Overlooked Survival Items and Supplies

By Tim Gamble

Most folks into preparedness and survival get the big categories  - food, first aid, cleaning & hygiene, guns & ammo, flashlights, radios, batteries. But there are some things that are easily overlooked, if you are not careful. 

Here is my list of often overlooked survival items and supplies, in no particular order. Have you overlooked any of these? 

• Reading Glasses (amazon link) - I use reading glasses, and typically lose or break several pair every year. Right now, they are super cheap and readily available, so it makes sense to stock up many extra. 
• Sunglasses (amazon link) - Same as with reading glasses, basic sunglasses are are super cheap and readily available at the moment, but may not always be. 
• Spare Prescription Glasses - If you have prescription glasses, you may want to go ahead and get a second pair as a back-up. 
• Manual Can Openers (amazon link) - If the power is out, you are going to need some way of opening all those canned goods. 
• Comfort Items - Bibles, books, board games, playing cards, jigsaw puzzles, crossword puzzles, wine, rum, candy, toys for the kids, etc. A way to de-stress, relax, and boost morale, especially if there is no power, no Internet..  
• Thermal Socks (amazon link), Thermal Underwear (amazon link) - Ways to keep warm in the winter during grid-down. 
• Work Gloves (amazon link) - Gardening, cutting firewood, and other chores around the homestead. Clearing debris, broken glass, etc., after a disaster. 
• Portable Fuel Filters (amazon link)- One for each of your vehicles, generators, tractors, etc., plus a couple extra. I wrote an entire article on the importance of clean fuel a few years ago.
• Jumper Cables (amazon link) - Make sure you have a set in each of your vehicles. 
• Sewing Supplies (amazon link)- Thread, needles, patches, velcro, zippers, etc. Supplies of cheap clothing from overseas may dry up, so we may have to extend the life of the clothes we already have.
• Repair Supplies (amazon link) - Screws, nails, nuts, bolts, washers, duct tape, gorilla tape, super glue, wood glue, twine, cordage, etc. Home repair, auto repair, DIY projects...
• 2-Cycle Engine Oil (amazon link) - Needed by chainsaws and other power equipment.
• Auto Supplies (amazon link) - Oil, oil filters, brake fluid, transmission fluid, wiper blades, etc. Oh, and make sure you have all the needed tire-changing tools (jack, lug wrench, spare tire, etc.) in each vehicle, before you need it. 
• Rope (amazon link) - 100-foot, 1/4" and 1/2" rope - multiple potential uses.
• Alternative Means of Cooking (amazon link)- grills, charcoal, lighter fluid, camp stoves, propane canisters, etc. How are you going to cook after the grid goes down? 
• Cold, Flu, Sinus Medications (amazon link)- We often don't think about these until we get sick, then we run to the store to get some. But, what if the shelves were empty? 

What else is easy to overlook? Put your suggestions in the comments section below. 

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