Based on the Practical Guide to Surviving Emergencies and Disruptions in India
Water Storage & Purification#
Storage Containers#
- 20-liter food-grade water cans
- 10-liter stackable water containers
- Reused packaged water jars (cleaned properly)
- Clean opaque containers for water storage (prevents algae)
- Barrels/drums for rainwater collection
- Water storage tanks (overhead, underground)
- Buckets for greywater collection
Purification#
- Chlorine tablets or drops
- Gravity-based water filters
- Ceramic candle filters
- UV water purification pens (battery-powered)
Rainwater Harvesting#
- Rainwater harvesting system (rooftop/balcony)
- Collection pipes and funnels
- Clean tarpaulin funnels for balcony collection
- Basic filtration cloth/mesh for greywater
Greywater Reuse#
- Mild/natural soaps (safe for greywater reuse)
- Simple cloth or mesh filters for greywater
Food Storage & Dry Staples#
Grains & Carbohydrates#
- Rice (white rice, long shelf life in airtight containers)
- Atta (whole wheat flour)
- Wheat grains (for grinding as needed, longer shelf life than atta)
- Poha (flattened rice)
- Suji (semolina)
- Oats
Legumes & Protein#
- Various dals (whole dals like chana, rajma last longer than split)
- Chana (chickpeas)
- Rajma (kidney beans)
- Roasted chana (no-cook snack)
- Lentils
Fats & Oils#
- Cooking oils
- Ghee
Spices & Flavoring#
- Whole spices (jeera, dhania seeds, peppercorns)
- Powdered spices
- Bay leaves (also natural pest deterrent)
- Neem leaves (also natural pest deterrent)
- Cloves (also natural pest deterrent)
- Dried red chilies (also natural pest deterrent)
- Salt
- Sugar
No-Refrigeration Foods#
- Pickles
- Chutney powders
- Papads
- Dried methi
- Sun-dried vegetables
- Packaged dehydrated vegetables
- Ready-to-eat items
- Instant khichdi mixes
- Milk powder
- Evaporated milk
- Plant-based milk alternatives
- Dry snacks
Cooking Equipment & Fuel#
Alternative Cooking Equipment#
- Portable butane stove (clean indoor use with ventilation)
- Kerosene stove (where legal)
- Alcohol stove
- Solar cooker
- Solid fuel chulha
- Improved biomass stove
- Pressure cooker (fuel-efficient)
- Stone Chakki
Fuel#
- Butane canisters (for portable stoves)
- Kerosene (where legal)
- Charcoal
- Wood/biomass (coconut shells, cow dung cakes, agricultural waste)
- Spare LPG cylinder
Fuel Storage Safety#
- Labeled, sealed containers for kerosene and alcohol
- Fire extinguishers
- Sand buckets
Medical Supplies & Medications#
Basic Home Medical Kit#
- Sterile gauze
- Bandages
- Antiseptic solution
- Cotton
- Adhesive tape
- Medical scissors
- Thermometer
- Disposable gloves
- Wound-cleaning supplies
OTC Medications#
- Paracetamol (fever and pain)
- Ibuprofen (fever and pain)
- ORS packets (oral rehydration salts)
- Antacids
- Anti-diarrheal medication
- Antifungal creams
- Antibiotic ointment
- Antiseptic wash
- Antihistamines
- Motion sickness tablets
Medical Devices & Equipment#
- Glucometer (battery-powered)
- BP monitor
- Nebulizer
- Pulse oximeter
- Inhaler (for asthma)
- Basic portable first aid kit
Chronic Disease Supplies (30-60 day buffer)#
- Diabetes medications
- Blood pressure medications
- Asthma medications
- Heart disease medications
- Thyroid medications
- Epilepsy medications
- Psychiatric medications
- Insulin (requires cold storage backup)
Isolation Supplies#
- Masks
- Disposable gloves
- Disinfectants
- Separate utensils (for isolation)
- Waste disposal bags
- Cleaning supplies
Prescription Management#
- Photographed/scanned prescriptions (stored offline)
- Doctor contact details (stored offline)
- Knowledge of generic medicine names
Power & Battery Equipment#
Portable Power#
- Power banks (compact, high-quality)
- Short, durable charging cables
- Multi-head cables
- Solar charger for phones
Household Power#
- Inverter-battery system
- Lead-acid batteries or lithium battery system
- Rechargeable torch/flashlight
- Rechargeable fan
- Battery-powered lighting
Solar Equipment#
- Balcony solar panels
- Solar battery charging system
- Secure panel mounting equipment
Backup#
- Candles (use with caution, fire risk)
Communication Devices#
Mobile#
- Smartphone (with offline maps, documents, contacts)
- Basic feature phone (better battery life)
- Dual SIM setup (different networks, e.g., Airtel and Jio)
- Backup SIM cards
Radio#
- Battery-powered radio (emergency information)
- Entry-level handheld radio (with amateur radio license)
- Walkie talkies (legal GMRS or PMR models)
Mesh Networks#
- Meshtastic devices (phone-to-phone mesh without internet)
- LoRa devices (license-free ISM bands)
Ham Radio#
- Amateur radio equipment (requires WPC licensing)
