Related Post: Minimum Calories Per Day To Survive

Major World Issues Most People Don’t Know About

Should I Store Dairy In My Long-Term Food Storage?

What Dairy Products Should I Store Long-Term?

How To Store Dairy Products Long-Term

How Long Are Dairy Products Good For Once Opened?

What Are the Alternatives To Dairy?

• almonds
• edamame
• beans
• canned salmon
• dried figs
• cereal fortified with calcium
• dried oranges
• any canned greens

Every time I get into a conversation about emergency preparedness, the first question that always comes up is “How much emergency food should I have in case of an emergency?”

The quick answer is, you need anywhere from 3 to 6 months of food stored in your home just in case you experience an emergency such as job loss or a minor natural disaster. 

And the honest, more complicated answer is, it depends.

There are many factors to think about when answering this question. The type of emergency for which you are preparing, the amount of time for which you want to prepare, and your financial situation are all important considerations.

If you are strapped for cash, I recommend that you prepare for the worst level of emergency your current financial situation allows.

Let me explain. If your budget is limited, you can prepare in whatever way you can within that budget. If you are financially secure, you will be more able to prepare for a long-term, worst-case scenario, for both your immediate and extended family as well as your friends and/or neighbors. If you fall somewhere in between, you can consider what types of emergencies you may face based on location, and then prepare accordingly.

RELATED:

How Many Calories A Day Do You Need To Survive?

3 Levels Of Potential Emergency Scenarios

Once you’ve figured out your financial situation and are able to move forward with your emergency food storage plan, consider buying based on the three different levels of potential emergency scenarios.

• Short Term Emergency (up to 30 days)
• Long Term Emergency (3 months or more)
• SHTF – Shit Hits The Fan Emergency (for the foreseeable future)

No matter your situation, we have tips to get you started.

Short Term Emergency Food Recommendations

A short-term emergency is something most of us face at some point in our lives, such as a power outage or a flood from a broken pipeline. Because of this, it is also the most practical type of emergency for which to prepare. This type of disaster will usually be taken care of within a week. Thus, your short-term emergency food storage should include 15 to 30 days’ worth of food and clean water.

This does not include the food and water in your pantry. Rather, this preparedness supply means that you have 15 to 30 full days of food and water for everyone in your household stored away in a place that will not be used unless there is an emergency.

RELATED:

How To Grow Sprouts And Incorporate Them Into Your Emergency Plan

Short Term Food Storage List Ideas

• Rice
• Beans
• Peanut Butter
• Crackers
• Canned meat
• Canned Veggies
• Canned Fruit
• Oatmeal
• Honey
• Granola
• Protein bars
• Seasonings
• Vitamins
• Water

Long Term Emergency Food Recommendations

For long-term emergency preparedness, it is recommended that instead of 15 to 30 days, you store away 3 month’s worth of food and water specifically for the emergency.

Again, this is not the food from your pantry. This is food that you set aside and don’t touch until the emergency hits. There are plenty of food storage options that will last long-term and that you don’t have to worry about spoilage for many years to come. 

I address the what, where, and how to store food long term further down in this article. 

RELATED:

How Much Dairy Do I Need In My Food Storage?

Common Long Term Food Storage Questions

What should I have in my food storage?

No matter the emergency, these foods should be included in your storage:

• Flour
• Salt
• Sugar, honey
• Baking powder, baking soda
• Yeast
• Lard
• Dehydrated Milk
• Vegetable Oil
• Flint or dent corn
• Cereal, popcorn, crackers, oatmeal
• Dehydrated potatoes
• Canned and dried meat
• Lentils, beans, rice
• Seasonings, bouillon broth cubes
• Textured Vegetable Protein
• Seeds
• Nuts, nut butter
• Dehydrated and canned fruits and vegetables
• Coffee, tea
• Pasta, pasta sauce

What foods last the longest?

The longer our food storage supplies last, the better. As you’ll notice, the above list includes many foods that don’t need to be swapped out often. Starting with a few of these basics can be easy and effective, with little upkeep.

Honey, baking soda, and salt will last your entire life.

Dried beans, rolled oats, white rice and many pasta products can be stored for up to 30 years.

