Emergency Items: What Will Disappear First
Do you ever wonder if a major emergency situation occurred what would disappear first?  Due to the overwhelming nature of prepping for a emergency situation, many do not know where to even began, let alone think of emergency situations they would need to prepare for. Having a ready supply of food, water and batteries are a good start, but not enough. There are many more items to have on hand besides beans, band aids and bullets.
When planning for an emergency, especially a sudden and long term emergency, think about the worst situation imaginable. For those that need some help - think of mass chaos of people running into grocery stores to get as much food and supplies as possible, gas lines that run out into the street, highways at a virtual stand still, banks not giving out money, looting, fires, the health of the elderly deteriorating due to not being able to get needed medicines, babies crying because that have no formula to drink. It’s not a pretty picture when you allow yourself to imagine it. Having supplies on hand can put a person way ahead of the game. While many who are unprepared for such a grim reality will be battling the lines at the grocery stores, those that have prepared accordingly could be packing their items up and headed for hills before many have even attempted to.
This author came across some advice from someone who has experienced a long term emergency first hand. This advice could help a person prepare not only for their well being, but also mentally prepare them for getting through the nightmare of a long term emergency.
Advice From a Sarajevo War Survivor:
Experiencing horrible things that can happen in a war – death of parents and friends, hunger and malnutrition, endless freezing cold, fear, sniper attacks.
1. Stockpiling helps. But you never no how long trouble will last, so locate near renewable food sources.
2. Living near a well with a manual pump is like being in Eden.
3. After awhile, even gold can lose its luster. But there is no luxury in war quite like toilet paper. Its surplus value is greater than gold’s.
4. If you had to go without one utility, lose electricity – it’s the easiest to do without (unless you’re in a very nice climate with no need for heat.)
5. Canned foods are awesome, especially if their contents are tasty without heating. One of the best things to stockpile is canned gravy – it makes a lot of the dry unappetizing things you find to eat in war somewhat edible. Only needs enough heat to “warm”, not to cook. It’s cheap too, especially if you buy it in bulk.
6. Bring some books – escapist ones like romance or mysteries become more valuable as the war continues. Sure, it’s great to have a lot of survival guides, but you’ll figure most of that out on your own anyway – trust me, you’ll have a lot of time on your hands.
7. The feeling that you’re human can fade pretty fast.  I can’t tell you how many people I knew who would have traded a much needed meal for just a little bit of toothpaste, rouge, soap or cologne. Not much point in fighting if you have to lose your humanity. These things are morale-builders like nothing else.
8. Slow burning candles and matches, matches, matches
Emergency Items That Disappear First
1. Generators (Good ones cost dearly. Gas storage, risky. Noisy…target of
thieves; maintenance etc.)
2. Water Filters/Purifiers
3. Portable Toilets
4. Seasoned Firewood. Wood takes about 6 – 12 months to become dried, for home
uses.
5. Lamp Oil, Wicks, Lamps (First Choice: Buy CLEAR oil. If scarce, stockpile
ANY!)
6. Coleman Fuel. Impossible to stockpile too much.
7. Guns, Ammunition, Pepper Spray, Knives, Clubs, Bats & Slingshots.
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 (Will become scarce suddenly)
13. Water Containers (Urgent Item to obtain.) 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
23. Propane Cylinder Handle-Holder (Urgent: Small canister use is dangerous
without this item)
