My Revised 100 Items to Disappear First During a National Emergency

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Posted on : 3:31 PM | By : Anonymous | In :

This is going around the internet right now, and I thought I would give my survivalist, voluntary-simplicity opinion on which of these items you really need.  People grab up these things from the closest Wal-Mart in a panic without considering what they'll truly need to use.  Buy these things as part of your emergency supply right now before you ever need to be part of a panic rush to a store.  The ones in red are the ones you should get.  The blue are just not as necessary.

1. Generators - These cost a lot, you have to store the gas, they have to be outside to run and they are noisy.  If you have wood heat then the only thing you would need it for is to run the freezer while you dry and eat everything in it.  If you live in a cold climate with no wood heat, you may need it to run a small space heater but if you can find a long-term alternative, the better off you are.  Build a rocket stove for cooking (another post will follow).
2. Water Filters/Purifiers - Yes you need one or two.  Have a large ceramic filtration purifier for the home, and some small versions for the emergency kit. 
3. Portable Toilets - Chemical toilets are a pain and the chemicals are expensive.  You are better off learning to do humanure.  Then you only need a bucket and some leaves or grass or sawdust.
4. Seasoned Firewood - Wood takes about 6 - 12 months to become dried and usable.  Even if you don't have a wood stove in your house, if you have a backup rocket stove then keeping a dry cord of wood around is vital unless you want to burn your furniture.
5. Lamp Oil, Wicks, Lamps - It's nice to store flashlights and batteries but oil lamps and lanterns (get nice clear lamp oil) last much, much longer.  Think pioneer days.
6. Coleman Fuel - If you are surviving off a Coleman lamp or camp stove then you are doomed.  Don't get this stuff.  Stick to wood and candles and oil lamps.
7. Guns, Ammunition, Pepper Spray, Knives, Clubs, Bats & Slingshots - I don't really think anyone should have a stockpile of weaponry.  However, have a couple cans of pepper spray, some good pocket and hunting knives and you should be ok.  I think a hunting rifle is probably the only valuable gun for a source of food.
8. Hand-can openers, & hand egg beaters, whisks - I already don't use any electrical appliances except a toaster.  I mix everything by hand, and I open cans without electricity.  A fork pretty much can do anything a whisk or egg beater can do so it's not very vital anyway.
9. Honey/syrups/white, brown sugar  - Are people so desperate for sugar?  
10. Rice, beans, wheat - A good idea to have more of.  Again, you should have this beforehand.
11. Vegetable Oil - Without vegetable oil, you can't fry stuff.  It's not vital for survival, and if you are forced to be baking or making beans and rice over a rocket stove, the only value it has is to add fat and calories to your diet.  But it's a good idea to have around.
12. Charcoal, Lighter Fluid - If you can't make a fire without lighter fluid and charcoal, then you have much bigger problems.
13. Water Containers - Since you have to purify your water once you run out of storage, and it's incredibly inefficient to store all the water you need.  Get a big drinking-water grade jug just to have handy.  
16. Propane Cylinders - What are you going to do, have a barbecue?
17. Survival Guide Book - My book tells you how to survive long term and live well without electricity or anything else.  I would also suggest a good plant identification guide for your area and a book on foraging.
18. Mantles: Aladdin, Coleman, etc. - People don't realize that kerosine isn't supposed to be used inside.  Stick to those oil lamps with a simple wick.
19. Baby Supplies, diapers/formula, ointments/aspirin, etc. - I never know why people have aspirin listed for babies.  Babies should never be given aspirin!  You should also breastfeed and not need formula, but keeping baby wipes and diapers and Desitin around is a good idea.
20. Washboards, Mop Bucket w/wringer (for laundry) - You don't necessarily need a washtub, but it's a good idea if you want to do laundry outside rather than in a cramped bathroom in your bathtub.  Also I don't recommend a washboard or a mop bucket.  Instead, use a new toilet plunger which is much easier on your back.
21. Cookstoves (Propane, Coleman & Kerosene) - Coleman and kerosene camp stoves are not to be used indoors, and the fuel doesn't last very long.  Instead keep a rocket stove handy and some wood.  A non-electric cookstove is vital, but not one that uses canned fuel.
