Emergency Stockpile List

Most of us have never needed to survive an extended
emergency situation or a time when the conveniences of
normal everyday life are no longer available. Not having
heat, lights, running water, shelter from the elements and
food would devastate most families. The truth is, we as
comfortable satisfied Americans don’t know what it’s like
to sacrifice. The following Emergency Stockpile List could
never prepare you for all emergencies, but it can help you
start thinking about what you might need, just in case.
Some of the things on the list you may already have and
some of the things on the list may just not be relevant
to you. There are six headings on this list and I have put
them in what I consider to be the order of importance.
Family and Friends
This may seem strange in a self-centered, self-reliant, selfindulgent,
“me-me-me” society, but it’s crucial for survival.
If you have family and friends, it makes the smaller
challenges seem like no problem at all and even the most
devastating circumstances become manageable when
shared with loved ones. If you don’t have close family or
friends, I recommend you join a prayer group. A group
of people dedicated to helping each other through
prayer will, over time, become sensitive to the needs and
concerns of the individuals of the group as well as the
group overall. This is also a place where the higher cost
items can be purchased and shared to benefit more than
just one person. You might want to start a food pantry at
church to help those in need, just a little something to
make it to the next payday. There are many ways to use
the buying power of a group to get more for your money.
For whatever reason, use the power of, the assets of, and
the talents of a group, because everyone will benefit.
Water
Water is simple: one gallon per person per day, that’s
it. The thing is, when it doesn’t come out of the faucet,
you have to be sure it’s drinkable. One solution is
bottled water. And the best way to stockpile water is in
one-gallon jugs. Gallon jugs store best in those plastic
milk containers, four bottles to a container that stacks
to conserve space. Remember, one gallon per day per
person adds up quick. Ten people for ten days equal
one hundred gallons of water. Also, one gallon of water
weighs about eight pounds, so ten people for ten days
equal eight hundred pounds. Another suggestion is
chemical treatments. Bleach, iodine, and other chemicals
kill most of the bacteria in water, so it’s a good idea to
keep some of these handy, if your stockpile is focused
on ten or more people for an extended period of time.
Another method for clean water is filtration. There are
many filters on the market that are either gravity-fed
or use a mechanical pump. They work well, especially
when combined with chemical treatment. The very best
method, and this is where family and friends help each
other if you are thinking long-term, is a portable solarpowered
ultraviolet water purifying system. These are
expensive, but they are no bigger than a suitcase, need
no electricity, and can supply about one hundred gallons
of clean water per day.
Food
Food, like water, is basically simple. You need about 1200-
1500 calories per person per day to survive. There are
many kits available that contain water and 200-calorie
power bars to sustain two to three people for two to three
days. You can purchase larger kits for more people and for
a longer period of time. If you are considering stockpiling
food for a group of people for a serious amount of time,
it’s a good idea to consider canned foods and dried or
powdered foods instead of the expensive power bars.
Remember, these items will take up a larger space but
you will have a greater variety and more control over your
food resources. Items such as powdered milk, powdered
drink mixes like Gatorade, powdered eggs, canned meats,
dried meats, and peanut butter are all good options. Just
have everyone in the group make a list of what they think
would be necessary to survive an extended emergency.
NOTE: Don’t forget the can opener.
The Victory Garden
During World War II, the American people were called
upon to sacrifice. There was rationing and there were
shortages of many commodities and goods. One of the
Emergency Stockpile List
Produced by
Jerry Robinson Ministries International
benefits of this sacrifice was the implementation of the
victory garden. This garden was a family and community
project. The use of this type of a shared food source
can be very beneficial in times of emergency. It doesn’t
take a large space and you will be surprised what can be
grown in as small as a 10’ x10’ garden. This small space is
capable of supplying a tremendous amount of delicious
homegrown tomatoes, summer squash, and fresh onions.
If a neighborhood pulls together and plants a larger
garden plot, the savings and the fruits and vegetables
can benefit many people.
Another suggestion might be to replace ornamental
flowers, trees, and shrubs in the landscape with trees and
plants that produce food. There are many good books
and eager farmers that can give you insight and wisdom
on planting and harvesting food crops.
Clothing
Each person needs a minimum of one change of clothes.
Add to that a pair of thermal underwear, one blanket,
and an extra pair of shoes. The shoes need to be heavysoled,
either hiking or work boots, preferably lace-up and
Gortex-lined to be waterproof. Remember, layers will
keep you warmer, so if you have a thermal top covered
with a t-shirt covered with a long sleeve shirt covered
with a jacket or coat, you will be able to adjust your
temperature by removing or adding layers. It’s just much
more practical and much more comfortable. It wouldn’t
hurt to include a hat, scarf, and gloves. A baseball-type
cap will also help shield you from the sun, but your ears
are exposed, so a wide-brimmed hat is better.
First Aid
Most of us have an assortment of over-the-counter
products we use occasionally for the scrapes, cuts, pains,
and ailments of everyday life. Most of us, however,
are not prepared for an emergency. If there were no
hospital emergency room at our disposal, what would
we do? There are many types of prepackaged first aid
kits available, from small to large and from affordable to
expensive. Unlike food and water, a first aid stockpile is
not based on the number of people and number of days.
