50 Things to Hoard and 10 Things To Do in Most Emergencies: The Ultimate Prepper Playbook

When the unexpected strikes, the difference between calm and chaos often comes down to what you’ve stocked and what you do in the first crucial hours. This guide to 50 Things to Hoard and 10 Things To Do in Most Emergencies gives you a complete, actionable plan to protect your family, whether the crisis is a power outage, storm, supply chain shock, cyberattack, or civil unrest. You’ll learn the exact items to stash, how much to keep, and the 10-step emergency protocol you can run on autopilot when seconds matter.

Smart, off-grid water from Aqua Tower can be your first line of defense when taps fail—set it up now so you’re never scrambling later.

No matter where you live, 50 Things to Hoard and 10 Things To Do in Most Emergencies is about building resilience. Prepping isn’t paranoia—it’s prudent. This plan blends water security, long-term food storage, medical readiness, light and heat, comms and power, documents and cash, and crucial skills. You’ll also find gear and training recommendations that take the guesswork out of “what to buy” and “how to use it.”

Foundations: Mindset, Priorities, and the Rule of Threes

Prepping starts with mindset. Before you buy gear or stack food, internalize priorities. The “Rule of Threes” is the simplest framework you’ll ever use: roughly three minutes without air, three hours without shelter in harsh conditions, three days without water, and three weeks without food. The Rule of Threes naturally shapes 50 Things to Hoard and 10 Things To Do in Most Emergencies, helping you hoard what matters and act in the right sequence.

• Situational awareness beats stuff. Know your local hazards, evacuation routes, and choke points.
• Redundancy matters. Two is one, one is none—plan backups for water, power, and heat.
• Mobility vs. shelter. Prepare to shelter in place, but keep a grab-and-go kit.

Water is your biggest vulnerability. For 50 Things to Hoard and 10 Things To Do in Most Emergencies, plan at least one gallon per person per day for a minimum of 14 days, plus purification backups. Food is next: shelf-stable calories and protein to carry you through supply shocks. Power/heat/light keeps you safe and functional. Finally, medical supplies, sanitation, comms, defense, and vital documents complete the picture.

If you’re new to this, start small: one week of supplies, then build to two weeks, then a month. Document your plan. Print checklists. Store backups in bins labeled by category.

Mid-content resource: If clean, storable water is your weak spot, consider New Water Offer: SmartWaterBox for modular, stackable water storage you can manage in apartments or garages.

Internal resource for continued learning: visit Everyday Self Sufficiency for more step-by-step guides and printable checklists.

Water Security: What to Hoard and How to Make It Drinkable

Water drives almost every part of survival. In any list of 50 Things to Hoard and 10 Things To Do in Most Emergencies, water containers, filtration, and purification chemicals rank at the top. Without safe water, sanitation collapses and illness spreads.

Hoard these water essentials:

1. Food-grade water containers (5–7 gallon jugs, stackable cubes)
2. Long-term water barrels (55 gallons) with bungs and a siphon pump
3. Bathtub liner for emergency storage (holds 50–100+ gallons)
4. Gravity-fed water filter (ceramic/activated carbon)
5. Compact pump or squeeze filters for mobility
6. Purification tablets (NaDCC, iodine as backup)
7. Unscented household bleach (6–8.25%) and a dropper
8. Metal pot or kettle for boiling
9. Collapsible water bags for transport
10. Water test strips for microbial and chemical checks

Action steps to build water resilience:

• Pre-fill a minimum two-week supply (1 gallon per person per day). Double it in hot climates or for high activity.
• Stage “last-minute fill” gear. If the grid goes down, fill the tub liner and all containers immediately.
• Treat stored water every 6–12 months, rotate, and label fill dates.
• Purify doubly: filter for particulates and boil or chemically treat for microbes.
• Separate “gray water” (washing, flushing) from “drinking water” to stretch supplies.

