Gear to Survive
What it takes to endure when the grid fails or supply lines break — and how to be the one your neighbours can count on. Organized by the priorities that matter most.
EssentialHand-Crank Emergency Radio
AM/FM/NOAA weather radio with hand-crank and solar backup — receives alerts when power and internet are down.
When the grid is down, broadcast radio is how official alerts reach you. A crank radio works with no batteries and no grid.
AM/FM/NOAA · hand crank + solar + USB · LED flashlight · phone charger
RecommendedN95 Respirators & Gloves
Box of N95 particulate respirators and nitrile gloves for debris, dust, disease, and contamination.
Airborne particulates (dust, ash, smoke, contamination) and biohazards are common in disasters. Cheap, effective protection.
N95 NIOSH rated · nitrile powder-free · 20 each
EssentialIndividual First Aid Kit (IFAK)
Trauma-focused kit: tourniquet, pressure dressing, gauze, antiseptic, and basics for wound care.
In a grid-down or conflict scenario, emergency response is delayed or absent. The first minutes of trauma care are yours to manage.
Tourniquet · Israeli bandage · gauze · shears · gloves · antiseptic
RecommendedPortable Inverter Generator
Quiet, clean-power generator capable of running refrigeration, medical devices, and lighting during an outage.
Extended outages spoil food and disable medical equipment. A generator buys days of normalcy — but needs fuel planning.
2000W surge / 1600W running · ~8h/gal at 25% load · 46dB · 48lb
RecommendedFoldable Solar Panel + Power Bank
Portable solar charging setup for phones, radios, and small devices when grid and fuel are unavailable.
When fuel runs out or must be conserved, solar keeps comms and navigation alive indefinitely.
100W panel · 20,000mAh bank · USB-C PD · weather-resistant
EssentialEmergency Tarp & Cordage Set
Reinforced waterproof tarp with grommets plus guyline — instant shelter from rain, wind, and sun.
Exposure kills faster than thirst. A tarp provides instant shelter for the '3 hours without shelter' rule and protects gear.
8x10ft · waterproof · reinforced grommets · 1.5mm guyline
EssentialLED Headlamp (Red Mode)
Hands-free lighting with red mode to preserve night vision and avoid signaling your position.
Hands-free light is non-negotiable for any work in the dark — first aid, repairs, movement. Red mode protects night vision and discretion.
350 lumens · red + white · IPX4 · 30h on low · 3xAAA
EssentialFull-Size Multi-Tool
Pliers, knife, saw, wire cutters, and screwdrivers in a single stainless tool.
Repairs, field fabrication, and improvisation all depend on a capable multi-tool. One tool replaces a small toolbox.
17 functions · 420HC steel · one-hand opening · belt pouch
Recommended550 Paracord (100ft)
Seven-strand nylon cord rated to 550lb — shelter, lashing, repairs, and countless improvisations.
Cordage is one of the hardest things to improvise in the field and one of the most useful. Paracord is cheap insurance.
550lb tensile · 7 inner strands · mildew/rot resistant · 100ft hank
RecommendedFire Starter Kit
Ferrocerium rod, striker, waterproof tinder, and a reliable lighter — fire in any weather.
Fire provides warmth, water purification, cooking, signaling, and morale. A dedicated kit ensures fire when matches fail.
Ferro rod 3000°C sparks · waterproof tinder · windproof lighter · 5000+ strikes
EssentialGravity Water Filter
Hollow-fiber gravity filter that removes bacteria, protozoa, and microplastics from any freshwater source.
Clean water is the first survival priority. A gravity filter lets you turn questionable surface water into safe drinking water without power or chemicals.
Filters 0.1 micron · ~100,000+ gallon lifespan · 1L/min flow · 11oz
EssentialWater Storage Containers (5gal)
Stackable, food-grade water containers with airtight lids for long-term potable water storage.
A filter only works if there is a source. Stored water covers the gap between a disruption and finding a source — the first 72 hours.
5 gal each · BPA-free · stackable · 14-day supply = 3 per person