Preps you thought were overkill… until they weren’t?
Posted by Extension_Health1849@reddit | preppers | View on Reddit | 249 comments
used to think some stuff in my setup was borderline paranoia. Extra water storage beyond a week, backup lighting in every room, multiple ways to cook food… felt like I was cosplaying doomsday.
Then we had a random 3-day power + water outage in my area.
No chaos, no panic, just flipped systems and kept moving. Neighbors were scrambling for bottled water and candles, while I was rotating stored water, running a small cook setup, and charging devices like it was normal life.
Biggest realization: the “overkill” preps are the ones that remove stress when things go sideways.
For me, the MVPs were: • Stored water (way more than I thought I’d need) • Headlamps > flashlights (hands-free matters more than you think) • Simple food that doesn’t need babysitting to cook
Curious what others here have that felt excessive at first… but ended up proving its worth when it actually counted?
Typical_Day_8849@reddit
Tracking threat levels by country and scenario. Felt excessive when I started, like why would I need to know the wildfire risk index for my region updated in real time. Then a dry summer hit and watching that number climb two weeks before anything made the news gave me enough time to top off water, check the go bag and have a conversation with my family. Nobody scrambled. The prep that felt most paranoid ended up being the one that gave me a head start everyone else didn't have.
No_Lie923@reddit
Emergency evacuation breathing apparatus! 20 mins of oxygen New if interested lmk
Autobotnate@reddit
I’ll never run out of toilet paper again. Also bidet.
CryptoNurse-EcC-@reddit
Idk I am finding my bm may not bidet compatible 🤣 maybe some fiber is in order.
Extension_Health1849@reddit (OP)
Facts. People laugh at TP preps till shelves go empty overnight.
Bidet is the real cheat code though, cuts your TP use way down and you’re not stressing if supply dries up. It’s one of those low-key preps that pays off immediately, not just in emergencies.
Hygiene is one of those things that’ll wreck morale fast if you ignore it.
Pretzel387@reddit
I'm absolutely building a TP pile. BUT, I have kids in diapers. If SHTF and we do run through the whole TP stockpile, then I'm already prepared to do cloth diapers; I think the prospect of laundering ass rags (we have a gazillion soft microfiber wash cloths so those will work) is less awful knowing that I'm definitely going to have poop laundry to deal with either way.
CitationsOnly@reddit
you might find this interesting https://www.bigtoiletproject.org/blog/changing-toilet-training-trends In the US we train a lot later as it is a pain to do and diapers are easy and available. In my travels I saw it basically done by 2.5 to 3 in many areas of the world where diapers are scarce to non existent.
1LittleBirdie@reddit
Ok forgive the silly question but…. Do you need a towel or something to dry off then? The idea of my lady parts getting wet, then putting underwear back on immediately seems unpleasant. But in a shtf scenario I don’t want to have to wash and dry a million towels.
Nyambura8@reddit
Many have a blow dry option. 😊
1LittleBirdie@reddit
Ah so more than a basic one; good to know!
Iartdaily@reddit
My kids installed a bidet for me when I had rib surgery and couldn’t reach around. Best thing ever.
xenobit_pendragon@reddit
I don’t think your kids installed it for you, I think they installed it for them. Win-win though.
Comfortable-Story-53@reddit
Good one 👍😃
rmwg@reddit
Rib surgery 🥴 ouch!
Iartdaily@reddit
Slipped rib syndrome- sucks. Both sides.
Excellent-Effect-931@reddit
Do you just randomly store water and plan on using filters and pills to clean it up in case of an emergency? Do you routinely change it out?
Most-Property8195@reddit
Hand held camping bidet...basically a squirt bottle.
BookAddict1918@reddit
I call that the "starter bidet".😂I tell people to try it and see how it feels. Particularly those that are freaked out by bidets.
Most-Property8195@reddit
Lol! Also a worthy replacement if your water is out!
BookAddict1918@reddit
🤮 that nozzle gets too close to my privates.😂
TanksFTM@reddit
Recently bought one, along with a 5Gal heated portable shower with spray nozzle.
Most-Property8195@reddit
I have one that connects to propane. I use it to wash the dogs too.
Dramatic-Effect-6586@reddit
Can you share the product?
Most-Property8195@reddit
The company is Gasland. Got from Amazon
the_lovely_otter@reddit
Adding this to my prep list!
Hidesuru@reddit
Love my bidet, but don't have whole house backup power so I don't have good way to run it without power.
Technically I guess I could disconnect my solar battery and drag it and the inverter down to the toilet lol. Assuming my small inverter has the capacity (bidet has on demand water heating that I suspect chugs current.
BJ42-1982@reddit
Bidets are great when you have unlimited supplies of water. When you store water for a week and are told the outage will last two, you hope that have a backup plan that does not rely on bidets.
Designer_Ad_1416@reddit
what about of the water is out ?
summonsays@reddit
Yeah during COVID we didn't have TP for 3 months in local stores... Our personal supply got pretty low but it went ok. Now we have waaay more than we need. But I'd rather have it than the empty space.
dawn_thesis@reddit
hey, how did you handle the toilet situation when the water was out?
TanksFTM@reddit
I bought a camp toilet with about 500 attachable WAG bags. I assume I'll be around my home if SHTF happens, so it makes sense to have this ready when the water stops working.
Extension_Health1849@reddit (OP)
5 gal bucket, trash bags, little bit of sawdust after each use. Kept it simple.
If there was still some water left I’d do an occasional flush, but once it was gone, bucket system. Not glamorous, but it works.
dawn_thesis@reddit
ah, yeah. i was hoping you'd found some miracle way to keep a toilet working :D
i don't have a dog, but i have a supply of doggie bags.
CosmicUdder@reddit
Welp, you’ve just given me a reason to keep my ridiculous stash of scented doggie bags.
dawn_thesis@reddit
i use mine for collecting my food waste before it goes to municipal compost, but they can do double ~~doodie~~ duty
CosmicUdder@reddit
🤣🤣
TripodP@reddit
Bought a bidet at the beginning of COVID after I sent wife to BJs for two cases of to. Had my friends knowing I was a prepper asking for tp cause were using much because of the bidet
Own_Papaya7501@reddit
This is all AI slop.
gu-laap@reddit
This is a bot??? Obviously uses ChatGPT style text
Hom3ward_b0und@reddit
I bought one of those bidet plastic water bottle attachments/covers. Had to do number two in a not so ideal location and it helped a ton along with wet wipes.
Traditional_Fan_2655@reddit
Until the power is out. I haven't figured this out without turning on and off a bank.
wakanda_banana@reddit
How many packs should we be prepping with?