Dehydrated fruits and vegetables have varying shelf lives. While most dehydrated fruits last 5 years, dried carrots actually last 25 years and would be a cost-effective, nutritious option.

Powdered eggs last 7 years, and powdered milk lasts 20, as long as you include moisture absorber in their storage packs.

To spice (or sweeten) up your storage, consider adding Twinkies, which taste delicious for more than 30 years.

Does canned food stay good forever?

No, but there are things you can do to preserve the canned food and increase the shelf-life. For example, if you keep the cans in a cold, dry area, you will extend the shelf life by many months and even sometimes years. 

In most cases, keeping canned food past the expiration date will only affect the taste of the product within. That being said, I would only recommend you keeping canned food past the expiration date if you are currently in an emergency situation where you can’t make it to the store. 

Otherwise, consider the many different types of rolling racks that allow you to rotate through your cans from oldest to newest. This helps you to always have the newest product in the back and the oldest in the front to consume first. 

Please be careful with this recommendation. If the can is damaged at all, please throw it away. It’s not worth the risk of horrible sickness just so you can say you have food storage. Always rotate through your cans as you use them so that you never have to deal with expiration dates until you’re actually in an emergency situation.

Where should I keep my emergency food?

This question depends heavily on what type of space you have available to you.

If the space available to you is a closet or pantry, this is a great option. Although it may be small, it is functional for a 30 day supply.

If you have more space in your home, the basement is a popular choice. Installing a dehumidifier as well as putting food storage on pellets would make the basement a great choice. Both of these could prevent humidity and water damage from ruining your storage.

If a garage is currently where you have space, this is an option. However, garages can become humid, and temperatures fluctuate heavily. If you live in a location with mild temperatures (below 75 degrees) and low humidity, this could be a viable option with a ton of space.

A root cellar is most ideal for a long-term supply for food storage. Although this isn’t an option for many, if it is for you, take advantage of both the space and temperature regulation of a root cellar.

So many people give me the excuse that they can’t buy food storage until they have a home with enough room. Trust me. You can be creative and find ways to store your food no matter the size of your current living situation.

Don’t believe me? Just check out Pinterest for some amazing ideas.

Is it illegal to stockpile food?

For the most part, it is not illegal to stockpile food. There are some cities that don’t allow it but make sure and check your local law before buying too much. Also, be aware of what “too much” food is when it comes to that city. You still might be able to store up to 3 months’ worth without any problem at all. 

How much water should I store for an emergency?

You can only survive without water for three days, making it the most important commodity to store. The basic recommendation is to store one gallon of water per day per person.

I’ve broken this down for easier understanding in the chart below:

As a basic rule, the more water stored the better. Consider buying cases of bottled water first, then 5-gallon jugs, then 15-gallon water drums, then 55-gallon water drums. Also, consider having a few effective water purifiers on hand. 

RELATED:

How To Clean Plastic Barrels For Long-Term Water Storage

How long does bottled water last?

It all really depends on what type of bottle it’s in and where it is stored. For best results, you’ll want to make sure the water is stored in a quality, food-grade bottle or container. This water should be stored in a cool, dry, and dark area.

If the water bottles are clear and they are exposed to sunlight, there is a possibility that they could grow algae.

You also want to make sure the bottles or containers are not stored directly on cement or near any chemicals. The plastic in the bottles can absorb harmful chemicals that can get in the water and make it unsafe to drink.

SHTF Term (Shit Hits the Fan) Emergency Food Recommendations

It is common for people to think that we will all be taken care of by our local or federal

government during a natural disaster or financial downturn. This would be ideal, and in some cases, it might even be true. Still, there are no governmental guarantees. The best thing we can do for ourselves and those around us is to be responsibly prepared for an SHTF disaster.

RELATED:

How To Start Prepping For Beginners – A 10 Step Guide

Example SHTF Scenarios:

• An outbreak where we are asked to stay in our homes for a long period of time until the sickness is contained or vaccinated.
• A large earthquake on a major fault line–the New Madrid Fault, the San Andres Fault, or the Wasatch Fault. If this were to happen, the damage could be devastating for months.
• An EMP, or Electro-Magnetic Pulse. This could come from a solar flare from the sun. This scenario has the potential to (fully or partially) shut down the power grid, which would put us technologically back 200 years. This means no power, which means no running water, which means no flushing toilets, which could mean deadly sicknesses.
• An invasion, terrorist attacks, or war fought in our own backyard. Although we hope for the best, we must consider this as a potential reality.

