![SHTF Gear: The Essential Gear for SHTF [With PDF Checklist]](http://www.jackery.com/cdn/shop/articles/shtf_gear.jpg?v=1719567980)
If you've read about preppers or survivalists, you know that they prepare for calamities, both natural and man-made, to ensure their survival along with that of their families or loved ones. In short, they prepare for when SHTF, or "Shit Hits the Fan." If you're preparing for SHTF, you'll need to build a stockpile of SHTF gear and other essential supplies.
While these include food, water, medical supplies, and sometimes even defense tools, alternative power supply options must also be incorporated. Jackery Solar Generators can offer you the power backup you need to run most of your essential gadgets and appliances when you go off the grid.
Key Takeaways
Here's a summary of the key points this guide covers:
- SHTF refers to a situation in which an impending calamity strikes.
- When preparing for an SHTF, creating an SHTF gear list is crucial.
- The SHTF gear list must contain essentials like food supplies, drinking water, medicines, sleeping equipment, and power backup options, among other tools.
- A solar generator can harness the sun's rays to power most of your appliances during an emergency.
What is an SHTF Gear List?
SHTF is an acronym for "Shit Hits the Fan," which people in prepper communities often refer to a situation that classifies as the kind of disaster they're prepping for. So, when SHTF, you must have a stockpile of supplies you can grab and leave your house in an emergency.
SHTF gear or an SHTF kit is a collection of essentials you'll need in an emergency, including tools, a first-aid kit, protective clothing, food supplies, water, gas, and a backup power solution.
Having this kit ready at all times is crucial because during an unannounced calamity, time is of the essence, and having all your supplies ready for you to leave maximizes your chances at survival when SHTF. You can read more about planning for SHTF in our detailed guide.
SHTF Gear List
When preparing your SHTF survival gear, you must be comprehensive because you never know what kind of supplies an emergency demands. While some might last a few days, like a temporary power outage due to a tornado, others could be extended, such as a civil unrest case requiring you to evacuate your home and locality altogether.
This section details the 10 key aspects of your SHTF kit, so you know exactly what to consider and prepare for.
SHTF Gear: Backpack
The first thing you'll need to get your hands on is a bag, or probably a few bags, to carry all your essentials. This could be a backpack or even a duffel bag. There are two schools of thought when choosing a bag:
- Choosing a bag first
- Accumulating your essentials and then selecting the ideal bag to carry them.
Regardless of which approach you prefer, you'll have a few options. A backpack, for example, is one that many preppers prefer because it stays out of the way, has multiple pockets, and its weight is evenly distributed across both shoulders, making it easy to carry for longer durations.
It's also the ideal choice for easy access to essentials like tools, a change of clothes, some food and water, and so on.
On the other hand, a duffel bag can often hold more items and has a higher carrying capacity. As a result, this can be the ideal choice for items such as clothes and extra food or water supplies that you may not have to access immediately.
SHTF Gear: Water
No matter the emergency's scenario or duration, access to clean drinking water is among the most crucial aspects of your SHTF survival kit. This is often the biggest downfall among non-preppers who don't know how much water they need.
According to the Department of Homeland Security, you should store at least one gallon of water per person for three days. This quantity covers both hydration and sanitation. When stocking up on water, there are five key things to take care of.
Water Bottles
Storing water bottles is the most straightforward aspect of prepping: it requires a trip to your local grocery store. FDA-approved water in sealed bottles lasts two years, and you must keep using and replacing the bottles to ensure your kit doesn't run out when you need it.
However, given the recommended water quantity, storing water bottles for extended durations can take up a lot of space. This is where other options come in handy.
Portable Water Filters
A portable water filter can be helpful when you've run out of your water supply and need to rely on other sources. However, not all sources are safe to drink, and this is where a portable water filter can help you filter out the contaminants so you don't fall sick.
These filters remove bacteria, viruses, lead, and other chemicals to make water safe for consumption.
Bleach
If you're out in the wilderness but can't light a fire to boil and disinfect your water, adding a small amount of bleach can help. However, always remember to use unscented chlorine bleach for this.
