Essential Checklist for Emergency Preparedness & Outdoor Adventure Planning

Including Vehicle Preparedness - Latest Update

By Denis Korn

NOTE: The demand for the information given in this list has been significant - so I am posting it again with additional comments and items. I have decided to keep adding comments under selected items on a continuing basis - so you may want to periodically check back at this post for new comments. There are listed both convenient and essential items required for proper preparedness & adventure. Only you know your unique situations and anticipated scenarios - prepare accordingly.

Many of the items listed in this checklist are available on this website. We will be adding new items and categories continually so please visit us.

This exceptionally comprehensive essential checklist for emergency preparedness should be a crucial assist in your emergency, survival and outdoor adventure planning - study it carefully! It is one of the most (if not the most) comprehensive lists available - thankfully copied by many.

For most people planning for emergencies is similar to planning for a camping trip or any other outdoor adventure where the normal conveniences of home are not available. The biggest difference is determining whether to plan for being away from home or in your own residence - or perhaps both. The equipment to include in your emergency kit or camping supplies list will be very comparable. Differences and variations will generally depend upon the severity and length of time you anticipate for your emergency scenario. Long term emergencies and outdoor explorations will require, in addition to this list, more extensive planning and provisioning.

Important questions to answer as you do your planning:

• Are the equipment and supplies necessary to fulfill your needs going to be based on how cheap they are, or on the quality, value, and reliability of the product?
• What are the repercussions or benefits from the choices that are made?
• Who is affected?
• What chances are you willing to take with inferior and inadequate provisions?
• What will the climate be during the emergency or adventure - weather and political?
• What is the probable availability of essential goods and services at the location where you are or where you are going for your adventure or during your anticipated emergency?

Although this list is an authoritative and comprehensive compilation of crucial supplies for emergency preparedness and outdoor adventure, these suggestions focus on basic necessities, and are not intended to be an exhaustive and detailed list of all choices, as each person or group has their own special requirements and needs. While there are numerous options to choose from in each category, use this guideline of essentials to ensure you have evaluated all the possibilities given the scenarios and circumstances for which you are preparing and provisioning , whether for preparedness planning or outdoor adventuring.

Your comfort, enjoyment and life may depend upon it!

Be clear about the time factors, persons involved, and situations that you anticipate will occur in an emergency or an outdoor experience. Knowing this information is crucial to stocking the appropriate items in the appropriate quantities. Many of these items will be essential for bartering if supplies are exhausted and the emergency you are preparing for is long term.

Proper provisioning is about safety, health, protection, comfort, and peace of mind - for not only you, but also your family and friends.

Items with an asterisk * are recommended for a "grab-and-go bag" or "bug out bag." This is an easily accessible bag you keep near by to grab when you only have a moments notice to evacuate. Items with a double asterisk ** indicates items for your bag whose quantity will depend on the length of your anticipated emergency scenario. You may require more than one quick-grab-bag depending on your specific needs.

As a complement to this checklist I highly recommend answering the questions in: The 12 Crucial Questions of Preparedness Planningarticle.

THE LIST

1. Carrier for Provisions

If you anticipate having to relocate, have your transportable supplies in one or two easily accessible carriers, especially if you must leave in a hurry.

• *Backpack
• *Large duffel/canvass bag with duel shoulder straps in case it has to be carried for some distance
• Lightweight suitcase/sturdy container/Food and Supply Brick®
• Wheeled device

An obvious necessity for everyone. Know what water sources are available to you during an emergency, or in the outdoors. Plan accordingly and don't hold back preparing for this essential category. Don't go cheap!

• *Gravity/hand pump water purifier/filter/extra cartridges/straw filters
• *Bottle purifier/filter
• *Purification tablets - Chlorine Dioxide/iodine
• *Separate containers for dirty and treated water
• Multiple containers depending upon situation
• WaterBricks® water container
• Camelback® & bladder type containers
• **Specially packaged water (5+ years storage life), Aqua Blox®
• **Bottled water (2 years storage life) - can be filtered or treated if older
• Solar or stove top distillers
• Survival Still® non-electric portable distiller
• Desalinators for salt water
• Reverse osmosis purifiers
• UV purifiers
• Additives - colloidal silver/bio-active silver hydrosol/stabilized oxygen/BioFilm drops
• Chlorine (5.25 % sodium hypochlorite, non-scented only with no additives - 6 drops per gallon)
• Manual pump if near a well
• Water gathering supplies - plastic tarps/containers/instructions
• Water stored in your own containers - large and small

Numerous options are available. This category must be accessed carefully depending upon the length of time of the emergency or outing, and severity of circumstances you anticipate might occur. Remember, certain foods will require more water and fuel to prepare - is this appropriate to your anticipated situation? Would you store foods for an emergency that you would not normally want to eat? Foods should be shelf stable and easy to prepare. Consider nutrient dense foods not empty calorie foods. When considering whole grains, seeds, legumes and beans don't forget sprouting.

