#The Obvious Essentials#
The Obvious Essentials
#The Less Obvious Essentials#
#The Obvious Essentials#
#The Less Obvious Essentials#
The Obvious Essentials
The Less Obvious Essentials
#The Obvious Essentials#
Canned goods. They last for years and are likely to be more enjoyable to the modern first-world human palate than the new meals you’re going to be growing or hunting. They’ll make a good meal supplement as people adjust.
Medication and first-aid supplies. You want anything and everything you can find. Fabricating medication after the collapse of society is going to be very difficult and a functional knowledge of medicinal herbs is quite rare these days.
Gasoline. You’re less likely to find this in homes than in the cars abandoned on the roads, but finding some in a home may be a good indicator that a generator is present.
Tools. This is really a no brainer, but you’ll need cooking instruments, farming tools, construction tools, and frankly just about every tool that you might find in your typical home. Be careful about battery-powered and gas-powered tools… you shouldn’t be wasting those resources when a simple axe or screwdriver will do.
Weapons. Most tools can be used as weapons in a pinch, but to seriously survive other humans in a post-societal world you will need firearms. Guns and ammunition will be a high priority and should only ever be used in extreme defensive scenarios against other people.
#The Less Obvious Essentials#
Books. Particularly how-to books. Detailed information on plant identification, basic construction techniques, and farming can change a short-lived group into a long-lived one. You will only have a small subset of necessary survival skills and need to augment them wherever possible. Books, rather than purely verbal teaching, also simplify the education of future generations. Quite frankly, stumbling upon an intact library might be the best thing that could ever happen to you.
Fishing Gear. While it can be crafted without too much trouble, having some reliable gear will go a long way for a long time. Lures in particular will be a terrific tool (at least until you lose them).
Hard Liquor. Alcohol will have all kinds of critical uses from sedative to antiseptic.
Fabric. You’ll need to be careful here because of the weight, but bedding and blankets provide huge quantities of quality fabric that will be very difficult to manufacture. Even if you cannot take it all with you, there may be value in removing it from the house and hiding it where you can find it on return trips. Clothes of all shapes and sizes will be valuable, but place particular emphasis on winter clothing — it’s built to be very effective and relatively light for the amount of protection it provides.
Gold, silver, and other jewelry. Assuming you survive long enough, there will absolutely be a time when neighboring communities begin trading commodities. Precious materials that historically represent wealth or status will have value and will enable you to avoid trading away other essentials.
Soap. Cleanliness and sanitation are going to take a hit, but soap is plentiful and is effective in small quantities. This will make diplomacy easier and generally increase spirits among your group. It will also help protect you from basic illness and disease.
Toothpaste. You’re going to run out quickly, but attempting to maintain at least mild dental hygiene will increase quality of life.
Herbs and spices. You’ll be able to find and produce some of these eventually, but raiding a single spice cabinet could give you enough spices for months. Given the diets you’re about to embark on, you’re going to want some extra flavor.
Playing cards. As pointed out by @MichaelKjörling, games (in addition to reading material) are terrific for morale and good for mental stimulation and group bonding. Playing cards in particular are a common household item that are compact and easy to carry with potentially thousands of different games.
#The Obvious Essentials#
Canned goods. They last for years and are likely to be more enjoyable to the modern first-world human palate than the new meals you’re going to be growing or hunting. They’ll make a good meal supplement as people adjust.
Medication and first-aid supplies. You want anything and everything you can find. Fabricating medication after the collapse of society is going to be very difficult and a functional knowledge of medicinal herbs is quite rare these days.
Gasoline. You’re less likely to find this in homes than in the cars abandoned on the roads, but finding some in a home may be a good indicator that a generator is present.
Tools. This is really a no brainer, but you’ll need cooking instruments, farming tools, construction tools, and frankly just about every tool that you might find in your typical home. Be careful about battery-powered and gas-powered tools… you shouldn’t be wasting those resources when a simple axe or screwdriver will do.
Weapons. Most tools can be used as weapons in a pinch, but to seriously survive other humans in a post-societal world you will need firearms. Guns and ammunition will be a high priority and should only ever be used in extreme defensive scenarios against other people.