22. Vitamins - Possibly a good idea for anyone, but for survival?  It's questionable.
23. Propane Cylinder Handle-Holder - Once again, dependance on propane is not smart.
24. Feminine Hygiene/Haircare/Skin products - For feminine hygiene, get some reusable cloth pads like Luna Pads, and a Diva cup.  You also need soap, but to save space just get lots of bars of soap.  Don't worry about your skin and the brand of shampoo.
25. Thermal underwear (Tops & Bottoms) - In a cold climate this is essential.  We have all kinds of cold weather gear... lots of high-tech snow pants and Gortex gloves but they would be useless without a thin heat-trapping layer of thermal underwear underneath.
26. Bow saws, axes and hatchets, Wedges (also, honing oil) - These are probably more important than the guns and knives up near the top of the list, and can be used just as well for defense.  You need to be able to chop and split wood, and set up emergency shelter if necessary.
27. Aluminum Foil Reg. & Heavy Duty - You really can't go wrong with foil.  When you are baking on a fire you can make whole dinner just with this stuff and it tastes delicious.  Also great for warding off alien brainwashing.
28. Gasoline Containers (Plastic & Metal) - If you are heading into the wilderness to get away, you need to bring some extra fuel with you so that you can come back out again.  
29. Garbage Bags - These are useful for so many things.  You can carry gear in them, make makeshift waterproofing like ponchos and for emergency shelter, and cut into strips for a makeshift rope.  
30. Toilet Paper, Kleenex, Paper Towels - If you don't have water, hygiene becomes an instant problem.  You need to be able to clean up without using water, and paper towels are a handy means of doing so.  Although there are many alternatives to toilet paper, TP is still the best option so keep a supply on hand.
31. Milk, Powdered & Condensed  - I can't tolerate milk and don't rely on it now.  It's just one more luxury that you don't really need.
32. Garden Seeds (Non-Hybrid) - This is essential!  You also can't just buy your everday grocery-store seeds.  Non-hybrid means not genetically modified and unpatented, so you can save the seeds from the plants and increase your sustainability.
33. Clothes pins/line/hangers - You'll be doing laundry without electricity, and drying it that way as well.
34. Coleman's Pump Repair Kit - Only necessary for camp stoves and lanterns.
35. Tuna Fish (in oil) - Canned meat is a good idea for protein and more calories.  
36. Fire Extinguishers  - In a situation without a reliable fire department, and dealing with candles and fire all the time this is a smart idea. Keeping big boxes of baking soda can work too.
37. First aid kits - I got a good kit for not very much at Costco, but getting some heavy-duty medical supplies like wraps, butterfly clips, suturing needles and stitching thread is also a really good idea.  If you have any special medical needs get supplies for that too.
38. Batteries  - You really should stock up on wind-up flashlights and radios instead.  They last forever and don't need batteries.
39. Garlic, spices & vinegar, baking supplies - Basic foods get very bland and are bad for morale if you can't spice it up a little bit.  Spices can save you when all you have is your outlook on life.  A good meal is important.
40. Big Dogs (and plenty of dog food) - This is something I want.  I want a good dog, one that will watch my kids and keep watch over us at night.
41. Flour, yeast & salt - With this you can have bread.  If you have a hand grain mill you can have even more flour for longer (since wheat last longer than flour).  
42. Matches - Get some strike anywhere matches, and keep them in a waterproof container.  Or, even better, get a flint and lose your dependance on matches.  Get several so you don't lose it. 
43. Writing paper/pads/pencils, solar calculators - Without computers, we will all be back to writing letters.  You may need to do some math too, lol.  Actually paper gives you a million things to do to pass the time.
44. Insulated ice chests - These keep items from freezing in winter, and keeps them cool in summer.  When you can't rely on your fridge, you can make rudimentary fridge by burying an ice chest in the ground to keep food cool.  You simple line the hole with rocks, stick the chest in and keep it covered with more rocks and hay and dirt and other things to keep animals and heat out.