Recommended off-grid solutions:

• If you need a full-household water plan, Aqua Tower provides robust gravity filtration without power.
• For deep, alternative capture options, Joseph’s Well explores unconventional backup sources when municipal taps fail.
• For apartment-friendly storage and modular scaling, SmartWaterBox helps you stack, organize, and rotate safely.

Pro tip: Stash multiple dropper bottles and clearly label “bleach dosage” (e.g., 2 drops per quart of clear water, 4 drops if cloudy; wait 30 minutes). Tape this instruction to your main container.

Food Reserves: Shelf-Stable Calories, Protein, and Morale

Food keeps your energy up, stabilizes morale, and prevents panic buying. The “50 Things to Hoard and 10 Things To Do in Most Emergencies” approach builds food in layers: pantry, bulk staples, and specialty long-term items.

Hoard these food must-haves:

1. White rice and/or jasmine rice (repacks well in mylar)
2. Rolled oats or steel-cut oats
3. Pasta and egg noodles
4. Dry beans (black, pinto) and lentils (faster cooking)
5. Canned meats (chicken, tuna, salmon, Spam)
6. Canned soups and stews
7. Peanut butter, nut butters, and shelf-stable spread
8. Shelf-stable milk or powdered milk
9. Cooking oils (olive, avocado, ghee) and shortening
10. Flour, cornmeal, baking powder, yeast
11. Honey and sugar (long shelf life)
12. Salt, pepper, bouillon, spice blends
13. Dehydrated vegetables and fruits
14. Freeze-dried meals for fast hot dinners
15. Comfort foods (chocolate, tea, coffee)

Storage tactics:

• Use mylar bags with oxygen absorbers for rice, beans, oats, and flour. Store in food-grade buckets.
• Label everything with purchase and “best by” dates. Practice FIFO (first in, first out).
• Keep a binder of “no fridge” recipes and fuel-efficient meals.

Mid-content recommendation: For historically proven, efficient food staples, The Lost SuperFoods offers recipes and preservation methods used through wars and famines—ideal for building a resilient pantry that actually tastes good.

Don’t forget cooking:

• Portable rocket stove or dual-fuel camp stove
• Propane canisters or white gas
• Cast-iron skillet and a lidded pot
• Waterproof matches, lighters, and fire starters

Calorie planning: Target 2,000–2,500 kcal per adult per day. In “50 Things to Hoard and 10 Things To Do in Most Emergencies,” plan at least 14 days of food you actually eat today; then scale to 30–90 days.

Keep dietary needs in mind (allergies, diabetes, gluten-free). For infants, stock formula; for pets, store dry/wet food and extra water.

Light, Heat, Power: Staying Warm, Visible, and Functional Off-Grid

Losing electricity can be more dangerous than it seems, especially in extreme temperatures. In any plan built around 50 Things to Hoard and 10 Things To Do in Most Emergencies, prioritize safe ways to light your home, heat a room, and power essential devices.

Hoard these energy essentials:

1. LED headlamps and flashlights with spare batteries
2. Lanterns (battery and solar-rechargeable)
3. Long-burning candles and rechargeable puck lights
4. Power banks (10,000–30,000 mAh) and a high-capacity battery station
5. Solar panels for phone/radio charging and generator battery top-ups
6. Inverter generator or solar generator with extension cords
7. Heavy-duty power strips, USB cables, 12V adapters
8. Mylar emergency blankets and rated sleeping bags
9. Safe space heater for well-ventilated use
10. Carbon monoxide detector with batteries

Safe heat strategy:

• Choose one room to heat, insulate windows/doors, hang blankets.
• Layer clothing; avoid sweating indoors which chills you later.
• Never run fuel-based heaters or generators in enclosed spaces.

Mid-content training pick: Power blackouts reveal weak points. New Survival Offer: Dark Reset is a blueprint for thriving during grid failures—prioritize what to power, when, and how to stretch fuel.