24. Feminine Hygiene/Haircare/Skin products.
25. Thermal underwear (Tops & Bottoms)
26. Bow saws, axes and hatchets, Wedges (also, honing oil)
27. Aluminum Foil Reg. & Heavy Duty (Great Cooking and Barter Item)
28. Gasoline Containers (Plastic & Metal)
29. Garbage Bags (Impossible To Have Too Many).
30. Toilet Paper, Kleenex, Paper Towels
31. Milk – Powdered & Condensed (Shake Liquid every 3 to 4 months)
32. Garden Seeds (Non-Hybrid) (A MUST)
33. Clothes pins/line/hangers (A MUST)
34. Coleman’s Pump Repair Kit
35. Tuna Fish (in oil)
36. Fire Extinguishers (or..large box of Baking Soda in every room)
37. First aid kits
38. Batteries (all sizes…buy furthest-out for Expiration Dates)
39. Garlic, spices & vinegar, baking supplies
40. Big Dogs (and plenty of dog food)
41. Flour, yeast & salt
42. Matches. {“Strike Anywhere” preferred.) Boxed, wooden matches will go first
43. Writing paper/pads/pencils, solar calculators
44. Insulated ice chests (good for keeping items from freezing in Wintertime.)
45. Work boots, belts, Levis & durable shirts
46. Flashlights/LIGHTSTICKS & torches, “No. 76 Dietz” Lanterns
47. Journals, Diaries & Scrapbooks (jot down ideas, feelings, experience;
Historic Times)
48. Garbage cans Plastic (great for storage, water, transporting – if with
wheels)
49. Men’s Hygiene: Shampoo, Toothbrush/paste, Mouthwash/floss, nail clippers,
etc
50. Cast iron cookware (sturdy, efficient)
51. Fishing supplies/tools
52. Mosquito coils/repellent, sprays/creams
53. Duct Tape
54. Tarps/stakes/twine/nails/rope/spikes
55. Candles
56. Laundry Detergent (liquid)
57. Backpacks, Duffel Bags
58. Garden tools & supplies
59. Scissors, fabrics & sewing supplies
60. Canned Fruits, Veggies, Soups, stews, etc.
61. Bleach (plain, NOT scented: 4 to 6% sodium hypochlorite)
62. Canning supplies, (Jars/lids/wax)
63. Knives & Sharpening tools: files, stones, steel
64. Bicycles…Tires/tubes/pumps/chains, etc
65. Sleeping Bags & blankets/pillows/mats
66. Carbon Monoxide Alarm (battery powered)
67. Board Games, Cards, Dice
68. d-con Rat poison, MOUSE PRUFE II, Roach Killer
69. Mousetraps, Ant traps & cockroach magnets
70. Paper plates/cups/utensils (stock up, folks)
71. Baby wipes, oils, waterless & Antibacterial soap (saves a lot of water)
72. Rain gear, rubberized boots, etc.
73. Shaving supplies (razors & creams, talc, after shave)
74. Hand pumps & siphons (for water and for fuels)
75. Soy Sauce, vinegar, bullions/gravy/soup base
76. Reading glasses
77. Chocolate/Cocoa/Tang/Punch (water enhancers)
78. “Survival-in-a-Can”
79. Woolen clothing, scarves/ear-muffs/mittens
80. Boy Scout Handbook, / also Leaders Catalog
81. Roll-on Window Insulation Kit (MANCO)
82. Graham crackers, saltines, pretzels, Trail mix/Jerky
83. Popcorn, Peanut Butter, Nuts
84. Socks, Underwear, T-shirts, etc. (extras)
85. Lumber (all types)
86. Wagons & carts (for transport to and from)
87. Cots & Inflatable mattress’s
88. Gloves: Work/warming/gardening, etc.
89. Lantern Hangers
90. Screen Patches, glue, nails, screws, nuts & bolts
91. Teas
92. Coffee
93. Cigarettes
94. Wine/Liquors (for bribes, medicinal, etc,)
95. Paraffin wax
96. Glue, nails, nuts, bolts, screws, etc.
97. Chewing gum/candies
98. Atomizers (for cooling/bathing)
99. Hats & cotton neckerchiefs
100. Goats/chickens
Source
Author: Tess Pennington
Web Site: http://www.ReadyNutrition.com/
Date: November 11th, 2009
Related Categories: Emergency Checklists, Preparedness
Good site , i’ve already stockpiled a tent , combat sleeping bags , utensils , water purifier and tablets , hexamine , army rucksacks and all weather gear. We have a 200 acre forest near our house and when the warning signs begin i will be making food caches.
I have vitamins , batteries and large supplies of water and pasta so far as well. 2 crossbows for hunting and otherwise.
i am building my stockpile every month…i think it is inevitable and i want to give my family every chance to survive…it’s no use depending on the govt…they will save theirselves.,..
Think people…
Wow Gavin! It sounds like you are taking preparedness seriously. And it’s a good thing. You can never prepare enough in my opinion.
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Caches are a great way to store supplies away for an emergency situation. In the book, The Patriots, a character in the book stashed away an extra pair of boots in a cache, not really thinking he would need them. It turned out that the boots were the most important item he needed besides food.Â
Building your preparedness supply every month is a fantastic point that the readers should know about. If a person is able to continuously prepare, then their supply will not only increase, but having these supplies creates a sense of security. Personally speaking, you can never have too many preparedness supplies. Everyone can always use another survival item.Â
In the grand scheme of things, preparedness is a state of mind. Through prepping, we become more self reliant on ourselves and not on others.Â
Gavin, thanks for sharing how you are preparing. It will give readers a good idea of what to have for a long term disaster.
Regards,
Tess
Ready Nutrition
I really loved reading your blog. It was very well authored and easy to understand. Unlike additional blogs I have read which are really not that good. I also found your posts very interesting. In fact after reading, I had to go show it to my friend and he enjoyed it as well!
Regards,
<a href=”http://www.iprepare.com/”>emergency supplies</a>
I guess it’s all relative to where one lives, as well as how long the disaster might go on. Since I live on the Gulf Coast, I see propane, kerosene, LP, bottled water, tuna/spam, powdered milk pretty much fly off the shelves every time we’re in a 3 day cone.
