Introduction
Achieving self-reliance and being fully prepared for any emergency is crucial for peace of mind. LDS prepper stores cater to those goals by providing specialty survival gear and emergency preparedness products. With a wide selection available, determining the essentials to get can be challenging. This article explores the must-have items from an LDS prepper store, offering insights into the best supplies to ensure your family is ready for anything.
The Origins and Purpose of LDS Prepper Stores
LDS prepper stores originated within the Latter-day Saints community to help members focus on emergency preparedness and self-reliance. With roots in the church's counsel to be provident, these stores provide specialty products tailored to preppers' needs. They offer food storage, water filters, medical kits, tools and more focused on off-the-grid survival. For many, these stores hold cultural significance and represent peace of mind knowing they can safeguard their families. The convenience of one-stop shops with competitive pricing on niche products makes LDS prepper stores invaluable to their communities.
How to Select the Top Survival Gear
When selecting the best emergency preparedness products, key factors include:
- Portability - Compact, lightweight gear is ideal for bug out bags and mobility.
- Multi-functionality - Items that serve multiple purposes maximize usefulness.
- Durability - Equipment must withstand repeated heavy use in harsh conditions.
- Relevance for core survival needs - Prioritize supplies for food, water, first aid, shelter and safety.
- Affordability and value - Get the most practicality at a reasonable cost.
Water Storage and Filtration Systems
Having sufficient water and the means to purify more is critical. Recommended options include:
- Commercially bottled water plus large containers like WaterBricks, 55-gallon barrels or Aqua-Tainer bottles for stockpiling. Models with spigots simplify dispensing.
- Portable filters like the LifeStraw Family and Sawyer MINI to remove bacteria and protozoa from found water sources.
- Water purification tablets such as Potable Aqua Chlorine Dioxide are compact, inexpensive and effective.
Recommended Water Storage Containers
- Stackable jugs from Reliance in 7-16 gallon sizes
- 55-60 gallon barrels and cisterns from Ark or Scepter
- WaterBricks stackable containers (2.7-5 gallon)
- Aqua-Tainer 7-gallon bottles with integrated handles
- WaterBOB bathtub bladder liner for 100 gallons short-term
- Cyalume SnapLight chemical sticks to mark water in the dark
Top-Rated Water Filtration Systems
- LifeStraw Family gravity-fed water filter
- Sawyer MINI with squeeze pouch
- Katadyn Pocket and Hiker Pro filters
- Survivor Filter PRO 0.01 micron purifier
- Aquamira Frontier Max Emergency Filter System
- Potable Aqua chlorine dioxide tablets
- Polar Pure crystallized iodine for larger quantities
Food Supplies and Cooking Equipment
Focus on nutrient-dense, lightweight foods with long shelf lives. Maintain freshness through proper storage and FIFO rotation. Useful items include:
- Canned or pouched proteins like chicken, tuna, beef and beans.
- Dried fruits, nuts, peanut butter, and DATREX emergency food bars.
- Rice, pasta, oatmeal, instant mashed potatoes.
- Cooking oil, seasonings, coffee, tea, powdered milk.
Portable cookware like mess kits and Solo Stove are convenient options. Reliable fire starting ability is essential.
Recommended Emergency Food Options
- Mountain House freeze-dried meals pouches
- SOS Food Labs emergency food rations bars
- Augason Farms 30-day emergency food kits
- Wise Company 60-serving entree buckets
- Canned tuna, chicken, chili, vegetables
- Nut butters, granola bars, instant oatmeal packets
Useful Cooking Tools and Supplies
- Lightweight titanium cook pots, cups, and utensils
- MREs (Meals Ready-to-Eat) - self-contained
- Waterproof stormproof matches, fire starting kits
- Solo Stove, Volcano collapsible stoves
- Lodge cast iron cookware for open flame
- Toaks titanium cookware, insulated mugs
First Aid Supplies and Equipment
A well-stocked medic kit is a must for treating injuries and illnesses. Prioritize supplies like:
- Antibiotics, pain relievers, ointments, gauze, nitrile gloves.
