The Ant and the Grasshopper, Preparing for Hard Times

ABSTRACT

As a child I was fascinated by the story of The Ant and the Grasshopper (or depending upon your perspective the Grasshopper and the Ant) which is one of Aesop's Fables. This fable describes how a hungry grasshopper begs for food from an ant when winter comes and is refused by the thrifty ant. The situation sums up moral lessons about the virtues of hard work, planning, and preparedness.

THE ANT AND THE GRASSHOPPER Preparing for Hard Times, Part I

Dr. Gregory T. Lawton

Emergency Preparedness Be an Ant, Prepare Now! As a child I was fascinated by the story of The Ant and the Grasshopper (or depending upon your perspective the Grasshopper and the Ant) which is one of Aesop's Fables. This fable describes how a hungry grasshopper begs for food from an ant when winter comes and is refused by the thrifty ant. The situation sums up moral lessons about the virtues of hard work, planning, and preparedness.

In over 50 years of being an “ant” who “prepares for the future” I have come to believe that the world has far more grasshoppers than ants. Take for example the recent pandemic. If you remember back to March of 2020 you know that many Americans were unprepared for any kind of disaster or crisis. Many people had failed to store essential supplies and of course they did not have masks, disinfectants, hand sanitizer, or toilet paper. There were “runs” on those supplies, there was hoarding, price gouging, rationing, and prolonged shortages.

For years prior to the recent crisis local, state, and federal agencies had advised Americans to prepare for emergencies and tax money was spent on emergency preparedness booklets, website pages, and other public education materials and programs. Unfortunately, the grasshoppers, as in the fable, just scoffed, ignored the warnings, and failed to prepare. One of the most important aspects and lessons to be gained regarding preparing, is to do it now, do not wait for a crisis or disaster to occur. If you wait until there is a disaster or crisis you will not be able to get vital emergency supplies.

There are several federal agencies with overlapping missions, including the CDC and FEMA, who have made recommendations as to what emergency supplies Americans should have on hand and they have published these recommendations in the form of lists on their websites. These agencies, in general, recommend that individuals and families have a 7-day supply of essential items, but I recommend that you have a minimum of a 30-day emergency supply of critical items. As a case in point, during this pandemic it took a lot longer than 7-days for supplies, such as toilet paper and masks, to show up on store shelves, and there are still shortages and rationing on essential items.

In the information to follow I am going to list items that the CDC and FEMA think that you should have on hand for emergencies, along with some additional Copyright, 2014, Revised 2022

Emergency Preparedness supplies that I think are important. I have written articles like this before, and I am doing it again in the hope that a few grasshoppers will be transformed into ants.

Emergency Preparedness List: Water: Water is essential for life and a human being cannot survive more than 3 to 5 days without water, depending upon the climate and heat index. “But I have city water”, you say, and I ask, “Has your neighborhood ever experienced a water main break or has your water been temporarily undrinkable due to water line repairs or contamination? In certain disasters such as a flood or earthquake water supplies are cut off for days or weeks either by a breakdown of the pipelines that water travels through to our homes or because water purification and delivery requires electrical power.

The CDC wants you to keep 1 gallon of water per person in a household for up to 3 days. I view this as inadequate for many emergency scenarios. Water is not just needed for drinking but also for cooking, bathing, cleaning, and other important tasks. I suggest that you have water on hand for a minimum of 7-days and that you also have a personal (if you live alone) and/or family water filter on hand that is rated to remove 99.9 percent of all water contaminants.

Source – Amazon Prime, LifeStraw, Sawyer Products, MSR, Katadyn, Lifesafer Shelter (Warmth and Protection): Also essential to life and health is shelter from the elements and the ability to maintain a normal body temperature in hot or cold environments. It is important to have a change of clothes, blankets or sleeping bags in colder climates and temporary shelters such as tarps and/or tents. The CDC recommends plastic sheeting and masking tape. If you are a camper, hiker, or backpacker then you probably already have tents and sleeping bags and other outdoor equipment.