EDC (Everyday Carry)#
Minimal EDC (Pocket/Keychain)#
- Government-issued ID (physical copy)
- Emergency cash (mixed denominations, small notes)
- Laminated emergency contact card
- Medical information slip (chronic conditions)
- Compact power bank
- Small keychain flashlight
- Non-bladed multitool
- USB drive with encrypted documents
- Whistle (signaling)
Advanced EDC#
- High-capacity power bank
- Durable charging cables (short, tangle-resistant)
- Multi-head cables
- Personal alarm
- High-lumen flashlight
- Handkerchief
Phone Preparation#
- Offline maps installed (Google Maps, Maps.me, Organic Maps)
- Downloaded documents (ID, prescriptions, insurance)
- Emergency contacts saved locally (not cloud-only)
- Essential offline apps installed
Bug Out Bag Contents#
Backpack#
- Normal travel backpack (neutral colors: black, grey, dark blue)
- Chest and waist straps
- Breathable back panel
Clothing & Personal#
- Breathable clothing (no slogans, no identifiable symbols)
- Synthetic quick-dry fabrics
- Broken-in footwear
- Protective footwear
Hydration#
- Reliable water container
- Electrolyte packets
- ORS packets
Medical#
- Basic medical supplies
- Personal medications
Documents#
- Laminated ID documents
- Copies of important papers
- Travel passes / employer letters / medical prescriptions
Food & Other#
- Basic non-perishable food
- Toiletries
- Cash (split across multiple locations in bag)
- Small folding multitool (utility purpose)
Tools & Equipment#
Basic Toolkit#
- Screwdrivers
- Pliers
- Wrench
- Electrical tape
- Voltage tester
- Basic spanners
- Duct tape
- Rope
Home Security Hardware#
- Long hinge screws
- Internal latches
- Secondary locks
- Security film for windows
- Motion lights
- Noise-based alerts (hanging metal, gravel, door alarms)
Repair Materials#
- Sewing supplies (buttons, thread, needles)
- Basic electrical supplies (switches, wires)
- Plumbing supplies (washers, tap repair parts)
Vehicle Supplies & Tools#
Car Supplies#
- Jumper cables
- Tire inflator or spare tire
- Basic tool set
- Reflective triangle
- Torch/flashlight
- Gloves
- Duct tape
- Water (for vehicle and drinking)
- Tow rope
Two-Wheeler Supplies#
- Puncture repair kit
- Spare clutch cable
- Spare spark plug
- Basic spanners
- Chain lubricant
- Phone mount
- Power bank
- Helmet
- Rain protection gear
Fuel#
- Approved fuel containers (small quantities only)
Home Security Items#
Door/Window Security#
- Strong door frames
- Long hinge screws
- Internal latches
- Secondary locks
- Window grills (secure, rust-free)
- Security film for windows
- Internal barriers
Early Warning Systems#
- Motion lights
- Noise-based alerts (hanging metal)
- Gravel (around entry points)
- Door alarms
Visibility Control#
- Curtains/blinds (light discipline)
- Reflective curtains (also for passive cooling)
Clothing & Gear#
Daily/Disruption Clothing#
- Neutral colored clothing (no slogans, no identifiable symbols)
- No camouflage or tactical clothing
- Breathable fabrics (heat management)
- Synthetic quick-dry fabrics (for movement)
- Broken-in footwear
- Protective footwear (cut/infection protection during floods)
- Rain protection gear
- Helmets (two-wheeler travel)
Cold Weather#
- Layered clothing
- Floor insulation materials
- Draft-blocking materials
Heat Protection#
- Reflective curtains (cooling)
- Lightweight, breathable fabrics
Storage Containers & Organization#
Food Storage Containers#
- Food-grade plastic drums with tight lids
- Airtight containers (rice, grains)
- Metal containers (durable, watch for rust)
- Glass jars (dals, spices, sugar)
- Thick plastic liners (for jute sacks)
- Oxygen absorbers (pest prevention)
- Marker tape (labeling containers with dates)
Gardening & Self-Sufficiency#
Soil & Growing Media#
- Garden soil
- Compost
- Cow dung manure
- Sand (for drainage improvement)
Seeds#
- Vegetable seeds (tomatoes, chilies, coriander, fenugreek)
- Leafy green seeds (spinach, lettuce, mustard greens, amaranth)
- Herb seeds (mint, tulsi, curry leaves)
- Seed saving supplies (drying, storage materials)
Containers#
- Grow bags
- Buckets (with drainage holes)
- Reused containers (with drainage holes)
- Hanging pots
- Railing planters
Tools & Supplies#
- Basic gardening tools
- Mulching materials
- Composting supplies
Composting Inputs#
- Vegetable peels (ongoing)
- Tea leaves (ongoing)
- Eggshells (ongoing)
Fire Safety#
- Fire extinguishers
Sanitation & Hygiene#
- Basic hygiene items
- Soap/cleaning supplies
- Laundry handling supplies
- Waste disposal bags
- Natural cleaners (safe for greywater reuse)
- Mild soaps
- Disinfectants
- Cloth/mesh for basic filtration
