Prepper Checklist
1. Water
-
Short-Term (72 hours to 1 month):
-
Store bottled water (3-30 gallons per person).
-
Collapsible water containers for easy storage.
-
Water purification tablets or drops (e.g., iodine, chlorine dioxide).
-
Portable water filter (e.g., Sawyer Mini, LifeStraw).
-
Bleach (unscented, 8 drops per gallon for purification).
-
-
Long-Term (3 months+):
-
Large water storage tanks (55-g-dot-com barrels, IBC totes, or rain collection systems).
-
Water harvesting supplies (gutters, barrels, tarps).
-
Well or spring access (if applicable).
-
Backup purification systems (e.g., ceramic filters, UV purifiers).
-
Knowledge of local water sources (rivers, lakes, springs).
-
2. Food
-
Short-Term:
-
Canned goods (vegetables, fruits, meats, soups; 3-30 days’ worth).
-
Protein bars, granola bars, or meal replacement bars.
-
Dried fruits, nuts, and trail mix.
-
Instant meals (e.g., ramen, oatmeal, freeze-dried meals).
-
Comfort foods (chocolate, candy, coffee, tea).
-
-
Long-Term:
-
Bulk staples (rice, beans, pasta, oats, flour, cornmeal; 25-50 lbs per person for 6 months).
-
Freeze-dried or dehydrated foods (e.g., MyPatriotSupply).
-
Powdered milk, eggs, or cheese.
-
Cooking oils (olive, coconut, vegetable; 1-2 gallons per person per year).
-
Salt, sugar, honey, spices (for flavor and preservation).
-
Multivitamins and supplements (to address nutrient deficiencies).
-
Seeds for sprouting or gardening (e.g., alfalfa, broccoli, mung beans).
-
Food storage supplies (mylar bags, oxygen absorbers, 5-gallon buckets with gamma lids).
-
Manual can opener (2-3 for redundancy).
-
Knowledge of foraging wild edibles (field guide for your region).
-
3. Shelter and Warmth
-
Short-Term:
-
Emergency blankets (mylar space blankets).
-
Tarp or poncho for rain protection.
-
Sleeping bags or wool blankets (rated for your climate).
-
Hand/foot warmers (chemical-based).
-
Tent or bivvy sack for temporary shelter.
-
-
Long-Term:
-
Insulated clothing (layers, wool, fleece, waterproof outerwear).
-
Sturdy boots and extra socks.
-
Fire-starting tools (lighters, ferro rods, waterproof matches, tinder).
-
Wood-burning stove or portable heater (with fuel).
-
Axe, saw, or hatchet for firewood processing.
-
Candles, lanterns, or solar lights for illumination.
-
Repair supplies (duct tape, paracord, sewing kit).
-
Insulation materials (foam pads, curtains, draft stoppers).
-
4. First Aid and Hygiene
-
Short-Term:
-
Basic first aid kit (bandages, antiseptic wipes, gauze, tape, pain relievers).
-
Prescription medications (30-day supply, rotate regularly).
-
Over-the-counter meds (ibuprofen, antihistamines, anti-diarrheal, electrolytes).
-
Soap, hand sanitizer, and wet wipes.
-
Toothbrush, toothpaste, and dental floss.
-
Feminine hygiene products or reusable options (menstrual cup).
-
-
Long-Term:
-
Advanced first aid kit (sutures, trauma shears, hemostatic agents like QuikClot).
-
Medical reference book (e.g., Where There Is No Doctor).
-
Extra glasses, contacts, or vision aids.
-
Bulk hygiene supplies (bar soap, baking soda, vinegar).
-
Portable toilet or composting toilet system.
-
Toilet paper or reusable cloths (bidet option).
-
Disinfectants (bleach, hydrogen peroxide).
-
Knowledge of herbal remedies or essential oils (e.g., tea tree, lavender).
- Long-term storage meds (Jase)
-
5. Tools and Equipment
-
Short-Term:
-
Multi-tool or pocketknife (e.g., Leatherman, Swiss Army).
-
Flashlight (LED, with extra batteries) or headlamp.
-
Whistle for signaling.
-
Small shovel or entrenching tool.
-
100 ft of paracord (550 lb strength).
-
-
Long-Term:
-
Quality fixed-blade knife (e.g., Mora, Ka-Bar).
-
Tool kit (screwdrivers, wrenches, pliers, hammer).
-
Shovel, pickaxe, and rake for gardening or digging.
-
Solar charger or power bank for electronics.
-
Two-way radios (e.g., Baofeng UV-5R) or walkie-talkies.
-
Binoculars or monocular for scouting.
-
Fishing and trapping gear (hooks, line, snares, nets).
-
Self-defense tools (firearm, pepper spray, or bow, depending on laws and skills).
-
Ammunition (500-1000 rounds for primary firearm, if applicable).
-
Sharpening stone or system for blades.
-
6. Power and Communication
-
Short-Term:
-
Battery-powered or hand-crank radio (NOAA weather alerts).
-
Extra batteries (AA, AAA, CR123A, etc.).
-
USB power bank (10,000-20,000 mAh).