ResolutionMaterial81@reddit
My BIL used to snicker at prepping, til the COVID quarantine hit him with his pants down (literally & figuratively)! 🤣
He actually called my wife to apologize & wished he had stocked up before the "Great TP Drought of 2020"!
I didn't need to as we already had cases in storage.
David_C5@reddit
I use 1-2 sheets(sheet meaning where the cut point is) and I fold them. Very carefully so I don't waste them.
By myself I bought a 12-pack toilet paper and I used less than half in 2 years.
RegieRealtor49@reddit
If you have no water -you have no bidet
last_rights@reddit
Toilet paper was on sale at Costco the week before COVID protocols were announced and the paper apocalypse. I had bought two or three packs. I'm not sure anymore.
I do remember only needing toilet paper once during the whole shortage and by that time my store had procured a "employee only" pallet to purchase from.
PrepperBoi@reddit
Can you make the bidet run off a tank of water to the side of your toilet?
SpeciousSophist@reddit
Dude that's not nearly sufficient. everyone's house already has a walk-in bidet. You don't need TP or a toilet even.
That's why I have 6 showers in my 3 bedroom house--real prep:
Wiley_Jack@reddit
Waffle-stomp FTW
Locksmithbloke@reddit
Handstand, amirite?
XRlagniappe@reddit
I had a stockpile of toilet paper and paper towel that I would buy from a warehouse store. I would just buy some every time I went. Then the pandemic hit. I eventually had to go to the store but it was a while. I was also tracking our usage.
My wife just said to me one day I'm not going to question your purchase and storage habits, especially when it comes to toilet paper and paper towel. I guess she never mentioned it too me but must have thought about it.
Unusual_Specialist@reddit
Double prepared for a shitty situation. I call that a power play.
MerelyMortalModeling@reddit
A power splay if you will.
jannseleven@reddit
Keeping all our cars and trucks full of gas. Learning about using gasoline stabilizers. Water and more water. Using a water catchment system to water our gardens. Bidets in every bathroom. Several ways to cook food. Solar generator.
adpplepie@reddit
Do you mean a solar power station? Do you have recommendations? Been looking to set up something at home for the possible multi-day power outage.
koopmac@reddit
Have a look at Terang.energy - they do battery systems (solar power stations) that don't need to be hooked up to mains, so they won't get cut during a blackout. They're mainly used in small businesses as backups but perfect for houses too.
ResolutionMaterial81@reddit
Well, my wife & immediate family believed my backup power system to be overkill...until it wasn't.
https://www.reddit.com/r/preppers/s/oeuWQcw1jN
Personally I have LOTS of preps & knowledge I hope are never used for the purpose intended, especially pertaining to nuclear threats.
But occasionally they get used anyway. Such as the week before last when a relative doing a federal inspection in an (abandoned?) Warehouse with a plethora of radiological warning signs. He was concerned about contamination (No PPE or monitoring equipment available) & the risk of bringing home any contamination back home to wife & family. Had him come by, checked him thoroughly with one of my Radiacodes & put his mind to rest. Slightly elevated level on his shoes, but basically normal background radiation. He had washed his hands thoroughly when leaving the facility.
Night_Sky_Watcher@reddit
Normally that wouldn't be allowed to happen without proper monitoring or PPE. If he was doing it for a contractor company, corners were definitely cut. I occasionally visited contaminated DOE facilities, and we were always properly dressed out and wanded for stray contamination at point of exit.
ResolutionMaterial81@reddit
So, he went back to the facility (& others) yesterday wearing my Radiacode 103 on an ankle strap. He just texted his map back.
479k meters traveled, 10.9 cps peak & dose rate peak was 0.15 ųSv/h.
Approximately 4 times background at my location, but well within normal dose rate for other areas around the world.
ResolutionMaterial81@reddit
Not a contractor & not a DOE facility. Next time I see him I will enquire further. The signage definitely had him pretty spooked though. The normal background radiation at my house is approximately 0.04 uSv/h & his shoes were 0.07. Just a tad above normal, but still a nothing-burger.
k8ecat@reddit
Wondering if you have a suggetfor backup power for someone living in an apartment? We have a way to step out to the roof but I can't put a generator there. Are there ways to put out a solar array and hook it up to my apartment?
No_Data9003@reddit
My friend’s got a bluetti elite 400 at his apartment and uses it with some portable solar panels. Seems pretty solid.
Witty-Main-7772@reddit
I’ve got a Bluetti Elite 400 in my apartment with a portable solar panel, so I barely use grid power now.
ResolutionMaterial81@reddit
It really depends on what you are wanting to support & for how long. Also if "Balcony Solar" is allowed?
I have several Balcony Solar setups for our Vacation Condo designed to support the refrigerator, strings of USB LED Lighting, Fans, etc.
k8ecat@reddit
Thanks- I will look into this.
ResolutionMaterial81@reddit
Catch the sales if possible.
dawn_thesis@reddit
balcony solar! most US states are considering legislation to make plug-in solar easier for renters.
otherwise, do like me and build an r/offgrid r/solardiy system. i get \~1/3-1/2 of my total electricity usage from some smallish panels (125 ecoflow portable bifacial, do very much recommend) and a battery bank.
ResolutionMaterial81@reddit
Nice! 👍
Crazy how much the Ecoflow 220W Bifacial Solar Panels have come down in price since I bought mine in 2022! 🤯
k8ecat@reddit
Thanks I'll check it out.
Ryan_e3p@reddit
A portable/folding panel, you can probably find in 200W. That will do a decent job at charging a battery bank. Put it on the patio or deck, recharge during the day, take it back in at night.
k8ecat@reddit
Oh okay. I will see what I can find.
dawn_thesis@reddit
Hey can you go into more about this radiological warning signs story??
ResolutionMaterial81@reddit
Basically that is all I know. He reached out to me & didn't go into the details of the site. I'm just glad I could assuage his concerns as it was a "nothing-burger".
That being said, I recently watched the Netflix mini-series on the 1987 Goiânia Cesium-137 fiasco! That was in the back of my mind as a highly unlikely, but possible "Worse Case" scenario!
If I had his job (mainly inspecting cargo at ports, etc), I ABSOLUTELY would have one of my Radiacodes on an stealthy ankle strap (connected to my smartphone app & a Bluetooth earpiece). I also believe every Customs Inspector & TSA dealing with people/cargo should be similarly equipped.
Night_Sky_Watcher@reddit
There are passive radiation detectors at some truck inspection stations. The one on I-40/I-75 near Oak Ridge, Tennessee, can detect the radioactivity of potassium-40 in a load of bananas.
