Survival: Nourishment
Survival in a disaster situation will depend on three key factors; food, water, and shelter. In this article we will discuss the basic information you need to know about preparing, storing, and obtaining food.
72 Hour Kit
A 72 hour kit has a very, very short-term food supply and is generally only used when bugging-out. Some kits have MRE’s or other freeze-dried meals, while some kits opt for higher calorie counts without worrying about taste by packing calorie rich food bars (such as Datrex used by the Coast Guard). These meals and bars are very lightweight and take up little space in a backpack-style kit. The bars require no heat or water, you just break a pre-scored piece off to eat. MRE’s and other freeze-dried meals require heated water to prepare, but are more flavorful and comforting to most people.
Food Storage
Most preppers have a basic food storage plan incorporating foods they eat daily, foods that are high-nutrient value but not very tasty, and foods that are meant to be stored for years without degrading but are very basic. This food supply will probably be the first thing you turn to in a survival situation.
Bartering
Keeping specific foods or items in your storage that can be used to barter with neighbors is a good idea. In long term survival situations it is important to not let any of them or anyone else know the extent of your storage, due to the high stress/ high manic state that people may be in. High value food items to barter include alcohol, sugar or sweets, dried or canned meat, dried or canned fruits, and peanut butter. You can also have items prepared to barter with to get food, if your own supply is running low. Knowing which neighbors have productive gardens or who hunt regularly will help you plot out who best to approach for trade.
Looting
No one wants to think about it, but anyone who has watched The Walking Dead or any other post-apocalyptic show will know that in times of dire need, people are not afraid to raid the local Walmart to survive. And we are talking survival here, not grabbing a big screen tv. If your very life depends on it, finding food and various survival items in abandoned stores and homes may be necessary.
Gardening and Hunting
In terms of long-term survival, these are definitely the best options. Having a garden producing fresh foods year after year will sustain your family as long as needed without worrying about money or expiration dates. Hunting and tanning skills will keep protein on the table, pests out of the garden, and give you a multitude of items to barter including meat, bone, leather, and fur. Over time, this may become the only steady and reliable source of food.
Check out this article to learn what fruits and vegetables are easily re-plantable.
Now, lets move on to the next survival basic: Hydration
