10 Must-Have Items For Preppers In Your Off-Grid Emergency Bug Out Bag

Hello Friend, I’m writing this on the eve of the new year as we begin 2021.

First, a quick recap of what has been a WILD RIDE these past twelve months.

For me, the year 2020 started off on a high note with a New Year’s Day brunch with friends at a fave farm-to-table, organic cafe in Malibu, California. We shared our intentions for the new year, projects we were excited to work on and what we aspired to manifest. It was a fantastic day filled with beautiful conversation, delicious healthy food and high vibes, along with the gorgeous panoramic views of the Pacific Ocean. In sum, a perfect way to begin a new year.

A week later, I launched my podcast, The Ayurveda Glow with Katrina. This project was one I had looked forward to for the longest time. I wanted to start sharing what I was learning about Ayurveda. A podcast seemed like the perfect way to reach an audience. That same week, I also received a letter from California College of Ayurveda (yes, a letter, old school style : )) where I was enrolled at the time as a student in the Ayurveda Health Counselor program – I passed my final exam!

The year was off to a good start.

We all know what came next: “Covid-19” and the first lock down; businesses ordered to close; citizens ordered to “stay safe, stay home” for “just two weeks” with the explanation being to “flatten the curve.”

We were told this lock down was needed to give hospitals time to ramp up supplies so they could better handle what a computer-generated model warned would be pandemic-level Covid-19 deaths. That computer model turned out to be grossly inaccurate and completely, utterly useless. We now know that the virus recovery rate is 99.9%. Yet, here we are with continued lock downs still in place, restrictions tightening and more freedoms being taken away with each passing week …

I diverge. I’ll stop there.

Something didn’t feel right about this story. And the story STILL doesn’t feel right.

Back in April, I put my Ayurveda podcast, as well as the Sugar Detox program I was creating, “on hold.”

I used this time instead to take a trip down the rabbit hole, researching, reading and listening to alternative citizen investigative reporters in a search to find out what is REALLY going on?! (aside from what the major media networks were telling us)

Throughout these months, I watched as most of these channels were censored or completely de-platformed and erased from history by the Big Social Media giants.

I’ll save what I learned from all that research for a future post.

For now, let’s get to one of the most important takeaways that became evident to me following my research.

It’s a good idea to be prepared for an unexpected situation.

Did you know? In October 2019 there was a tabletop “exercise” called Event 201 funded by The Gates Foundation that simulated potential scenarios that may occur if there was an “unexpected global pandemic”. Five months later, the COVID-19 global p(l)andemic was announced. Coincidence?

Did you know? In July 2020, World Economic Forum hosted a tabletop exercise called Cyber Polygon that focused on a looming cyber attack on critical infrastructure that would unleash a “Dark Winter” and pave the way for The Great Reset (note: read “The Great Reset” book here and what World Economic Forum says about cyber attacks here). World Economic Forum’s next CyberPolygon cyber attack “simulation” will take place on July 9, 2021.

This all sounds like the stuff movies are made of but this time these science-fiction stories are coming to life in our 3D reality. In December 2020, a cyber attack was reported that targeted SolarWinds software which is used by the US government.

(March 2021 Update: another “cyber attack”, this time targeting the US oil pipeline, Colonial Pipeline, is reported). There is something very fishy about the recent “cyber attacks”, if you ask me.

“The Great Reset” continues to unfold: ongoing business closures and society-wide lockdowns continue to impact small and medium-sized businesses (big corporations, conveniently, stay open); digital IDs, Health Passports, and digital currency are on the horizon.

We are being warned that we should prepare for a cyber attack, power grid failure, water outage and/or electricity outage. A power grid outage could affect water and electricity, transportation, communication, food supply chain, bank account access and more.

I believe in being prepared and taking action when possible. That’s the point of this post.

Here are the items I’m including in my Emergency Preparedness Bag:

Note: A few items below are on my wishlist. These were recommended to me and though I have not officially added them to my own emergency preparedness bag, they seem like good ideas to add so I’m including them here in the list for inspiration.

Gratitude: I want to thank my amazing friend Greg for sharing his extensive knowledge on emergency preparedness, as well as the excellent recommendations listed below. Thank you, Greg!