The table below shows you how much 6% and 8.25% bleach you should add to water to disinfect it:
|
Volume of Water |
Amount of 6% Bleach to Add |
Amount of 8.25% Bleach to Add |
|
1 quart/liter |
2 drops |
2 drops |
|
1 gallon |
8 drops |
6 drops |
|
2 gallons |
16 drops or ¼ tsp |
12 drops or ⅛ tsp |
|
4 gallons |
⅓ tsp |
¼ tsp |
|
8 gallons |
⅔ tsp |
½ tsp |
According to the EPA, you should add bleach to your water supply using a clean dropper, stir it, and let it stand for about 30 minutes before drinking.
Reusable Water Containers or Jerry Cans
Reusable water containers can be an effective option when you need to store large quantities of water for an emergency. They are also much cheaper than purchasing bottled water from a grocery store.
Large Water Filters
While a small or portable water filter can filter water for immediate consumption, sometimes, you need a larger filter to help sustain you for longer. A larger water filtration system that can store and filter 2-3 gallons of water can be the ideal option.
The only downside is that it isn't as compact or portable as its smaller alternatives and won't make sense for someone with a simple survival kit. However, you must consider a more extensive system if you have a bug-out vehicle with ample space.
SHTF Gear: Food and Cooking Gear
Based on the rule of three, a human can go up to three weeks without food. However, while our bodies can be pushed to the extreme in some circumstances, ensuring you get your daily dose of calories is crucial to surviving extended calamities.
As a result, stocking up on your food supplies and cooking gear is of the utmost importance. After all, you never know how long you'll have to go off the grid, so being prepared for the worst eventuality is critical. Your supplies must be tailored to your taste and be calorie-dense to maintain your energy levels.
You should start by choosing foods with a long shelf life that are easy to store without refrigeration. You must account for carbohydrates, proteins, and fats.
- Carbohydrates: Foods like rice, rolled oats, oatmeal, and pinto beans are great carbohydrate options.
- Protein: Survival kits typically lack protein, and the best way to ensure your daily intake is to get a simple whey protein powder and a shaker to mix it with water. Beef Jerky, for example, also has a long shelf life and can be a reliable source of protein.
- Fats: Coconut, avocado, and olive oil are ideal sources of healthy fats for your survival kit.
Similarly, canned food can last long and help you get essential nutrients. You can choose from a long list of options, such as soup, beef, tuna, or peanut butter.
Lastly, packing your cooking gear is crucial, as you must properly cook your food before you consume it. An essential fire-starting kit includes a lighter, a flint and steel kit, and a camp stove. You should also account for a few pots and pans to cook your meals in.
SHTF Gear: First Aid
The importance of a first aid kit in emergencies is needless to state. However, ensuring that your kit has all the essentials can keep you from bleeding out and can help you stay in control of any injuries or ailments you contract while living off the grid is necessary. A few essential items that your first aid kit must have are listed below:
- Bandages: A combination of bandaids, large adhesive bandages, and at least one abdominal bandage.
- Prescription medications: Stock up on all your prescription medications well beforehand, and ensure they have plenty of shelf life before they expire.
- Antibiotics: While you must always consume antibiotics only after consulting a doctor, preppers often suggest using antibiotics meant for fish as ideal to cure certain human illnesses.
- Over-the-counter medications: Medicines for common colds and flu are must-haves.
- Tourniquets: Tourniquets are crucial to stop wounds from bleeding. Always choose a commercial tourniquet, but if you don't have access to one, a rope made from a t-shirt or a bandage can do the trick.
- Gauze: Gauze is essential to close open wounds and must be a part of your SHTF survival kit.
- Vaseline: While Vaseline can help with chapped lips or dry skin, it can also prevent cuts or other small wounds from becoming infected.
- Bug spray: If you spend time outdoors, bug spray can help protect you from itchy bites and insect-borne diseases, particularly from mosquitoes.
- N99 Respirator Masks: According to the CDC, an N99 mask filters out 99% of airborne particles and can keep you safe in a disease outbreak such as the COVID-19 outbreak.
SHTF Gear: Hygiene Supplies
When SHTF and you don't have access to your home facilities, you're likely to be more exposed to bacteria and other microorganisms. Maintaining good hygiene then becomes a question of staying healthy. A few hygiene supplies that your SHTF survival gear must include are:
- Shampoo, soap, and some body wash.
- Antibacterial soap
- Portable showers for when you don't have access to a proper shower.