But I only recently discovered a few new things to add to our list: prescription drugs (we’d never been on them for previous storm preps), pet formula (yes! I had some field cats give birth, tried buying formula just in case, but was told that local pet caring centers – can’t remember what they’re called – clear them out every storm!).
We learned the hard way how long pharmacy lines are when a known-disaster is headed our way. But I was relieved we even got DH’s BP meds before Ike, since he only had a week’s worth left. We tried doing the 3 months prescription thing, but now he’s on a med for something else, and stupid insurance wouldn’t allow 3 months prescriptions. We have a different insurance now, thanks to you for making me think of this, I’m contacting them soon to see what can be done.
Oh, and how many know how to make coffee without power or gas? Maybe it’s just my neck of the woods, but when we were raking the street drains, we met our newest neighbors, asked them if they wanted coffee, and all theirs and our other neighbors heads all turned at once when they heard me ask. I ended up making 3 pots in a row to get everyone served LOL (we bought a bigger camp coffee pot later on haha). The other neighbors SIL mowed our grass to chop up small debris, without us even asking, awwww coffee makes friends ^_^
I really enjoyed reading this and that’s a very good idea to build littl by little everymonth. A lot of a little is alot, I wish I could but unfortunately I dnt have enough space in my barracks room lol (yes in military) I think one very impportant thing to consider is this, when shit hits the fan people who are not prepared WILL turn into a pack of wolves. They WILL group up and prey upon the “weak” I gaurantee it there’s already gangs everywhere where do u think they will go once food cnt be found? into your home into my home into anyones stuff they think they can find something. thy won’t care who they hurt, it will be there most basic instinct coming out…survive…. home defence will be crucial, although probably the most expensive. Haha oh yeah and the whole toilet paper thing…. last year went 60 days without a real toilet or real toiletpaper, stupid afghanaland, and yeah not something u think bout now but when u dnt have it….. Well it just miserable
pTP = prepare to protectDKL
For an alternative view of collapse, check out the work of Dmitry Orlov and his book, “Reinventing Collapse.” He lived through the collapse of the Former Soviet Union.
Most people see collapse as a switch: it’s either “business as usual,” or “Mad Max.” However, Orlov describes five levels of collapse. It is only Level 5 that people on this blog are preparing for! It could take quite some time to reach that level, and one should be preparing for intermediate levels of collapse.
For example, 45% of food in Russia comes from 7% of agricultural land, from “dacha gardens” that individuals grow. Russia could not feed itself without that! And yet, I see an emphasis on stockpiling, rather than producing. If you are stockpiling, you are part of the problem, not part of the solution!
Number one: start producing your own food and energy. It is not simple to do; you need to learn it. In all but an Orlov-Level-5 collapse, you’ll probably not be interfered with in food production, particularly if you have an excess to barter with neighbours. Because it is not simple to do, “roaming hoards” are an over-rated fear.
There is nothing better than being prepared for any situation..gives me a great feeling knowing that no matter what happens to some degree I am ready. Â I even have my neighbor working with me..the basics..food..water..clothing and a roof. Â Then we worked on storing propane and fuels..then garden tools and seeds. Â Its just a nice feeling and hopefully my kids will find it and think I was crazy..that’s OK …
Gavin wrote “We have a 200 acre forest near our house and when the warning signs begin i will be making food caches.”
In reality the 200 acre forest will be over ran within days by “instant survivalist” of the Golden Horde all setting up camp in that forest and all thinking that they are going to live off the land …. While perhaps no one visits your 200 acre “retreat” during the good times – i can guarantee that 1000′s of folks have the same idea that you do and when you finally get to your cache – you may find that someone is already setting up camp at that location – or has stumbled across it already.Â
If you can’t put a fence around it – or call it yours and protect it with armed resources — then your just hoping that someone else doesn’t find it first. Â
Thanks for the list. I have all the stuff now, but am unable to locate a backpack that it will all fit into that my wife finds comfortable enough to carry long distances. Any suggestins? Â (you always come through:-)
Hi Timothy,
A reliable pack is crucial in a bug out situation. Because of the supplies you will be carrying, you want a pack that has a solid frame to support you and the contents inside, but is still lightweight. I bought a solid pack at http://www.BassProShops.com, but had buyer’s remorse afterward because the pack itself is 6 lbs. I am keeping it as a back up but plan on getting an ultra light pack in order to keep the weight down. Check out the ultra light packs at http://www.REI.com. This outdoor store is more expensive, but all of there products are good and high quality. Here is a link to a women’s ultralight backpack:
http://www.rei.com/product/827065/rei-flash-52-pack-womens
If anything, you can contact this store and tell them what you are looking for and they will be more than willing to help you find the best pack for her.
Hope this helps.