Fuel and fire:

• Store propane safely outside, away from heat sources.
• Keep multiple lighters, storm matches, ferro rods in waterproof containers.
• Learn to cook on a rocket stove with small twigs to conserve fuel.

Lighting tactics:

• Headlamps free your hands; give one to each family member.
• Red light mode preserves night vision.
• Use lanterns for rooms, flashlights for tasks, and glow sticks to mark hazards.

Medical, Sanitation, and Home Care: Preventing Minor Issues from Becoming Emergencies

In the matrix of 50 Things to Hoard and 10 Things To Do in Most Emergencies, medical and sanitation measures stop small problems from spiraling. Cleanliness and basic treatment prevent infections, dehydration, and avoidable ER visits.

Hoard these medical and hygiene items:

1. Comprehensive first-aid kit (bandages, gauze, tape, trauma shears)
2. OTC meds: pain relievers, antihistamines, antidiarrheals, electrolytes
3. Prescription backups (work with your doctor for a surplus)
4. Wound care: antiseptic, alcohol wipes, triple antibiotic, hydrocolloid bandages
5. Thermometer, blood pressure cuff, pulse oximeter
6. N95 masks, nitrile gloves, eye protection
7. Oral rehydration salts and zinc for stomach bugs
8. Menstrual hygiene products
9. Soap (bar and liquid), hand sanitizer, bleach, vinegar
10. Toilet paper, baby wipes, trash bags, 5-gallon bucket with snap-on seat

Home care tactics:

• Create a sick room plan with tools, masks, and disinfectants.
• Set up a hand-washing station near your main water source.
• Manage waste: separate biohazard trash, double-bag, and securely store until disposal returns.

Mid-content medical mastery: Most emergencies are medical first, logistical second. Home Doctor teaches at-home protocols for common ailments when clinics are overwhelmed or closed.

Special considerations:

• Babies: diapering supplies, rash cream, formula, backup bottles.
• Seniors: incontinence pads, mobility aids, extra batteries for medical devices.
• Pets: vet meds, flea/tick prevention, extra leashes.

Sanitation saves lives:

• Dilute bleach for surfaces (1:32) and use checklists to clean high-touch areas.
• Store lidded bins and heavy bags for waste.
• Ventilate during cleaning; never mix ammonia and bleach.

Internal resource: Keep your essentials organized with this printable water storage guide, including dosage reminders and rotation schedules.

Tools, Repair, and Safety: Hands-On Resilience When Services Stall

When systems fail, you become facilities, maintenance, and security for your home. The practical backbone of 50 Things to Hoard and 10 Things To Do in Most Emergencies includes hand tools, fasteners, and PPE you can rely on without power.

Hoard these utility tools:

1. Multi-tool and fixed-blade utility knife
2. Duct tape, electrical tape, and zip ties
3. Assorted nails, screws, hooks, and hanging hardware
4. Basic tool set: screwdrivers, pliers, wrench, hammer, handsaw
5. Pry bar and hatchet
6. Nylon cordage, paracord, and ratchet straps
7. Work gloves, safety glasses, hearing protection
8. Tarps, heavy plastic, and bungee cords
9. Fire extinguisher (ABC-rated) and smoke/CO detectors
10. Door braces and window security film

Safety and security basics:

• Harden entry points: long screws in door strike plates, door bars at night, motion lights.
• Keep fire extinguishers on each floor and teach everyone PASS (Pull, Aim, Squeeze, Sweep).
• Stage tools where you need them—don’t bury them under food bins.

Mid-content city-savvy skill upgrade: For urban-specific tactics—navigation, low-profile movement, and improvised shelter—New Survival Offer: URBAN Survival Code gives you a street-ready framework.

Vehicle readiness:

• Keep at least half a tank of gas, a jump starter, tire inflator, and a compact tool kit.
• Car kit: blankets, water, snacks, headlamps, map, and a get-home bag.

