Essential survival supplies: 4 Must-have prepper lists

05/21/2024 / By HRS Editors

Lists help preppers stay organized because being a prepper means you take the necessary steps to help your family get ready for different survival scenarios.

One such step involves preparing a variety of bags and kits for your different prepping needs, such as an everyday carry kit, a car emergency kit, a bug-out bag and a get-home bag. (h/t to MiraSafety.com)

Prepping an EDC kit

As the name implies, an everyday carry kit (EDC kit) is part of your daily prep.

Your EDC kit will often include an assortment of items that can help you withstand common survival scenarios. Depending on your needs, your kit may include a weapon, a fishing kit or other items that you may find useful in scenarios specific to your location.

Below is a list of items for your EDC kit:

Cash
Cell phone
An extra set of car keys
First aid kit
Multi-tool
Notepad and pencil/pen
Pocket knife/hunting knife
Power bank/portable charger

You can also add or remove some items if you think other things are better suited for your EDC needs. (Related: Prepping tips: How to prepare a food storage starter kit.)

Prepping a car emergency kit

If you or someone in the family drives a lengthy distance or commutes to work daily, a car emergency kit can mean the difference between getting back on the road quickly and being stranded for a long time while you wait for help.

Below is a list of items for your car emergency kit:

Antifreeze (One gallon)
Battery-powered jump starter
Bottled water (Two to five gallons)
Blankets
Car escape tool (Must include a seatbelt cutter and window breaker)
Car fire extinguisher (ABC type)
Durable bag to store all items
Extra gloves, boots, wool socks and a stocking cap (For colder climates)
First aid kit
Flashlight and extra batteries or a flashlight that doesn’t need batteries
Flat tire inflation canister (Non-explosive)
Granola bars or energy bars
Jumper cables (12-20’, get the right gauge for your vehicle)
Multi-tool
No-spill gas can (Two to five gallons)
Paper towels or rags
Pen and paper
Road maps
Roadside flares or glowsticks
Roll of duct tape
Seasonal supplies (Such as rain gear, an umbrella, ice scraper, etc.)
Small, foldable shovel
Small tool kit (With tools like an adjustable wrench, pliers, screwdrivers, tire pressure gauge, vise grips, etc.)
Spare car fuses
Spare tire and jack
Two quarts of oil
Washer fluid

Prepping your bug-out bag

Before you prepare a bug-out bag (BOB), you should try to improve your overall physical fitness so you can carry a heavier load. This also means you can bring more useful items when SHTF and you need to evacuate to your bug-out location.

Below is a list of important survival items for your BOB:

Emergency whistle and signal mirror
Fire starting tools and tinder
First aid kit
Flashlight and batteries
Food (Trail mix, energy bars, and other foods that will sustain you for at least 72 hours.)
Hunting knife or machete
A Mylar sleeping bag or a tent
Portable camping stove
Toiletry kit
Tools for hunting or fishing
A weather-appropriate change of clothing
A weather-appropriate hat (Baseball cap, woolen winter cap, or bandanna)
Water, and a way to purify water if your supply runs out

Prepping your get-home bag

Think of your get-home bag (GHB) as a complimentary item for your BOB.

Your GHB includes various items that will help you get home safely during an emergency. And while it is similar to a BOB, there are some differences.

If you travel to and from work every day, you should prepare your bag as if your normal transportation back home is unavailable.

Because the main purpose of the bag is to get you home, it isn’t typically built to sustain you for days. This means it should be significantly lighter than your BOB and heavier than your EDC kit.

Keeping your GHB light is necessary since you might need to walk home after SHTF while you’re at work or elsewhere. If possible, you can keep your get-home bag in your car.

Below is a list of things for your get-home bag:

A change of clothes
Collapsible survival stove and fuel
Extra cash
Fire starting kit
First aid kit
Flashlight or headlamp
Food and snacks
A pair of gloves
A hat
Lightweight tarp and tent stakes
Map and compass
Metal water bottle
Multi-tool
Paracord
Poncho
Power bank
A sturdy backpack
Survival blanket
Survival knife
Walking shoes
Waterproof coat for cold weather
Water purification tools
Weapon for self-defense

Where to get high-quality supplies for your prepping bags

The Health Ranger Store is committed to helping you prepare for any emergency, whether it’s bugging in when martial law is declared in your city or bugging out before a natural disaster, like a hurricane, strikes.

Organic cashews are a great snack food for your bug-out bag or get-home bag.

Our Health Ranger Select Organic Raw Cashews (Whole & Pieces) are carefully grown under strict organic standards by trusted growers and are not exposed to radiation, fumigation or toxic chemicals. Our premium raw cashews are completely non-GMO, non-China, certified Kosher and organic.

Health Ranger Select Organic Raw Cashews (Whole & Pieces) can be eaten straight out of the bag or combined with granola bars and trail mixes.

You will also need sturdy ropes or cordage to set up your tent when SHTF.

With many survival uses, Ranger Gear UHMWPE Braided Survival Cord 1.5mm is the perfect cordage for your basic survival needs. It’s also versatile enough for everyday applications.

In terms of strength per mm of thickness, Ultra High Molecular Weight Polyethylene (UHMWPE) cordage is stronger than 550 paracord, nylon and Kevlar cordage. It’s also buoyant, meaning it floats on water and is excellent at resisting abrasion.

You can check out the Health Ranger Store and the Brighteon Store for more survival gear and clean food supplies for your prepping needs.

Watch this clip for a quick recipe for Creamy Cashew Pesto Pasta Salad.

This video is from the Health Ranger Store channel on Brighteon.com.