20 EMP-Proof Survival Items You Should Be Stockpiling

Estimated reading time: 9 minutes

One of the disasters that preppers fear the most is an EMP (electromagnetic pulse). Why? Because it would literally throw us back a couple hundred years by knocking out the power and rendering all electronics useless. That means no more cars, lighting, hospitals, internet, cell service, hot water… the list goes on and on.

It’s been estimated that 90% of people would die after a year without power. To avoid being one of those people, you need to stockpile things that are EMP proof.

As you will soon see, there are many items that are fully invincible to an EMP. This list is presented in alphabetical order.

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1. Bicycle

With cars and other vehicles knocked out by an EMP, a bicycle will be one of the few remaining methods of transportation. It allows for relatively fast travel without the need for fuel, making it perfect for scouting, scavenging for supplies, or escaping hazardous areas.

Here’s everything you need to know to maintain a bicycle for the long haul.

2. Blankets (and Warm Clothes)

Most people rely on electricity to generate heat. During the summer, this won’t be much of an issue (other than the fact that the A/C won’t work). But during the winter, especially in parts of the country that get really cold, it’s going to be a real problem.

Just look at the record cold temperatures we saw across the midwestern United States last winter. What would happen if the power went out across that entire region? The interior of buildings and homes would have been warmer than outside, but not much warmer. Millions would have frozen.

That’s why investing in heavy blankets, sleeping bags, and warm winter clothing is essential. You simply need to be prepared for when temperatures get really cold and you can’t get inside for warmth.

Here’s how to stay warm during a winter power outage.

3. Books

The internet will go down during an EMP, but do you know what won’t go down? Books. That’s why you should consider putting together your own personal library of survival books if you haven’t already.

Not only books on survival, but also famous novels, books you personally enjoy, comic books, and so forth. Any kind of book is going to provide value, whether it be for entertainment or for important information (or both).

Here’s my list of the top 100 survival books.

4. Bullets (and Guns)

Bullets are impervious to an EMP (and in case if you didn’t notice, so are guns). The only thing to be careful of here is not to put your guns or bullets in a safe with an electronic pad since it won’t work after an EMP.

Here is how to store your ammunition.

5. Candles

We just talked about the importance of having blankets and warm clothing. That’s good, but it’s not good enough. No matter how many layers of warm clothing you bundle yourself up in, you’re still going to be very cold.

Another solution? Fire. But while building a fire may be dangerous indoors, it won’t be dangerous (at least not incredibly dangerous) if you use candles, which are much easier to control and smaller. The warmth and light they’ll provide is minimal, but it’s still better than nothing.

Here’s how to make your own candles.

6. Cash

This one is hugely important. When the grid goes down, you can say goodbye to online banking, and your debit cards will be useless. This is why you will need cash.

Try to have at least $1,000 in your home, and divide it between $50, $20, $10, $5, and $1 bills. Furthermore, if the economy collapses after the grid goes down (which it very well may) and cash becomes worthless too, then it’s only going to do you any good in the opening hours of the disaster.

Therefore, consider taking around half of your emergency cash and going to the store to buy as many provisions as you can before they become looted. Keep the remaining half on hand just in case cash holds its value.

NOTE: Stockpiling gold and silver pieces won’t be a bad idea either. People will likely value it more than cash in the event of a grid down scenario.

In case you run out of cash, here’s a list of barter items you may want to stockpile.

7. Food

Food will not be affected by an EMP, but your fridge and freezer will. Therefore, focus on foods that don’t require freezing or refrigeration. Examples of foods that fall in this class include flour, beans, white rice, canned meat and vegetables, peanut butter, and energy bars.

Be sure to check out our beginner’s guide to emergency food storage.

8. Gardening Tools and Seeds

In the long term, survival will depend on your ability to sustain yourself. Gardening tools (such as spades, hoes, and rakes) and a collection of non-hybrid seeds are EMP-proof essentials for growing your own food. A garden not only provides nourishment but also helps maintain mental health.