NOTE: Many newer food companies are promoting their pouched foods to have a 25 year plus shelf life - beware! Many of these food companies market their foods as "survival" foods - they are just that - eaten to survive only - their quality, packaging and shelf stability is questionable. Would you store foods for an emergency that you would not normally want to eat?

• **Bars/energy bars/trail mix/food tablets
• **Other eat-as-is simple and nutritional compact/nutritionally dense foods
• **Freeze-dried/dehydrated from established companies in pouches, cans or bulk - numerous varieties available
• Canned - wet pack
• **Retort wet-pack pouches/trays/self-heating meals
• **MRE's (Meals-Ready-To-Eat) - military specs (These military designed rations were developed for troops to be eaten for no longer than one month at a time - they are not appropriate for exclusive long term consumption)
• Boxed - eat as is/mixes/individual items
• Baking soda (numerous uses)
• Non-perishable basics
• Powdered items - milk/cheese/whey/vegetables/fruits
• Wild foods/foraging - get a good illustrated guide
• Bulk commodities - Rice (brown rice has a short - 6 months - shelf life), grains, seeds, honey, beans (smaller grains and beans are good for sprouting and cook quicker with less water)
• Bulk freeze-dried, dehydrated, air dried, instant, just-add-water, powders - fruits, vegetables, beans, pasta, oats
• **Ready-to-eat comfort and nutritional foods
• Garden seeds if appropriate - longer term scenarios - heirloom/organic (You will find many who promote storing garden seeds. You must research the shelf life, storage conditions and germination viability of the different varieties you are storing - they vary considerably. Garden seeds alone are inadequate without tools, gardening knowledge, the ability to remain in place and of course water. In the long term emergency situation where survival depends on growing your own food, significant planning is vital.)
• Supplements - vitamins/minerals/powdered green drinks/energy formulations
• **Concentrated energy powders/bars/tablets
• Condiments/seasoning blends/salt/coffee/tea/bullion/sweeteners (as natural as possible such as stevia and coconut sugar)
• Gravy - dry mix or canned (can be added to bland foods for flavor)
• Cooking oil (olive oil in a steel container has a decent shelf life - avoid hydrogenated oils containing trans-fat)
• **Special needs foods - Those with food intolerance's/nursing mothers/children/medical conditions
• Baby foods
• Red wine
• Freeze-dried meats
• Tuna fish in oil/sardines - high protein and long shelf life
• **Cooking/heating required for the foods you have in your grab-and-go bag?

If you must relocate and plan on cooking or heating water, consider lighter weight and efficient equipment.

• **Stove - camping/alternative/very portable/Kelly Kettle®
• **Pots and pans - stainless steel/cast iron/non-stick - avoid aluminum
• **Utensils
• Pressure cooker
• **Cookware kit
• Grills
• **Fuel - propane canisters/butane canisters/white gas/alcohol/wood/solid fuel cubes/charcoal/kerosene/lighter fluid
• *Water/food bottle
• *Hand operated can opener/opener on knife or multi-tool/P38 (for all of us military folks)
• 5 or 6 gallon plastic buckets
• FoodBricks® - from WaterBrick® company
• Cleaning supplies
• Chlorine bleach - non scented
• *Plastic bags/containers
• Cheese cloth
• Thermos for "prepare in container" whole and cracked cereals (Add about a 1:1 ratio of boiling water and cereal - mix in dried fruit, nuts and sweetener if desired - close container tight - let sit a few hours or overnight.)
• Knife sharpener
• "Package-you-own" equipment and supplies
• Solar oven with cookware/GoSun Solar Stove/All American Sun Oven (both units will also purify water)
• Manual grain mills/grinders/juicers/mixers/beaters
• Sprouting equipment - portable and/or stationary/sprouting jars
• Canning equipment if appropriate
• Twist-ties
• Corkscrew/bottle opener
• Paper plates/bowls/cups/towels
• Coffee filters - has multiple filtering uses
• Small storage containers
• Aluminum foil

Be prepared for any situation and the possible need to start a fire, especially if weather conditions are severe.

