It’s good to be prepared for major disaster situations, but if there’s one thing I’ve noticed over time that preppers tend to do, it is focus on the fantastical but extremely unlikely mega disasters: a major asteroid strike, nuclear war, mega volcanoes, things like that.
What you should be doing is planning according to what is most likely to happen. As far as true calamities go, ones that could topple society, an EMP event is far and away the most probable.
A potent EMP, either natural or man-made, could potentially send half the continent back to the Stone Age in the blink of an eye. You’ve got to be ready for that with a specialized survival kit. I’ll tell you how to put it together and what should be in it in this article.
Disclosure: This post has links to 3rd party websites, so I may get a commission if you buy through those links. Survival Sullivan is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. See my full disclosure for more.
Metal Trash Can
No, this isn’t for trash day. You can take a common metal trash can, as long as it has a matching metal lid, and turn it into an impromptu Faraday cage. A Faraday cage is any device or enclosure that will block the damaging emanations of an EMP and protect vulnerable electronics and other items stored inside it.
Whatever kind of trash can you get, it should be large enough to hold all of the following items, along with the luggage you want to store it in and any other support gear you want to keep close at hand. Obviously, or at least I hope obviously, this should be a completely clean trash can!
Metallic Tape
You need this to close up all gaps and holes that might be present in the trash can once the lid is on. Specifically, we want to tape up around the rim.
It might seem like overkill, but you’ve got to keep in mind that EMP emanations can potentially sneak through even small gaps and openings, damaging or wrecking those vulnerable items we are trying to protect.
The easiest and cheapest solution here is HVAC tape. As long as it is metallic and sturdy, it will work fine. Keep this handy until you have the kit packed up and placed inside the trash can.
Make sure your vulnerable items aren’t touching the sides or bottom of the can itself; use a cardboard box, foam block, or some other item to prevent this. Then put the lid on and tape it all the way around. Now you’re protected!
Faraday Bag
A smaller Faraday bag is a good idea for protecting the most vulnerable items, like batteries, chargers, spare cell phones, radios, and the like.
These things range in size from something as small as a teller bag or a purse to a full-sized backpack or even a suitcase. Buy one that is the right size for your applications, stash the following electronics inside it, and then pack it inside the trash can.
Rations
You don’t need to go too crazy with food here, but under the circumstances, it’s smart to have a few ready-to-eat things on hand so you can refuel and keep your energy levels high during the onset of the crisis.
This could be anything from protein and energy bars to proper MREs or freeze-dried survival food. The key is to choose stuff that’s both energy-dense, long-lasting in storage, and very easy to prepare. That means very little or no cooking required. Shoot for at least a 24-hour supply for each person in your family.
Also, you can keep this outside the Faraday cage because the EMP won’t hurt it.
Water Filter
An EMP won’t physically harm or disrupt water, but it will surely knock out municipal water supplies by damaging or destroying the infrastructure that treats and delivers it.
Naturally, you’ll have to resort to whatever water supplies you have access to, and many of them will be decidedly subpar. Instead of worrying over treatment protocols, use an emergency water filter to make clean, safe drinking water on demand for you and yours. Lifestraw and other companies make good ones.
Purification Tabs
As a backup to your water filter, include some water purification tablets or liquid. These chemicals, used properly, will often change the taste of water for the worse, but they will kill off harmful microorganisms that can make you sick—perhaps fatally so!
Remember to check on these periodically when inspecting your food for rotation; they have a shelf life and will lose potency once they go past it!
Fire Starting Kit
The ability to start fire on demand is something that people take for granted, but fire might be the thing that keeps you alive in the aftermath of an EMP. Fire means light, warmth, signaling, and cooking.
Chances are pretty good that no matter where you live, you’ll have a decent supply of fuel to use, but a fire-starting kit consisting of matches, lighters, a flint and steel, tinder, and so forth will go a long way toward making the task easy.
Flashlight
Ever important in all kinds of survival scenarios, a flashlight will let you banish the darkness when traveling, working, or just trying to secure the area. My pick is a good pocket-sized handheld with multiple brightness settings so you can maximize battery life.
Speaking of batteries, you can go with a model that uses rechargeable secondary cells or disposable primaries at your preference. Just make sure to pick an LED model for maximum durability. Keep them inside the smaller Faraday bag.
Headlamps
A headlamp is a supplement and backup to your flashlight, and especially handy anytime you have to go hands-free in the dark. Don’t make the mistake of having just one or the other. Like flashlights, your headlamps should have multiple brightness settings for conserving power.
