The Prepper’s Ultimate Survival Gear Checklist

By James Barton •  Updated: 01/27/20 •  15 min read

Ill ­prepared preppers place both themselves and those who rely on them in harm’s way. An organized checklist, which covers all equipment and assigned responsibilities, will maximize your odds of survival. We’ve put together one of the most in ­depth, comprehensive lists available. The prepper’s ultimate survival gear checklist hits the mark!

recommended survival gear list

What is a Prepper Checklist?

A comprehensive prepper checklist serves two functions. First, it acts as a shopping list of items that need to be bought and properly stored. Second, it serves as a to­do list, covering all the tasks that need to be completed for full preparation.

Remember, a prepper’s checklist is always evolving. Your preparedness plan will change as your knowledge and skills development. This particular template is specific enough to cater to the individual needs of each prepper while still accomplishing general goals.

The list is broken up into general categories and each category is broken up into two consecutive subsections, aimed at new and advanced preppers respectively in a survival scenario.

The basic checklist comprises the minimum requirements for preparedness and should be worked through as quickly as possible. The advanced checklist, when implemented, allows for survival over longer periods and/or increases the capacity of your prepper group.

1. Off-Grid Energy Options

Basic Checklist

Advanced Checklist

2. Apparel

survival checklist apparel

Basic Checklist

Advanced Checklist

3. Communications

Basic Checklist

Advanced Checklist

Notes: Always store your electronics in Faraday Cages when not in use.

4. Defense (Safety and Security)

survival checklist navigation

Basic Checklist

Advanced Checklist

Notes: You can’t have too many fire extinguishers. You need to be able to put out a fire quickly, especially if there is no fire department available.

Notes: Yes, it seems like a lot of ammunition, but every year our freedom erodes a little bit more. Better to have it and not need it, than to need it and not have it (that pretty much goes for everything on this CC list).

5. Financial Preparedness

Basic Checklist

Advanced Checklist

Notes: Keep hard currency at your discretion. Remember it may be worthless. Use gold to store larger amounts of wealth and silver for smaller amounts. Silver is also better in a barter environment.

6. Survival Medical Gear

survival checklist emergency items
Emergency preparedness supplies. A large collection of supplies to be used in case of a natural disaster (hurricane, flood, earthquake, etc) including flashlight, backpack, batteries, water bottles, first aid kit, lantern, radio, can opener and mask. No People.

Basic Checklist

Advanced Checklist

Notes: Warning on transfusions: you can kill people easily if you do this wrong. DO NOT perform any medical treatment that you are not trained for.

7. Food Storage And Cooking Off The Grid

survival checklist food storage
Objects useful in emergency situations such as natural disasters on wooden table. Top view.

Basic Checklist

Advanced Checklist

Notes: Minimum­prepared foods are those that require little or no cooking before eating.

Flatware means plates, bowls, cups, spoons, forks, survival knife/kukri knives, napkins, etc. The idea of disposable flatware is to reduce consumption of water and is typically for shorter ­term events.

8. Disaster Preparedness Plans

survival checklist
Ready for disaster – checking off the items on the emergency preparedness form

Basic Checklist

Advanced Checklist

Notes:

A “last­ minute checklist” is generally a bad thing to have to implement. It’s better to have all the equipment and Supplies on hand before an event occurs. You will need to stockpile survival gear for your basic survival kit.

A “Trigger Point” is an event that you have predetermined that will cause you to enact certain parts of your plan. For example, when virulent H5N1 reaches Canada or Mexico, your plan calls for you to do _______ (whatever that might be)

9. Lighting

survival checklist lighting
Flashlight and a beam of light in darkness. A modern led light with bright projection on dark wood table. Surface with copy space.

Basic Checklist

Advanced Checklist

Notes: LED lights are preferred due to their lower consumption of battery power.

10. Navigation And Signaling

Basic Checklist

Advanced Checklist

11. Prepping for Pandemics, Nuclear + Bio-Terror Attacks

Basic Checklist

Advanced Checklist

Notes: Air filtration system filters needs to be at least HEPA and possibly ULPA. Do not expect to stay in any room that has been sealed up with plastic for more than a few hours unless you are providing filtered air into the room. These survival tools are essential along with camping gear in wilderness survival situation.

12. Pets And Animals

survival pets

Basic Checklist

Advanced Checklist

Also Read: 15 Tips for Camping in the Rain

13. Shelter, Fire, And Warmth

Basic Checklist

Advanced Checklist

14. Tools, Repair, And Utility

survival tools

Basic Checklist

Advanced Checklist

Notes: Some of the items above in survival kits may require the use of electrical power.

Also Read: How to Organize Survival Gear & Supplies

15. Transportation

Basic Checklist

Advanced Checklist

16. Water

survival water
Plastic bottles on 19 liters is full natural spring water in outdoor

Basic Checklist

Advanced Checklist

Notes: Quantities listed are per person. A dedicated “dirty water” container is what you use to collect and store raw water before you purify and/or disinfect it. They should always be kept separate from “clean water” containers.

17. Weather Information

Basic Checklist

Advanced Checklist

Conclusion

This article has given you a broad overview of what makes up the best survival kit. It’s important to note that each person will have specific needs and different ideas about the ideal items for their personal kit.

With this in mind, it is always wise to consult with someone who knows your particular situation before making any purchases or investments. If you have any questions related to emergency preparedness, don’t hesitate to contact us today!

James Barton

James Barton

Hi, I'm James. I am the founder and main editor for The Survival Corps. I have been a part of the survival and prepping community since my mid 30's as I downsized and started to prepare to be self sufficient in a time of crisis.