Years ago, I asked these same questions, and whenever I talk to someone new to the idea, I hear these questions again, so just throwing it out there, as to how I addressed them.
First, the key is to CATEGORIZE.... There are no right or wrong ways to prep, just what works for you, but to really know where to begin or be sure you're considering everything important to YOU, you need to categorize things.
The following are for ANY kind of prep, whether short-term (days or weeks) or long-term:
WATER
Simply put, 3 days without it, and we die. So, this is first on the list. The key here is to have a REPLENISH-ABLE source of some kind, whether a freshwater source (river/lake/pond/rain), or a more civilized option like a well (but with a manual way to get to the water!). You can store a lot of it, but if you don't have a source, then eventually you will run out. Even with a well, we still store water also...and not just for drinking, but washing/gardening too.
FOOD
3 weeks without it, and we die, but in far less time, we'll feel the effects. Again, REPLENISH-ABLE is the key. For fruits and vegetables, having a garden/grove is helpful, and for meat, having the ability to hunt/fish is useful (even if critters you wouldn't normally consider as normal food). For example, snakes, birds, possums, frogs are plentiful here, so not eating them in an emergency is just ignoring a great source of protein. However, there are plenty of things one can store too, especially items that make the grown stuff and hunted items more palatable, like spices, rice, pasta, etc.
PROTECTION
Simply put, an emergency can bring out the worst in people, and you're going to need to protect you and yours from your fellow men, when folks get desperate. Just look at things that happened during the LA Riots or Katrina to see how quickly order can break down. For this reason, firearms are a must, and this includes knowing how to use them properly, safely, and reflexively. Other protection means include location (being rural vs. urban), and fences, along with open ground (to make any invaders slow and easy targets).
LIGHTING/FIRE
While not really a need, in the absence of power, it becomes a bit more pressing, for defense, hunting, and just quality of life. Folks should have some kind of alternative lighting method for each used room of the home. Personally, I opt for oil lamps, because you can control the light level, they are quiet, safe, and relatively long-lasting. Plus, in normal times, they are decorative, and ready in place when needed. Flashlights with batteries are a common option, and great for a short-term disaster. As most other options all depend on fire (as well as being needed for most cooking options), having different ways to start one is also a big part of preps.
Next, we get into longer-term preps, for an emergency lasting months, years, or indefinitely.
MEDICINE/MEDICAL DEVICES
While a stockpile is nice, again REPLENISH-ABLE is the key. Growing medicinal herbs is easy, even for blackthumbs, and there are lots of sources available for knowing what to grow and how to use it, along with herbal recipes. Obviously, modern medicine options are preferred, but when not available, something is better than nothing. This includes having medical knowledge available as well, but that will be a different item.
POWER/FUEL
Eventually, there will be some items that while you could live without, would make life easier. There are LOTS of options here, and most preppers use a combination of solutions depending on their needs, budget, and conditions. For example, in FL, we don't worry about heating, but up north, this is a major concern. Wood is a long-used fuel source, but there is also lamp oil, kerosene, generators and fuel, as well as solar and wind power. Diesel engines can even be adapted to use bio fuel. Batteries are another option, especially for small electronics. This includes fuel needed to cook food as well.
TOOLS/MATERIALS
Things break, and new things will need to be built. If the grid is down, your power saw or drill isn't going to do much good, so will need manual versions of these. In addition, lumber, concrete, nails, screws, etc. will all be needed to make repairs and build new items that may be needed. This includes any parts for devices you may be using or need.
CLOTHES
Something often overlooked, but clothes wear out. Shoes especially. For most of us, we could probably go a while on what we have, but longer term, may become an issue. We're personally looking at getting an old school foot pedal sewing machine. First, they are beautiful antique pieces, but second, they could be very useful (and to be honest, seem to be just as easy to use as modern versions).
KNOWLEDGE
Probably the most important. First-hand knowledge and experience is best, for all things, but having actual books is another good option. In addition, there are solar-powered readers that work well for archived data, but personally, I'm a fan of actual real books, papers, etc.