Berkey Travel Water Filter: The most important item is water. I’ve been using a Berkey Travel Water Filter for years at home. I’m now traveling in Mexico and Central America and I bring this with me everywhere I go. Yes, it’s a larger item to travel with, but it gives me a lot of peace of mind knowing that I’ll have clean water no matter where I land.
Sawyer Mini Water Filter: I use this small filter as a back-up to the Berkey water filter. The Sawyer Mini fits in a purse or small backpack and can be used anytime you’re off-grid and close to a river, stream, lake or other water source.
Potable Aqua Water Purification Tablets With PA Plus – Two 50 count Bottles: Iodine tablets are another easy-to-pack, easy to carry option when it comes to water purification options. You can never have too many ways to purify water. In different situations, different options can be handy.
First Aid Only 299 Piece All-Purpose First Aid Kit (FAO-442): A First Aid kit is another essential item. If you’re lucky enough to not need any of the supplies for yourself, you may be able to help someone else who does. This first aid kit contains 299 essential first aid supplies for treating minor aches and injuries.
Rechargeable Flashlights (3-Pack) with Solar Power & Hand Crank + BONUS Glow-in-the-Dark Emergency Flashlight Included Another essential item for an Emergency Bug Out Bag. You can never have too many flashlights, especially if you have kids. These flashlights are solar-charged, the perfect flashlight in the event of a power outage.
Emergency Solar Hand Crank Portable Weather Radio, with AM FM WB, 3 LED Flashlights, Motion Sensor, Reading Lamp, SOS Alarm, 4000mAH Rechargeable Battery USB Charger (Green): A solar-hand crank charging radio, flashlight and SOS alarm should be in everyone’s Emergency Bug Out Bag, alongside your water filter. With this small device, you can keep your phone charged even when the power goes out. Also, get weather alerts and info via the AM/FM radio.
Portable Solar Power Bank with Type-C Input for Smart Phones, iPad, Laptop and Outdoor Waterproof: This device seems like it would be a handy one to have in my Bug Out Bag, how else do you keep the music flowing if there’s a power outage? Lol. Just kidding. Seriously though. In the event of a power outage, solar chargers are the way to go. This solar-rechargeable power bank will power tablets, smartphones, and any device with a USB-C cable. It also has a built-in flashlight.
21-in-1 Multi-Pliers, Multi-Tools, Foldable and Self-Locking, with Hard Stainless Steel, Multitool Used as Pliers, Knife, Bottle Opener, Screwdriver, Sickle etc, WE-182: Better than a Swiss Army knife or Leatherman! Get 21 tools in one with this amazing multi-tool.
Mission Darkness X2 Faraday Duffel Bag + Detachable MOLLE Faraday Pouch: Faraday Bags are expensive and if you find a cheap one, you’ll probably get what you pay for. After a ton of research, Mission Darkness brand is the one I choose to use. I bought a Silent Pocket brand case a while back and it doesn’t work. So, after reading reviews, I’m switching to MD. In the event of a cyber attack or Electromagnetic Pulse (EMP) attack, electric devices would be impacted, along with the power grid. An EMP attack could have far-reaching consequences. Faraday Cages or Faraday Bags are designed to protect devices so that they survive an EMP. From what I’ve read, the material of Faraday bags can become damaged over time, so I don’t plan on using this duffle bag as a regular carry-it-everywhere bag. It’s going to stay in one location and I’m only going to use it for the purpose of putting devices like laptops, tablets, phones, flashlights or other electric items in it at night for safe keeping. This Faraday Bag is another investment in peace of mind, this time to know I’ve done what I can to protect devices. Whether it works, time will tell. Hopefully, of course, the bag will never be tested. You can also make a DIY Faraday Cage.
Non-Perishable Food: The best food prep is to create an off-grid, self-sustaining home with an abundant garden where you can grow your own fresh food. Most people live in cities, however, and as a society, we’ve become dependent on going to a grocery store or local farmers market to buy food. In the event of an interruption in transportation or food supply, many are going to be looking for food. Here are the items I suggest stocking up on (minimum 6 months). Choose organic, nutrient-dense, preferably high calorie foods. Read labels and buy products with few ingredients (no artificial ingredients).
- Variety of Beans (Black Beans, Lentils, Garbanzo, etc.),
- Bags of Rice,
- Quinoa
- Pasta,
- Jars of Marinara Sauce,
- Organic Almond Butter / Peanut Butter,
- Almonds/Walnuts/Pecans/Nuts,
- Honey,
- Canned Wild Salmon (note: I’m not a fan of canned food but in an extreme situation, I could make an exception, lol. Make sure you have a can opener.)
- Sprouting Seeds & Other Seeds,
- Chia Seeds
- Oats,
- Apple Sauce (glass jars),
- Dried Fruits,
- Jams, Marmelades, Jellies,
- Cacao Powder,
- Apple Cider Vinegar,
- Granola,
- Coconut Oil,
- Dark Chocolate (90-100% Cacao) – a great source of magnesium : ),
- Ghee,
- Coconut Flakes,
- Dried Herbs & Spices (Everything tastes better with herbs and spices. Ideas include: Curry Powder, Sea Salt, Black Pepper, Turmeric, Red Hot Chili Flakes, Cayenne Pepper, Cinnamon, Ginger, Garlic, Thyme, etc)
Waterproof Matches, Candles, Bic Lighter: So you can start a fire or light a stove.
Toiletries: Soap, Fluoride-Free Toothpaste, Toothbrush, Floss & Coconut Oil for oral health: swish the coconut oil in your mouth for 15 minutes and spit it out in a trash bin (not the sink) each day to keep your gums healthy. In an emergency situation, staying healthy and preventing disease is an essential preparation practice. Women: tampons or sanitary pad.
Medications & Supplements: Many people are deficient in Vitamin D, Zinc, Magnesium, especially. Also consider: Vitamin C, Spirulina, Chlorella, Chia Seeds, Reishi/Chaga, Apple Cider Vinegar, Triphala (helpful for digestion & constipation), Psyllium Husk, Iodine (Nascent).
Books: If there’s no access to WiFi or internet, actual books will become gold. : ) Here are a few on my bookshelf: Survival Hacks: Over 200 Ways to Use Everyday Items for Wilderness Survival, SAS Survival Handbook, Third Edition: The Ultimate Guide to Surviving Anywhere, The Ultimate Survival Medicine Guide: Emergency Preparedness for ANY Disaster, The Native American Herbalist’s Bible • 3-in-1 Companion to Herbal Medicine: Theory and practice, field book, and herbal remedies.
Thermal Blankets, Camping Stove & Propane, Firewood: For cooking and warmth in colder climates.
Emergency Survival Whistles with Carabiner and Lanyard: I always carry a whistle with me when backpacking or hiking, so it’s a natural add to include a whistle for my Emergency Bug Out Bag. A whistle is an easy safety device to carry and you never know when you’ll need it to signal people outside of voice range. I like this one especially because it’s made of stainless steel, durable and comes with a carabiner.
Aurosports 10×25 Folding High Powered Binoculars with Weak Light Night Vision: An inexpensive pair of binoculars is a smart safety tool to add to your rucksack – it will allow you to see further into the distance and assess whether a situation is safe or dangerous.
Small Emergency Signaling Mirror: I can’t imagine needing this but if you ever need to signal a rescue crew to find you, a small emergency military-spec mirror like this one will do the job.
Self-Protection: In the event of a long-term power grid failure, experts say that food supply chains could be impacted which could create all kinds of societal breakdowns. If you planned ahead, have food stocked, and live in a city or a densely populated area, you could become a target. It’s a good idea to think about ways to protect yourself.
Good Walking Shoes: In the event of an Electromagnetic Pulse (EMP) attack, cars that are computerized in any shape or form may stop working. In this case, you may need to walk home. Be sure to keep a comfortable pair of walking shoes in your car or in your Emergency Bug Out Bag.
Water: Stay hydrated.

