Do It Yourself

Prepper Supplies List: Getting Ready For a Pandemic

Published

4 years ago

March 24, 2020

The world, as we know it, is changing each day in an effort to slow or combat the spread of COVID-19.

As the general public shrugs off social distancing and starts stockpiling then goes about their lives, many Americans are left wondering: am I really ready?

Here’s a great prepper supplies list to make sure you’re “really ready.”

Contents hide

1 Getting Ready and Prepping Supplies

2 Prepper Supplies List: The Basics

4 Don’t Forget These, Too

5 Prepper Supplies List for Your “Go Bag”

6 Know Your Gear

Getting Ready and Prepping Supplies

With new restrictions each day and “stay-at-home” orders are imminent, many of us have been left reeling from the sudden changes. As a whole, we are not well-prepared for a global pandemic. Instead of panicking, it’s time to get organized.

In addition to food and water, it is critical that you start prepping supplies now before it’s too late.

Even if funds are tight, essential supplies can be purchased secondhand. Choose quality over quantity whenever possible.

A few things to keep in mind as you gather and prep supplies:

Be prepared for two weeks of self-reliance.
Be ready to leave your home at any time.
Learn how to use your gear; otherwise, they’ll be worthless.

Prepper Supplies List: The Basics

So you have money in the bank and you’re ready to run to Home Depot and the gun store, but what exactly are you looking for? Hopefully, you’ve already stocked up on paper goods, soap and sanitizers, food, and water.

Next on the list are:

Matches, lighters, fire starters
Candles, lanterns, headlamps, and flashlights
Blankets
Tarps
A comprehensive medical kit
A solar charger and batteries
Body armor, firearms, ammunition
Cash
A comprehensive tool kit

Your tool kit, at a minimum, should include:

Work gloves
Axe
Shovel
Wrench
Zip ties
Duct tape

RELATED: How to Make Commercial Grade Hand Sanitizer

Don’t Forget These, Too

Our minds naturally think of basic survival needs like food and water and then safety as priorities, but mental health will also become an issue over time. If power and Internet outages are a concern, access to information will be, too, which is just as important in your list of daily needs.

Gather important documents and store them in a safe and accessible place (ideally a safe). Don’t just include the deed to your house and your birth certificate; make sure you have maps and recent photos of family members.
Write down phone numbers and addresses you might need access to, like family members, local hospitals, fire department, police, etc.
Keep games, books, and toys on-hand so everyone can still be entertained during the quarantine or lockdown.

Prepper Supplies List for Your “Go Bag”

If you have to leave your home in a hurry, you will want to be prepared. Building an effective and properly stocked Go Bag takes time and a lot of thought, but it can be a lifesaver and a hugely important time-saver if many people are leaving their homes at once.

Choose a bag that is easy to carry and lightweight, and then make sure you have:

Small first aid kit
Water and canteen
Water filter, purification tablets, and/or LifeStraw
Ready-to-eat food
Lighter
Flashlight or lantern
Knife and multi-tool
Twine, cord, or rope
Small tarp
Waterproof pen and paper
Cash and important documents
Toilet paper
Soap and sanitizer
Nail clippers
Practical clothing: hat, socks, shirt, pants, underwear, jacket, bandana
Respirator
Bags: both trash and Ziplocs of different sizes
Photos of family members

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Know Your Gear

If you don’t know how to use your gear, learning the moment you need it will not be fun. You may waste a lot of supplies as you familiarize yourself with how to best use them.

Before you need them, watch videos online, read up on techniques, and handle each item in the comfort of your home. Make sure every family member who will need to use the supplies is also comfortable and familiar with them.

Don’t show panic when discussing plans with family members. Bear in mind that you are preparing early so there’s no need to lose your cool.

Do note, though, that everyone will work together better and productively if everyone is calm. Plus, the coronavirus infects people with weak immune systems so getting stressed won’t help.

Be confident in your gear and emergency stockpile and start prepping supplies now. So when the time comes, you are ready and able to handle whatever comes your way!

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Last update on 2024-04-19 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API