Fire and water damage control:

• Know how to shut off gas, water, and electricity to the house.
• Keep plumber’s tape, pipe repair clamps, and a wet/dry vacuum if possible.

Skill beats stuff:

• Practice using your tools before the grid goes down.
• Schedule quarterly “prep days” to test repairs, change batteries, and do a family walkthrough.

Communications, Navigation, and Intelligence: Staying Informed and Connected

Information keeps you ahead of cascading problems. For 50 Things to Hoard and 10 Things To Do in Most Emergencies, good comms means weather awareness, neighborhood intel, and the ability to coordinate with family.

Hoard these comms and nav essentials:

1. Battery/solar/hand-crank NOAA weather radio
2. AM/FM shortwave radio for broader signals
3. FRS/GMRS two-way radios with spare batteries
4. Prepaid cell and power banks for emergency-only use
5. Paper maps of your city, county, and state
6. Compass and basic land-nav card
7. Whistles, signal mirror, chem lights
8. Notepads, waterproof pens, Sharpies
9. USB thumb drives for data backups
10. Printed contact lists and rendezvous plans

Comms plan:

• Set “check-in” times daily to conserve battery.
• Train the family on simple radio etiquette and brevity codes for sensitive info.
• Keep a neighborhood phone tree and a printed list of emergency frequencies.

Mid-content training boost: Expand your situational awareness and planning with BlackOps Elite Strategies—field-tested frameworks for surveillance detection, route planning, and discreet movement.

Navigation and rendezvous:

• Identify primary and alternate routes to home, work, and safe relatives’ houses.
• Cache small supplies (water, snacks, socks, maps) along your commute if safe to do so.
• Practice no-GPS drills: plan routes using landmarks and compass headings.

Intelligence cycle at home:

• Observe local conditions, weather, and utilities daily.
• Orient to new threats (road closures, boil notices).
• Decide and act: adjust water usage, shift to backup power, or relocate before crowds do.

Documents, Cash, and Barter: Admin that Saves Your Bacon

When services stall, paperwork and purchasing options shrink fast. A resilient admin setup is a quiet hero of 50 Things to Hoard and 10 Things To Do in Most Emergencies.

Hoard these admin and barter items:

1. Cash in small bills ($1s, $5s, $10s, $20s)
2. Copies of IDs, insurance, deeds, titles
3. Emergency-only credit card with zero balance
4. USB drive and encrypted cloud backups
5. Notary-stamped permissions for guardianship or medical decisions if needed
6. Passport and birth certificates
7. Contact lists for neighbors, doctors, insurers, utilities
8. Barter goods: lighters, batteries, OTC meds, coffee, alcohol, hygiene items
9. Spare reading glasses and sunglasses
10. Waterproof document bag and fireproof safe

Home admin routines:

• Keep originals fire-protected and carry copies in your go bags.
• Scan everything and back up to a secure cloud.
• Make a one-page “If I’m not home” instruction sheet for your partner or teens.

Mid-content tip: Round out your pantry with compact, high-value barter foods and preserved staples from The Lost SuperFoods. Items like pemmican or hardtack store easily and trade well.

Financial resilience:

• Maintain a micro-emergency fund at home for 1–2 weeks of expenses.
• Spread risk: a little cash, a little precious metal, a little crypto if you already use it.
• Keep receipts and a log of what you loan or trade.

The 50 Things to Hoard: A Complete Checklist You Can Build This Month

To make 50 Things to Hoard and 10 Things To Do in Most Emergencies plug-and-play, here’s a consolidated list you can print and check off. Adjust quantities to your household.

