The tiers are as follows:
TIER ONE: This is your everyday carry (EDC) on person. You should have this with you 24/7 or as close to 24/7 as possible. Basically, if you have pants on, you should have these items with you.
TIER TWO: This is your EDC bag. You should have this with you or within reach 24/7. Take it with you to work, the grocery store, running to the gas station, etc. If you walk out the door of your house, it should be with you.
TIER THREE: This is your 72 hour kit, bug out bag, SHTF bag, or any of those other catchy names for them. At a minimum you need one. If you only have the funds for one, so be it. But, eventually I would suggest having one for the house, the vehicle and possibly at work if you have the space to store one.
TIER FOUR: This is for long term preparedness. This is long-term food and water storage and procurement methods. Always prepare your home to shelter-in-place first. Then, if you have a secondary bug out location, prepare it. Depending on the disaster or emergency you may or may not be able to bug out. On the other hand, you may be forced to evacuate or bug out.
Quality folding knife of your choice.
550 Cord. There are lots of different, creative ways to carry. There are bracelets, key fobs, zipper pulls, belts, even lacing your boots/shoes with it. Learn how to braid your own items.
Tinder. Could be a magnesium rod, dryer lint, or any brand of quick tinder that is out on the market now, you should know what works.
I use my USB drive to store all types of important documents and other information I run across and want to save. I have encrypted my USB drive in case it falls into the wrong hands. (I strongly suggest doing this.) Also, save the information under nondescript names. In other words, don’t save the file as: “Insurance Papers” or “Social Security Cards”, etc.
Birth/Marriage Certificates
Vehicle Registrations/Insurance
Recent Check Stubs/Bank Statements
Another option/addition to this is online file storage. There are many places available on the internet to store files on a remote server and be able to access from any computer or cell phone with internet access.
TIER TWO: EDC Bag
Tier two is going to contain pretty much everything from tier one except bigger and better.
Quality fixed blade knife of your choice. Again make sure it is sharp.
Quality multi-tool. I would look at one to complement the one from tier one. A little larger and possibly features that the other does not have. I personally wouldn’t want the exact same model from tier one. Look at the ones that have the screwdriver possibilities.
Small entry bar or pry bar.
Larger more reliable compass. Possibly a GPS system if you are so inclined. If you are in a large urban environment, I would have a city map in my EDC bag.
Pens and notepad again. Plenty of pens and permanent markers.
P-51 can opener.(A scaled-up version of the P-38.)
Cell Phone/Communications
This is where I would keep a wall charger for my cell phone.
I would also think about one of the emergency chargers that run off of batteries at this point.
I also carry a pay-as-you go phone in my EDC bag. On some occasions when one service is down, others are still up and running. It’s a cheap insurance policy.
Radio of some sort. Depends on your location and abilities.
I would carry no less than 25 feet of 550 cord in my EDC bag. The more the better. Again, options here, braid it to take up less space, key fobs, I’ve seen some braided water bottle carriers.
I would toss in some duct tape and electrical tape here. You can take it off of the cardboard roll and roll it onto itself and it takes up very little room.
Possibly some wire, picture hanging wire works well.
Possibly some zip ties. Various sizes as you see fit.
I also have a couple of carabiners clipped to my bag.
More tinder. Personally I prefer the magnesium, but whatever you are comfortable with.
I would however warrant the carrying of at least two spare magazines for the handgun in tier one.
Package of quick slotting agent.
Basic pain relievers, fever reducers, upset stomach tablets etc.
Small bottle of hand sanitizer.
I always carry a couple of energy or meal replacement bars in my bag. If nothing else, I may have to work through lunch and need a snack.
Some people will toss a freeze-dried meal or MRE if they have room.
A small pack of hard candy.
I personally prefer a headlamp at this stage. You can use a headlamp as a flashlight; you can’t use a flashlight as a headlamp.
Extra batteries. On the subject of batteries, do your best to acquire electronic items that use the same size of battery.