- Hand sanitizer is used when you cannot access soap and running water. Ensure that the sanitizer you choose kills 99.99% of bacteria.
- Toothpaste and toothbrushes with an adequate supply for long-term emergencies
- Feminine hygiene products like sanitary pads, tampons, and so on.
- Nail clippers
- Deodorant
- Toilet paper and baby wipes
Always ensure you have an adequate supply of each item on this list. You'll be surprised at how much of each product you use when you don't have access to traditional soap and running water.
SHTF Gear: Clothing
Clothing is another category that you cannot miss when stocking up on your emergency survival kit. The right kind of clothing can ensure you're comfortable and protected from the elements, depending on where you live. Packing enough clothing is also essential to change into a new pair. After all, you don't want to be bugging out in the wilderness when you're soaking wet.
Some essential pieces you should include are:
- Lightweight, cotton, long-sleeved t-shirts to keep you covered and cool in the heat
- Zip-off pants
- Underwear
- Socks
- Hiking boots
- Sweaters and jackets
- Working gloves
- Rain Poncho
Always consider the materials you choose. Using materials like cotton is ideal if you're in a warmer place. On the other hand, if you're in a colder region, make sure to pack enough clothes that you can layer and have a set of waterproof layers handy to keep yourself dry.
SHTF Gear: SHTF Technology
You'll also need access to specific technology to keep you going when SHTF. This could be something as simple as a flashlight or a headlamp, extra batteries for your device, or even a power backup option that you can use to charge up your devices.
You should also carry extra emergency lights to make things easier at night. However, you can only charge these devices with a reliable power backup option. Jackery Solar Generators are a dependable option that uses solar energy to power most of your devices.
In addition to all your electronic devices and power backup solutions, carrying a good old compass in case your devices run out of charge can also be helpful.
SHTF Gear: Shelter and Bedding
Shelter is paramount, as you can't go without a safe place to sleep at night. Unless you've got an RV or your own vehicle in which you plan to camp out, you will need a reliable alternative. Regardless, a good quality waterproof tent is a must-have. The tent should also ideally be rated to withstand strong winds and snow, depending on where you live.
The next piece is a good sleeping bag. Ensure it's rated to keep you warm if you're in a cold place, and carry an emergency blanket just in case. If you have the space for it, you can also carry along a foldable chair.
SHTF Gear: Communication
Communication devices are not to be forgotten when going off the grid. After all, when you’re dealing with natural or even man-made calamities, things are bound to change from time to time, and part of keeping yourself safe is to be aware of these developments.
Devices such as smartphones, radios, satellite phones, and laptops can be lifesavers when you want to stay aware of key developments or contact your loved ones or rescue services.
SHTF Gear: Others
While the categories above might seem exhaustive, your bug-out kit must still contain several other items. These could include duct tape, reusable bags, sunglasses, a basic sewing kit, binoculars, face paint, all your essential travel documents, a puncture repair kit for your vehicle, and so on.
Jackery Solar Generators for SHTF
Jackery is one of the best-known manufacturers of solar generators, portable power stations, and solar panels. The Jackery Solar Generators combine Jackery Portable Power Stations and Jackery SolarSaga Solar Panels. When you place the solar panels under direct sunlight, they absorb the sun's rays and convert solar energy to DC current. This DC current is passed through the pure sine wave inverter in the portable power station to produce AC current.
In the event that SHTF, the Jackery Solar Generators offer a renewable source of energy to power most of your appliances when you're off the grid during an emergency. They come with multiple ports that you can use to recharge your handheld devices and run appliances like a CPAP machine, an electric grill, an oven, or even an electric kettle.
Jackery Solar Generator 3000 Pro
The Jackery Solar Generator 3000 Pro is a large-capacity solar generator that can power most of your appliances. It is the ideal backup power supply option for your home and can also work if you're going off the grid.
You can easily carry it around in your bug-out vehicle, particularly since the portable power station has wheels and the solar panels can be folded for easy transportation. You may use this to run appliances like a TV, laptop, electric grill, oven, or even a CPAP machine.
Appliances Running Time:
- Mobile Phone (29W) = 88.6H
- Laptop (70W) = 36.7H
- Light (20W) = 128.5H
- CPAP Machine (60W) = 42.8H
- Electric Grill (850W) = 3.0H
Customer Review:
"Great service and great products. This is our 3rd Jackery. We've been fortunate to have solid backup power during storm outages last year." - Gary.
