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