The Right Prepper Gear May Be the Difference Between Life and Death 

Let’s get real. Selecting the right prepper devices and essentials may be crucial to your survival. And while there are probably 100 prepper devices that you can add to your prepper supply, I narrowed down this list of must-haves to 10 vital prepper gear items and categories. 

My Prepper Device Evaluation System 

To create this list, I considered different types of disaster scenarios from basic weather-related events (but nonetheless still serious) to extreme catastrophic events. I thought about the gear I’d want to grab if disaster strikes. What tools would I need to survive? What gear would be nice to have but not critical? What gear is necessary to provide clean water and food for my family? And, the topic no prepper enjoys thinking about, what gear might I need for self-defense and to defend my family? 

Note that this comprehensive list of must-have prepper gear is NOT in an order of priority. Each category is equally important for its own purposes. 

1. Water Storage/Filtration/Purification Devices 

Water is a fundamental element for survival. Calculate at least one gallon of water per person per day. Consider that you need water for both drinking and sanitation needs. If at the time of an emergency, you still have access to water, you can fill up as many water containers as possible. 

However, if you need to evacuate or run out of bottled water, you may not have access to clean drinking water. Part of prepping is to own water filtration devices and learn multiple water purification methods. Filtration and purification is necessary to avoid drinking contaminated water. 

What is water filtration? Filtering water is the process of removing chemicals, minerals, metals, and biological contamination from a water source. 

Some filters include: 

:: Water bottle filters 
:: Charcoal filters 
:: Ceramic filters 
:: Survival straws 

Water purification is the process of removing bacteria, parasites, viruses, and other living organisms. Contaminated water may cause E-Coli, Cholera, Dysentery, and other waterborne illnesses. 

Water purification methods include: 

:: Boiling water 
:: Purification tablets/Chlorine/Bleach 
:: Iodine 
:: UV purifiers 
:: Reverse Osmosis 
:: Sunlight – Solar Water Disinfection (SODIS) 

If you desperately need drinking water, you can collect rainwater or water from a pond, lake, river, or stream. Do not drink the water until you perform filtration and purification processes. 

2. Food Preparation Gear/ Food Supply 

If you’re faced with a power loss, a portable stove like a wood-burning stove or rocket stove is beneficial in a survival situation. The stove allows you to boil water, heat up and cook foods, and provide warmth.  

And, of course, pre-stored food supply is ideal. Preppers typically store food ahead of time, with the recommended three to seven days of non-perishable food items per person. You need to have a well-thought-out food plan and create a supply to meet your family’s dietary needs. 

Select nutritious foods that have a long shelf-life: 

:: Canned fruits, vegetables, meat, fish, beans, soups  

:: Freeze-dried foods like fruits 

:: Dehydrated food like jerky 

:: Non-perishable food like rice, dry beans, nuts, oats, pasta, peanut butter, and nuts 

:: Military MREs (Meals Ready To Eat) …  

:: Snacks like energy bars, protein bars, protein shakes, and meal replacement bars 

There are several trusted companies that provide food for preppers like READYWISE®. 

3. First Aid Kit 

A first aid kit is a vital part of any prepper’s kit. A first aid kit is a must for prepping. Regardless of the severity of the disaster, medical attention may be required, and you must be ready to remedy the injury or illness on your own. Medical doctors, urgent care centers, and hospitals may not be available. As survival situations often include injuries, having the tools to treat wounds and illnesses is a must. When creating a first aid kit for your family, take into consideration any specific medical needs. 

Here are some must have items to consider for your first aid kit: 

:: Prescription medications 

:: Adhesive Band-Aids, bandages, and gauze for covering cuts, scrapes, and burns. 

:: Antiseptic wipes and ointment to clean and disinfect wounds. 

:: Pain relievers and anti-inflammatory medications to manage pain and swelling. 

:: Tweezers for removing splinters or glass pieces 

:: Scissors for cutting gauze and tape. 

:: EpiPen for severe allergic reactions 

:: Thermometer 

:: Bug spray & insect repellent 

:: Lip balm 

:: Petroleum jelly 

:: Rubbing alcohol pads 

:: Tourniquet 

A fully stocked first aid kit can help you manage illnesses and injuries until professional medical intervention becomes accessible. 

4. Emergency Shelter 

If you need to evacuate your home, you’ll need supplies to create an emergency shelter. A temporary shelter not only provides your family weather protection and a safe place to sleep but it also serves as a gathering base to hold all of your prepper supplies. 

Your prepper supplies should include a tent kit or at least tarps, rope, and sticks to create a tent-like structure. Using tarps, you can make a square tent, a roof tent with open sides, a teepee style, or other improvised tent shapes. Neatness doesn’t count in a survival scenario so you can create any tent shape that works using any supplies found in nature. 

