When it comes to emergency preparedness, most of us are just trying to prepare for the worst and learn how to take care of our families in a crisis. We’re not looking for trouble. But what if some of the very tools we rely on in emergencies are raising red flags? What if buying certain survival items is enough to land you on a list you never knew existed?
Nowadays, nothing you do on the Internet is private. Even if you use a VPN, companies like Palantir and Microsoft can find ways to track and record everything you do, especially everything you purchase. And now, with AI technology, the government can easily scan all that data and create a list of people who buy certain items.
The reason I’ve been thinking about this lately is because of a video I found by the Youtube channel, A Small Town Prepper. They made a list of “blacklist” prepper items that could potentially put on you a list.
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Of course, these aren’t your average emergency supplies. According to the video, these are survival tools that governments, corporations, and even hackers/looters watch closely. Not because they’re dangerous in the wrong hands, but because they’re powerful in the right hands.
You can watch the video below, but I also typed up the list with my own thoughts on each item.
1. Night Vision and Thermal Optics
Night vision gear might seem like cool tech for hunting or home defense, but owning it sends a powerful signal. High-end devices like PVS-14s and thermal scopes are heavily regulated and often flagged. Buying this kind of tech can quietly put you on a watch list.
2. High-Capacity Fuel Storage
Five-gallon cans are one thing. But once you start storing 55-gallon drums or setting up 250-gallon tanks, you’re building a private energy reserve. In a crisis, fuel is rationed, and large private stockpiles stand out. Suppliers, fire marshals, even federal agencies track these purchases.
3. Off-Grid Medical Supplies
A first aid kit won’t raise eyebrows, but start buying bulk antibiotics, surgical kits, or trauma gear, and the picture changes. Algorithms flag large or repeated purchases of these supplies. Why? Because true medical self-reliance removes your dependence on the system.
4. Encrypted or High-End Radios
Secure communication is essential in a blackout or grid-down scenario. But encrypted radios or advanced ham radio systems that allow untraceable comms are seen as a threat. These tools block surveillance, and buying them signals you might be operating outside their control.
5. Large-Scale Water Filtration Systems
Water is life, and in a disaster, it becomes infrastructure. If you own filtration systems capable of purifying thousands of gallons, you’re no longer just prepared. You’re running a parallel water system. And in a real collapse, authorities may see it as something they need to commandeer for the “greater good.”
6. Body Armor and Tactical Gear
Body armor is purely defensive, but owning it often gets lumped in with offensive weaponry. In some states, it’s already restricted or requires special permission. Pair it with night vision, ammo, or reloading gear, and your profile escalates.
7. Bulk Ammunition and Reloading Supplies
Stockpiling ammo and reloading components like primers and powder leaves a clear digital trail. Every bulk order is logged, and banks may even file suspicious activity reports. It’s not illegal, but the volume can draw attention, especially if you’re closing the loop and becoming self-sufficient in ammo production.
8. Drones and Surveillance Equipment
Drones give you situational awareness, which is a huge advantage in an emergency. They also challenge the state’s control of aerial surveillance. Flight data is often recorded and linked to your location. In a disaster, unauthorized drones can be grounded or confiscated in the name of responder safety.
9. Bulk Seeds and Farming Equipment
Food independence is ultimate freedom, and ultimate leverage. Buying large amounts of heirloom seeds or farming gear signals that you’re ready to grow outside the system. During shortages, expect these items to be “redirected” or seized. You may think you’re growing for your family, but others may see your harvest as a community asset.
10. Precious Metals
Gold and silver are historically sound assets. But buy enough of them, and you’ll trip financial reporting thresholds. Know Your Customer (KYC) laws and anti-money laundering regulations mean large purchases are tracked. In a digital currency future, your metals could become contraband overnight, just like they did under Executive Order 6102 in 1933.
Final Thoughts
Each of these items on its own might make sense for any serious prepper. But together, they paint a picture, one that outsiders might view as threatening. That’s why operational security matters more than ever. If these are things you want to acquire, consider finding ways to purchase them with cash.
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