You can go with disposable or rechargeable battery cells here, but I greatly prefer rechargeable models when it comes to modern headlamps. They tend to be smaller, lighter, and more durable. As with the flashlights, keep them inside the Faraday bag to protect them.
Hand Radio
Old-fashioned radio communications will persist and keep working when modern cellular and internet networks are completely out of action. If you want to make use of it yourself, you’ll need a hand radio.
It’s nowhere near as easy and intuitive to use for most folks as a cell phone, but that’s why you’re going to learn now. Right? Right. Consider having at least two so your significant other or survival buddy can have one. And you guessed it: keep these inside your Faraday bag.
Batteries / Power Bank
Self-explanatory. Your electronics will require batteries, or rather I should say electricity. Something of a weak link, considering an EMP will knock out the power grid with certainty.
Have a good supply of disposables on hand or a charged and maintained power bank with the appropriate cables to refuel your devices. All of the above should be kept inside the Faraday bag with the other vulnerable gear.
Multi-Tool
A Swiss Army knife, multi-plier, or similar all-purpose tool that can help you knock out most repair and improvisation tasks you’ll have to handle during the event.
Paracord
Every prepper’s best friend. Having good cordage or rope and a working knowledge of knots, hitches, and so forth can let you do almost anything and solve nearly any problem.
From erecting temporary shelter to strapping down or hoisting heavy objects and improvising tools, nothing even comes close to being as versatile. I recommend at least a 50 ft length, but more is better.
Tarp
A heavy-duty, waterproof tarp is a true survival item. It can be used to catch tons of rainwater, set up a tent or other shelter, serve as a ground cover, repair a roof, signal for help, and a whole lot more. Whatever tarp you choose and however big it is, make sure it is in good repair.
First-Aid Kit
If you and your family are lucky enough to get through the onset of the EMP without any injuries, give thanks. Chances are, though, someone will have a boo-boo of some kind, or you’ll get one taking care of various survival tasks.
A fully stocked first-aid kit complete with medications, bandages, disinfectant, and items for treating burns and trauma will come in really handy if you need it. Don’t forget to inspect and rotate medications periodically.
Hygiene Kit
Even under these dire circumstances, you should still take care of your body. It will help you mentally and also help keep infection and germs at bay. Toothbrush, toothpaste, deodorant, soap, feminine hygiene items, etc.
Cash
Cash is about the only thing that will speak if you need supplies or favors in a time like this. Depend on credit cards and all other electronic-based forms of payment being completely dead in the water.
How much cash you keep in your EMP kit is up to you, but whatever you do, don’t treat it like a piggy bank and draw from it out of convenience.
Self-Defense Weapon
You don’t need me to tell you that this entire scenario will result in considerable pandemonium…
People will be panicky, authorities overwhelmed, and police presence in shiveringly short supply. The stage will be set for violence. This is a long conversation for another article, but whatever you do, make sure you’re prepared for that eventuality.
Personal Docs
Life will go on in the aftermath, both in the near and long term. That means you need to prove that you own what you say you own and that you are who you say you are. Keep physical copies of all important personal documentation, IDs, account numbers, and so forth as part of your kit. Hide this and protect it!
Emergency Contact List
Lastly, don’t count on your cell phone remaining functional or even repairable. Likewise, stress does funny things to rote memory. If there are important people and organizations you’ll need to contact, write it down on waterproof paper. Name, phone number, and address. Don’t say I didn’t warn you.
Tom Marlowe practically grew up with a gun in his hand, and has held all kinds of jobs in the gun industry: range safety, sales, instruction and consulting, Tom has the experience to help civilian shooters figure out what will work best for them.
If your items are still in metal free packaging, you can even skip lining your trashcan and lid with non metallic surfaces (cardboard or old rug) Chances are they are safely packed in styrofoam, plastic and cardboard, already shielded from an EMP or CME. Remember that LEDs are electronic and anything with them must be shielded.
One last thought about the problems in getting any available food still in the system to where it is needed after an EMP, add the danger of transporting it.
I have read estimates that 89% of food shipments to Gaza have never made it to the intended users. Once the food arrives, either Hamas seizes it, or the crowds along the way loot it.
What truck driver in his right mind would drive into the inner city without a platoon of National Guardsmen with full-auto weapons escorting the truck? The National Guard would not have nearly enough personnel to escort the number of trucks involved, even if there were sufficient fuel on hand to move it.
How would a well fair an EMP with a submersible pump? Should I buy a spare pump and store in faraday cage?
Water is critical. Get a hand pump. And test how/if it will work on your well, beforehand. If it is a deep well, it might not work for you.