SHTF List of Supplies

SHTF List of Supplies

You can worry about it – or you can be prepared! If there was ever a time that we all need to be prepared, it would be right now! Your choice and your decision can save your life. When planning your survival kit, you’ll be better prepared if you think ‘Camping’, because you will need those camping supplies.

Many people don’t understand what the word ‘prepping’ means and often confuse it with what they see on some crazy TV shows. But, it’s actually nothing more than taking steps to be better prepared in case of any emergency. Disasters happen and emergencies happen. EMP or CME strikes could happen at any time. They aren’t planned – but they should be ‘planned for’. If you talk to people who have lived through a disaster, they will tell you that they wish they had been better prepared. A disaster naturally results in a lot of confusion, but being prepared gives you a sense of calm during the storm. You know that your family will have a much better chance to get through that storm.

Take the time to look through this list and consider which items you would like to have…just in case. It’s a very incomplete list of things that you will be glad to have on hand when it hits the fan, and that day is getting closer all the time. Think about the things you would add to this list:

Start with Water

Water is the most essential thing, because we can’t live without it. NO matter how much preparing you have done, it will all be for naught without life-saving water. Nothing else will matter. Put it at the top of your SHTF List of Supplies.

When a survival situation happens, let water be the first thing you think of (other than your family, of course). Fill every bathtub, every cooking pot, every sink, plastic bucket, or water jug that you can find. I promise that you will need every drop.

You’re in luck if you have a creek or stream on your property if it has a continual supply of water. A swimming pool can be useful primarily to flush toilets and water a garden. Both ground water and pool water are full of contaminants that you wouldn’t want your family to drink without purifying.

Or, you can easily store bottled water if you have the space. Keep it in a cool, dark place so it will last longer. Plastic will leach into the water if it is exposed to heat, so try to keep it cool.

Please take this seriously! It’s hard to imagine when water is always right there in the tap, but that can change in an instant. Water is high-priority!

Food

Canning Equipment

Buy it now! A canner will be a life-saver for your entire family. You can preserve your garden crop for healthy food all year long.

You’ll need canning jars , extra lids and a canning kit as well. These are great items for barter because many people will need them.

Clothing

Don’t forget to have sewing supplies on hand because clothing will need to be repaired when you can’t run to the mall for new things. Shop now for extra fabric that might be on sale. Even if you don’t know how to sew, it could be used for barter.

Take a trip to the Goodwill or consignment store to find extra clothing. When SHTF happens, you will surely lose weight…and you might want to have extra clothing in smaller sizes. You can buy items for very little money and be glad you have them when needed.

Black-Out Fabric

During times of SHTF or war, you don’t want to be visible to criminals looking for something to steal. People have always blacked out their windows because a small light can be seen from a long distance away.

I know this sounds crazy but think about buying a bolt of black-out fabric now. Measure your windows and any other openings, and cut the fabric to a size that’s about 6″ larger on all 4 sides. Mark which windows they fit and store them in a box, and if you ever need them, you’ll be so glad you prepared ahead of time.

Weather Issues

Depending on where you live, you might need to have blankets, sleeping bags, coats and extra clothing. Blankets will also come in handy in case of injuries and shock.

Battery Operated Radio

A regular radio is a must, but a HAM radio or police scanner would be ideal to keep track of what’s happening in your area. From what I understand, police scanners are going to a more secure channel, and this type of radio would be more expensive at this point.

You have to have a license to operate a HAM radio, but you can listen in with no problem. I would suggest getting a license, joining a HAM radio club, and learning how to operate the entire HAM system. They are always a great group of people, and you can learn much from them.

Money

Barter Items

Don’t forget to put away some barter items for use when the need arises. Barter items can be anything that most people would trade for, like cigarettes, alcohol, tools, coins, food, or feminine hygiene products.

When you need something, use barter to trade for it. It’s a no-brainer!

Medical Supply List

Much Needed Supply List

Lumber and Building Materials

If you have a barn or storage building, you will be glad if you store some common sizes of lumber and nails. I would get a 5# box of different size nails. Drywall screws really come in handy in a lot of applications. There will always be some sort of building project that you need to complete and it will be nice if you have the supplies on hand. Don’t forget hand tools such as saws, drills, sandpaper blocks (and sandpaper), screwdrivers, hammers, etc.

While you’re at the home improvement store, try to pick up some large tarps and rolls of plastic because you will be sure to need them. Stock up on anything and everything you can afford. If you don’t use it, you can barter with it.

Remember that whatever you have on hand when the SHTF, it’s what you’re going to have. No more running to the store when you need something.

You might even have plywood cut in your window sizes in case you have to board up your windows for any reason. And bolts/screws to install them.

High-Dollar Supplies

You can’t imagine how night-vision can help. Criminals and looters do their best work after dark, and lives could be saved if you could see them in the dark and know where they are coming from. Your emergency list of supplies should definitely include this valuable asset. The night vision in this photo is expensive military grade, but buy what you can afford.

A generator is one of those things that you wouldn’t use very often, but when you need it, you need it! Try to have one available along with some fuel for it. A good generator to have is a dual-fuel model that you can use with propane or gasoline. It would be a good idea to order a 500-gallon tank and keep it full. These can be rented by the year or purchased.

Body Bags

I don’t want to think about this much less write about it. But, it’s a fact of life that in times like these, and we might have to address the subject. What happens if there’s a war or any SHTF situation and someone in your family dies? What if there is no funeral home to call? How would you handle it?

If there are no caskets, I believe you would feel so much better if you had a body bag that would give at least some level of protection for your loved ones against the elements. Perhaps you could wrap them in a blanket inside the bag? Google it and you can find what you’re looking for.

Make your list and fill it now! Everything’s all right – UNTIL IT ISN’T. Be prepared. We want to hear from you, so please leave comments for us. Do you have things I can add to this list? It will help all of us become better prepared for what’s coming!