Properties3
| Type | Practice |
| Note created | Jun 26, 2025 |
| Last updated | Feb 4, 2026 |
After the 2025 Iberian Peninsula blackout, I decided to form a set of tools that would’ve been incredibly helpful during the blackout. The list is not long, but is ever changing, so I think it may be more important to share the train of thought rather than simply links to stuff I bought.
Motivation
I am not becoming a prepper: I don’t want a rifle, a bunker or means to survive years by myself. I want tools that might be useful for an emergency until everything goes back to normal or I can receive help. My definition of that, right now, is things that I can use (mostly at home) without electricity, gas or water supplies that can help me stay safe and somehow comfortable for, at most, 24-48 hours (what I consider plenty for emergency services to reach most of the population in most cases). Everything else I consider a nice-to-have but I am not trying to cover it.
Detailed Setup
Tools
- A flashlight: I wanted a flashlight that is compact, preferably can be attached to use hands-free, rugged and worked with both batteries and USB charging. I decided to get a Streamlight PolyTac 90X, a compact L-shaped flashlight that runs on 2 CR123A batteries or a Streamlight USB-C rechargeable battery. This is probably the most rugged tool of this list, since it’s likely going to be the one I’m going to beat up the most.
- A FM Radio: the only way to get information during a blackout, I wanted a FM radio receiver that works both on batteries and can be charged via USB. I found this crazy radio that includes not only all that but two different stationary flashlights, powerbank utility and solar charging to reduce the battery usage when running. It works on the integrated battery or a couple of AA batteries, but I am not sure if it
- A powerbank: apart from my usual traveling powerbank, I wanted something extra to be stored. The above radio also checked this, so for now I think it’s fine.
Consumables
- Batteries: For the tools, I need AA and CR123A, which luckily I had at home already.
- Candles: I think having a pack of tea candles at home can be useful during a blackout.
Entertainment
- Books: I currently use daily a Kobo Libra Colour and have all my books downloaded offline and organized via Calibre. The reader consumes barely any power when the backlight off so I consider that to be covered.
To-Do
- A camping stove: I do have a gas kitchen but I would like to be able to cook small meals in case the gas supply is cut. For that reason, I would like to buy a small camping stove that can be tucked away easily at home.
- Water: Bottled water in case the supply is interrupted.
- Food: I do have pasta, legumes and canned food at home, but I do not have a dedicated stash yet for emergencies. I would also need to set a process to track expiration dates and re-stock.
- A first-aid kit: I have bare-bones medicines and bandages but it would be wise to stock up on that.
- Games: I do have some board games but I probably should get a card deck.