A Comprehensive Supply List For Economic Collapse

by Bam Bam

The article M.D. posted in last week’s Friday Miscellany on living conditions in Greece really hit home with me. I did a bit more research. There are food shortages. There are shortages of life-saving medications. There are concerns about the power grid. And if the electric grid goes down, clean water may not flow from the tap. In an economic collapse, debit cards may not work; cash will be king. Once awareness of the situation sets in, rioting, looting and violent crime will be the new norm.

If Europe collapses, the United States is sure to follow. This makes me nervous. And when I get nervous, I make lists. This is my best shot at formulating a comprehensive supply list for prepping. Sure, there are other lists on the Internet that claim to be comprehensive. And I have learned much from the lists that I have read. But I wanted to come up with my own list and present it to the Pack. And now for the 50 million dollar question: what have I missed?

If your debit card stopped working tomorrow, would you be ready? Let’s put our minds together and see if we can come up with a comprehensive list of items needed for survival. (I am assuming in what follows that I will not be bugging out. Hence, I have omitted discussion of my BOB.) Assuming you are staying put, what items would you definitely want on hand? Remember the motto: plan today because tomorrow your debit card may not work.

Please note that the order in which the following items are listed is not indicative of their perceived importance—i.e., I did not place cleaning supplies ahead of weaponry and hunting because I felt the former was more important than the latter. Each category is important, hence its inclusion on this list.

Comprehensive Supply List

1. Water Purification

• Bottled Water
• Canteen/Camelback
• Rain Barrel
• Water Bottle with Filter
• Water Purification Tablets
• Pool Shock/Bleach
• Kettle w/ Lid for Boiling Water
• Propane Stove
• Matches/Fire Starter
• Charcoal and Sand
• Mosquito Netting
• Coffee Filters

2. Shelf Stable Foods

• Wheat
• Rice
• Pasta
• Beans
• Dry Milk
• Honey
• Sugar
• Vinegar
• Lemon Juice
• Cooking Oil
• Coffee/Tea
• Canned Goods
• Spices
• Condiments
• Water Enhancers
• Baking Essentials (Yeast, Salt, etc.)
• Sprouting Seeds
• Non-hybrid Garden Seeds

3. Hygiene Supplies

• Soap
• Toothpaste
• Toothbrushes
• Dental Floss
• Feminine Hygiene Products
• Shaving Supplies
• Baby Wipes
• Toilet paper
• Insect Spray
• Sunblock
• Lotion/Lip Balm
• Manicure Set (Nail Clippers, Nail Brush, File)

4. First-Aid

• First-Aid Kit
• Extra Band-Aids
• Dental Kit
• Wound Care
• Rubbing Alcohol
• Hydrogen Peroxide
• Listerine Mouth Rinse
• Antibiotic Ointment
• Snake Bite Kit
• Respirator Masks
• Latex Gloves
• Scissors

5. Medications

• Prescription Medication
• Birth Control
• Foot Care Products
• Pain Reliever (Tylenol, Aleve, Aspirin, etc.)
• Cold Medicine
• Diarrhea/Constipation Medications
• Antacid
• Antibiotics
• Allergy Medication
• Vitamins/Supplements
• EmergenC

6. Cleaning Supplies

• Bleach/Pool Shock
• Comet
• Baking Soda
• Washing Soda
• Borax
• Bar Soap (Fels Naptha)
• Vinegar
• Mop and Bucket
• Broom and Dust Pan
• Scrub Brushes
• Dish Pan
• Trash Bags
• Trash Cans
• Burn Barrel

7. Cooking and Food Preservation

• Solar Oven
• Camping Stove
• Barbeque Grill
• Grain Grinder
• Meat Grinder
• Solar Dehydrator
• Cast Iron Cookware
• Cooking Utensils
• Non Electric Can Opener
• Non Electric Coffee Maker
• Water Bath Canner
• Pressure Canner
• Jars and Lids
• Extra 5 Gallon Buckets
• Plastic Plates & Bowls

8. Lighting

• Oil Lantern
• Extra Wicks & Mantles
• Matches/Lighters
• Solar Lights
• Light Sticks
• Candles
• Flashlights
• Head Lamp

9. Weaponry & Hunting

• Knifes
• Machete
• Shotgun
• Rifle
• Handgun
• Ammo
• Compound Bow
• Extra Arrows
• Sling Shot
• Snare Wire

10. Clothing

• T-shirts
• Underwear
• Bras
• Socks
• Thermals
• Jeans
• Belt
• Work Shirts
• Boots
• Extra Laces
• Flip Flops/Crocks
• Tennis Shoes
• Fleece
• Jacket
• Raingear
• Work Gloves
• Bandana
• Wide-Brimmed Hat
• Mosquito Head Gear
• Extra Prescription Glasses
• Eye Glass Repair Kit
• Sun Glasses

11. Household Items

• Sheets/Blankets
• Bath Towels
• Solar Shower
• Kitchen Towels
• Clothesline
• Clothespins
• Sewing Kit
• Washboard and Buckets
• Aluminum Foil
• Ziplock Bags
• Portable Toilet
• Lime
• Lye
• Pest and Insect Control (Mouse Traps, Diatomaceous Earth)
• Extra Keys (Home, Shop and Vehicles)

12. Alternative Energy Source

• Generator
• Extension Cords
• Solar Panels
• Rechargeable Batteries
• Solar Recharger
• Charcoal
• Propane
• Gasoline
• Fuel Stabilizer
• Lamp Oil
• Seasoned Fire Wood

13. Tools and Gear

• Gardening Tools (Shovel, Axe, Rake)
• Fishing Gear (Poles, Tackle, Nets)
• Shut Off Wrench for Gas/Water
• Multi-tool
• Binoculars
• Basic Construction Tools
• Hardware (Nails, Screws)
• Lumber
• Tarps
• Tie Down/Rope/Para-cord/Bungee Cord
• Duct Tape
• Siphon/Funnel
• Extra Gas Cans
• Sharpening Stone/Honing Oil
• Gun Cleaning Kit & Supplies
• Wire and Wire Cutters
• Window Screen Repair Kit
• Fire Extinguisher
• Plastic Garbage Containers w/ Lid
• Crowbar
• Chain and Padlocks
• Weather Instruments

14. Communications

• Two-way Radio
• Weather Radio
• Ham Radio
• Mirror
• Whistle
• Flares

15. Money

• Cash
• Gold/Silver
• Tradable Skills

16. Barter Goods

• Candy
• Coffee
• Sugar
• Ammo
• Batteries
• Matches/Lighter
• Toilet Paper
• Soap

17. Maps and Guides

• Detailed Map of Local Area
• Survival Guide
• Field Guide/Eatable Plant Guide
• First Aid Manual

18. Identification and Documentation

• Photo ID/Passport
• Birth Certificate
• Social Security Card
• Medical Records
• Banking Documents
• Insurance Documents
• Marriage License
• Contact Information

19. Entertainment/Sanity

• Cards
• Games
• Dice
• Musical Instruments
• Paper, Pens, Sketchbook
• Bible
• Books

20. Pets and Children

• Food
• Water
• Proof of Vaccination
• Medications/Ointments