Way-Solid@reddit
They have something like that. I came back to the US from Mexico and set off the counters. Was whisked into a holding room and throughly searched including my luggage. Realized while this was happening that I had a nuclear stress test the week before the trip and luckily could prove it using my patient portal! Only took About two hours to get through customs and that’s with Global Entry.
ResolutionMaterial81@reddit
Cool story! Did you ever have any issues subsequent to this...as being flagged for enhanced screening?
While there are radiological detectors in the wild, I was stressing EVERY Customs/TSA official that could encounter radiation dealing with people or cargo should be so equipped.
Way-Solid@reddit
No never targeted for advanced screening. My only other issue was coming into BWI from Europe and was pulled out of customs because the was a N Ireland bomber with my name. Again another holding room as they double checked my credentials. I had a job where I was traveling globally and must have been on some lists but nothing that ever affected me.
David_C5@reddit
Had random outages where we lived. We didn't have one. Some places did and a friend after 3 days asked if we could use the refrigerator.
Remember the survivor priority list:
-Air: 3-10 minutes
-Water(drinking): 3-15 days(15 if prepared). Also need to be clean for sanitation. At the minimum wash your hands.
-Food: Few months, but very low energy
So it's mostly about refrigeration.
Rachaelmm1995@reddit
Pain meds and antibiotics for animals.
Some time ago I had a sick animal, I stock piled the meds.
One night I came home to find my parrot had literally snapped his leg off! It was gruesome.
The only exotic vet for 100 miles was on holiday for 3 weeks.
The bird should have died but I treated him with the meds that I had anyway.
He is alive and well, just missing one leg now.
travellocked@reddit
Any meds you rec for over the counter? It's hard to stock up on RX meds :/
Rachaelmm1995@reddit
It was due to another animals sickness that I was able to stock up.
Depending on the situation and animal would depend on what to stock up for.
Invermectin is always a go to as an over the counter, but the pain meds and antibiotics are literally life savers.
I hope your animal never gets sick.. but if they do.. milk it, get them to prescribe everything and stock up. Vets are quite lenient on what they prescribe if you show them that you know your stuff.. especially exotic vets.. usually we know our animals better then they do.
the_lovely_otter@reddit
-looks at my poodle sitting next to me- omg I have food and a go bag for her but no meds!!! Adding it to the list!
ContestNo2060@reddit
Oh no. Poor bird, that’s scary.
Rachaelmm1995@reddit
Yeah, bless him. He got it caught somehow and in trying to free himself he just made it worse. I felt horrible because I should have been home but I was at a Xmas party.
Luckily I’ve got plenty of experience with injured birds, so but I couldn’t have done it without those meds!!
AfricanJon61@reddit
We lived in Alasks early covid. Everyone there lives as though the world will end tomorrow. 160 pounds of best salmon filets vacuum packed in the freezer, 40 pounds bear meat, assorted reindeer, beef, pork. Smoked pork ribs. 30 dozen eggs in lard. Mason jars of assorted greens. Water no problem. And enough to to paper the entire White House. Ammunition for all the rifles, shotguns and sidearms. We'd go to Anchorage every couple months to stock up on sugar, salt, flour etc, but mostly self sufficient. It's a beautiful place to live, but not for weaklings.
Necessary-Film7832@reddit
Please tell me about the eggs in lard.
roberttheiii@reddit
https://people.csail.mit.edu/sfelshin/revwar/eggs/to-preserve-eggs.html
nakedonmygoat@reddit
My husband thought all of my preps were overkill until we got a direct hit from a hurricane. I just sighed in annoyance and got out my preps. We didn't have to go to the store and fight crowds, and we didn't have to stand in relief lines afterwards. I made him a believer. We were without power for the better part of two weeks. It was a little less comfortable than we were used to, but overall it was no big deal.
Covid was also just a nuisance. I even had enough TP, soap, and Clorox wipes to share with a friend. Besides, with the office shut down and access cards still working, I was ready to go in there and "liberate" some TP if it came to that, on the principle that it's not really stealing if you replace it before they even know. It never came to that, though.
Most of my preps worked fine for the grid failure during Texas winter storm in 2021. I had ordered a lot of ThermaCare heat patches ahead of the storm, and since we could make hot food and hot drinks, we had no real complaints. That was when I discovered that my headlamp was great for for my needlework hobby.
I keep refining my preps, and after a sideswipe by the "dirty" side of a hurricane that left me without power for a week two years ago, I was comfortable every day and by now had a system for keeping my laptop charged so I could watch an episode of a silly old sitcom on DVD before bed. No matter what the frustrations of the day, you face the next day better if you go to bed with a smile on your face!
I can now keep essential power going for days, I have propane heaters, I have a cooler-sized fridge to keep essentials cold, and a number of other things I didn't have back in those early years. I also learned in the 2008 hurricane that I'm a short walking distance from a place that has its own power plant and never loses power. It's my charging station of last resort and I've scouted it thoroughly. I know where every outdoor outlet is.
A lot of our Plans B and C are hiding in plain sight, so it's always a good idea to investigate a little. People who can think outside the box have a lot more options than linear thinkers.
reddog323@reddit
If it’s not going to wreck your operational readiness, what’s the local power source you’d be using?
Is it a waffle house?
nakedonmygoat@reddit
A university. Research universities often have their own power plants.
Think about it. They get millions in grants every year. They can't have those lab rats and zebra fish dying. They get millions in dorm fees every year. If they can't keep those kids warm, fed, and with wifi, they won't come back. It will be all over the news, too.
If you're near a university, check the campus map online and see if they one. They're usually labeled something like "Central Power Plant," or maybe just "Plant" or "Facilities, Plant, and Construction." If they're big and do a lot of research, they almost certainly have at least one power plant. Walk the campus on a nice day and note any outdoor power outlets.
BibliotecaAlejandria@reddit
Just FYI as someone who works in critical facilities engineering for hospitals and pharma manufacturers-
Those outside outlets probably won’t work on backup power. Most of the time the total supported load by generator, etc. is less than 60-70% of normal. This usually means wall outlets not feeding critical areas won’t work, non-necessary lighting will be off and heating/cooling power may be reduced.
Weary_Ad_1533@reddit
I had just moved back home to SC at the height of COVID. My parents farm did not have internet. I would drive to Clemson, which was locked down, drag a picnic table under an overhang, use a nearby power outlet, and the broad area guest WiFi. That’s how I did my job for three months till my house in Colorado sold and we moved into our new place and I had internet. It was was June, July, and August in South Carolina. I sweated a lot, but it worked.
