I need help with putting together survival essentials

Hello all, I have finally started putting together a survival kit. Perhaps kit isn't a very good description. I guess you could call it a survival room, because that's how much stuff I am getting together. I need some help with some "outside the box" thinking. I'm looking for some suggestions on items that I should have just in case the SHTF. Obviously flashlights, food, clothes, guns, bullets, a generator, and stuff like that is essential, but I know that my fellow ATSers are very smart and are great at thinking outside of the box, so any suggestions?? Also, please keep it as cheap as possible, and pretty simple. I don't want anything that requires a PHD in astrophysics to figure out. Thanks.

There are multiple valuable threads in this forum/Survival...give some of the pertinent ones a glance...

So much information on this subject has been posted and discussed.

I think it's a good idea, you are thinking along these terms.

My first thought was water. Where do you get your water? If you have a well, do you have means to get it out if your electric goes out? Do you have knowledge and items to help purify water?

While there are some basics you should always have, to go beyond that requires thought and planning.
What are your short, mid, and long term survival goals?
Where are you, and where do you plan to go or be when TSHTF?
Who are you? By this I mean; what skills do you have? what is your physical condition? who else will be with you?
Why are you preparing? By this I mean; what is it that you believe will happen and what conditions will most likely accompany or result from that scenario?
How will you prepare? Do you need new skills? Do you need to get in shape? Do you need an emp resistant vehicle?

You have to critically examine your position and set realistic goals. You can't just toss a bunch of stuff in an alice pack and "be done".

any kit is dependant on the type of doo doo that hits the fan,work out different types of problems such as earthquakes/fires/zombies/justin beiber clones and try and see how you could combat the problem

the main aim is to be as flexible as possible so if you cant get caught out as much as possible so dont spend a fortune on a expensive generator only to find that its immovable due to your truck its mounted on has to be left behind due to the roads are so bad you cant drive it etc

a good question is "what if such and such happens, what will i do" and apply it to every item.

forget the kit/room and move to south america, far enough away from the US that their surveillance ability is of no value, then learn to mesh with your new home and forget about doomsday survival scenarios, because you will be out of their reach

I would google the words "survival advice" if I were truly just getting into a survival stash.
From there you will have to decide what you may legally get yourself and you have some moral questions.
Good luck on your study.

reply to post by AuntB


I was thinking about water too. So far I have come up with a water purifier/pump and several replacement filters. Of course this assumes that I will still have a water source. I could store water, but it would eventually go bad.

reply to post by DarthMuerte


See, this is what I'm looking for. Thanks for the perspective. When I start to do something I tend to get tunnel vision, and I rarely see the big picture.

Some someone said to Google or check ATS for tons of info, data, and comments about your quest. I would suggest that you seriously question your own mind about who you are and your general philosophy toward life and your fellow humans. Some of my comments below get into the nitty-gritty aspects of mating a world view with the reality of the moment.

Start with the basics that you constantly can carry on your person and work up from there. For example, maybe just a pocketknife, some cash and, yes, a cell phone.
The next level is what you would need and could carry if you had time to stuff a packpack and unwillingly get out into your climate.

The next level would be what you carry in your vehicle on a daily basis if the time comes and traffic comes to a halt. Perhaps the backpack from above, comfortable hiking shoes and some food and water.
The scope of "necessities" widens of course, if you equipt your personal living space, a room or a house, etc.

Your choices in each level, even the first, depends wholly upon what you deem important to your needs and well-being for the duration of the situation you believe you will face.

Endless arguments rage over weapons versus other equipment and supplies. Basically, if shooting a possibly threatening person first is your top priority for survivial, then by all means, wear a high-cap pistol, a huge bowie knife and carry an M-4 with spare mags.

Weaponizing yourself gets extremely complicated depending most importantly upon where you are at the time of crisis, the situation, what is at hand, and where you intend to wind up. I'm more inclined to believe that one of the new "pocket pistols" that can be fired from a pocket is about your best gun to carry from the first level through to the very end. What you have at home in the closet may never be important. Displaying a weapon, especially a long gun, even if still slung, in trying to make your way to another area is going to get you a bullet before you even see the gunman or hear the crack of the shot. He is hiding and very intent on survivial too...at your expense.

Originally posted by OptimusSubprime
reply to post by DarthMuerte

 

See, this is what I'm looking for. Thanks for the perspective. When I start to do something I tend to get tunnel vision, and I rarely see the big picture.

You have to look beyond the tactical situation and consider the strategic. What is the old saying? Those who fail to plan, plan to fail.

reply to post by OptimusSubprime
Steel wool and batteries (9 volt) for fire
Make sure your flashlights are LED, they'll last longer
Socks. Tons of socks. If your feet are cold you'll be cold if your feet are miserable, you'll be miserable. Socks make great bandanas, gloves, insulation, containers for ammo etc. Sockssockssocks

Hope this helps

Originally posted by beezzer
reply to post by OptimusSubprime

 

Steel wool and batteries (9 volt) for fire

While that works, it is a poor idea to plan on that as your primary fire source. What else is the steel wool for? If it serves no other purpose, why carry it? A magnifying glass takes less room, flint and steel are more compact and useful. Knowledge of how to build a fire with with only natural materials is even better.