- Tourniquets, splints, trauma instruments for serious wounds.
- Reference materials like "Where There Is No Doctor."
- Comprehensive medic bag or first aid kit.
Recommended First Aid Essentials
- Antibiotic ointments, hydrocortisones, antiseptic wipes
- Bandages, gauze pads, medical tape in assorted sizes
- SAM Splint, SWAT-T tourniquet, combat application bandages
- Trauma shears, tweezers, scalpels, sutures, clamps
- Aspirin, ibuprofen, antihistamines, prescription meds
- Space emergency thermal blankets
Additional Medical Supplies
- WMI Adult Emergency Medic bag
- Digital thermometers, pulse oximeter
- Instant cold packs, Sam Splint, eye wash
- Burn relief sprays, anti-itch creams
- Electrolyte replacements, glucose tablets
- Medical gloves, N95 masks, protective gowns
Multi-Purpose Gear, Tools and Equipment
Rugged, quality tools for shelter, fire, defense are essentials, along with:
- Flashlights, solar chargers, Leatherman multi-tools.
- Water containers, tactical packs and molle bags.
- Paracord, duct tape, tarps, carabiners.
- Crank and solar powered radios and chargers.
Recommended Multi-Purpose Gear
- Leatherman Sidekick multi-tool
- Fiskars hatchet, Corona folding saw
- Firesteel magnesium rod, stormproof matches
- Fenix LD22 flashlight, Black Diamond headlamp
- BigBlue solar panels, Goal Zero Yeti power banks
Useful General Purpose Items
- Paracord, Gorilla Tape, zip ties, bungee cords
- Carabiners, pulleys, rope, 550 cordage
- Pelican protective cases, ammo cans
- Nalgene stainless bottles, mess kits
- SOL Emergency Bivvy blankets and ponchos
Communication Devices and Electronics
Reliable comms capability is a high priority. Recommended options:
- HAM radios like Baofeng for long-range, resilient communication.
- Signal mirrors, whistles and flares for visual and auditory signaling.
- Walkie-talkies for short-range tactical communication.
- Crank or solar powered radios to receive news and alerts.
- Faraday bags and boxes to shield electronics from EMPs.
Long-Range Emergency Communication Gear
- Baofeng UV-5R HAM radio
- Midland GXT1050CB radio with SSB
- StarFlash mirror, Fox 40 whistles
- Eton hand turbine AM/FM radio
Short-Range Tactical Comms
- Motorola Talkabout T800 FRS/GMRS radios
- Midland LXT600VP3 two-way radios
- Paratus wire antenna kits, signal boosters
- Faraday bag for EMP protection
Sanitation and Hygiene Supplies
Maintaining proper hygiene prevents illness. Recommended items include:
- Portable toilet systems and waste bags for sanitation.
- Toilet paper, baby wipes, feminine products.
- Soap, toothbrush and toothpaste, dental floss.
- Hand sanitizer, garbage bags.
Sanitation Gear
- Cleanwaste Go Anywhere Complete System
- Reliance Luggable Loo buckets
- P-Mate Female Urinary Device
Hygiene Products
- Toilet paper, wet wipes, paper towels
- Soap, hand sanitizer, toothpaste
- Feminine pads and menstrual cups
- Toothbrushes, dental floss, mouthwash
- Sunscreen, bug repellent, hand warmers
Financial Preparedness Items
A cash reserve, barter items, and hard assets will prove valuable if SHTF. Recommended:
- Cash in small denominations for transactions when power/systems are down.
- Silver and gold coins as hard currency.
- Cryptocurrency cold storage as a digital asset.
- Barter items like tobacco, alcohol, medicine, tools.
- Physical assets like land, equipment, and firearms.
Conclusion
LDS prepper stores offer specialized products to maximize readiness for emergencies and self-reliance. Focus your purchases on versatile, durable gear to cover core survival needs like water, food, first aid, communication and sanitation. Buying the well-researched essentials in this article will help fully equip your family for any situation. Stay prepared with quality survival supplies from a trusted LDS prepper store.