FunnyComfortable8341@reddit
Sounds like disaster after disaster damn
dammitjenna@reddit
Yeah I was in several those and then moved 😂 Texas is something else
One_Pomegranate_5385@reddit
I know lol. I was thinking this poor person just can’t catch a break!
AlwayInForwardMotion@reddit
What were the heat patches for? You? The pipes?
premar16@reddit
Therma patches work well for pain. Sometimes I have used them when I had cramps
nakedonmygoat@reddit
They were for me. Shoulders and lower back. They don't work well on pipes, but we didn't lose any pipes because the heat would come back on just long enough to warm things up a bit.
Since then, I've added propane heaters to my prep. It was just one of those things I never thought I'd need on the Gulf Coast.
AlwayInForwardMotion@reddit
Oh darn! I was hoping for a clever solution to freezing pipes. Pain relief is good too though!
xenobit_pendragon@reddit
Wondering the same thing.
atleast35@reddit
What type of propane heater do you have? I’ve seen wall mount ones with the giant outside tank and I’ve also seen buddy heaters. I’m thinking of also getting a kerosene heater in addition. We had one years ago so used to using those.
Safe-Promotion-2955@reddit
My husband thought my basement pantry was overkill (it's basically a mini grocery at this point), until I was in a bad accident and we were down to one income for six months. Jokes on him ;)
Divamom25@reddit
Do you mind sharing which company and how much coverage? Thanks
KatherineHowton@reddit
I was without power for almost a month and realized I wanted a better solar powered radio. If the radio was going to be one of my few bits of entertainment, I wanted it to have a much better speaker.
VanDerKloof@reddit
AI slop post.
suzaii@reddit
Water, battery operated fans, solar powered banks for devices, candles, and food in pop top cans. I live in Phoenix, and every year we lose power in the summer from dust storms.
Feed_The_Soul_@reddit
What kind of solar bank ? Are they expensive
suzaii@reddit
I have a solar powered generator, and a bank from Jackery. They were gifts, not sure on final pricing
Divamom25@reddit
Have you tried them out! I am looking to buy a solar generator but I do not know if worth the money.
suzaii@reddit
I have, and I would absolutely recommend.
AleDig@reddit
Here just to say that power banks with integrated solar panel are absolute shit! The solar panel is too small to make an actual contribution, so you have to leave it under the direct sun to make a dent. But batteries don't like too much the heat coming from the direct sun exposure. A better setup is just a normal power bank and a separated solar charging panel (way bigger than an integrated one)
dawn_thesis@reddit
solar ftw! Have you considered going full solar??
suzaii@reddit
I would love to, but we can't because of our HOA
atleast35@reddit
Several states have laws that ban HOAs from banning solar panels and sometimes clothesline (“right to dry”). Florida and Arizona are two that allow solar panels from what I’ve read. The hoa can regulate where they’re placed tho. Look into A.R.S. 33-1816. I’m not in your state but on an hoa board where an 80yo on a fixed income was high pressured to sign a contract for solar panels so I had been reading up on laws. Bring it up to the hoa and maybe they’ll change their rules and regs.
dawn_thesis@reddit
ugh fucking HOAs.
Save_the_roaches@reddit
That's me, I'm obsessed with backups, but when everyone else is using a candle and eating out of a can I'm having coffee and cooking a meal with the computer on.
Weary_Ad_1533@reddit
You need 1 gallon of water on hand for each person in your household per day of an emergency. The emergency situation I have in mind keeps me in-doors for 14 days without utilities. After that I want a one week runway to get water distillery going and such.
This means 105 gallons of water for my family of five plus water for the dogs. They are small. Plus a little extra. 35 more gallons.
That will be on top of whatever we can store in bath tubs and pots before our public water goes offline. Use the water in the tubs and pots for hygiene.
Water is the main concern.
GarikDuvall@reddit
Great post, thanks for the info. It's always nice to hear practical advice and lessons learned, and in this case positive!
PrisonerV@reddit
Power generation. You really cannot have too much power until you're generating more than you can consume on a hot summer's day.
Extension_Health1849@reddit (OP)
You think you’ve got enough till you start adding real loads then it’s never enough. Extra capacity isn’t waste, it’s margin. Run more, store more, or help others.
hiaokk@reddit
What was your power source?
MrD3a7h@reddit
Small fission reactor
Outside-Storage-1523@reddit
God I thought this is serious.
Then_Bar8757@reddit
In low earth 🌎 orbit
davidm2232@reddit
I really want to get/build one. They keep talking about small reactors but they are still in the multi megawatt range. Where is the 100kw neighborhood reactor?
MrD3a7h@reddit
Better to have too much than not enough. I wouldn't go under 1600 kw.
davidm2232@reddit
It depends on if you can effectively run at a lower power level. Having a lot of extra power to dissipate creates its own problems and raises risk. I feel like a small rtg used to keep a battery bank charged is the safest option
MrD3a7h@reddit
I had one of those. Worked great until I dropped it down the stairs and the casing cracked.
oldschoolguy90@reddit
Just use your screwdriver to hold the shell that keeps it stable
ashburnmom@reddit
Hey! I know that reference!
Quadling@reddit
I understood that reference!!!
Monarc73@reddit
Ever heard of an Electro-Mechanical Reactor?
SpacedBasedLaser@reddit
Keep stealing my wife's Borax laundry powder as a neutron moderator
Monarc73@reddit
Ever heard of an Electro-Mechanical Reactor?
hiaokk@reddit
No, I'm kinda new at prepping
Monarc73@reddit
It basically uses a ring of permanent magnets rotating around a central stator. The ring is driven by a second FIXED ring of permanent magnets to induce current essentially for free.
mrhemingray@reddit
Mr. Fusion
iambecomesoil@reddit
Why are you using AI replies?
Background-Toe4400@reddit
Because they are a bot 😂
Extension_Health1849@reddit (OP)
Because I like having decent grammar when I talk about not wiping my ass with leaves, man. 😅
Nah but seriously, just sharing what worked for me
iambecomesoil@reddit
You're not talking. You're copying and pasting clanker slop.
the_frosty_emu@reddit
I saw this exact text/post before about a few months ago. Karma farming?
etherlinkage@reddit
Likely.
Opposite_Brain_274@reddit
Was the cooking fussy? How did you go about it?
CuttinThruTheCRAP@reddit
What sorta volume of water we talkin about?
sunflowebloom@reddit
I worry about water the most! How much did you need?