When it comes to these dire situations, the more prepared, the better. If you have the financial wherewithal to save and store one year’s worth of food storage, you should. And if you have already done this but can store more for loved ones around you, you should.

Focus On The Minimum Calories Per Day To Survive

Let’s be clear here. The minimum calories per day to survive is very different from the number of calories you currently eat on a normal day-to-day basis. Having enough food to stay alive doesn’t mean that you’re always getting the nutrients your body needs to grow strong and stay healthy. It’s actually more about staying alive until you can better your situation and find more enjoyable foods. 

When starting your food storage it’s important to base your initial purchases on what you need to stay alive. The minimum amount of food you need to not die. After you have a decent amount of that type of food, then you jump to foods that are nutrient-packed. Then you can move on to foods that are more enjoyable to eat.

A lot of people get overwhelmed when they’re starting their food storage journey because they imagine having to buy one year’s worth of food to help carry on their current lifestyle. In most cases, that’s impossible. If people would focus their efforts on survival first, more people would have food storage.

My Recommended Food Survival List In Order Of Priority

1. Survival food first (Rice, beans, and wheat)
2. Nutrient packed food second (Fruits and vegetables)
3. More enjoyable food third (pre-packaged meals and sweets)

How Many Calories Do You Need To Survive?

It can be challenging to give a blanket statement to answer the exact amount of calories your body needs to survive because it differs from body to body. It depends on each person’s metabolism, weight, age, sex, and activity level.

The UCLA Center for Human Nutrition says that eating less than 1,000 calories per day has the same effects on the body as total starvation, so this survival information should be used only for that: survival.

Most of us consume between 2,000-3,000 calories per day right now. However, in emergency situations, most humans will be able to survive for short periods of time with a minimum of 500-800 calories per day.

What Are The Best Calorie And Nutrient-Packed Foods?

In a real emergency situation, you will definitely want to consume whatever food is available. However, you will want to store foods that offer the most amount of calories and nutrients.

Leafy greens are high in nutrients, but probably aren’t going to sustain you long-term because of the low calories they offer. At the same time, just eating higher-calorie foods such as chips and candy, also won’t give you the energy you need to thrive for longer periods of time. They can give you energy boosts, but the ultimate goal is to store foods that give nutrients along with higher calories. 

The following foods are calorie-dense, nutritious options for when you’re trying to stretch your energy as far as you can:

• Protein smoothies
• Milk
• Rice
• Red meat
• Nuts
• Nut butter
• Potatoes/Sweet potatoes
• Beans
• Protein supplements and bars
• Salmon
• Avocado
• Whole grain bread
• Chicken leg
• Tofu
• Dark chocolate
• Oats
• Cheese
• Whole eggs (yolk plus whites)
• Yogurt (full fat)

Do The Calories Required Differ From Male To Female?

Generally, males require more calories than females. Females are recommended to eat 1,600-2,400 calories per day, while males are recommended to eat 2,000-3,000 calories. This is very general and can look different from person to person.

In an emergency situation, males will probably require 100-200 calories more than their female counterparts to align with the numbers given above. 

Does It Matter What Variation Of Foods You Eat To Keep Your Calories Up?

As mentioned earlier, your body will best respond to calorically dense, nutrient-packed food. However, this won’t always be an option.

Your body will respond very differently to 500 calories of meat compared to 500 calories of candy or even to 500 calories of cheese. The macronutrients that make up all of the food that we eat, change our energy levels and body composition.

However, if you are literally trying to survive, a calorie is a calorie, and you will want to eat whatever you can. Again, I recommend you follow the 3 steps outlined above when starting down your food storage journey. Survival, nutrition, and then enjoyment.

How to Grow Your Garden In The Winter

There are 3 different ways to grow a garden in the wintertime.

1. Plant a specific set of vegetables in the fall that will last through the winter and produce an amazing harvest in the early spring.
2. Cover your plants with a makeshift garden bed cover to extend the gardening season by a month on both sides of the season. 
3. Use a full-sized greenhouse or plant some veggies that thrive when planted indoors.