#The Less Obvious Essentials#
Books. Particularly how-to books. Detailed information on plant identification, basic construction techniques, and farming can change a short-lived group into a long-lived one. You will only have a small subset of necessary survival skills and need to augment them wherever possible. Books, rather than purely verbal teaching, also simplify the education of future generations. Quite frankly, stumbling upon an intact library might be the best thing that could ever happen to you.
Fishing Gear. While it can be crafted without too much trouble, having some reliable gear will go a long way for a long time. Lures in particular will be a terrific tool (at least until you lose them).
Hard Liquor. Alcohol will have all kinds of critical uses from sedative to antiseptic.
Fabric. You’ll need to be careful here because of the weight, but bedding and blankets provide huge quantities of quality fabric that will be very difficult to manufacture. Even if you cannot take it all with you, there may be value in removing it from the house and hiding it where you can find it on return trips. Clothes of all shapes and sizes will be valuable, but place particular emphasis on winter clothing — it’s built to be very effective and relatively light for the amount of protection it provides.
Gold, silver, and other jewelry. Assuming you survive long enough, there will absolutely be a time when neighboring communities begin trading commodities. Precious materials that historically represent wealth or status will have value and will enable you to avoid trading away other essentials.
Soap. Cleanliness and sanitation are going to take a hit, but soap is plentiful and is effective in small quantities. This will make diplomacy easier and generally increase spirits among your group. It will also help protect you from basic illness and disease.
Toothpaste. You’re going to run out quickly, but attempting to maintain at least mild dental hygiene will increase quality of life.
Herbs and spices. You’ll be able to find and produce some of these eventually, but raiding a single spice cabinet could give you enough spices for months. Given the diets you’re about to embark on, you’re going to want some extra flavor.
#The Obvious Essentials#
Canned goods. They last for years and are likely to be more enjoyable to the modern first-world human palate than the new meals you’re going to be growing or hunting. They’ll make a good meal supplement as people adjust.
Medication and first-aid supplies. You want anything and everything you can find. Fabricating medication after the collapse of society is going to be very difficult and a functional knowledge of medicinal herbs is quite rare these days.
Gasoline. You’re less likely to find this in homes than in the cars abandoned on the roads, but finding some in a home may be a good indicator that a generator is present.
Tools. This is really a no brainer, but you’ll need cooking instruments, farming tools, construction tools, and frankly just about every tool that you might find in your typical home. Be careful about battery-powered and gas-powered tools… you shouldn’t be wasting those resources when a simple axe or screwdriver will do.
Weapons. Most tools can be used as weapons in a pinch, but to seriously survive other humans in a post-societal world you will need firearms. Guns and ammunition will be a high priority and should only ever be used in extreme defensive scenarios against other people.
#The Less Obvious Essentials#
Books. Particularly how-to books. Detailed information on plant identification, basic construction techniques, and farming can change a short-lived group into a long-lived one. You will only have a small subset of necessary survival skills and need to augment them wherever possible. Books, rather than purely verbal teaching, also simplify the education of future generations. Quite frankly, stumbling upon an intact library might be the best thing that could ever happen to you.
Fishing Gear. While it can be crafted without too much trouble, having some reliable gear will go a long way for a long time. Lures in particular will be a terrific tool (at least until you lose them).
Hard Liquor. Alcohol will have all kinds of critical uses from sedative to antiseptic.
Fabric. You’ll need to be careful here because of the weight, but bedding and blankets provide huge quantities of quality fabric that will be very difficult to manufacture. Even if you cannot take it all with you, there may be value in removing it from the house and hiding it where you can find it on return trips. Clothes of all shapes and sizes will be valuable, but place particular emphasis on winter clothing — it’s built to be very effective and relatively light for the amount of protection it provides.
Gold, silver, and other jewelry. Assuming you survive long enough, there will absolutely be a time when neighboring communities begin trading commodities. Precious materials that historically represent wealth or status will have value and will enable you to avoid trading away other essentials.
Soap. Cleanliness and sanitation are going to take a hit, but soap is plentiful and is effective in small quantities. This will make diplomacy easier and generally increase spirits among your group. It will also help protect you from basic illness and disease.
Toothpaste. You’re going to run out quickly, but attempting to maintain at least mild dental hygiene will increase quality of life.