• *Flint/magnesium starters
• **Waterproof tinder/very fine steel wool/products designed to start fires in adverse conditions
• **Windproof high quality lighters/disposable Bic type lighters
• **Matches in a waterproof container/storm proof matches
• Magnifying glass

When your health and survival during a medical emergency is at stake, you don't want to rely on cheap or inadequate medical supplies. This is an important category to thoughtfully evaluate. Don't forget medications or products needed for those with special medical conditions.

• *Quality kit with adequate components for a multitude of emergencies
• *Accessories - dental emergencies/suture kit/snake bite kit - instructions/tweezers/safety razor blades/cotton balls/scissors/safety pins/tick removal
• Syrup of Ipecac (to induce vomiting if poisoned)
• *Essential prescription medications/allergy medications/birth control
• *First Aid manual
• *Insect repellant (non DEET recommended)
• *Sunscreen/lip balm
• *Eyeglasses/sunglasses/contacts/repair kit
• *Copies of prescriptions
• *Foot care/moleskin/blister pads
• Aspirin/Tylenol/ibuprofen/other over the counter drugs for minor issues/antibiotics
• Homeopathic remedies
• Colloidal Silver - internal/external - gel
• Herbal kits/aloe vera
• Dust masks/gas masks
• Potassium Iodate (Iodate is recommended over Iodide)
• Isopropyl alcohol/rubbing alcohol
• Anti-itch salve
• Medications for head lice
• Ear plugs (it could get noisy at night)
• Quik Clot® (stops bleeding)
• Baking soda/hydrogen peroxide
• Tourniquet
• Thermometer
• Latex gloves/Nitrile - latex free gloves

Depending on individual circumstances and your location, it is vital to prevent any problems that might arise from unsanitary conditions. Take precautions to ensure a disease free environment. The length of an emergency and living/camping conditions require different approaches to personal hygiene.

• **Personal hygiene items - soap/toothbrush/toothpaste/shampoo/deodorant/hair brush/comb/dental floss (multiple uses)
• **Feminine hygiene
• **Treated towelettes/waterless wipes
• **Sanitary toilet provisions - portable toilet/powered chlorinates or lime/disposable urinals - solid waste bags
• *Plastic bags
• Latex gloves/nitrile - latex free gloves
• **Toilet Paper
• Towels
• Solar shower
• *All purpose soap/cleaning agents
• *Anti-bacterial sanitizer
• Kleenex
• *Nail clippers
• Lime/disinfectant/bleach
• Cloth diapers (multiple uses)
• Small shovel

For warmth, comfort, and protection from insects and the elements.

• *Proper and adequate clothing for the appropriate season and location
• *Appropriate shoes/socks/boots/snow shoes/extra laces
• *Rain gear/poncho/rubberized boots
• *Cold weather gear - coats/layered clothing/thermal underwear
• *Hat/gloves/bandana
• Extra stuff sacks
• Insect head net
• Belts - regular/military type with small pouches

For protection from insects and the elements, warmth, sleeping, comfort, privacy.

• *Tarps
• Plastic sheeting/large plastic trash bags
• *Tent - *tube/*lightweight/regular
• Shelter building material
• Nylon patch repair kit/seam sealer
• *Sleeping bag - *emergency/*lightweight/*bivy bag (small individual size tent/bag)/compact lightweight/regular down bag
• Sleeping pad/cot/air mattress
• Hammock
• *Emergency blankets
• Regular blankets
• Sheets
• Hand/body warmers
• Insect netting
• Extra stakes/rope/bungee cords
• Umbrella

It is essential to be kept informed during an emergency with friends, family, and appropriate governmental agencies and emergency organizations. When in an outdoor environment, unsettled weather considerations necessitate weather alert radios. Avoid a sense of isolation during serious emergencies.

• *Radios - hand cranked/solar/batteries
• Two-way radios
• Short wave/CB (citizens band)/GMRS (general mobile radio service)/FRS (family radio service)/VHF (very high frequency) radios
• Ham radio for radio amateurs - need license to transmit and/or radio with Ham frequencies for listening
• Radios with NOAA (government agency) weather channels (7) and weather alerts if necessary in your area
• *Cell phones/smart phones/charger
• Satellite phones
• *Whistle
• *Signaling devices/flares/mirror
• *Notebook/pen - regular & space pen that will write in any weather and position/markers/waterproof paper
• PLB (personal locator beacon)
• Small TV - battery/solar operated
• Telephone not requiring external power
• Morse code chart

This is an essential category to address when anticipating any situation where you may be in darkness. Not only for a sense of security and comfort, but to be able to see clearly and act accordingly if emergencies happen in the dark.