Here is a really simple and cheap way to grow salad greens all through the winter:

When Should I Plant My Winter Produce?

1.  You want to plant “short season” crops first so that they will be ready to harvest in the winter. Examples of this include greens, peas, parsley, kale, winter lettuce, and root vegetables such as carrots. You can plant these at the regular time as the rest of your summer garden, but you simply harvest them later.
2. Next, when you harvest your summer crops, you will want to immediately plant “short season” crops which thrive and grow late in the season, in the vacancies left by the harvest of the summer crops. These crops will be harvested in a short 3-6 weeks before the weather drops too significantly. These crops include tendril peas, lettuce, turnip, arugula, and mustard greens.
3. Third, you will want to plant slow-growing crops in late summer or early fall to grow throughout the winter. These plants will grow dormant as temperatures freeze, but with proper protection, they will continue growing when the temperature rises. These crops include cauliflower, garlic, and broccoli.

What produce can I grow outside during the winter?

• • Arugula
  • Asparagus
  • Beets
  • Broad Beans
  • Broccoli
  • Brussels Sprouts
  • Cabbage
  • Carrots
  • Collard Greens
  • Endive
  • Garlic
  • Kale
  • Kohlrabi
  • Leaf lettuce
  • Mache
  • Mesclun Greens
  • Mustard
  • Onion
  • Peas
  • Radishes
  • Scallion
  • Spinach
  • Swiss Chard
  • Tatsoi
  • Turnips

What Fruit Grows In The Winter?

How Do I Keep The Plants From Freezing?

What Is The Best Way To Grow Produce Inside During The Winter?

Which Garden Plants Should I Start Indoors First? 

• Broccoli
• Brussels sprouts
• Cabbage
• Cauliflower
• Eggplant
• Kale
• Lettuce
• Onion
• Okra
• Pepper
• Sweet potato
• Tomato
• Celery
• Chard
• Cucumber
• Melon
• Peas
• Pumpkin
• Spinach
• Squash

Why Is It Better To Start These Seeds Indoors?

How Do I Begin Planting Indoors?

How Long Does It Take Seeds To Sprout Indoors?

Do You Need A Grow Light To Start Seeds Indoors?

When Is It Too Late To Start Seeds Indoors?

How Do I Grow Sprouts Indoors?

• Beet
• Chickpea
• Mung Bean
• Lentil
• Alfalfa
• Radish
• Mustard
• Green or Snow Pea

Ridiculously Easy Sprouting 101

I’ve also included this link to a sprouting chart that will show you the full sprouting process from start to finish. 

Why Sprouting Supplies Are Essential Food Storage Items

1. It helps in digestion
2. It boosts blood circulation
3. It helps in weight loss
4. It builds your immune system
5. It improves eyesight
6. It helps the health of your heart
7. It reduces acidity in your body
8. It may prevent premature aging
9. It’s beneficial in hair health
10. It’s good for your skin health

FEMA Strongly Encourages Everyone To Be Prepared

One of my favorite articles on the FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency) website is called:

Emergency Preparedness Is A Year-Round Responsibility

“Everyone should have an emergency kit with enough supplies to survive for 10 days, including water, non-perishable food, non-electric can openers, flashlights, batteries, cash, and important family documents. Children also should be allowed to include favorite small toys or games.”

According to Dictionary.com

A prepper is “a person who believes a catastrophic disaster or emergency is likely to occur in the future and makes active preparations for it, typically by stockpiling food, ammunition, and other supplies.”

What Is A Prepper?

How do I Become a Prepper?

An 8 Step Guide To Preparedness For Beginners

1- Ideation Period

“All you can do is all you can do. But, all you can do is enough”. – Art Williams

2- Water Storage

“Store at least one gallon of water per person per day…, for drinking and sanitation. A normally active person needs about three-quarters of a gallon of fluid daily, from water and other beverages. However, individual needs vary, depending on age, health, physical condition, activity, diet and climate.

