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Emergency Preparation
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items "I’m not a doomsday prepper and you won’t find me hiding in a bunker. I’m just a realist watching the world change. While I’ve made sure my household is ready for emergencies, I see too many friends and neighbors who aren't. I’ve never been an 'influ...
Sections
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Why Prepare?
Document Security
Bug Out Bag Options
Extended Wilderness Living Survival Gear
Emergency Food Options
Whole Home Water / Purification
Why Prepare?
Your family’s safety doesn’t care where you live or who’s in political office. Storms, blackouts, supply-chain chaos, or worse — when the lights go out, everyone needs the same basics: water, food, shelter, power, security, and a way to communicate. ...
The Best for: Understanding the "Mindset" & Human Behavior This is arguably the most impactful book written on the psychology of disaster. Ripley investigates real disasters (9/11, tsunamis, fires) to answer one question: Why do some people survi...
The Unthinkable: Who Survives When Disaster Strikes
The Best for: Decision Making Under Pressure Gonzales combines hard science with gripping stories of accidents and survival. It is a fascinating read that argues survival is 10% gear and 90% psychology. The Case for Preparedness: It teaches you that ...
Deep Survival: Who Lives, Who Dies, and Why
The Best for: "What to Expect" in Specific Scenarios Since you asked for a publication or pamphlet, this is the gold standard. It is a comprehensive guide issued by FEMA. While dry compared to the books above, it is the definitive "playbook" for spec...
Are You Ready? An In-Depth Guide to Citizen Preparedness
Document Security
Personal & Family Document Protection Strategy Protecting vital documents requires a layered approach: digitize everything for off-site access, keep originals secure at home, and maintain a portable "grab-and-go" set for quick evacuation. This ensures survival in fires, floods, theft, or sudden ...
Please look at these super Brief Summary Guides I have prepared. This will help you decide what suits your needs for document storage and protection. In this section, I will include my recommendations for tier one and two storage ie (bug out and home...
Safeguard Critical Documents and Valuables
I do not have this one, I have a Sentry Safe model which I think is great, but this ENGPOW Fireproof File Organizer Bag with Lock (~$40–60) is considered the Hands-on tested winner (Bob Vila 2025): Multi-layer silicone fiberglass resists extreme heat; large capacity with ac...
Engpow Fireproof Document Bag
These bags are fireproof and mostly waterproof. Affordable, lightweight with reflective strips/handles for night evac; dual-layer protection, waterproof zippers. Great starter—fits A4/legal docs, easy to toss in a go-bag.
COLCASE Fireproof Document Bag
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Bug Out Bag Options
"Disasters like wildfires, chemical spills, or flash floods don't give you a two-hour warning to pack. A bug-out bag isn't about running to the hills; it is about having the critical ability to leave your home in 60 seconds with everything you need t...
This is widely considered the gold standard for pre-built bug-out bags. It was designed by a team of first responders, special forces operators, and mountain guides to get you through the critical first 72 hours of a disaster. No "Junk" Filler: Most ...
THE SEVENTY2® Pro Survival System
Hardcore" Runner-Up: Echo-Sigma Get Home Bag If you look at the Seventy2 Pro and feel it's too "styled," look at Echo-Sigma. The Difference: They don't make their own gear; they pack the bag with name-brand tools you already trust (SOG knives, Fenix flashlights, etc.). It is heavier and rugged as hell. Why choose it: If you want zero proprietary gear and just want a bag f... For someone who already knows what they are doing, you might prefer the raw utility of the Echo-Sigma.
1-3 Day Get Home Emergency Go Bag | Get Home Bag
Extended Wilderness Living Survival Gear
Prolonged survival away from home in emergency or survival mode requires more than bug-out supplies. This cheat sheet is designed to provide you with some preliminary ideas for the scope of preparation equipment and supplies you should be thinking ab...
No products here. Just a quick check to expand the scope your planning if you ever see a future where a “Bug Out Session” may become extended~!
Cheat Sheet Wilderness Survival Gear
Emergency Food Options
In an era of escalating uncertainties—frequent natural disasters, persistent supply chain disruptions, geopolitical tensions, and economic volatility—building a 6-month home storage of long-shelf-life foods and essential items has never been more pru...
We have been using Mountain House Freeze Dried Canned food for many years. We have used others as well, such as One Source, True Harvest, Pine Ridge pantry etc. These are all very good products. The reason I am highlighting Mountain House is because ...