Water and purification (10):

1. Food-grade containers
2. 55-gallon barrel(s)
3. Bathtub liner
4. Gravity filter
5. Squeeze/pump filter
6. Purification tablets
7. Unscented bleach + droppers
8. Boil pot/kettle
9. Collapsible water bags
10. Water test strips

Food and cooking (10):
11) Rice
12) Beans/lentils
13) Oats
14) Pasta/noodles
15) Canned meats
16) Shelf-stable milk/powder
17) Oils and ghee
18) Flour/cornmeal/yeast
19) Spices, bouillon, salt, sugar, honey
20) Rocket stove/camp stove + fuel

Light, heat, power (10):
21) LED headlamps/flashlights
22) Lanterns
23) Candles/puck lights
24) Power banks/battery station
25) Solar panel/charger
26) Generator or solar generator
27) Extension cords/power strips
28) Mylar blankets/sleeping bags
29) Safe space heater
30) CO detector and batteries

Medical and sanitation (10):
31) First-aid kit
32) OTC meds and ORS
33) Prescription backups
34) Wound care supplies
35) Thermometer, BP cuff, pulse ox
36) N95 masks and gloves
37) Menstrual products
38) Soap, sanitizer, bleach
39) Toilet paper, wipes, trash bags
40) 5‑gallon toilet bucket + seat

Tools, comms, admin (10):
41) Multi-tool and fixed blade
42) Duct tape, zip ties
43) Nails, screws, fasteners
44) Tool set, pry bar, hatchet
45) Fire extinguishers and alarms
46) NOAA/AM/FM radio
47) Two-way radios
48) Paper maps, compass
49) Cash, documents, backups
50) Barter items (lighters, batteries, coffee)

CTA: If water is still your biggest gap, lock that in first with Aqua Tower for dependable filtration and SmartWaterBox to store it safely. For creative source options, bookmark Joseph’s Well.

The 10 Things To Do in Most Emergencies: A Clear, Repeatable Protocol

When alarms sound, you need a simple checklist that works across scenarios. Embed this protocol into your muscle memory so 50 Things to Hoard and 10 Things To Do in Most Emergencies becomes a system, not a guess.

1. Assess safety and stabilize the scene

• Check for immediate threats (gas smell, fire, flood, downed lines).
• If unsafe, evacuate to your preplanned rally point.

2. Account for people and pets

• Roll call. Apply first aid as needed. Leash pets and crate if necessary.

3. Secure water now

• Run the “last-minute fill”: bathtub liner and all containers.
• Start purification cycle. Switch to rationing plan.

4. Power up and preserve cold chain

• Deploy lights. Connect priority devices to battery station.
• Consolidate fridge/freezer; keep doors closed. Cook thawing foods first.

5. Harden home and reduce hazards

• Lock doors/windows. Set door braces. Turn off breakers or utilities if required.
• Stage fire extinguishers; clear hallways and exits.

6. Establish comms and intel

• Turn on NOAA radio. Text family check-ins. Document updates on a whiteboard.

7. Make a 24-hour plan

• Assign roles: water chief, power monitor, cook, sanitation lead, comms lead.
• Set mealtimes, watch schedule, and quiet hours.

8. Sanitation and health routines

• Hand-wash station active. Trash segregation. Daily health check for each person.

9. Prepare to move if needed

• Stage go bags and car kits by the door. Fuel the vehicle.
• Identify two routes out. Update the rendezvous plan.

10. Review and adapt

• Reassess water, power, and safety every 6–12 hours.
• Log what’s working, what’s failing, and what to change.

Training resource: To rehearse blackout and urban movement scenarios, pair your protocol with Dark Reset and URBAN Survival Code. For higher-level planning and low-profile travel, see BlackOps Elite Strategies.

Quick-Start: Build a 72-Hour Shield This Weekend

The fastest way to implement 50 Things to Hoard and 10 Things To Do in Most Emergencies is to stand up a 72-hour kit, then scale from there.

72-hour water and food:

• Water: 3 gallons per person (plus purification tablets).
• Food: 6,000–7,500 calories per adult (mix of ready-to-eat cans, pouches, and snacks).
• Compact stove and fuel, spork, bowl, can opener.

72-hour power and light:

• 2 headlamps + spare batteries per person.
• 1 lantern per main room.
• 20,000 mAh power bank per person and solar phone charger.

