The Ultimate Survival Gear Checklist

The Ultimate Survival Gear Checklist covers all major aspects of emergency preparedness. Also included is a Survival Kit Checklist to help you build disaster-specific survival kits like:

Though there are special considerations for each scenario, the items used to make each kit do not differ greatly. After all, you’re still trying to satisfy your basic needs for shelter, warmth, nutrition and safety no matter where you are. That said, there are some situation-specific items you should not be without.

The Ultimate Survival Gear Checklist was designed to be as comprehensive as possible. With it you’ll be ready for just about any emergency.

Survival Gear Checklist Categories

  • Survival Food
  • Food Preparation and Preservation
  • Water Purification and Storage
  • Cleaning Products
  • Hunting and Fishing Equipment
  • Self Defense
  • Bartering Items
  • Electrical Generation
  • Lighting
  • Heating and Cooling
  • Laundry
  • Fuel
  • Human Waste Disposal
  • Medical, Dental and General Hygiene
  • Tools
  • Clothing and Shelter
  • Entertainment
  • Communication

While the survival gear checklist isn’t competely exhaustive, it was compiled with the goal of offering the greatest utility for the majority of survivalists. Of course, not every item will be right for everyone. Make substitutions, additions, or deletions according to your personal survival plan.

It’s important to try out your survival gear before packing it away for an emergency. Become familiar with every item in your arsenal now to avoid added stress later.

Compiling survival gear can be intimidating (and expensive) if you’re just starting out. Remember you don’t have to do it all at once.

Print this survival gear checklist and use it. Really use it. Gather items here and there, as you can afford them, and before long you’ll be ready to survive any emergency.

Survival Gear Checklist

SURVIVAL FOOD

|_|  Shelf-stable rations (freeze-dried #10 cans: meat, dairy, whole grains, beans, fruit, vegetables, pasta, rice, sugar, egg replacer, cooking oil, gravy/sauce mixes, spices, vinegar, peanut butter, jams, honey, popcorn)

|_|  Canned food from garden or grocery store

|_|  Energy bars/SOLAS (Safety Of Life At Sea) rations

|_|  MREs

|_|  Dried drink mixes

|_|  Coffee and tea

|_|  Non-hybrid garden seeds

|_|  Powdered milk

|_|  Bottled water

|_|  Baby food

|_|  Pet food

|_|  5 gal (bulk) grains, flour, beans, oats, potato flakes

|_| Dessert items – dried brownie mix, cookies

Back to Top

FOOD PREPARATION and PRESERVATION

|_|  Dehydrator

|_|  Vacuum Sealer and bags

|_|  5-gallon pails with gasketed twist seal (gamma) lids

|_|  Metalized food storage bags

|_|  Oxygen absorbers

|_|  Plates, silverware, cups

|_|  Pots, pans (Dutch oven, camp)

|_|  Solar oven

|_|  Dish soap

|_|  Scouring pads

|_|  Patio grill

|_|  Camp stove

|_|  Utensils (knives, wooden spoons, ladles, spatulas, can/bottle opener)

|_|  Hand grain mill

|_|  Canning equipment (mason jars, lids, rings, pressure cooker, canning manual)

|_|  French coffee press

|_|  Kelly Kettle

|_|  Zipper lock bags

|_|  Plastic ware

|_|  Aluminum foil

|_|  Stove-in-a-Can, Volcano Stove

|_|  Parchment paper

Back to Top

WATER PURIFICATION and STORAGE

|_|  2.5 gallon (or larger) gravity water purifier

|_|  Ceramic pump-action water purifier

|_|  Water bottles, pouches (factory sealed)

|_|  Water preservation and purification tablets

|_|  Water storage (30 and/or 55 gallon drums, 5 gallon hard or collapsible containers, 60 gallon Bathtub bladder, bottles)

|_|  LifeStraws

Back to Top

CLEANING PRODUCTS

|_|  Baking soda (makes an all-purpose cleaner)

