The 5 Most Useful Things to Have When the Power Goes Out

When the power goes out, the world changes—instantly.

For most, it’s a temporary inconvenience. The fridge stops humming, the lights vanish with a pop, and there’s a scramble to find flashlights or check phones that are suddenly draining too fast. But for survivalists, a power outage isn’t just a hiccup in daily life—it’s a wake-up call and a chance to put years of preparation into action. The difference lies in mindset and readiness. Being prepared doesn’t just mean having a few candles or canned goods in the pantry; it means understanding how to meet your core needs—light, water, food, communication, and power—without relying on modern systems.

In this guide, we’ll break down the five most important things to have when the power goes out, not from a casual prepper’s view, but from the perspective of someone serious about self-reliance and long-term sustainability. Whether you’re facing a short-term blackout or a worst-case grid-down collapse, these tools will help you stay in control, stay alive, and stay ahead.

1. A Reliable Off-Grid Light Source 🔦

The moment the grid fails, darkness becomes more than an annoyance—it becomes a real threat. Without light, simple tasks like walking through your home, preparing food, or navigating stairs become hazards. More importantly, darkness affects morale and psychology, particularly during stressful or dangerous scenarios. Panic sets in faster when people can’t see, and the risk of injury or even crime increases dramatically.

For survivalists, lighting must be efficient, sustainable, and independent of grid power. LED headlamps are among the most valuable tools because they free up your hands while working. Whether you’re patching a tarp in the middle of a storm or cooking dinner after sunset, a headlamp allows for full visibility and multitasking. Rechargeable models with high-lumen output are best—just be sure to have a solar charger or hand-crank system to keep them powered.

Solar lanterns are another excellent choice. Compact, durable models like the Luci Light can be recharged in the sun during the day and provide soft, ambient light all night long. These are ideal for indoor use, reading, or illuminating common spaces without open flames. For more traditional setups, kerosene or oil lamps are hard to beat. While they require fuel and ventilation, they’re long-lasting, simple, and extremely reliable.

Why It’s Essential:

Prevents injuries and accidents.

Supports cooking, navigation, and other night-time tasks.

Helps maintain morale.

Best Options for Survivalists:

LED Headlamps with rechargeable batteries—hands-free, efficient, and long-lasting.

Solar Lanterns—charge by day, light all night.

Oil or Kerosene Lamps—old-school but incredibly reliable.

💡 Pro Tip: Invest in a solar charger or hand-crank charger for your lights. Battery-only gear is useless if you can’t recharge it.

Survivalist Tip: Practice “light discipline.” During blackouts, light attracts attention. Whether you’re in an urban neighborhood or a remote cabin, keep your lighting subtle and shielded to maintain operational security.

2. Clean Water Supply & Filtration 🧊

You can survive weeks without food—but only days without clean water. And when the power goes out, water systems are often among the first to fail. City treatment plants and rural well pumps both rely heavily on electricity. In a short-term outage, you might still have some pressure in your pipes. But in a long-term grid-down situation, that tap water could quickly become unsafe—or disappear entirely.

The prepared survivalist always has at least two forms of water readiness: storage and purification. Water storage is simple. Keep at least one gallon per person per day for drinking, cooking, and hygiene. Store it in BPA-free containers in a cool, dark place, and rotate your supply every six months to keep it fresh. For families or groups, larger containers like 55-gallon drums or water bricks are space-efficient and cost-effective.

Purification is where many fall short. Boiling is effective, but it requires fuel. That’s why a gravity-fed filter, like the Berkey or Katadyn, is a survivalist favorite. These systems can clean thousands of gallons of water without electricity, removing bacteria, protozoa, and even some viruses. They’re perfect for filtering rainwater, river water, or questionable municipal sources.

Portable water filters, such as LifeStraws or Sawyer Minis, should also be in your go-bag. These are great for on-the-move hydration during evacuations or recon trips.

Why It’s Essential:

Hydration is non-negotiable.

Municipal water treatment may shut down or be compromised.

You may need to purify water from streams, rain barrels, or other emergency sources.

Best Water Prep:

Gravity-Fed Filters (like Berkey or Katadyn): High volume, no electricity needed.

Portable Filter Straws: Compact and great for bug-outs or mobile survival.

Stored Water: At least 1 gallon per person per day.

🚰 Pro Tip: Rotate stored water every 6 months and consider keeping water purification tablets or bleach as backup.

Survivalist Tip: Keep a small supply of water purification tablets or unscented bleach (8 drops per gallon). Redundancy in water safety is vital. Never rely on a single purification method.

3. Off-Grid Cooking Setup 🍳

When the power’s out, your microwave is useless and your electric stove is dead weight. But food doesn’t stop being important—if anything, it becomes more so. Not just for calories, but for warmth, routine, and morale. The ability to prepare hot meals during a power outage is about much more than comfort—it’s a cornerstone of sustainable survival.

A good off-grid cooking setup is versatile, fuel-efficient, and capable of operating indoors or outdoors. One of the most practical solutions for urban survivalists is a butane or propane camp stove. These stoves are compact, easy to store, and produce a clean flame that works well even in poor weather. When used with proper ventilation, they’re safe for indoor use in emergencies.

