[…]
The post Growing and Foraging Mushrooms: More Delicious and Useful Than You Think appeared first on The Survival Mom.
from The Survival Mom https://ift.tt/njWleLQ
Wednesday, April 8, 2026
Growing and Foraging Mushrooms: More Delicious and Useful Than You Think
from The Survival Mom https://ift.tt/njWleLQ
If We Have A War: 30 Items You Need Now
If we have a war, here are 30 items you need now. No family wants to think about war. But history has shown repeatedly that the families who prepare in advance are the ones who come through emergencies intact. Whether facing geopolitical instability, civil unrest, or a large-scale conflict, having the right supplies on hand could be the difference between crisis and calm. This guide covers the 30 most essential items every family should have ready and why each one matters.
Preparedness is not panic. As I’ve mentioned before, it’s love in action. Building a family emergency kit follows the same logic as buying car insurance: you hope you never need it, but you’ll be grateful it’s there if a situation arises where the insurance coverage is needed.
If We Have A War: 30 Items You Need Now
CATEGORY 1 — WATER AND HYDRATION
- Water Storage (1 Gallon Per Person Per Day as per government agencies). You know, I prefer 4 gallons per person per day. We need water to properly hydrate, cook, provide personal hygiene, and perform minimal laundry chores.
FEMA recommends a minimum of two weeks’ supply of clean drinking water for each household member. Store water in BPA-free containers in a cool, dark location. For a family of four, that’s at least 56 gallons. Don’t overlook pets; they need clean water too.
- Water Purification Tablets or Filter Straws
Municipal water supplies can be compromised during conflict. Portable water filters such as the Sports Berkey or Sawyer Squeeze can filter thousands of gallons of water, while iodine or chlorine tablets serve as a compact backup. Every family emergency bag should include at least one method of purification. Sports Berkey Bottles
- Collapsible Water Carriers
If you need to evacuate quickly or collect water from a source, collapsible containers are lightweight and easy to store. Keep two or three folded flat in your emergency pack. Collapsible Water Carriers
CATEGORY 2 — FOOD AND NUTRITION
- Non-Perishable Food Supply (30-Day Minimum)
Canned goods, freeze-dried meals, and vacuum-sealed staples like rice, oats, and lentils form the backbone of any wartime food cache. Rotate stock every six to twelve months. Prioritize foods your family will actually eat. Stress isn’t the time to introduce new flavors at mealtime.
- Manual Can Opener
One of the most overlooked items in any survival kit. Power outages make electric openers useless. Keep two in your kit, one at home and one in your go-bag.
- High-Calorie Emergency Ration Bars
Designed for survival scenarios, these compact bars provide 2,400 to 3,600 calories per package and have shelf lives of five years or more. They’re ideal for bug-out bags because they require no preparation and take up minimal space.
- Baby Food and Formula (If Applicable)
Infants have specific nutritional needs that can’t be met by substitutes. If you have young children, stockpile at least a three-month supply of formula and age-appropriate food. Breastfeeding mothers should also ensure adequate caloric intake and hydration.
- Comfort Foods and Morale Items
Psychological well-being matters just as much as physical survival. Include a small supply of chocolate, coffee, hard candy, or any shelf-stable comfort item your family enjoys. Morale is a survival resource.
CATEGORY 3 — MEDICAL AND FIRST AID
- Comprehensive First Aid Kit
Go beyond the standard drugstore kit. Your wartime medical cache should include sterile gauze pads, compression bandages, antiseptic wipes, medical tape, tweezers, a suture kit, nitrile gloves, a CPR face shield, and a detailed first aid manual. Take a basic first aid course now while resources are available. First Aid Kit
- Prescription Medications (90-Day Supply)
Talk to your doctor about obtaining extended supplies of any critical medications. During wartime, pharmaceutical supply chains can break down quickly. Insulin, blood pressure medication, antiepileptics, and psychiatric medications should be prioritized. Store in a cool, dry location away from light.
- Over-the-Counter Medications
Stock ibuprofen, acetaminophen, antihistamines, antidiarrheals, antacids, and cold and flu remedies. Include topical antibiotic ointment, hydrocortisone cream, and burn treatment gel. These seem mundane until they’re not available at any price.
