It’s a question I hear a lot from new preppers: “what should I buy first and where do I start?”
And while there are a lot of different answers depending on individual situations and needs, usually my recommendation to those starting out, is to start a food storage program, buy a good water filter and a dual purpose firearm for foraging and protection.
Food Storage Program
Let’s face it most people aren’t familiar with basic foods such as hard red wheat, whole corn, soybeans etc, nor are they conversant with their preparation. So I suggest, beginning survivors start out with foods they are familiar with.
Most canned foods off the grocers shelf have a shelf life of three to five years, make a list of everything your family eats for a week, then buy 10 cases of every non-perishable item on the list.
Even though canned foods have a limited shelf life you’re going to rotate so you’ll always have a fresh supply.
Say you start out with ten cases of chili. Mark each case from 1 to 10. You start with case number 1, when you finish eating it, buy another case and mark it as case number 11. Start on case number 2, when done buy another case and mark it as case number 12 and so on.
Water Filter
You probably already know a healthy person can survive for weeks without food (what a miserable way to die) but only a few days without water – so we won’t get into that here.
Unless you have a clean spring or well nearby you need a good water filter and even if you do have a clean water source a filter should still be considered, as your reservoir could become contaminated or unavailable.
I suggest two filters a Berkey for the home and a smaller filter such as the MSR Waterworks EX
Foraging And Protection
Boy; is this ever a touchy subject? Everyone has their own unfaltering opinion as to what makes the “perfect” survival gun. If you dare disagree with their point of view, you’ll quickly be satirized, demonized and possibly sodomized by those in disagreement.
I’ve said it before there is no “perfect” do everything survival gun – as with most things there are positives and negatives to every choice, but some are better than others. So here we go. Are you ready?
If I were limited to only one firearm (luckily we aren’t) I’d choose a Remington 870 Express combo with 20″ smooth bore sighted slug barrel and 28″ vent rib barrel or it’s Mossberg equivalent.
With one gun we can take both small and large game and protect the homestead from four legged and two legged predators. It’s hard to beat that kind of versatility.
Wait… what about?
I am sure many of you reading this have other suggestions you consider essential for those starting out.
What do you think every newbie survivalist should have?
{ 49 comments }
Knives. Good quality knives, utility, cleaning, and self defense.
I would make sure I have a reliable radio, for knowing what is going on.
When I started almost 40 years ago, there were few to no companies around who made long-storage food. Canned and dry food (grains, beans, cereals, etc.) from the grocery store were basically all that was available. The way I would approach the food issue for the beginner is to have program that I call "the three-legged stool program". Indeed, the first food I would put away is the canned and dry food for the following reasons: they are what most people are familiar with, they contain water and generally don't need to be reconstituted and they are easy to prepare. Often, canned foods can be eaten right out of the can in an emergency. The "second leg of the stool" is the MRE, a food that can be transported easily, is relatively light and can be eaten out of pouch. The MRE is my choice of food if I had to evacuate or "bug-out". The third leg is long-storage food. For me, the long-storage food consists of freeze-dried food in #10 cans, dehydrated foods in #10 cans and the basics of wheat, sugar, salt and NFD milk (as well as a variety of beans, rice, and cereals.)
Obviously, the beginner can't have enormous stockpiles of these items, but my suggestion is to START WITH A MODEST QUANTITY OF EACH OF THE CATEGORIES that make up the "three-legged stool" and then add to them as time goes on. The canned goods are the easiest: buy extra of what you normally buy (plus some stews, tuna fish, pastas, etc) every week. Circle the "best used by" date and add the date that you bought them. Make sure to rotate your canned food. Use the oldest date first.
The MRE's and the long-storage food items can be bought from a large number of suppliers now. (You survivalists today have it much easier!) I have been using, Emergency Essentials, a sponsor of this blog, for 15 years or more. There, you can find just about everything you need. Just as you do at the grocery store, I suggest that you buy what's on sale each month. They also have water storage solutions and water purifiers available. (W)
Good Luck!
A written plan of what she is prepairing for, how she intends to react in each situation, (PLAN-A and contigincy PLAN-B)and what she will need to survive each situation in her plan.