-
-
Long-Term:
-
Solar panels (100-400W with inverter).
-
Deep-cycle batteries for energy storage.
-
Generator (gas or propane) with fuel storage (safely rotated).
-
HAM radio license and equipment for long-range communication.
-
Faraday bags or cages to protect electronics from EMP.
-
Satellite phone or messaging device (e.g., Garmin inReach).
-
7. Documents and Finances
-
Short-Term:
-
Copies of IDs, passports, and insurance policies (in waterproof bag).
-
Cash (small bills, $100-500 per person).
-
Emergency contact list (hard copy).
-
-
Long-Term:
-
Digital backups of documents on USB (encrypted).
-
Precious metals (silver coins, gold bars) for barter.
-
Barter items (alcohol, tobacco, ammo, batteries).
-
Property deeds, wills, and legal papers in fireproof safe.
-
Local maps, compass, and GPS (with extra batteries).
-
8. Skills and Knowledge
-
Short-Term:
-
Basic first aid and CPR training.
-
Fire-starting techniques (bow drill, flint and steel).
-
Knot-tying (bowline, clove hitch, taut-line).
-
Navigation (map reading, compass use).
-
-
Long-Term:
-
Advanced wilderness survival (shelter building, water sourcing).
-
Gardening and seed saving.
-
Food preservation (canning, dehydrating, fermenting).
-
Hunting, fishing, or trapping skills.
-
Basic mechanics and home repair.
-
Self-defense training (martial arts, firearms proficiency).
-
Community building (network with like-minded preppers).
-
9. Psychological and Community Preparedness
-
Short-Term:
-
Games, books, or cards for morale.
-
Journal and pen for mental health.
-
Stress management techniques (meditation, breathing exercises).
-
-
Long-Term:
-
Build a local prepper group or mutual aid network.
-
Practice scenarios (bug-in vs. bug-out drills).
-
Develop a positive mindset (focus on adaptability, problem-solving).
-
Spiritual or philosophical grounding (faith, meditation, or purpose).
-
10. Bug-Out Bag (BOB)
-
Backpack (30-50L, durable, comfortable).
-
Water (2-3L in bladder or bottles, plus filter).
-
Food (high-calorie bars, freeze-dried meals, 3000 calories total).
-
Shelter (tarp, bivvy, or lightweight tent).
-
Clothing (weather-appropriate, extra socks, hat).
-
First aid kit (compact, trauma-focused).
-
Fire kit (lighter, ferro rod, tinder).
-
Tools (multi-tool, folding knife, paracord).
-
Navigation (compass, local map, small GPS).
-
Cash ($100-200 in small bills).
-
Flashlight or headlamp (with spare batteries).
-
Personal items (meds, ID copies, hygiene essentials).
Additional Considerations
-
Location-Specific Needs:
-
Cold climates: Extra insulation, heavy-duty sleeping bags, snow shovel.
-
Hot climates: Sunblock, wide-brim hat, cooling towels.
-
Urban areas: Focus on bug-out plans, compact gear, barter items.
-
Rural areas: Emphasize self-sufficiency (gardening, livestock).
-
-
Family Considerations:
-
For kids: Comfort items (toys, snacks), kid-sized gear.
-
For elderly: Mobility aids, extra medications, easy-to-eat foods.
-
For pets: Food, water, leash, portable crate, medical records.
-
-
Storage and Organization:
-
Use clear, labeled bins for easy access.
-
Store in cool, dry, pest-free areas.
-
Regularly inspect and rotate supplies (every 6-12 months).
-
Keep a detailed inventory (digital and hard copy).
-
-
Legal and Ethical Notes:
-
Ensure compliance with local laws (firearms, medications, water rights).
-
Avoid hoarding to the detriment of others; focus on self-reliance.
-
Share knowledge with community to build resilience.
-
Sample Timeline for Building Your Prep
-
Week 1-2: Assess needs, budget, and storage space. Start with water and 72-hour food supply.
-
Month 1: Build bug-out bag, acquire first aid kit, and learn basic skills (fire-starting, knot-tying).
-
Month 3: Expand food storage to 1 month, add tools, and secure documents.
-
Month 6: Reach 3 months of food/water, invest in power (solar/batteries), and practice scenarios.
-
Year 1: Aim for 6-12 months of supplies, start gardening, and join a prepper network.
Bypass Big Tech Censors
Two Storms, One Harvest
Every food crisis in living memory has been a one-shock event. The 2008 price spike was a commodity bubble. The 2020 shortages were a logistics failure. The 2022 grain scare was a war on one exporter’s ports. Each time, the system bent, adjusted, and recovered, and each time the experts assured us afterward that global markets are simply too big and too diversified to fail.
What nobody in Washington seems eager to discuss is that 2026 is shaping up to be something the modern food system has never actually faced. Two independent shocks, one climatic and one geopolitical, are converging on the same harvest cycle at the same time. Not sequentially. Simultaneously.
