The 5-Gallon Survival Bucket is an emergency survival cache in a container – it gives you all the basic tools and supplies you need for the immediate aftermath of a survival situation, excluding food, water and raw materials such as lumber.
Here is what should go into it and what will fit comfortably if packed correctly in the 5-Gallon Survival Bucket.
Organizing the 5 Gallon Emergency Kit
AE has divided his emergency kit into a few broad categories to keep his supplies organized and well rounded:
• General Supplies
• Hygiene Supplies
• First Aid KitEvery item is listed in detail in a printed contents document. On the back is a list of important phone numbers such as relatives, insurance companies, local law enforcement, fire department, etc. Did you catch the line second from the top? It’s the most important detail on the loadout document – the date. This helps you remember when the bucket was put together so you can keep track of all your expiration dates.
A good emergency kit can easily last 5 years or more, but not everything inside will be good for that long and may need to be replaced periodically. Again, the EpiPen example – they only last about 20 months from the day they are made. Replacing an expired EpiPen could be a life or death matter!
General Supplies
• glow sticks (12 hrs)
• flashlight
• liquid candle
• matchbooks
• mylar thermal blankets (link)
• hand warmers (link)
• AM/FM radio
• whistle and lanyard
• sewing kit
• blank notebook
• pencils
• extra batteries (for flashlight and radio)
• zip ties
• P-38 can opener
• trash bags
• N95 dust masks
• duct tape
• small tarp
• paracord (link)
• safety goggles
• split leather glovesHygiene Supplies
• bar soap
• kleenex
• floss
• baby shampoo
• hand lotion
• sunscreen
• toothpaste
• toothbrushes
• feminine hygiene pads
• comb
• toilet paper
• washclothsFirst Aid Kit
• basic first-aid guide
• moist towelettes
• antiseptic towelettes
• latex gloves
• acetaminophen (Tylenol)
• ibuprofen (Advil)
• aspirin
• diphenhydramine (Benadryl)
• loperamide (Imodium A-D)
• burn cream
• sting relief towelettes
• hydrocortisone cream
• triple antibiotic ointment (Neosporin)
• cough drops
• earplugs
• instant ice pack
• tweezers
• nail clippers
• scissors
• digital thermometer
• cotton balls
• waterproof adhesive tape
• gauze rolls
• gauze pads
• moleskin
• band-aids
• butterfly bandages
• ace bandage
• triangular bandage
• hand sanitizer
• Q-tips
• petroleum jelly
• RAD sticker (personal radiation dosimeter) (link)
• potassium iodide (radiation emergency thyroid blocker) (link)
It is important to remember that while the 5-Gallon Survival Kit has supplies and materials you will need over and over in a survival situation, it is not built for a prolonged survival situation – without rationing its contents carefully.
In the immediate aftermath of a survival incident, however, it is perfect to get you through the first few days or until things stabilize or you can get to help.
For more information on what should go into a 5-Gallon Survival Bucket, including some reader suggestions, check out 5-Gallon Ideas.
Featured Image via 5-Gallon Ideas
This is a good idea.
“But getting what you need from that stuff when you need it likely would prove to be as difficult as getting a sleepy and cranky two-year-old to behave in a restaurant.
That is where the 5-Gallon Survival Bucket not only comes in handy but in the right circumstance, because it would save time, might be a game-changer!”
Yes, because I like putting a sleepy and cranky 2 yr old in a bucket to get them to behave.
But really, it seems like a great idea. Quick and easy to grab and holds a lot of gear, but with how my wife and kids go through toilet paper I’m going to need 2. One for TP and the other for survival gear.
It’s good to have supplies, but I think a backpack is a better container, in case you have to take that stuff with you.
Roger Brown
I would have mask for performing CPR.
Yes indeed,couple of 5 gallon buckets,and I can pack enough stuff to restart civilization if need be!