Things you've probably forgotten to prep

When it comes to food, we always say "store what you eat and eat what you store", which is fantastic advice, but what if you only eat it once a year (let's say turkey at Thanksgiving or that awesome prime rib at Christmas)?

The same thing goes for consumables that we don't necessarily see on a regular basis but when we need to use them we really notice they are missing. So, while this has been brought up as a tangent a few times in the past but it's good to review since I know I forget to keep these things in mind.

Specifically, what got me thinking about this again was the fact that I seem to have a recurring issue with athlete's foot. Comes and goes (not looking for suggestions on a cure at this point, different topic/different thread) but it seems like at least once a year something trips a breaker somewhere and I get hit with this thing...and I always have to go to the store to get the cream. No, I'm not posting pictures, it's not that kind of thread nor is it really that bad...just itches like cray cray!

What happens when the stores are closed or gone or there's too much month left at the end of the money, since not every prep/survival situation requires a full on armageddon?

First aid is one thing, basics for example, but what about the other things you will need once or twice, 3-6 months into any type of long term situation? Here's my list, please feel free to add. I may or may not come back and edit this post with the "best of" but I'll probably add to it over time.

Medical

• Athlete's foot creme, powder, ointment, liquid - Whichever one works best for you and the kind you get.

• "Gold Bond" type powder (while I'm on the topic) - If you've ever needed it and not had it, you KNOW how important it can be! I'm not brand loyal here and not looking for a commercial or argument about which is better, the concept is what matters.
• Eye wash/eye drops/irrigation bottle - any or all. About once a year I get something in my eye that I simply cannot seem to wash out with running water. Having that stupid little cup the squish on my eye and blink into seems to do the trick. I have one opened box that is about 3 months old and should be replaced. On the same note, eye drops are rarely used but again, if you need and don't have it makes life less than comfortable.
• Hand lotion - Doesn't need to be expensive but again, every once in a while you need it for 2-3 days but that's it. You either have to find it or go buy some.

Household

• Stick matches - I have tons of these, but they are above the stove and I boil water there. I have had, in the past, perfectly dry matches that would not light and I assume it's from the humidity generated by cooking. They are cheap and in a long term situation you'll miss 'em.
• Ammonia - Seems like every so often it's time to break it out for cleaning only to find it's mostly evaporated or I used it up and didn't replace it, because I don't use it that often.
• Bleach - Yeah, I know, pool shock, but around here it's hard to find the stuff that isn't full of extra chemicals. Having a gallon on hand that's already made for ready use.
• Furnace Air Filters - See, this here assumes that there is still electricity and everything and you are just out. Having a clean filter increases the efficiency of your HVAC unit by a measurable amount and cheap as they are, there's really no excuse to not have several on hand.
• Non WROL water filter - I'm talking Brita or the kind for the fridge here, not three phase reverse osmosis .000002 micron bio-hazard decontamination anti-radiation filters. Again, when the water starts to taste like chlorine but there's two weeks of month and no budget, it's frustrating. Buy 'em on sale so you get the best deal and keep a stock on hand (assuming you use them at all).
• Water Softener Salt - If you have/use/need a water softener, get it in sale and hold onto it. You know how much you miss it when its gone!

Auto

• Windshield Washer Fluid - Because that one morning that you are late, the bird crapped on your windshield and you are out of cleaner always ends up being your turn for carpool at lunch.
• Windshield wiper blades - It never fails that they fail when it's raining and you don't have time to stop for new ones.
• Auto fuses and replacement bulbs - Because timing is everything. Each car only uses two or three types of bulbs (not including the headlamp) and usually only needs a philips screwdriver to change. They take up almost no room and can/should be kept in the car (with the tool to change them. Fuses come in boxes of 5-10 and take up even less room. Know how to change both.

General

• Duct Tape - If it moves and shouldn't, duct tape it...and because no list is complete without it.
• WD40 (or similar) - If it doesn't move and should, WD40 it...and because no list is complete without it.
• String/twine - I buy this crap every single year and can never find it when I need it again. I buy 100-200 foot spools (because they take up no room), use 10 feet and then loose the damned thing! Jute, cotton twine, nylon, whatever. I need it a couple of times a year and end up buying it almost every single time. No, I'm not THAT disorganized but I truly have no idea where they end up...maybe with all the missing socks from the dryer.

This was an "off the top of my head" list and by no means exhaustive. It isn't meant to be a prepper list but a list of things that you either may think you have enough of but don't or just don't think about unless/until it's too late and you already need it.

