Survival

[tkokotailo]

I notice a lot of topics do not deal with a very obvious issue. If I'm mistaken, then I apologize. I've yet to see anyone mention their supply of food when SHTF.

I understand the importance of having a weapon, but having access to food is more important. The vast majority of society is unprepared to handle themselves in an extreme survival situation, such as the collapse of society or food riots etc.

To clarify, a simple knife is all that is really needed to protect yourself. Living in Canada presents a lot of challenges in obtaining a firearm, and even then there are a lot of laws regarding safe storage and handling. I always carry a knife with a 2 3/4 inch blade. This is legal and fits inside my pocket.

A gun requires training to operate, clean, and use effectively. There is also the problem of stoppages, jamming, ammunition, spare parts, malfunctions etc. All of which require training and additional supplies. When you need to GTFO immediately, you're not going to have time to stock up an arsenal. You also make yourself a target for more heavily armed groups.

I digress. Food. Never underestimate the importance of a hot meal. I've mentioned this to Vault in the past and he agrees with having a steady supply of food. I'm not talking about MREs or canned food. That's only good for about a month before your body shuts down from malnutrition. What you need are the staples such as: wheat, rice, grains, legumes, protein, and fat.

As a cook in the Canadian Forces I can tell you that when the infantry comes back from a patrol they love nothing more than a hot shower and a warm meal!

In closing I just want to say, make sure you start stockpiling food resources for your supply. Weapons are nice to have, but you can't eat an automatic rifle (unless you're contemplating suicide).

I found a site that sells food staples in bulk. I don't know how much longer they will do this, but check it out anyway.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=-BsPOZK0dIY&feature=feedu
www.youtube.com/watch?v=nmJ4sxvXfUA&feature=feedlik
www.youtube.com/watch?v=553ahHbHbYc&feature=feedu

[vault72]

So far, readers should have guessed that I am all about being thrifty. With that in mind, forget buying survival foods from any company and just stockpile the stuff yourself. There are several factors one should consider:

1)Tolerance to humidity
2)Resistance to spoiling
3)Ease of cooking / prep

You will need at least 400 calories a day in order to survive but your storage goals should be 1200 minimum a day per person. Now lets review bulk foods. Dehydrated mash potatoes taste good, have plenty of calories, are easy to prepare but are highly susceptible to moisture and mold. Rice on the other hand, tastes good, has plenty of calories, is not highly susceptible
to moisture or mold but unless it is instant rice, is not easy to prepare normally, but in actuality all you need do is soak it in water for awhile. Unfortunately water is the most valuable commodity in a survival situation. If, you live next to a river as I do, or have easy access to an abundance of water then stockpile bulk foods of this nature, same goes for any kind of dehydrated beans. Other options are oats and noodles, canned goods kept in a location out of direct sunlight and kept cool so the garage or attic is out of the question. Other things to stockpile with your foods may be vinegar, for sterilizing water, clothing, and for pickling. Lots of salt, NOT EPSOM SALT!, sugar, cocoa powder, buillion powder or cubes (chicken or beef), large containers of multi-vitamins or at least vitamin C, if you live near any pines, cut a branch and get some of the sap on your finger. Then see if it will wash off with water, it it does then you can drink the sap or boil the pine needles and make a tea with it. Pine needles have 4 times more vitamin C then oranges. This all of course to prevent scurvy which will cause your teeth to fall out of your head. One cup of rice or beans will feed 2 for one meal or one for two meals. Now times that by 2 and that is your daily consumption now times it by the duration your stockpile is suppose to cover. Do this with each item of your menu, this way you will have more then needed. For canned goods just go two cans per person per day with another staple, ie... rice, dehydrated potatoes ect. When it comes to canned goods stay away from soups that require you to add water. Rotate your food reserves and remember to get things you and your family will actually eat. Get canned meats for protien and fat. If a can becomes bloated and bulges from the top / bottom DO NOT EAT IT! Ensure your foods are stored properly to avoid pest infiltration. I was able to store enough food for 4 people for a year at less then 10% of the cost of buying it from a pre-packaged company. The choice is yours so if you are made of money do what ever you want but if your like most of us, then I suggest you do it on a dime.

[King of the Wastes]

Good info to have, gonna move this to the General Survival board though.