Off Grid Survival Gear: 12 Things You Need To Survive Anything – Shelter, water, food, fire and first aid! This article is a survival kit checklist of the minimum survival gear you need to survive any survival scenario, including the zombie apocalypse. This is a minimal survival gear list of things you need to survive any apocalypse.
Shelter in your home, if you have one, filter, boil and chemically treat your water to make it potable, stock up on rice, beans, dried meats/veggies and MREs if you can, and have a way to stay warm by learning how to start a fire. Add in a solid military type first aid kit. Some people are already hardcore preppers and survivalists, but most people aren’t.
You probably know this already, but there are lots of people out there that don’t and they need to know what’s important to survival, and what’s not. There are survival kit lists all over the internet but most have a lot of needless items designed to artificially inflate the importance and value of the kit and make it seem like it’s better than it is all in an attempt to sell a survival kit.
You only need a few things to actually SURVIVE. I’m going to explain to you how to survive the apocalypse by showing you what you actually need. You need the tools and equipment that makes survival possible.
Off Grid Survival Gear Kit Checklist
1 Large Survival BushCraft Knife (for each family member; 6″-9″ blade) –
Invest in a high quality survival knife. Personally I carry 3 knives. My larger bushcraft knife used for chopping, batoning, and clearing the camp area. A medium sized bushcraft knife for more intricate cutting and making feather sticks and starting camp fires, skinning game, and general work. And my EDC pock knife, usually a tactical type EDC (every day carry) pocket knife. All the knives are high carbon steel blades. No fancy steels needed. Just an average good all-round high carbon steel blade is in my opinion the best knife choice you can go with.
Full tang medium to large sized bushcraft/survival knife depending on your family member’s hand size. Don’t buy a cheap knife. Seriously. You will only be doing yourself a disservice if you try to save money on a knife. A knife is your #1 tool for survival and self defense in a survival scenario. It’s even more important than your gun. Any survivalist will tell you that if you don’t have a good survival knife your chances of survival are dramatically reduced.
Secondary cutting tools:
- Hatchet or Axe – A good camp axe or hatchet is a must have for any survivalist. Without one you’ll be using your knife more, and that puts undo wear and tear on your main blade. Purchase a good solid high quality camp axe or hatchet.
- Folding Saw – The Gomboy Silky Saw (a folding saw) works great is light enough to carry in your pack and makes quick work of trees and branches up to 4″. It’s my person preference for building structures, survival shelters and cutting firewood.
- MultiTool – A good multitool is very useful I use one every day. A Leatherman Wave, or the Leatherman Sidekick (the one I carry) can’t be beat. Gerber and other companies also make good multitools and these are must haves for your survival kit.
A knife is your #1 tool for survival and self defense in a survival scenario.
2 Weapons – Gun(s)
For Security, Protection, Hunting and Food
Food and water are your #1 priority AFTER security. Get a pistol, a shotgun, and a rifle and learn how to use it safely. Get 100 rounds of ammo minimum for each weapon. You will NOT need more. Realistically speaking, you will most likely NEVER shoot 1000 rounds of ammo in a survival situation. EVER! You can go to range and shoot up thousands of rounds. But in an actual survival scenario you will NOT!
Not even in combat situations will you shoot thousands of rounds UNLESS you count your whole squad/platoon. Most skirmishes/firefights last only a few seconds to a few minutes at most, unless both sides are hunkered down or pinned down snipers. Point being, 1000 rounds of ammo is plenty for all members of your family. It’s light enough to carry 1000 rounds of ammo without too much trouble and you’ll have plenty for hunting and self defense.
There are 3 main types of firearms you need to choose from. If you have the capacity to carry all 3 then do so. You can purchase a good “Over and Under” shotgun rifle combination weapon for survival hunting, and they work great, but they’re limited in what they can do in a combat security scenario since they are single shot and your have to reload each time you fire. They are great hunting weapons however.
- Handgun – For close range close quarters security and combat situations
- Shotgun – For tactical security and hunting
- Rifle – For long range shooting and hunting
There are numerous types of handguns, shotguns, and rifles. There are single action revolvers, semi-autos, pump action, bolt action, and single shot weapons. All have pros and cons for differing situation and survival scenarios.
3 Shelter
Your house, apartment, building, RV, camper, camper, car. A car doubles as both camper and transport. A high quality single person tent will work if you’re mobile. A tarp if you’re mobile and in a hurry. If you don’t have transport, make sure each of your family members has a waterproof tarp in their pack. No!
PRO TIP: Do not get those plastic blue tarps from Walmart. They are cheap, low-quality, noisy and practically worthless in a survival situation. Will they work in a pinch? Sure… But they’re bright in color wand will attract attention.
Get a lightweight green or dark colored or camo nylon tarp 10×12′, and a smaller one for a ground cover.
Sil-nylon is coated with silicone to make it more waterproof, but you can buy the 3M scotchguard or another type of spray water repellant on your tarp to help it resist water and keep you dry in the event of rain or snow.
4 Cordage
Rope! Buy the real military style paracord, 550 paracord or 550 cord
Do not buy the cheap Walmart stuff that’ll break the first time you use it. Buy the real mil-spec 550 paracord. It’s not that much more expensive and it actually works. It’ll hold up to 550 pounds! It’s tough stuff. And the real 550 paracord has 7 nylon strands in its core which can be taken out and used as fishing line and snares in a pinch.
A lot of survivalist will use the 550 paracord as their boot laces. cut them extra long, at least 48 inches for each one. Double the laces up if you have to and wrap the excess around the top of your boots before tying them off. If you have a good backpack, carry another 100′ foot roll of paracord with you help you build shelters, lash gear, and set snares and traps etc.