Great post and a good starting point for those of us just starting out. I read several other survivalblog and I have to say I've found the most practical advice here. Thank you.
M.D, where did you get that Remington 870 Express combo with 20" smooth bore sighted slug barrel and 28" vent rib barrel ? I might consider buying one.
Thanks
START SIMPLE,BUY WHAT YOU EAT NOW LIKE YOU BUY 6 CANS OF SPAM BUY 3 MORE FOR YOUR PREPPING STASH.I ALWAYS SHOP WITH COUPONS,THIS LETS US STRETCH THE DOLLAR FURTHER.FOR WATER WE RE-USE 2 LITER BOTTLES FOR OUR SUPPLY WHEN LETS SAY WHEN THE POWER GOES OFF YOUR WELL WILL NOT WORK.IF YOUR MARRIED GETTING YOUR SPOUSE ON BOARD IS A BONUS,2 WORKING TOGETHER IS BETTER THAN 1 IN THE SAME HOUSE.ONE MORE THING I WOULD ADVICE YOU TO KEEP ON FOLLOWING THIS BLOG ,ITS IN A LEAGUE OF ITS ON.FROM JAY IN NC
guerric,
I bought the 870 from a local pawn shop and the extra barrel at the same place about 6 months later. Check with your local sporting goods shop – they should be able to order you one.
25' to 50' of para-cord (550), TWO knives (at least–one general utility, one sharp as hell field dressing/skinning/fighting), and a good, thick, plastic shower curtain or tarp–not the crappy,cheap fiber-whatever that flap themselves apart, and some kind of canteen/water carrier.
M.D.,You got it right.I'd list the gun first,with extra ammo.What good is food if someone kills you before you can eat any of it?Then water filter[s],and then the basics of food.
I started out buying the cheapest I could find.Dry goods.Rice,beans,peas,pasta,etc.
One of the things we rely on very heavily is our woodburner.We heat with it all winter,and it has saved us ALOT of money,which I could then invest in more storage items.The burner not only heats the house,but I can cook on it,and heat water if need be.When the power goes out,it's a lifesaver,and I know when electric gets too expensive to buy,we will still survive.Hope you do too!
Don't forget a can opener!
I have to disagree with your suggestion for the most versatile firearm. My choice would be a .22 pistol.
Don't forget condoms!
The Remington 870 is probubly the best pump gun available. However it has two major drawbacks. [1] It is a pump gun. It holds 6 shots, but to the untrained, which is most people, particularly wives and teenagers, it is complex. To use it in a panic situation would be beyond most people. Simplicity is safety and effectiveness for you. Therefore I recomend to nonshooters[and infrequent shooters] that they get a double barrel shotgun with chock tubes. Simple and safe for us and dangerous to the bad guy. [2] The 870 has a cross bolt safety which is the worst safety for the untrained. The tang safety on the Mossberg is much safer and easier to use, particularly by us senior types that do not have the dexterity and sensitivity we once had. And the double guns are much shorter and lighter making them more effective indoors and more likely to be carried with you around the home. Am elastic ammo holder on the stock should keep you well supplied.
On bug out firearms (and bug out vehicles) I think it depends on a lot of factors; where you are, where you're going, budget, size of the person using it, etc.
If I could choose only one, it'd be a Marlin Model 60 .22.
Request for info to any who know; I'm comparing the Mini-14 (post-2006 model with much improved accuracy, or so I read) and the SU-16C.
Both are 5.56, have thicker barrels than previous versions, piston operated with AK-like reliability, and (again, newer versions or so I've read) AR-like accuracy – and both about half as much as a comparable AR with piston.
But the Mini-14 take proprietary mags (the SU-16 takes AR mags), while the SU-16C folding stock and polymer body look flimsy. I've also heard the Mini-14 is abnormally loud.
Anyone have experience with both those weapons and able to compare/contrast/recommend? Any feedback much appreciated.
1. A written plan for water that have practiced is the FIRST thing any noob needs before prepping anything else. All other considerations are secondary.