Herbs and spices. You’ll be able to find and produce some of these eventually, but raiding a single spice cabinet could give you enough spices for months. Given the diets you’re about to embark on, you’re going to want some extra flavor.
Playing cards. As pointed out by @MichaelKjörling, games (in addition to reading material) are terrific for morale and good for mental stimulation and group bonding. Playing cards in particular are a common household item that are compact and easy to carry with potentially thousands of different games.
#The Obvious Essentials#
Canned goods. They last for years and are likely to be more enjoyable to the modern first-world human palate than the new meals they’reyou’re going to be growing or hunting. They’ll make a good meal supplement as people adjust.
Medication and first-aid supplies. You want anything and everything you can find. Fabricating medication after the collapse of society is going to be very difficult and a functional knowledge of medicinal herbs is quite rare these days.
Gasoline. You’re less likely to find this in homes than in the cars abandoned on the roads, but finding some in a home may be a good indicator that a generator is present.
Tools. This is really a no brainer, but you’ll need cooking instruments, farming tools, construction tools, and frankly just about every single tool that you might find in your typical home. Be careful about battery-powered and gas-powered tools… you shouldn’t be wasting those resources on your toolswhen a simple axe or screwdriver will do.
Weapons. Most tools can be used as weapons in a pinch, but to seriously survive other humans in a post-societal world you will need firearms. Guns and ammunition will be a high priority and should only ever be used in extreme defensive scenarios against other people.
#The Less Obvious Essentials#
Books. Particularly how-to books. Detailed information on plant identification, basic construction techniques, and farming can change a short-lived group into a long-lived one. You will only have a small subset of necessary survival skills and need to augment them wherever possible. Books, rather than purely verbal teaching, also simplifiessimplify the education of future generations. Quite frankly, stumbling upon an intact library might be the best thing that could ever happen to you.
Fishing Gear. While it can be crafted without too much trouble, having some reliable gear will go a long way for a long time. Lures in particular will be a terrific tool (at least until you lose them).
Hard Liquor. Alcohol will have all kinds of critical uses from sedative to antiseptic.
Fabric. You’ll need to be careful here because of the weight, but bedding and blankets provide huge quantities of quality fabric that will be very difficult to manufacture. Even if you cannot take it all with you, there may be value in removing it from the house and hiding it where only you are likely tocan find it on return trips. Clothes of all shapes and sizes will be valuable, but place particular emphasis on winter clothing — it’s built to be very effective and relatively light for the amount of protection it provides.
Gold, silver, and other jewelry. Assuming you survive long enough, there will absolutely be a time when neighboring communities begin trading commodities. Having preciousPrecious materials that historically represent wealth or status will have value and won’t requirewill enable you to avoid trading away other essentials.
Soap. Cleanliness and sanitation are going to take a hit, but soap is plentiful and is effective in small quantities. This will make diplomacy easier and generally increase spirits among your group. It will also help protect you from basic illness and disease.
Toothpaste. You’re going to run out quickly, but attempting to maintain at least mild dental hygiene will increase quality of life.
Herbs and spices. You’ll be able to find and produce some of these eventually, but even raiding a single spice cabinet could give you enough spices for months. Given the diets you’re now about to embark on, you’re going to want some extra flavor.
#The Obvious Essentials#
Canned goods. They last for years and are likely to be more enjoyable to the modern first-world human palate than the new meals they’re going to be growing or hunting. They’ll make a good meal supplement as people adjust.
Medication and first-aid supplies. You want anything and everything you can find. Fabricating medication after the collapse of society is going to be very difficult and a functional knowledge of medicinal herbs is quite rare these days.
Gasoline. You’re less likely to find this in homes than in the cars abandoned on the roads, but finding some in a home may be a good indicator that a generator is present.
Tools. This is really a no brainer, but you’ll need cooking instruments, farming tools, construction tools, and frankly just about every single tool that you might find in your typical home. Be careful about battery-powered and gas-powered tools… you shouldn’t be wasting those resources on your tools.
Weapons. Most tools can be used as weapons in a pinch, but to seriously survive other humans in a post-societal world you will need firearms. Guns and ammunition will be a high priority and should only ever be used in extreme defensive scenarios against other people.