Tess
I just want to recommend “Gregory Backpacks”. Their packs come in various sizes. I have been living abroad for over 15 years and I’ve had to move around quite a bit, mostly in Asia. There is a debate about pack sizes, large volume versus small volume. For me, large volume is the choice because you can always sinch up a big pack so as to decrease it’s volume. But, that isn’t possible with small packs. You can’t make them big. Not really. I have a mountain smith 75 liter that I’ve been using for the past 8 years. I recently finished doing the Annapurna trek where I saw Europeans using Gregory packs. I was impressed. They make really big ones and the one I will next purchase will be a a 105 liter Gregory, called the Whitney.  What is really nice about Gregory packs is that they are super, super comfortable, they have various means by which to open them.  Finally, I want to mention that, in addition to finding a big pack, one with zipper openings and one which is comfortable, Gregory packs are also very durable and beautiful to the eye. In closing, I want to add that in a real life crisis situation, you don’t want to have gear that breaks, or which cannot handle the stresses that you might want to put it through. Confidence matters. Do you think your gear will last say 5 years of life on the road? Think about it. Next, you don’t want to be backpacking with a pack that causes physical pain to your body. Reducing all sources of and potential sources of physical discomfort will allow for greater of ease in a potential situation in which it is no longer easily poissible to transport oneself via cars. Try to open your mind to all of the potential dangers and equip yourself as best as possible. Â
Good luck everybody. Â
I came to your site to double check my lists; never can be too careful you know. Great articles, tips and other resources!
Here is what I find lacking in most people’s preparedness plans: knowledge and attitude. Being prepared with food and supplies is fantastic, but can you handle the harsh realities, fears, depression, isolation, and all of the other mind games you will have to endure?
Fear, and irrational thinking and actions, will kill more people than lack of food. A prepared mind can be the most important tool you can ever own.
The reality that I prepare for is widespread Islamic terror attacks within our borders. America is not prepared for the day the A-team of terror is unleashed; the unthinkable tactics that Hezbollah will use to cripple our nation will impact our citizens in a way that few can imagine.
Make sure you prepare as advised on this great site, but put a little time into preparing your mind and soul also.
Hi Jack,
I whole heartedly agree with you. To set a solid foundation, we need to be mentally and spiritually prepared before we really get into the hard core preps. Thanks for you comment.
Best,
Tess
Hi, can you give any advice if you are unable to get put of dodge? My husband is ill and I have stocked piled his meads as much as I can and lots of food about 2 years worth and we have a deep well and a shallow well I can pump out by hand and yes, I have guns and plenty of ammo and know how to use them and will. But we are out in the open on farm land. And since we have know one to help or group with. I need some advice.
Chris
Hi Chris,
I see your dilemma. If you are determined to bug in, I would start working our your security preparedness and start looking into finding ways to protect the perimeter with your land. Investing in tall shrubs or trees may be helpful in concealing your home. Depending on the area you live in, I have also heard great things about bamboo. They are very prolific, extremely strong and are multipurpose. You could plant a wall of bamboo to help detract unwanted visitors. Further, you may want to consider starting a survival group to help you protect what is yours.
If the worst were to happen you can be assured that organized bands of looters will be ready to take everything you have, including your life. They’ll be heavily armed, well versed in their tactics, fully committed to the mission at hand, and they won’t be taking prisoners.
These looters will be looking for a prepared household to steal supplies. Some things they may look for are a running generator, a visible garden, or even a flicker of light in the middle of the night may be simple mistakes that can have significant repercussions for you and your family. Ensure that you find ways to camouflage these.
Here are some items to consider:
Black out curtains
Reinforced locks
Shatterproof glass
Barbed wires
Walkie talkies
Binoculars
Mechanical warning devices
Guard dogs
Here is an article about securing your home with multiple security layers: http://readynutrition.com/resources/home-invasion-preventitive-security-layers-to-protect-the-home_30062010/
And, if you are interested in keeping your garden out of sight, you can read this article: http://readynutrition.com/resources/survival-food-series-secret-survival-garden_10092010/
Also, if you are over run, you want to consider having two evacuation routes with a cache of food and supplies at your designated evac spot.
These are a few thoughts and I hope they help get you on the right track.
Best of luck,
Tess
Thank you for all your advice. You have some really great ideas. At this time I still do not have a plan B. But I’m looking into everything I can. One thing that I’am is heavily armed myself, and will at least take some out with me and I wont go down without a darn good battle.
 I live in Oregon and anything will grow. I have hidden some food and other stuff away from the house, but where I live everybody will be heading for Mt.Hood and I live by the only darn town to get there. So all the roads and back roads will be blocked with others trying to get away.
 I will go to the web sites you gave me. And get going on plan B and C.
 Thank you again.
ChrisÂ