|_|  Corn starch and Plaster of Paris (makes an insecticide)

|_|  Bleach

|_|  Vinegar

|_|  Borax

|_|  Ammonia

|_|  Paper towels, rags, brushes

|_|  Spray bottles

|_|  Bar soap

|_|  Dish soap

HUNTING and FISHING EQUIPMENT

|_|  .22 rifle and ammo

|_|  12 gauge 28-inch barrel shotgun and shells (bird shot, 00 buck, slugs)

|_|  Rifle cleaning kit

|_|  Compound bow/Crossbow and arrows

|_|  Air rifle/Pistol w/BB’s and/or pellets

|_|  Slingshot w/steel shot and spare bands

|_|  Live traps

|_|  Skinning knife

|_|  Fishing pole

|_|  High-test spare fishing line

|_|  Tackle (hooks, sinkers, floats, lures)

|_|  Fishing net

|_|  Blowgun and darts

|_|  Bait

SELF DEFENSE

|_|  Pepper spray

|_|  Taser

|_|  Whistle

|_|  Pistol or revolver and ammo

|_|  12-gauge shotgun (18-inch barrel or shorter) and shells (00 buck or slugs)

|_|  Tactical knives (fixed blade belt, neck, boot)

|_|  Telescopic baton, war club or baseball bat

|_|  Machete or Bolo knife

|_|  Tomahawk

BARTERING ITEMS

|_|  Gold

|_|  Silver

|_|  Liquor

|_|  Cigarettes

|_|  Hard candy

|_|  Guns and ammunition

|_|  Fuel (cooking, heating)

|_|  Automotive parts

|_|  Clothing (all seasons, boots, hats, gloves)

|_|  Chocolate

|_|  Coffee, tea

|_|  Tools

|_|  Soap, shampoo, hand lotion, hand sanitizer

|_|  Toilet paper

|_|  Plastic Bags

|_|  Excess food, water, cooking supplies

|_|  Infant formula

ELECTRICAL GENERATION

|_|  Generator (propane, gasoline, diesel, natural gas)

|_|  Solar charger for mobile devices

|_|  Batteries (AAA, AA, C, D, 9V)

|_|  Off grid whole home generation (solar array, wind farm, water turbine)

LIGHTING

|_|  Flashlight (crank, battery)

|_|  Solar lanterns

|_|  Kerosene lamp

|_|  Candles (120 hour emergency, all purpose)

|_|  Lighters, matches, magnesium/Swedish fire starter

HEATING and COOLING

|_|  Space heater (propane, kerosene – both need ventilation)

|_|  Wood-burning fireplace or wood stove

|_|  Pocket hand and feet warmers

|_|  Window air conditioner

|_|  Fans

LAUNDRY

|_|  Detergent

|_|  Bar soap (Fels Naptha)

|_|  Salt (stain remover)

|_|  Club soda

|_|  Washboard or pole agitator

|_|  Washtub

|_|  Hand-crank washing machine(Wonder Clean)

|_|  Wringer (commercial mop bucket)

|_|  Clothesline and pins

FUEL

|_|  Propane

|_|  Kerosene

|_|  Gasoline (has shelf life of 1 year or less – Use Stabil)

|_|  Diesel

|_|  Seasoned firewood

|_|  Lighter fluid

|_|  Butane

|_|  Sterno or fuel tablets

|_|  Charcoal

|_|  Wood pellets

HUMAN WASTE DISPOSAL

|_|  Portable Toilet (5 gallon pail with seat)

|_|  Leak-proof waste bags

|_|  Waste enzyme packets (deodorizer and solidifier)

|_|  Toilet paper

|_|  Antibacterial wipes

|_|  Burning barrel

MEDICAL, DENTAL and GENERAL HYGIENE

|_|  First aid kit (band-aids, gauze, tape, alcohol swabs, iodine, hydrogen peroxide, antibacterial cream, ace bandage, instant cold compress, superglue, blood clot packets)