Another powerful tool is the rocket stove. Made for outdoor use, rocket stoves use small amounts of biomass—twigs, leaves, pinecones—to create an intense flame with minimal smoke. They’re ideal for those without access to propane or butane and work incredibly well for boiling water or cooking in harsh conditions.

Every survivalist should also own durable cookware, like a cast iron skillet or Dutch oven. These tools can be used over any heat source, including open flame, and they’ll last for generations if maintained properly.

Why It’s Essential:

Cook food before it spoils.

Boil water for safe drinking.

Keep spirits high with warm meals.

Go-To Cooking Gear:

Propane or Butane Camp Stove: Reliable, compact, and easy to use indoors with ventilation.

Rocket Stove: Burns twigs or biomass; extremely efficient for off-grid cooking.

Cast Iron Cookware: Works over any heat source and lasts a lifetime.

Pro Tip: Stockpile fuel (propane, wood, alcohol) and rotate your supply annually. Always have at least one cooking method that doesn’t rely on purchased fuel.

Survivalist Tip: Practice cooking your pantry staples without electricity. Learn to prepare beans, rice, oats, or canned foods on your alternative heat source before you’re forced to.

4. Emergency Communication Tools 📻

When power, internet, and cell towers go down, communication breaks down too. And in a survival situation, lack of information can be just as dangerous as lack of water or food. Without the ability to hear news broadcasts, emergency alerts, or local updates, you’re flying blind.

That’s why every serious prepper and survivalist needs an off-grid communication plan. The core of that plan is a hand-crank or solar-powered emergency radio with access to NOAA weather bands, AM/FM, and ideally shortwave frequencies. These radios allow you to stay informed about weather patterns, government announcements, and local emergencies even when everything else is offline.

Additionally, two-way radios like FRS/GMRS walkie-talkies are invaluable for communication within a neighborhood, camp, or survival group. When paired with repeaters (if you’re licensed for GMRS), they can extend range to several miles. In remote areas or hostile environments, this communication could be the key to coordinating help or defense.

Low-tech tools also matter. A whistle, signal mirror, and even physical signage can help you communicate when voice or radio isn’t an option.

Why It’s Essential:

Get updates on the crisis (weather, rescue efforts, threats).

Maintain contact with family or a survival group.

Know when it’s time to bug out—or hunker down.

Survivalist Essentials:

NOAA Emergency Radio: Look for models with hand-crank and solar charging.

Two-Way Radios (FRS/GMRS): For local communication, even without cell service.

Signal Tools: Whistles, signal mirrors, and flags for visual alerts in worst-case scenarios.

📡 Pro Tip: Keep a list of emergency frequencies and train your household in basic radio use. When the grid goes down, radio waves take over.

Survivalist Tip: Keep your radios fully charged, program them with key frequencies in advance, and practice with them. Don’t wait for an emergency to learn how your tools work.

5. Backup Power & Battery Systems 🔋

While survivalists thrive without dependency on the grid, selective use of electricity can significantly improve resilience. You don’t need to power your whole house—but charging radios, running a fan, or keeping critical medical devices operational can be game-changing.

One of the best investments is a portable solar generator or power station. Brands like Jackery, Bluetti, or Goal Zero offer solar-rechargeable systems that can power LED lights, small appliances, CPAP machines, or even a mini-fridge for short periods. They’re quiet, clean, and scalable depending on your needs.

For lower budgets, a simple DC-to-AC inverter connected to your car battery can give you hours of usable power for essential devices. Just be careful not to drain your vehicle battery completely unless you have a jump starter or backup plan.

Also essential: a variety of rechargeable batteries (AA, AAA, 18650, etc.) and a solar battery charger. Your headlamp, radio, or flashlight is only as good as your last charge.

Why It’s Essential:

Recharge critical devices.

Run fans, radios, or medical gear like CPAP machines.

Power USB lights or solar lanterns.

Best Survivalist Picks:

Portable Power Station (e.g., Jackery, Bluetti): Quiet, clean, and solar-rechargeable.

Solar Chargers: Compact panels to keep phones, radios, and lights running.

Inverter for Car Battery: Converts 12V to AC in a pinch.

⚠️ Pro Tip: Know your wattage needs. Don’t burn out a power station trying to run a full fridge. Prioritize your loads and rotate charging.

Survivalist Tip: Don’t overestimate your generator. Learn the wattage needs of your devices and prioritize power to what matters most—lighting, communication, and medical needs first.

Preparation is Freedom 🧠

In the end, gear alone doesn’t make you ready—skill, training, and mindset do. Knowing how to use these five tools, having practiced with them, and being able to adapt as conditions change is what defines true preparedness. Gear breaks. Fuel runs out. But your knowledge, your improvisation skills, and your community ties will carry you through.

Power outages will continue to happen—some mild, others potentially catastrophic. When that time comes, you’ll either be scrambling or steady. You’ll either be dependent, or you’ll be in control.

Make your choice now—before the grid goes down.