Another keychain light. I have one attached to the inside of my bag to aid in finding items inside in low-light situations.
Some people carry chemical light sticks in their EDC bag. I have found battery operated light sticks that also have a small flashlight in one end I prefer to carry.
I keep a packable rain jacket at all times and depending on the weather a packable pair of rain pants.
I also keep a couple of “survival” blankets in my bag.
I keep a couple of contractor style garbage bags as well.
I have a stainless steel water bottle that stays in my pack at all times. If I am traveling longer than my normal commute, I will toss in a small collapsible water container.
Two-part chemical water purifier.
Filtering drinking straw.
Toss in a couple of standard coffee filters to filter sediment if needed.
Now, bear in mind, my EDC bag is not for long-term survival. I feel like I could sustain myself for several days if I needed to with the contents of my pack. However, that is not its intended use. All of the tiers are designed to sustain you until you can “make it” to the next tier.
TIER THREE: Larger rucksack or backpack
A lot of people would call this the 72 hour kit. However, I feel that in this stage of the game, you should be able to carry enough to survive indefinitely.
Quality fixed blade knife. If you want you can double up from tier two. Depends on your requirements. Remember, two is one, one is none.
Small quality folding shovel.
Some type of saw or saw blades. .
Tools for forced entry if warranted. Pry bars, bolt cutters, etc.
Tool kit. Depends on your location and environment. At the bare minimum carry enough tools to repair anything that you are depending on in a survival situation.
Cell Phone/Communications
Depending on the level of the disaster cell phones may or may or may not be working.
Again, depending on your location and abilities, depends on the type of communications you should carry.
One thing I have not seen widely talked about is two way radios. Obviously this would be if more than one person is in your party. However, now you start talking about batteries and chargers.
At least 100 feet of 550 cord.
Depending on your environment, climbing rope, harness and gear may be warranted.
Tape, electrical and duct.
Carabiners, various sizes.
Camp stove. Small, lightweight, portable. A lot of good information about this out there. Pay special attention to the type of fuel that the stove you select uses.
This depends on the type of situation you are in. I will list the types of firearms I would have, not necessarily carry, and reasons why. If this is a true bug out situation obviously the adults in your party could carry at least one, more than likely two, long guns.
We have already discussed a handgun.
“Modern Sporting Rifle”. Be it an AR based platform, an AK-47, Mini-14 etc. I personally like the AR platform. However, A’s can be a bit finicky if not properly cleaned and maintained. Something you may not be able to do well in a TEOTWAWKI situation. So, I would grab an AK-47. Whatever your budget and preference lead you to.
.22 caliber rifle. There are many options, I personally recommend the Ruger 10-22. There are several collapsible stocks available. This is for hunting small game.
Home defense shotgun. I would suggest a 12 gauge. The options and setups are endless. You can go as mild or as wild as your budget and imagination allow. This is not something I would necessarily always grab. However, this is something I feel that no home should be without. The sound of a shell racking into the chamber of a pump shotgun is a sound that will deter most people without even firing a shot.
Extra magazines and ammunition.
More advanced first aid kit. There are pre-made ones on the market or come up with your own.
Pain relievers, fever reducers, upset stomach pills, etc.
A week’s supply of any prescription medications.
Any supply of antibiotics or narcotics that you can procure.
Knowledge of natural/herbal remedies. Here is a great area where knowledge can help you a lot longer than supplies can.
If you want to put in a three day supply of freeze-dried meals or MRE’s. Go for it. But here is where procuring your own food will come in handy.
I would suggest some type of mess style kit for cooking. Again, your choice.
Fishing kit. Fishing line, assortment of hooks, sinkers and artificial bait if desired.
Fishing “yo-yo” traps. Can be set and left alone to catch fish while you are doing some other task. I feel these are a necessity. They are light and take up little room.
Snare kit. I would suggest several pre-made snares and supplies to create more.