3- Food Storage

• Mac and cheese
• Romen noodles
• Soups in a can
• Pasta and sauces
• Rice and beans
• Canned meats
• Canned veggies
• Crackers and chips
• Pancake mix
• Peanut butter and jelly/honey
• Granola bars
• Cereal
• Beef Jerky

• Mountain House Food
• Wise Food
• Eden Valley Farms
• Thrive Life
• Daily Bread
• Emergency Essentials

4- None Food Essentials

• Baby Products
  • Binkies (pacifiers)
  • Blankets
  • Diapers
  • Wipes
  • Rash cream
  • Food and formula
  • Warm clothing for the babies

• First aid supplies
  • Basic first aid kits
  • Trauma kits

• Shelter and Sleeping
  • Tents
  • Sleeping bags
  • Cots
  • Blankets

• Around The House Items
  • Garbage bags
  • Cleaning/sanitary supplies
  • Ziplock bags

• Items Your Grandma Used
  • Clothespins
  • Rope to make a clothesline
  • Equipment (buckets, soap, scrubbers) to help wash clothing

• Navigation Instruments and Logistics
  • Compass
  • Paper maps of your area

• Weapons For Protection and Hunting
  • Bow and arrow
  • Slingshot
  • Knives

• Tools For Repair and To Clean Up Debris
  • Shovel and rakes
  • Chain saw
  • Other types of saws
  • Hammer and nails

• Fuel For Cooking and Keeping Warm
  • Wood
  • Charcoal
  • Butane
  • Propane
  • Kerosene

• Indoor and Outdoor Cooking Gear
  • Butane tripod
  • Propane stove
  • Wood burning stove
  • Dutch oven
  • Solar oven

• Seeds For The Garden and Seeds For Sprouting
  • Sprouting Seeds
    • Beans
    • Alfalfa
    • Barley
    • Basil
    • Beets
    • Broccoli
  • Garden Seeds
    • Radish
    • Broccoli
    • Onions
    • Lettuce
    • Kale
    • Tomatoes
    • Peppers
    • Cabbage
    • Corn
    • Carrots
    • Beets
    • Swiss chard
    • Pumpkin
    • Beans
    • Peas
    • Soy
    • Peanuts
    • Sunflower
    • Eggplant

• Clothing For All Seasons And All Weather
  • Jackets
  • Socks
  • Hats
  • Pants
  • Shirts
  • Shoes
  • Towles

• Tools to Help Start a Fire For Cooking, Cleaning, and Heating
  • Matches
  • Lighter
  • Flint and steel
  • Glass lens
  • Friction sticks
  • Reflective tools
  • 9-volt battery and steel wool

5- Education and Skills

Learn Valuable Survival Skills Through Reading

• Recommended Outdoor Survival Skills Books

• Recommended Emergency Preparedness Books

6- Disaster Planning, Drills, and Protocols

1. Frontal Lobe
2. Temporal Lobe
3. Brainstem
4. Cerebellum
5. Occipital Lobe
6. Parietal Lobe

7- Building A Survival Kit

8- Reevaluate And Adjust As Necessary

Conclusion

Preparing For A Natural Disaster

Temporally

We need supplies on-hand to take care of our needs after the disaster strikes. This could be compiled in a natural disaster survival kit or bag.

Physically

We need to be in shape enough to help with the cleanup efforts and aftermath. Often times there will be fallen trees or broken houses that may need some attention before the area is livable again.

Mentally

Having a set of protocols and knowing exactly what to do if a natural disaster does happen can easy mental stability after a disaster hits close to home.

Emotionally

We need to understand that this can happen to anyone at any time. If it happens to you, you’re not being picked on. It’s just mother nature doing her thing. Prepare ahead of time and feel confident in your ability to cope with whatever comes your way.

What Should Be Included In a Disaster Kit?

Water and Water Filters

You can only survive for 3 days without water. No matter what type of disaster you are in if you don’t have water stored and a way to clean additional water, you might be putting your life at risk.

1. Go buy a few 5-gallon food-grade containers, fill them up, and put one in each closet of the house. As long as they are out of direct sunlight, and you fill them up with house water (pre-filtered and treated), they should be fine sitting there for quite some time.
2. Go buy a water filter. I recommend the Sawyer water filters on Amazon. They can filter up to 100,000 gallons of water before needing to be flushed out and cleaned. These little filters are small and easy to store in a kit or a go bag.
3. Sawyer also offers a 4-liter water filter system that you can use if you have a larger family.

