Basic survival skills are learned for birth- eating when hungry, sleeping when tired, and finding shelter to protect from the elements. Many people take these things for granted, but in an emergency or disaster situation, it is important to be prepared and not simply count on these things being available. Having a survival food stash is important, even if the chance of any sort of disaster happening is at a minimum.
When stocking up on food, simplicity is key. Basics like water, crackers, and canned meats are good items to have on hand, but there are other things to consider as well. In disaster or emergency situations, energy can be necessary, so making sure to keep food items on hand that can provide a quick burst of energy will help. Foods like dried fruits, chocolate, and hard candy may not be the first things that people think of, but they can be helpful in the long run.
Another important thing to consider is the type of food that is set aside. Things that will spoil quickly, like bread, cheese, meat, and produce are not as practical as other items that have longer shelf life. Canned fruits and vegetables are better options, as are dried items like fruits and meats. For short term disasters like recovering from floods and other weather occurrences, emphasis does not have to be on making sure things won’t go bad, but for long term situations, it will not hurt to err on the side of caution.
While many people focus on having food to eat, liquids cannot be forgotten. Water is an essential for survival, but other drinks should not be overlooked. Canned milk and juice can be stockpiled as well, and will be a good treat in case water runs low, or people tire of it. Having some of the flavor packets for bottles of water is an ideal approach as well, as it will make it seem like other liquids are being consumed, even if it is simply water. In a survival situation, where many people can be exhausted, scared, and worn down, simply having the choice between plain water and flavored water might make a huge difference.
Another important idea that might be overlooked is having a variety of items available. If the disaster or scenario allows people to stay in one place, having many canned, bottled, and boxes items is a fine plan, but those may not travel so well. For in-home survival, a fully stocked pantry is a must. If the situation requires people to up and leave their home, weight and size becomes an issue. For travel, dried items and empty containers for water are important things to keep on hand, and are an ideal way to put the water flavoring packets to good use – and they fit easily into a zippered compartment on many bags and backpacks, so transporting them is not difficult.
In some cases, electricity and g water may not be available, and having foods that can be easily prepared is important as well. Oatmeal packets, instant pastas and ready to eat items can be simply mixed together or opened and enjoyed. Without a microwave or oven, tv dinners, frozen foods, and fresh meats will be harder to cook than usual, and may require a fire to be built.
Making smart choices about what to stock an emergency stash of food with will depend on location and probability of disaster. Stocking everything at once is impractical, but adding to a stash little by little is a good way to ensure that if a disastrous or emergency situation arises, preparations have been made to ensure survival – even if only for a few days to start with.