Mountain House
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Whole Home Water / Purification
Protect yourself and family against unanticipated changes in water quality. This type of water filtration system is truly incredible and works better than I can adequately explain. My water quality is now… Amazing!!
I live in a place in Utah where the water hardness is between 15 to 35 grains. Lay speak….very , very hard! I installed the complete aquasure 72000 Grain Harmony, water treatment system. EVERY faucet in my house now delivers bottled water taste and quality at full flow. No RO system needed for the kitchen sink. (I have one anyw...
Aquasure USA
Bug-Out Bag Water Filtration
Cazll me crazy, I have all of these. Here are the top 4 water filtration/purification technologies ideal for bug-out scenarios (portable, lightweight, reliable for emergencies). These prioritize effectiveness against common threats like bacteria, pro...
I have created a quick guide sheet so you grab the right filtration for your needs. Drinkable water is your most urgent primary need after oxygen. If you do nothing else to prepare for emergencies or disasters….Please DO THIS!!!
Water Filtration / Purification Quick Guide
Hollow Fiber Membrane Squeeze/Inline Filters Ultralight, no power needed, high lifespan (often 100,000+ gallons), filters bacteria/protozoa/microplastics to 0.1–0.2 microns. Versatile (squeeze, inline, gravity, or straw). Best for most bug-out needs ... Why Squeeze ?? (or MINI). Lifetime warranty, ~3 oz, flows fast, pairs with Smartwater bottles or pouches. Consistently tops 2025 reviews for reliability and value.
Squeeze | Sawyer Products
Press-Style Bottle Purifiers All-in-one bottle: fill, press, drink. Removes bacteria, protozoa, viruses, chemicals, heavy metals. Fast (seconds per fill), no pumping/squeezing repeatedly. Great for sketchy urban/rural water. Why Grayl Geopress?? ~15 oz, 24 oz capacity, filters in 8–10 seconds, broad-spectrum purification. Dominates survival tests for speed and virus protection.
24oz GeoPress® Water Filter & Purifier Bottle
Hand Pump Purifiers. This is a Top-rated product: Survivor Filter Pro (or PRO X electric version for faster flow). ~8 oz, 0.01-micron triple filtration (viruses, metals), pumps 17 oz/min. Highly rated in 2025 prepping reviews for toughness and broad ...
SURVIVOR FILTER PRO™ Portable Water Filter Pump
Chemical Treatment (Drops/Tablets) Ultralight backup (no bulk), kills bacteria/protozoa/viruses with wait time (30–240 min). No filtering sediment/taste, but pairs perfectly with any mechanical filter. Shelf-stable for years. Why Aquamira Drops?? Minimal taste, treats up to 30+ gallons per kit, weighs <2 oz. Preferred over iodine for flavor; top backup in expert guides. The last two photos are of my own water storage room. All of the water has been treated with the Aquamira Chlorine Dioxide drops!
Water Treatment & Purification Drops (1 oz) Chlorine Dioxide
Gen Power Options
You WILL NEED emergency power someday!! The first two are generators that I own and use after doing my own research. I have included a guide in each card to help you choose the size of your generator based on what the generator can power.
Power is ALWAYS ON at my house!! I used the prior model of this generator at my previous house for 17 years. When I built new, I installed this one with a transfer switch. Now…Instant and automatic power, seconds after a blackout. This model is sized...
Generac Protector® Series 25kW Automatic Standby Generator (Aluminum) w/ Mobile Link™ (120/240V Single-Phase) (48-State)
Call me crazy. I HAVE THIS in my garage as rescue power for my family members / neighbors and as a back-up for my whole home Generac. This is truly a well built Generator. It is super easy to use and bullet proof reliable. Get this if you would like ...
Westinghouse 28000W Peak Home Backup Generator
In my humble opinion… EVERYONE needs BUG OUT power. ERAYAK make great Generators. The 4500 puts out 3500 Watts continuous running power. It is SUPER quiet and for the power output, it feels very light. (50lbs+/-) If you don't have the budget for a wh...
Erayak 4500 Watt Inverter Generator – 30 Amp Portable Super Quiet Powe
This is the baby brother to the 4500. It puts out 1800 Watts continuous. You won't believe how quiet it is. It weighs about 42 lbs. Please see the cheat card I prepared as a guide for what appliances or accessories you can safely run concurrently with this generator.
Erayak 2400W Inverter Generator - 20 Amp Portable Quiet Power For Home ...