Off-Grid Living & Preparedness Wishlist:

Auro Liquid Gold: Auro Liquid Gold provides a way to instantly create clean healthy water in a disaster or survival situation. My friend recommended this, I look forward to trying it out.
Retevis RT21 Walkie Talkies for Adults Long Range Rechargeable 16CH VOX Two Way Radio with Earpiece for Camping Hunting(2 Pack): If the power goes out, how do you communicate with loved ones or neighbors? If you rely on phone lines or WiFi, you’re out of luck. In that case, the best communication alternatives are a satellite phone, HAM radio, CB radio, GMRS radio or walkie talkies like these. After doing a bit of research, the walkie talkies are what I would personally get for short-range communications up to 2.5 miles. It’s a basic communication device for short distances. If you need to communicate at a greater distance, a satellite phone would likely be a better option. Note: for the walkie talkies to work, you need to give one device in advance to the person you want to be able to contact in an emergency and the devices also need to be fully charged in advance.
Apex Solar Storm Gold Kit – Renewable Solar Energy: This is definitely a bigger investment but it’s worth it, in my view, if you want to live off-grid and be self-sufficient in terms of sourcing your own energy. The Apex is a compact, light-weight, and easy-to-use plug-and-play source of renewable, portable power.
OffGridTrek Solar Blanket 215W: When you’re ready to commit, this is another investment to power your off-grid lifestyle. One of the most powerful, portable solar power options on the market today.

Mental, Emotional, Spiritual, Physical Fitness:

Beyond stocking up on basic preparedness items, one of the most important things we can do to prepare for any situation is to prioritize our physical fitness, as well as our mental and emotional wellbeing.

Go for a walk or swim or make time for another cardio workout each day. Do some form of strength training each day, even if you start with just five half-pushups using your knees. Prioritize a meditation, yoga, or prayer practice to train yourself to stay centered and calm and to be the “observer” of events around you. Spend time in nature to stay grounded. Get some sunlight and natural Vitamin D each day. Do whatever fills you with joy and elevates your emotions and vibration. We can influence our experience of reality through our thoughts and feelings, as well as through our ability to stay present in the moment.

I hope this curated list of “prepper” basics will save you time in figuring out what to stock up on to best prepare for any emergency situation. Ideally, you’ll never need to use anything in your preparedness bag. If a situation requires any of these items, however, you’ll be prepared.

Personally, it gives me peace of mind just knowing I’ve stocked up on (most of) these emergency items. Peace of mind is worth the time, energy and money spent to put this bag together, in itself.

What else would you include in your emergency preparedness bag that I haven’t mentioned? Let me know, send me a message here.