It is based on the number of people plus the magnitude
of the emergency. When faced with a large scale
emergency, your compassion should reach out to help
as many people as possible, so the amount of your first
aid stockpile should be as much as you can afford. One
company, QuakeKare (http://www.quakekare.com) has
kits for all budgets. The Trauma Central Supply Kit comes
in a five-gallon plastic bucket and costs about $200. As
with any kit, you will probably want to supplement it
with products it does not include. The following list will
help you put together an emergency first aid supply
kit that is portable and right for you. Use your group’s
resources. If you know someone in the medical industry,
talk to them. Their experience will be beneficial. You will
need a good, basic first aid book. It is also helpful to
have as many in your group as possible take classes in
first aid and CPR. An easy place to find out about this is
http://www.redcross.org
Ace (elastic) bandage (4”)
Activated charcoal (contact your local poison control center)
Adhesive tape ( ½”, 1”, and 2” widths)
Ammonia inhalants
Analgesic cream (camphophenique, etc.)
Antacid (Tums, Pepto-Bismol, etc.)
Anti-diarrheal (Immodium, etc.)
Antihistamine (Benadryl, etc.)
Antiseptic Ointment (Neosporin, etc.)
Bandages (come in many shapes, sizes, and kinds)
Band-aids (one box each of assorted sizes and widths)
Butterfly sutures (leukostrips)
Blankets (probably ten)
Box of maxi-pads
Cold packs and hot packs (instant and reusable)
Cold/Flu tablets (Nyquil, etc.)
Cotton balls and cotton swabs
Cough Syrup and Drops (Robitussin, etc.)
Decongestant (Actifed, etc.)
Dental floss (unwaxed)
Eyedropper and turkey baster (for the big job)
Eye wash (sterile saline solution)
Gauze Bandages (2”x2”, 3”x3”, 4”x4”, 18”x36”)
Gauze Rolls (assorted widths)
Gauze Sponges (4”x4”)
Gloves (disposable, surgical type)
Inflate-a-shield CPR mask
Isopropyl Alcohol (70% and 90%) plus moistened towelettes or prep pads
Laxative (Ex-Lax, etc.)
Lip Balm (Chapstick, etc.)
Magnifying glass or jeweler’s visor
Nail clippers
Nausea or Motion Sickness (Dramamine, etc.)
Pain Relievers (aspirin and non-aspirin)
Petroleum Jelly
Provodone-iodine (ointment packets)
Radiation Protection (Potassium Iodate or Potassium Iodide)
Razor blades (single edge)
Safety pins (assorted sizes)
Scalpel
Scissors (pointed, surgical)
Second-skin bandages (for burns)
Sewing kit
Soap (surgical, antibacterial) and betadine solution
Splints (aluminum finger splints and SAM splints)
Sunburn Relief (Solarcaine, etc.)
Tefla Pads (2”x3”)
Thermometer (disposable or digital, no breakables containing mercury)
Tongue depressors
Toothache Relief (Anbesol, etc.)
Triangular bandages
Tweezers and 6” hemostats (locking pliers)
Vomit Inducer (Ipecac, etc.)
No list could ever be absolutely complete. As you go over
this list and start to assemble your kit, you will no doubt
find more items that you want to include. Remember,
white five-gallon sealable plastic buckets are not only
lightweight, stackable, and waterproof, but you can label
the lid with a black marker for easy reference.
Shelter
A house is not a home without a four-man tent. If you plan
for a four-man tent for every three people, with the Grace
of GOD, you may only have to put six people to a tent.
In a time of emergency, make-shift shelter is often the
only shelter some people have. Sleeping on the ground
in inclement weather is more than uncomfortable; it
can also be unhealthy. So many things are needed. It is
impossible to give a complete, precise list. So we’re going
to give you some ideas to help you improvise when the
emergency arises. GOD be with you.
Aside from the tents, you will need many of the items
listed below:
Assorted camping supplies (knives, forks, spoons, plates, cups, pots, pans)
Axe
Baking soda
Bleach (no additives, unscented)
Buckets, 5-gallon (several)
Candles (plumber’s candles burn longer)
Cash
Cell phone
Duct tape
Emergency radio (a solar-powered or hand-cranked radio/flashlight/cell
phone charger combo)
Flares
Hammer and nails
Hand saw/Limb saw
Kitchen matches (10 boxes strike anywhere)
Lantern and flashlights (non-battery type or battery type with supply of
batteries)
Matchlight charcoal (at least 10 pounds)
Personal medications
Plastic trash bags that fit a 5-gallon bucket (latrine)
Portable shower (sold at most sports stores - use black, plastic jugs and
the sun to heat water)
Rope (at least 100 feet)
Shovel
Sleeping bags
Trash bags (large)
Waterproof container for matches
Waterproof tarps (can be made into tents with a little rope and
imagination)
Work gloves
While far from complete, this should give you somewhat
of an idea of the things necessary to survive in the event
of an extreme emergency. Remember our best resource
is the LORD and our most important possession is faith in
Him. Pray daily and pray often with faith believing.
Other useful links:
http://www.nationalterroralert.com
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/first-aid-kits/FA00067
http://www.aqua-sun-intl.com/
http://www.ready.gov/