Survival Preparedness

Know your five.
Stay alive.

Every survival situation comes down to six core needs. ReadyFive organizes everything you need to know, own, and pack around the framework that actually matters.

82 Curated Items
7 Gear Categories
72hr Minimum Readiness
The Framework

Six needs. Plus the gear that keeps you sane.

Strip away the fear-mongering and the 200-item checklists. Survival readiness comes down to six core needs — Water, Fire, Food, Shelter, Medical, and Communications — plus the comfort and utility extras that matter when it's day five and counting.

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Water

You have 3 days without it. Filtration, purification, storage, and sourcing for any scenario.

Filtration systems Purification tablets Storage containers Water sourcing guides
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Fire

Warmth, cooking, signaling, water purification. Multiple ignition methods are non-negotiable.

Ferro rods & strikers Waterproof matches Tinder kits Fire-starting techniques
View Buyer's Guide →
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Food

Calorie-dense, long-shelf-life nutrition. From 72-hour kits to year-long storage plans.

Freeze-dried meals Energy bars & MREs Foraging basics Long-term storage
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Shelter

Protection from elements. Tarps, tents, emergency bivvies, and the knowledge to use terrain itself.

Emergency shelters Tarps & cordage Sleeping systems Improvised builds
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Medical

Trauma care, medications, first aid. When help isn't coming, you are the first responder.

IFAK essentials Prescription planning Trauma supplies Field medicine guides
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Extras

Comfort, morale, and utility gear. Not critical on day one, but essential for keeping your head straight on day five.

Lighting & navigation Hygiene essentials Morale boosters Rescue signaling
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Communications

When cell towers fail, radios and signals keep your family connected and keep you informed. Situational awareness saves lives.

NOAA weather radios FRS/GMRS handhelds Signaling devices Family comms plans
Packing Systems

Two bags. Two missions.

Different scenarios demand different loadouts. Know the difference, pack accordingly.

Bug Out Bag

BOB / 72-Hour Kit

Your evacuation kit. 72 hours of self-sufficiency when you need to leave home fast. Covers all six core needs in one pack, optimized for weight and mobility.

Scenario

Wildfire approaching, flood warning, civil unrest. You have 15 minutes to leave. Grab this bag and go.

Get Home Bag

GHB / EDC Extension

Lives in your car or office. Designed to get you from wherever you are back to your home base when infrastructure fails.

Scenario

Power grid down during your commute. No gas stations, no cell service. This bag gets you the 30 miles home on foot.

Our Approach

Practical, not paranoid.

01

Framework First

Every piece of gear, every guide, every checklist maps back to the five core needs. No scattered advice. No information overload.

02

Inventory Aware

Track what you have, see what you're missing. Readiness isn't about buying everything. It's about knowing your gaps.

03

Scenario Based

Colorado wildfire. Midwest tornado. Urban blackout. Different situations, different loadouts. We help you prep for your reality.

Deep Dives

Survival Guides

Practical, no-BS guides for real-world preparedness. Each one covers a specific skill or scenario — start with whatever gap worries you most.

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The $50 Bug Out Bag

10 affordable items that actually matter. Build a functional 72-hour kit without the $300 price tag.

Read guide →
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Apartment Prepping

Space-saving survival strategies for renters. No garage, no basement, no problem.

Read guide →

5 Things Preppers Forget

The critical gaps that 90% of beginners miss. These aren't gear problems — they're planning problems.

Read guide →
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Water Purification 101

5 methods compared — boiling, tablets, filters, UV, and pumps. Know which one works when.

Read guide →
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Get Home Bag Essentials

15 items for the bag that lives in your car. When infrastructure fails, this gets you home.

Read guide →
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Emergency Food That Tastes Good

10 shelf-stable picks you'd actually eat. Survival food doesn't have to taste like cardboard.

Read guide →
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Emergency First Aid

6 scenarios for when 911 isn't an option. Step-by-step for bleeding, burns, fractures, and more.

Read guide →
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Long-Term Food Storage

The complete system: shelf life charts, mylar bags, forever foods, and building toward a 1-year supply.

Read guide →
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Pet Disaster Preparedness

The emergency plan most prepping guides skip. Carriers, food, vet records, pet-friendly evacuations.

Read guide →
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Civil Unrest Preparedness

Shelter-in-place protocol, communication plans for when phones fail, and a 30-item readiness checklist.

Read guide →
☢️

Nuclear Danger Preparedness

Fallout physics, the 7-10 rule, potassium iodide dosing, CBRN gear, and a 30-item readiness checklist.

Read guide →

Best Solar Generators for Emergencies 2025

12 models reviewed across 4 price tiers — from $179 apartment units to $3,999 whole-home backup. Honest pros/cons and current prices.

Read guide →
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Best Water Filters for Emergencies 2026

12 models across 4 tiers — from $20 portable straws to $350 countertop systems. Sawyer Mini, Grayl GeoPress, Berkey Big reviewed.

Read guide →
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Pet Bug Out Bag

18 essentials for cats and dogs — food, water, meds, carrier, and documents in a single grab-and-go kit.

Read guide →
Free Printable

Free printable: the family emergency plan
you'll actually fill out.

One page. Print it, fill it in pen, keep a copy in your go-bag. Covers every gap most families discover when it's too late.

Out-of-area contact + meeting points School pickup plan + authorized alternates Utility shutoffs: gas, water, electric Medical info + 5-needs quick checklist

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Preparedness is a skill,
not a personality.

ReadyFive exists for people who want to be ready without making it their entire identity. Practical guides, curated gear, structured checklists. Six needs. One system.

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