- Tourniquets and Hemostatic Gauze
In the event of serious injury during conflict, knowing how to control severe bleeding could save a life. A CAT (Combat Application Tourniquet) and QuikClot hemostatic gauze are now recommended for civilian emergency kits by trauma surgeons and emergency physicians alike.
CATEGORY 4 — COMMUNICATION AND INFORMATION
- Battery-Powered or Hand-Crank Emergency Radio
When the internet, cell service, and power grids fail, a NOAA-compatible emergency radio may be your only source of official information. Look for models with AM/FM, shortwave, and NOAA weather band capabilities. Solar charging is a useful bonus.
- Walkie-Talkies or Family Radio Service (FRS) Radios
Cell networks collapse during mass emergencies. Short-range two-way radios allow family members to stay in contact during evacuations or when separated, unless they’re out of range. Keep a set charged at all times and establish a family check-in protocol now.
- Physical Maps of Your Region
GPS depends on functioning satellites and charged devices. Printed topographic and road maps of your local area, state, and surrounding regions cost almost nothing and never run out of battery charge. Know at least two evacuation routes from your home before any crisis begins.
CATEGORY 5 — POWER AND LIGHT
- Portable Power Station or Generator
A solar-compatible portable power station can charge devices, run a CPAP machine, keep refrigerated medications cold, and power basic lighting. Generators require fuel storage, which introduces its own risks; balance your needs with your storage capacity and local regulations.
- Flashlights and Headlamps
Keep one headlamp per family member, plus several heavy-duty flashlights. LED models are far more efficient than older incandescent versions. Store extra batteries or choose rechargeable models. Hands-free illumination is essential when managing children, applying first aid, or navigating at night. Headlamps and Flashlights We have solar flashlights that we keep on our window sills so they stay constantly charged.
- Candles and Waterproof Matches
Long-burning candles and strike-anywhere matches are low-tech but reliable. Keep them in a waterproof container. Use candles cautiously around children and in enclosed spaces. Never leave them unattended.
CATEGORY 6 — SHELTER AND WARMTH
- Emergency Mylar Blankets
These lightweight, space-efficient foil blankets retain up to 90 percent of body heat and cost very little. Keep one per family member in every vehicle, go-bag, and emergency kit. They also function as ground covers, rain shelters, and signaling devices.
- Sleeping Bags Rated for Cold Weather
If you must leave home or lose heating, quality sleeping bags rated to at least 20°F can prevent hypothermia. Prioritize children’s sizes if you have young ones. Store bags in compression sacks to minimize space.
- Tarp and Paracord
A heavy-duty tarp and 100 feet of paracord allow you to create makeshift shelters, cover broken windows, secure loads, and perform dozens of other survival tasks. This simple combination has immense utility in a wide range of emergency scenarios.
CATEGORY 7 — SANITATION AND HYGIENE
- Portable Toilet and Waste Bags
Sanitation infrastructure is often among the first casualties of conflict. A portable camp toilet with compostable waste bags prevents the spread of disease in your household. Disease, not combat, is historically the leading cause of civilian casualties in wartime.
- Hand Sanitizer, Soap, and Disinfectant
Stockpile enough soap, hand sanitizer, and household disinfectant for several months. Maintaining hygiene when water is scarce requires discipline and supplies. Bleach (unscented), when diluted, is also a powerful disinfectant for surfaces and can be used to treat water in emergencies.
- Feminine Hygiene and Diapering Supplies
Often excluded from generic preparedness lists, menstrual products and diapers are essential for many families. Stock a three-month minimum supply, or consider reusable alternatives such as cloth diapers and menstrual cups, which help eliminate restocking concerns.
CATEGORY 8 — DOCUMENTS AND FINANCIAL PREPAREDNESS
- Waterproof Document Safe or Folder
Gather physical copies of every critical document your family owns: passports, birth certificates, Social Security cards, insurance policies, deeds, vehicle titles, medical records, and prescriptions. Store originals in a fireproof, waterproof container at home and a duplicate set offsite or in a safety deposit box.