5 Metal Container(s) Pots Pans and Water Bottle
This is for carrying and sterilizing/boiling water and cooking food. Note: DO NOT HEAT WATER IN A DOUBLE LINED VACUUM BOTTLE! It may cause injury! If you have a stainless steel bottle, make sure it’s SINGLE WALLED if you plan on using it for heating/boiling water. A small 1 liter titanium or steel camping/cooking pot is a necessity. Titanium plates can double as a frying pan, just use a leather glove or multitool pliers to grab the pan off the fire because it gets HOT! Duh!
6 Fire Starter
Multiple fire starters, ferro rod, lighter, waterproof (wax dipped) strike anywhere matches, and the knowledge how to make a bow drill, and friction fire. Learn how to use a flint and steel. Look on YouTube for how to make fire and for how to start a fire. There’s plenty of good information out there. Technically nowadays fire is likely not a big deal because lighters are so cheap and plentiful. But…don’t get caught out in the wilderness without a way to start a fire. Always carry a Bic lighter with you at the very least. I don’t smoke, but I always carry a lighter, and my EDC (every day carry knife, etc.). Be ready with the bare minimum at all times.
7 Food
Bulk dry goods like rice, beans, dehydrated meats and vegetables. Stuff that will keep for years that you can buy and store in bulk. Store it in bulk in buckets, vacuum sealed and some of that food will last 25 years. If you’re mobile, on the run from bad guys (say during a riot or war or terrorist attack) then travel light. Rice and flour are good things to carry with you. Sugar, honey, vegetable oil, salt, and water are must haves. You should be able to set enough snares and make spears or use your weapons to hunt for meat. But it’s always good to have extra stuff just in case.
8 First Aid Kit
A good military type first aid kit with quality supplies and gear. Not some cheap Walmart first aid kit either. Get a good military style kit. If you know an EMT or law enforcement officer or even a combat vet would be even better if they’ll share that information with it it may save your life. Don’t buy a cheap first aid kit. Seriously! This is about saving lives not saving money! Would you trust your child’s life to a Walmart first aid kit? No! I didn’t think so. A high quality first aid kit is a must-have item in your off grid survival gear kit!
9 Medications
Make sure you pack your prescription medications. Also pack all the other essentials like pain relievers, antibiotics, alcohol, etc. You’d be amazed at how many people fail to add their medications on their survival gear checklist or bug-out-bag. Don’t forget your meds!
10 Clothes
PRO TIP: Don’t overpack your Bug Out Bag. – You’re going to want to move with relative ease and speed in a survival scenario that requires you to relocate to a safer place. You don’t want to be weighed down and slowed down by carrying too much gear. You’re burning energy and energy means you’re consuming more food and that is a big no-no in a survival scenario.
Proper clothing for the climate you’re in. Without the proper clothing you will likely not survive. Dress for the weather and have backup clothes in a plastic bag in case it rains or you fall in the water. You must always have a set of dry clothes to change into. Wool is great, but it’s heavy. There are newer materials, high-technology materials that are lighter weight, wick water and sweat and moisture away and allow you to stay dry and warm.
11 Electricity/Power –
Solar charging and a diesel generator (you want diesel because you can make biofuel with veggie oil) If you choose a gas generator you can make a gasifier to power it with wood and trash. Lookup how to make a gasifier generator on Youtube. Though you don’t need electricity to survive, it does allow you to communicate by powering your phone and computer. If you’re mobile there are small portable solar panels to charge your electronic devices.
12 Flashlights (RECHARGEABLE) and Candles
For every member of your family. Get a rechargeable tactical flashlight for each member of your family. You can recharge them with the portable solar panel. This way if you lose one or the batteries go dead on one (which is bound to happen) you have multiple backups flashlights.
That’s it! That’s all the off grid survival gear you really need to survive!
Are YOU ready for the apocalypse?
Let me know what you’re doing to prepare, leave a comment down below explaining what you’re doing to be prepared and survive.
Thanks for reading! If you can think of anything that needs to be added to this survival checklist please leave a note in the comments below.
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Other Items for your Off-Grid Survival Gear List:
- Water Filtration Straw and Gravity Filters
Compact, lightweight water filtration systems like a LifeStraw or Sawyer Mini are invaluable for filtering water on the go. Additionally, a gravity-fed water filtration system can be used at a base camp to ensure clean, drinkable water without constant effort. - Emergency Radio
A hand-crank or solar-powered emergency radio keeps you informed of weather alerts, emergency broadcasts, or other vital news during survival scenarios. Some models include USB ports to charge devices. - Fishing Gear
A small fishing kit with hooks, line, and lures can be a lifesaver near water sources. It’s lightweight and compact, and it provides a renewable source of protein. - Tarp Clips and Bungee Cords
These items are versatile for quickly securing tarps, creating shelters, or bundling gear together. They’re lightweight and take up little space in your pack. - Duct Tape and Zip Ties
Duct tape is a universal repair tool, ideal for patching tarps, fixing broken gear, or creating makeshift solutions in emergencies. Zip ties can secure items quickly and effectively without the bulk of rope. - Maps and Compass
While GPS devices are useful, they rely on electricity. A detailed map of your area and a reliable compass are critical for navigation in off-grid scenarios. - Gloves and safety/sunglasses
Protect your hands and eyes while building shelters, handling firewood, or navigating dangerous terrain. Injuries in a survival situation can escalate quickly, so prevention is key. - Emergency Blanket or Sleeping Bag
Lightweight, compact emergency thermal blankets or bivvies retain body heat and can serve as shelter in a pinch
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