#The Less Obvious Essentials#
Books. Particularly how-to books. Detailed information on plant identification, basic construction techniques, and farming can change a short-lived group into a long-lived one. You will only have a small subset of necessary survival skills and need to augment them wherever possible. Books, rather than purely verbal teaching, also simplifies the education of future generations. Quite frankly, stumbling upon an intact library might be the best thing that could ever happen to you.
Fishing Gear. While it can be crafted without too much trouble, having some reliable gear will go a long way for a long time.
Hard Liquor. Alcohol will have all kinds of critical uses from sedative to antiseptic.
Fabric. You’ll need to be careful here because of the weight, but bedding and blankets provide huge quantities of quality fabric that will be very difficult to manufacture. Even if you cannot take it all with you, there may be value in removing it from the house and hiding it where only you are likely to find it on return trips. Clothes of all sizes will be valuable, but place particular emphasis on winter clothing — it’s built to be very effective and relatively light for the amount of protection it provides.
Gold, silver, and other jewelry. Assuming you survive long enough, there will absolutely be a time when neighboring communities begin trading commodities. Having precious materials that historically represent wealth or status will have value and won’t require trading away other essentials.
Soap. Cleanliness and sanitation are going to take a hit, but soap is plentiful and is effective in small quantities. This will make diplomacy easier and generally increase spirits among your group. It will also help protect you from basic illness and disease.
Toothpaste. You’re going to run out quickly, but attempting to maintain at least mild dental hygiene will increase quality of life.
Herbs and spices. You’ll be able to find and produce some of these eventually, but even raiding a single spice cabinet could give you enough spices for months. Given the diets you’re now about to embark on, you’re going to want some extra flavor.
#The Obvious Essentials#
Canned goods. They last for years and are likely to be more enjoyable to the modern first-world human palate than the new meals you’re going to be growing or hunting. They’ll make a good meal supplement as people adjust.
Medication and first-aid supplies. You want anything and everything you can find. Fabricating medication after the collapse of society is going to be very difficult and a functional knowledge of medicinal herbs is quite rare these days.
Gasoline. You’re less likely to find this in homes than in the cars abandoned on the roads, but finding some in a home may be a good indicator that a generator is present.
Tools. This is really a no brainer, but you’ll need cooking instruments, farming tools, construction tools, and frankly just about every tool that you might find in your typical home. Be careful about battery-powered and gas-powered tools… you shouldn’t be wasting those resources when a simple axe or screwdriver will do.
Weapons. Most tools can be used as weapons in a pinch, but to seriously survive other humans in a post-societal world you will need firearms. Guns and ammunition will be a high priority and should only ever be used in extreme defensive scenarios against other people.
#The Less Obvious Essentials#
Books. Particularly how-to books. Detailed information on plant identification, basic construction techniques, and farming can change a short-lived group into a long-lived one. You will only have a small subset of necessary survival skills and need to augment them wherever possible. Books, rather than purely verbal teaching, also simplify the education of future generations. Quite frankly, stumbling upon an intact library might be the best thing that could ever happen to you.
Fishing Gear. While it can be crafted without too much trouble, having some reliable gear will go a long way for a long time. Lures in particular will be a terrific tool (at least until you lose them).
Hard Liquor. Alcohol will have all kinds of critical uses from sedative to antiseptic.
Fabric. You’ll need to be careful here because of the weight, but bedding and blankets provide huge quantities of quality fabric that will be very difficult to manufacture. Even if you cannot take it all with you, there may be value in removing it from the house and hiding it where you can find it on return trips. Clothes of all shapes and sizes will be valuable, but place particular emphasis on winter clothing — it’s built to be very effective and relatively light for the amount of protection it provides.
Gold, silver, and other jewelry. Assuming you survive long enough, there will absolutely be a time when neighboring communities begin trading commodities. Precious materials that historically represent wealth or status will have value and will enable you to avoid trading away other essentials.
Soap. Cleanliness and sanitation are going to take a hit, but soap is plentiful and is effective in small quantities. This will make diplomacy easier and generally increase spirits among your group. It will also help protect you from basic illness and disease.
Toothpaste. You’re going to run out quickly, but attempting to maintain at least mild dental hygiene will increase quality of life.
Herbs and spices. You’ll be able to find and produce some of these eventually, but raiding a single spice cabinet could give you enough spices for months. Given the diets you’re about to embark on, you’re going to want some extra flavor.