Food Storage

Most people hear food storage and automatically think of the long-term freeze dried foods that cost a ton of money (Side note, they don’t cost a lot of money. That’s just the perception most people have).

For this kit, it’s more important to store foods that you like and will eat. It’s not required, but it is beneficial to have some food with a longer shelf life. That way you don’t have to be swapping out food every 12 to 18 months.

Start with easy foods like:

1. Jerky
2. Nuts and seed
3. Crackers
4. Granola bars
5. Canned veggies
6. Canned meats
7. Freeze dried or dehydrated fruits
8. Peanut butter
9. Trail mix
10. MRE’s (Meals ready to eat)

*If you store any cans do not forget to store a hand-held can opener.

Equipment and Fuel For Cooking

Depending on the foods you store, you will most likely want some of it warm. If you’re in the aftermath of a natural disaster, we can assume the power and gas don’t work, so you’ll want an alternative to heating up your food.

There are a lot of different ways to heat your food, but you’ll want to find something that you can use indoors that won’t put off harmful gases.

I recommend a Portable Propane & Butane Gas Stove Burner. You can either use propane or butane. The butane is safe to use indoors whereas the propane is not. You’ll want both fuels on hand just in case.

1. Gas stove burner
2. Propane fuel
3. Butane fuel
4. Propane hose attachment

Another alternative is this smaller, more portable camp cooker. It’s really easy to pack up and take with you when you’re in a pinch for time.

1. Portable butane camping stove
2. Butane fuel

Lighting – Flashlights, solar lights, or a headlamp

Most natural disasters cause prolonged power outages. Getting around at night can be hard and even dangerous if you can’t see where you’re going. Not to mention, if you have small children the darkness can be somewhat frightening. Especially in the aftermath of the disaster they just went through.

Most people have a flashlight or two in the house. The question is do you know where it is at all times? If you have a flashlight tucked away in your natural disaster kit, you’ll always know where to find it when the time comes to use it.

For longer-term power outages, it’s also really nice to have a set of solar lights. These can be as simple as the Luci Light or as complex as the Goal Zero Solar lighting system. Having them in your kit will ensure that you have light long after you backup batteries are gone.

If you’re a parent that needs both of your hands free to take care of your kids, or if you plan to be out at night helping with the disaster relief, I would recommend you have a good quality headlamp (Maybe 2). This will help you see at night while still using both hands.

*Don’t forget to store extra batteries.

Portable Crank Radio

Cellphone towers can often collapse during disasters compromising communication networks. Packing a portable radio will help you keep in touch with the status of relief operations on the ground.

Having a crank radio will allow you to listen in on progress without worrying about power. All you have to do is crank the radio and it will stay charged. A small added bonus to some of these radios is that they have a port where you can attach a USB cable and actually charge your phone as well.

Important Documents

Consolidate your vital documents such as your passport, a paper copy of your drivers licenses, and a copy of your insurance information. Put it in a file and put it in a watertight container to protect it from the elements.

First Aid Kit

I think this should be a given, but just in case you’re not thinking about it, you need a good quality first aid kit as well. Depending on the severity of the disaster, there is a high likelihood that you will use the kit, at a bare minimum, on some bumps and bruises.

Like I said before, there is no real way to know 100% of what you will need, but the list above will get you started. Some additional items you also might want to consider are:

1. Extra clothing
2. Tent or shelter
3. Sleeping bags
4. Additional tools
5. Medication
6. Contact holder and solution
7. Person hygiene items like toothbrushes and toothpaste
8. Toilet paper
9. Baby wipes
10. Baby formula if you have an infant in need

The list can go on and on. Look at your family size and evaluate what is most important to you. Create one kit for the whole family or a bunch of disaster bags for each individual person. It doesn’t really matter as long as you have something and feel good about what you have.