Store your extra clothes and shelter equipment in bags or boxes in an easy to get to location.

Source – Amazon Prime, REI

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Emergency Preparedness Food: The CDC recommends that individuals and families have a 3-day supply of food on hand. I believe that in our “new reality” that recommendation is grossly inadequate and planning for a minimum of 1 week to 30 days is far more appropriate. It is a good idea to keep dried beans, legumes, and grains on hand along with canned foods with a long shelf life. Additionally, there are freeze dried prepackaged foods and meals that will stay viable for 25 years or longer. It is a good idea to purchase some of these foods and to store them in a cool dry location in your home. If you live in an area that is prone to flooding that would be on the second floor of your home.

Source – Amazon Prime, Earthshakes.com, Mountain House Bug Out Bag (BOB) A bug-out bag (BOB) is a backpack or other container that contains the items you would require to survive for several days or longer, when evacuating from a disaster area, The focus of the BOB is on immediate emergency evacuation. In Parts II and II of this emergency preparedness series I will outline the assembly of Bug Out Bags and how I have prepared 6 different levels of bags and containers based upon various emergency scenarios.

Source – Author’s articles on Bug Out Bags Light: I recommend both flashlights and lanterns. Flashlights are good for spot illumination and lanterns are good for lighting a larger 360-degree area.

Generally, the batteries in lanterns, set at low light, last longer than the brighter flashlights. Consider getting solar charged flashlights and lanterns or those with a crank. Have plenty of batteries on hand including rechargeable batteries and chargers both electric and solar.

Source – Amazon Prime, Coleman Medication and First Aid: If you are on critical medications, it is a good idea to have a backup supply of the medications that you need. The CDC recommends a 7-day backup supply of Copyright, 2014, Revised 2022

Emergency Preparedness critical medications. This recommendation is once again insufficient. One way to accomplish this is to refill your prescription(s) before you run out so that you always have a few extra days of medication on hand. It would also be good to know, from your doctor, what the plan would be if you are unable to get your medications. What would be the safest way to titrate off a medication rather than simply stop taking it because you cannot get it? Keep copies of all prescriptions in your fireproof/waterproof safe.

Keep a Red Cross approved and well stocked first aid kit in your home and vehicle.

My first aid kit has always included additional bottles of potassium iodide, iodine, rubbing alcohol, hydrogen peroxide, witch hazel, aloe vera, disinfectants, hand sanitizer, masks, and a well-stocked herbal pharmacy.

Source – Your doctor, your pharmacy, your holistic health practitioner, and Mountain Rose Herbs Fuel It is a good idea to keep your personal or work vehicles fueled and ready for an unexpected trip due to emergency circumstances. There are many reasons why gasoline, diesel, or other forms of fuel may be in short supply or impossible to find. I recommend never allowing your vehicle to run below the half full mark on the gas gauge. When you know, due to circumstances, that an emergency is imminent keep your vehicle full of fuel. If you have more than one vehicle keep them both full and purchase a manual siphon hose with a pump and in an emergency situation move the fuel from one vehicle to another or into portable gas storage containers to take with you as you leave an evacuation area.

Other forms of fuel that you may need to keep on hand include propane or kerosene for various kinds of emergency gear like propane or kerosene heaters, cooking equipment, or lighting.

Communications: The CDC recommends that you have a cell phone in your emergency plan and supplies along with the necessary cell phone chargers. There are rechargeable battery packs available for charging cell phones and some of them have crank generators and/or solar panels. However, in any major disaster cell phone towers Copyright, 2014, Revised 2022

Emergency Preparedness and service, along with the internet, are the first parts of our communications infrastructure to fail.

The CDC also recommends a combination battery, crank, and solar radio so that you can listen to emergency communications, including NOAA weather broadcasts, from local, state, and federal authorities. I recommend that you also have a mobile Citizen’s Band (CB) radio capable of picking up local signals and a good shortwave capable radio if your battery/crank/solar radio cannot receive those signals.

