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I’ve met quite a few preppers who regularly purchase all sorts of survival items, but who never actually make their own survival items (you know who you are). There are many reasons why this is a huge mistake, but let’s focus on two in particular:
First of all, you’re wasting money if you’re buying things that are cheaper to make at home. And second, during a long-term disaster where grocery store shelves are all empty, you might be forced to make your own stuff. So why not go ahead and learn how?
Below you’ll find a list of 25 survival items that are fairly easy to make. For each one, I included a link to a tutorial that will walk you through it. So next time you’re bored, try making one of these and don’t forget to leave a comment letting me know how it went.
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1. Soap
Soap is something every prepper should learn how to make. Hygiene will be even more important during a long-term disaster where sanitation is on the decline, diseases are on the rise, and doctors are unavailable.
2. Deodorant
While not a necessity for survival, deodorant can do wonders for your morale and humanity by keeping you smelling fresh.
3. Lotion
You’ll want to keep your skin in good and healthy condition so it doesn’t get itchy or cracked. Disasters are hard enough as it is, so anything that will minimize discomfort is worth doing.
4. Antibiotic Wound Cream
Being able to dress wounds properly is essential in any survival situation, and having an easy-to-make recipe on hand will keep you from having to scavenge for antibiotic ointment.
5. Poultice
You’ll want to have some sort of substance to ease your pain and bring inflammation down when you suffer wounds and injuries, and poultice is an herbal solution you can forage for and find in many different areas.
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6. Candles
For anyone surviving without electricity (or with limited access to it), candles are quite beneficial as a source of light, heat, and as a bug repellent.
7. Oil Lamp
An oil lamp is even better than a candle since it provides a little more light can’t get knocked over as easily. All you need is a wick, a mason jar, and some olive oil.
8. Fuel
A sustainable life after SHTF may require some sort of fuel to power engines and generators for transportation and generating power. Fortunately, there is a DIY process for making your own ethanol.
9. Charcoal
If you learn to make your own charcoal, you can keep grilling out no matter how long it takes for grocery stores to get charcoal back in stock. It’s actually easier than you might think, it just takes a little time.
10. Char Cloth
Char cloth is a very useful material to help you in the fire-starting process, giving you excellent tinder that will light instantly in many different conditions.
11. Fire Starter
Having a tried and true fire starter can be the difference between life and death in a survival scenario. Having a good fire starter will make it far easier to get a fire going.
12. Waterproof Matches
Waterproof matches are exceedingly useful for anyone spending time outdoors and starting their own fires, as they can be used even in wet and cold weather.
13. Tin Can Stove
This is a simple stove that uses a few candles to heat up things like canned food and warm drinks, and even make flatbread.
14. Rocket Stove
A rocket stove is easy to make and can do wonders for your survival cooking, allowing you to bridge the gap between proper kitchen cooking and roughing it over a campfire without any cooking utensils.
15. Solar Oven
In a survival situation you will most likely not have access to a stove, but you can increase your odds of survival by learning how to create your own solar cooker, which uses the energy of the sun to heat up a chamber for cooking.
16. Water Filter
Having drinkable water is one of the basic essentials for human survival. Knowing how to make your own water filter can save your life in a survival situation.
17. Aquaponics Garden
For a more long-term sustainable food option, try your hand at balancing the ecosystems of a garden and an aquarium with an aquaponics garden.
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18. PVC Bow
For hunting game small to large and even for protection, fewer DIY weapons are more useful and simpler to make than a bow reinforced with PVC.
19. Traps
Carrying enough food in a bug out bag to survive for months at a time is practically impossible. Instead, try carrying a few homemade traps or the materials to make one.
20. Paracord Belt
You never know when you’ll be in a situation where a few feet of rope could make all the difference. Wearing a paracord belt is a great way to carry a great length of rope at all times.
21. Hard Tack
This simple snack only has three ingredients (flour, salt, and water), and it’s very easy to make. Plus, it will last for years.
22. Beef Jerky
The great thing about beef jerky is that it’s very portable and lasts a long time. If you’re on the move or working hard all day, a delicious piece of beef jerky from your pocket can be a great pick-me-up.
23. Butter
Having homemade butter on hand will be extremely useful for cooking when the SHTF, particularly if you’re tied down to cooking outdoors without non-stick cookware.
24. Emergency Bread
This is a recipe for a simple flat bread that is surprisingly filling. You can make ordinary sandwiches with it, or you can use it as a tortilla to make wraps, burritos, or whatever you want.
25. Zeer Pot
Extend the life of your food and keep it fresh with a homemade Zeer pot. Zeer pots have been used in many rural locations in Africa and the Middle East as a way to naturally refrigerate food and keep it fresh longer.
Over time, I’m going to add a lot more to this list. What are some other survival items that are easy to make? Leave your comment below.
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