Originally posted by beezzerMake sure your flashlights are LED, they'll last longer

Even better is one that supplies it's own power instead of using batteries.

Socks. Tons of socks. If your feet are cold you'll be cold if your feet are miserable, you'll be miserable. Socks make great bandanas, gloves, insulation, containers for ammo etc. Sockssockssocks

Agreed, though I only carry 3 pair. 1 to wear, 1 to dry, 1 to carry for spare.

Hope this helps

reply to post by OptimusSubprime


There are several things that will always make life easier in a bad situaltion. As some said before start with what you have on you, and work your way up from there.
Keep in mind that space and weight will be a factor, I say that, because even if you don't think or plan to bug out, you still need to have that option...the more options you have the better and if you have things that have several uses..then thats also good. Things to think about...is to have things to maintain what you have..like a stone for sharpening your knives, axes, and hatchets. Oil for lubing up your blades, weapons and anything metel, to help prevent rust. Fishing line for fishing, lashing, sewing, and anything else you might think of...above all else, know your gear, and equipment, know what you need and how to make the best use of it for your situation.

reply to post by DarthMuerte
Flint and steel are fine, magnifying glass doesn't work well when cloudy or at night. A nine volt and steel wool are small, work under damp conditions and do well at night.

LED flashlights are also small and lightweight. The flashlights that generate their own power are bulky.

And if your good with 3 pair, then rock on.

I'm sticking with a dozen in my BOB.

reply to post by OptimusSubprime


I hav been buying my survivalneeds from Amazon.com, I tell you this because you will save alot of money and they literally have anything and everything you would want for your survival setup. Peace

Originally posted by lbndhr
reply to post by OptimusSubprime

 

I hav been buying my survivalneeds from Amazon.com, I tell you this because you will save alot of money and they literally have anything and everything you would want for your survival setup. Peace

You want to save money? Buy used equipment from flea markets and private owners.

ETA: Also by buying with cash from these sources, no one knows what you have; especially Uncle Sam.

I posted this for somebody else but it still applies:

Here is a start:
SALT: Its cheap, buy 10 pounds per person at 44 cents a 1 lb 10 oz box its easy to stock
Sugar 25 pounds
Honey 12 pounds
Salmon in cans: 2 servings per person each can about 2 bucks
Tuna in OIL
Vienna sausages
SPAM
Chicken in cans
Canned PUMPKIN
Large jars of peanut butter
Box of cocoa
Dehydrated apples (Honeyville)
Powdered milk in cases: I go with Honeyville brand its the best tasting!! I have tried many brands.
Wheat: Go for the wheat berries sold by the case from LDS, they are only 28 bucks for 30 pounds, you need many cases per person
A large Thermos: You take a cup of wheat berries and 1 cup hot water, put in thermos let set overnight. Open and add some honey or sugar and enjoy the cereal. You will survive!
Rice: Same thing, LDS is about 30 bucks a case... These are designed for up to 30 yrs storage
Beans: I bought cases but they take such large amounts of water.....I suggest also buying them in the cans! They can stay good 8 years from exp date. Get black beans, kidney beans and black eyed peas for nutrition
Get a solar oven
Yeast packs
dutch oven
Ramen noodle cases
Stock up on toothpaste: Here AIM is 87Cents a box get toothbrushes
Baking Soda
Stock up TANG
Buy bottled juices, large cans of fruit
Laundry soap to have on hand
Shampoo soap etc
Bleach a few gallons
BABY WIPES!! I buy these by the large packs..In case you cant flush the toilet you can still wipe the tail
I also use lanterns with oil, get xtra wicks, extra packs of lighters!!
Tarps, paracord,
Bug Out Bag.....
Duct Tape
Aluminum Foil
WATER!!!
WATER FILTER this to me is The BEST, I love this one, www.katadyn.com...

BUY THE BOOK
SAS Survival Handbook: Teaches you everything you need to know about shelters, traps, how to clean animals etc..

BUY THE BOOK:The Ultimate Food Storage Cookbook!!!

If you dont know how to square foot garden: LEARN NOW!! Seed to Seed is all non gmo seeds
Learn how to build an outdoor oven to bake your own bread

Aluminum Trash Cans, build a cold shelter in your backyard (if you have one) in a pinch with these and a shovel

Buy some antibiotics, vitamins, vitamin c etc....

reply to post by OptimusSubprime


I see a lot of these threads over time and I really dont understand why. There are no definitive answers to this question of what should I take and no amount of resources is enough anyway, depending on the reason one has to survive of course.

reply to post by OptimusSubprime


Hello there OptimusSubprime,

First of all I have to say to get the best blade you can on your budget if you havent already, my personal favourite is the Machete, or to be more precise, the ESEE Lite Machete.



Now if you have family I seriously recommend getting all of them their own knives (morakniv are the best for the price and come highly recommended by all survival and bushcraft experts) and teaching them how to use safely and efficiently, and how to care for the blades. This alone will save more lives than any other tool/equipment on the face of the planet

Good Luck.