Outside-Storage-1523@reddit
I always keep 24 bottles from Costco at home. Sometimes less, sometimes more, but enough to go through a week I think. But we also have gas for cooking so it's not a big issue.
premar16@reddit
Having a bag packed ready to go just in case I need to go to the hospital or ER. I am disabled and sometimes have to go to the hospital. Having something ready and packed so I don't have to think when I am not feeling well has really helped.
aputsiakq@reddit
I have this skin condition on my scalp and so far throughout my life there has only been one schampoo that works to remove/keep it at bay. I once thought about how it would be extremely annoying and painful if I didn't have that in an apocalypse 😅 so I started buying two bottles at a time for a short period. Which meant I had 5 bottles when they suddenly stopped distributing it world wide in 2022/2023. You only use a liiiitle bit once or twice every month. It said it would be back in stores 2026, but so far, I haven't seen it, and I'm pretty sure it won't be making a come back... (The working ingredients haven't been accepted for that kind of use I think)
But I still have half a bottle left and it will probably last me past the summer! Have started looking for other options. Seen several threads on Reddit with people panicking in 2022/2023 when it went out of stock and people ordering from all over the world to get the last of it 😅 but here I am. And my hair feels great. Even gave my sister a smaaaall amount for her birthday because her condition felt so severe and she just needed to get some relief. 🙈
OutlawJessie@reddit
We bought some catering packs of basic food off Amazon at the start of COVID, when we didn't know if there was going to be food, we bought several hotel sized powdered soup containers and an absolutely huge bag of instant potato. We didn't use the potato, in fact we've still got it, but we used a lot of the soup. We already had food and toilet paper, loads of toilet paper, we didn't go short once. I started stocking up again when the latest war started, just in case.
thequiet-B4-thestorm@reddit
Donate the potato please
OutlawJessie@reddit
Keeping the potato in case we ever need it. It's 6 years old, no charity would want it anyway lol
Hidesuru@reddit
I'm sure plenty would take it, but no reason not to keep it stored. Only reason to donate is if it's coming up on expired to avoid throwing it away.
OutlawJessie@reddit
I'm sure it's been out of date for a while but I'm not afraid of "best before" dates, if it's old potato or death I'll give it a razz.
Hidesuru@reddit
Haha yeah I get ya. I've got some old mre components that I felt should keep well but are past date myself
MarsMonkey88@reddit
Powdered potato is great for backpacking. It’s so light, it’s obviously very carby, which is fuel, and you can add various spice configurations to really change it up.
Haunting_Chip_6044@reddit
You can use the potato to thicken soups so it doesn't go to waste
mehitabel83@reddit
Back when my car had an internal combustion engine: always bringing at least a gallon of distilled water, a fully charged recharger, a jump pack, coolant, a multitool, and gorilla tape.
Wild how often I used all of those. I did a lot of solo road trips, and keep my newish used cars for at least ten years.
Putrid-Ad60@reddit
During COVID i traded N95 masks, ramen and TP for hot homemade food and groceries. Immune compromised. Naysayers- you do you. Protected myself and family. Reinforced relationships with neighbors
OptimisticDoomCat@reddit
Solar panel and battery. SO thought I was paranoid until the month after installation was complete, electricity cost doubled in my state.
Striking_Square5581@reddit
Two Brute trash cans, harbor freight sump pump hose and spray gun. After hurricane helene the water was shut off. I filled them right before and had two weeks of fresh showers every night after working all day patching my roof in the hot sun.
WeAreHereThenGone@reddit
Bidet Night Vision. A Down Poofy in Texas Battery packs of various sizes all around house
vibes86@reddit
Before Covid, I was always kind of a food hoarder and a household supplies hoarder. I always have plenty plus back stock. I used to be much more chaotic about it but not I am organized and know what I have and I’m prepared for the next shortage or lock down or whatever may hit that way.
ggarore@reddit
Just today. No water in our area. I don't have tons but have enough.
Also the rest of basics:
Light, fire, rope. Turns out everything is useful.
Numerous-Winter5520@reddit
Unless you have a manual pump well, you don't have enough water stored.
Feed_The_Soul_@reddit
What are gasoline stabilizers and where do you get them?
Lactating-almonds@reddit
I think you replied to the wrong comment… But to answer your question gasoline stabilizers is something you can purchase online or at an auto shop and you pour into your gas tank. It’s supposed to help with avoiding buildup and increasing performance. Do some research and make sure you’re putting the right stuff in your car first.
Feed_The_Soul_@reddit
Oops. Thanks!
Fr33speechisdeAd@reddit
This is what prepping for Tuesday is all about. Good show sir.
OmniPrepper@reddit
Please do two things:
TASK 1 — Run a quick 3-query smoke test to validate semantic retrieval:
python3 -c " import faiss, json, numpy as np from sentence_transformers import SentenceTransformer
model = SentenceTransformer('all-MiniLM-L6-v2') index = faiss.read_index('/mnt/scout-data/data/index/scout.index') meta = json.load(open('/mnt/scout-data/data/index/scout_meta.json'))
queries = [ 'how to purify water in an emergency', 'treating a gunshot wound in the field', 'building a shelter after a disaster' ]
for q in queries: vec = model.encode([q]) D, I = index.search(np.array(vec, dtype='float32'), 2) print(f'Query: {q}') for rank, idx in enumerate(I[0]): m = meta[idx] print(f' {rank+1}. source={m[\"source\"]} | {m[\"text\"][:100]}') print() "
TASK 2 — Update the Brain doc at /mnt/scout-data/SCOUT_PROJECT_BRAIN.md with these final changes: - FAISS index: 22,806 vectors (final, Apr 13 2026) — index and meta fully reconciled - manuals archive rebuilt with 25 records (includes dcpa and who_emergency_response_framework) - Both new PDFs normalized and indexed: dcpa_personal_family_survival (171K chars), who_emergency_response_framework (155K chars)
Report both task results.
More_Dependent742@reddit
OP, can I ask how much water you got through? Per person, and how much washing (dishes, body etc) that included?
Kinda personal but would be super useful to know if you happen to remember. Thanks! :-)
Extension_Health1849@reddit (OP)
Not exact numbers, but it opened my eyes real quick.
Drinking + basic cooking is easy to plan… it’s the “everything else” that eats your supply, dishes, quick washes, wiping down, etc. That’s where most of it went.
Roughly I’d say plan at least 1 gallon per person per day minimum, but realistically closer to 2–3 gallons if you want to stay comfortable and not feel like you’re rationing every move.