The Sangean MMR-88 Emergency Radio available through Amazon is one of the best rated on the market today. Another good option, with shortwave frequency capability is the Voyager V2 AM FM Shortwave Weather Emergency Radio with battery, solar and crank capability. Most of these kinds of radios have built in cell phone chargers and flashlights.

Source – Amazon Prime, Earthshakes.com Documents: The CDC recommends that you keep important documents in a fire and waterproof container (safe). If you already have this item and it is fireproof but not waterproof, then keep it on the second floor of your home. Keep copies of your important documents. I suggest that you make copies of your driver’s license, passport, social security card, VA papers, mortgage, lease, marriage license, medical records, prescriptions, important membership cards, and credit cards (both front and back) in this container and in a secure location. I scan all important documents on a printer/scanner, and I keep hard copies in a safe and digital copies on a backup hard drive.

Source – Amazon Prime, SentrySafe Cash on Hand: The CDC recommends that you keep enough cash on hand to handle several days of food and fuel needs. In a disaster banks will be closed, and ATM’s will not be working. Credit and debit card use, and processing will probably not be available.

Keep whatever amount of cash you feel is adequate for a week or longer without cash access from a bank of ATM. The cash that you keep should be in small Copyright, 2014, Revised 2022

Emergency Preparedness denominations with nothing larger than a twenty-dollar bill. 1- and 5-dollar bills are the best choice.

Source – Your bank Sharps: Sharps are not an item included on most emergency preparedness lists but they are an important item on my list. Sharps are any tool that has a sharp edge, a knife, a camp axe, or a machete. They can be a very handy tool and weapon for self-defense.

Source – Amazon Prime or your local hardware or camping store Tools: The CDC recommends that you have simple tools such as screwdrivers, a pair of pliers, an adjustable wrench, a hammer, and scissors. Basically, a small home toolbox. You might also want a box or two of assorted screws and nails. Consider adding duct tape and glue.

Source – Amazon Prime or your local hardware store.

Maps: Keep maps of your local area, county, and state in your vehicle and/or emergency pack, boxes, or storage containers. Especially have maps that well mark and indicate secondary roads out of your area that avoid major highways. I also have maps of the local railroad tracks (I own a Jeep Wrangler).

In a disaster you will not be able to rely upon satellite navigation systems in automobiles, on a cell phone, or a handheld device. These systems will be out of service. Instead use a map and learn how to use a compass.

Source – Amazon Prime, State Tourist Office Emergency Contact Information for Family and Friends: It is a good idea to keep emergency contact numbers on a piece of paper in your wallet or purse. You will not necessarily remember the important numbers and contacts that you need, and you may not have access to the contacts on a computer or cell phone.

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Emergency Preparedness I hope that this information is helpful to you and that it will motivate you to prepare for the next emergency, disaster, or crisis.

Resources: CDC All-Hazards Preparedness Guide Centers for Disease Control and Prevention - the All-Hazards Preparedness Guide is a publication of the Office of Public Health Preparedness and Response of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

FEMA For Kids Are You Ready? Working with kids to develop a family readiness plan. https://www.ready.gov/kids CDC Children and Disasters Checklist https://www.cdc.gov/childrenindisasters/checklists/kids-and-families.html Amazon Prime Home Shopping for Everything in the World https://www.amazon.com/prime EarthShakes, A Long-Established Source for Reliable Emergency and Disaster Supplies EarthShakes.com Augason Farms https://www.augasonfarms.net/ https://readywise.com/

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Emergency Preparedness

Building a “Cheaper” Bug Out Bag, Part II Building a “Cheaper” Bug Out Bag, Part II Dr. Gregory T. Lawton This article, Building a “Cheaper” Bug Out Bag, is Part II of my planned series of articles on emergency preparedness and organizing and building a Bug Out Bag (BOB).

Part I of this series entitled, The Ant and the Grasshopper, Preparing for Hard Times I provided basic preparedness recommendations and cited items that the CDC and FEMA think that you should have on hand for emergencies, along with some additional supplies that I think are important.