How to Effectively Pack a Natural Disaster Bag

With every backpack, organization and easy access are key. Use these packing essential packing tips as a guide

1. Store essentials such as sunscreen, a compass, maps, and guidebooks in on outer pocket.
2. Waterproof bags should be used to store items that must stay dry, particularly spare clothing and your sleeping bags.
3. Carrying your water bottle upright where it’s accessible.
4. Lighter items such as sleeping mats and bags should remain at the bottom of the backpack.
5. Put your tent in a waterproof stuff sack and strap it to the outside of your backpack.
6. Store fuel bottles upright and outside the pack.
7. Heaviest items should sit between your shoulder blades and as close to your back as possible.
8. Keep first aid items accessible.
9. Pack rain gear at the top where you can get it quickly.

List of Possible Natural Disasters

1. Geological disasters
   • Avalanches and landslides
   • Earthquakes
   • Sinkholes
   • Volcanic eruptions
2. Hydrological disasters
   • Floods
   • Tsunami
   • Limnic eruptions
3. Meteorological disasters
   • Cyclonic storms
   • Blizzards
   • Hailstorms
   • Ice storms
   • Cold waves
   • Heat waves
   • Droughts
   • Thunderstorms
   • Tornadoes
4. Wildfires
5. Space disasters
   • Impact events and airburst
   • Solar flare

It seems like every day we hear about another hiker getting lost in the wilderness, and I can’t help but wonder, if I were in that situation, what things I would need to survive in the wild?

After thinking about this question for a while, I believe there are 4 basic things you need to survive in almost any wilderness situation.

In order of importance, they are water, food, shelter, and fire. Depending on the situation, you might also need a few additional items that we’ll address in this blog post.

Did you know that an average person is likely to survive 3 weeks without food but only 3 days without water and a mere 3 hours outside of their main body temperature? Knowing this means the constituents of a survival kit should not be assumed based on your perception of priority but based on the knowledge of the situation you’ll be exposed to. The items in your survival kit can literally mean the difference between life and death within a few critical minutes or hours.

In this article, we’ll explore 12 of the most important things we need to survive in the wilderness. Please note that the priority for survival is not comfort or convenience, but staying alive and healthy for as long as you can.

What Is The Most Important Nutrient (Food Source) For Survival?

1. Water and Water Filters

The average person can only survive 72 hours without drinking water. In addition to that, experts suggest that you should store about 1 gallon of water per person per day.

In critical cases, a few sips of clean water can be the difference between life and death. However, since in this scenario you’re probably in the wilderness on an adventure, the last thing you want is frail health, which is why you should make provision for the proper amount of drinkable water.

The reality is that it will be difficult for you to take enough water with you to the wilderness even if you’re just spending a few days. Knowing that it may be unhealthy to drink straight from the source in the wild, you need to be prepared with some kind of water filter.

There are many good water filters to choose from. A water filter, like the Sawyer Water Filter, will clean up to 100,000 gallons of water. This will help when you travel with friends and need to drink large amounts of water.

RELATED: How Do You Know If Water Is Safe To Drink In The Wild?

2. Food Storage

You also need food to survive in the wild. Without the energy from food, your body will get tired and you won’t be able to explore for other necessities. If you will be in the wild for long, you need to plan out and know exactly what food you will eat while you’re there.

You also need to carry out basic research about your location to know the edible plants and flowers just in case you need them for an emergency. It’s helpful to create a list (with pictures) based on your research with a detailed description of the wild edible foods in your area.

Regardless of the length of time, you will be in the wild, it is advisable to pack an ample supply of superfoods such as wheatgrass, maca powder, and spirulina in your survival kit. Another cool option is to include a sprouting kit in case it turns out that you have to sustain yourself more long-term.

Another good option is to take along some high-calorie, prepackaged, meals and bars like these Greenbelly Backpacking Meals.

RELATED: How Many Calories A Day Do You Need To Survive?

What Are the Most Important Survival Items?

3. Shelter

A shelter can be anything from a 4-season tent to a simple tarp or large garbage bag. Finding appropriate shelter is crucial for survival in the wild due to the fact that you’re sharing the environment with potential hostiles (Animals and bugs).

If you happen to be in a survival situation, find a safe place to sleep for the night that can keep you warm and dry. You can choose to build a simple lean-to with some branches, a rope, and a tarp.

Avoid going overboard while setting up a shelter so you don’t waste important energy which could be spent on more important things like hunting for food or building a fire.