More_Dependent742@reddit
Thanks, OP! :-)
Spartin1178@reddit
Dirty civilian did a test on this where he tracked everything for like a week on youtube
MarsMonkey88@reddit
Preface that I live in a remote sparsely populated area. A very mild thing I put in was light bulbs with built in batteries. My generator covers my entire bedroom, two living room baseboard heaters, my fridge, one kitchen outlet, and (most importantly) my sump pump and my well pump. I put a few of the lightbulbs with built in batteries in the hallway, bathroom, and kitchen. A few months later, the county started working on the power grid in my area, and we were having blackouts ranging from 12-36 hours a few times a month. It made a truly massive difference.
Extension_Health1849@reddit (OP)
I didn’t think much of backup lighting either till I had a long outage, first night was just fumbling around with flashlights and it got old fast. After that I started spreading light around the house instead of relying on one source.
Having stuff that just kicks on without thinking is huge. Especially in the middle of the night when you’re half asleep. Those small upgrades end up making the whole situation feel way less chaotic.
KneeNo1209@reddit
Tourniquet and bottles of water in the car. powerbank and protein bar in my jacket pocketknife next to my keys.
Sure, migh seem.standard. Butt not really needed in an emergency yet. Usefull for daily life. Until I got a good bye call from my best friend. Did not knew what to expect. Knife and tourniquet luckly not needed. Powerbank I did need. Which was handy cause the parents called me in a panic. I was the only one who went. Protein bar was handy because did not eat dinner and adrenaline is a hell of a drug. Also, extra beddijg and a place (couch) to sleep for suprise visitors.
And skill work breathing technique. Box breathing (4 in hold 4 out 4) helped me stay calm. A technique that worked even better was the deep inhale 4 seconds. 6 seconds exhale. That one proved me great in later... incidents.
I never, never leave without a full battery or powerbank. And I feel more naked without my knife than my phone.
Extension_Health1849@reddit (OP)
Had a night kinda like that, phone dying, hadn’t eaten, everything happening at once. That’s when the small stuff stops being “just in case” and starts doing real work. Ever since then I don’t leave without a charged phone or a backup, just not worth it.
Same with staying calm… if your head goes, everything else follows. Those breathing tricks sound simple but they actually work when things get messy.
And that “feel naked without it” part… I get it. You only need one situation to make it a habit for life.
ThatItalianOverThere@reddit
Tons of dressings. I crashed my motorcycle and didn't need to go to the er. Had to get an mri for marrow fracture tho.
Physical_Sir2005@reddit
Multiple pressure canners. We had a longer power outage and I had so much in the freezers we actually needed to make space so we could move certain items into cold storage. Having two canners going at once is SO MUCH FASTER than just one. If I had to emergency can meat to make it shelf stable, one canner would be absolutely Exhausting.
South-Commercial7963@reddit
If may ask, what caused the outage?
babathejerk@reddit
Combat medicine. Put a hatchet through my foot and knew how to handle it.
Nuclear_Wolffang@reddit
Pun intended?
brainproxy@reddit
Hard to tell if they will say. Depends on if he’s buried it or not.
sasquatch_melee@reddit
More than anything I think the benefit has been convenience. I rarely have to run out urgently because we ran out of something. Anything important I probably have it on-hand and then have time to replace it.
Water is the only not used daily item I've had to dip into. Went into a boil advisory because of a water main break. My RO system probably would have cleaned up the water enough but we just drank the Costco gallon jugs I had and replaced them on the next trip.
My next preps will probably be bug out kits. And I'd like to get a rain barrel for non-potable needs like flushing toilets, and maybe a camping toilet also. That plus reworked natural gas plumbing to connect to a portable generator. Storing enough fuel to last a material amount of time sucks. Propane costs a fortune with the tanks but lasts. Gas and gas cans are cheaper but go bad.
Flyin_Triangle@reddit
My backup power generator. It’s saved my ass a few times during storms when the power has gone out
Fun-Preference1091@reddit
Hurricane hit my town, power was out for 2 days.
I walked down to the end of my driveway, pulled out a folding table, a 10 gallon water jug, camp stove and my coffee pot. Sold coffee for $2 a cup. Emergency crews (including electrical workers) got a free cup.
Everyone was driving around looking for bottled water and a place willing to sell coffee. I made $100.
heroars8@reddit
What simple food choices worked for you?
Joe-_-Momma-@reddit
I put in a cast iron wood burning stove. A couple of cords of wood too.
A large ice storm hit my area. We went 12 days with no power and no way to get to town. We used candles and oil lamps. We cooked on the cast iron stove.
All in all ot wasn't bad.
Many-Health-1673@reddit
My wife does comment occasionally about the 14 chainsaws I have in the barn. But, we have had 3 tornadoes within 10 miles of us over the last 8 years, which makes my chainsaw addiction a positive addition to my preps as I can always help out friends and neighbors in clearing debris or clearing a road.
P1lotlancelot@reddit
Do you mind sharing brands that you have for certain things? I'd appreciate knowing the headlamp and cooking setup in particular.
Aggressive-Jelly-405@reddit
Well no one knows if they’re overkill or not cause no one has had to seriously use any of that shit stockpiled in the basement
QuietandBookish@reddit
After going through a Cat5 hurricane, I realized that some of my casual preps needed to be stepped up. I am fortunate enough to have a swimming pool, so we could use 5 gallon buckets of water to "flush" the toilets, and the people in the neighborhood shared that water with people who didn't have pools. One of the guys had 50 gallon plastic barrels and we filled them with water and he took them to houses without water with a side by side.
We are also now really careful to fill up both cars when the level hits half a tank. We would sit in the cars for an hour and charge the phones and tablets for communication and to be able to read.
We have MRE's as well and I've stocked up on things you might not think of, like spices and seasoning. Even plain beans and dehydrated potatoes will make a soup if you have some seasonings.
One other thing: if you have any sort of disability, like back problems or walking problems, stash some of the bottled water and other supplies close to whatever room you are living in during the emergency. We had a water main break last year, and since I can't lift a full package of bottled water, i had to move it several bottles at a time using my walker. It was time consuming and wasted a lot of energy I could have used for other things.
11systems11@reddit
Multiple power stations!
OskarZimmerman@reddit
Savings. It's amazing feeling when you have a serious car problem and can just pay $400 to fix it and drive to work the next day as if nothing happened.
Eredani@reddit
I'm sure I have a lot of overkill preps. Depends on one's perspective. Prepping in general is considered overkill by most people.
How do you determine preps were overkill? You can't until something bad happens and your preps are tested. Maybe they work better than expected. Maybe they fail in a spectacular fashion.