72-hour medical and hygiene:

• First-aid kit with OTC meds and ORS.
• Wipes, soap, sanitizer, toilet paper, trash bags, and a compact toilet solution.

72-hour comms and admin:

• NOAA radio, 2-way radios, printed contacts.
• Cash ($200–$500 in small bills), copies of IDs, key documents.

Storage and staging:

• Two 27-gallon tough bins: one for food/water, one for gear.
• Label bins and maintain an index sheet taped outside.

Mid-content recommendation: For pantry items that shine in 72-hour windows and beyond, use recipes from The Lost SuperFoods to keep meals calorie-dense and simple.

Internal link: When you’re ready to scale to mobility, curate a modular kit using the bug out bag checklist, then pair with car kits for redundancy.

Family Logistics, Drills, and Special Populations

Supplies are 50% of 50 Things to Hoard and 10 Things To Do in Most Emergencies. The rest is people—skills, drills, and accommodations for unique needs.

Family roles:

• Quartermaster: inventory, rotation, and replenishment.
• Water lead: purification, rationing, and sanitation.
• Comms lead: intel updates and roll-call schedule.
• Safety lead: home hardening and fire/CO checks.
• Medical lead: first aid readiness and med logs.

Drills:

• Power-out weekend: live off-grid for 24 hours to test gaps.
• “Grab-and-go” 10-minute drill: can you load the car and roll?
• Night navigation: move room-to-room in red-light mode, test lantern placement.

Kids, seniors, and special needs:

• Kids: pack comfort kits with a stuffed animal, snacks, and a task list they can own.
• Seniors: extra meds, mobility aids, and a backup for medical devices.
• Disabilities: accessible gear placements, spare batteries, and a visual plan.

Pets:

• 72-hour food/water per pet, meds, vaccination copies, collapsible bowls, leashes, crate.
• Litter and waste plan for cats and dogs.

Community resilience:

• Map local assets: neighbors with tools, medical professionals, amateur radio ops.
• Create a discreet skills-sharing network before you need it.

Training upgrade: Urban and suburban families benefit from scenario training. URBAN Survival Code and BlackOps Elite Strategies provide frameworks for movement and decision-making under stress.

Product Recommendations: Field-Tested Gear to Close Your Biggest Gaps

Curated picks help you move from “thinking” to “ready.” The guiding principle of 50 Things to Hoard and 10 Things To Do in Most Emergencies is to invest in items that solve high-impact problems first.

Water and purification:

• Aqua Tower: Off-grid, gravity-fed filtration for families.
• New Water Offer: SmartWaterBox: Modular storage to scale from 3 to 30+ days.

Power and blackout planning:

• New Survival Offer: Dark Reset: A practical blueprint for surviving grid-down scenarios.

Food preparedness:

• The Lost SuperFoods: High-value staples, preservation techniques, and recipes.

Urban movement and security:

• New Survival Offer: URBAN Survival Code: City-specific tactics.
• BlackOps Elite Strategies: Advanced planning, route selection, and stealth.

Medical readiness:

• Home Doctor: At-home medical guidance when clinics are closed.

Start with water—your highest-leverage win. Pair Aqua Tower for purification with SmartWaterBox for storage, then add The Lost SuperFoods to turn your pantry into peace of mind.

Conclusion: Confidence Through Preparation

Real readiness is simple: make decisions now so you don’t have to make them during chaos. When your home reflects the priorities behind 50 Things to Hoard and 10 Things To Do in Most Emergencies, you’ll stop worrying and start living—knowing that power failures, storms, and supply hiccups can’t push you off balance.

• Start with water, then food, then light/heat/power, then medicine and sanitation.
• Build your 72-hour base, then extend to two weeks and beyond.
• Print the 10-step emergency protocol and practice it.

Internal link: Keep leveling up with guides at Everyday Self Sufficiency. Your future self will thank you the first time you use a checklist instead of panic.

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