Start with the weather. The Pacific Ocean is currently building toward what forecasters now openly call a record event. NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center puts the odds of at least a strong El Niño near 88 percent, with roughly two in three odds it reaches “very strong” status, the tier reserved for perhaps three or four events in the entire satellite era. Every major global model now projects a median peak in Super El Niño territory, and most of them project it exceeding the 2015-16 event, which until now held the modern record. Sea surface anomalies were already brushing the super threshold in mid-July, months before these events normally peak. The atmosphere has already shifted into El Niño mode, and the event is forecast to crest in late fall and early winter.
This is not about “climate change.” It’s about the standard cycles of weather, and the cycle we’re currently in is one that has likely devastated societies in the past. We’re better prepared as a society today, but not all Americans are equally prepared.
Serious households have started doing the quiet math on their own. Grocery bills tell part of the story, and the forecast maps tell the rest, which is why long-term food storage has moved from fringe hobby to mainstream line item in the family budget, with established suppliers like Heaven’s Harvest seeing demand from people who five years ago would have rolled their eyes at the idea. That instinct is not paranoia. It is pattern recognition, and the pattern is worth walking through carefully.
Editor’s Note: Heaven’s Harvest IS a sponsor, but the warnings of this article are real and would be written even if we didn’t have a survival food sponsor. With that said, those who take advantage of what they offer can use promo code “Patriot” for 15% off.
The Fertilizer Clock Is Already Running
While the Pacific warms, the second shock has been unfolding in the Strait of Hormuz. The conflict with Iran turned the world’s most important energy chokepoint into a contested waterway, and the consequences reach far beyond the gas pump. Roughly a third of global fertilizer trade moves through Hormuz, and the disruption sent urea prices up 86 percent year over year by March, with a 53 percent jump in a single month.
The World Bank projects energy prices rising about 24 percent in 2026 and fertilizer about 31 percent. By its own accounting, fertilizer prices ran 35 percent higher in the first five months of this year than the same period last year.
Here is the mechanism the nightly news will not explain. Fertilizer is not a grocery item. It is a time-delayed input. The nitrogen a farmer in Iowa or Punjab could not afford to apply this spring does not show up as a problem this spring. It shows up as a thinner harvest six to twelve months later.
The World Bank’s own food security brief concedes that the effects of reduced applications earlier this season “are likely to become visible only later in harvest outcomes.” Translate that from institutional language into plain English and it means this. The damage is already done, it is already in the ground, and we are simply waiting for it to arrive on the shelf.
Now check the calendar. Six to twelve months from the spring planting season lands us squarely in late 2026 and early 2027. Which is precisely when the strongest El Niño in the instrumental record is forecast to peak, bringing its signature droughts to Southeast Asia, Australia, southern Africa, northern Brazil, and South Asia, the very regions that grow the world’s rice, sugar, and oilseeds.
The World Bank warns openly that a strong El Niño “could disrupt multiple crop belts simultaneously” on top of the conflict-driven input costs. Their baseline projection assumes the Middle East disruptions ease by autumn. What in the last two years of Middle East history suggests that assumption is safe?
The System Has No Slack Left
The comfortable answer is that global markets always adjust. But adjustment requires slack, and the slack is gone. Global cereal production is expected to decline from last year’s records even before El Niño does its work. The UN World Food Programme, hardly a den of right-wing preppers, is calling this the most significant disruption to its supply chains since Covid and the invasion of Ukraine, and its supply chain director put the stakes bluntly.
Today’s supply chain challenges are tomorrow’s hunger crisis.
There is also a political dimension that markets cannot price. When food gets scarce, governments do not behave like economists. They behave like politicians. Export bans, hoarding mandates, and panic buying at the national level turned the modest rice shortfall of 2008 into a global crisis, and analysts are already warning that import-dependent nations are the first dominoes.
The 2015-16 Super El Niño, a far weaker event than what is now forecast, threw tens of millions into food stress across Africa and Asia. This one is projected to be stronger, and it arrives with fertilizer already rationed by price and shipping lanes already contested by missiles.
What Joseph Knew
Scripture does not treat preparation for lean years as faithlessness. It treats it as wisdom delivered in advance to those willing to act on it.
Behold, there come seven years of great plenty throughout all the land of Egypt: And there shall arise after them seven years of famine; and all the plenty shall be forgotten in the land of Egypt.
Joseph did not respond to that warning with a hashtag or a committee. He stored grain during the years of abundance, and when the famine came, Egypt stood while its neighbors begged. The lesson is not that famine is certain. It is that the time to prepare is precisely when preparation still looks optional.
Nobody who filled a pantry in a year of plenty has ever regretted it, and nobody standing in an empty aisle has ever been glad he waited for certainty.
None of this calls for panic, and panic is the enemy of sound judgment anyway. It calls for the same unglamorous prudence our grandparents considered ordinary. Keep some cash margin, know your local growers, and put real food in deep storage while it is cheap and available, because the entire arc of this story is that cheap and available is a closing window.
Families looking for a straightforward place to start can visit Heaven’s Harvest and use promo code Patriot for 15 percent off long-term storable food. The forecasts may yet soften, the strait may yet reopen, and we should pray they do. But hope is a fine thing to hold and a foolish thing to eat.
