents, and then multiply it by a minimum of three days. The CDC recommends prioritizing foods that require little to no preparation. For instance, avoid relying heavily on black beans unless you are comfortable consuming them without heating if your stove is not functioning.
More than one way to start a fire
According to all the experts we spoke to, it is important to have multiple backups in case one fails. Depending solely on a book of matches that you acquired from a restaurant five years ago is not a reliable plan. When it comes to basic tasks like lighting a gas stove or candles, Bic wand lighters are an affordable and convenient choice. Numerous experts also suggested using quick-lighting starters designed for grills, fire pits, and similar purposes, as they can easily ignite even in wet or damp conditions. Waterproof matches could also be a wise addition to your collection of fire-starting tools.
Prepackaged wipes
During a power failure, the capacity to have a hot or any shower is lost. Offering a solution are Epic Wipes, which can come to the rescue. Wheeler describes them as resembling a large baby wipe for the body. Measuring 2-feet wide, each wipe is conveniently packaged in a 3-by-5-inch container, taking up minimal space whether stored under the sink or in a backpack. Made from bamboo and infused with eucalyptus scent, these wipes are both biodegradable and derived from bamboo. Wheeler also asserts that they do not leave behind a soapy residue after use.
Batteries of all sizes
Sitting around in the dark for a long time can become boring quickly, and if you’re not careful, candles can make a bad situation worse (as house fires are very common during power outages). Wurst believes it’s important to have a diverse collection of batteries on hand because it’s difficult to remember which flashlight requires Cs and which requires Ds. Additionally, there are likely numerous items in the house that require batteries of varying sizes. If you have a solar-powered charging option (which we’ll discuss later), having extra rechargeable batteries can be beneficial. It’s important to note that all batteries eventually expire, so it’s crucial to update your supply every few years.
Hand-crank radio
During emergencies, having access to information is crucial, and a hand-crank radio can be a more dependable option compared to solar- or battery-powered radios. It operates similar to a wind-up toy, requiring a bit of effort to activate and provide functionality. This particular model, endorsed by the Red Cross, remains operational for approximately 10 to 15 minutes following 60 seconds of hand cranking. It is equipped with AM/FM/NOAA weather band analog radio capabilities. Although it may not be suitable for throwing dance parties, it serves the purpose of delivering valuable updates regarding road closures and evacuation procedures. Furthermore, it includes a solar power charger, a USB phone charging connection, and a built-in LED flashlight. It is ideal to have alternate methods of charging devices and multiple flashlights, but these additional features serve as useful backups.
Emergency blankets
When deployed, these lightweight aluminized sheets, which are tiny on your shelf, can be incredibly useful if your clothing and bedding have been soaked with flooding water. Measuring 84-by-52 inches, these waterproof blankets are capable of trapping your body heat to keep you warm while you wait for assistance. Additionally, Wright suggests that they can also serve the purpose of covering broken windows.
Reliable jumper cables
If you need to leave your home or vicinity hastily, it is important not to take any chances with a dead car battery. The Pocket Jumper is sufficiently compact to fit in a glove compartment, yet it possesses enough power to provide 20 jump starts before requiring a recharge. Additionally, it is equipped with a built-in LED flashlight and a phone charging port that can be utilized irrespective of whether you are traveling or not.