Germany’s Federal Office of Civil Protection and Disaster Assistance (BBK) recommends that every household maintain an emergency supply for at least 10 days. Most people have: none of that.
And yet it’s not complicated at all. You don’t need to be a prepper or build a stockroom in your basement. In this article I’ll show you exactly what you need, how much of it, and how to get started as quickly as possible — without spending a lot of money.
Why You Should Start Now
A blackout, a storm, a supply chain crisis — the reasons for empty supermarket shelves arrive faster than you expect. In recent years alone, there have been several regional supply shortages across Europe.
In an actual emergency, it’s too late. The shelves are empty, ATMs have stopped dispensing cash, and your neighbors are facing the same problem as you.
An emergency supply costs you a few hours and a few hundred dollars one time — and gives you genuine peace of mind in return.
Step 1: Calculate Your Needs
The basic rule: 2,000–2,500 calories per person per day for an adult. Plus at least 2 liters of water per person per day (for drinking only — more for cooking and hygiene).
Example for a 72-hour supply (3 days) for 2 people:
- Calories: 2,500 kcal × 2 people × 3 days = 15,000 kcal
- Water: 2 liters × 2 people × 3 days = 12 liters of drinking water
Recommendation: Start with 72 hours, then build up to 10 days.
Step 2: Choose the Right Foods
Good stockpile foods meet these criteria:
- ✅ Long shelf life (at least 1–2 years)
- ✅ High in calories
- ✅ Little or no water needed to prepare
- ✅ Foods you normally eat (nothing that ends up in the trash)
The Best Stockpile Foods:
Carbohydrates (energy):
- Rice (long shelf life, affordable, calorie-dense)
- Pasta
- Oats
- Crispbread / rusks
- Multigrain crackers
Protein:
- Canned fish: tuna, sardines, salmon
- Canned meat (corned beef, canned sausage)
- Legumes: lentils, chickpeas, beans (canned or dried)
- Nuts (calorie-dense, long shelf life)
Fats:
- Olive oil / canola oil
- Nut butter (peanut, almond)
Other:
- Honey (theoretically lasts forever)
- Salt, sugar, spices
- Dried fruit
- Chocolate (morale booster in an emergency — genuinely important)
Step 3: Store Water
Water is more important than food. Without food you can survive for weeks — without water, only days.
Option A: Buy bottled water
Easiest solution. 6 × 1.5-liter bottles per person for 3 days.
Option B: Fill your own containers
Fill food-grade water canisters (10–20 liters) with fresh tap water. Replace every 6–12 months.
Option C: Water filter as backup
When your supply runs out, a water filter lets you treat water from streams, lakes, or rainwater.
👉 The Best Water Filters for a Blackout →
Step 4: Add Emergency Equipment
Food and water alone aren’t enough. These basics belong alongside them:
- 🕯️ Candles + lighter / matches
- 🔦 Flashlight + spare batteries
- 📻 Hand-crank radio (information without power)
- 💊 First aid kit
- 💵 Cash (ATMs won’t work)
- 🔋 Power bank (charging your phone)
- ⛽ Camp stove + gas canister (cooking without power)
For anyone who wants all of this ready to go in one compact backpack, I recommend my detailed article:
👉 The Perfect Emergency Backpack: What Really Belongs Inside →
Step 5: Store It Correctly
An emergency supply is useless if it’s spoiled after a year. Proper storage is simple:
- Cool and dark (basement, storage room) — no higher than 68°F (20°C)
- Dry — moisture spoils food quickly
- Rotation: Older products in front, newer ones behind — “First In, First Out”
- Check expiration dates — go through everything once a year
- Store food in airtight containers or original packaging
Step 6: Test Your Supply
Once a year, simulate a “blackout weekend”: live exclusively from your stockpile for 48 hours — no supermarket, no delivery service. This immediately reveals what’s missing.
Your Shopping List to Get Started (72h, 2 People)
| Product | Quantity | Approx. Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Bottled water (1.5L bottles) | 8 bottles | ~$8 |
| Rice | 1 kg | ~$2 |
| Pasta | 1 kg | ~$2 |
| Canned tuna | 6 cans | ~$6 |
| Canned beans / lentils | 4 cans | ~$4 |
| Crispbread | 2 packs | ~$4 |
| Mixed nuts | 500g | ~$5 |
| Nut butter | 1 jar | ~$4 |
| Chocolate | 3 bars | ~$3 |
| Candles + lighter | 1 set | ~$5 |
| Total | ~$43 |
Verdict: Start Today — Not Someday
You don’t have to be perfectly prepared. You just need to be better prepared than yesterday.
Next time you’re at the supermarket, simply buy 5 more cans than planned. Put 6 water bottles in the basement. Keep a flashlight in a drawer.
For anyone who wants a proper emergency backpack with everything important within reach, here’s my complete comparison:
👉 Buy an Emergency Backpack: These Models Are Truly Blackout-Ready →