This list is designed for a scenario where the entire country experiences a 10-day power outage. It focuses on low-carb, non-perishable food, water for basic needs, and essential tools that are practical for apartment living.
Water
- Drinking Water: The general rule is 1 gallon (approximately 4 liters) per person per day. For 2 adults over 10 days, you would need a minimum of 20 gallons (75 liters) for drinking.
- Basic Hygiene: A conservative estimate is 0.5 gallons (2 liters) per person per day for basic hygiene like handwashing and very minimal washing. For 2 adults over 10 days, this totals 10 gallons (38 liters).
- Total Water: 30 gallons (113 liters) of stored water for both drinking and basic hygiene. This can be stored in large water containers or multiple smaller bottles.
My take on water
I will calculate with 2 liters for drinking and 2 liters for hygiene. A total of 80liters of water. And I consider storing it in smaller containers (about 10 liters each).
Food (Low-Carb, No Refrigeration Needed)
- Canned Meats & Fish: Canned tuna, salmon, chicken, and sardines. These are excellent sources of protein and healthy fats.
- Nut Butters: Peanut butter, almond butter, or other nut butters are high in calories and protein. Choose varieties with no added sugar.
- Nuts & Seeds: Almonds, walnuts, macadamia nuts, pumpkin seeds, and sunflower seeds. They are calorie-dense and have a long shelf life.
- Canned Vegetables: Canned green beans, spinach, and mushrooms are good low-carb options.
- Canned Soups & Stews: Look for low-carb, high-protein options. Some stews with meat and vegetables can be a good choice.
- Protein Powder: An unflavored, shelf-stable protein powder can be mixed with water for a quick protein boost.
- Shelf-Stable Plant-Based Milk: Small, single-serving cartons of almond or coconut milk can be used for drinks or with protein powder.
- Avocados: While they have a shorter shelf life, they can last for a few days if stored properly and are a great source of healthy fats.
My take on food
Oh no, I will not have salmon 😀 because I don’t like it. Some tuna cans, some canned meat, canned beans, canned green peas, I may have some nuts and seeds, some peanutbutter, shelf stable milk, and even eggs (in Europe we don’t need to refrigerate eggs) can stay happyly for my doomsday scenario of maximum 10 days. I will not have canned soups because I am not eating them, neither protein powder and probably won’t have avocados laying here in large enough amount.
Cooking & Heating
- Portable Stove: A small camping stove that uses propane or butane canisters is essential for heating food and water.
- Fuel Canisters: Store an adequate number of fuel canisters for the portable stove.
My take on cooking and heating
We have both portable small camping stove (reminder, I need to get some gas bottles), and still need to get the camping utensiles to be used on this, because that we don’t have any more. But our apartment comes equipped with big gas bottle, so I can cook a whole pig during this day… if I can find it of course. Having an additional big gas canister is also not a bad idea.
Gadgets & Tools
- Portable Power Station: Instead of a petrol generator (not suitable for apartments), a portable power station (large power bank with an inverter) is a good alternative. It can charge phones, laptops, and run small appliances.
- LPG Bottle Generator: If a portable power station isn’t enough, a small, quiet generator that runs on LPG (propane) can be a great option. LPG bottles are safer to store in an apartment than large quantities of petrol. Ensure proper ventilation if used.
- Flashlights & Headlamps: Multiple flashlights and headlamps with extra batteries. Headlamps are particularly useful for hands-free tasks.
- Battery-Powered Radio: A hand-crank or battery-powered radio for receiving news and emergency broadcasts.
- Power Banks: Multiple fully charged power banks for keeping phones and other small devices running.
- Solar Charger: A small, foldable solar panel for charging power banks and devices on a sunny windowsill or balcony. This is a practical alternative to large solar panel installations.
- Axe or Hatchet: For breaking down debris or for self-defense if necessary.
- Multi-Tool: A good quality multi-tool with pliers, screwdrivers, and a knife.
- Water Filter: A portable water filter (like a Lifestraw or a larger gravity filter) to make any available water source (if safe) drinkable.
- Fire Extinguisher: A small, multi-purpose fire extinguisher is a crucial safety item.
- Manual Can Opener:Â Since you’ll be relying on canned food, a manual can opener is a must.
My take on gadgets and tools
Since I plan to outlive this mess at home, I think we are kind’a equipped with what we need. A few flashlights and headlamps would be good, but we already have 3 battery operated lamps (and one of them is also solar) that can be used around the house for ambient lights. I don’t need or want a battery powered radio 😀 why bother knowing everything, just live a little… I mean yeah it’s kind’a good to know if the world ended or not, but I am not that stressed about. You know why? Because I am not preparing to survive NO MATTER WHAT. If the issue is that big that the world as we know indeed ended … I am not sure I want to know it right away… or I want to survive it no matter what. Yeah I know, sounds crazy… but do I really want to fight with rats for a scrap of food? Although of course the things listed on the gadgets list are generally not a bad idea to have.
Other Essentials
- First Aid Kit: A well-stocked first aid kit with bandages, antiseptic wipes, pain relievers, and any necessary prescription medications.
- Hygiene Supplies: Wet wipes, hand sanitizer, dry shampoo, and garbage bags for waste disposal.
- Cash: Keep a significant amount of small bills on hand, as electronic transactions will not be possible.
- Blankets & Warm Clothing: The temperature can drop without heating. Warm blankets and layered clothing are essential.
- Emergency Documents: Keep copies of important documents (ID, insurance, etc.) in a waterproof bag.
- Books & Games: Something to pass the time and keep spirits up during a prolonged outage.
My take on other essentials
Quite Okay suggestions here. I do have puzzles at home, also some books, bicycle, and we can walk in the nearby forrest. For example we can hike to the spring that is about 5km away to fill up some water bottles that got empty… for some luxurious bath in the
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Wash-tub:Â might be needed, the bath tub is to big to be filled with water when you don’t have water.
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Portable camping shower :Â if you have a balcony, and hang it in the sun, you can have a basic shower with warm water! (we are lucky, our back balcony has drain and also receives sun for the whole afternoon. We could shower on the balcony, especially that we have a way to “hide” behind a roll on courtain!
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Fuel in the car. – rather important, because most likely fueling stations will not work.
 And as usuall, I will come back to this list, because I am sure there are a few other bits and bobs that can make the survival of these 10 days more enoyable!