- Cash in Small Denominations
ATMs and card readers fail when power goes out. Keep a meaningful amount of physical cash in small bills, accessible at all times. A mix of ones, fives, tens, and twenties allows you to make exact purchases without needing change from strangers.
CATEGORY 9 — TOOLS AND UTILITY
- Multi-Tool or Swiss Army Knife
A quality multi-tool with pliers, blades, screwdrivers, a saw, and scissors handles an extraordinary range of tasks. Keep one in your kit and one in your vehicle. Choose a reputable brand — this isn’t the place to cut costs.
- Duct Tape
The utility of duct tape in emergencies is nearly impossible to overstate. Window sealing, shelter repair, wound closure in extreme situations, equipment repair, and improvised carrying solutions are just a few of its wartime applications. Store two rolls per kit.
- Fire Starting Kit
Beyond matches and lighters, a quality fire-starting kit includes a ferrocerium rod, tinder material, and fire-starting cubes. The ability to reliably start a fire provides heat, cooking capability, boiling water for purification, and psychological comfort, all of which are critical in an extended emergency.
CATEGORY 10 — FAMILY COORDINATION AND MENTAL HEALTH
- A Written Family Emergency Plan
The most important item on this list is not a physical object. Sit down as a family and write out your emergency plan. Where will you meet if separated? What are the two evacuation routes from your home? Who is the out-of-state contact? What are each person’s roles and responsibilities? A family that has rehearsed a plan will outperform a family with expensive equipment and no coordination. Review the plan twice a year and update it as children grow and circumstances change.
THE BOTTOM LINE
Preparing for the possibility of war or large-scale conflict doesn’t require extreme political views or a bunker mentality. It requires the same foresight that leads responsible families to carry car insurance, wear seatbelts, and install smoke detectors. These 30 items represent a solid foundation, not a complete solution, but a meaningful head start.
Start with water and food. Add medical supplies. Communicate with your family. Build your plan. And do it now, while shelves are full, prices are normal, and the pressure of crisis isn’t yet upon you. The best time to prepare was years ago. The second-best time is today.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
How much does it cost to build a basic war preparedness kit?
A solid foundational kit for a family of four can be assembled for between $500 and $1,500, built gradually over several months. Prioritize water, food, and first aid; these provide the highest return on investment at the lowest cost.
Where should I store my emergency supplies?
Keep the bulk of your supplies at home in a cool, dry, dark location. Store a smaller go-bag in each vehicle and consider a secondary cache at a trusted family member’s home in a different area.
How do I talk to children about war preparedness without causing anxiety?
Frame preparedness as a family strength, not a fear response. Use age-appropriate language, involve children in age-suitable tasks like packing snacks or choosing comfort items, and emphasize that having a plan means your family is ready for anything.
How often should I rotate my emergency food and water supply?
Water stored in commercial containers should be replaced every six to twelve months. Canned and shelf-stable foods should be cycled using the first-in, first-out method, with attention paid to expiration dates. Freeze-dried foods often have 25-year shelf lives and require less frequent rotation.
Is this list applicable outside of wartime scenarios?
Absolutely. Every item on this list is equally useful in natural disasters, extended power outages, pandemic disruptions, and severe weather events. A war preparedness kit is simply a comprehensive emergency preparedness kit by another name.
Final Word
Preparedness isn’t about fear; it’s about love. Every can of food you store, every plan you write down, and every conversation you have with your children about what to do in an emergency is an act of care for the people who matter most to you. War may never come to your doorstep. But the calm, capable family you become in the process of preparing will serve you in every storm life sends your way, large or small. Start today. Start small. Just start. May God bless this world, Linda
The post If We Have A War: 30 Items You Need Now appeared first on Food Storage Moms.
from Food Storage Moms
How to Read a Topographic Map
Your GPS battery is dead. The cell signal is gone. The trail you were following disappeared two miles back. What you have left is a folded paper map and a compass. That is the moment when knowing how to read a topographic map stops being a hobby skill and becomes a survival skill. Topographic maps, […]
The post How to Read a Topographic Map appeared first on Ask a Prepper.
from Ask a Prepper https://ift.tt/bFrzdeA
Tuesday, April 7, 2026
How to Build an INCH Bag (I’m Never Coming Home Bag)
Estimated reading time: 20 minutes
INCH Stands for “I’m Never Coming Home” and If That’s The Case, You Had Better Think Twice Before You Pack.
