{"id":8531,"date":"2026-09-02T12:58:30","date_gmt":"2026-09-02T10:58:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.bunker-bssd.de\/2026\/09\/02\/buy-a-ready-made-emergency-kit-or-assemble-one-yourself-a-comparison\/"},"modified":"2026-09-03T16:01:00","modified_gmt":"2026-09-03T14:01:00","slug":"buy-a-ready-made-emergency-kit-or-assemble-one-yourself-a-comparison","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.bunker-bssd.de\/en\/2026\/09\/02\/buy-a-ready-made-emergency-kit-or-assemble-one-yourself-a-comparison\/","title":{"rendered":"Buy a Ready-Made Emergency Kit or Assemble One Yourself? A Comparison"},"content":{"rendered":"\t<div class=\"img has-hover x md-x lg-x y md-y lg-y\" id=\"image_89703830\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"img-inner image-cover dark\" style=\"padding-top:56.25%;margin:0px 0px 30px 0px;\">\n\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"800\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bunker-bssd.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/remove-background-on-top-835610-800x800.png\" class=\"attachment-large size-large\" alt=\"Notfallset selbst zusammenstellen \u2013 Wasseraufbereitung und Erste Hilfe\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.bunker-bssd.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/remove-background-on-top-835610-800x800.png 800w, https:\/\/www.bunker-bssd.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/remove-background-on-top-835610-400x400.png 400w, https:\/\/www.bunker-bssd.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/remove-background-on-top-835610-280x280.png 280w, https:\/\/www.bunker-bssd.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/remove-background-on-top-835610-768x768.png 768w, https:\/\/www.bunker-bssd.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/remove-background-on-top-835610-510x510.png 510w, https:\/\/www.bunker-bssd.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/remove-background-on-top-835610-100x100.png 100w, https:\/\/www.bunker-bssd.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/remove-background-on-top-835610.png 1024w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n<style>\n#image_89703830 {\n  width: 100%;\n}\n<\/style>\n\t<\/div>\n\t\n<p class=\"ms-outlook-mobile-reference-message skipProofing\">Only one in six households in Germany has an adequate emergency supply for a crisis. This shows that the biggest hurdle is often not a lack of knowledge, but simply getting started and deciding how best to prepare. <\/p>\n<p class=\"ms-outlook-mobile-reference-message skipProofing\">The Federal Office of Civil Protection and Disaster Assistance (BBK) is the central authority for recommendations on emergency preparedness in Germany. It recommends that every household should be prepared to remain self-sufficient for at least ten days, with three days considered the absolute minimum for getting started. <\/p>\n<p class=\"ms-outlook-mobile-reference-message skipProofing\">The real question, therefore, is not whether you should prepare, but how: should you buy a ready-made emergency kit or assemble one yourself? Both approaches have their advantages. This article compares them in detail, including the specific quantities recommended by the BBK. <\/p>\n<div class=\"is-divider divider clearfix\" style=\"max-width:800px;height:1px;\"><\/div>\n<h2 class=\"ms-outlook-mobile-reference-message skipProofing\">What Belongs in an Emergency Kit? The Most Important Categories and Recommended Quantities <\/h2>\n<p class=\"ms-outlook-mobile-reference-message skipProofing\">Regardless of whether you buy an emergency kit or assemble one yourself, the essential categories remain the same. For a ten-day supply per person, the BBK provides the following recommended quantities: <\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Water: 20 litres per person<\/b> (2 litres per day \u2013 approximately 1.5 litres for drinking and 0.5 litres for cooking)<\/li>\n<li><b>Grain products: 3.5 kg<\/b> \u2013 bread, pasta, rice, oatmeal, crispbread<\/li>\n<li><b>Vegetables &#038; legumes: 4.0 kg <\/b>\u2013 e.g. canned peas, sweetcorn, tomato paste<\/li>\n<li><b>Fruit &#038; nuts: 2.5 kg <\/b>\u2013 dried, stewed or canned<\/li>\n<li><b>Dairy products: 2.6 kg <\/b>\u2013 UHT milk, cheese, and, where appropriate, milk powder<\/li>\n<li><b>Meat, fish &#038; eggs: 1.5 kg<\/b> \u2013 canned or preserved in jars<\/li>\n<li><b>Fats: approx. 0.4 kg<\/b> \u2013 oil, butter, margarine, nuts<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p class=\"ms-outlook-mobile-reference-message skipProofing\">This amounts to approximately 14\u201315 kg of food per person, calculated on the basis of around 2,200 kilocalories per day. In addition, an emergency supply should include a first-aid kit, hygiene products, as well as means of receiving information, such as a battery-powered or hand-crank radio, and communication equipment. <\/p>\n<p class=\"ms-outlook-mobile-reference-message skipProofing\">If one of these categories is completely missing, this creates a genuine gap in the emergency supply \u2013 not merely an inconvenience.