Here’s a guide to garden tools you should check out, and here are some heirloom seeds you should stockpile.

9. Lighters

Even though starting a fire with a magnesium flint striker is cool, you’d be wise to stockpile as many Bic lighters as you can. Once those run out of fuel, then you can use other fire starting devices, all of which are EMP-proof if you think about it. In case you forget to stockpile fire starting tools, here are some other ways to start a fire.

10. Manual Can Opener

Electric can openers have become a kitchen staple, but after an EMP attack, they’ll be useless. Technically, it’s possible to open a can without a can opener, but it’s also quite a hassle. Save yourself the trouble and get some good, manual can openers.

I recommend these military can openers because they’re small enough to carry in your pocket.

11. Pain Killers

Pain killers, along with other medications, are also impervious to EMP attacks, and they are going to be in short supply during a major collapse, so stockpile them now.

Here are some medicinal herbs to help ease the pain.

12. Personal Hygiene Items

Soap, shampoo, razors, hand sanitizer, chapstick, toothpaste, deodorant, laundry detergent, dishwashing soap, baking soda… all of it is necessary and it’s also impervious to EMP attacks. The only personal hygiene item that really won’t be invulnerable to an EMP is an electronic razor.

Here’s a list of hygiene items you’ll need after the SHTF.

13. Solar Panels

Solar panels will actually do a surprisingly good job of resisting an EMP. They will suffer damage, and their overall power output may be reduced by five to ten percent, but most of them should continue to work.

The real issue is with the solar charge controller, which is used to charge the batteries, and the voltage inverter that converts your battery power. You’ll need to store those inside of a Faraday cage, so that they will have at least some degree of protection against an EMP.

Here’s a guide to getting your home off the grid and onto solar.

14. Stove

A stove doesn’t just cook food, it also helps keep you warm. Consider buying a wood cook stove and plenty of firewood. The only precaution is to make sure you also have a chimney to let all the smoke out.

To save money, try making one of these DIY emergency stoves.

15. Toilet Paper

There are few suitable alternatives to toilet paper, and it’s undoubtedly necessary. Enough said.

In case you run out of toilet paper, here are some toilet paper alternatives.

16. Tools

Basic, non-electronic tools will still be in great working order following an EMP. Think of knives, axes, hammers, nails, screwdrivers, screws, wrenches, and so forth. If you don’t have those kinds of tools in your garage right now, you’re making a mistake.

Here’s a list of off grid tools you should have.

17. Trash Bags

Trash bags are among the most useful survival items there are. That’s because you can easily use them as ponchos, for storing food and water, for a mattress (simply stuff with leaves), for transporting items, to tie food up above the ground, and so on.

Here is a list of over three dozen uses for trash bags.

18. Water

Water itself is impervious to an EMP attack, but unfortunately, running water is not. And what water is left, such as in the lakes or rivers, will quickly become contaminated due to people dumping their personal waste into it.

There really is only one solution, and that is to stockpile as much water as you can, especially if you live in an urban area without any access to natural water. Sure, you can set up a rainwater catchment system, but you don’t get to decide when it rains either. You need to stockpile water, and lots of it.

Here are some places you can store your drinking water.

19. Whistle

This one might seem odd, but in a world silenced an EMP, a whistle could be a powerful tool for communication over short distances. Whether you need to signal for help, coordinate with others during hunting / foraging, or communicate warnings, a whistle’s piercing sound can cut through the silence and carry your message. Its simplicity ensures it is completely unaffected by an EMP, making it a must-have in your survival kit.

Here’s a pack of emergency whistles with lanyards.

20. Wind-Up Clock

Timekeeping will still be important in a post-EMP world, especially for managing tasks and coordinating with others. A wind-up clock is immune to EMPs and will continue to function without the need for batteries or electricity.

Whether it’s for setting alarms, knowing when to check your traps or meet with fellow survivors, a reliable wind-up clock will prove invaluable. I recommend this vintage alarm clock.

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