Why Water Comes First
At Squatch Survival Gear, we’ve learned one truth that never changes: water is survival. You can last weeks without food, but only days without water. In every flood, hurricane, tornado, or blackout, the first panic-buy is bottled water — and it disappears fast. If you don’t plan ahead, you’ll be left thirsty and desperate.
I learned this lesson the hard way back in 1996 at basic training in Ft. Benning, Georgia. If you’ve never been there, imagine late summer in a humid pine forest where the heat wraps around you like a wet blanket. The drill sergeants made us keep a canteen stuffed in our cargo pocket and would call out, “Drink, Water!” at random. We weren’t sipping for comfort — we were chugging water to fight off dehydration.
Why? Because dehydration kills. Every year, it takes the lives of around 2,300 Americans and contributes to nearly 10,000 heat-related injuries. Out there in the Georgia heat, it wasn’t just training — it was survival. And the same principle applies to every disaster you’ll ever face: if you don’t have water, nothing else matters.
That’s why we start Preparedness Month with water. Get this right, and you’ve covered the foundation of survival.
How Much Water Do You Need?
Emergency management guidance is clear: one gallon per person, per day.
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Evacuation: minimum of 3 days’ supply.
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Shelter at home: aim for 14 days.
👉 Example: A family of four needs 56 gallons for two weeks at home. That’s a lot, but you can store it smartly.
Storage Options
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Commercial bottled water – convenient, sealed, long-lasting.
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Food-grade containers – 5–7 gallon jugs, labeled & dated.
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Collapsible containers – easy to stash until needed, ideal for hauling.
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Bathtub liner bags – fill at the last minute when storms are inbound.
⚠️ Pro Tip: Avoid old milk jugs (they crack & breed bacteria). Use only containers rated for drinking water.
Purification: Always Have Two Methods
Stored water can go bad, and fresh water sources aren’t guaranteed safe. Always have two ways to make it safe:
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Boil – Rolling boil for at least 1 minute (3 minutes at high altitude).
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Bleach – Add 1/8 teaspoon (8 drops) of unscented bleach per gallon. Stir and let sit 30 minutes.
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Filters & tablets – Portable filters, chlorine dioxide tablets, or UV pens are solid backups.
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Advanced: Calcium hypochlorite (“pool shock”) can disinfect large batches, but handle with care.
Maintenance & Rotation
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Replace home-filled water every 6 months.
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Store in a cool, dark place, away from fuels or chemicals.
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Mark fill dates on every container.
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Test collapsible containers annually for leaks.
Squatch Survival Gear Tie-In
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The Gnome Chest Pack: Perfect for keeping a water filter and purification tablets close at hand without removing your main pack.
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AGM 30,000 mAh Power Bank: Reliable backup for UV purifiers or rechargeable headlamps.
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Rockape Pack: Designed to haul weight — including the heavy load of water — with comfort.
We don’t just build packs. We build the gear that carries the weight of survival. American-made, rugged, and tested — because your life depends on it.
Closing
When the grid fails, water is the first crisis. Don’t leave it to chance. Stock, store, and purify before disaster hits. Squatch Survival Gear has the packs and pouches to keep that life-saving resource with you, wherever you go.
Stay tuned for our next Preparedness Month post: Emergency Food Supplies That Actually Work.