45. Workboots, belts, Levis & durable shirts - Not really a survival item, but you will be working harder.  When you go into survival mode you forget what you'll be wearing.  These things can all be got at the thrift store.
46. Flashlights/lanterns - Long term, you'll need to rely on oil lamps and lanterns, but in an emergency a good flashlight is a necessity.  You can now get very bright LED lights at the dollar store and they are worth it.
47. Journals, Diaries & Scrapbooks - Any paper and pencils will help pass the time.
48. Garbage cans Plastic - These are good for storage if they have wheels, because if you stick the lid on tightly animals can't often get in.  But you will be able to live without them.
49. Men's Hygiene, shampoo, Toothbrush/paste, Mouthwash/floss, nail clippers, etc - Once again, stick to soap, and although a toothbrush is important, you should have lots of baking soda around which works for toothpaste and doesn't use up very quickly.
50. Cast iron cookware - These are the best over a fire.  You should try to have a frying pan and a saucepan or large pot, and a Dutch oven if possible.
51. Fishing supplies/tools - Almost every source of freshwater has something living in it, and I think that pretty much all fish are safe for food.  
52. Mosquito coils/repellent, sprays/creams - I almost never get bit by mosquitoes, which I believe is because of my diet and because I don't use any fragrances in the products I use.  But some areas have more mosquitoes than others, and rather than using a toxic cream, get or make natural stuff and mosquito netting.
53. Duct Tape - Everyone knows that you can do anything with duct tape.
54. Tarps/stakes/twine/nails/rope/spikes - It seems to me that some of the stuff near the bottom of this list should be up near the top.  With this you can make emergency shelter.
55. Candles - Lots of just white candles.  When you burn these, put them over a plate or surface to catch the drips and melt them down so you can dip candles again.  This means keeping some wick on hand as well.
56. Laundry Detergent - Because you will be doing laundry by hand, you can't use the same detergent.  In the old days, women used lye-based strong softsoap for laundry.  You can use Borax but the real key to clean laundry is the agitation with a plunger.
57. Backpacks, Duffel Bags - Possibly a good idea.  You may need to go, and you'll need bags to put your stuff in.  
58. Garden tools & supplies - A garden only needs a shovel, and some seeds.  The other stuff is for people who are trying to avoid getting their hands dirty, but nice to have.  You also need a way to water, which can be a bucket or a watering can.
59. Scissors, fabrics & sewing supplies - Eventually you'll be making your own blankets, patching your clothes and having to do stuff yourself.  It's better not to have to carve needles out of bone.
60. Canned Fruits, Veggies, Soups, stews, etc. - Food is good.
61. Bleach (plain, NOT scented: 4 to 6% sodium hypochlorite) - If you can't boil water, a gallon of bleach can purify water:  2 drops per quart, 8 drops per gallon, 1/2 tsp. for 5 gallons.  Technically, a gallon of bleach will provide you with 3800 gallons of clean drinking water.
62. Canning supplies, (Jars/lids/wax) - This is self-explanatory.  If you can continuously add to your food storage, you win.
63. Knives & Sharpening tools: files, stones, steel - This was mentioned above... but the sharpening tools are a necessity.
64. Bicycles...Tires/tubes/pumps/chains, etc - It depends.  By yourself, yes, this is a great idea.  With a family this could be tough especially since you can't bring much with you.
65. Sleeping Bags & blankets/pillows/mats - Sleeping bags are warmer than just blankets. 
66. Carbon Monoxide Alarm (battery powered) - This is really important if you are using those kerosene lamps, camp stoves and generators.  But still you can't go wrong with alarms.
67. Board Games, Cards, Dice - Yes!  Very important!
68. d-con Rat poison, MOUSE PRUFE II, Roach Killer - Build a trap.  Having poison is a bad idea (see the next one?)
69. Mousetraps, Ant traps & cockroach magnets - You do need to protect your food storage.  But poison is bad.  So build a nice trap.
70. Paper plates/cups/utensils - You'll probably be eating lots of beans and rice so bowls are better.  Without water this is a good idea to have.
71. Baby wipes, oils, waterless & Antibacterial soap  - As noted above, without water, hygiene is a problem and these become vitals ways to prevent illness.
72. Rain gear, rubberized boots, etc. - Rubber galoshes and ponchos are cheap and work well.  If you are wading around in the water than rubber waders are a good idea too.