Jackery Solar Generator 2000 Plus Kit (4kWh)
The Jackery Solar Generator 2000 Plus Kit (4kWh) is another capable, large solar generator that you can expand depending on your home's needs or how long you intend to go off the grid. Even if you're dealing with extended blackouts, the solar generator can recharge using solar charging and power up most of your appliances.
What's more, if your bug-out vehicle is an RV, you can use this to power up most of your appliances, so you don't have to worry about running out of charge on your devices.
Appliances Running Time:
- Mobile Phone (29W) = 119.7H
- Laptop (70W) = 49.6H
- Light (20W) = 173.6H
- CPAP Machine (60W) = 57.8H
- Electric Grill (850W) = 4.0H
Customer Review:
"This is absolutely a great addition to the 2000 Plus. I mainly have this for power outages, but I will use it on the occasional camping trip. I will probably buy an additional pack to make my supply 6k." - Mark.
Jackery Solar Generator 2000 Plus Kit (6kWh)
Like the previous solar generator, the Jackery Solar Generator 2000 Plus Kit (6kWh) is another large-capacity solar generator that can be expanded depending on your home's needs. This system is appropriate for off-grid living or when you must evacuate during an emergency. It offers long-lasting reliability, so you don't have to worry about running out of charge on your essential devices.
Appliances Running Time:
- Mobile Phone (29W) = 179.6H
- Laptop (70W) = 74.4H
- Light (20W) = 260.4H
- CPAP Machine (60W) = 86.8H
- Electric Grill (850W) = 6.1H
Customer Review:
"The Jackery Explorer 2000 Plus and Battery Pack with the 400W solar panels package is a great combination for home backup and RV usage. The 120VAC and RV receptacles and the others are great on the unit. I like the idea that I can purchase another battery pack if I need more power." - Larry.
Things to Consider When Building SHTF Gear List
You'll need to consider several things when building an SHTF survival kit. Here are a few:
- Duration: The first thing you'll need to consider is the duration you need to accumulate supplies for. This will determine how much of every item you carry based on how many people you need to support.
- The Number of people:If you live alone, you'll only have to cater to your needs. However, if you have a family, you must also account for the food, water, and other essentials for their survival and comfort.
- Nature of the emergency:The kind of emergency you will likely deal with is also crucial. If you're dealing with power outages caused by natural calamities, your needs will be different compared to those in a place embroiled in civil unrest or a full-blown armed conflict.
- Physical ability:Your physical abilities and fitness will also determine the kind of gear you carry. It will influence the medications you need, your dietary requirements, and the overall weight of your gear.
SHTF Gear FAQs
What size of solar generator do I need for an SHTF?
The size of the solar generator you need as a prepper will depend on how long you're prepping for when faced with an SHTF. For example, if you're prepping for a longer duration, the Jackery Solar Generator 3000 Pro can be a great option as it's expandable. If you're using this to charge your CPAP machine (60W), you can calculate the working hours as follows:
Working Hours = Battery Capacity in Wh × 0.85 ÷ Operating Wattage of the Appliance = 3024Wh × 0.85 ÷ 60W = 42.8H
Note: The 0.85 is the power conversion factor multiplied by the battery capacity to account for power loss when charging the appliances.
What are the most essential things for preppers?
The most crucial prepper gear includes food, drinking water, medical equipment, shelter, and sleeping gear.
How do you put together a bug-out bag?
Here are the things you'll need to put together a bug-out bag.
What is the prepper's rule of three?
According to the prepper's rule of three, an individual can survive for three days without fresh water or sleep, for three hours in extreme heat or cold, and for about three minutes without air to breathe.
How many days should a bug-out bag last?
Ideally, a bug-out bag should contain enough supplies to last 72 hours or 3 days.
Conclusion
Things move fast when SHTF, and every second counts. This is why you must spend the time and money needed to build an SHTF gear list and accumulate all the supplies you'll need to last three days at the very least. Think food, water, clothing, technology, and medicines.
And for when you need to power up or recharge your appliances, Jackery Solar Generators can be a good option for you to consider. They're reliable and make you independent, so you don't have to rely on any public utilities for your survival and comfort.
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