Everyone has their own starting point. I don't think mine is the best, but I'm slowly building my knowledge.

Personally I found this book to be a useful one to have around. Some of what is discussed is a bit too severe, and you wouldn't run into. But other detais, like "in your latrine, cover your poop so that you don't have contamination issues with flies" is something you slap your head and say "of course!". But maybe if I hadn't read it, it wouldn't be instinctive when needed.

And this kit is a really useful start to any bug out bag. Strangely, Amazon.com has them as part of their "subscribe and save" program, so I had them delivering them to me monthly for the shockingly low price of $21.25. I got 3, one went to my Dad, 1 went in my camping stash, and 1 went in my bug out bag. (in case I'm camping when my wife has to bug out). Right now they are out of stock but being reordered.

Both items are more engineered toward bugging out, which is my tendency because of my situation. but I don't have that much time to build these kits from scratch, so I am starting with some pre-made stuff and then when I've got my list complete I can start tweaking what I already have.

There are many books about surviving (check cody lundin) and sometimes they are best starting points, so you can get your thoughts organized. There is a lot of information to absorb before you start in earnest.

Plan your work, work your plan.