SHTF Prepper List Essentials for Modern Survivalists

Introduction

Being prepared for major disasters and catastrophic events is more important than ever in today's uncertain world. Natural disasters like hurricanes, floods, and wildfires, as well as technological failures, economic collapse, pandemics, and civil unrest all pose serious threats to our way of life. Having the right supplies and training in key survival skills could make all the difference between being prepared or left vulnerable when calamity strikes.

While traditional wilderness survival and bushcraft remains crucial, modern preppers also need equipment and tactics tailored specifically for navigating urban environments and surviving infrastructure and technology failures. Staying up-to-date with the latest gear and training provides the greatest chance of weathering a crisis and becoming truly self-reliant.

This comprehensive SHTF (Sh*t Hits The Fan) prepper list outlines must-have categories, essential gear, and important factors to consider when assembling your preparations. Following these recommendations will ensure you have the resources and capabilities to survive and thrive no matter what the future may hold. Let's dive in.

Basic Necessities

The fundamental pillars of survival preparedness center on meeting basic human needs:

Water - Stock up on multiple ways to procure, purify, and store clean potable water. Recommended items include Sawyer Mini water filters, Katadyn Micropur purification tablets, Reliance Aqua-Tainer collapsible water containers, LifeStraw personal filters, Berkey gravity-fed water filters, and 55-gallon water storage barrels for rainwater collection. Aim to have at least 1 gallon stored per person per day.
Food - Build a deep pantry of calorie-dense, non-perishable foods like MREs, protein/granola bars, canned meat, beans, rice, oats, dried fruits, nuts, peanut butter, and popcorn. Focus on nutrition, calories, and long shelf-life. Rotate stock regularly to keep it fresh.
First Aid - Outfit yourself to handle injuries without professional medical facilities. Stock various bandages, Neosporin, over-the-counter meds like ibuprofen, trauma gear like tourniquets, suture kits, scalpels, medical staplers, and detailed medical reference books and field manuals. Take Red Cross first aid classes too.
Illumination - Staying in the dark is difficult and dangerous. Have multiple light sources like LED headlamps, long-lasting LED flashlights, glow sticks, propane lanterns, and candles. Choose solar, hand crank, or lithium battery-powered options. Stock up on spare batteries.
Fire - Fire provides heat, light, cooking, and morale. Every prepper should carry stormproof matches, BIC lighters, fire steels, Vaseline-infused cotton balls, trioxane fuel bars, and ready supplies of tinder, kindling, and accelerants. Practice fire building skills regularly to stay proficient.

Shelter and Sleep System

Your sleep system and shelter enable much-needed rest, environmental protection, and comfort during a SHTF scenario:

Tents and Tarps - Choose durable, waterproof tents and tarps that are easy to pitch quickly. Prioritize adequate space, ventilation, and modularity. Camouflage helps avoid attention. Brands like ALPS Mountaineering, Coleman, Kelty, and Aqua Quest offer quality options.
Sleeping Gear - Warm, compact sleeping bags like those from TETON Sports and Hyke & Byke rated for your climate help ensure quality rest. Inflatable camping mattresses from Therm-A-Rest improve comfort.
Clothing Layers - Base layers, mid layers, and shell layers from Merino wool and synthetics allow adaptable insulation. Include weatherproof and concealed carry jackets. Brands like Carhartt, Under Armour, and First Lite offer excellent apparel.
Footwear - Rugged hiking boots from Salomon or Merrell paired with Darn Tough wool socks cushion feet over long distances. Have shoe repair supplies on hand.

Self Defense Items

Personal and home security are paramount when law and order decay. Consider:

Firearms - Reliable pistols, rifles, and shotguns from Smith & Wesson, Ruger, Savage Arms, and Mossberg deter aggressors. Stock cleaning kits and ample ammunition. Train regularly to build proficiency.
Less Lethal Weapons - Pepper spray, stun guns, and tasers from Sabre and Vipertek can halt threats without lethal force. Useful for flexible defense.
Blades - Quality fixed and folding knives from Benchmade, Spyderco, SOG, and Ontario Knife Company serve both utility and protection needs. Multitools like those from Leatherman add functionality. Sheath knives and hatchets from Gerber, Cold Steel, and Estwing protect your campsite.
Two-Way Radios - Shortwave radios, CB radios, and walkie-talkies from Motorola enable communication in the field and over longer distances as conditions permit.
Optics - Powerful binoculars from Vortex and Bushnell paired with a rifle scope allow threat assessment and precision from a distance. Night vision goggles like those made by ATN and Yukon aid sight in low light conditions.