2. A gun. It doesn't matter what kind, but an ancient flintlock isn't going to be as useful as a semi-auto Ruger 10/22 in .22LR, so use some common sense. I personally think everyone should build towards having the core four: a .22 rifle for its ability to get game and scare off intruders (they are loud and they will get someone to run for cover), a 12 gauge shotgun for its versatility (I could write an entire post for you about how useful a Rem 870 can be; slugs, sabots, shot, but I digress), a main battle rifle; something that shoots NATO rounds (5.56 or 7.62) would be best imho since we don't have ready access to Russia to order more ammo in case of emergency and a pistol or revolver. These core four (22 rifle, shotgun, MBR and pistol) will get you through any situation and let you have multiple batteries to fire upon two legged predators (assuming you aren't by yourself).
3. Food. Get what you eat. Get lots of it. Now go buy some more. This isn't rocket science, you know what you will and won't eat and you know how much storage space you have that can be kept close to 68F year round (the garage attic is a poor storage area for food). Buy some food so you have energy to gather water.
4. Seeds, a shovel, hoe, rake and a garden hose.
5. Write everything down and share it with your closest family and confidants (you might be killed in the opening moments of the crisis and if your family doesn't know the basement is full of preps, well…. it won't be pretty for them).
6. Get a hobby that involves making something useful. Can be something simple like matches or something hard like building steam engines from iron ore. Mine is making shoes. May sound odd as a hobby, but I can damn sure make money off of it in a pinch and feed my family.
7. Do yourself a favor, even in a short term Katrina style disaster or a tornado, try not to panic. Panic kills.
http://seanownsthemoon.blogspot.com/
Just finished watching the documentary 'Food Inc' – quite an eye opener.
A reliable fire starting method has to be part of every survival kit. Check out this story: http://survivalcommonsense.com/2010/01/18/best-ignitionfeed/
And for a cheap, incredibly effective kit for about $5, read this: http://survivalcommonsense.com/2010/02/21/cheapfiremakingfeed/
I have an SU-16c and dont let it's looks fool you. It is one very well made rifle. Does anyone remeber the Glock??? Mine is way more accurate than my old model Mini-14 and the weight is awesome. The only drawback is parts. Not many around to snag parts from but some are the same as the AR. If you have any more questions about my SU-16 let me know.
a frontier water filter is cheap enough to get several at time and simple enough to be your main source of clean drinking water.
How are you all going to carry all of this stuff in your bug out bag?
the water filter i was talking about is just a water bottle straw with the filter attached. its tiny and light. filters everything down to 2 microns i believe.
If you're a beginner with firearms, you have to learn. Do not buy a gun and throw it in the closet and think your set. You must learn how to use it. Go shooting. Learn how to strip and clean it. Learn the difference in ammo. I completely agree with MD on the 870. Its a brilliant gun and it is about as reliable as it gets. The cost/benefit ratio is very good. But you have to understand the difference between #8 birdshot, 00 buck, and slugs. Learn, Learn, Learn
Anonymous 9:54 PM,
The post wasn't about bugging out but a starting point for new preppers who plan to survive in place.
Everything isn't about the bug out bag or bugging out we need to move past that point.
Having a bug out bag is a good idea but it isn't the golden calf of preparedness, only a small part of a bigger plan.
MD, I think you should have included the knife somewhere as it is probably the most utilized tool we have. The simple pocket knife is so useful, it is the one survival tool I am NEVER without.
Good post & I agree with your choice of the all-around shotgun as a starting point. I could do all I need to do with a shotgun & a 22 pistol. It's always good to have lots of ammo, but if you feel that there's still not enough, you're probably planning for a situation where you won't live long enough to use it ;-)
FlatSix,
Keep in mind that this wasn't meant to be a complete list, but a starting point for new preppers to focus their efforts.
A knife is very important and I recommend this one.
Im faairly set for a bug in situation..except for the water situation..Im with in walking distance form a large pond or small lake..(depends on your outlook)..Im thinking that will be my water supply after my bottled water runs out..thing is..which water filter to buy..they are quite exspensive..and do they work as well as boiling the water for 1-5 minutes?..Im sure there will be some dead fish etc in there somewhere
Chuckling here, MD: "duel purpose firearm".