|_|  Basic surgery kit (forceps, scalpel, sutures, surgical scissors, surgical tweezers, ammonia inhalant)

|_|  Dental cleaning/repair kit (probe, scalar, mirror, dental tweezers, filling material, bridge and crown cement, toothache ointment)

|_|  Toothbrushes, toothpaste, dental floss, mouthwash

|_|  Potassium iodide tablets (prevents radiation poisoning)

|_|  Epsom salts (soothes aches, laxative)

|_|  Aloe Vera

|_|  Feminine hygiene products

|_|  Antibacterial soap

|_|  Deodorant

|_|  Shampoo

|_|  Towels (hand, bath)

|_|  Portable shower

|_|  Tissues

|_|  Pain relievers (aspirin, acetaminophen, ibuprofen)

|_|  Fish antibiotics (same ingredients as Rx, available OTC)

|_|  Extra prescription medications

|_|  Sun block

|_|  Petroleum jelly

|_|  Tea tree oil (treats and prevents head lice – external use)

|_|  Talcum or baby powder

|_|  Hot water bottle

|_|  Bug spray

|_|  Antihistamines – Benedryl, Loratadine, Claritin

TOOLS

|_|  Mechanics tool set

|_|  All-purpose tool set (hammer, pliers, screwdrivers, tape measure, drivers, bits)

|_|  Drill (brace, battery operated)

|_|  Nails, screws, nuts and bolts

|_|  Hammers (carpenter, sledge, rubber)

|_|  Ax, hatchet

|_|  Camp knife or bolo knife

|_|  Saws (wood, metal, crosscut, bow, chain)

|_|  Scissors

|_|  Rope, paracord, bungee cords, ratcheting tie downs, tow ropes

|_|  Multi-tool

|_|  Wristwatch

|_|  Swiss Army knife

|_|  Backpack

|_|  Binoculars

|_|  Garden implements (trowels, pruning shears, rakes, shovels, pickax, broad fork, hoe)

|_|  Work gloves

|_|  Blackout curtains

|_|  Garbage bags

|_|  Calculator

|_|  Compass

|_|  Come-along

|_|  Collapsible shovel

|_|  Zip ties – various sizes

|_|  5 gallon buckets (not food grade) with lids

|_|  needle and thread

CLOTHING and SHELTER

|_|  Clothing (for all seasons, wool and synthetics – dry easily)

|_|  Shoes (hiking and snow boots, insulated waiters)

|_|  Winter gloves, hats, face masks

|_|  Ponchos

|_|  Bandanas

|_|  Handkerchiefs

|_|  Sunglasses

|_|  Tarp

|_|  Tent

|_|  Emergency Bivouac tent

|_|  Emergency reflective blankets

|_|  Wool blankets

|_|  Sleeping bags, bedrolls

ENTERTAINMENT

|_|  Board games

|_|  Cards and dice

|_|  Books, magazines

|_|  Portable DVD player, DVDs

|_|  Tablets, e-readers

COMMUNICATION

|_|  Cell phone

|_|  Emergency weather radio

|_|  Walkie talkies

|_|  HAM, CB radio

|_|  Emergency mirror

|_|  Flares (marine, road)

|_|  Pens, paper and forever stamps

|_|  Emergency Whistle

Survival Kit Checklist

72-HOUR SURVIVAL KIT and BUG OUT BAG

|_|  Backpack

|_|  Multi-tool

|_|  Wristwatch

|_|  Swiss army knife

|_|  Emergency reflective blanket

|_|  Emergency Bivouac tent

|_|  Emergency whistle

|_|  Cash

|_|  Cell phone

|_|  Paracord

|_|  First aid kit

|_|  Antibacterial soap

|_|  Toilet paper

|_|  Compass

|_|  Sun block

|_|  Pain relievers (aspirin, acetaminophen, ibuprofen)

|_|  Antihistamines – Benedryl, Loratadine, Claritin

|_|  Fish antibiotics (same ingredients as Rx, available OTC)