A common survival concept is the idea of the 72-hour kit or bug out bag. It’s the stuff you would need in case you had to abruptly evacuate your home for three days and were totally dependent on the contents of the bag. But an INCH bag requires a whole different mindset and approach.
It’s not about what’s going to get you through 72 hours but what you’ll need to sustain yourself day after day. The basic assumption is that you don’t have a pre-determined bug out location and are essentially wandering towards a better destination.
But packing an INCH bag is one thing. Understanding why you would have to embark on such an extreme evacuation and acquiring the skills to survive it come long before you pack your bag.
Want to save this post for later? Click Here to Pin It On Pinterest!
Why Would You Never Come Home Again?
It seems implausible to think about leaving home and never returning. A few people have sadly made that choice for personal reasons, but this has more to do with conditions and situations beyond someone’s control.
A current example is the combination of the severe economic downturn due to the pandemic and the raging fires across the American West. People who have lost their homes to fire and are both broke and unemployed may have no alternative but to turn their back on ever going home.
The worst-case scenario for an INCH event is following a widespread and catastrophic disaster. The fires in the west are certainly catastrophic but still localized. When all of society is pushed to extreme degrees, the rules change and permanent relocation becomes desirable for many people.
There is a long historical precedent for this behavior, and a word has emerged to define those forced to do it. They’re called “refugees.”
An INCH Kit is Just a Start
If you take it literally, never coming home again means you’re packing a bag for life. That’s unrealistic to a large degree, although many photos of refugees from the past show them doing just that, and many carried what they could on their backs.
Like any refugee, packing an INCH survival kit is about assembling the items you need to sustain yourself until you figure out how you’re going to reestablish your lifestyle and your new home. This isn’t about a long camping trip; it’s about starting a new life because you have no choice.
Does It All Have To Fit In A Backpack?
No, but in an effort to prioritize equipment and supplies, we’re going to take the INCH backpack approach. In actual fact, if you were leaving home for good and had options, you would most likely pack a vehicle with a trailer attached and a loaded roof rack.
That type of journey would present its own set of challenges, but in an effort to keep this simple, we’re only going to cover what one person would need and could carry on their back in an INCH scenario. However…
Common Sense Considerations
Just you or others?
Most of what we read about bug out bags and INCH kits seem to assume that one person is going to set out and have no one to think about but themselves. In actual fact, most people bug out or evacuate with family or friends. If only one of you has any equipment or supplies, things are going to get challenging quickly.
If you’re traveling in a group, plan to pack individual INCH bags for each person in your group. Keep in mind that with numerous people and packs, you don’t have to assemble each pack the same way. Everyone should have a sleeping bag, but how many tents do you really need for four of you if you have one tent that sleeps four?
In the woods or in the city?
Another common assumption is that everyone who evacuates or bugs out is heading for the woods. Anyone with any wilderness survival experience knows that a forest or wilderness area offers plentiful resources and relative safety, but you may find that you are stuck in a city or suburban environment, at least for a time.
Think about equipment and behaviors in an urban environment and how that differs from what you would need or do in a wilderness environment. It’s easy to assume you can always build a fire for heat and cooking, but is that a viable option if you’re spending a few days in an abandoned parking garage? You need to think about, plan, and possibly pack for other possibilities.
Location, destination, and climate factors.
Think about where you live and where you may end up for any permanent evacuation. Terrain and weather factors vary across North America. If your ultimate destination is in the desert of the American Southwest, your gear and other items are going to be very different than they would be for the Canadian Rockies. The same is true if you plan to stay in a city or a suburb.
You also have to consider seasons. Most INCH kit information seems to assume summer with a bit of planning for cold weather. If you are going to be living through four distinct seasons, you need to think about what’s to come. Our tendency is to sometimes pack for the immediate season. Think ahead to what’s coming in your area as time goes on.
The world will go on.
