Preparing for natural disasters and emergencies is a reasonable facet of life strategy. Disaster preparedness can be useful when more conventional strategies fo

Preparing for natural disasters and emergencies is a reasonable facet of life strategy. Disaster preparedness can be useful when more conventional strategies for dealing with life needs (education, a good career, saving) are temporarily less viable in the face of extreme conditions. I say this because prepping is part of a life plan not the entirety of a life plan. Many of the lists that exist are useful places to start. 3 days of food and water, utility shut off tools, flashlights (don't forget the extra batteries) and the like are good basics. Prescription medications are often overlooked in preparations. Waste disposal and sanitation can also be issues if one has to shelter in place in an urban setting. This post could turn quickly into a TLDR nightmare so let me throw out a few more specialized items I like that are beyond the basics: 1. Auerbach's Wilderness Medicine. This massive two volume text is the gold standard for medicine in austere environments. It comes with online access which makes wading through it much easier. 2. Powerfilm solar collapsible solar panel. The US military uses these panels. They are well made and durable. They are expensive but it's better to have one of these that works instead of a cheapy that doesn't. 3. Multi-tool and sturdy folding knife. The ability to cut and shape things as well as apply torque can be extremely invaluable. 4. There are a lot of engineers on this site. A basic HAM license is easy to get and in some areas HF is a reasonable alternative to modern networks. 5. A friend who went through Katrina as a surgeon at a level 1 trauma center said sat phones lose utility quickly as media outlets tend to lock up bandwidth. 6. Plastic sheeting - A few rolls of 8-10 mil plastic sheeting 7. MSR Dromedary Bags - Love them. You can go a long time without food. Water not so much. Don't forget your brain. Lots of smart people here on HN. Think about contingencies. How will I leave if there if there is no gasoline? Where will I meet my loved ones if we are separated? What do I have that will be valuable if for some period of time cash is not so valuable? Are my preparations easy to access and have I practiced with any items that require skill such as fire building or water purification? Don't get lost in the rabbit hole. List the conditions you are realistically likely to encounter and plan for those. If you live in Hays, Kansas plan for tornadoes not terrorism.