Cooking and Food Preparation

Proper nutrition requires the right cooking gear and eating utensils:

Camp Stoves - Portable propane camp stoves from Coleman and liquid fuel stoves from MSR quickly boil water and cook meals. Carry extra propane and white gas.
Cookware - Stainless steel pots, pans, kettles, cups, and plates from GSI Outdoors and Stanley hold up over open flames.
Utensils - Pack knives, forks, spoons, spatulas, graters, can openers, etc. Lightweight sporks from Sea to Summit save weight.
Prep Tools - Cutting boards, pocket knives, kitchen shears, whisks, and CampCraft knives help prepare ingredients.
Camp Ovens - Bake fresh bread and roast wild game with portable camp ovens from KampMate and Camp Chef. Consume perishables early on.

Hygiene and Sanitation Supplies

Maintaining health and preventing disease spread is critical. Stock up on:

Soap and Shampoo - Keep clean and prevent illness. Store large supplies of antibacterial soap like Dial and Dr. Bronner's.
Toilet Paper - Indispensable for sanitation and morale. Stock plenty and consider a bidet for extending supply.
Garbage Bags - Proper waste disposal via doubling bagging limits contamination. Designate waste areas away from water sources.
Shovel - Bury waste with a compact shovel like the Intrenching Tool from Gerber. Also dig impromptu latrines.
Hand Sanitizer - Kills germs when soap and water aren't available. Stock sanitizer containing at least 60% alcohol.

Technology and Communications

While technology may fail, having equipment operational during disasters provides advantages:

Power - Solar panels, generators, external batteries, and hand crank chargers from Goal Zero, Anker, and Clore Automotive allow electricity for lights, comms, cooking, etc. Conserve fuel for generators.
Communications - Shortwave radios like the Tecsun PL-380, ham and CB radios from Midland, and walkie-talkies from Motorola enable communication locally and across distances.
Data Storage - Laptops, tablets, and USB drives stored in Faraday bags hold maps, documents, manuals, and information offline. Backup data regularly.
Navigation - Detailed topographic map sets from MyTopo, a military lensatic compass, and a Garmin GPS device (if functioning) prevent getting lost. Practice land navigation skills regularly.
Drones - Camera drones like the DJI Mavic Mini allow aerial reconnaissance around your area to identify threats, resources, terrain, people, etc while remaining undetected.

Power Generation and Storage

Generate and store power to keep devices and technology operational:

Portable Solar Panels - Quietly generate electricity from the sun with foldable photovoltaic panels from Jackery, Rockpals, and Renogy. Use charge controllers to prevent damage.
Generators - Gasoline, diesel, propane, and tri-fuel generators from Champion, DuroMax, and Honda provide electricity for the whole family or group. Use sparingly.
External Battery Packs - Recharge phones, radios, flashlights and other USB devices in the field with packs from Anker, NEXPOW, and Aukey. Carry multiple spares.
Crank Chargers - Manually generate power in a pinch with Eton and Goal Zero crank chargers. Slow, but reliable when needed.
Spare Batteries - Stock up on lithium AA and AAA batteries. Store properly to maximize longevity. Brands like Energizer Ultimate Lithium are ideal.

Communications Equipment

Stay connected with your community and access critical event updates:

Two-Way Radios - Rugged two-way radios with NOAA weather band like the BTECH MURS-V1 enable communication nearby and with your group.
Satellite Phones - Satellite phones from Iridium and Garmin inReach allow two-way texting and SOS signalling anywhere on Earth. Use with portable solar chargers.
Encrypted Apps - Download open source encrypted messaging apps like Signal and Briar to coordinate securely with loved ones.
Scanners - Monitor radio traffic and stay informed by scanning emergency frequencies. Program radios in advance. Uniden Bearcat scanners are reliable.

Navigate and monitor your surroundings without relying on technology:

Topographical Maps - Study detailed relief maps from MyTopo plotting terrain, landmarks, roads, water sources, etc. Practice old-school map reading navigation skills regularly.
Compass - Learn to take bearings and orient yourself on the terrain using lensatic compasses from Suunto and Silva. Account for magnetic declination.
Binoculars - Survey terrain and identify threats from afar while avoiding detection. Choose durable, high-powered models from Nikon, Vortex, and Bushnell.
Drones - Small camera drones like the DJI Mavic Mini scout surrounding areas to locate resources, people, threats, chokepoints, etc while remaining undetected.
Night Vision - ATN and Yukon night vision goggles and scopes allow surveillance 24/7. Illuminate threats while avoiding detection.

Operational Security

Preserve access to your devices and protect sensitive data during turmoil:

Faraday Cages - Block all electronic signals to and from devices stored inside. Prevent hacking, tracking, and EMP damage.
Encryption - Encrypt communications and sensitive data end-to-end using Vernam ciphers, PGP, AES 256, and SSL. Use encrypted apps like Signal.
Signal-Blocking Pouches - Isolate radios and phones in specialized Faraday pouches like Mission Darkness when needed. Avoid detection.
Paper Documents - Print and laminate important documents, maps, manuals etc. in case you lose digital access. Store in watertight cases.