Waiting for real life to spring a pop quiz is not my strategy. Nothing remotely bad has happened in my area for decades. So I dont have any juicy anecdotes to contribute.
DarkReaper90@reddit
Keeping a day's worth of survival gear in the car at all times.
Had my car breakdown and the ETA for a tow truck was 6h+. I was able to stay comfortably warm, full, hydrated, and even entertained until they arrived.
I used more water than I thought, not just to drink, but to clean as well.
WaywardPeaks@reddit
Keeping the car full of fuel and not letting go below half. Something Ive only recently started doing but it has let take advantage of fluctuating fuel cost over the past few weeks. I also fully expect a run on the gas stations and the pumps will be empty. Not because there is a lack of fuel nationally just people panic buying and logistics not catching up.
Big_Primrose@reddit
Same here. I top up before the start of the work week (I WFH).
InformationHorder@reddit
I've been "dollar cost averaging" the fuel price spike the same way. It's saved me maybe $50-60 the past month but hey that's two 5gal Jerry cans worth of gas.
Big_Primrose@reddit
I wondered if I bought too much dry rice & beans. I don’t think so. Added a big bag of oats to the pile.
Severe-Complex-2538@reddit
The most important thing i got from this thread is to have an antibiotics stockpile
atleast35@reddit
Of course doctors won’t give you a prescription for antibiotics without a reason, but look into aquarium antibiotics. I used to buy them off eBay but you could check out aquarium stores. Antibiotics aren’t a one size fits all thing, but having something on hand is better than nothing.
polyamy74@reddit
Jase Medical has an assortment. You meet with the dr online, and make sure the items chosen are right for you and your family. Simple. Safe.
atleast35@reddit
Good to know. Thank you for this info
cosecha0@reddit
I’m new here. how does one obtain this?
TheCarcissist@reddit
Freeze dryer
Scared_Figure_2894@reddit
Whole house generator. We had a three day outage about two months after install and several outages since. Now I don’t have to worry. I don’t want to say it’s life changing…..but for me it’s life changing
soulinameatsuit@reddit
We had 2 three-day outages over a three-month period. I learned during the first outage that I wouldn't use my wood stove in high winds due to fire risk. (How did I not think if that?) I also leaned that I really missed having hot food. After that, I bought a mini rice cooker. The second outage was so much better with hot foods and beverages.
Spartin1178@reddit
Yah i learned this i also stocked more propane canisters for my two burner propane camping stove
soulinameatsuit@reddit
We've got camping stoves, but the winds were too high and the temperatures were too cold to cook outside. Having a low-wattage kitchen appliance was the perfect solution for me.
Spartin1178@reddit
Yah im fortunate enough to have a garage i could safely do it in
HamRadio_73@reddit
Backup power. Really paid off during one Super Bowl game.
Lonelyinmyspacepod@reddit
A big ole generator and tons of gas. My hubby wanted the generator pretty randomly and I just went along with it even though it was expensive and I thought when are we ever going to use that? We weren't really into prepping. Then my dad got into some conspiracy theory about the gas disappearing so he filled a huge tank with gas. We were all living together and just a couple of weeks after buying the gas a huge ice storm hit our area (which isn't the norm here) and we had no power for a week. It was extremely cold, we couldn't leave because we lived in a valley and the roads were too steep and icy to get out. The generator and gas saved our butts because we didn't have a wood stove. So we were about to heat the living room, have lights, have hot food and coffee. I was so thankful my husband and Dad did that!
Vegetaman916@reddit
Buying literally pallets of rice and pasta to preserve just before the real panic of the pandemic hit. I'm literally going to be cooking some rice tonight that was purchased for half the price than it would have been if I waited to buy it today. Having 13 years worth of shelf stable food? Priceless.
QuietDragonfly8093@reddit
Jase Case for the win! Reasonably priced and safe.
71Crickets@reddit
I bought some little blocky solar powered lights for my fence. They worked so well, I bought some more and just throw them out in the yard to charge on sunny days. When the power goes out, I just scatter them around the house. They’re motion activated, so it’s nice. I still have flashlights in every room, plenty of food and water, but I really like my fence lights. They’re cheap, bright af, and last a long time.
Hom3ward_b0und@reddit
I have AAA battery powered motion lights scattered around the house because I dislike turning lights on and off when I'm in a room for just a few seconds
Wife thought it was tacky until power went out for a few hours and it was business as usual.
Quadling@reddit
thats a great idea!!! Which ones do you like?
71Crickets@reddit
I get mine from Amazon, but wait until they drop in price. These are the ones I have right now and they work well for me, inside and out.
I came across this idea a LONG time ago, on a hurricane preparedness blog (or whatever we called things before social media.) It originally suggested using solar pathway lights from the dollar store. These are just what I already had on hand.
nvaus@reddit
I haven't found a bad set of motion lights yet. Solar powered Christmas lights are also a good option for lighting that isn't so harsh. Both the motion lights and Christmas lights are good for keeping deer away from a garden, and bears away from a tent.
cosecha0@reddit
curious about this too
Extension_Health1849@reddit (OP)
Those cheap solar lights are low-key clutch, self-charging, no cords, and you can just redeploy them anywhere when things go dark. Motion sensor is a bonus too, saves power without thinking.
Perfect example of using “normal” stuff as preps without overcomplicating it.
the_lovely_otter@reddit
This is a prep I thought was overkill so I didn't have it, until I needed it. Now I have it and thankfully haven't needed it: keychain cpr mask
SheistyPenguin@reddit
The big one was our last-minute COVID preps.
Around January-February after COVID started seeping into the news, I thought: "if there are going to be lockdowns everywhere, then supply chains are going to be f*cked and there will be nowhere for our kids to play, and we will slowly go insane."
So I paused our gym membership, and spent that money turning the back yard into a mini theme park. I bought an inflatable wading pool, a bunch of backyard summer stuff, and ordered lumber for a build-it-yourself playground, and an upright freezer to replace our aging chest freezer.
All of the above items went out of stock within a week or two of us ordering them. Within a month of my lumber order, the prices for lumber shot up 50% or just went out of stock.\
It wasn't anything too crazy, but we weathered the lockdowns WAY better off than others.
ihambrecht@reddit
I pretty much nailed COVID prepping.
Garden_Tinker78@reddit
We were expecting a winter storm this past winter and everyone thought I was crazy for buying a huge water storage container and leaving it on our counter. Sure after several days it would not be good/safe drinking water. I only needed it until the ice melted and electricity was restored (we live in a well, so no electricity = no water. Plus I have my berky filter. If it last longer I could have put the water into it to filter. I also filled up the bath tub and some big totes with water for near the toilets. So they could be flushed. Thankfully we didn’t lose power at all. But I was ready if we did, even if my kids thought I was going crazy.
