Whether you’re preparing for natural disasters, power outages, or other unexpected emergencies, the key to survival often lies in having the right items, knowing how use them, and having the ability to adapt to challenging situations.
In our Emergency Preparedness guide, we’ll break down everything you need to know to fully prepare yourself, from making a solid plan to getting all of the necessary equipment.
So let’s get started.
Making Sure You’re Actually Ready
Preparation is the best safeguard against the unknown, and it’s not just about gathering the right tools —it’s about preparing yourself, both physically and mentally. Too often, people end up focusing solely on the items in their emergency kits and overlook the one most critical factor: the person using them.
True readiness means equipping your mind to stay calm under pressure, make quick decisions, and adapt to unpredictable situations. After all, the best gear in the world is only as effective as the skills and preparation of the person wielding it.
This is why having a solid emergency plan is just as important as the gear itself, and in making one, you should take time to establish:
- How you’ll communicate with your loved ones
- Where your designated meeting points will be
- What the specific risks of your area are
Make sure to ask yourself: Will you be prepared to act quickly? Does everyone in your household know what their role will be?
To help you build both your knowledge and your skills, we recommend having a look at these valuable resources:
- “SAS Survival Handbook” by John “Lofty” Wiseman
- “Bushcraft 101” by Dave Canterbury
- “When Technology Fails” by Matthew Stein
- “Wilderness Medicine” by Paul S. Auerbach
- “Where There Is No Doctor” by David Werner
- “Emergency War Surgery” – Military Field Manual
Along with building your knowledge, you should also take the time to prioritize training in the following areas, gradually building the skills needed to handle emergencies effectively:
- First Aid/CPR
- HAM Radio Communications
- Emergency Shelter Setup
- Land Navigation
- Disaster Response
Tip: Make sure you strike a balance between sharpening your skills and stocking your supplies, as you’ll undoubtedly need both.
Must-Have Items for Emergency Preparedness
Okay now that we’ve established the importance of preparing the individual, we’ll have a look at the most important “must-have” items in relation to emergency preparedness.
Now, as you start building your kit, your instinct may be to gather every piece of gear you can think of, but true preparedness isn’t about having more — it’s about having exactly what you need and nothing you don’t.
Below, we have broken down all the items you’ll need in the following three categories:
- Communication Tools
- Emergency Medical Supplies
- Sustenance Provisions
1. Communication Tools
One of the first steps you’ll need to take is to ensure that you have the right tools to effectively convey your message in an emergency – both with your loved ones and with others.
Two-Way Radios and Satellite Phones
Two-way radios (particularly VHF radios), can be super helpful for short-range communication as they allow multiple users to coordinate in real time, and will likely be your “go-to” form of communication if you cannot rely on cellular networks and need to get in contact with members of your family.
This is especially valuable in group scenarios where multiple users need to listen and respond instantly, and is actually relied upon in search and rescue operations or maritime situations where regulated VHF channels (VHF channels 16, 70) are continuously monitored for emergencies.
Satellite phones, meanwhile, provide global coverage, enabling long-distance communication from remote locations by connecting directly to satellites; this is an invaluable feature for reaching emergency services or loved ones when there’s no other network and/or other option available.
Morse Code Signaling Devices
If you’re ever in an emergency and are unable to use a radio or satellite phone (e.g., as a result of a battery failure, signal blockage, or device malfunction, etc.) you’ll need to rely on a dedicated Morse Code signaling device.
Now, there are many options available here, including Morse key transmitters, LED flashlights with Morse functionality, and even compact signal mirrors.
Having said that, we recommend going with a handheld LED flashlight with adjustable brightness settings and a Morse signaling mode, which will allow you to control the signal intensity for both short and long-range communication in various lighting conditions.
Signal Mirrors and Flares
In certain situations, non-verbal methods of communication can be extremely important.
Signal mirrors, for instance, can reflect sunlight over long distances during daylight hours, making them highly effective for attracting attention in open areas such as mountains, deserts, or at sea.
Flares, meanwhile, are invaluable in low-visibility conditions or at night, producing intense, bright signals that are nearly impossible to overlook.
We recommend coupling the Orion Safety 8905 Flare Kit Plus Emergency Kit — which includes five 20-minute flares, a green light stick, a safety vest, and a first aid packet — with the Flare™ 2″ x 1.5″ Mini Signal Mirror for a versatile, all-in-one solution that equips you not only to signal for help but also to stay safe until aid arrives.
2. Emergency Medical Supplies
Believe it or not, by getting just a few medical items together in advance, you’ll be equipped to handle about 80% of minor injuries or medical situations you might face.
Even more importantly, if a situation requires more assistance, these supplies can help buy valuable time until professional help arrives.
