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Read first
Official advice comes first. These guides are free.
Start with a plan
Our own printable plans. Write down what you will do first; then buy only what the plan says you're missing.
Instant PDF, 30-day refund. All plans and bundles
Checklist: what to buy
Tick what you already have (saved on this device only). Buy the rest a little at a time. The products are examples that were in stock when we checked; we haven't tested them.
The bag and papers
Look for: Comfortable for a long walk, with room for medicines, documents, water, a torch and warm waterproof clothes. Source
Light, news and power
Look for: Runs on the same AA or AAA batteries as your other kit, so one spare pack covers everything. A head torch leaves both hands free. Source
- Alpkit Ionic 350 Lumen Head Torch · Alpkit · £15.99 (price on 1 Nov 2026) Shop
- Lifesystems Intensity 155 LED Head Torch · Lifesystems (UK brand store) · £19.99 (price on 1 Nov 2026) Shop
- Alpkit Kula 550 Lumen Head Torch · Alpkit · £19.99 (price on 1 Nov 2026) Shop
- Lifesystems Intensity 480 LED Hand Torch · Lifesystems (UK brand store) · £29.99 (price on 1 Nov 2026) Shop
- Dynamo Powered Wind-Up Pocket LED Torch · EVAQ8 · £3.60 (price on 1 Nov 2026) Shop
Look for: FM (Be Ready asks for FM; DAB as well is fine). Both a crank and ordinary batteries, so you have two ways to power it. Source
Look for: From a seller you know. Check the capacity (mAh) against your phone, and that you have the right cable for each phone. Keep it charged. Source
Water, food, warmth
Look for: Food-grade, with a lid, never one that held chemicals, fuel or paint. Date the water you store. Source
Look for: No cooking needed, long shelf life. For the home store, ordinary tins you already eat are cheaper. Source
- Seven Oceans Emergency Food Ration 0.5kg 2500 kcal · EVAQ8 · £9.79 (price on 1 Nov 2026) Shop
- Pains Wessex Emergency Food Ration 500g · MilitaryKit.com · £8.95 (price on 1 Nov 2026) Shop
- Wayfayrer Ready to Eat Meal Beef & Barley Stew · MilitaryKit.com · £7.45 (price on 1 Nov 2026) Shop
- Radix Nutrition Freeze-Dried Meal Mexican Chilli · MilitaryKit.com · £8.45 (price on 1 Nov 2026) Shop
Look for: Individually sealed; one per person. A bivvy bag is warmer than a flat blanket. Source
Look for: A pocket poncho for each person, or one reusable poncho with a hood. Source
First aid and signalling
Look for: Waterproof plasters, bandages, a thermometer, antiseptic, eyewash, sterile dressings, gloves, medical tape and tweezers. Source
- St John Ambulance Home First Aid Kit · St John Ambulance shop · £10.50 (price on 3 Nov 2026) Shop
- Lifesystems Adventurer First Aid Kit · Lifesystems (UK brand store) · £26.99 (price on 1 Nov 2026) Shop
- Lifesystems Mountain First Aid Kit · Lifesystems (UK brand store) · £42.99 (price on 1 Nov 2026) Shop
Look for: Check UK knife law before you carry it: a folding knife is only exempt if the blade is no longer than 3 inches (7.62 cm) and it doesn't lock. Locking knives need a good reason. Knives can't be sold to under-18s. Source
Safety: UK law: it's illegal to carry most knives in public without a good reason. The folding-knife exemption covers only non-locking blades up to 3 inches. See GOV.UK.
- Victorinox Spartan Swiss Army Knife (12 functions) · Amazon UK · £21.49 (price on 1 Nov 2026) Shop
What not to buy
- Anything you can't carry for an hour. Pack it, then walk round the block with it.
Next steps
No product can promise to keep you safe. A plan, and knowing where official news comes from, matter more than kit.
Sources
- GOV.UK Be Ready: flooding (grab bag) (page, read 1 Nov 2026)
- GOV.UK: buying and carrying knives (page, read 1 Nov 2026)