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"ms-outlook-mobile-reference-message skipProofing\">Buying an Emergency Kit: Advantages of a Ready-Made Set<\/h2>\n<p class=\"ms-outlook-mobile-reference-message skipProofing\">A ready-made emergency kit such as the BSSD Defence Emergency Kit for Home is already assembled according to the BBK recommendations and provides basic supplies for 72 hours. <b>The biggest advantage is that it is ready to use immediately. There is no research required, no need to source individual items, and no risk of overlooking an important category. <\/b><\/p>\n<p class=\"ms-outlook-mobile-reference-message skipProofing\">Ready-made kits for one to two people generally cost between \u20ac200 and \u20ac300 and can be delivered within a few days. This makes a ready-made emergency kit particularly <b>practical<\/b> for anyone approaching <b>emergency preparedness for the first time<\/b>, who has little time for research or simply wants a tested solution ready in a cupboard \u2013 for example, at a second home or in a vehicle. <\/p>\n<h2 class=\"ms-outlook-mobile-reference-message skipProofing\">Assembling an Emergency Kit Yourself: Advantages of an Individual Solution<\/h2>\n<p class=\"ms-outlook-mobile-reference-message skipProofing\">If you assemble an emergency kit yourself, you have complete control over every individual category: quantity, brand and quality level \u2013 all tailored to your household. When putting together your own supply, it is advisable to calculate the BBK quantities directly according to the number of people in the household: 20 litres of water per person becomes 80 litres for a family of four and 40 litres for a couple \u2013 a calculation that a ready-made kit in a fixed size cannot accommodate. <\/p>\n<p class=\"ms-outlook-mobile-reference-message skipProofing\">This is particularly worthwhile for:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Larger households <\/b>(3+ people), where water and food quantities need to be multiplied accordingly without necessarily having to purchase duplicate equipment such as radios or tools<\/li>\n<li><b>Special dietary requirements<\/b> \u2013 gluten-free diets, diabetes-friendly food, baby food<\/li>\n<li><b>Households with pets<\/b>, which need to plan additional water and food supplies<\/li>\n<li>People who <b>already own emergency equipment <\/b>and only want to supplement specific missing categories<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2 class=\"ms-outlook-mobile-reference-message skipProofing\">Building an Emergency Supply: What Is Often Forgotten<\/h2>\n<p class=\"ms-outlook-mobile-reference-message skipProofing\">Even when assembling a supply carefully, certain gaps are easily overlooked:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Medication supplies<\/b> \u2013 particularly medication taken regularly; ideally enough for the full ten-day period<\/li>\n<li><b>Cash in small denominations<\/b> \u2013 card payments and ATMs may not work during a power outage<\/li>\n<li><b>Sufficient batteries<\/b> for radios and flashlights, regardless of the devices themselves<\/li>\n<li><b>Hygiene products beyond the basic supplies<\/b> \u2013 dental care products, wet wipes, rubbish bags<\/li>\n<li><b>Additional water for food preparation<\/b> if dry products such as pasta or rice are included in the supply<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p class=\"ms-outlook-mobile-reference-message skipProofing\">A simple rule of thumb helps: go through the categories one by one, using the BBK quantities as a guideline rather than checking product by product. This helps ensure that nothing is overlooked.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"ms-outlook-mobile-reference-message skipProofing\">Buying an Emergency Kit or Assembling One Yourself: Cost and Time<\/h2>\n<p class=\"ms-outlook-mobile-reference-message skipProofing\">A ready-made kit generally costs \u20ac200\u2013300 for one to two people and <b>can be delivered within a few days<\/b>. Assembling your own kit requires more time \u2013 for researching and purchasing individual products across seven categories \u2013 but it also gives you the opportunity to save in specific areas (e.g. dry foods) or invest selectively in others (e.g. a higher-performance water filter), rather than paying a fixed price for everything.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"ms-outlook-mobile-reference-message skipProofing\">Who Benefits Most from Each Option?<\/h2>\n<p class=\"ms-outlook-mobile-reference-message skipProofing\"><b>The individual household or couple living in an urban apartment <\/b>\u2013 limited storage space and little time for research. A ready-made emergency kit covers the household&#8217;s basic needs without having to deal with seven product categories and extensive quantity calculations. <\/p>\n<p class=\"ms-outlook-mobile-reference-message skipProofing\"><b>Families with more than two people <\/b>\u2013 require significantly more water and food (e.g. 80 rather than 20 litres of water for four people), but do not necessarily need duplicate equipment such as radios or tools.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ms-outlook-mobile-reference-message skipProofing\"><b>Second homes or holiday homes <\/b>\u2013 a ready-made kit can simply be stored on site without having to conduct separate research for each location.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ms-outlook-mobile-reference-message skipProofing\"><b>Households with special requirements<\/b> \u2013 allergies, pets or medication requirements are situations in which individual selection can be particularly beneficial.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"ms-outlook-mobile-reference-message skipProofing\">Frequently Asked Questions About Emergency Kits<\/h2>\n<p class=\"ms-outlook-mobile-reference-message skipProofing\"><b>What belongs in an emergency kit?<\/b> At a minimum, 2 litres of water per person per day, food providing around 2,200 kcal per day (divided among grain products, vegetables, fruit, dairy products, meat\/fish and fats), a first-aid kit, hygiene products, and means of receiving information and communication, such as a battery-powered radio.