12 Things That Still Work After an EMP

Summary

This urgent, practical video warns that a high-altitude EMP could instantly erase modern conveniences and lays out 12 EMP-proof items every prepper should have. It covers essential, low-tech gear — from hand-crank radios, mechanical watches, and foldable solar chargers to two-way ham radios, propane/kerosene stoves, manual water filters, and robust hand tools. The script also recommends an analog compass, cash and silver, a mechanical grain grinder, oil lamps and candles, and Faraday cages or EMP-shield bags. Each item includes why it matters, storage tips, and price notes, emphasizing preparedness, redundancy, and protecting gear that will still work when everything else fails.

Takeaways

• ⚡ An EMP attack could instantly wipe out modern technology, destroying power grids, electronics, and communications, leaving society in chaos.
• 📻 A hand-crank radio is vital for post-EMP communication, allowing you to access emergency broadcasts without needing batteries or electricity.
• ⌚ A mechanical wristwatch remains reliable when digital devices fail, helping track time for survival tasks and coordination.
• 🔋 Solar battery chargers, if stored properly in Faraday cages, can provide essential power for radios, flashlights, and small devices after an EMP.
• 📡 Two-way ham or CB radios offer critical communication channels when the internet, phones, and digital networks collapse.
• 🔥 Propane or kerosene stoves allow off-grid cooking and heating, making them essential for preparing food and boiling water when power is gone.
• 💧 Manual water filters like Sawyer or Berkey systems are crucial for purifying natural water sources when tap water becomes unavailable.
• 🪚 Hand tools—manual saws, hammers, and wrenches—become indispensable for repair and construction when power tools are useless.
• 🧭 Analog compasses and paper maps are vital for navigation once GPS and digital mapping systems fail.
• 💰 Cash and silver coins regain importance as tangible currencies when electronic banking and digital payments collapse.
• 🌾 A mechanical grain grinder allows you to turn stored grains into edible food like flour or meal, ensuring long-term food independence.
• 🕯️ Oil lamps and candles provide light, warmth, and psychological comfort in total darkness, essential for maintaining morale.
• 🛡️ A Faraday cage or EMP shield bag protects critical electronics from EMP damage, ensuring survival tools like radios and chargers remain functional.
• 🧠 The overarching message: true preparedness isn’t about fear—it’s about self-reliance, adaptability, and preserving essential tools and knowledge when modern systems fail.

Q & A

Why is it important to have a backup power source in case of grid failure?

Having a backup power source ensures that essential devices like radios, flashlights, and phones remain operational when the main power grid fails. It allows you to stay connected, informed, and safe during emergencies, making it a crucial element of any survival kit.

What should you prioritize in your bugout bag when preparing for a grid-down scenario?

In a grid-down situation, prioritize items that ensure you can maintain basic functions: a reliable light source (e.g., flashlights or headlamps), a way to store and purify water, non-perishable food, a first aid kit, and communication tools like a hand-crank radio. These tools will help you survive and stay informed when the power is out.

Why is it critical to store matches and lighters in a waterproof container?

Matches and lighters are essential for starting fires in emergencies. Storing them in a waterproof container ensures they remain usable even in wet conditions, preventing them from becoming useless when you need them most.

What are the main differences between paraffin and beeswax candles in terms of survival use?

Paraffin candles are more affordable and commonly available, but they burn less cleanly and produce more soot than beeswax candles. Beeswax candles, on the other hand, burn longer, are more eco-friendly, and provide a cleaner flame, making them better suited for extended use in survival situations.

What are Faraday cages, and why are they essential for prepping?

A Faraday cage is a protective enclosure that shields electronic devices from electromagnetic pulses (EMP). EMPs can destroy electronics by frying their circuits, so a Faraday cage is vital for protecting survival tools like radios, phones, and solar chargers from this kind of damage during a grid collapse or solar flare.

How can you create a DIY Faraday cage on a budget?

You can create a DIY Faraday cage using a metal ammo box, a galvanized trash can, or a steel filing cabinet. To protect your electronics inside, line the interior with materials like cardboard, rubber mats, or foam to prevent direct metal-to-metal contact, which could cause a short circuit.

Why is grounding important for larger Faraday cages?

Grounding a large Faraday cage enhances its ability to block electromagnetic pulses effectively. By directing the pulse safely into the ground, you reduce the risk of damage to the electronics inside the cage and ensure that your devices remain protected.

What are the benefits of using an EMP shield bag over a DIY Faraday cage?

EMP shield bags are portable, lightweight, and reusable, making them ideal for protecting smaller devices like radios, phones, or power banks. Unlike larger DIY Faraday cages, they are easy to carry around and can be taken wherever you go, offering flexible protection in emergency situations.

How does the price of EMP protection gear fluctuate, and why should you act quickly?

The price of EMP protection gear, such as Faraday bags and DIY materials, tends to rise sharply in response to growing concerns about solar flares and cyber threats. Prices have surged by 30% or more in recent years during periods of heightened panic buying, so it's important to invest in these items sooner rather than later to avoid inflated costs and scarcity.

What is the overall message of this video regarding survival preparation?

The video emphasizes that survival preparation is not just about stockpiling supplies but about ensuring your gear, especially electronics, remains functional during a crisis. The key to surviving a grid-down scenario is maintaining access to tools that allow you to stay informed, communicate, and navigate, even when modern conveniences disappear.