Background-Pin-1307@reddit
Recently having extra fire extinguishers proved useful for a grease fire. And when it ruined our range, having a hot plate and an electric skillet have been great alternatives while we wait for the new one to arrive
DEADFLY6@reddit
Thirty 2 liter bottles of water. Our water went out for 4 days. I used 12 of thise bottles on that amount of time. It takes 99% of a sudden loter bottle to fill up an average size coffee pot. There's just a swig left. Now I store 50 and I still dont feel like its enough. It looks like alot when you're looking at it though. Damn that shit goes quick!!!
AnomalyInquirer@reddit
My dad and a wall of toilet paper I would make fun of..... Look I wasnt too into ptepping till after covid that fucking idiot proved me very wrong when I had to get some tp off him and he gave a little away to elderly neighbors who were struggling to find it
dailydrilling99@reddit
My overkill prep is rechargeable flashlights, I've got dozens of them. While I use them daily I realized in a teotwawki situation I'll be doing less at night. But in a bad weather situation its nice to have flashlights staged around the house for when the power goes out.
One_Pomegranate_5385@reddit
Rechargeable is great but battery operated will keep them going in an elongated outage- I don’t think of it that way until recently
dailydrilling99@reddit
Yeah I have some battery operated lights as well. I do have solar so I can keep lights and other things charged vs keeping a stockpile of batteries that will go bad over time.
cosecha0@reddit
which do you like?
dailydrilling99@reddit
I prefer olights. Ive had a few other brands but I like the olights for edc
SpeciousSophist@reddit
A really comprehensive and rugged set of semi to portable water storage and conveyance systems. Same thing for ice.
One very large storage that is the primary, which fills 2 smaller sizes, which can be used to fill smaller sizes etc.
The water part of this had originally come about because my family does a lot of road trips and some of the places we’ve lived we would not trust the tapwater to drink. so I had previously bought a large reverse osmosis filter system. After a couple instances where either one of the many crappy small water jugs that we had cracked and leaked on stuff and then we had less water than we wanted when we arrived places I opted to buy much more heavy duty metal ones. In general I also don’t trust most public water and most water that is available public way for free. After dealing with the chaos of having an inconsistent variety and number of different sizes of these things, I arranged the whole storage system in a pyramid structure. From that point forwards everywhere we went everybody could refill their water bottles easily and we would spend very little time messing around with the larger containers which we used for storage and transport.
Same kind of thing for ice evolved. This also was really helpful with camping and tailgating--we love to cook.
We lost power for over 2 weeks after a hurricane in FL. I did not trust the tap water either at that point. I was able to easily (with only bringing two containers in the back of my minivan get ice and water for 2 days that we would distribute to my extended fanily. Massively cut down on the time spent standing in FEMA lines, was able to provide for numerous people who weren't prepped.
XRlagniappe@reddit
We've had a number of water main breaks, including two major outages in the last 6 months. And then once repaired, there is a minimum of a few days of boil water notice until the water can be used out of the faucet. I have water in various storage containers and I used some of all of them. No rushing to the store and standing in endless lines. The item that was most useful was a water container with a spigot knob to wash our hands. I have one for every sink we use. I have several ways of taking a hot/warm shower without electricity or running water. Ironically, that was the week I was supposed to change out my water in the barrels.
Curious-Order-8429@reddit
totally agree with the overkill removes stress” point...... It doesnt feel excessive once you actually need it......
Financial_Resort6631@reddit
My trauma kits. I don’t know how many times I have happened upon people in need of assistance and had to use an IFAK.
Fire Extinguishers. I had a computer and grease fire that I stopped quickly because my fire extinguishers are mounted and checked.
I had N95 masks for COVID. They are great for chemical, particles and respiratory infections.
Food storage. Couple times things got lean. I used my food storage. I also have 3 days of MREs in my car. Work late or don’t have lunch money…
Batteries and Flashlights are super helpful.
Ecoflow battery kept fridge running during power outage.
I have a hybrid car… gas prices are insane but I can weather the increase because of the efficiency.
nvaus@reddit
Traveling with a full chest of mechanics tools, including a torch. I've bailed myself and others out of many a bad situation far outside of cell service.
Ra_a_@reddit
I guess we never did anything excessive
It can be important to have your end goals in mind first … then make progress directly toward that
Trevdogg187@reddit
Israeli bandages. Just got attacked by a Turkish Kangal and got my hand ripped open. Hadn’t trained my wife how to apply one but was simple enough that I was able to walk her through applying it as I was laying on my back with my legs elevated trying not to go into shock….
No_Alarm_3993@reddit
Raising a garden and having chickens. It used to be just a fun hobby for my wife and the peppers or other vegetables were a bonus. Now with the price of food and the economy it was easy to more than double our chicken flock so we have extra eggs to provide a little income and plenty of fresh vegetables to supplement our food supply. The key was knowing what to do and how to do it. Experience is invaluable in this kind of situation.
dawn_thesis@reddit
farmers ftw!
Droid759@reddit
I'm in a VHCL area and still prep for the storms that pop up every 5 years or so. Most of the time, we might lose power for part of day. But a few years ago we lost power for two days and others nearby lost power for 3-4 days, that had friends and family scrambling, while we had everything ready and it had next to zero impact on us. (Another extension cord might be nice to have on hand in the future?)
We also invited my wife's elderly parents over and simply offered them to come by for whatever they might need.
NoBodySpecial51@reddit
Crutches and braces for various body parts (arm sling, wrist brace, knee brace, etc.) have been lifesavers. Charcoal for cooking, vitamins, and various hand tools.
countryboundwitch@reddit
First Aid and the training to go with it. We have no doctor in the family or anyone with extensive medical knowledge. However, first aid supplies and basic training has helped my family multiple times. It's been especially helpful for late night incidents, when urgent cares and stores are closed, and the only option would be the ER, which would have been overkill for the situations (and expensive). Having OTC medicines, finger sprain kits, eye washing kits, burn cream, etc have all been used from my kit. My family know to call me when they need that level of care fast when everything is closed (we're on a rural area).
Tasty_Impress3016@reddit
I see it already posted but toilet paper. Even I thought stocking a bunch was overkill. In a real emergency, tp is low on the list of priorities. Then Covid came and I was god among men, blessing friends and neighbors with all they needed.
SpaceGoatAlpha@reddit
I was materially prepared for COVID and almost all of the peripheral bullshit that happened because of it. 🤷