Are you wondering what essential prepper items you need in case of a calamity? We have already talked about what type of food should be on a preppers list and in what quantity. In this article, we will be covering the essential prepper items you will require in case of a calamity.
The type of things you need on daily basis other than food. These are things you do not want to miss and want them on your shelf for everyday use.
Here, we have compiled a list of top essential prepper items in case our world is struck by any disaster. This list will cover all of the essentials ranging from the basic to highly recommended items on a preppers list.
Without any further ado, let’s have a sneak peek into our list of essential prepper items!
Essential Prepper Items
1. Water:
Water is the most basic and obvious choice for essential prepper items. You drink water, wash clothes with it, use it to cook, and whatnot. You just cannot live without water. It is that important. For a prepper, storing water should be his first priority. According to FEMA, it is highly recommended to store at least 1 gallon of water per person on a daily basis.
For water storage, you must have large cans for filling and storing up the water. So, you can use it whenever you want. You have multiple options for storing water. It’s also a good idea to place water bottles in your shelter area if you have a basement or storm shelter. Replace your water supply every 2 years. 2 years is the shelf life for water bottles. After 2 years the plastic will start to degrade.
2. First Aid Kit:
Having a first aid kit will always come in handy in emergency medical situations. You never know when you might need them. So, it is strongly recommended to have it at your disposal. Ideally, your first aid kit should have double the number of items than the normal amount that it comes with like pain reliever and Neosporin. Here are the items recommended for a family of 4 to be included in your first aid kid:
- 2 absorbent compress dressings (5 x 9 inches)
- 25 adhesive bandages (assorted sizes)
- 2 hydrocortisone ointment packets (approximately 1 gram each)
- Scissors
- 1 adhesive cloth tape (1 O yards x 1 inch)
- 5 antibiotic ointment packets (approximately 1 gram)
- 1 roller bandage (3 inches wide)
- 1 roller bandage (4 inches wide)
- 5 antiseptic wipe packets
- 2 packets of aspirin (81 mg each)
- 1 blanket (space blanket)
- 1 breathing barrier (with one-way valve)
- 5 sterile gauze pads (3 x 3 inches)
- 5 sterile gauze pads (4 x 4 inches)
- Oral thermometer (non-mercury/nonglass)
- 2 triangular bandages
- 1 instant cold compress -Tweezers
- 2 pair of nonlatex gloves (size: large) – First aid instruction booklet
Learn more at the Red Cross website on How to Make a First Aid Kit.
3. Backpack:
You must have a backpack if you are a prepper. It can have your daily hygiene products like toothbrushes, soap, shampoo, and even the first aid kit. Or, you can have some spare clothes in it.
Generally, you would not need a backpack but what if you have to move from your current location to some other destination. In such a scenario, you would require a backpack. Although, it is safe not to change your location, but due to any course of event, if you have no other option than moving, then backpack is what you need.
4. Flashlight:
If the electricity is cut off in your area during a calamity, you would need a source of light. One of the most essential prepper items suggested by experts is a flashlight. Get a flashlight that lasts longer and is durable. As, during such a situation, you can be forced to move out of your current whereabouts due to a variable number of reasons. Even during the day, flashlights can be useful to much extent. In addition to flashlights, a prepper should also add some high-quality batteries to his list. Lithium-ion batteries are preferred. Another great option is battery free flashlights that are powered by solar or by a hand crank.
6. Wood and kerosene:
Basically, the inclusion of wood and kerosene in our essential prepper items list is due to their ability to act as a source of power. Wood can not only be used for heating our homes or cooking but also as means of cooking. Moreover, you can generate electricity with it. Kerosene has almost similar uses as wood but it is more multipurpose. Like, it can be kept in storage for a long time period as compared to wood. Also, the amount of energy obtained from kerosene is much denser. You can also use gasoline as an alternative source if you are looking for more variety of options.
7. Warm blankets, gloves and clothes:
For those of you living in cooler areas, warm blankets and clothes are a must have if you want to survive any calamity. Because in a disaster, you would not be able to buy new clothes or anything as a matter of fact. Therefore, having warm clothes, blankets and gloves is highly recommended. Try to store some extra warm clothes.In the gloves department, a prepper should also store a handful of them of the finest quality.
8. Fire:
Fire can be helpful in a variety of ways like cooking, boiling water and heating houses. You can use fire as light for seeing at night time, in case the electricity is cut off, which is highly possible in any disastrous situation.
As we talked earlier, wood should be on a preppers list. It can be used as a source of building fire. Moreover, try adding a good pile of match sticks to your stock room.
Other useful items suggested by experts and survivalists are:
- Tapes
- Medications
- Stove
- Rain coat
- Hand crank radio
- Shoes
- A pocket knife
Essential Prepper Items Conclusion
As you have guessed earlier, surviving in a tough situation is no joke. You need to be ready and prepare in advance before any calamity and disaster struck. If you have no problem with the budget, stock up everything listed here in the recommended amounts. And, if you are short on budget, prioritize and go for the items that are more essential. You can base the priority of items depending on your personal needs and likeliness.
As we have talked in the previous article, always be ready, have a positive mindset and stock up as that’s what an ideal prepper would do!