Too many INCH scenarios seem to assume a Mad Max environment where technology is back to the stone age. Ironically, it doesn’t take armageddon to put some people into an INCH situation. The world will go on to varying degrees and things like cash, debit cards, cell phones, and the Internet will most likely still be fully functional depending on the area and conditions.
It’s worth noting that the Internet was specifically designed by the Defense Department to survive global thermonuclear war.
You may also find that resources like stores are still available, but you’ll need some form of currency or at the worst, barter items to buy anything you need since credit and debit cards may not be accepted. Once again, it’s all a matter of degree depending on events, location, and how things evolve.
An INCH level bug out may not be possible for some.
Even if events are extreme, some people won’t be able to pursue this level of bug out. Large, extended family groups are a good example.
There’s a reason so many people continue to live in desperate cities and towns around the world that are constantly threatened by civil war, famine, and worse. They have no choice, and their devotion to their young children, elderly family members, or family members with medical conditions simply make this level of extreme evacuation impossible.
In those situations, people do the best they can and wonder if the day will ever come when they can get away and leave the worst behind. For those who have the physical ability and knowledge to make the move, here’s how to make it happen.
3 Critical Success Factors in an INCH Scenario
1. Sustainability
How you pack to sustain yourself for 72 hours is a far cry from what you would need to survive day after day. Here are some classic fails and some better alternatives:
Batteries
Forget about it. Anything that requires batteries to function is going to fail you and relatively quickly. Better alternatives are any powered device that can be recharged either with solar power or hand-cranked. You could try using a solar charger to recharge some rechargeable batteries if you must, but a common complaint is that they charge less and less with each recharge.
Matches
Bad idea. A box of waterproof matches might get you through a few days of fires but eventually, you’ll run out. The same goes for a disposable lighter or a lighter like a Zippo that requires regular refilling and flints. It makes sense to learn some basic fire-starting skills without matches, but think about magnesium fire sticks or rechargeable lighters. Fire is going to be very important, so make sure you think long term.
Food
Think about it. It’s wise to carry some food to get you through a bad day or two, but over time you’re going to need to find your own. Basic fishing gear is a good start and anything you can use to hunt game. Wild foraging knowledge is a good idea as well. And maybe some seeds to plant for when you hunker down at an established spot.
Water
You can’t take it with you. Always carry some, but know that finding and purifying water is going to be a constant challenge. It’s actually more important than food. You can go for weeks without food. You won’t make it past 3 days without water.
Camouflage
Good idea. You want to blend in. But while military camos work well in the woods, they make you stand out in a city. Dress for the environment if you want to keep a low profile.
2. Knowledge
You can have the best and most expensive equipment and supplies in the world, but they’re meaningless if you don’t know critical survival skills like shelter building, wilderness cookery, water purification, and other fundamental survival tactics. And don’t ignore the unique challenges of surviving in a city after a disaster.
Take the time to learn and practice some fundamental skills. A desperate situation is a bad time to learn how to do anything for the first time, and there will be more than enough first-time events to keep you busy. Here are some basic skill sets you should take the time to master:
Fire Starting
Learn how to construct a fire from various materials, how to start it without matches, how to sustain it, how to build a fire in rain and snow, how to design fire for cooking, warmth, signaling, or incognito.
Water Collection
Learn how to locate, collect, purify, and store water. Learn all of the different methods for filtering, purification, and some of the obscure locations and techniques for finding and collecting water from digging to evaporation to desalinating saltwater and collecting rainwater.
Wild Foraging
Learn about which plants you can eat and which are toxic or poisonous. The same goes for basic fishing and hunting skills. And think about what you would do in a city or suburban environment where natural foods aren’t as prevalent.
Orienteering
Make sure you know how to find your way as you travel. Basic map and compass orienteering is a good place to start. And then practice.
Medical Knowledge
Learn basic and advanced first aid. You can sign up for classes at a community college or find information on the Internet or in books. And don’t stop at bandages. Learn about suturing open wounds, burn treatments, choking, and other serious conditions that you can actually do something about. And it’s not just about treatment. Knowing how to diagnose basic conditions is crucial.
Shelter and Other Construction
If you find a spot where you think you may remain for a while, think about constructing a more permanent shelter. But you’ll need the skills to do it.