Repair Tools and Supplies

Improvise repairs on essential gear to extend usefulness:

Duct Tape - Temporarily repair rips, holes, cracks in gear. Tape gear and tools too. Rugged and versatile.
Super Glue - Quickly bond and seal cracks, breaks, and cuts on critical equipment. Useful for emergency repairs.
Sewing Kit - Repair rips and tears in clothing, bags, shoes, and gear to maintain weather resistance and insulation.
Multitools - Pliers, screwdrivers, scissors, and knives on Leatherman tools allow field repairs on most gear.
Work Gloves - Save your hands while attempting repairs. Rugged leather work gloves improve grip strength too.

Skills for Self-Reliance

Proper training and knowledge are as vital as your equipment and preps:

Bushcraft Skills - Hunting, foraging, fire building, natural shelter construction, and land navigation away from cities.
Urban Survival Skills - Scavenging, discreet movement, social engineering, and urban evasion.
Security and Defense - Firearms handling, close quarters combat, perimeter security, and threat detection. Maintain situational awareness.
First Aid - Treating injuries, administering life-saving interventions, suturing wounds, and disease prevention without hospitals.
General Skills - Physical fitness, knife skills, improvising, critical thinking, and community building.

Bushcraft Skills

Live off the land away from urban environments:

Foraging - Identify and harvest wild edible plants, mushrooms, and natural food sources. Use reference guides to avoid poisoning.
Trapping/Hunting - Legally harvest wild game like rabbits, deer, squirrels, and fowl for food. Butcher and process kills safely.
Firecraft - Start fires under wet conditions using bow drill, flint and steel, and tinder bundles. Choose discreet sites.
Natural Shelters - Construct weatherproof shelters from forest debris for concealment. Insulate from ground and radiate heat safely.
Land Navigation - Use topo maps, lensatic compass techniques, celestial navigation, and terrain association to navigate cross-country without getting lost.

Urban Survival Skills

Adapt bushcraft skills to navigate urban environments:

Scavenging - Systematically search vacant buildings, vehicles, dumpsters, etc. for critical supplies while avoiding detection. Move discreetly.
Blending In - Adopt behavior, dress, and routines to discreetly move through populated areas and avoid conflict or attention.
Social Engineering - Negotiate, barter, or incentivize others to provide aid, resources, or assistance. Build reciprocal relationships. Offer value in exchange.
Security - Maintain hypervigilance. Continuously scan environment and avoid chokepoints, ambushes, and unsafe areas. Stay armed and protected. Move unpredictably.

Security and Defense

Defend yourself, your people, and your preps against threats:

Weapons Training - Master safety, maintenance and proficiency with each firearm. Perform speed and tactical reloads. Get professional instruction.
Close Quarters Combat - Learn armed and unarmed techniques to neutralize threats at close range when firearms are not an option.
Perimeter Security - Utilize layered physical and electronic security measures like fences, alarms, defended fighting positions, and patrols to protect your home, bug out location, or camp.
Situational Awareness - Remain alert and detect threats early by constantly scanning and monitoring your surroundings. Don't be distracted.

Medical Skills

Save lives by treating injuries without hospitals or doctors:

First Aid - Control bleeding, splint fractures, administer CPR, and treat shock. Respond quickly and transport patients safely. Establish triage protocols.
Trauma Care - Stabilize penetrating and blunt force trauma. Treat burns, wounds, and head injuries. Suture lacerations.
Field Medicine - Dispense antibiotics and analgesics correctly. Safely administer IV fluids. Reference medical guides to identify illnesses and proper care.
Sanitation - Prevent infection by sterilizing tools, thoroughly washing hands, and keeping patients, clothing, dressings, and environment clean.
Herbal Medicine - Forage and prepare antimicrobial and analgesic plants like garlic, goldenrod, and willow bark for supplementing first aid.

General Skills and Fitness

Well-rounded skills boost survival chances:

Physical Fitness - Develop strength, endurance, flexibility, and mobility through exercise and training. Maintain fitness to outperform threats.
Bushcraft - Become an expert with knives and axes. Master fire building, trapping, hunting, foraging, and camp cooking.
Self Defense - Learn hand-to-hand combat and weapon retention. Fend off attackers at close quarters.
Critical Thinking - Analyze situations objectively. Quickly identify solutions to new problems. Weigh options logically to make the right decisions under stress.
Leadership - Build a resilient community and lead your family or group by example. Share knowledge, provide training, and boost morale.

Conclusion

This extensive modern SHTF prepper list provides a blueprint for surviving disasters through leveraging both traditional bushcraft and urban survival tactics. Stockpile adequate food, water, first aid supplies, fuel, tools for security, shelter, hygiene, comms, and alternative energy sources. Hone wilderness skills, combat training, emergency medicine competence, operational security, and overall resilience. Preparedness is a lifelong journey, not a destination. Continuously build skills and supplies, and create a resilient community. With rigorous training and the right equipment, you can withstand turmoil and build real self-reliance. Stay vigilant.