Reddit reviews MSR TrailShot Pocket-Sized Water Filter for Hiking, Camping, Travel, and Emergency Preparedness

Sorry for the wall of text. Every time I get into answering something like this, I just keep finding things to mention.

In my opinion, there are seven things you absolutely need:

1. Water
   
2. Food
   
3. Power
   
4. Protection
   
5. The ability to go mobile
   
6. A social network - Neighbors
   
7. More water
   
   Water
   
   

• As others suggested, plan on one gallon per person per day.
  
• Are you able to drill a well in your location? YouTube has numerous Do It Yourself videos on building one by hand.
  
• If you need to go mobile, you might want to invest in some portable containers, such as these, or these.
  
• If you're looking at bunkering down, then maybe you'll want something that holds more or is semi-hidden. Here's another option, or here.
  
• Regardless what kind of storage containers you have, you'll want to add chlorine to your water to keep it disinfected and change the water every 9 - 12 months. Some guys here say to rotate every six months, but that can be a pain. With multiple containers you can rotate one a month and still be safe.
  
  Food
  
  
• Dehydrated food can get kinda pricy but will last a long time. It's also not as heavy as canned goods.
  
• Depending on conditions, maybe consider investing in bulk food.
  
  Power
  
  
• Power is essential. No matter if it's for your refrigerator and lights or charging your cell phones. Consider buying a solar generator or making one. I'm currently in the process of making my own DIY generator.
  
• Have several cell phone battery chargers available. At the very least, if you're on the run you can grab your charger and phone and go, and still be in contact with people.
  
• Rechargeable batteries are good to have as well, for lights or whatever.
  
  Protection
  
  
• If a firearm isn't possible, then take up boxing or some MMA like BJJ. At the very least, learn how to throw multiple punches, avoid being hit, and learn how to take a punch.
  
• Stick fighting would be the next step up in protection. You can always create your own sticks and have them around the home or on your body when traveling. The last thing you want is to think you can swing a stick and find out you're dead.
  
• Gloves. Handy in any situation where you're scared. If anything, they literally boost your confidence since you know that no matter what, your hands are safe.
  
• Invest in a couple good size, sturdy survival knives. Always have them around (on) you since they come in handy in many instances other than self-defense. And always have a backup.
  
• Consider DIY body armor. Or at the very least some riot gear that you can either buy or make. Hell, even gloves, knee pads, soccer shin guards with duct tape is better than jeans and a t-shirt.
  
• Consider a recurve bow, or even crossbow. If things get very, very bad, like Bosnia-Sarajevo type bad, you'll need a ranged weapon for self-defense and/or hunting. If it gets this bad, do your best to get a firearm with a bunch of ammo.
  
• First-Aid kit. You need a big one with everything. Have several; one in your daily pack (take it with you everywhere, with water bottle), one in the car and another for a friend who doesn't have one. Include rubber gloves.
  
  Mobile
  
  
• As someone else said, not too likely you'll be able to create a bunker type situation that will last. Going mobile is essential. Having a pack full of gear, ready to go is essential. Including food, water, shelter, etc. You'll need a stove, and water filtration system.
  
• Do you have a motorcycle? It's easy to park, uses less gas than a car and can go around burning drums in the road. What about a bicycle?
  
• Do you have a car? Then you'll need an emergency car kit already in the car incase shit goes South when you're not at home.
  
• The ability to get the hell out of Dodge is essential. Is there a way to have a storage facility away from home? A safe place you can go to that has duplicate stash of your goods?
  
  Social Network - Neighbors
  
  
• If you're in civil war territory, you need help. You're not Brad Pitt which means chances are, you won't survive alone. You need people coming together in times of need to watch each other's backs, harvest resources and help with first aid. Together, you can increase your chances of everyone coming out alive. And the more diverse your group, (Muslim, Christian, black, white, etc.) the better your chances in deescalating a bad situation through dialogue. I just recently listened to a podcast about Israel where Palestinians were protecting Jews from a crazed mob that was killing Jews all over the city (back in the day). The Palestinian store owner went out and told the mob they weren't coming in. They beat him up, but he and the Jews survived...not so for all the other Jews in the area.
  
  Good luck brother.

Depends where I am.

It's not awesome to drink the water everywhere, like in Bali, even brushing your teeth with the tap water isn't always safe (different microbial environment compared to home, can leave you in a bad way).

I always carry an MSR Trailshot rather than the bigger one because it's quite small and fits in a small bag. If I have any concerns about water, I filter everything that I am going to ingest or use for things like cooking and brushing.