Basic First Aid
First aid is one of the most important — and often most overlooked — components of emergency preparedness.
This is because (simply put) first aid is unlikely to by itself resolve a situation, and that can feel a bit underwhelming.
That said, even though it may not solve everything, it will stop things from getting worse, and in an emergency, sometimes “not worse” is the best outcome you can hope for.
To be prepared, you will need to gather the following items:
- Adhesive bandages
- Antiseptic wipes
- Gauze pads
- Medical tape
- Sterile gloves
- Tweezers
- Instant cold packs
- Painkillers
- A CPR face shield
- An emergency blanket
We recommend getting the General Medi 420 Pieces Professional First Aid Kit, which is a professional-grade kit that contains over 420 useful medical supplies and is currently trusted by hospitals, lifeguards, schools, CPR instructors, and other government agencies.
Trauma Supplies
When it comes to high stakes situations, nothing is more critical than controlling bleeding — a task that’s often deceptively simple but incredibly important.
There are three items to keep in mind when it comes to this:
- A tourniquet: This can extend the expected survival time of someone who might otherwise bleed out within minutes to up to two hours.
- Hemostatic agents: These accelerate clotting to quickly control bleeding.
- Compression bandages: These can be used to apply firm pressure to wounds and stabilize them.
Note: Keep in mind that you should always have any medications you take easily accessible, and it’s also important to be familiar with their active ingredients so you can find suitable alternatives if needed during an emergency.
3. Sustenance Provisions
Survival hinges on energy in all its forms — calories to fuel your body, water to sustain your life, and power to keep your critical tools and equipment running.
Now this step is super important, because with just four resources, you can actually extend your readiness from a matter of hours to several weeks.
Meals Ready-to-Eat (MREs) and Emergency Rations
Emergency food isn’t just about eating — it’s about sustaining energy when every calorie counts.
Compact, calorie-dense, and designed for long-term storage, MREs and emergency rations deliver the nutrition you need to keep going during extended crises, ensuring you stay fueled and focused when and if fresh options are out of reach.
We recommend having a look at the American Family Safety’s Emergency Food Supplies page for a variety of options.
Emergency Water Filters and Purifiers
Clean drinking water is non-negotiable in any emergency — you simply can’t claim to be prepared for anything if you haven’t addressed the most basic necessity: H₂O.
Emergency water filters and purifiers ensure that even in the most unpredictable situations, you can transform questionable or contaminated sources into safe, drinkable water, securing your ability to stay hydrated and healthy when it matters most.
We recommend having a look at the Trailgo Pro Water Purification System, a high-volume, hand-operated water filter that uses an advanced 3-stage filtration system to remove 99.9% of contaminants and filter up to 1.5 liters of water per minute.
Home Generators
When the power goes out, a reliable home generator can make the difference between a minor inconvenience and a full-blown crisis — from keeping your refrigerator running to powering essential medical devices, these machines ensure your home remains functional even during an emergency.
Home generators come in various capacities and fuel types, ranging from smaller portable models to powerful standby units that automatically kick in when the grid fails.
For the most dependable option, we recommend looking into the Westinghouse WGen7500 due to its combination of solid power output and long runtime. With 7,500 running watts and 9,500 peak watts, it can easily handle critical appliances and more, ensuring you’re never left in the dark.
Portable Solar Chargers
Portable solar chargers turn sunlight into a sustainable energy source, which you can use to power your phone, GPS, flashlight, and other electronics, ensuring you’re not left in the dark (literally or figuratively) when traditional power sources fail.
We recommend going with something like the BigBlue 28W Solar Charger, which is a standout choice for its durability, portability, and three output ports — which offer more versatility than the standard two found on most other alternatives.
Must Have Items for Disaster Preparation FAQs
Which items should be included in an emergency preparedness kit?
An emergency preparedness kit should include first aid supplies, trauma gear, clean water solutions (filters or purifiers), non-perishable food, communication tools (radios, satellite phones), and a portable solar charger.
You should also include a CPR face shield, emergency blankets, and any personal medications you personally rely on.
How can I ensure clean drinking water in emergencies?
In order to ensure clean drinking water in an emergency, you should invest in a reliable water filter or purifier, which removes contaminants and makes water from natural sources safe to drink.
You can also keep purification tablets as a backup for added security in case your primary filter becomes unavailable or damaged.
Which books are recommended for emergency preparedness?
While there are countless resources on the subject, the one book that every preparedness enthusiast should fundamentally read is the SAS Survival Handbook by John “Lofty” Wiseman.
Other highly recommended books typically include “Bushcraft 101” by Dave Canterbury, “When Technology Fails” by Matthew Stein, and “Where There Is No Doctor” by David Werner.
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