Survival Items for Emergency Prepping
April 6, 2022 by Linda Loosli 33  Comments ,

Survival Items for Emergency Prepping

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I’ve been wanting to share some survival items for emergency prepping for some time. Here’s the deal, some of my readers are newbies and some are very experienced in being prepared for the unexpected. This post will hopefully remind all of us to check, rotate, donate, or replenish those items we really need.

I’m so thankful for all of you because in our comment forum we can learn from each other. It’s helpful to take stock of what we do have and add a few things here and there as our space and budget can accommodate additional items. You don’t have to spend a boatful of money to be prepared.

It costs money, oh yeah, but you can find items at garage sales, thrift shops, or shopping online. Please be aware, that none of us had a pallet delivered with everything we needed all at once.

You start with the basics and add to them. I’m going to share what I did to get started with my preparedness plan. Keep in mind that I am 72 years old, so I’ve had at least 50 years to accumulate the items Mark and I need.

Survival Items for Emergency Prepping

Survival Items for Emergency Prepping

I need to insert something here to give you the preface for my post today:

You can survive 3 minutes without breathable air

You can survive 3 hours without shelter (if you encounter harsh cold or heat)

You can survive 3 days without drinkable water

You can survive 3 weeks without food

With this in mind, let’s get started.

Water

The American Red Cross, and most government agencies, suggest one gallon of water a day per person. Not me, I suggest 4 gallons per person per day. I get thirsty just thinking about only one gallon per day per person.

We need water for hydrating, cooking, personal hygiene, and rehydrating some of our food storage. Plus, we want at least clean underwear every day, right? These are the things you will need:

  • Big Berkey water filtering system, something similar.
  • Emergency washing machine. I’ve invested in two of these gems, Lavario. I started out with homemade washing machines. Homemade Washing Machines
  • Berkey Sports Bottles
  • WaterBricks and WaterBrick Spigot
  • BlueCans (Please note, Brownells is the cheapest place to buy these. I buy the ones with 24 cans to a case). Get your name on the waiting list to purchase these, they sell out but get replenished often. This is my favorite water to stock. I have 28 cases and every year I add six more cases. They store easily under beds and in closets.
  • Water Preserver, you only want to rotate water every 5 years with this stuff, six months if you use scent-free bleach.

Food

Here’s the deal with food, I can’t recommend purchasing freeze-dried food right now because the prices are ridiculously high. Because food is expensive any processed food is expensive. I’ve been prepping for years and have a lot of freeze-dried food. BUT, I have been buying it over the course of ten years or more. Not all at once.

Even dehydrated food, which is cheaper, is still more expensive than it has been. It doesn’t last as long on your shelves as freeze-dried, so why not just buy some canned goods. You’ll need rice, beans, and wheat. Yes, wheat is in high demand right now, and in short supply.

I see people panic over the price of wheat. Well, it has gone up in price, but unless you have a wheat grinder or know how to make bread you may want to wait a while to purchase these items to is if the pricing comes back more in line with historical prices. Yes, they will likely go up in price until things stabilize in the global economy, we all know that. If you feel strongly about buying wheat, if you can find some, I suggest hard white wheat. It is mild and makes better bread than hard red wheat.

Bricks of Bread

Remember those whole wheat loaves of bread grandma used to make? We called them bricks and they were made with hard red wheat. If your plans are only to make bread, don’t waste your money on SOFT white wheat, it’s best suited for pastries and cakes. Just giving you the heads up. I used to teach bread-making classes at Bosch stores.

Read More of My Articles  How To Be Prepared For Extreme Cold Weather

When I see people getting hand-crank grinders, I shake my head. They are so hard to grind wheat. I need one if the power goes out, but man, will it ever be hard to grind. The smaller ones are even worse to grind because of their reduced capacity.

Yes, I have a hand grinder as well as two electric ones. I highly recommend this hand grinder, I saved for two years to get it. Remember my motto, buy right the first time. I have the GrainMaker and now they sell a smaller one. I would get this one, today. GrainMaker #99

As far as electric models, I have a KoMo Classic (out of stock right now). I used a NutriMill for years (these are out of stock right now). I had a WonderMill as well. They are three great machines.