And while you’re at it, take time to learn how to build other basic things from furniture to latrines to other survival items you can build from nature or found materials. In fact, urban and suburban environments may offer you more options for improvised construction than any field or forest.
Repairs
If it breaks, you need to fix it because you may not be able to replace it. Think of what you might need for repairs—anything from a sewing kit to duct tape to baling wire. Look at your equipment and think about what supplies and knowledge you would need to fix it.
Communication
Pack your cell phone and make sure you can do a solar recharge, but take the time to learn basic survival communication including Morse code, semaphore (flag and hand signals), ground to air hand signals and body language, trail marking symbols, and if you have the portable equipment and are so inclined, Ham radio. Phoning home isn’t easy for someone who’s never coming home.
3. Planning
It’s hard to imagine leaving home forever, but in many respects, you’re simply moving to a new home under extreme and threatening conditions. If you’re reading this, it may be in the back of your mind that it could happen, and it may be worth taking time to make some basic plans:
- What could happen to cause you to make such a serious decision?
- Where would you go?
- Who would accompany you?
- Who should you inform and not inform of your departure and destination?
- What preliminary steps would you have to take immediately, from consolidating and collecting investments and cash on hand to figuring out how to keep in touch with any companies, financial institutions, or other organizations that you depend on?
- Where would you forward your mail and yes, the mail might continue to go through. At least that was the idea in the movie The Postman.
- What other decisions or notifications would you implement if you were simply moving to a new home or apartment? An INCH scenario is a radically different approach to relocating, but it may be presumptuous to think that everything in the world is falling apart just because things are so bad in your part of the world.
Long-Term Survival Basics
We’ll cover some lists for items you should put into an INCH kit, but it may be more important to think conceptually so you can adjust items to your current situation and destination. On a fundamental level, here are the things you’ll need to keep going. And here again, all specific items are assuming one person.
Shelter
It’s probably a good idea to carry a basic shelter that’s camouflaged to your surroundings, has a low profile, and sleeps one comfortably. Remember, you’ll probably want to build a more permanent shelter when you decide to stay at a location.
Sleeping
Think about the seasons and weather extremes at your destination. You should have a sleeping bag, mattress pad, and Mylar emergency blankets.
Never put an emergency blanket over the top of you when sleeping. They are waterproof and capture condensation from perspiration. Put them underneath or use them to wrap around you on a cold day. They can also be used to collect rainwater.
Food
Bring along a few days of ultralight backpacking foods and some energy bars as emergency food. Remember, you’re going to have to find your own food, so basic fishing gear is a good idea.
You should have a weapon for defense and you can use that for hunting in a wilderness area. Shooting at squirrels in a city park may be a bad idea. A slingshot might be better. Seeds are small and light. Bring some.
Water
Two concepts to remember: Purification and storage. A LifeStraw is a great idea for on-the-spot purification of water. Water purification tablets are also important, and you should always have a way to boil water for purification and cooking. Storage containers from canteens to camelbacks are the best way to store and transport water.
Cooking
Think about what you’ll be cooking and how you plan to cook it and eat it. A basic cook kit is obvious but also think about a portable stove in case you have to cook in an urban or suburban environment where an open fire might be a problem, or if you just want to keep a low profile while cooking.
Clothing
You should pack for the weather, but you can only pack so much. Think about an extra bar of soap for doing laundry. Priorities include socks, at least one pair of pants with multiple pockets, a hat for summer and one for winter, and gloves.
Other clothing is up to you, but clothes take up a lot of space in a pack, so keep it to a minimum in terms of quantity and make sure you have enough to stay warm. Don’t forget rain gear and the best boots you can buy. It’s going to be a long, long walk.
Medical care
You should have a basic first aid kit and a kit for serious injuries. Think about the usual afflictions including cuts, burns, wounds, breaks, sprains, eye injuries, and tooth injuries.
If you have a recurring condition, pack accordingly. Put together a kit of OTC medicines and if you take prescription meds, pack as many as you can get and learn about natural alternatives if refills are unavailable.
