Practical Prepping Podcast
Episode 545: Top Twelve Prepping Items After Water And Food
Hosts: Mark & Krista Lawley
Date: March 9, 2026

Episode Overview

In this episode, Mark and Krista Lawley break down their top twelve essential prepping items that every home should have—once food and water are covered. Focusing on realistic emergencies, their approach is built on decades of firsthand experience and emphasizes practicality, usability, and preventative measures over flashy or extreme survival gear. The goal: help everyday families prepare for actual disruptions such as storms, power outages, or accidents, rather than far-fetched scenarios.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Early Warning and Life Safety Devices (02:05–07:13)

• NOAA Weather Radio:
  • Real-time alerts for severe weather, tornadoes, and other emergencies.
  • "If your phone is on silent and the power's out, what's going to wake you up? ... This will wake you up in the middle of the night and you need one near the bedrooms." – Mark (02:11)
  • Recommendation: One on every home level, two if bedrooms are distant from common areas.
• Fire Extinguishers:
  • Minimum: One per home level, kitchen, and garage.
  • Training tip: Use the PASS method (Pull, Aim, Squeeze, Sweep).
  • "If it's 40 years old, just replace it. Yeah, no big deal." – Mark (05:23)
• Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Detectors:
  • Every level, near bedrooms and kitchen.
  • Test monthly, keep spare batteries handy.
  • "Carbon monoxide is silent and somewhat undetectable – it can get you before you realize it." – Krista (05:54)

2. First Aid and Trauma Kits (07:13–12:43)

• Two kits: A minor-injury "boo-boo kit" and a true trauma kit.
  • Boo-boo kit: Bandages, alcohol wipes, OTC medicines (e.g. Imodium, pain relievers, antibacterial ointment).

    "I use mine a lot. I carry it in my EDC bag and I'm reaching in there to get a band aid or something all the time." – Mark (07:13)

  • Trauma kit: Tourniquet, Israeli pressure bandage, hemostatic agent, gauze, tape, various bandages.

    "You want to have an arterial tourniquet in there – that's for that bright red, spurting bleeding in the extremities." – Mark (08:40)

  • Training is critical before using trauma gear.
    • Real-life accident stories demonstrating the value.

3. Lighting: Flashlights and Batteries (13:34–16:55)

• Multiple flashlights of different sizes and types (keychain, pocket, lanterns) staged throughout home.
  • "Turn all the lights out and walk through your house. Suddenly your furniture has moved." – Krista (13:34)
  • Stock plenty of spare batteries for all flashlight sizes.

4. Manual Can Opener (17:04–18:15)

• Essential when the power's out and you need to access canned food.
  • "You may have a thousand cans of food in your prepper pantry and not one can opener. So get you a can opener." – Krista (17:44)
• Redundant: Keep multiple on hand, including easy-grip versions for arthritic hands.

5. Multi-Tool and/or Sturdy Knife (18:15–20:39)

• A quality multi-tool (e.g. Leatherman, Gerber) provides screwdrivers, pliers, knife, and more in one.
• Fixed-blade knife for heavier tasks (Mark carries a vintage K-bar).
  • "This is where you do want to buy quality." – Mark (18:32)

6. Alternative Heat & Cooking Source (20:39–23:26)

• For power outages, invest in:
  • Portable camp stove (propane or butane; confirm if indoor-use safe).
  • Indoor-safe propane heater (e.g., Mr. Heater Big Buddy).

    "We heat an entire basement ... and we have to turn Mr. Heater down in the middle of the winter." – Krista (22:13)

• Ventilation and carbon monoxide monitoring is essential for indoor use.

7. Emergency Cash Fund (23:34–25:35)

• Cash on hand in small bills is vital when ATMs or payment networks are down.
  • Suggested denominations: $1, $5, $10, $20.
  • "You may not be able to get change ... store it securely, but where you can get to it." – Mark (24:16)

8. Sanitation Plan (25:35–28:11)

• "Poop plan" for human waste disposal during outages.
  • Referenced in-depth episode: ‘The Call of Duty’ (Episode link in show notes).
  • "If you don't have a decent plan, you may be risking illness." – Krista (25:53)

9. Bandana (28:11–29:07)

• Multi-purpose: Bandage, sling, water pre-filter, sun/dust protection, fire starter, and more.
  • "I carried one to church yesterday. ... It's one of the most versatile tools you can carry." – Mark (28:11)
• Buy in bulk for value.

10. Paracord (29:07–30:12)

• Lightweight, strong cordage for repairs, improvising shelters, tying gear, or even fishing line.
  • "You can take [paracord bracelets] apart and use them for cording." – Krista (29:13)
• Multiple thicknesses and colors available.

11. Heavy Duty Contractor Bags (30:12–31:14)

• Thick, durable plastic bags for sanitation, water transport, ground cloth, or makeshift shelter.
  • "They need to go into your poop plan as well. They're great for sanitation." – Mark (30:12)
• Look for "contractor" on the box for proper thickness.

12. Duct Tape (31:14–32:46)

• Universally useful for repairs, improvising tools, first aid (splints/slings), sealing drafts, and more.
  • "You can fix everything with either WD40 or duct tape." – Mark (31:38)
  • Mark uses it to repair his CPAP mask and headgear in a pinch.

Notable Quotes & Moments

• “Prepping isn’t about fancy gear. It’s about the boring stuff—the boring stuff that keeps a small problem from becoming a life-changing disaster.” – Mark (00:05)
• “You never know ... We've all been in cases where we may have witnessed something traumatic happening, and I sure would want somebody to sprint into action if they could.” – Krista (12:31)
• “Power goes out, your electric can opener is just a bump on the counter now.” – Krista (17:07)
• “If it moves and it shouldn’t, use duct tape. If it doesn’t move and it should, use WD40.” – Mark (31:47)
• “Stuff happens. Stay prepared.” – Krista (33:55), the show’s recurring sign-off.

Timestamps for Critical Segments

• Life-Safety Devices: 02:05–07:13
• First Aid/Trauma Kits: 07:13–12:43
• Lighting & Flashlights: 13:34–16:55
• Manual Can Opener: 17:04–18:15
• Multi-Tool/Knife: 18:15–20:39
• Alternative Heat/Cooking: 20:39–23:26
• Emergency Cash: 23:34–25:35
• Sanitation Plan: 25:35–28:11
• Bandana: 28:11–29:07
• Paracord: 29:07–30:12
• Contractor Bags: 30:12–31:14
• Duct Tape: 31:14–32:46

Recap & Final Thoughts

Mark and Krista reinforce throughout the episode that prepping is about realistic planning and action, not paranoia or stockpiling useless gadgets. Every suggestion is rooted in lived experience, community service, or real emergencies—not fantasy scenarios. Their personable tone, blend of humor and expertise, and concrete examples make these recommendations exceptionally accessible for families seeking peace of mind. This episode is a must-listen—or, with this summary, must-read—for anyone looking to shore up their household for everyday emergencies.

Remember:

"Stuff happens. Stay prepared."
– Krista (33:55)