The Ultimate Survival Preparation List For An Emergency Crisis

Flashlights, canned food, bottled water. Seemingly idle commodities that grace the cupboards of many, but when disaster strikes, grocery store shelves are left as desolate wastelands in people's frantic efforts to possess these items for survival. News media outlets show lines of people waiting hours for just a loaf of bread in disaster-struck areas. Why? Sadly, many are unprepared for emergency situations.

With unexpected natural disasters and the pandemic of 2020, it has opened the eyes of many in that it would be wise to develop a game plan for the next occurrence. “Always be prepared” is not a motto that should only apply to the Scouts. If you can count on anything in this topsy-turvy world, it’s that you can always expect the unexpected. Don't be one of the thousands standing in line; get prepared for life's next surprise.

How should I Prepare for an Emergency Crisis?

Preparing for emergency situations can be a slow process unless you’re a millionaire because there are a number of items to stock up on and consider. You will have to buy enough food for a minimum of two weeks and possess items that are not dependent on water or electricity for maximum self-reliance. Don’t break the bank by running out and stocking up on supplies in one visit. Rather, every time you go to the store for your regular shopping, buy two or three emergency items (or more depending on your budget) to build your cache up over time. The list provided is an outline of items necessary and useful for emergency situations.

What Food Should I Have In Store In Case of an Emergency?

Just because food options are limited during a disaster, it doesn’t mean that you and your family have to survive on just rice and beans. It is important to make sure that you have food that will provide the necessary nutrients to keep you healthy. A body under stress coupled with bad nutrition is a recipe for illness. Make sure that you are staying as healthy as possible, and if at all possible, buy organic when you can. I am listing items for several categories of food. Don’t feel compelled to buy all the suggestions. Buy what you and your family will eat.

Here are the food items you should have in store to keep yourself prepared for an emergency crisis:

Canned Vegetables:

• Carrots
• Green beans
• Pasta Sauce
• Mixed Vegetables
• Tomatoes
• Peas 

Dried or Canned Fruits:

• Dried cranberries
• Banana chips
• Plantain chips
• Raisins
• Fruit leathers
• Apple sauce
• Peaches
• Pears
• Pineapple

Protein

Canned Beans:

• Northern
• Cannellini
• Black-eyed peas
• Black Beans
• Pinto Beans
• Lima Beans
• Pinto Beans
• Kidney Bean
• Garbanzo Beans

Protein Bars : (sugar content should not exceed 15g)

• Kind Brand
• RXBAR Brand
• CLIF Bar Brand
• Paleo Protein

Canned Meats:

• Tuna
• Sardines
• Chicken
• Turkey
• Corned Beef
• Vienna Sausages
• Beef Jerky

Nuts/Seeds:

• Pumpkin Seeds
• Almonds
• Mixed Nuts
• Peanuts
• Walnuts
• Pecans
• Pistachios

Nut Butters:

• Peanut Butter
• Almond Butter
• Cashew Butter

Grains and Starches

When stocking the pantry, keep in mind that grains and starches, other than cereal, will not really serve you well if you are out of electricity or water (unless you have water to spare and an outdoor oven or grill). They, however, are a great commodity if you have both utilities and just need to hunker down. Flour makes for a really great survival food because it is so versatile. Just add sugar, water, and yeast and you’ve got yourself a recipe for bread, pizza, chicken pot pie, etc.

Flour:

• White Flour
• Pancake Mix
• Cornbread Mix
• Muffin Mix

Pasta:

• Fettuccine
• Macaroni
• Spaghetti
• Ramen
• Bow Tie
• Shells

Others:

• White Rice
• Quinoa
• Sorghum
• Grits
• Farro
• Oats
• Muesli (combination of oats, whole grain wheat, raisins, almonds, and walnuts)

Miscellaneous Food Items to store for an Emergency

These items tie everything together and add flavor to your meals:

• Salt
• Sugar
• Cooking Oil
• Baking Powder
• Baking Soda
• Vinegar (serves multiple purposes)
• Spices
• Vanilla Extract
• Yeast
• Worcestershire Sauce
• Coconut Oil
• Olive Oil

Condiments:

• Syrup
• Soy Sauce
• Hot Sauce
• Honey
• Salad Dressing
• Jelly
• Mustard
• Ketchup

Snacks

Being hunkered down in close quarters or in complete solitude can really weigh on a person. Make sure to include some fun foods that will help keep morale up.

• Cookies
• Popcorn
• Candy
• Chocolate
• Chips

Hydration

Hydration is paramount to survival; you know, seeing as a human can only survive without water for a few days. When stocking up on beverages, make sure that water is first and foremost in higher quantities than other options. Be mindful of soda or beer; they induce thirst, not quench it. Tread lightly with other hydration options.

• Bottled Water
• Tea
• Coffee
• Coconut Water
• Powdered Milk

If diarrhea or vomiting happens while you are in survival mode and you do not have Gatorade on hand. Here is a simple recipe that costs way less and available in a pinch:

34oz (1 liter) Water

6tsps Sugar

1/2 tsp salt

If you want it to taste more than just water and you have access, you can add in flavorings such as fruit juice or freshly squeezed fruit.

What are Useful Tools to Have During an Emergency?

When thinking about preparation, consider situations you could encounter. If you run out of water, you will need buckets to transport or store water. What happens if the lights go out? You will need a flashlight. With that, you will need batteries. If you lose cell service, you will have to rely on radios for information.

Here are the useful items to add to your tool list while preparing for an emergency crisis:

General:

• Glow sticks
• Buckets
• Flashlights
• Batteries
• Ropes
• Rags
• Can opener (hand-cranked)
• AM/FM Radio
• Candles
• Gas grill
• Propane for gas grill or heater
• Pocket Knife
• Duct tape
• Siphon hose and pump
• Fire extinguisher
• Survival guide book
• Fire Starters: Lighter, matches, kindling
• Blankets, sleeping bags, inflatable mattress, or cots
• Water purifiers, filters, and containers
• Rubbing alcohol
• Hand Sanitizer
• First aid kit
• Hand Warmers

Hygiene:

• Kleenex
• Washcloths
• Hand lotion
• Feminine hygiene products
• Lip balm
• Baby wipes (useful for hygienic wipe downs)
• Baby supplies if you have a baby
• Pet supplies if you have a pet
• Toilet paper
• Paper towels
• Soap
• Dry shampoo

Entertainment:

• Books
• Magazines
• Writing papers
• Pencils
• Deck of cards

An emergency crisis will never warn you before it hits, so stay prepared. Always!