4. Extra Clothing

Hypothermia is the leading cause of death in the wild. When you head to the wild, even if it is a hot and sunny day, you need to prepare to dress for the worst. If your only aim is to counter the night cold with fire alone, it will most likely be insufficient.

Layer your clothes and remember to wear clothing that is preferably made with wool as your base layer. Avoid clothes made from cotton as it retains more moisture and is less insulating.

RELATED: What Are The Different Types Of Outdoor Survival Jackets

5. Sanitation/Toilet Paper/Soap

While comfort is not a pursuit when you’re in the wild, you still have to maintain basic hygiene. You need to brush your teeth, wash your hands, and leave behind your body waste.

If it comes down to it, you can make a toothbrush by chewing the soft ends of a small tree to create bristles. If you’re lucky, you can wash in a nearby river or stream. If not, having baby wipes on hand can help clean those important areas of your body that need a little extra attention.

If you need to use the bathroom, you should dig a hole or go very far downstream from your shelter. To avoid most of these uncomfortable situations, your survival kit should include soap, toilet paper, body cleaning wipes, and a toothbrush.

RELATED: What To Do If You Run Out Of Toilet Paper

 6. First Aid Kit

No matter how impromptu your trip to the wild is, never go without including a first aid kit in your survival kit. Even if you’re familiar with the terrain and been there countless times, you just never know when you’re going to need something from your first aid kit. It’s better to have it and not use it than to have a need for it and not have it.

Moreover, emergencies don’t give us any notice. It’s better to be prepared. A general first aid kit will do, but you are safer supplementing it with items that will benefit you for your specific situation and location.

What Is The Most Important Tool For Survival?

7. Multi-Purpose Tool/Knife

If you’re ever in a survival situation, there is a high probability that you will need to do a lot of different tasks that will require more than just your hands.

To perform these chores, you’ll need a good and reliable multipurpose tool. With your multipurpose tool, you should be able to accomplish most of the difficult tasks you have tackled.

8. Axe/Hachette

As simple as it might sound, having an axe can simplify a survival situation and ease you through the adjustment process. Choose a durable and sturdy axe that you can swing without losing balance. Having an axe or Hachette is sort of one step up from having a multi-purpose tool.

You can probably get the job done with the tool or a simple saw, but you’ll be able to save hours of time and countless amounts of energy by using the axe vs a multi-purpose tool.

9. Light Source

No matter how much experience you have as an adventurer, being shrouded in complete darkness can completely disorient even the best outdoorsmen. Even if you’re in a familiar area, an adventure in the wild usually means you plan to be active at night.

Having a light source could make your adventure that much more comfortable. Fortunately, flashlights these days are becoming more lightweight and smaller with stronger and more piercing beams.

What Is The Most Important Skill For Survival?

10. Compass Skills

Most people know how to use the basic functions of a compass, but very few have mastered the skillfully. If you combine your compass skills with a map of the camping area, there is very little chance you’ll get lost in the wilderness.

You can navigate your compass to locate your camp, a major roadway, a river, or any other major point to help you get to your desired location.

11. Map Skills

When you’re in a survival situation, most GPS systems won’t the way you want them to. Most people use their phones to navigate around. The flaw to this is that unless you download an app and then download the actual map of your location, you won’t have access to it unless you’re in an area with service.

The other thing to consider is that if you don’t bring a battery backup for your phone, it will only last a short period of time.

Basic map reading skills are key when trying to get from point A to point B in the wilderness. You should be able to navigate yourself back to safety with no issue.

12. Fire Starting Skills

Matches are ideal for starting a fire in the wild and they are pretty easy to store for long-term use. But, if you don’t have matches or a lighter, you still need to be able to start a fire for your own survival.

You can use flint and steel, a magnifying glass, a 9-volt battery with steel wool, or a number of other methods. Having these skills and tools at the ready could be a matter of life and death.

Conclusion

And that’s it! Just remember that your ability to survive will ultimately come down to your preparedness level and skill level. You should take nothing for granted when it comes down to the most important things you need to survive in the wild.

Ensure you have these critical items loaded up and know how to use them. Do a little bit each day to get yourself prepared and if there is ever a need for it, you will be better prepared than most to handle life in the wild.

RELATED: How To Start Prepping For Beginners – A 10 Step Guide