• *Flashlight - hand cranked/solar/batteries/LED and regular bulbs
• *Lantern (*small or large size) - hand cranked/solar/batteries/propane/mantel/ candle/LED and regular bulbs
• Oil lamps - kerosene/clear lamp oil/wicks
• Strobe light
• *Head Lamp
• **Extra batteries/power source
• **Candles
• Extra mantels/extra propane canisters
• Light sticks
• Solar charger for charging rechargeable batteries

12. Tools - Instruments - Accessories

Numerous unforeseen situations or just routine conditions occur during an emergency or during an outdoor adventure. Be prepared and secure with the proper quality tool.

• *Knife/knives/knife maintenance/sharpener
• *Multi-tool/Swiss Army knife
• *Navigation/compass/GPS device
• Repair tools - hammer/screwdrivers/pliers/wire cutters/nails/screws/nuts & bolts/crowbar/spikes/pulley
• Repair Kits
• *Axe (*small or large)/saw (*hand controlled chain or special outdoor)/hacksaw/wood splitting/wedges
• *Rope/wire/bungee cords/straps/paracord/heavy cordage/cable ties
• *JB Weld/super adhesive/superglue/epoxy
• Goo remover
• Lubricating oil/WD-40®
• Chain
• Padlocks
• *Work gloves
• Shovel/multi-purpose folding shovel
• Garden tools if appropriate
• Fishing/hunting/trapping gear/Ronco Pocket Fisherman®/snare wire
• *Duct tape/Hurricane tape/nylon repair tape/patches
• *Plastic bags/trash bags/plastic sheeting
• *Aluminum foil
• *Sewing and repair supplies
• Velcro
• Safety goggles
• Weather condition instruments/thermometer
• *Watch - regular/multi-featured
• Binoculars
• Stuff bags for organizing
• Scissors
• Rubber bands
• Small broom/rake
• Buckets
• Files
• Clothes pins
• Dust/gas masks
• *Siphoning tube/hose
• Hand pump
• *Auto/bicycle/boat emergency items (keep in vehicle)
• Can of red spray paint to indicate emergency information
• Shut-off tool for gas/water supply
• Tool for braking auto glass and cutting seat belts/webbing
• Fuel - gasoline/diesel/kerosene/propane
• Fuel stabilizer
• Fire extinguisher

13. Emergency Instructions - Guidance - Support - Back up - Personal Documents

Important and accurate information can not only be helpful it can be life saving. Researching reliable and trustworthy information sources is a vital component to preparedness and outdoor survival planning. Establishing family communication and reunion plans is also essential for security and peace of mind. Certain documents should always be available.

• Books/*Bible/novels
• Morale builders - personal items that help children and adults cope in stressful situations
• *Medical information
• *Emergency/survival information
• *Manuals appropriate for equipment you have
• *Maps
• *Pen/magic marker/paper/chalk
• *Compass
• Edible wild foods publications/field guides
• *Essential personal documents - photo ID/will/insurance/stocks/bonds/birth certificates/DD214/bank account & credit card numbers/family records/personal property inventory for insurance/deeds/pink slips/passports/ Social Security cards/check books/credit and debit cards/irreplaceable photographs and certificates - IN WATERPROOF CONTAINER
• *Phone numbers and addresses of friends, relatives, and emergency organizations/agencies
• *Spare keys
• *Instructions on meeting and/or communicating with family and/or friends during or after an emergency
• Duel language dictionary if appropriate
• Solar calculator
• Back-up computer discs/flash drives
• Laptop/iPad/tablets/PDA's/mp3-4 players
• *Entertainment - music/instruments/cards/games

14. Power - Energy

A reliable power supply can be crucial in an emergency or for various outdoor recreational activities. Many valuable communication, radio, entertainment and lighting devices require power. Currently there are a number of dependable portable solar (large and small), storage, and hand operated units available to power your electronic devices.