I know: you're useing a voice activated writer, so it can't separate "dual" and "duel"… but it sure is funny. For my "duel" purpose firearm, I'll be utilizing a 30-06 at three hundred yards or more… close-up duels will be with either a .357 or 9mm. If I wanna be quiet in my duels, I'll use the bow and arrow…
Food stuff should be dried foods, pre-packed in waterproof containers or self-packed in same, perhaps with some anti-persperant gel (silica- trying to be funny).
For water supply, some sort of filtration system is a good idea, but knowledge of getting it without mechanical means is more important. Such as learning to make and use a solar still or a sand still.
A fixed blade belt knife and a pocket knife (with built in can opener) such as multitool or scout knife or Swiss Army…
Definitely get some first aid/EMT classes and a small medical/trauma kit of sorts- for whatever kind of cataclysmic overture you envision happening. (Some might even include a gas mask in this or even a CBN suit.) Along with this, include your daily hygiene needs- TP, sanitizer, toothbrush/paste, razor, etc. Forget about useless crap like deodorants- all they do is attract insects and make you easier to find at night by someone looking for you.
Gee, I better stop here.
Shy III
unless the noobie lives somewhere it never gets cold, i'd suggest a sleeping bag (synthetic filled) for each indivigual in the household. i got this idea from the "life after the oil crash" website. (giving credit where it's due, if i can remember…)
you can die from exposure before thirst or hunger.
My humble overlooked must have is the saltine. Go ahead and put $5 worth of crackers on a back shelf somewhere. Thats 4 or 5 boxes, they last a long time, require no prep, can stretch a casarole, or meatloaf. I have filled a 5 gal pail with unboxed tubes tossed in a chunk of dryice [to displace oxy] and stored for a year with no stale taste. Simple, quick, cheap. Better liners [mylar] and oxysorb packets are more modern and would probably be better but for someone trying to find a place to start……
That was one of the best and simplest pieces of advice I'd seen in some time.
Food, water and a gun.
Not too long ago I saw the individual water filter bottles (sport bottles) for under $30. I bought a single shot 12g shot gun at a gun show for $50.
Food is something we all already buy, we just need to start getting some extra.
For under $100 you have started serious preps.
I really appreciate posts that are open-ended like this because they encourage everyone to express their opinions. I think that is the only way to get a truthful perspective on these types of topics. Thank you!
Azurevirus, There are worst things in pond water than dead fish.[parasites,maybe some chemical run off from nearby agriculture? etc.]Boiling will kill parasites and most other bad stuff,but if there are chemicals you need a filter.I didn't want to invest in one either,because they are expensive,but we would need one.And what if you ran out of fuel/or a way to boil the water? Sometimes things happen that we didn't plan on,so we basically have to try to plan for many scenarios.It takes time and a lot of thought.Wish you the best.
MD,
I'm glad you wrote 'duel,' because it gave Shy Wolf the opportunity to be hilarious.Thanks to you both!
SOMEBODY WAS TALKING ABOUT KNIVES,I BOUGHT A SWEDISH MORA MILITARY KNIFE AND I WOULD SUGGEST YOU START WITH THAT.THE PRICE OF $13 FOR IT IS GREAT.FROM JAY IN NC
Shy Wolf,
Thank you for pointing that out.
As a former wilderness survival instructor I agree completely with your list. To complete it I would suggest a good sharp knife (Im partial to Cold Steel), Axe Hatchet or Machete (depending on your location), a piece of flint, and a good cast iron pot/pan. Remember you can always scavage/barter fuel and parts but living without any of these things will make life miserable.
If I could only have one gun. Savage 24 over and under rifle/shotgun. A simple effective fire arm. It matters little the caliber of the rifle 30-30 223 or for that matter what guage as long as it is either 12 or 20. Remember 12 16 20 guage all can throw 1 oz shot this is the min. I would chose #6 shot for small game and home self defense.
When you are a new survivalist one important point is to ask questions when you are unsure or confused. Blogs like this have many of the answers. It's all here for the asking.
I think the most important item a person can have is a quest for 'survival' knowledge. Knowledge leads to a sound plan, proper water and food storage and having the necessary weapons to protect it all.
Let me also add that you must have the desire to act on what you learn.
Anyone have an experience with Aquamira Walter Filters?
@ levipalmer1980;
Thank you. That's what I've been reading about he SU-16C. I need to get my hands on one to see how it feels and see if I like the sights.