I promise you, if you use my no-fail recipes to make bread, you will be hooked for life. There is nothing better than homemade bread right out of the oven, and it fills the belly. If you have fresh ingredients, you can make bread, I promise. Please store SAF Yeast, Dough Enhancer, and Wheat Gluten in the freezer. Dough enhancer and wheat gluten make your bread soft and fluffy. These are the one-pound loaf bread pans I use, Fat Daddio Bread Pans

5 from 2 votes
Whole Wheat Bread
Print
Whole Wheat Bread For Two
Prep Time
15 mins
Cook Time
30 mins
Let It Rise
2 hrs
Total Time
2 hrs 45 mins
 
Course: Bread
Cuisine: American
Servings: 2 one-pound loaves
Author: Linda Loosli
Ingredients
  • 1 1/2 cups warm water
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1/4 cup or so of honey
  • 1/2 tablespoon salt
  • 1/2 tablespoon SAF instant yeast
  • 1/2 tablespoon dough enhancer
  • 1/2 tablespoon wheat gluten
  • 1/2 tablespoon lemon juice
  • 3-1/2 to 4 cups whole wheat flour
Instructions

  1. Start adding the ingredients in the order shown above with one exception into your mixing bowl…start with 2 cups of flour and slowly add more flour until the dough pulls away from the sides of the bowl. I use a Bosch Mixer.

  2. I grew up making bread without a mixer. It can be done by hand. I grew up letting my bread rise twice so I still do that. Old habits are hard to break!

  3. I mix it for 10 minutes in my Bosch. Cover with greased plastic wrap until it doubles in size.

  4. Punch down and form dough into two one-pound loaves. I let the dough rise one more time with greased plastic wrap.

  5. Remove the plastic wrap Bake the bread at (350°F) = (76°C) degrees for 27-30 minutes. If your pans are larger you will bake your bread longer. You will love making whole-wheat bread, I promise!!

No-Fail White Bread

5 from 1 vote
Bread Sliced
Print
White Bread: 2 Loaves
Prep Time
15 mins
Cook Time
27 mins
Total Time
42 mins
 
Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: American
Servings: 2 one pound loaves
Author: Linda Loosli
Ingredients
  • 1 cup warm milk
  • 2 tsp.  SAF instant yeast
  • 2 tsp. dough enhancer (optional)
  • 1 egg
  • 1/8 cup oil-I use olive oil
  • 3/4 tsp. sea salt
  • 1/4 cup sugar
  • 1/4 cup warm water
  • 3 to 3-1/2 cups white bread flour
Instructions

  1. I start with a Bosch bread mixer, although you could make this in a bowl. I put the yeast, warm water, salt, oil, and sugar in the bowl.

  2. I then add the eggs and lightly mix them in the Bosch so the egg does not “cook”.

  3. Then I add the warm milk and flour slowly. I continue to add flour until the bread dough pulls away from the sides of the Bosch bowl.

  4. Then knead the dough for about 7-8 minutes. I place the dough in a greased bowl and cover with plastic wrap.

  5. Let the dough rise until it's double the original size. Then punch down the dough and make it into loaves and place these in greased pans (this recipe makes two-1-pound loaves).

  6. I let it rise once again (using the same plastic wrap) until doubled in size.

  7. Remove the plastic wrap and bake them at (350°F) = (176°C) degrees for 27-30 minutes. I lightly butter the tops of each loaf after baking and remove them from the pans.

Recipe Notes

HOW TO MAKE SCONES aka Fry Bread

  1. I start with a very large skillet and heat the oil one to two inches deep until I can spritz a few drops of water into the oil ever so carefully, then I know it’s hot enough.
Read More of My Articles  Emergency Preparedness-Make A Plan

  2. You will start with one ball of dough about the size of a tennis ball, maybe a little smaller, but bigger than a golf ball.

  3. Then mash the dough with the palm of your hand on a greased countertop and use a rolling pin to roll the dough from the center out. You keep rolling from the center out until they are very thin.

   4. Then place them in the hot oil really carefully because the oil will splatter. Here’s the deal, yes, it’s a big mess, but I’m talking about memories right now.

   5. Adults and kids always love hot scones. You fry them until they are golden brown, and turn them over to cook the other side until that side is golden brown too.

72-Hour Kits or Bug Out Bags

I have lists for everything, my friends. Please start with a few items and add to them as needed. How To Make 72-Hour Kits. Years ago we had some terrible floods in the community where we lived, Farmington, Utah. The local school and church provided a place for families to go for short-term refuge. What was amazing, no families thought to bring their 72 Hour Kits/But Out Bags.

I’m not sure who they thought was going to provide food, water, and other supplies, but many were disappointed, I’m sure.

First Aid Kits

I have several ways to make first aid kits that will fit your style. In case you missed this post, First Aid Kits-What You Need To Survive Many of us learned some first aid at a young age in Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, Brownies, or other organizations we might have belonged to. I think some schools actually taught some classes in first aid.

Families who have first aid kits and know how to effectively put them to use are way ahead of those who don’t. Have some sessions with your kids so they can use the kits when you aren’t around. It may save their lives.

Flashlights or Lanterns

I’m so thankful that Matt mentioned OLights for flashlights, I love them. I also love having solar models that can be placed on window sills to catch the sun’s rays. Batteries didn’t seem to last long in Southern Utah where we lived for over 12 years. We were used to having our solar units fully charged just by putting them on the window sill. What a comforting feeling knowing you have light when needed.