• *For power - a small portable solar charger for electronics and rechargeable batteries
• For lighting
• For radios
• For electronic devices
• For communication
• *Hand cranked radios and lanterns with USB charger & power cords
• Solar/storage/hand cranked power devices - fuel free portable power/small power packs
• Solar panels
• Generator - gas/propane/back up fuel
• Appropriate linking cables
• *Batteries of all sizes - alkaline/rechargeable
• *Battery charger - wall/car/solar
• Deep cycle battery
• Inverter

15. Cash

It is impossible to know for certain what circumstances might exist during a serious emergency and for what duration normal financial activities will be disrupted. Access to electronic funds or use of credit cards may not be possible. Cash or barter may be the only means of paying for goods or services.

• *Cash in smaller denomination bills
• Gold/silver coins
• Smaller items for barter
• *Credit/debit cards

16. Personal Security

Each individual must decide the extent to which they will provide protection for themselves and their families from physical harm by others or wild animals. Don't forget fire safety.

• Weapons/ammunition/gun cleaning supplies/bow hunting supplies - If you have firearms make sure all those who might use them are properly trained
• Tazer
• Mace
• Pepper Spray
• Bear repellant
• Sling shot
• Clubs/bats
• Fire extinguisher
• Large dog

17. Special Needs

This category must not be overlooked if you, other family members, or friends have specials needs and require individual attention.

• **Personal items specifically required by special needs individuals
• **Medical items and prescriptions - consider having an adequate supply on hand in the event of a unforeseen and prolonged emergency
• **Special foods or other items for children/elderly/disabled/nursing mothers
• *Children's items for comfort and a sense of security - blankets/dolls/toys/diapers/pacifiers
• **Pet needs

18. Transportation Support

An often overlooked category, specific transportation support must be assessed especially for longer duration emergencies or for outdoor activities where the transportation devices are critical. Evaluate these options, determine which ones you will utilize, determine what you will need to ensure safety, comfort, repair potential, and adequacy to handle the transportation of your provisions.

• Motor Vehicle - car/truck/van/RV/motorcycle/extra gas/repair and emergency equipment/trailer
• Boat - motorized/sail/canoe/kayak/paddle/inflatable/folding
• Scooter - gas/electric/solar
• Bicycle - regular/folding - repair parts/tire pump - special towing cart/small gas engine
• Horse
• By foot
• Wagon/garden cart/wheel barrow - for manual needs

Emergency Preparedness Items for Automobiles - Trucks - Vans - RV's

These items are especially important for long trips, family outings, new younger drivers, inclement weather, remote areas and at night.

• Spare tire
• Jack with tire iron and supporting tools
• Device to break window and cut seat belts from the inside in an emergency
• Tire inflation device - portable power and/or aerosol can inflator/other tire repair materials
• JB Weld®/super adhesive
• Jumper cables
• Portable power unit for jump starting and backup power
• Tow cables/rope
• Chains/cables/bungee cords for tightening
• Crowbar
• Reflectors/flares
• Hidden spare key
• Extra oil
• Extra gas/funnel if appropriate
• Siphon hose
• Extra fan belts/bulbs/hoses/additives/sealers/hard to get parts/repair kit
• Window scraper
• Important phone numbers/documents/insurance information
• GPS device if appropriate
• Empty gas can
• Material to gain traction if stuck in snow or ice - cat liter/sand/wood shavings/old rug

Additional critical items from the above Essential Checklist to carry in your vehicle:

• Tarps
• Blankets/emergency sleeping bag
• First Aid kit
• Baby supplies
• Food and water/water purification/containers if appropriate
• Maps
• Pen/magic marker/paper
• Personal documents and photo ID/registration/insurance
• Gloves
• Duct tape
• Rope/wire
• Repair tools
• Plastic bags large and small
• Cell phone/smart phone/charger
• Emergency radio/hand crank radio
• Emergency lighting
• Rope/wire/bungees
• Small solar/12 volt power packs for small electronics
• Cash/credit card
• Extra clothing in harsh and/or wet weather/hat
• Hand/body warmers
• Rain gear/rubber boots/poncho
• Knife/multi-tool
• Whistle
• Toilet paper
• Towels
• Shovel
• Small fire extinguisher
• Matches/fire starter
• Extra batteries
• Personal protection devices or items as appropriate/pepper spray
• Refer to the Essential Checklist for other items relevant to your vehicles specific needs.

Reproduction of this vital Checklist for other media is granted if Denis Korn and PrepareDirect is appropriately credited

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