Solar / Battery Combo
Being a photographer / videographer shooting on site in remote outdoor locations with full size strobes, hot lights, monitors, flashes, chargers… this power combo is a staple. This generator category is in fact one of the most sensible power options ... I have organized my recommendations in order of power output but also real-world tests for reliability, fast solar charging, LiFePO4 batteries (longer life), and expandability. Please feel comfortable with any of these recommendations as being top r...
Small / Ultra-Portable (Camping, Road Trips, Phone + Laptop Backup) - EcoFlow River 3 Plus (~300–500Wh, 600W output) + 1–2x EcoFlow 110W panels Super compact (like a lunchbox), charges to 100% in under an hour from wall or ~3–4 hours solar. Waterproo...
EcoFlow RIVER 3 Portable Power Station
👍👌This one is the best All-Around Mid-Size (Most People's Sweet Spot) - Bluetti Elite 200 v2 (2,073Wh, 2,600W output) + 2–4x Bluetti PV200/PV350 panels Current king in almost every 2025 review — insane balance of power/weight, LiFePO4, wireless cha...
BLUETTI Elite 200 V2 Portable Power Station | 2600W 2073.6Wh
👍This is also a great option and slightly cheaper in Bundles than Bluetti (right now). Jackery Explorer 2000 Plus (2,042Wh, 3,000W output) + 2–4x Jackery SolarSaga 200W panels Still one of the most loved — expandable to 24kWh, wheels for rolling, charges in ~2 hours with 1,200W solar.
Jackery Explorer 2000 Plus Portable Power Station
EMP Protection
The EMP threat is real. The consequences are unfathomable. If you think there is no possible protection from an EMP attack or Solar Fair Radiation or severe Lightning Strikes…this technology will open your eyes, then it will help you sleep…fully protected!
Seriously??? Total EMP protection…for Whole House??? For cars? No Joke!! This really works and there is a ton of science and military grade testing behind this. I have installed this technology on each of the two 200 amp electric panels in my home, at the starter side and power output side of my whole home gener...
EMP & Lightning Protection for Vehicles (DC-12V-W)
Faraday bags block electromagnetic signals (RFID, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, cellular, GPS) and can shield against EMP/CME events by creating a conductive cage around devices. The top-rated ones use multi-layer military-grade fabric (e.g., TitanRF), lab-teste...
Mission Darkness™ Faraday Bags
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SLNT is a great choice as well. Most people like them for the everyday “Carry and Style” SLNT products have Patented multi-layer shielding, waterproof options, rugged yet sleek (leather/weatherproof). High attenuation, great for phones/backpacks. Trusted by military/privacy experts. Popular: Faraday Sleeves/Phone Pouches (~$30–60), Dry ...
SLNT® Faraday Bags
Communication Options
Have you ever been unexpectedly without your cell phone for a day? What about a week??… in an emergency or disaster situation where no one else has their cell phone either??? You NEED to plan for this. And here is how you do it!
The next few cards are my picks for good solid communications tools that will keep you in touch for most communication outage scenarios. Please look at the Quick Guide Card. (First Photo)
Mid Budget, Average Joe Options
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These are excellent quality fixed-channel handhelds (preset to the 22 GMRS channels + extras), and unfortunately, they are not repeater-capable. They don't support the split transmit/receive offsets needed for the 8 GMRS repeater pairs (channels 23–3...
Midland GXT1000VP4 2-Way Compact Communication Radio (Pair)
This is a budget friendly 2 way radio similar to the GXT 1000 which I have and use
Wouxun KG-905G Plus GMRS Two Way Radio USB-C
This such a capable radio. Midland GXT67 Pro (Handheld, repeater-capable upgrade from GXT1000): 5W power output with full support for 8 GMRS repeater channels (split tones), extending range dramatically via existing repeaters. Rugged IP67 waterproof/...
Midland 5-Watt GMRS Handheld 2-Way Radio - GXT67 Pro
A budget Alternative to the Midland GXT 67 Pro. Baofeng GM-15 Pro (Repeater-capable 5W GMRS handheld): Fully programmable with 250 channels, full support for 8 GMRS repeater pairs, dual-band VHF/UHF scanning/receive, and 11 NOAA weather channels. USB-C direct charging, SOS alarm, flashlight, VOX, ...