Personal Hygiene
A kit of personal care items would include soap, razor, comb, handkerchiefs (more sustainable than tissue), toilet paper (learn about natural alternatives), toothbrush and toothpaste, and any other items you would need to take care of yourself. Rarely mentioned are tampons or feminine pads, and that’s another area where natural alternatives are worth understanding.
Tools
This is not just about cutting firewood but constructing everything from shelters to camp equipment and furnishings. Tools with built-in, multiple functions are a good idea including a shovel, ax, saw, multipurpose tools, sheath knife, portable tool kit, baling wire, duct tape, nails (worth their weight for basic construction), and a machete.
Communication
Take your cell phone even if the service isn’t working at the time of departure. Have a way to solar recharge it, and think about how you’ll pay your monthly bill.
You should also consider a solar rechargeable or hand crank rechargeable all-purpose radio/flashlight with a USB recharging slot for other electronics, including your phone.
Fire
There is a brand of lighters known as Tesla that uses sparks across a gap to light a fire. It can be recharged in a USB port. That’s another reason why a dedicated solar panel or a solar-powered radio with USB ports to recharge electronics is so important.
You should also have a few magnesium fire sticks. They’re cheap, reliable, and last and last. Don’t take fire for granted.
Maps and Orienteering
Pack a map of any areas you think you will traverse in a plastic case. Have a reliable compass designed for orienteering and map reading.
Money
Bring as much cash as you can. Spread it around in your pack, socks, pocket, money belt, and anywhere else in case you get robbed. Bring credit cards and some prepaid debit cards.
Don’t assume you’ll be forever wandering deserted streets like in the movie “The Book of Eli.” Even in a worst-case scenario, there will be pockets of civilization that will increase over time.
Identification
Driver’s License, Passport, Birth certificate, Marriage certificate, pack any papers that define you legally in any way. Seal any paper in a watertight plastic sleeve or tube. If you leave them behind and you’re never coming back, they’re gone.
Important Papers
Title and deed to property, life insurance policies, anything you value or may have stored in a safe deposit box should also be sealed in a watertight container and carried with you. As bad as things may be at the moment of your departure, hope for the best.
Personal Items
If it’s small, sentimental, and means a lot to you, take it with you. This could be as simple as some treasured photos or your grandfather’s watch.
Defense
A consistent recommendation is a rifle and a sidearm. Plan to carry more ammo for the rifle than the sidearm. It won’t be cheap in this kind of environment or easy to come by if you run out. Use it judiciously. The caliber, type, and brand are up to you. Spare ammo can be used as barter.
Packing Up
This is going to be a very heavy load. It could be up to 60 pounds or more. Make sure you have a backpack with a frame and padding and adjustments to organize the weight and the load.
Here are some other things to think about when packing:
- Compartmentalize gear based on function and need.
- Cooking gear should be consolidated in one smaller pack but can be packed internally in the larger pack along with other items that you only use when you make camp.
- Items more frequently used should be in outer pockets or compartments that are easily reached.
- Everything should be packed together in smaller packs or stuff sacks based on their general function.
- Your tent, sleeping bag, and sleeping pad should be attached to the outside of your pack. Make sure the sleeping bag and pad are contained in waterproof stuff sacks.
- Keep frequently used items like a compass, a knife, fire starters, and a small first aid kit in your pockets.
- Pants with multiple pockets. With time you’ll figure out better what goes in your pockets.
- There are other pack options for various parts of the body including thigh/waist packs.
- Figure out how you’ll transport any weapons. A holster for a sidearm makes sense and a sling for your rifle or straps to attach it to a pack.
- Consider a military-style belt that allows you to carry things at your waist like radios, ammo, sheath knife, or other gear you need frequently but too big or heavy for pockets. A tactical vest is another option.
It Will Be An Expensive Proposition
INCH kits add up. That stands to reason. After all, you’re packing for the rest of your life. One way that some people defray the cost is to supplement a pre-packed 72-hour kit. You just add those items that are more sustainable or that you’ll need at a new, permanent location. That saves you some time and could save you some money.
You could also think of it as a “just in case 72 hour kit” if you’re having a hard time rationalizing the cost. It will easily get your through 72 hours but take you a whole lot farther…just in case.