|_|  Prescription medications

|_|  Camp or hunting knife

|_|  Hatchet

|_|  Lighter, waterproof matches, magnesium fire starter

|_|  Flashlight

|_|  Batteries

|_|  Candles (120-hour, tea)

|_|  Pistol and ammo

|_|  Pepper spray

|_|  Hard candy

|_|  Energy bars, SOLAS (Safety Of Life At Sea) rations, MREs

|_|  Knife/Fork/Spoon/Spork

|_|  Water pouches, factory-sealed bottles, plastic water bottle

|_|  Portable water filter (Katadyn or Lifestraw)

|_|  Bandanas

|_|  Poncho

|_|  Road maps

|_|  Emergency mirror

|_|  Magnifying Glass

|_|  Toothbrush, toothpaste, dental floss, mouthwash

|_|  Feminine hygiene products

|_|  Sunglasses/Reading Glasses

|_|  Pocket hand and feet warmers

WILDERNESS SURVIVAL KIT

  • Contains all items in BUG OUT BAG, plus:

|_|  Revolver (.357 mag or .44 mag) and ammo

|_|  Collapsible .22 rifle (Ruger 10/22 takedown) and ammo

|_|  Bolo knife

|_|  Topographical maps

|_|  Binoculars

|_|  Basic surgery kit

|_|  Dental cleaning/repair kit

|_|  Fishing tackle, line, pole

|_|  Tent

|_|  Sleeping bags, bedrolls

|_|  Tarp

|_|  Marine flares

|_|  Camp cookware, dinnerware

URBAN SURVIVAL KIT

|_|  Backpack

|_|  Multi-tool

|_|  Wristwatch

|_|  Swiss army knife

|_|  Pistol and ammo

|_|  Tactical knives (neck, boot)

|_|  Pepper spray

|_|  Taser

|_|  Telescopic baton

|_|  Hard candy

|_|  Energy bars, SOLAS (Safety Of Life At Sea) rations, MREs

|_|  Water pouches, factory-sealed bottles

|_|  Cell phone

|_|  Flashlight

|_|  Batteries

|_|  Pocket hand and feet warmers

|_|  Street maps

|_|  Sun block

|_|  Cash

|_|  Liquor

|_|  Cigarettes

|_|  Emergency whistle

|_|  Poncho

|_|  First aid kit

|_|  Paracord

|_|  Toothbrushes, toothpaste, dental floss, mouthwash

|_|  Compass

|_|  Lighter, matches

EMERGENCY ROADSIDE KIT

|_|  Multi-tool

|_|  Swiss army knife

|_|  Mechanics toolset

|_|  Jumper cables

|_|  Road flares

|_|  First aid kit

|_|  Hazard cones or reflectors

|_|  Flashlight

|_|  Batteries

|_|  Cell phone

|_|  Hand and foot warmers

|_|  Safety vest

|_|  Tow rope

|_|  Winter gloves, hat, boots

|_|  Ice scraper

|_|  Wiper fluid

|_|  Pocket hand and feet warmers

|_|  Energy bars, SOLAS (Safety Of Life At Sea) rations, MREs

|_|  Water pouches, factory-sealed bottles

|_|  Street maps

|_|  Emergency reflective blanket

|_|  Poncho

|_|  Collapsible shovel

|_|  Snow chains

|_|  Tire iron

|_|  Jack

|_|  Spare tire

EARTHQUAKE, TORNADO, FLOOD and HURRICANE SURVIVAL KITS (for home survival)

|_|  Shelf-stable rations (freeze-dried #10 cans: meat, dairy, whole grains, beans, fruit, vegetables, pasta, rice, sugar, egg replacer, cooking oil, gravy/sauce mixes, spices, vinegar, peanut butter, jams, honey, popcorn)

|_|  Dried drink mixes

|_|  Coffee and tea

|_|  5 gal (bulk) grains, flour, beans, oats, potato flakes

|_|  Dessert items – dried brownie mix, cookies

|_|  Plates, silverware, cups

|_|  Pots, pans (Dutch oven, camp)

