6 Emergency Items to Keep on Yourself at all Times

by Jordan

The point of prepping is because you never know when something will go wrong. It could be a natural disaster like hurricane Katrina or a blackout.

You should always keep a few items on yourself to ensure you’ll be ready for any disaster or storm that comes your way.

Überleben Leicht Fire Starter
Überleben Leicht Fire Starter

Fire Source

It’s always smart to have some sort of fire starter on hand. Example: Lighter, matches, flint… I personally prefer to always carry some flint on my person.

Lighters are my second best choice as, unlike matches, they will still work if they get wet.

Paracord Survival Bracelet

What I love about a paracord bracelet is its many uses and that it can fit snug on your wrist. You can use a paracord bracelet as a replacement shoe string, fishing line, belt and for making snares and other traps or shelters. Paracords are one of the most versatile tool on this list.

Swiss Army Knife

A classic survival/multi tool that has been trusted by many people for many years the Swiss Army Knife is one of the best things to have on yourself at all times because of its multifunctional nature. From knife to bottle opener, screwdriver and more. The Swiss Army Knife has everything.

Cash

It’s always a good idea to have some cash on you in the case of a massive power outage like what happens in severe storms.

Credit cards and credit card processors can’t be trusted to work in the midst or the aftermath of a natural disaster.

Water Bottle

Water is one of the most crucial items to have in any extreme scenario where things have turned for the worst. Dehydration is a process that can happen very fast and once it begins, is when things get dangerous.

The human body can only go about 3 days without water before you die. So always make sure that you carry a water bottle on yourself and stay hydrated, especially when headed out for long walks or hikes.

And should you find yourself in a disaster scenario or one where you have become stranded, make sure that you put priority on locating and purifying water. You can last much longer without food than water.

Flashlight

I suggest having a light source, such as a flashlight. You shouldn’t use your fire source as your light source because you don’t want to run out of whatever is fueling your fires.

Unlike matches or a lighter, flashlights are specifically designed for navigation in the dark. I recommend buying one of those small LED keychain lights that you can buy at almost any convenient store or other retail store.

last update 03/25/2022


20 survival items ebook cover
Like what you read?

Then you're gonna love my free PDF, 20 common survival items, 20 uncommon survival uses for each. That's 400 total uses for these dirt-cheap little items!

We will not spam you.

10 thoughts on “6 Emergency Items to Keep on Yourself at all Times”

  1. Add hat and a cotton handkerchief. The hat blocks light, provides shade, can be used to gather items, signal a distant person, reduce heat loss in cold weather, etc. Too many uses to list for the handkerchief, and the cotton can always be broken down for tinder.

    If you’re a boot wearer, I always replace my laces with para-cord. I know that I can always pull the insides if needed and just use the outer sheathe for the laces. That way I always have extra line on hand.

    Reply
    • andbbmo –

      I’ll tell you – a hat is extremely important to me. Bright sun here in the south is just blinding and a hat really helps. Also helps in the rain keep the water off my glasses.

      Good suggestion.

      Rourke

      Reply
  2. Great list. I always have those on hand with me. Well, small multi-tool in place of the Swiss army knife.
    What is your preference of flint over a lighter? Flint doesn’t run out of gas?

    Reply
    • Lee –

      A Bic lighter will light hundreds of times. No doubt a flint is a good choice also. I have a truckload of Bic’s put back.
      Thanks – Rourke

      Reply
  3. Lee,

    I carry Zippo’s which will run out of gas, but I also carry the Zippo refill container in my get home bag that will stay full of fluid until needed. It also holds an extra flint, and has a tool for removing the spring for the flint if needed. That way I have a refill, a fling, and can use just a little bit as ‘scout water’ if I need to get some wet wood going quickly.

    Great list by the way Rourke. I wish more people were better prepared.

    Reply
  4. Well, I think it is fair to say that I “overdue” everything with respect to survival supplies. My EDC is fairly close to Jordan’s, with the exception of carrying a water bottle. I do have several in my SUV, though. There are 2 one quart canteens on my webgear, a 2 qt collapsible “Fat Rat” on my ruck, 2 survival bottles (with the mini kits inside) and a case of water (insulated with blankets to prevent freezing). I have several paracord bracelets that I rotate to match the clothing I wear. I hang a Schrade Tough Tool on my belt and slip a Huntsman Swiss Army Knife in my pocket. I usually have cash on me. Barring a “Grid Down” situation, credit cards can be pretty handy as well. For instance, if you need a tow truck, lock your keys in your vehicle or must stay at a hotel due to poor travel conditions. I have tried different flashlights over the years. For 2 decades, I had a Mini-Maglite with me at all times. Recently, I converted to the Nebo Redline. I concur with the suggestion to wear a hat and take a bandanna! To protect my balding dome, I wear a lightweight baseball cap in the summer (with the holes in the back). In the winter I always have a solid hat on and keep the ball cap ear band (from Duluth Trading) in my right cargo pocket. Overall, great list! If your state allows it, I would recommend a firearm. It is always better to have a gun and not need one, than to need a gun and not have one!

    Reply
    • Irish-7,

      I like that Nebo Redline flashlight. The older Maglites and Mini-Mags were good back then – but modern lights are far superior. The newer LED Maglites do throw out some good beams though.

      Rourke

      Reply
  5. I’d add a lifestraw to go w/ that water bottle, a rain poncho and one of the 2-person mylar space blankets or one of those insulated mylar bivvy sacks

    Reply
  6. You are right about the new flashlights throwing a greater beam than the old Maglites, Rourke! This Nebo is amazing! I’ve been an usher at my church since the mid 1980’s and after 9/11 I started checking the building for “unattended baggage” at the start of each Mass. This Nebo Redline lights up the Confessionals at a glance, shines deep into the duct work and reveals everything in the closets, expediting my security check and allowing me to sit down for a few minutes before taking the collection. Also, after reading that Selco (SHTF School) survived the Balkans civil war refilling lighters, I started buying Bic multi-packs for barter. For only a few dollars, you get 5 regular lighters and 2 miniatures. The minis fit great in the small survival kits and tins that I’ve been building as a hobby.

    Reply

Leave a Comment