Last Updated on September 12, 2020 by
There are lots of different ways that people define the term “prepper”. Some people think of a person with a concrete bunker and years of food rations. Some people think of the hermit that lives off the grid. My definition is any person that works towards being prepared for anything that could happen.
In order for this to be true, there are two primary types of scenarios for which one must be prepared. One is an event, typically short term, in which you find yourself away from your home. This could be bugging out into the woods. It could mean being trapped in an office building during an earthquake. It could just mean being prepared for a breakdown in your vehicle. The other scenario is being prepared in your home, typically for a long term SHTF situation. A good prepper is ready for both situations
When I first got into prepping and survival, some of the first things that I was told were that I needed a bug out bag and needed to start stocking up on supplies. A bug out bag is a pack of gear that can be used to leave your home and stay alive. In addition to bug out bags, I soon learned about get home bags and everyday carry kits.
Get home bags are smaller and normally are kept in a vehicle to help you get home if you find yourself stuck any distance from that location. An everyday carry kit consists of items you carry on your person at all times. This is for scenarios in which you cannot get to your bug out bag or get home bag. The good news is that some of the items you need can be found in all three.
I always tell people to focus on knowledge before gear. These days you can learn most of what you need to know for free by reading articles and watching videos online. When I say knowledge, learning the information is never enough. You must practice survival skills and be fully prepared to use them.
However, there are several items that can make life much easier in a survival scenario. You will need to focus on the four pillars of survival: food, water, fire, and shelter. In this article I will cover the 10 most important items to spread between your home, bug out bag, get home bag, and everyday carry kit. Hopefully this will help you narrow down where to start when buying gear.
1. Survival Knife
This is by far the most important tool to have for survival as it is nearly impossible to create a quality blade out of found materials. Take your time selecting the right one. The most reliable option will be a full tang knife which has a fixed blade. With no moving parts, it can last more than a lifetime. However, a folding blade knife is smaller and more versatile. Be sure you focus on steel quality.
I bought a survival knife early in my writing career that looked and felt excellent but dulled quickly. I had to sharpen it every five minutes. I then did my research and found a knife with higher quality steel. I have had it four years and have sharpened it once. I like a big knife with a 10 inch blade so I can chop with it, but you can go smaller if you like.
2. Ferro Rod
If you want to make a fire in the wild, a ferro rod is an excellent fire starter. It is waterproof, windproof, requires no fuel, and shoots sparks at 3000F. Lighters run out of fluid, matches run out, lenses require direct sunlight, and friction fire is very challenging. A ferro rod is your best friend for building a fire.
The above image is one of a fire starter kit, but still contains ferrocium rod structure that helps to ignite the spark just the same.
3. 550 Paracord
Cordage is another tool that is difficult to replicate using natural materials. It is vital in dozens of survival tasks. I like to keep about 250 feet of paracord around when possible. Paracord is thin but incredibly strong. In addition, you can split it open and use all of the interior stands as cordage. This means one foot of paracord can equate to eight feet of cordage when split.
4. Water Filter Bottle
The fastest and easiest way to purify water is with a filter. Most modern filters remove 99.999% of harmful pathogens from tainted water. I personally like a bottle because you can scoop up water and drink it on the go. You can also use a straw type filter or a gravity bladder filter if you have different needs. They all work the same to purify drinking water.
5. Tarp Style Emergency Blanket
This tool is perfect to keep you warm and dry in any conditions. The shiny coating will reflect 90% of your body heat back to you. You can wrap up, or you can use it to make a shelter. A tarp style shelter has interior strands like a tarp which makes is stronger and less prone to ripping. In addition, they usually have grommets at the corners making it easier to tie up for a shelter.
6. Food Storage
Any good prepper will have a good amount of preserved food set back for future use. However, there are several options from which to choose. Canned goods have a shorter shelf life versus dry goods and MREs. I like to keep a mixture of all three and rotate them regularly, so the oldest foods are towards the front. There are MRE bars available that are a true lifesaver. You get an entire meals worth of nutrients in one bar, so in a small pack weighing three pounds you get enough food to ration for a week.
7. Flashlight/Headlamp
Doing anything in the dark is difficult. Losing power is common in most survival situations. A good LED headlamp or flashlight is super bright, waterproof, and nearly indestructible. I like the headlamp because it keeps both hands free to work on other tasks.
8. First Aid Kit
Injuries are very common in a survival situation, so having a way to treat those injuries is vital. Most good sized first aid kits will have an array of oral medications, disinfectants, and bandages. I like to add quick clot, a medical stapler, and prescription medications for a more complete kit.
9. Weapons
A knife is great when you are in a pinch, but you want a higher powered weapon for self-defense and hunting if possible. A handgun, rifle, shotgun, or crossbow will give you the ability to defend yourself at a distance and hunt for food in the wild. You will need to decide which options are most appropriate for your personal situation.
10. Compass
Whether you are lost in the woods or are going on a supply run, having a way to navigate is very important. A compass is the most reliable way to accomplish this. If you have a map, it will help orient the map to get you moving down the right path. However, a compass can help you navigate even without a map.
Last Minute Thoughts
This is a very short list of important items to get set back. I could say I easily own hundreds of survival items all of which have been helpful from time to time, so make sure to also read the post entitled Doomsday Prepper List to learn more great items for survival. I have completed somewhere in the ballpark of 20 survival challenges to test items like this along with my skills. There are times I take dozens of items, and there are times I have walked into the wilderness with nothing but a knife.
These are the items I feel are the most helpful, but do not stop there. More importantly, test everything. Take your time to do your research before making a purchase, but do not rely on that research alone. As soon as you get your survival item, take it for a spin. Make sure you are happy with your purchase.
If you are not familiar with these items when SHTF, there is no point in having them. Again, I cannot emphasize enough how much more important knowledge is than any particular item. However, having these items will make your life much easier.