INCH Bag Checklist
Download a printable INCH bag checklist.
Shelter
☐ Compact, camouflaged tent (low-profile, sleeps 1)
☐ Sleeping bag (rated for your destination's climate)
☐ Sleeping/mattress pad
☐ Mylar emergency blankets (2–3)
Water
☐ LifeStraw or similar personal filter
☐ Water purification tablets
☐ Canteen or hard-sided water bottle
☐ CamelBak or water bladder
☐ Metal container (for boiling water)
Food & Foraging
☐ Ultralight backpacking meals (2–3 days)
☐ Energy/protein bars
☐ Basic fishing kit (line, hooks, small lures)
☐ Slingshot (small game / urban use)
☐ Heirloom/survival seed pack
Fire
☐ USB rechargeable arc/Tesla lighter
☐ Magnesium fire sticks (2–3)
☐ Waterproof matches (backup)
☐ Tinder (char cloth or fire cubes)
Cooking
☐ Compact cook kit (pot, pan, utensils)
☐ Portable stove (for urban/low-profile cooking)
☐ Fuel canisters
Tools
☐ Multi-tool (Leatherman or similar)
☐ Sheath knife (fixed blade)
☐ Folding saw or hatchet/ax
☐ Folding shovel
☐ Machete
☐ Portable tool kit (screwdrivers, pliers, etc.)
☐ Duct tape
☐ Baling wire
☐ Nails (assorted)
☐ Sewing kit
Clothing
☐ Sturdy boots (the best you can afford)
☐ Cargo pants with multiple pockets (2 pairs)
☐ Wool or moisture-wicking socks (multiple pairs)
☐ Cold-weather hat + warm gloves
☐ Sun hat
☐ Rain gear / poncho
☐ Extra bar of soap (for laundry)
Medical
☐ Basic first aid kit
☐ Trauma/serious-injury kit (tourniquet, hemostatic gauze)
☐ OTC medicine kit (pain relief, antidiarrheal, antihistamine, antacids)
☐ Prescription medications (as much supply as possible)
☐ Medical reference book or printed guide
Comms & Navigation
☐ Cell phone (with case)
☐ Solar charger / hand-crank power bank
☐ Solar/hand-crank radio with USB charging port
☐ Topographic maps (waterproofed) of your route
☐ Orienteering compass
☐ Ham radio (optional)
Personal Hygiene
☐ Soap (bar)
☐ Toothbrush + toothpaste
☐ Razor ☐ Comb
☐ Toilet paper + trowel
☐ Handkerchiefs (reusable)
☐ Feminine hygiene products (as needed)
Defense
☐ Rifle + sling
☐ Sidearm + holster
☐ Spare ammo (prioritize rifle — extra ammo doubles as barter)
☐ Tactical belt or vest for carrying gear
Documents & Money
☐ Cash (spread across pack, socks, money belt)
☐ Credit cards + prepaid debit cards
☐ Driver's license
☐ Passport
☐ Birth certificate
☐ Marriage certificate (if applicable)
☐ Property title/deed + insurance policies
☐ Watertight document sleeve or tube
The Bag & Packing
☐ Large frame backpack (60–80L) with padding + adjustable straps
☐ Waterproof stuff sacks (sleeping bag and pad must be waterproofed)
☐ Smaller internal packs to compartmentalize by function
☐ Thigh/waist pack for quick-access items
☐ Military-style belt for ammo, knife, radio
☐ Tactical vest (optional)
☐ Personal/sentimental items (keep small)
☐ Pocket items: compass, knife, fire starter, small first aid kit
Like this post? Don't Forget to Pin It On Pinterest!
You May Also Like:
The post How to Build an INCH Bag (I’m Never Coming Home Bag) appeared first on Urban Survival Site.
from Urban Survival Site
Cooking On A Hearth Or Open Fire: Old World Kitchen Skills For Modern Preppers
Pull up almost any prepper or survivalist checklist and I bet you will find food storage, water filtration, and medical supplies near the top. What you rarely see listed is the ability to actually cook the food you have stored when the stove does not work. That gap is more significant than most people realize […]
from Survivopedia
from Survivopedia
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)