 

I've got a tool set from Costco that completely stores in it's case. I wasn't thinking about gtfo when I bought it but I'll be lashing that to my gtfo cart for sure. $99 btw.

 

A very good reminder.

In a SHTF situation, the lack of a simple eye cup and eyewash can literally result in blindness or death because the ultimate remedy--an emergency room--may no longer be available.

Factor in the effects of hard times: stress, poor diet, borderline or untreated diabetes, wet feet, dirty socks, and a few hard marches, and what started out as an athlete's foot itch can turn lethal. As soon as the skin begins to crack and blister, bacterial infections can move right in. Pretty soon the toes turn black, and then the foot--because all those wonderful antibiotics we take for granted will no longer be available.

After the Crash, prevention will have to be taken much more seriously.

In some ways, that suggests that ordinary soap may be one of the most important preps of all.

 

Pepto bismol...cuz u never know if eating squirrel is gonna give u the squirts.

 

Just added a new item to the must have on hand always list-

A & D lotion. This is mainly something that I always used for diaper rash but I just found it helps relieve Hell's Itch, which is something my youngest just went through.

Whitest man's burden: For an unlucky few, sunburn means a debilitating itch torture

I now have a tube for medical bag, his pack and a back-up in the medical cabinet. We may never need it again but I never want to see my child go through that again.

 

• I have been wondering all day if one could use furnace filters to filter water? I almost think I could secure one over a bucket and run water through it.

 

What @BTPost said, as a pre filter to help keep your main system cleaner. There is also a reusable furnace filter meant to be washed annually, but its fairly coarse also good for the big stuff

 

Most health issues can be dealt with using colloidal silver you can make your self.
A simple out house over a hole dug in the back yard can replace the toilet. use ashes to cover your debris.
Have a wash basin for wash the cloth and dish soap .
Store dish soap , you can use it for washing every thing.
a plunger and a 5 gallon bucket give you a washing machine for clothing.
In the event there is severe dust and ash say from a volcano, use old sheets as a pre filter for your home regular filters will fill up fast. Snow can also clog air filter systems .
Same goes for your generators and other motors that depend on air.
Remember they need it for cooling the equipment, as well as the combustion in the engine.
Abrasive volcanic dust can destroy an engine.
A generator should have it's own cabinet with a fan that runs the whole time the unit is running ,and a filter before the fan, that you can change quickly during an event.
One major event does not mean it is over , others are likely to fallow .so care off your equipment needs to be as though it is the last of it's kind. Even if you have back up.

 

Black tape. Preferably the "wide stuff". Uses: Patching $h@t. Bandages. Securing coils of $h@t. (An easy trick is backwards tape the first layer) I'll try to think of other uses. They're endless.

Oh yeah. Twist the last couple of inches on itself like a little handle for quick removal. Some knuckleheads don't carry a knife. Boo.

 

Household items:

• Common washer sizes for faucets and hoses, inside and out
• Hose repair kit/ends
• Hose clamps
• Vacuum cleaner belts
• Moth balls - many uses

Short on details for each since I'm falling asleep and using the phone.

 

Plus so many other items to add to the list

 

Harbor freight sells velcro that is got both hook and loop sewn together so you can apply it to tying things together no matter the size, much like having tape you can use over and over . bed rolls, tents, power cords, and so on.

 

Roll of wire. Any kind. It can be used where tape or paracord will stretch too much.........and Brasso for my '06 rounds.

 

Your right, bailing wire is the oddest repair material, and can stand up to many different situations .better then duct tape.
If the handle splits on your ax add some pitch and wrapping with wire can give you a few more days/weeks of service till you can replace the handle. Some where I've got a hammer I've done this with.
Making repairs on back packs and stoves.
A friend of mine used baling wire to hold the rotor together in his jeeps distributer cap out in the middle of no where and forgot all about it for weeks later.
cooking over a fire,making a makeshift bail for the cooking pot ,repairing a snare,

 

fire crackers.their not only good for entertainment,fun.and enjoyment..but also good for scaring off any animal thats gun shy..including any neighbors dog thats proven to be a nu-since,by coming over uninvited to often..

 

Regarding auto windshield washing stuff, Amazon has several options for concentrate - from 20 gallons worth to 50 gallons worth in one smaller bottle. Easy to store a few, make it up in a gallon jug as you need it. Good way to reuse filtered gray water.

 

the goopy insides of aloe leaves are still the best sunburn help along with ice to bring down the temperature of the skin

@DarkLight cornstarch will take care of alot of the things gold bond helps with and its cheaper, oh btw you forgot the fruit cake for the holiday meals ;D