Hello all,

Just as the title suggests, what are ideal items for a SHTF scenario. Aside from the basics like food, money, firearms, other weapons aside from firearms, gas mask, etc. I think it would be a great idea to get a list going. I know alot of you guys have a lot of great recommendations!

-Clean water, and the ability to make clean water. Along with proper storage and collection containers.
-Long term food.  You should have both food that needs to be prepared (dried stuff), and food that needs minimal preparation (canned).
-Medication.  An adequate amount of whatever prescriptions you may need, plus over the counter stuff.  Stuff like antibiotics could save your life as well.  Basic working knowledge of first aid.
-Alternative cooking source.  Propane burners with plenty of fuel etc...
-Basic tools, fasteners, parts for vehicles and home repair. Working knowledge on how to do repairs yourself.
-Flashlights, lanterns, lots of batteries.
-Basic sanitation supplies.  A gallon of bleach is cheap and versatile. So are heavy duty trash bags. 
-Basic hygiene supplies. Toilet paper is nice to have.
-A generator with lots of gas would be handy.

There are more, this is just what I rambled off of the top of my head.

Cigarettes.  Cases and cases, don't worry about brand.
Liquor.  Cases and cases, variety in genre, but don't worry about brand.
Snacky cakes.  Cases and cases, don't worry about brand. 

One thing that often gets left out of survival discussions is the monotony.  Once the initial clamor is over, you are going to have a lot of really bored neighbors.  A well-stocked bar (as in, one that HAS alcohol and tobacco) will quickly become both a hub of barter and a community center.

Snacky cakes = did you stock up on boxes of Twinkies?

Snacky cakes = did you stock up on boxes of Twinkies?

No, i missed the Twinkie boat. 

Cigarettes.  Cases and cases, don't worry about brand.
Liquor.  Cases and cases, variety in genre, but don't worry about brand.
Snacky cakes.  Cases and cases, don't worry about brand. 

One thing that often gets left out of survival discussions is the monotony.  Once the initial clamor is over, you are going to have a lot of really bored neighbors.  A well-stocked bar (as in, one that HAS alcohol and tobacco) will quickly become both a hub of barter and a community center.

Party's at Tom_ G's !
I also have a stash of "Feminine Hygene " products.
These will be very valuable for barter as what would you trade to keep the missus "comfortable" during such times!    

Party's at Tom_ G's !
I also have a stash of "Feminine Hygene " products.
These will be very valuable for barter as what would you trade to keep the missus "comfortable" during such times!    

...
Feminine hygiene products...
For obvious reasons.
But they can be used to control bleeding.
There is a medical product similar to a tampon applicator just for treating wounds.

Some easy (and less-than-obvious) items to get:
 1. Siphon hose - if you have a generator, chance are you aren't storing enough gas and will have to get out of car tanks at some point
 2. Propane hose adapter - get one that will allow you to hook your 5-gal BBQ propane tank to the small camping stoves. It will conserve your propane rather than heating your whole BBQ and saves money not buying all the little green cans
3. Manual tools - much of your garage has tools that will be tough to use unless you have a generator but even then who wants to waste gas just to cut a piece of wood

I've posted this before in my "Surviving is only breaking even" page but it's so good, I'm gonna throw it out there again. 

http://www.theplacewithnoname.com/blogs/klessons/

Not only is it well written, but he brings up ALOT from his personal experience as well as that of others regarding before and after a natural catastrophe.

Some of THE BEST info i've ever gotten regarding true BO necessity's. 

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I've posted this before in my "Surviving is only breaking even" page but it's so good, I'm gonna throw it out there again. 

http://www.theplacewithnoname.com/blogs/klessons/

Not only is it well written, but he brings up ALOT from his personal experience as well as that of others regarding before and after a natural catastrophe.

Some of THE BEST info i've ever gotten regarding true BO necessity's. 

