Number One Thing To Hoard Before a Crisis

If you hear the ads on what to hoard in a crisis the actual truth is that you should hoard it before one begins.  I am going to give you a short list.  Call it the F list since if you don't have it in place and an emergency strikes, you are Royally F___ed.

 In my opinion here are the top 5 with the #1 item being the item 2nd in importance to sustain life behind the air your breathe.  The rest fill the needs to avoid starvation and exposure to life threatening temperatures and to protect you from attack.   I'll round the list out to five items that I would have in place before I bothered with ninja gear, fancy electronics, a bug-out bag, or a retreat.  (Most others that come up with a list like this determine that freeze dried survival foods are the #1 on the list.  Remember, you can go without food for a while but no water in 3 days and you are facing potential death from dehydration.  Usually that means you drink dirty water and then risk succumbing to infection and diarrhea.)

#1 Filtration (water) - and all things that can give you clean water that includes filters, bladders, canteens, hydration packs, and even emergency water packets. Storing lots of water is a must.  Here is a nice workup on emergency water supplies.

#2 Food - in every possible easy to use and prepare format.   I'd go with canned and foil/plastic sealed food.   Ideas include precooked mac&cheese, powdered milk, canned bread, fruit cups, peanut butter, canned beans, energy bars, survival rations  and to top it off an assortment of vitamin supplements.  Salmon in a pouch is an easy way to ramp up your protein stores.  Multiple can openers should be part of your food storage.  No cooking required is the best type to have stored and ready.  Dried rice or pasta is not high on the list until you have the means to boil water that won't consume your heat sources.

Poor Man's Survival Food - Vienna Sausage

#3 Fuel  and Fire - To heat your shelter and food is essential as well as for transport.  This category includes propane, butane, wood, wax candles, charcoal, lighter fluid, lighters, kerosene + heater, and gasoline.  Be sure to limit the volume of gasoline in or near the home.  One option is just to make sure all vehicles have 3/4+ full tanks all the time.  Things such as space blankets that conserve fuel needed for heat can fall into this category.  Add lots of matches and lighters to your fuel list and a magnesium striker so you won't be wondering how to ignite your fuel.  (All this assumes you have the proper means of maintaining your body temperature in the form of shelter either in a vehicle or home.    Sleeping bags and tents count as shelter if only temporary.)

#4 Flashlights - Try going without light sources.  The best ones include lawn solar lights, LED flashlights w/batteries, crank flashlights, and light sticks.   LED solar rope lights are one of the best sources for indoor lighting for an emergency since you can charge them outside and pull them in at night when needed.  Rechargeable batteries such as the Sanyo Eneloop are my favorite battery types.  The Ryobi 18V system of flashlights and lanterns found at Home Depot and online is also a great option since charging is easy and the capacity is excellent, and I like that the flashlights can rest on the square bottom battery so it can sit while on and still be useful.

#5 Firearms - Personal safety has to be insured and the best way to do that is have an equalizer in the form of a gun.  I'd get a shotgun, handgun, and rifle in that order.  Whatever you choose make sure you have hundreds of rounds of ammunition to go with it.  Do some training with it as well if for no other reason than to make sure it works and you know how to use it.

In conclusion.

If you consider preparation for emergencies a low priority at least take care of these 5 basic needs and you can make it for an extended period of time.   Think of this as insurance.