|_|  Solar oven

|_|  Dish soap

|_|  Scouring pads

|_|  Patio grill

|_|  Utensils (knives, wooden spoons, ladles, spatulas, can/bottle opener)

|_|  Kelly Kettle

|_|  French coffee press

|_|  2.5 gallon (or larger) gravity water purifier

|_|  Water storage (30 and/or 55 gallon drums, 5 gallon hard or collapsible containers, 60 gallon Bathtub bladder, bottles)

|_|  Water bottles, pouches (factory sealed)

|_|  Bleach

|_|  Paper towels, rags

|_|  Spray bottles

|_|  Pistol or revolver and ammo

|_|  12-gauge shotgun (18-inch barrel or shorter) and shells (00 buck or slugs)

|_|  Liquor

|_|  Cigarettes

|_|  Hard candy

|_|  Generator (propane, gasoline, diesel, natural gas)

|_|  Solar charger for mobile devices

|_|  Batteries (AAA, AA, C, D, 9V)

|_|  Flashlight (crank, battery)

|_|  Solar lanterns

|_|  Kerosene lamp

|_|  Candles (120 hour emergency, all purpose)

|_|  Lighters, matches, magnesium fire starter

|_|  Space heater (propane, kerosene – both need ventilation)

|_|  Pocket hand and feet warmers

|_|  Hand-crank washing machine(Wonder Clean)

|_|  Wringer (commercial mop bucket)

|_|  Clothesline and pins

|_|  Propane

|_|  Kerosene

|_|  Portable Toilet (5 gallon pail with seat)

|_|  Leak-proof waste bags

|_|  Waste enzyme packets (deodorizer and solidifier)

|_|  Toilet paper

|_|  Antibacterial wipes

|_|  Tablets, e-readers

|_|  First aid kit (band-aids, gauze, tape, alcohol swabs, iodine, hydrogen peroxide, antibacterial cream, ace bandage, instant cold compress, blood clot packets)

|_|  Basic surgery kit (forceps, scalpel, sutures, surgical scissors, surgical tweezers, ammonia inhalant)

|_|  Dental cleaning/repair kit (probe, scalar, mirror, dental tweezers, filing material, bridge and crown cement, toothache ointment)

|_|  Toothbrushes, toothpaste, dental floss, mouthwash

|_|  Feminine hygiene products

|_|  Antibacterial soap

|_|  Deodorant

|_|  Shampoo

|_|  Towels (hand, bath)

|_|  Tissues

|_|  Pain relievers (aspirin, acetaminophen, ibuprofen)

|_|  Antihistamines – Benedryl, Loratadine, Claritin

|_|  Fish antibiotics (same ingredients as

Rx, available OTC)

|_|  Extra prescription medications

|_|  Sun block

|_|  Petroleum jelly

|_|  Mechanics tool set

|_|  All-purpose tool set (hammer, pliers, screwdrivers, tape measure, drivers, bits)

|_|  Drill (brace, battery operated)

|_|  Nails, screws, nuts and bolts

|_|  Hammers (carpenter, sledge, rubber)

|_|  Ax, hatchet

|_|  Saws (wood, metal, crosscut, bow, chain)

|_|  Rope, paracord, bungee cords, ratcheting tie downs, tow ropes

|_|  Work gloves

|_|  Blackout curtains

|_|  Garbage bags

|_|  Come-along

|_|  Collapsible shovel

|_|  Zip ties

|_|  5 gallon buckets (not food grade) with lids

|_|  Clothing (for all seasons, wool and synthetics – dry easily)

|_|  Shoes (hiking and snow boots, insulated waiters)

|_|  Winter gloves, hats, face masks

|_|  Wool blankets

|_|  Emergency mirror

|_|  Flares (marine, road)

|_|  Cell phone

|_|  Emergency weather radio

|_|  Walkie talkies

|_|  Board games

|_|  Cards and dice

|_|  Books, magazines

|_|  Portable DVD player, DVDs