Please keep in mind, as I stated in Part I, that it is better to remain in your home and not evacuate unless it has been determined that it is unsafe or unwise to do so.

Part IIII of this series will offer some guidance on assembling a BOB specifically designed for “scavenging” emergency medical, food, or other essential supplies during a major disaster or social unrest. In Part I I offered my thoughts on the concept of SUBAR, or when things become Screwed Up Beyond All (Hope of) Recovery.

In Part II we are going to investigate the assembly of a BOB using only items that are readily available at a dollar or thrift store.

In my article entitled Building a Better Bug Out Bag, When Things Go SUBAR I explained that, like many of you, I have a bug out bag, and in fact I have several different BOB’s. I have 6 levels of BOB’s, each one prepared and assembled for what I believe would be the 5 essentials which are; varying social or environmental situations, terrain, speed of travel, and length of time of the

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Emergency Preparedness evacuation. I call my approach to BOB assembly a modular system because each BOB builds upon and augments the level before it.

While assembling a BOB may vary according to the 5 essentials cited in the paragraph above, there are certain categories of BOB components that are considered basic needs and these needs include fire, water, food, clothing, shelter, light, and first aid. To these seven essential categories you might include other categories of gear and materials including weapons, navigation gear such as a GPS or a compass, and communications equipment such as CB, GMRS, Ham, Broadcast, or Short-Wave radios.

Until you are forced by circumstances to use a BOB your assembly of a BOB is theoretical. The building of a BOB, until you have actual experience with it, is based upon your best guess or estimation of what you might need in an emergency.

Of course, if you are reading articles like this one and books on emergency preparedness then you are using the collective knowledge of many individuals with varying degrees of experience and expertise.

I have over 50 years of light and ultra-light backpacking experience and I have embraced the concept of scavenging in the field. In the forest, swamp, or desert this simply means that a person can put natural resources and locally available food supplies to use. This may take the form of building primitive tools, equipment, or shelters, or harvesting natural plants and available animals as food sources. My personal philosophy is centered around minimalism or “less is more” and this philosophy affects how I prepare for situations during which I may need to rely upon my BOB for my wellbeing and survival.

This brings us to the purpose of this article or how to build a “cheaper” BOB. Please note that cheaper does not mean less effective, it simply means that you will spend less money on assembling this BOB than you might by reading an article and purchasing your BOB materials online or at your local hardware or outdoor supply store.

In preparation for writing this article I went into my local thrift store with my expert shopping associate (my wife Ginny) and we started walking up and down rows of merchandise and selecting items. We started at the front of the store and Copyright, 2014, Revised 2022

Emergency Preparedness worked our way through all the merchandise that the store offered, and then we followed this procedure a second time to double check our work and to assure that we had not missed any needed items.

In my previous article The Ant and the Grasshopper, Preparing for Hard Times, I mentioned my modular approach to preparedness and my 6 levels of BOB’s which have been assembled to serve different emergency and survival scenarios. Let’s briefly review my “modular” approach to BOB building.

1. My first BOB is my jeep wrangler which is loaded with emergency, mechanical, and survival gear including fence and lock cutters, 2. My second BOB is a 10-pound chesty pack that is designed as a grab and go emergency pack where I may be walking or running from some kind of urban emergency, 3. My third BOB is a 15-pound backpack which contains such basics as a ground pad, a lightweight tent, various light devices, three forms of water filtration units, emergency food, and a change of clothing.

4. My fourth BOB is what my grandfather Clarence Lawton would have called a “grip”. The grip is a BOB that has additional food, water, survival gear, medical supplies, and communications gear.

5. The fifth BOB is a large plastic bin that is designed to slide into my off-road capable jeep trailer. The bin BOB would extend my survival and comfort to an indefinite period. The bin BOB is equipped to allow for the establishment of a permanent camp and would provide for warmth and comfort in extreme conditions, as well as, providing for a competent level of hunting and fishing.