73. Shaving supplies (razors & creams, talc, after shave) - Do you really need to shave?  Really? 
74. Hand pumps & siphons (for water and for fuels) - Hmm...I could foresee a time when siphoning fuel could be a handy skill.  
75. Soysauce, vinegar, bullions/gravy/soupbase - Once again, spices and gravies can be the difference in morale that is necessary for survival.
76. Reading glasses - If you are dependent on glasses (like I am), you can't just have contacts.  You should have a backup pair.
77. Chocolate/Cocoa/Tang/Punch - When you boil water to purify it, it gets flat and you have to swish it around to aerate it.  Sometimes it still doesn't taste that great so you can add Tang to it to be able swallow it.
78. "Survival-in-a-Can" - This is a nifty product that you can make yourself, but it's nice for if you get lost.  If you plan to go to the middle of nowhere, each person should have one.  But if you're not in the middle of nowhere, instead of this you can just stock up candy, heat/fire tablets, tea, instant broth, aluminum foil, matches, and fruit drink.
79. Woolen clothing, scarves/ear-muffs/mittens - Winter stuff is essential in the cold.
80. Boy Scout Handbook, / also Leaders Catalog - I had to laugh at this, because although the Scout handbook is a great camping guide with some great survival information, you would do better to get the Army survival guide one of the quality encyclopedias of survival instead.
81. Roll-on Window Insulation Kit (MANCO) - I'm not sure what this is, but I'm supposing that any kind of plastic window insulation is a great idea in the winter.  
82. Graham crackers, saltines, pretzels, Trail mix/Jerky - Snacks keep your energy up and break the monotony.
83. Popcorn, Peanut Butter, Nuts - We go through sooooo much peanut butter.  Food is good for you and peanut butter makes everything good, lol.
84. Socks, Underwear, T-shirts, etc. - Are you really wanting to make yourself some leather undies?  Have backups for when yours wear out.
85. Lumber (all types) - This is great for building things you need, but I think the intention here is boarding up windows for a storm, or fortification.
86. Wagons & carts (for transport to and from) - It is possible that without fuel you could be doing a pioneer handcart thing.  Having a big cart that you can put lots of stuff in could be vital.
87. Cots & Inflatable mattress's - I think a folding Japanese futon is probably a better option, or hammocks.  They are more comfortable and easier to transport.
88. Gloves: Work/warming/gardening, etc. - The most important gloves you could get are heat or fire-proof gloves because you will be working with fire and grabbing stuff off the flame can be annoyingly hot.
89. Lantern Hangers - I'm not sure what the difference between this is and a nail hammered into the wall, but in the house an oil lamp sits on the table so you wouldn't need a hanger.
90. Screen Patches, glue, nails, screws, nuts & bolts - Two words: Duct tape.
91. Teas - Green and herbal teas, not English teas.  
92. Coffee - If you are coffee drink, get coffee.  The only survival reason to have coffee is if somebody needs to stay awake for any reason... driving, keeping watch, etc.  Keep some on hand for that reason.
93. Cigarettes - You could say that a survival situation is a great time to quit, but people who don't have their cigarettes are cranky people who don't think straight.  If you don't smoke, you could keep some on hand because like in prison, they could become a currency.
94. Wine/Liquors - Liquor is a valuable commodity as well, but wine also works as a pain reliever and hard liquors like vodka work as a method of sterilization.  
95. Paraffin wax - You'll need to make more candles.
96. Glue, nails, nuts, bolts, screws, etc. - You'll need nails and screws especially.  I didn't see hammers on the list, but that would be a necessity as well.
97. Chewing gum/candies - Keeps up energy and spirits.
98. Atomizers (for cooling/bathing) - An atomizer is a device which makes a mist.  Otherwise known as a spray bottle.  This could be good for bathing when water is scarce but a cloth works as well.
99. Hats & cotton neckerchiefs - These are essential in a hot climate, but you can also tie a t-shirt to your head.  You won't die without them.  
100. Livestock - Chickens.  If you have a flock of heritage breed laying hens and roosters, you will have a sustainable source of meat and eggs long-term.  They are transportable and eat very little.

Comments (2)

Great List!!

I was missing a few items. Thanks for the list !!!

Peter
http://www.randomously.com