Yes great post however lets clarify something.
Food, water and a gun.
Priorities are
1. Water
2. Food
3. Gun
Water is so vitally important! As far as firearms are concerned, you cannot go wrong with a Ruger 10.22 rifle. I mean, you can carry so many bullets compared to larger calibers. And if you are using a good hollow point they will work much better for larger game. DO NOT use cheap ammunition except for plinking.
And Ruger 10/22’s are still relatively cheap!
Clean, 55+ gallon food-grade olive barrels filled with fresh water and capped off to keep out bugs and other critters and vermin. A small wood stove with an ample supply of fuel, kept dry and hidden where others cannot see the stockpile of wood. Dried and canned meats such as home made sour kraut (there's salt and enzymes in it and it tastes better than what you will buy at the store), dried fish, beef and chicken which is rotated regularly especially if purchased from a grocery store as some of them are known to spoil right inside the package within a few months, snicker bars for the peanuts and sugars for the quick-pick-me-up, beans, flour and salt. I would first worry about my health and hydration for without it I cannot and will not live to fend for myself nor my family should the time come. There's all kinds of things around the home such as knives, pens, computer keyboards, cast iron skillets, bleach, lighters and lighter fluid, small canisters of propane and small blow torches should they be in good working order, and other things that can be used no differently than that of a gun. Even though they are not as quick and all powerful as a bullet flying through the air they can be just as deadly when used properly.
I have to say the priority is
1Water
2Gun
3Food
4Written Plan
http://seanownsthemoon.blogspot.com/
One more important concept I'd like to say to the beginner: that this survival or preparedness business isn't something that you do once or twice and sit back and say, "there, I've done it. I'm now prepared". It's important to know that it is an on-going, monthly, weekly and even a daily effort. EVERY TIME you go to the grocery store, EVERY TIME you go to WMT, SAM's or the like, get something that will rotate in or up-grade or add to your preparedness.
Develope reminders. Make lists. Read relevent books and periodicals. Subscribing to this blog is excellent for that purpose, but many of the companies that offer long-storage food and survival equipment have catalogs that come out monthly. Subscribe to those, too. They offer a wealth of ideas and solutions to your preparedness needs.
Many years ago, I divided my preparedness up into several "departments", such as food, communication, sanitation, NBC (nuclear,biological,chemical) , water, heat, defense, information (library, DVDs, record-keeping,etc.) just to name some. For each of these departments (so to speak), I have various plans of action for each of them ranging from regularly scheduled equipment tests; rotation of food, medicine, purification chemicals, batteries,etc. I re-read many of the books I find most important, use check lists, and try to keep informed about new stuff that would improve what I currently have or how I think. The point is that it never ends. The day that your preparation ends is when the SHTF. Get started now. Begin small, but consider all the "departments" you'll need to be concerned with and then add and improve – but stay with it. (W)
A newbie will experience feeling overwhelmed, and may become so confused, worried, and frustrated, that they may think of giving up even before they begin.
You must FIRST know that we have ALL felt that way at one time or another, and that your not alone. Then you must notice that we are ALL here, and can tell you that YOU CAN DO THIS, it just takes STARTING.
Preparing is something that each person must do on THEIR OWN LEVEL.
What one wants, another has no use for. However, having the true life saving items is the starting place. Here are mine.
1 Shelter
2 Water
3 Food
Needless to say, mine is much, much larger now, but I’m still at it after a lot of years. Your survival is up to you. Keep searching and before long, you will have a wealth of information that you can add to the list of things to do.
Survival is an ongoing lifestyle, and will eventually become as common as sliding your feet into your shoes.
At first, It’s as easy as your own grocery shopping list, only doubled.!
Besides the external requirements of being prepared there needs to be an honest and realistic assesment of one’s personal fitness and physical preparedness. Keep in mind that a healthy body and mind can only improve your chances of ‘making it’.
guns. Lots of guns. Neo from the matrix. Steve
Speaking of guns. My sons girlfriends dad dropped off a nice rifle.It is a titka t3 in 243 caliber. He bought it for his daughter pretty rifle! It has a bipod and a 3×9 simmons scope. I am going to get a lee loader for it. Steve
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