Navigation & Maps#
- Printed city maps
- Highway atlas
Documentation & Records#
Physical#
- Government-issued ID copies
- Printed bank details
- Emergency contacts (written down)
- Prescriptions (physical copies)
- Insurance documents
Protection#
- Laminating pouches (waterproof documents)
- Waterproof document storage bag
- Encrypted USB drive
Barter & Trade Items (Community Prepping)#
- Batteries
- Basic medicines
- Hygiene items
Cash & Financial#
- Small denomination notes (stored discreetly at home)
- Mixed denomination cash
- Gold jewelry (long-term hedge)
Entertainment & Morale#
- Games for children (during confinement)
- Books/reading materials
Special Equipment#
Cooling#
- Battery-powered fans
- Reflective curtains (passive cooling)
Heating#
- Kerosene heater (with ventilation)
- Biomass burner (with ventilation)
Medical#
- Backup cooling for insulin and temperature-sensitive medicines
Monitoring#
- Temperature logs / thermometer for room monitoring
- Symptom tracking materials
Self Defense#
Note: This section is not from the blogs. Indian weapons laws are strict — always verify local legality before purchasing. Prioritize avoidance and de-escalation first.
Legal Self-Defense Tools#
- Pepper spray (OC spray — most practical, widely available)
- Pepper gel (less blowback in wind, longer range)
- Tactical flashlight (high-lumen for disorientation)
- Personal safety alarm (130dB+ — draws attention, deters attacker)
- Whistle (signaling + deterrence — already in EDC)
- Tactical pen (glass breaker tip — doubles as writing tool)
Home Defense Hardware#
- Door stop alarm (wedge-style — prevents forced entry into rooms)
- Portable door lock / travel door latch (for travel or rented spaces)
- Window security bar / adjustable rod
- Baseball bat / hockey stick / cricket bat (legal sports items, effective reach)
- Heavy-duty flashlight / torch (solid metal body)
- Hammer / heavy wrench (also in toolkit — dual purpose)
- Fire extinguisher (also in fire safety — doubles as disorientation/escape tool)
Protective Equipment#
- Cut-resistant gloves (glass/knife protection, debris handling)
- Sturdy shoes / boots (quick access near bed — flood and debris protection)
- Thick magazine or book wrapped in cloth (improvised shield against slashes)
Deterrents & Area Denial#
- Barbed wire or razor wire (for compound walls, rooftops — use legally)
- Nail strips / caltrops (driveway or balcony edge — check legality)
- Motion-activated flood lights (already in security — also deter intruders)
- Dummy CCTV cameras (budget deterrent)
- Real CCTV system with local recording (no cloud dependency)
Escape & Emergency#
- Window breaker / seatbelt cutter (for vehicles — also in vehicle kit)
- Fire escape rope / knotted bedsheet (ground floor / low-level escape)
- Small pry bar (door forced entry escape — also in toolkit)
Important Notes#
- Fixed-blade knives, swords, and bladed weapons require licenses or are outright illegal under the Arms Act. Avoid carrying without legal cover.
- Stun guns / tasers are in a legal grey area — ownership may attract police scrutiny.
- Firearms require arms licenses — process is slow and heavily regulated. Not practical for most households.
- Self-defense law in India requires proportional response. Excessive force can lead to legal consequences against the defender.
- Priority order: Avoid confrontation > create distance > use non-lethal deterrents > escape > call for help > engage only as absolute last resort.
Building Tiers (Suggested Order)#
Tier 1 - ~Rs 500#
- Water storage containers
- Power bank
- Extra staples (rice, dal, oil, salt)
Tier 2 - ~Rs 2,000#
- Water purification (tablets/filters)
- Basic medical kit
- Alternative cooking stove + fuel
Tier 3 - ~Rs 5,000#
- Power systems (inverter/batteries/solar)
- Communication devices (backup phone, radio)
- Bulk food storage
Key Principles#
- Legal Compliance - All items must be legal in India. Avoid fixed-blade knives, tactical gear, camouflage, military-style equipment.
- Low Profile - Equipment should look boring and civilian.
- Rotation - First-in, first-out system. Label with purchase/fill dates.
- Distributed Storage - Do not centralize supplies. Distribute across rooms.
- Weight Limits - Bug out bags should stay under 7-9 kg for Indian conditions.
- Test Before Reliance - All equipment should be tested during normal times.
- Incremental Building - Start with Tier 1, then Tier 2, then Tier 3.
Minimum Daily Quantities#
- Water: 8-10 liters per person per day minimum
- Medicine: 30-60 day buffer for chronic conditions
- Fuel: Maintain vehicle tanks (half for cars, one-third for two-wheelers)
