There are two kinds of survival items: those that last forever, and those that don’t. Let’s talk about the former, shall we? As it turns out, yes, there are survival items that will last you indefinitely (so long as you take care of them) and it is these survival items that could prove to be the most valuable and crucial to you for when the going gets tough.
Here are the top survival items that will last (practically) forever. (This is in alphabetical order.)
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1. Alcohol
Okay, alcohol and other beverages and foods won’t last you forever once you consume then, but it will last you indefinitely in the pantry in normal conditions.
Alcohol will be very valuable in an SHTF scenario for a number of reasons. It can be used as a valuable bartering item, it can help alleviate stress in the middle of disaster (when consumed moderately), and it has many survival uses.
2. Apple Cider Vinegar
Apple cider vinegar, commonly abbreviated as ACV, is a staple in kitchens with numerous health benefits. So long as the bottle it comes in is kept sealed and stored at normal room temperature, it will last indefinitely.
3. Axe
In a long-term grid-down scenario, an axe will be a very important survival tool. You’ll need it for chopping firewood when electricity is unreliable.
4. Can Opener
I’m not talking about electric can openers or the modern ones made with lots of plastic like this, which will eventually break. I’m talking about old-fashioned can openers that soldiers used in World War. Can openers like the one pictured below.
5. Cast Iron Cookware
Cast iron cookware is among the most durable kind of cookware in existence, and it’s also very good at distributing heat evenly. BTW, here is how to restore and season cast iron cookware.
6. Ferro Rod
Although I recommend having plenty of lighters and matches on hand, you really can’t beat an old-school Ferro rod. A typical Bic lighter will give you 30 to 40 minutes of burn time, but you can keep using a Ferro rod indefinitely.
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7. Firearms
High-quality firearms will last you forever even after continuous use (shooting, packing them in a holster, etc.) to the point that you can pass them on down to your children or grandchildren one day.
Think along the lines of quality and well-known guns that have a reputation for being well built, such as the Glock 19 or the Ruger GP100 or the Winchester Model 70. Those kinds of guns won’t ever fail you or breakdown, so long as you take care of them.
8. Honey
Honey is well known for being able to last forever. After all, there’s honey stored deep in the Ancient Egyptian pyramids that is still fully edible (even though it does crystallize over time, but all you have to do is heat it up to bring it back to liquid form). Here are some more reasons to stockpile honey.
9. Knife
So long as you invest in a high-quality knife, the blade should last you forever so long as you take care of it and sharpen it every once in a while. A knife is one of the most multipurpose tools in existence and will be invaluable to your survival efforts.
10. Leatherman Multitool
Leatherman multitools are among the highest quality multitools on the market. Take good care of the tool from rust and moisture, and you should still be using it more than ten years on down the road. The same goes for Swiss Army knives.
11. Map and Compass
A map and compass will continue to work a hundred years from now just like today (so long as you protect the paper map from getting wet, of course).
The great thing about maps and compasses is they don’t require batteries like a GPS device does (this is why you shouldn’t be reliant on a GPS only for navigation purposes). Don’t think maps are important? Check out these maps you should have in your bug out bag.
12. Metal Water Bottle
A durable metal water bottle or canteen from a reputable company should last you forever, even if you drop it on hard surfaces repeatedly.
13. Mirror
Mirrors will last forever so long as you keep the surfaces from being scratched. Not only are they good to view your face for viewing injuries or for personal hygiene purposes, but they can also be used for signaling.
14. Paracord
Good quality paracord will literally last you forever. You can use it for everything from shelter building to rappelling to hauling wild game out of the woods and so on, and it’s so durable that it can be used repeatedly in this manner for several years without it being ruined.
In fact, the only thing that could really ruin paracord is if you were to cut and shred it apart with a knife (and that would require effort on your part).
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15. Pressure Canner
Pressure canners are an invaluable item to have for storing and preserving food over the long term. They will also last you forever so long as you take care of them.
16. Tactical Pen
Tactical pens are pens built out of a tough metal such as aircraft-grade aluminum, and usually with a pointed end for defense. Even though the ink will not last indefinitely, the pen itself will and can sustain hard abuse.
17. Syrup
Just like honey, syrups such as corn syrup or regular maple syrup will last for an incredibly long time thanks to their high content of sugar. If you’re going to still be making pancakes or French toast after the SHTF, make sure you have some syrup.
18. Tarp
Durable ripstop tarps can easily withstand rain, snow, dirt, and the elements. Buy a tarp now, and even if you use it constantly there’s a good chance it will still be usable ten years later. Plus, tarps have multiple survival uses.
19. Whistle
A quality signaling whistle should continue to work several years down the road just like it does now. What’s more, plastic whistles float on water and won’t rust from the rain.
Emergency whistles are fairly easy to come by. There are even companies that give them away for free to people who join their newsletter. For example, the Scream Whistle.
Conclusion
Survival items like the ones discussed above will be incredibly valuable during a disaster or long-term grid-down scenario. Don’t overlook them when putting your survival and disaster preparations together.
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This is a great list. I have everything on the list with the exception of paracord and I will be purchasing that in the near future. Personally I would leave the multi tool of the list and purchase a small travelers tool kit the usually has most of the items that are on the multi tool plus pliers and wrench. Strong tape and a shovel (military grade) are also essential.
A great list that can be used for all day to day uses or in all survival situations. During this time of challenge these items and the others urban survival lists are all absolutely necessary to keep on keeping on. Make no mistake as to the direction of things. When you see a box of cereal that was 39 cents now going for $4.99 up and that’s just one item its not hard to guess the direction of this puppy. Keep your eyes, ears, aka ears to the ground, and nose on full 24 hour alert. As they said on Star Trek, Red Alert.
Some of the items mentioned in this list lifespans will be dependant entirely upon the material they are manufactured from. A tarp is a good example. I’ve yet to find a tarp made from any material (natural or synthetic), that lasts for more than a few years of constant exposure to the elements. UV, Dry Rot and a host of other incidentals take their toll on the materials, natural or synthetic. Many plastics, including the polycarbs, get brittle with age, so if your whistle is plastic, it can and will break.
Alcohol, as long as the bottle is sealed well, will last a long time, but not sufficiently sealed, the angels get their share.
My overwhelming points is, how a lot of these items are stored will affect their longevity. So research what you buy. A good axe head will last a lifetime. The hickory handle? Probably not.
Old style analog glass tube thermometers containing mercury or whatever the red stuff is should last a long time if you keep them clean and don’t break them.
I have one in my bug out bag, I was so frustrated I could not get these at a local drug store when I realized I should have a few that I ordered 8 online.
The “multi tool” is a joke. Don’t bother.
I have a good quality full tang hunting knife the removes screws. The multi tool has a 3 inch “saw”. For what ? Twigs ?
The only thing the multi tool has to offer is the pliers, but you get NO leverage. The weakest part of any tool is a pivot point and these things have 3, and no decent locking mechanism to hold the tool blades secure. I’ve been cut, stabbed, and blood blisters from these worthless things.
Better off with a pliers and a small adjustable wrench.