Solar Flashlights and OLight Flashlights.

Cooking Devices and Fuel

If you are starting out, please get a butane stove and some extra fuel canisters. If you live where you have a lot of sunshine, I recommend a SunOven. A Dutch oven can be used to boil water outside (if you have fuel stored), cook a meal, and even make bread or pizza. 6-Quart Dutch Oven or Sun Oven or Butane Stove

This is how I store fuel, I love pictures, so I want to share how I store the various types of fuel. In case you missed this post, Emergency Fuel To Store For Survival Check out my posts about Volcano Stoves and other cooking devices. You never know when you might have to put them to use. Train your kids on how to start a fire without resorting to lighter fluid!

I color-code everything with matching Gamma Lids. I buy my 5-gallon Colored Buckets and matching Gamma Lids from Pleasant Hill Grain.

Survival Items for Emergency Prepping

Emergency Binder

In case you haven’t gathered all of your important documents together, you may want to compile a grab-and-go emergency binder. Mine is free and easy to assemble.

FSM FREE Printable Emergency Binder Download  Please be patient for it to load and the PDF document should show up on your computer on the bottom left side of your laptop or computer monitor. Once the document finishes loading, it will be ready to click and print. I prefer printing it on cardstock, and it’s actually in color if you want to print with a color printer.

Survival Items for Emergency Prepping

Final Word

I hope you enjoyed my post about survival items for emergency prepping. We all have to start somewhere, a little at a time. Yes, we can do this and then we can sleep at night knowing we can take care of our family. We can’t depend on the government to deliver food, water, or even shelter after a disaster. It’s not going to happen. It may take days, weeks, and even months. We must be self-sufficient, and we can be with a little work. May God Bless this world, Linda

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33 Comments

  1. Preparedness is a rabbit hole but it’s an enjoyable trip if you don’t go down it too deep too fast and make it uncomfortable on yourself, your finances and loved ones.
    There will be a”Aha” moments when you’ve got what you need due to unforeseen circumstances. I’ve seen many from small things like the well went out, City main busted, a buddy went broke and needed help on food, I was able to self sustain while helping on tornado recovery for days with just what I had in my vehicle and go bag as well as provide for others and all kinds of other things.
    Look around at what’s happening and you’ll realize the need for it.
    I heard the term “doomsday” used for us the other day. I’m not doomsday I’m for preparing for eventualities. Things happen
    No matter you religion or study of history every culture has had bad times and those that survived did so because of preparedness

    Reply

    1. Great comment, Matt. And, with the current world and country situation, even the most vision impaired should be able to see the need. But, I see too many running around totally oblivious to the current state. Makes me wonder how they survived this far.

      Reply

    2. Hi Matt, I totally agree with you. I have never thought about us being “doomsday”, that was a movie or TV series. You are so right, it doesn’t matter what religion, history buff, or culture. Things happen, that we must be prepared for them. I have had many “Aha” moments, that is how we learn. Great comment as always. Linda

      Reply

    3. Matt, I call it prepping for life.
      … I have been in situation before where reduced my food intake so child could eat.Neither of us got hungry,but was tight for a little while. I prep so i don’t need to miss meals, because of a bad life event. The well going out, mechanical breakdown of vehicle in remote place (no public transport)…. other emergencies that call for me putting my life on hold to help others…

      Reply

      1. Exactly
        Ain’t no different from anything else I do like a fire extinguisher or car insurance cause “life” happens

        Reply

  2. Linda,
    Great post today. Very timely since I my BIL is on your email list. This is just the sort of information he needs right now. He started getting prepared some time ago, but this post will help him fill in the gaps.

    Reply

    1. Hi Harry, I’m working on another one I think may help him as well as other new people to store food, and preps. Thanks for sharing my information with him. Linda

      Reply

  3. Excellent!! Just a heads up about canning this year. I may be drying more because lids in my area are $3.04 a box of regular lids and as much as $10.00 a box for wide mouth ones. I know some use the off brands, but as a Master Food Preserver, I won’t use them. I even found a recipe for making and using zucchini flour in keto and gluten free recipes. I had some from last year to try and it works very well. Google it to see the info. and recipes. Dehydrated veggies and fruit can be used in may ways when powdered. I know that Amazon has some lids, but the price is still high. I am happy that I have over-purchased over the years and dated them. I use the oldest first and they still work great.

    Reply

    1. Hi Cheryl, I’m with you on the lids, I won’t pay that price. I have never made zucchini flour, how fun!!!! I’m glad I stocked what I did. The prices these days, good grief. I can’t even find bread flour and if you want 25 pounds, it’s $50-70.00. I bought all-purpose, which is fine, but not my favorite. Linda

      Reply

    2. Cheryl..I kid a lot about Jesus taking care of me…when I listed my jars and lids on CL, 2021 summer, I didn’t get one bite/phone call/email.
      Thank you Jesus!!