BAOFENG GMRS Radio Handheld GM-15 Pro 8W
Midland MXT500 (50W GMRS mobile/base radio, full repeater support): Delivers maximum legal 50W output (with mid/low power options), 15 high-power GMRS channels, 8 repeater channels with split tones for dramatically extended range via repeaters. IP66 ...
Midland MXT500 MicroMobile GMRS 2-Way Radio (50W)
Security
In periods of political tension or civil unrest—such as protests turning chaotic, riots, or widespread looting—the goal of home security is deterrence, delay, and de-escalation, not confrontation. The vast majority of experts emphasize avoidance and ...
Again, no specific product on this card. This is another Cheat Sheet to help us enhance our Home Security for times of civil unrest.
Keep Your Home Secure
First Aid
These are a list of the top three BEST and most COMPREHENSIVE Emergency First responder kits. I have also included top three rated car/truck, bug-out and deep woods camping kits.
North American Rescue (NAR) Squad Kit If you want the exact gear used by combat medics and law enforcement, this is it. North American Rescue is the industry standard for component quality. Why it’s a Realist Pick: Zero fluff. You won't find 50 cheap...
Squad Kit (CCRK) - Casualty Care
The "Total Volume" Jump Bag Lightning X MB30-SKC Large First Responder Kit This is the classic "orange bag" you see EMTs jump out of an ambulance with. It is a massive, fully stocked trauma bag designed to handle everything from a scraped knee to maj...
Lightning X MB30-SKC Large EMT Trauma Kit
The "Idiot-Proof" Organized Choice MyMedic The Medic (or MyFAK Pro Large) MyMedic has revolutionized first aid by focusing on speed and organization. Instead of a chaotic bag of supplies, everything is color-coded and packed in tear-away "mods" (e.g....
MyFAK Large Medical Kit
A good Basic Emergency kit for the Car or Truck
MyFAK Mini First Aid Kit
Deep woods and Camping Best For: Wilderness and Groups While the other two are tactical/urban hybrids, this one is pure outdoors. Designed for hunters and fishermen, it is optimized for the specific injuries you get in the wild: fishhook removals, deep lacerations, and den...
Sportsman Series Medical Kit - 400
Bug-Out Bag. Best For: Organization and Stress Management This is widely considered the best kit for people who might panic. The brilliance is in the labeling system. Every single pocket is clearly marked with its function (e.g., "Bleeding," "CPR," "...
Surviveware 238 Pcs Premium Survival First Aid Kit
Best Outdoor Survival Guides
"When the power fails and the internet goes dark, you cannot rely on Google to save you. A physical survival guide is your ultimate insurance policy, ensuring that no matter the situation, the knowledge to protect your family is always in your hands—...
The "Bible" of Survival Written by a former instructor for Britain’s elite Special Air Service (SAS), this is widely considered the most comprehensive guide ever written. It covers every climate and terrain imaginable—from the arctic to the desert, a...
SAS Survival Handbook, Revised Edition
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Bushcraft 101 by Dave Canterbury The "Back to Basics" Guide Dave Canterbury is a well-known survival instructor who focuses on "Bushcraft"—the art of using the natural world to survive, rather than relying on high-tech gear. This book is less about s...
Bushcraft 101: Field Guide to Wilderness Survival
The "Realist" Choice Cody Lundin (a former Dual Survival host) takes a completely different approach. He argues that survival isn't about fighting bears; it's about regulating your body temperature. If your core body temp drops or spikes too much, yo...
98.6 Degrees: The Art of Keeping Alive
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Vehicle Emergency
Everyone should have a vehicle emergency kit. Sometimes the kits will overlap with Vehicle first aid kits. If you have to have just one, go with one of these three
If you want the same "no-nonsense" quality as the Seventy2 Pro bug-out bag, this is the automotive equivalent. It ditches the cheap nylon bag for a nearly indestructible YETI GoBox. Why it’s a Realist Pick: It solves the biggest problem with car kits...
The Overlander
Most car kits focus on the car (jumper cables, tire gauge). This kit focuses on you. It bridges the gap between a roadside repair kit and a survival bag. Why it’s a Realist Pick: It acknowledges that sometimes you can't fix the car, and you just have...
72HRS All Weather Automotive Kit
If you aren't ready to drop $500 on the Uncharted kit but still want something far superior to the standard "big box store" junk, this is the highest-rated comprehensive kit on the market. Why it’s a Realist Pick: It covers the "Big Three" of roadsid...
Everlit Survival Car Emergency Kit with Gloves