6. I call the sixth BOB the “Scavenging BOB” (Also known as the break in or break out bag) and it is packed into a small canvas grip type bag but weighs less than 10 pounds. The scavenging BOB contains tools that might be needed to get through a fence, doors, or other barriers to entry for necessary emergency or survival supplies.

This once again, brings us back to the purpose of this article, the “cheaper” BOB. I found the “dollar” or thrift store to be a treasure trove of BOB materials and gear.

Here is a list of what I found by visiting one store: Plastic plate Copyright, 2014, Revised 2022

Emergency Preparedness Plastic bowl Plastic eating utensils Water bottle Coffee filters Car sunshade Small zip lock bags Large trash bags Plastic emergency poncho Tissue/toilet paper Magic towel Wash mitt Ear plugs Face mask First aid kit Wet wipes Hand sanitizer Antibiotic ointment Iodine tincture Analgesic tablets Chap stick Toothbrush Toothpaste Bar soap Paracord bracelet Pocket/multi tool knife Utility knife Bungee cords Pocket lighters Matches Vaseline Petroleum Jelly Glow sticks Flashlight LED light clip Duct tape

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Emergency Preparedness

These 35 items cost a grand total of 35 dollars plus sales tax. The cost of these items is a far cry from what I spent for similar items at sporting goods stores and online. If you are familiar with emergency and survival gear and equipment you will recognize the purpose for most of the items listed above, but some items may require some explanation. For example, I selected the car sunshade because I recognized that it would make either an excellent ground cloth under a sleeping bag or two or more car sunshades could be duct taped together to make a rain tarp. An auto car mitt may be used as a personal washcloth and/or to dry off your body after bathing. Vaseline-soaked cotton balls are commonly used as a fire starter. Hand sanitizer which contains over 60 percent ethyl alcohol is also an excellent fire starter when used with a pre-prepared dry flammable material such as cotton balls, wood shavings, or cattail fluff. The coffee filters make effective pre-filters for water filtration and prior to using some form of anti-bacterial agent such as a 2 percent iodine tincture. Personally, I do not like using iodine in water preparation and I have small water filters in all my BOB’s, but of course I did not find a personal water filter at the thrift store, hence the need for iodine to complete this project.

As you can see in the list above, I have covered many of the categories and components for assembling a BOB including water, shelter, fire, light, and first aid.

What I did not purchase at the thrift store was food and clothing, but I did thoroughly investigate those options and I made a list of the food and clothing options that were available for 1 dollar or slightly more. The food choices were Copyright, 2014, Revised 2022

Emergency Preparedness surprisingly extensive. Available was a large assortment of trail mixes, granola and power bars, and small bags of rice and beans. If I had been there to stock up my home emergency food supply, I could have purchased a variety of can goods, all for about 1 dollar per can. The clothing options were not as extensive unless you count the holiday costumes and are comfortable bugging out as Count Dracula or Santa Claus. There were tee shirts, hats, scarves, gloves, and socks available. It is always a good idea to have a pair of extra socks in your BOB. If you are forced by circumstances or income to acquire and to assemble your BOB at the dollar or thrift store, what will you use for the bag part of the BOB? A BOB is not a BOB without a bag. These stores have that need covered as well.

Readily available are several large garish multi-colored laminated water and tear resistant tote bags. My personal favorite was a bag designed for the beach. If your personal leanings are a bit more covert than a floral pattern tote bag then I suggest using the duct tape and black trash bags to alter the tote into a tactical design, the plastic covering will also make the BOB more water resistant. Of course, you will use zip lock bags of varying sizes to further protect your gear and equipment. Bungee cords may be attached to the tote handles and the BOB may be hung around your neck like a messenger bag. With the BOB carried in this manner you will have easy access into the bag.

I fully enjoyed my trip to the thrift store with my wife Ginny and I was pleasantly surprised by the abundance of potential BOB supplies that I found there. What will you find?