I'm sure others can add to these, but thought this was a good starting point.
First, the key is to CATEGORIZE.... There are no right or wrong ways to prep, just what works for you, but to really know where to begin or be sure you're considering everything important to YOU, you need to categorize things.
The following are for ANY kind of prep, whether short-term (days or weeks) or long-term:
WATER
Simply put, 3 days without it, and we die. So, this is first on the list. The key here is to have a REPLENISH-ABLE source of some kind, whether a freshwater source (river/lake/pond/rain), or a more civilized option like a well (but with a manual way to get to the water!). You can store a lot of it, but if you don't have a source, then eventually you will run out. Even with a well, we still store water also...and not just for drinking, but washing/gardening too.
FOOD
3 weeks without it, and we die, but in far less time, we'll feel the effects. Again, REPLENISH-ABLE is the key. For fruits and vegetables, having a garden/grove is helpful, and for meat, having the ability to hunt/fish is useful (even if critters you wouldn't normally consider as normal food). For example, snakes, birds, possums, frogs are plentiful here, so not eating them in an emergency is just ignoring a great source of protein. However, there are plenty of things one can store too, especially items that make the grown stuff and hunted items more palatable, like spices, rice, pasta, etc.
PROTECTION
Simply put, an emergency can bring out the worst in people, and you're going to need to protect you and yours from your fellow men, when folks get desperate. Just look at things that happened during the LA Riots or Katrina to see how quickly order can break down. For this reason, firearms are a must, and this includes knowing how to use them properly, safely, and reflexively. Other protection means include location (being rural vs. urban), and fences, along with open ground (to make any invaders slow and easy targets).
LIGHTING/FIRE
While not really a need, in the absence of power, it becomes a bit more pressing, for defense, hunting, and just quality of life. Folks should have some kind of alternative lighting method for each used room of the home. Personally, I opt for oil lamps, because you can control the light level, they are quiet, safe, and relatively long-lasting. Plus, in normal times, they are decorative, and ready in place when needed. Flashlights with batteries are a common option, and great for a short-term disaster. As most other options all depend on fire (as well as being needed for most cooking options), having different ways to start one is also a big part of preps.
Next, we get into longer-term preps, for an emergency lasting months, years, or indefinitely.
MEDICINE/MEDICAL DEVICES
While a stockpile is nice, again REPLENISH-ABLE is the key. Growing medicinal herbs is easy, even for blackthumbs, and there are lots of sources available for knowing what to grow and how to use it, along with herbal recipes. Obviously, modern medicine options are preferred, but when not available, something is better than nothing. This includes having medical knowledge available as well, but that will be a different item.
POWER/FUEL
Eventually, there will be some items that while you could live without, would make life easier. There are LOTS of options here, and most preppers use a combination of solutions depending on their needs, budget, and conditions. For example, in FL, we don't worry about heating, but up north, this is a major concern. Wood is a long-used fuel source, but there is also lamp oil, kerosene, generators and fuel, as well as solar and wind power. Diesel engines can even be adapted to use bio fuel. Batteries are another option, especially for small electronics. This includes fuel needed to cook food as well.
TOOLS/MATERIALS
Things break, and new things will need to be built. If the grid is down, your power saw or drill isn't going to do much good, so will need manual versions of these. In addition, lumber, concrete, nails, screws, etc. will all be needed to make repairs and build new items that may be needed. This includes any parts for devices you may be using or need.
CLOTHES
Something often overlooked, but clothes wear out. Shoes especially. For most of us, we could probably go a while on what we have, but longer term, may become an issue. We're personally looking at getting an old school foot pedal sewing machine. First, they are beautiful antique pieces, but second, they could be very useful (and to be honest, seem to be just as easy to use as modern versions).
KNOWLEDGE
Probably the most important. First-hand knowledge and experience is best, for all things, but having actual books is another good option. In addition, there are solar-powered readers that work well for archived data, but personally, I'm a fan of actual real books, papers, etc.
I'm sure others can add to these, but thought this was a good starting point.
