Emergency Items: What Will Disappear First

November 11th, 2009

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 can be expensive.  It can be a target for thieves due to the noise)
2. Water
3. Water Filters/Purifiers
4. Portable Toilet
5. Seasoned Firewood.  Wood takes about 6-12 months to be ready for home use.
6. Lamp Oil, Wicks, Lamps (Buy clear oil.  If scare, stockpile)
7. Coleman Fuel
8. Charcoal and Lighter fluid
9. Family Protection (guns, ammunition, pepper spray, knives)
10. Cooking utensils (hand can opener, whisk, etc)
11. Honey/sugar/syrups
12. Rice/beans/ wheat
13. Vegetable oil (for cooking)
14. Water containers (get more than one and in different sizes)
15. Propane Heaters and all accessories that go with it (extra propane, heads, etc)
16. Fishing accessories (line, hooks, bobbies, etc)
17. Lighting sources – short term and long term (flashlights, hurricane lamps, etc)
18. Batteries
19. Basin to do laundry in/wash boards, etc
20. Cook stoves
21. Vitamins
22. Thermal underwear (top and bottoms)
23. Tools (bow saw, axes, hatchets, wedges (honing oil)
24. Aluminum Foil
25. Propane Cylinder Handle-Holder (Urgent: Small canister use is dangerous without this item)
26. Feminine Hygiene/Haircare/Skin products.
27. Aluminum Foil Reg. & Heavy Duty (Great Cooking and Barter Item)
28. Gasoline containers
29. Garbage bags
30. Toilet paper, paper towels, hygiene items
31. Milk (canned, powdered and infant formula)
32. Work gloves, Work boots, Work Clothes
33. Seeds (non-hybrid)
34. Clothes pins/line/hangers
35. Coleman’s Pump Repair Kit
36. Canned Goods
37. Fire Extinguishers or Baking Soda
38. First Aid Kits
39. Batteries (all sizes)
40. Spices, Vinegar and Baking Supplies, Yeast, Salt
41. Dog Food
42. Matches
43. Notebooks, pencils
44. Ice chests
45. Flash lights, torches, light sticks
46. Plastic Containers
47. Cast iron cookware
48. Fishing Supplies
49. Repellent sprays, creams
50. Duct Tape
51. Garbage cans Plastic (great for storage, water, transporting – if with wheels)
52. Men’s Hygiene: Shampoo, Toothbrush/paste, Mouthwash/floss, nail clippers, etc
53. Shaving supplies (razors & creams, talc, after shave)
54. Cast iron cookware (sturdy, efficient)
55. Fishing supplies/tools
56. Mosquito coils/repellent, sprays/creams
57. Duct Tape Tarps/stakes/twine/nails/rope/spikes
58. Candles
59. Laundry Detergent (liquid)
60. Backpacks, Duffel Bags
61. Garden tools & supplies
62. Scissors, fabrics & sewing supplies
63. Canned Fruits, Veggies, Soups, stews, etc.
64. Bleach (plain, NOT scented: 4 to 6% sodium hypochlorite)
65. Canning supplies, (Jars/lids/wax)
66. Knives & Sharpening tools: files, stones, steel
67. Bicycles…Tires/tubes/pumps/chains, etc
68. Sleeping Bags & blankets/pillows/mats
69. Carbon Monoxide Alarm (battery powered)
70. d-con Rat poison, MOUSE PRUFE II, Roach Killer
71. Mousetraps, Ant traps & cockroach magnets
72. Paper plates/cups/utensils (stock up, folks)
73. Baby wipes, oils, waterless & Antibacterial soap (saves a lot of water)
74. Rain gear, rubberized boots, etc.
75. Hand pumps & siphons (for water and for fuels)
76. Soy sauce, vinegar, bullions/gravy/soup base
77. Reading glasses
78. Chocolate/Cocoa/Tang/Punch (water enhancers)
79. “Survival-in-a-Can”
80. Woolen clothing, scarves/ear-muffs/mittens
81. Boy Scout Handbook, / also Leaders Catalog
82. Roll-on Window Insulation Kit (MANCO)
83. Graham crackers, saltines, pretzels, Trail mix/Jerky
84. Popcorn, Peanut Butter, Nuts
85. Socks, Underwear, T-shirts, etc. (extras)
86. Lumber (all types)
87. Wagons & carts (for transport to and from)
88. Cots & Inflatable mattress’s
89. Gloves: Work/warming/gardening, etc.
90. Lantern Hangers
91. Screen Patches, glue, nails, screws,, nuts & bolts
92. Teas
93. Coffee
94. Cigarettes
95. Wine/Liquors (for bribes, medicinal, etc,)
96. Paraffin wax
97. Glue, nails, nuts, bolts, screws, etc.
98. Atomizers (for cooling/bathing)
99. Hats & cotton neckerchief
100. Goats/chickens

Source – www.scribd.com

For more information on disaster planning, beginners guide to prepping, societal breakdowns

Related Categories: Always Be Prepping, Shopping List

Special Book Offer: Making the Best of Basics: The Preparedness Handbook plus Free DVD! (Click Here for more information)