      Reply

  4. 5 stars
    Linda:

    Thanks for the lists and information. I have a can of wheat that a friend gave me years ago. I have never opened the can so can’t say if it is still good. But I have it in case of a emergency.

    Reply

    1. Hi, Jackie thank you for the 5 stars, my sweet friend. The wheat should be fine unless the can is rusty or bulging. Wheat is one of those things that is very easy to store for many years. It will be great should you need it for an emergency. Linda

      Reply

  5. I have always had a ‘be prepared’ mentality, with varying degrees of being prepared at any given time. I have ramped things up a bit in the past few years (still have a hard time with having enough water…….). I had bought a bread machine right before all the shut downs happened due to covid (coincidence). When flour became scarce I went a bit overboard buying four when I’d see it. I eventually bought some buckets with gamma lids to store my flour. My family were referring to me as ‘prepper-Mom’, which I didn’t like a lot as it had a tone of
    ‘doomsday prepare’ attached. I prefer to refer to myself as a “Girl Scout’…..being prepared. However, when I showed my oldest daughter my closet full of buckets of flour with gamma lids, she said “Mom, if you are storing buckets of flour, then you ARE a pepper”. LOL

    Reply

    1. Hi Suzanne, I love hearing you bought a bread machine, making bread is so relaxing to me and the smell in your home, while it bakes in the oven, is the best. Yeah, we are not a doomsday prepper, we are prepared for the unexpected! They can call us whatever, but we will survive. Love it, you’re a good example to your daughter! I love it! Linda

      Reply

  6. Jackie, I have wheat that is over 40yrs. old and I use it all the time to make my bread, etc. Use what you have. I can tell you from experience that it will be ok. My kids and I canned it then and I am happy I have it now.

    Reply

    2. Not to mention the wheat found in Egypt just sitting in a cave for 4,000 years. Still good, it even sprouted. Wheat lasts forever.

      Reply

  7. 5 stars
    Love your column, so much good information. What’s your feeling about the Rocket Stove that can use 3 kinds of fuel? I just bought one, haven’t used it yet but it has good reviews. Thanks for all your yummy recipes too!

    Reply

    1. Hi Jeanne, thank you for your kind words! Thank you for the 5 stars, my friend! I love a stove that can use three different fuels! Which rocket stove did you purchase? I have a few, but there is one I have been looking at recently. Linda

      Reply

  8. OK, here is where I need the most help. I no longer bake. My husband does, but he mostly uses box mixes. We do have 20 loafs of whole wheat bread in the freezer, but I am aware that won’t last forever. I need to be better orepared, but with our limitations in mind. Should I buy a bread machine, whole wheat flour, rye flour? Please don’t think ill of me, I really am trying.

    Reply

    1. Hi Chris, we will never think ill of anyone ever. I would not buy whole wheat flour, it is usually old in the grocery stores and is hard red wheat. Hard white wheat is my favorite, but I used to teach bread-making classes so I learned from the best (fancy kitchen Bosch stores). Here’s the deal, right now wheat is way too expensive to buy. Then add an electric grinder, they are in short supply. Now, add a bread machine or bread mixer, the money is adding up. I buy box mixes, I picked up 20 cake mixes today, and I will make them better with added ingredients. I wish you lived closer I would make bread for you. Whole wheat bread or white bread is cheap to make but you have to put out a chunk of money first. Here’s the deal, a wheat grinder would be about $300.00, a bread mixer about $300.00. This is the cheapest place to buy wheat. But it sells out fast. You do not have to be a member of that church. https://store.churchofjesuschrist.org/usa/en/food-storage-3074457345616678849-1/hard-white-wheat. I hope this helps you, Linda

      Reply

      1. Linda, I thank you and everyone who offers help and input so much. I am trying to bring my husband around to a new way of thinking, but it is slow work. He will be 75 on Tuesday, and I am just so blessed to have him in my life, I try not to frustrate him with my fears of the future.

        Reply

        1. Hi Chris, my husband will be 76 in June. I’m the preparedness one, Mark is along for the ride. He is such a good person but I sometimes wish he was more concerned about the future as I am. But, I’m blessed to have him as well. I totally understand, we are not alone. Linda

          Reply

  9. Oh Linda I’m a dumkof! It’s a Volcano one grill 3 fuels stove! I bought it as we have lots of trees we could use for wood and briquettes too. Not as interested in the propane part.

    Reply

      1. I did look at that post, very interesting and helpful! I might have to invest in that griddle.
        Thanks Linda for all your helpful hints, recipes, and just everything, your a fountain of information especially for what we need to be doing right now!

        Reply

  10. Linda
    Can you tell us where to get the colored buckets again. I know it was some place mid-west,,,I think

    Kathleen

    Reply

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