Home Survival Kit List|All The Essentials

You can craft various survival kits, and here we cover them all for your emergency needs on Truthtent.com.

BY James Barker, UPDATED:

April 3, 2025

You need a survival kit—likely more than one, but starting with a single kit is a solid step. Use The The Threat List to pinpoint the risks relevant to you and plan alongside building your kits. Here’s a quick look at some survival kit types:

Main Survival Kits

  • Home Survival Kit: A home survival kit stocked with essentials to ease disaster impacts and extend how long you can stay self-sufficient at home. Most who prepare smartly begin here, as it fits a wide range of both common and rare threats.
  • Bug Out Bag: A compact mobile kit in a bag, packed with survival tools, designed to be lightweight and grab-and-go. Often called a 72-Hour Kit or Go Bag, depending on its purpose and your preference.
  • Get Home Bag: A mobile kit stashed in vehicles to cover the distance back home, equipped with a change of clothes and gear suited to typical weather or risks you might face on the journey.
  • Everyday Carry (EDC): A set of tools and gear carried on you for instant use anytime, often including a concealed-carry handgun, reflecting a similar always-ready approach.
  • Car Kit:
    Stored in vehicles to fix issues or sustain you longer if stuck, this kit prevents stranding and aids survival if it happens. It’s especially common in harsh winter regions but recommended everywhere.
    Survival First Aid Kit (FAK): A compact set of medical supplies and tools for quick access, typically added as a modular piece to other kits and one of the most critical elements.

Especialized Kits

In theory, you could create countless specialized kits. Here are some common ones tailored to specific needs:
  • Bug-Out Vehicle Kit: Skip this if you don’t own a vehicle. If evacuation’s on the table, consider backup transport options.
  • INCH Bag: A bug-out bag variation for when you’re not coming back home.
  • SCARE Kit: A bug-out option built for urban settings—less relevant elsewhere.
  • Kids’ Bug-Out Bag: Only needed if you have kids or might care for them in a crisis.
  • Dog Bug-Out Bag: Designed solely for dog owners.

Risk-Targeted Kits

We champion all-purpose survival kits, but some risks demand specialized gear. These lists enhance your core kits—not replace them. Refer to the Threat List to decide if these apply to you and weave them into your readiness plans:
 
  • Earthquake Survival Kit
  • Flood Survival Kit
  • Shelter-in-Place Kit
  • Nuclear Survival Kit

Survival Kit Focuses

Most survival kits revolve around similar gear types, each targeting key survival needs. Some prefer breaking them into components or color-coding for organization.

  • Shelter
  • Water
  • Food
  • Fire
  • Cookware
  • First Aid
  • Navigation
  • Communication
  • Clothes & PPE
  • Hygiene
  • Sanitation
  • Self-Defense & Tactical Gear
  • Documents & Personal Items
  • Tools

The Next Step

With the overview and kit types covered, let’s zoom in on the cornerstone of preparedness: the foundational kit. The home survival kit.

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