28 Underrated prepping items that could save your life in an emergency

By zoeysky // 2025-05-14

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In a crisis, having the right supplies can mean the difference between struggling and thriving. While most preppers focus on basics like food and water, some underrated items can make survival easier, safer and more efficient.
Aluminum foil can be used for cooking, insulation and signaling. You need reliable alkaline batteries for flashlights and radios.
Bungee cords are essential for securing gear and rigging shelters. You need a carbon monoxide detector if you are using generators or heaters indoors.
Nitrile gloves are crucial for first aid and handling hazardous materials. You can use duct tape as a quick-fix tool for repairs, shelters and first aid.
Many of these overlooked items are cheap, compact and highly useful in emergencies. They also add extra layers of preparedness without much cost or storage hassle.

In today’s uncertain world marked by geopolitical tensions, economic instability and natural disasters, being prepared is more important than ever. And while most preppers focus on the essentials such as food, water, medicine and fuel, there are dozens of overlooked items that can make survival easier, safer and more efficient. These underrated supplies don’t always make the "must-have" lists, but in a crisis, they can mean the difference between struggling and thriving. From improvised tools to hygiene hacks, here are 28 prepping items you might not have considered but absolutely should. (h/t to AskAPrepper.com)

Aluminum foil

Lightweight, cheap and endlessly versatile, aluminum foil can be shaped into a cooking pot, used to wrap food for roasting, or fashioned into a makeshift signaling mirror. It’s also great for insulating heat or creating an outdoor oven when paired with cardboard.

Batteries

Most preppers stock batteries, but do you have enough? Cheap dollar-store batteries leak and die quickly, so invest in bulk packs of reliable alkaline batteries for flashlights, radios and GPS devices.

Bungee cords

Perfect for securing gear, rigging shelters and organizing supplies, bungee cords come in various lengths and strengths, making them indispensable for both bug-out bags and home storage.

Candles

Beyond providing light, candles provide heat, can help start fires and have a near-infinite shelf life. Stock up on long-burning emergency candles for prolonged blackouts.

Carbon monoxide detector

A silent killer, carbon monoxide is a risk when using generators, propane heaters or camp stoves indoors. A portable detector is a small but lifesaving addition to any prepper’s kit.

Contraceptives (condoms)

Beyond their primary use, condoms can store water (up to a liter when stretched), serve as emergency tourniquets or protect small items from moisture. Contraceptives like condoms are lightweight, compact and have a long shelf life.

Disposable gloves (nitrile)

Essential for first aid, handling hazardous materials or preventing contamination, nitrile gloves also work as improvised water carriers in a pinch. They are also a safer alternative to rubber gloves if you have a latex allergy.

Duct tape

Duct tape is considered the ultimate quick-fix tool because you can use it to patch leaks, bind wounds and reinforce shelters temporarily. Always keep multiple rolls of duct tape on hand.

Electrolyte powder packets

Dehydration is a major risk in survival scenarios. Electrolyte packets help replenish vital minerals lost through sweat, preventing fatigue, cramps and confusion.

Fishing gear

While casting a line isn’t always efficient, a longline with multiple hooks can passively catch fish overnight. Stock up on hooks, heavy-duty line and sinkers so you can catch a reliable protein source when SHTF.

Gasoline siphon pump

If fuel becomes scarce, a siphon pump lets you safely transfer gas from abandoned vehicles or storage containers so you can keep your generator and vehicle running. (Related: Prepare for an EMP attack with these cheap, life-saving items.)

Glasses (spare pair)

Vision is critical for navigation, repairs and security. If you wear glasses, keep an extra pair in your bug-out bag because eye care won’t be available during a long-term crisis.

Glow sticks

Unlike flashlights, glow sticks require no batteries, emit no noise and last up to 12 hours. Use them for nighttime navigation, signaling or marking hazards.

Inverter

A compact inverter can be used to convert your car battery’s DC power into AC power, allowing you to use it to charge electronic devices. With an inverter, a car battery can also be used to run smaller appliances during emergencies. An inverter is portable and versatile, which is crucial for when the grid is down. It can be used to keep devices charged and operational, especially those used for light, navigation and communication.

Kitty litter

Beyond its intended use, kitty litter absorbs waste in DIY emergency toilets and controls odors. It can also be used to provide traction on icy surfaces.

Lock pick set

Access to locked buildings or abandoned supplies could be crucial in a grid-down scenario. A basic lock pick set is a discreet but useful item to have in your survival kit.

Pantyhose

Pantyhose is surprisingly useful. A new/clean pair of pantyhose can be used to strain liquids, store food (like onions or potatoes), serve as makeshift filters and even provide extra warmth in cold weather.

Paracord

Strong, lightweight and multi-purpose, 550 paracord can be used to build shelters, set traps, make fishing lines (using the inner strands) or serve as emergency sutures when emergency medical services are unavailable.

Pencil sharpener

A pencil sharpener seems like it only belongs on a child's study table, but this item is also often overlooked as a prepper gear. When disaster strikes and the power goes out and digital tools fail, having reliable ways to take notes or mark maps becomes essential. A pencil sharpener is light and will ensure that your pencils are always ready for planning routes or maintaining communication logs. It also requires no electricity, making it perfect for off-grid living. Additionally, you can save the pencil shavings for use as a fire starter.

Petroleum jelly (Vaseline)

Even a small jar of petroleum jelly has endless uses. It's a great fire starter, especially when paired with cotton. Petroleum jelly can also be used for wound protection, as a lip balm, for rust prevention and as a skin barrier against harsh weather.

Rags (old fabric scraps)

Don’t throw out old T-shirts or towels because you can still use them for cleaning, bandages, fire tinder or insulation. Shirts made from natural fibers, like cotton, work best. You can also use old fabric scraps or old shirts cut into strips.

Safety pins

From clothing repairs to makeshift fishing hooks, safety pins are tiny but mighty. Keep a handful in every survival kit.

Sewing supplies

Clothes wear out fast in survival situations. Stock extra needles, heavy-duty thread, buttons and patches to keep garments functional.

Tarps

A tarp is one of the most versatile survival tools. It can be used for shelter and camouflage or as ground cover, rain catchment and makeshift stretcher.

Vitamin D lamp

While it doesn’t replace sunlight, a sunlight-mimicking lamp helps regulate sleep and mood during prolonged darkness, particularly during winter storms or bunker stays.

Waterproof flash drive

Use a waterproof USB drive to store copies of your IDs, passports and other important documents like maps and survival guides.

Wind-up alarm clock

When the power is out, a manual wind-up clock ensures that you can keep track of time, which is essential for rationing supplies, shifts or emergency routines.

Zip ties

Strong and versatile, zip ties can secure gear, repair broken straps, reinforce shelters or serve as handcuffs in a security emergency. While food, water and first aid are non-negotiable, these 28 underrated items add layers of security, comfort and adaptability to your survival plan. Many of these items are also cheap, compact and easy to store, making them low-effort, high-reward additions. Visit Survival.news for more articles about useful prepping and survival items. You can also check out Health Ranger Store and Brighteon Store for more lab-verified food supplies for your prepping stockpile. Watch this clip about UHMWPE Braided Survival Cord and Bug Spray, two items that you will need in your survival stockpile. This video is from the Health Ranger Store channel on Brighteon.com.

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