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ms-outlook-mobile-reference-message skipProofing\"><b>How much water is needed in an emergency?<\/b> The BBK recommends 2 litres per person per day \u2013 for a ten-day supply, this means 20 litres per person. More should be planned for children, high temperatures or specific health-related requirements. <\/p>\n<p class=\"ms-outlook-mobile-reference-message skipProofing\"><b>How long should an emergency kit last?<\/b> The BBK recommends being prepared to remain self-sufficient for at least ten days. An emergency supply for 72 hours is a practical starting point, but it does not cover the full recommendation. <\/p>\n<p class=\"ms-outlook-mobile-reference-message skipProofing\"><b>How much does an emergency kit cost?<\/b> Ready-made emergency kits for one to two people generally cost between \u20ac200 and \u20ac300. An individually assembled kit may be cheaper or more expensive, depending on the products selected. <\/p>\n<p class=\"ms-outlook-mobile-reference-message skipProofing\"><b>Should you buy an emergency kit or assemble one yourself \u2013 which is better?<\/b> There is no universal answer. A ready-made kit is suitable for a quick and uncomplicated start. Assembling your own kit is preferable when special requirements need to be covered or when the household size differs from the standard configuration of a ready-made kit.  <\/p>\n<h2 class=\"ms-outlook-mobile-reference-message skipProofing\">Conclusion<\/h2>\n<p class=\"ms-outlook-mobile-reference-message skipProofing\">Whether you buy an emergency kit or assemble one yourself, the important thing is to be prepared at all \u2013 and with the right quantities: 20 litres of water, approximately 14\u201315 kg of food and the appropriate equipment per person for ten days. A ready-made kit takes the decision-making out of the process and is ready for immediate use. Assembling your own kit takes more time, but allows every category to be tailored precisely to your individual needs.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"ms-outlook-mobile-reference-message skipProofing\">Our <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bunker-bssd.de\/en\/shop\/emergency-preparedness\/emergency-kits\/bssd-defence-72-hour-emergency-kit-basic-supply-for-1-person-according-to-bbk-recommendations\/\">BSSD Defence Emergency Kit<\/a> follows the BBK recommendations and provides a solid starting point \u2013 either as a complete solution or as a foundation that can be individually supplemented.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ms-outlook-mobile-reference-message skipProofing\"><a title=\"https:\/\/deu01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.bbk.bund.de%2FDE%2FWarnung-Vorsorge%2FVorsorge%2FRatgeber-Checkliste%2Fratgeber-checkliste_node.html&#038;data=05%7C02%7Cvaleriia.antonova%40bunker-bssd.de%7C71d34fcdd5e14d82bce308df083a158d%7Cb53859c86c5b41149d5b794a37c91832%7C0%7C0%7C639238717715594865%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&#038;sdata=LlazKvnuybnJQtW9y0m7%2B%2Fj95NBiY5u%2BbA%2BJqAKBp2w%3D&#038;reserved=0\" href=\"https:\/\/www.bbk.bund.de\/SharedDocs\/Downloads\/DE\/Mediathek\/Publikationen\/Buergerinformationen\/Ratgeber\/Checklisten-zur-Vorsorge-Krisen-und-Katastrophen.pdf?__blob=publicationFile&#038;v=19\" data-outlook-id=\"66d74d90-a667-4aee-b4d6-6e08c1eb1bbb\"><b>\u2192 View the BBK Checklist<\/b><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Only one in six households in Germany has an adequate emergency supply for a crisis. This shows that the biggest hurdle is often not a lack of knowledge, but simply getting started and deciding how best to prepare. The Federal Office of Civil Protection and Disaster Assistance (BBK) is the central authority for recommendations on [&#8230;]\n","protected":false},"author":849,"featured_media":8446,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[532],"tags":[538,534,537,540,536,535,533,539],"class_list":["post-8531","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-knowledge","tag-bbk","tag-buy-an-emergency-kit","tag-crisis-preparedness","tag-emergency-equipment","tag-emergency-preparedness","tag-emergency-supplies","tag-first-aid-kit","tag-preventive-care"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bunker-bssd.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8531","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bunker-bssd.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bunker-bssd.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bunker-bssd.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/849"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bunker-bssd.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=8531"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.bunker-bssd.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8531\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":8534,"href":"https:\/\/www.bunker-bssd.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8531\/revisions\/8534"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bunker-bssd.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/8446"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bunker-bssd.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=8531"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bunker-bssd.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=8531"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bunker-bssd.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=8531"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}