Some of it was good food for thought but it was really really long winded, IMO.  Also, I don't think the laptop is necessary.  In a pinch, your smartphone can do everything the laptop can plus more (camera, flashlight, GPS/compass, text, etc.).  You could even use a tablet, I just think a laptop is too big and eats battery in that type of scenario.  Also most of those documents you can store online (encrypted), can be found online, or are not that difficult to replace.  When you're running from a hurricane, I think you can survive a week or two without your birth certificate.

Also, he mentions numerous times that you must have a towel in your bug out bag.  He says it's not an option but I don't recall him ever mentioning why.  Maybe I missed it, I started skimming after a while.

Some of it was good food for thought but it was really really long winded, IMO.  Also, I don't think the laptop is necessary.  In a pinch, your smartphone can do everything the laptop can plus more (camera, flashlight, GPS/compass, text, etc.).  You could even use a tablet, I just think a laptop is too big and eats battery in that type of scenario.  Also most of those documents you can store online (encrypted), can be found online, or are not that difficult to replace.  When you're running from a hurricane, I think you can survive a week or two without your birth certificate.

Also, he mentions numerous times that you must have a towel in your bug out bag.  He says it's not an option but I don't recall him ever mentioning why.  Maybe I missed it, I started skimming after a while.

Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy reference perhaps?

Cody Lundin's book "When All Hell Breaks Loose" is a great read that focuses more on urban and suburban preparedness rather than living out in the middle of the woods.  Much more practical knowledge than most "survival manuals for actual emergencies.

Ever gone camping?  It's always nice to have a rag for various uses.

I think that it's also important to realize that there are different levels of the poop hitting the air circulation device.  You should be planning for everything, and have levels to your system.

This is just a off the top of my head example.

The SHTF for one week or less. Things like the Rodney King riots, mass panic, power outage, etc...
The SHTF, and stuff wont be back to normal for a few months, with a period of rebuilding after.  Natural disasters, shipping crisis, etc... Don't expect any help from the government until the hard part is over.
All the way up to TEOTWAWKI. Things are not going back to normal.  Not for years, or maybe generations. 

I'm just saying, it's a very wide envelope.  You need to consider it all.

Ever gone camping?  It's always nice to have a rag for various uses.

It's not only nice.  How many times are we told to use a jacket or shirt to stop profuse bleeding, raise the head or feet for shock victims, make a sling for sprains and broken bones?  A towel would keep you from maybe ruining the only clothes you have at the moment should you need to use them as first aid items.

Can be used to dry feet before putting on socks and boots to prevent foot problems, for tourniquet or bandage, to strain food when washing under running water, as pot holders when cooking, and for having handy in case you need a cloth for wiping away sweat or taking a "bird bath" when there is little water.  You can wrap your hands to protect them in place of gloves.

I'm sure there are a hundred more ordinary uses we take for granted.  Just wanted to toss out that some of the uses could make a huge difference in many situations.

I don't have much to add to this great list so far.

I do include hand loading tools and supplies for all the shootin' irons I have. Plans include tooling up for the other common rounds that I don't shoot. Never hurts to be neighborly. Though my actual neighbors probably have more than enough ammo stocked up that it won't be an issue.

For the long haul ships ain't ever coming back scenario I like to have a rifle (or 3) that spit lead with no issues. Also the tools to make gas checks for them. Easy to store lead and cast up what you need. In theory one could also recycle rounds one doesn't shoot into rounds one does but in reality having scrap lead of unknown hardness is tricky. The gas checks make it easier but it is still too easy to lead the crap out of your barrel if you don't know the hardness.

Also have a liberal supply of Ballistol. Lots of uses for it besides cleaning and oiling the boomsticks. Its not the best at all of them of its great for the guns and pretty good for the rest. I've even used it as first at for small cuts while at the range when I forgot my first aid kit. Works.

Chapstick.  Good fire starter, sealer/protectant, even heard stories of guys using it to lube their AR BCG in a pinch.

I just got back from a week of camping and fishing.  The truly useful items were the bag of terry cloth rags from Costco and food grade 5 gallon buckets with lids.  Food prep, airtight/watertight/bug resistant storage, seats, fishing/gathering/scrounging, you name it--a bucket comes in handy.  I would imagine it would make a useful trade item as well as a measuring unit.

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