When purchasing prepper supplies to build a shelter, consider how many people will need to bunk inside the shelter. Be sure to buy a large enough tent and the right number of tarps to cover the area. Double check the measurements when you purchase shelter supplies to ensure your shelter is big enough. 

Remember that disaster scenarios can happen during any season, so you must be prepared to build shelter that can withstand a variety of weather conditions. Hot, cold, wind, rain, snow, are elements that you may be faced with. 

Here are essentials for use inside/under the shelter: 

:: Emergency thermal blankets 
:: Hand warmers 
:: Sleeping bags 
:: Pillows 
:: Battery-operated fans 
:: Light source 
:: Battery or solar power sources 

5. Fire Starters 

Check out Google or Amazon for reliable fire starters. In an emergency people might need a fire to cook food, purify water, or to keep warm. Products to choose from include QuickSurvive® All-Purpose Waterproof Fire Starters, Survival Fire Starter, 4 Inch Ferro Rod, Flint Fire Starters for Hiking and Camping, Flint and Steel Survival Tool with Paracord, or AOFAR Magnesium Fire Starter AF-374 (2-Pack) Waterproof Fire Steel Pouch for Camping, Hiking, Hunting, Survival fire Striker kit … to name just a few options. 

Include these fire starters with your prepper gear: 

:: Waterproof matches 
:: Lighters 
:: Firestarter rods 

As a fire starter alternative, you can use cotton balls soaked in petroleum jelly.  

6. Light Sources 

If you’re bunkering down in an emergency shelter with no power, you’ll want to have at least one handheld flashlight per person. You always want to be aware of your surroundings, especially in the dark. Be sure that all flashlights have working batteries and pack spare batteries as well. A tactical flashlight is a high-performance, super-bright flashlight designed for use in demanding situations. A solar-powered or hand-cranked flashlight is an ideal addition to your prepper supply. 

In addition to flashlights, here are other light sources: 

:: Headlamps 
:: Solar lights 
:: Glow sticks 
:: Candles 

7. Communication Devices 

In a crisis, staying informed and connected is crucial. Don’t expect to rely solely on your mobile devices for communication during a disaster scenario. Once the battery life runs out, you’ll need to have other ways to communicate. A radio may be your only connection to the outside world and provide you with weather alerts or critical disaster information. 

Consider these options: 

:: Solar-powered radio 
:: Hand-crank radio 
:: Ham radio 
:: Walkie-talkies 
:: Whistle 

A solar generator or other power source can be a worthy investment to keep your battery-operated communication devices charged. 

 8. Multi-Purpose Tools 

Having the right prepper tools is critical during a survival scenario. However, carrying a fully stocked toolbox when bugging out is not practical. Instead, invest in a good multi-tool like a Swiss Army Knife. 

Multi-tool functions include: 

:: Knife 
:: Wire Cutter 
:: Can Opener 
:: Pliers 
:: Screwdrivers  

An ax, a shovel, work gloves, duct tape, electrical ties, and a compact folding saw can also be vital tools when prepping.  

Since your mobile devices may not be reliable during a disaster, you’ll need some way to navigate where you’re going, especially through unfamiliar locations. Add a quality compass and paper maps to your prepper supply tools to avoid getting lost or disoriented.  

9. Weapons for Protection 

In a desperate situation, self-defense may be your only option to protect yourself, your family, and your prepper supplies. Add a survival knife to your prepper gear. It can be used as a weapon to protect yourself and your loved ones and it also serves as a practical tool with many uses (like starting a fire or digging). Preppers also often include guns, sticks, clubs, and pepper spray as weapons of protection. 

10. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) 

Some hazardous conditions may necessitate protecting yourself by wearing Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). Consider a pandemic, a chemical attack, collapsed structures, and other catastrophic scenarios. You’ll want to spare yourself from the harmful effects of germs, chemical exposure, smoke, dust, debris, and other unhealthy airborne particles.  

PPE should include: 

:: Disposable gloves  
:: Disposable masks 
:: Respirator masks 
:: Gas mask 
:: Safety glasses 
:: Earplugs 

Remember, you need to purchase a PPE kit for each family member.  

Prepper Must-Haves: Takeaway 

With these 10 must-have prepper devices and items, you’ll be better prepared to handle disaster scenarios.  

Prepare in a way that’s right for your family. The end goal of prepping is to help ensure for your family’s well-being and safety during an emergency. Preparedness isn’t just about haphazardly buy supplies. It’s about developing the confidence that you took the time and put in your best effort to prepare the most appropriate essentials that you and your family will need. As a prepper, you understand that your family is worth the effort