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Emergency Preparedness BUILDING A BETTER BUG OUT BAG, WHEN THINGS GO SUBAR

SCREWED UP BEYOND ALL RECOVERY (SUBAR)

PART III

SUBAR means Screwed Up Beyond All (Hope of) recovery. This article is on the assembly of a Bug Out Bag (BOB) that is specifically designed for the purpose of “scavenging” emergency medical, food, or other essential supplies during a major disaster or social upheaval.

Like many of you I have a bug out bag, from here on referred to as BOB, and in fact I have several different BOB’s. I have six levels of BOB’s each one packed with what I believe would be essentials for varying social or environmental situations, terrain, speed of travel, and length of time in the field.

My first BOB is my jeep wrangler (whose name is Judo) which is loaded with emergency mechanical and survival gear including fence and lock cutters, my second BOB is a 10-pound chesty pack that is designed as a grab and go emergency pack where I may be walking or running from some kind of urban emergency, and my third BOB is a 15-pound back pack which contains such basics as a ground pad, a solo tent, various light devices, three forms of water filtration units, emergency food, and a change of clothing.

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Emergency Preparedness

Both my chesty pack and my backpack are lightweight and conform to my enthusiasm for ultralight backpacking. These two packs would allow for fast transit through various kinds of terrain, whether forest, desert, or urban. The chesty BOB and the backpack BOB can be worn at the same time, are very comfortable, provide perfect weight distribution from the chest to the back, and allow for easy mobile access to weapons, equipment, water, or food.

My fourth BOB is what my grandfather Clarence would have called a “grip”. The grip is a BOB that has additional food, water, survival gear, medical supplies, and communications gear.

While the chesty BOB and the backpack BOB would provide food, water, and shelter for four days, the grip BOB would extend my survival and comfort level out to another fourteen days. The weight of the grip BOB is 25 pounds. This would push my total weight load to 50 pounds. This is a manageable weight in most terrain and environmental conditions.

The fifth BOB is a large plastic bin that is designed to slide into my off-road capable jeep trailer. The bin BOB would extend my survival and comfort to an indefinite period of time. The bin BOB is equipped to allow for the establishment of a permanent camp and would provide for warmth and comfort in extreme

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Emergency Preparedness conditions, as well as, providing for a competent level of hunting and fishing.

(Assuming that you are competent at either of these) This then brings us to the purpose of this article - the scavenging BOB or BOB number six.. Until you are forced by circumstances to have to use a BOB your assembly of a BOB is theoretical. The building of a BOB, until you have actual experience with it in the field, is based upon your best guess or estimation of what you might need in an emergency.

Since I have over 50 years of light and ultra-light backpacking experience, I have embraced the concept of scavenging in the field. In the forest, swamp, or desert this simply means that a person can put natural resources and food supplies to use. This may take the form of building primitive tools, equipment, or shelters, or harvesting natural plants and available animals as food sources. But how do you scavenge in an urban environment?

Since I travel a lot, I realized some time ago that in the event of a natural disaster, social upheaval, epidemic, or war there was a strong likelihood that I would be in an urban environment miles and/or days from my home. While I have equipped my jeep with essential supplies, equipment, and gear there are many possible scenarios where I may not be able to use the jeep for transportation. I may have to walk out of a large urban area such as Chicago or Detroit. Anticipating such a scenario is why I developed my idea of staging bug out bags by use, readiness, and speed of travel. But what if my return home is delayed or I need essential lifesaving supplies in an emergency? Therefore, I developed my scavenging BOB idea.

The scavenging BOB, which I call my break in or break out bag, is packed into a small canvas grip type bag that weighs less than 10 pounds. I designed my scavenging BOB as a carry along bag to compliment my chesty BOB and my backpack BOB. If I am equipped with my chesty BOB, my backpack BOB, and my scavenging BOB my total carrying weight would around 35 pounds.

As I contemplated possible bug out scenarios, specifically having to evacuate and transit large urban areas, I realized that having basic tools that would allow access through fenced off areas or emergency shelter. This is where the reader rightly objects and says, “Isn’t that against the law?” and I respond, “What law?”.

