Before disaster strikes, preppers will often set up a stockpile of essential supplies so they can survive after SHTF. But what about other important tools and gear like fire extinguishers or self-defense items? (h/t to TheSurvivalistBlog.net)
Before SHTF, stock up on important gear to cover all likely scenarios, like a fire or flooding. Aside from food and water, your stockpile should also include the 11 items detailed below:
Bleach
Bleach is commonly used for cleaning and sanitation and can be useful after SHTF. You can even use bleach to sterilize your drinking water. Make sure to add only a tiny and carefully measured amount of bleach to a prescribed amount of water, usually a liter or gallon. Use a dropper or consult a chart to avoid any mistakes.
You can also use bleach to sterilize tools, work surfaces and your hands when handling biohazardous materials that are vectors for germs. When buying bleach, get straight sodium hypochlorite bleach without any fragrances, thickeners, splash-reducing mediums or other chemicals.
Fire extinguisher
With a fire extinguisher, you can easily contain a small fire in your home or outdoor headquarters.
Have a fire extinguisher or two in accessible areas around your home and teach all family members how to use them correctly.
Fuel stabilizer
If you plan to use a bug-out vehicle or device that requires fuel when SHTF, stock up on fuel stabilizer.
Fuel stabilizer is crucial because liquid fuels have a limited shelf life. Gasoline specifically has an especially short shelf life, so make sure you have enough stabilizers for your fuel supply.
Hand pump
With a hand-operated pump, you can easily siphon gasoline or other fluids out of vehicles. A pump will also make it easier to extract water from difficult-to-reach areas.
If you siphon gas with a pump, use another hand-operated pump to siphon water for drinking or cooking.
Lubricants
Automobiles, firearms, motorized tools and some appliances will require regular and correct lubrication with the prescribed substances so they can function effectively and remain reliable for long-term use.
Stockpile the necessary lubricants for your car, firearms, tools and appliances before SHTF.
Materials for repairs
In a post-SHTF world, it won't be easy to find new supplies so you need an assortment of materials for repairing your tools and gear. Materials, supplies and spare parts are essential for a long-term survival plan, so stock up on things that you will need to survive.
Get plywood if you think you will need to reinforce or fix areas of your home. You should also get a variety of spare parts for your vehicle.
Here are some repair materials that you should stockpile:
- Duct tape
- Electrical tape
- Epoxy
- Nails
- Nuts and bolts
- Rope (paracord)
- Safety pins
- Screws
- Sewing kit (with zippers, buttons, etc.)
- Spare parts for firearms
- Spare tires
- Superglue
You should also learn how to use these materials so you can make the necessary repairs as needed.
Pepper spray
Self-defense skills and tools are crucial to your safety when SHTF. If you aren't confident in your physical skills, get some pepper spray for self-defense.
Unlike a firearm that's harder to hide, you can keep pepper spray concealed in your hand or pocket while traveling in dangerous locations.
Reference guides
Even experienced preppers will benefit from having various reference guides after SHTF. Fill your home and library with useful reference books about various topics like first aid, medicinal herbs, foraging and other skills. (Related: Survival essentials: 5 Solar-powered items you need for your homestead.)
Sandbags
Sandbags are bulky, but they might save your life if you plan on bugging in when SHTF.
Sandbags offer significant protection from floodwaters, and this makes them indispensable if you live in flood-prone areas and want to protect your home and property from rising or rushing water.
You can also use sandbags to construct defensive shelters for protection during a gunfight.
Hard or soft copies of important documents
If you are considering evacuating or bugging out when SHTF, prepare a secure hard or soft copy of important documents like your passport and IDs.
Vehicle escape tool
When SHTF, you don't want to get trapped in a car sinking quickly in a body of water. For easy escape, make sure you always travel with a portable vehicle escape tool in your survival kit.
This tool can also make it easier to remove a seatbelt if you are stuck in your vehicle after crashing into another car or building.
Go to Preparedness.news for more articles about other useful prepping and survival items.
Watch the video below for tips on which prepping gear to purchase on a limited budget.
This video is from the Health Ranger Report channel on Brighteon.com.
More related stories:
Prepping before SHTF: 16 Items for your survival first aid kit.
4 Kinds of gear that you’ll need to survive a post-SHTF world.
Prepping basics: A 10-item checklist for beginner preppers.
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