As a beginner prepper, you should start with a solid foundation. Start by stocking up on essential items you use every day – like food, water, first-aid kits, and hygiene and sanitation products.
In the world of prepping, these everyday items are known as ‘evergreen’ items because you will always need them in an emergency.
Emergency Food
The first thing a prepper needs to stock up on is emergency food – these will be your food supplies reserved only for emergencies. Good emergency foods are non-perishable, have a long shelf life, and don’t need to be refrigerated. Stock up on at least two weeks’ worth of food – but the more you can stockpile, the better.
Freeze-dried meat, fruit, and vegetables are nutritious, and canned goods and survival food kits can be stored for a long time. Learning How to make beef jerky will also ensure that you always have enough protein and can preserve your meat. Remember to accommodate special dietary requirements by stocking up on dairy or gluten-free emergency foods, and don’t forget pet food if you have pets.
Water
The next thing on every prepper’s checklist is water. Stocking up on water is as critical as stocking up on food – a person can survive for around three weeks without food but will only last three or four days without water. When disaster strikes, food and water are the first things to become scarce at grocery stores – that’s why you should stockpile them in advance.
When stockpiling water, ensure you have enough for at least two weeks. Based on the average water consumption per person per day, you’ll need to keep at least 14 gallons of clean drinking water to last two weeks.
You should also stockpile collected rainwater for cooking and washing. You can store rainwater in barrels and purify it to make it safe to drink when your primary water supply has run out.
First-Aid
Every prepper needs first-aid supplies in case of an emergency. In disaster situations, hospitals may become overwhelmed. So you must be able to take care of a basic injury yourself while you wait to receive professional treatment.
You’ll need to know how to prevent cuts and animal or insect bites from becoming infected and have the right supplies. The Red Cross recommends stockpiling gauze bandages, adhesive bandages, adhesive tape, and gauze pads to dress wounds. You’ll also need a first-aid guide, latex gloves, antibiotic ointment, arm and leg splints, and an emergency blanket.
Hygiene and Sanitation
Other essential products to stock up on are hygiene and sanitation items. These products are whatever you use to keep your home and yourself clean.
Hygiene and sanitation products are also among the first items that become hard to find in an emergency. You should stockpile all the products you keep in your bathroom – such as women’s sanitary and hygiene products, toiletries, hair cleansers, dental care, and soap. Keeping these products will prevent your hygiene from declining in an emergency situation.
Cleaning supplies are also essential to prevent the spread of disease and maintain a sanitary environment – stockpile basics like bleach, vinegar, baking soda, and all-purpose sanitizers.
