This list is from a Sarajevo war survivor. Horrible things can happen in a civil war – death of parents and friends, hunger and malnutrition, endless freezing cold, fear, sniper attacks. Prior to its collapse into civil war, life in Sarajevo was similar to life in a US rural state like Tennessee or Wyoming.
- Generators: Good solar ones are best. Gas generator have higher maintenance issues, supply/storage,risk, are noisy, and are the target of thieves.
- Water Filters/Purifiers
- Portable Toilets/showers
- Seasoned Firewood. Wood takes about 6 – 12 months to become seasoned
- Lamp Oil, Wicks, Lamps (First Choice: Buy CLEAR oil. If scarce, stockpile ANY!)
- Coleman Fuel – impossible to stockpile too much.
- Guns, Ammunition, Pepper Spray, Knives, Clubs, Bats & Slingshots.
- Hand-can openers, & hand egg beaters, whisks.
- Honey/Syrups, white and brown sugar
- Rice, Beans, Wheat
- Vegetable Oil (for cooking) Without it food burns/must be boiled etc.)
- Charcoal, Lighter Fluid
- Water Containers (Urgent Item to obtain.) Any size. Small: HARD CLEAR PLASTIC ONLY – note – food grade if for drinking.
- Mini Propane Heater head (Propane alone isn’t enough to heat a room)
- Grain Grinder (Non-electric)
- Propane Cylinders (Urgent: Definite shortages will occur.)
- Survival Guide Books
- Mantles: Aladdin, Coleman, etc. (Without this item, long-term lighting is difficult.)
- Baby Supplies: Diapers/formula. ointments, aspirin, etc.
- Washboards, Mop Bucket w/wringer (for Laundry)
- Cook-stoves (Propane, Coleman & Kerosene)
- Vitamins
- Propane Cylinder Handle-Holder
- Feminine Hygiene/Haircare/Skin products.
- Thermal underwear (Tops & Bottoms)
- Box saws, axes and hatchets, Wedges (also, honing oil)
- Aluminum Foil Reg. & Heavy Duty (Great Cooking and Barter Item)
- Gasoline Containers (Plastic & Metal)
- Garbage Bags (Impossible To Have Too Many).
- Toilet Paper, Kleenex, Paper Towels
- Milk – Powdered & Condensed (Shake Liquid every 3 to 4 months)
- Garden Seeds (Non-Hybrid) (A MUST)
- Clothes pins/line-hangers (A MUST)
- Coleman’s Pump Repair Kit
- Tuna Fish (in oil)
- Fire Extinguishers (or..large box of Baking Soda in every room)
- First aid kits
- Batteries (all sizes…buy furthest-out for Expiration Dates)
- Garlic, spices & vinegar, baking supplies
- Big Dogs (and plenty of dog food)
- Flour, yeast & salt
- Matches. (“Strike Anywhere” preferred) Boxed, wooden matches will go first
- Writing paper/pads/pencils, solar calculators
- Insulated ice chests (good for keeping items from freezing in Wintertime.)
- Work-boots, belts, Levis & durable shirts
- Flashlights, light-sticks, torches, “No. 76 Dietz” Lanterns
- Journals, Diaries & Scrapbooks (jot down ideas, feelings, experience; Historic Times)
- Garbage cans Plastic (great for storage, water, transporting – if with wheels)
- Men’s Hygiene: Shampoo, Toothbrush/paste, Mouthwash/floss, nail clippers, etc
- Cast iron cookware (sturdy, efficient)
- Fishing supplies/tools
- Mosquito coils/repellent, sprays/creams
- Duct Tape
- Tarps/stakes/twine/nails/rope/spikes
- Candles
- Laundry Detergent (liquid)
- Backpacks, Duffel Bags
- Garden tools & supplies
- Scissors, fabrics & sewing supplies
- Canned Fruits, veggies, soups, stews, etc.
- Bleach (plain. NOT scented: 4 to 6% sodium hydrochloride)
- Canning supplies, (jars/lids/wax)
- Knives & Sharpening tools: files, stones, steel
- Bicycles, Tires/tubes/pumps/chains, etc
- Sleeping Bags & blankets/pillows/mats
- Carbon Monoxide Alarm (battery powered)
- Board Games, Cards, Dice
- D-con Rat poison, MOUSE PRUFE II, Roach Killer
- Mousetraps, Ant traps & cockroach magnets
- Paper plates/cups/utensils (stock up, folks)
- Baby wipes, oils, waterless & Antibacterial soap (saves a lot of water)
- Rain gear, rubberized boots, etc.
- Shaving supplies (razors & creams, talc, after shave)
- Hand-pumps & siphons (for water and for fuels)
- Soy sauce, vinegar, bullions/gravy/soup base
- Reading glasses
- Chocolate/Cocoa/Tang/Punch (water enhancers)
- “Survival-in-a-Can”
- Woolen clothing, scarves/ear-muffs/mittens
- Boy Scout Handbook, / also Leaders Catalog
- Roll-on Window Insulation Kit (MANCO)
- Graham crackers, saltines, pretzels, Trail mix/Jerky
- Popcorn, Peanut Butter, Nuts
- Socks, Underwear, T-shirts, etc. (extras)
- Lumber (all types)
- Wagons & carts (for transport to and from)
- Cots & Inflatable mattress’s
- Gloves: Work/warming/gardening, etc.
- Lantern Hangers
- Screen Patches, glue, nails, screws,, nuts & bolts
- Teas
- Coffee
- Cigarettes
- Wine/Liquors (for bribes, medicinal, etc,)
- Paraffin wax
- Glue, nails, nuts, bolts, screws, etc.
- Chewing gum/candies
- Atomizers (for cooling/bathing)
- Hats & cotton neckerchiefs
- Goats/chickens
10 additional survival strategies.
- Stockpiling helps, but you never no how long trouble will last. Locate near renewable food sources.
- Living near a well with a manual pump is like being in Eden.
- There is no luxury in war quite like toilet paper.
- If you had to go without one utility, lose electricity – it’s the easiest to do without.
- Canned foods are awesome, especially if their contents are tasty without heating. One of the best things to stockpile is canned gravy – it makes a lot of the dry unappetizing things you find to eat in war somewhat edible. Only needs enough heat to “warm”, not to cook. It’s cheap too, especially if you buy it in bulk.
- Bring some books – escapist ones like romance or mysteries become more valuable as the war continues. Sure, it’s great to have a lot of survival guides, but you’ll figure most of that out on your own anyway – trust me, you’ll have a lot of time on your hands.
- The feeling that you’re human can fade pretty fast. I can’t tell you how many people I knew who would have traded a much needed meal for just a little bit of toothpaste, rouge, soap or cologne. Not much point in fighting if you have to lose your humanity. These things are morale-builders like nothing else.
- Slow burning candles and matches, matches, matches.
- Have a little bit of cash hidden in your house in small denominations.
- Have as much silver and gold for barter hidden in your house as you can stand holding because its 99% certain that is the ONLY money people will trade you goods for no matter what.
List courtesy of http://abolishfiatslavery.com/