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I also must state, as a form of legal disclaimer, that I am not recommending breaking any civil laws and if you get killed trespassing trying to escape a nuclear blast area or shot breaking and entering a closed grocery store or pharmacy during the Zombie Apocalypse, I will accept no legal liability.

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Emergency Preparedness The image above shows the basic tools that I have decided to load into my scavenger BOB which include: Emerson Raven, folding knife Tekton, ball peen hammer Tekton, pry bar Tekton, pliers Tekton, box cutter Tekton, chisel Tekton, wire cutter Texton, Philips and flat end screwdriver Tekton, punches Leatherman, multi tool Mechanics or tactical gloves In addition, I have three sources of light including my favorite, the glow stick. The other lights sources are a small LED flashlight and a small clip-on light. Both lights have low red-light ability. The grip BOB is a small CLC canvas tool bag which, in addition to the tools it carries, has ample room for whatever it is that you are scavenging.

Aside from the highly discouraged breaking and entering scavenging scenario you might be scavenging from tons of debris that may be laying around everywhere after a manmade or natural disaster.

I have my own reasons for the tools that I want to have with me, and you certainly will have your own personal choices. Just remember that for every unneeded or useless object that you chose to carry you add another “O” to BOB making the BOB a BOOB, as in “a stupid awkward person or simpleton”. Don’t become a BOOB! Note: This part of this three-part series is the most controversial. While there are certain extreme circumstances that allow scavenging for supplies, it is most often illegal and may lead to incarceration or worse.

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Emergency Preparedness Addendum – Food with a long shelf life There are many common foods that have a long shelf life and therefore you can stock these foods in advance of an emergency. Of course, there are also dehydrated and freeze-dried foods with a shelf life of from five to thirty years.

Foods that adds flavor and comfort: Comfort foods can be a huge morale booster during a stressful survival situation, something that needs to be kept in mind when starting to stockpile food. These four things can be stored for over 10-years and are a great way to add a little bit of flavor to your cooking. If stored properly they will probably last indefinitely.

Alcohol – Whiskey, Vodka, etc.

Raw honey Salt Sugar – brown or white Base cooking ingredients with a long shelf life: The following categories of food make up the foundation of most recipes and are all things that store well.

Hard Grains: Stored properly hard grains have a shelf life of around 10 – 12 years.

Buckwheat Dry corn Durum wheat Hard red wheat Kamut Millet Soft white wheat Spelt Soft grains: These soft grains will last around 8 years at 70 degrees, sealed without oxygen.

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Emergency Preparedness Quinoa Rye Beans: Sealed and kept away from oxygen the following beans can last for around 8 – 10 years.

Adzuki beans Black turtle beans Blackeye beans Garbanzo beans Kidney beans Lentils Lima beans Mung beans Pinto beans Flours and Mixes and Pastas: 5 – 8 years All-purpose flour Cornmeal Pasta White flour White rice (up to 10 years) Whole wheat flour Oils: Coconut oil – Coconut oil has one of the longest shelf lives of any kind of oil.

It can last for over 2 years and is a great item to add to your survival food supply list.

Survival Foods that are great during short-term disasters: The following items are great for short-term emergencies and will stay fresh for a long period of time. During most disasters you’re going to want to have food that requires very little cooking or can be eaten without any preparation at all. Make sure some of your stockpile includes these types of food.

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Emergency Preparedness Other good survival foods: 2 – 5 years of shelf life Canned meats Canned tuna Canned vegetables and fruits Coffee Dried herbs and spices Hard candy Peanut butter Powdered milk Ramen noodles – not the greatest food in the world but they are very cheap, so they made the survival food list.

Tea Items that can be used for more than cooking: Apple cider vinegar – Cleaning, cooking, and has antibiotic properties Baking soda – Cleaning, cooking, etc.

Honey – Mentioned again for its antibiotic properties and wound healing.

Nonfood items to stock up on at the grocery store: Bandages Batteries Bic lighters Bottled water Canning supplies Charcoal Lighter fluid Medicines Peroxide Soaps Toilet paper Trash bags Vitamins Zip lock bags

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