Traps. Connibear style traps, an assortment of sizes. 4-6 is all you should need.
Frog gigs. Could also be used for spearing fish, depending on your location.
You also have a firearm for taking small or large game.
Knowledge of wild edibles in your area or bug out location.
Again, I would suggest a headlamp and extra batteries.
Use your discretion for what else you may want/need.
Two changes of clothes. One for warm weather and one for cool/cold weather. Again depending on your environment.
I would suggest at least 3 pair of underwear and 6 pair of socks.
Quality bivy style shelter or tarp.
Quality sleeping bag. Again, do some research. See what fits your needs and budget.
Possibly a pocket style hammock.
Stainless steel water bottle.
Chemical water treatment.
Water filter/purifier. Again, look at your budget and needs.
Coffee filters for straining out sediment.
Collapsible water storage.
TIER FOUR: Long term preparedness.
Even though this is the largest of all the tiers, I will probably go into the least amount of detail. There are many great sources of information concerning long term preparedness, SurvivalBlog.com being one of the best, if not the best, in my opinion.
Obviously any blade or tool previously discussed. Except full size versions.
An ax, saws, shovels, garden hoes, rakes, etc.
Possibly a plow, seeder, etc, for planting a garden.
Automotive tools, carpentry tools, etc.
Sewing machine, needles, thread, clothing patterns, etc.
Begin thinking of ways you can use your tools and knowledge to develop a skill that can be used for trade or barter.
Short wave radios, ham radios, etc.
Large amounts of any cordage or supplies under cordage already discussed.
Begin thinking now about how you will be heating your home in the winter. Think about how you will be cooking your meals. Also, think about how you will get fuel for your fire.
We discussed in tier three the types of firearms I felt were needed.
Begin thinking about amount of ammo you can and are willing to stockpile.
Begin thinking about reloading your own ammunition. Begin thinking about stockpiling supplies. This can be turned into great bartering items.
Begin developing a large first aid supply. Think about what you will need to do without a doctor present. Suture kits, surgical kit, trauma kit, etc. There will be no running to the emergency room.
Begin thinking about dental supplies. Again, there will possibly be no dentists to go to.
Again, knowledge is key in this situation. There are some good books about this type of thing. Take a first aid class, learn CPR. Learn as much as you possibly can.
Study about and begin stockpiling medications.
There are many more articles to be written and read on this subject alone.
Start developing a small reserve of foods that you eat on a regular basis that have a long shelf life. Start with a week; go to a month, then three months, then a year, then longer.
Begin thinking now about storage. A year’s supply of food for your family will take up a considerable amount of space.
Expand on the amount of items you have from tier three. Increase the number of traps and snares you have.
Think about obtaining a variety of seeds to plant in your garden.
Again, there is a vast amount of information to be found on this subject alone. The main thing I want you to understand is this is doable, on any income. Start small and work your way up to larger quantities.
Do not get yourself into a financial burden by going out and buying a year’s supply of food at one time.
Begin obtaining lanterns, fuel, mantles, etc.
Begin thinking about candles and candle making.
If you are so inclined, begin thinking about solar panels for your home or shelter location.
Begin making those small repairs to your home. Things that may be fairly quickly and easily fixed now may not be so easily fixed later. I’m not talking kitchen remodeling; I’m talking leaky faucets, broken windows, drafty doors, etc.
Think about having a metal roof installed if you don’t have one already.
This is the time to think about a secondary survival location. A remote, rural location. Think of this as an investment. It could be used now as a vacation spot. Use it later as a retirement home.
Begin storing water. Think not only about drinking, but also cooking and cleaning.
Again, start small. Begin with a few days worth; then weeks and months.
Start thinking about long-term procurement and storage. Gutters that empty into water storage, etc. Think also about purification on a large scale.
Miscellaneous Things to Thing About
Sit down and make a list of normal, everyday things that you do around your house, cleaning, washing, “personal” business, entertainment, etc.
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