Evaluation of the situation
After a natural disaster, crisis, manmade or otherwise, there will be a constant need to evaluate your food and water supply. Particularly after you have established a safe space or shelter to live and you have a secure place to keep stocks.
How long have you gone without food? This is very important because the body cannot function well without a reasonable about of nourishment and if you are constantly hungry you will not make good decisions. Good decision making is very important, especially after something catastrophic has happened. I imagine that most people that will be reading this book have never really been hungry. I am not talking about those pains of famine that you get before a meal as your body realizes that food is coming. I am not even talking about the hunger that comes from skipping several meals by fasting – for spiritual or other reasons. The fact is, most people start getting “hangry” after just a few hours and become ravenous beasts by hour 24. Especially if you are dealing with a natural disaster or other crisis demanding much energy of mind and body. This is important not just for yourself, but also knowing this and decerning the state others are in when trying to navigate a difficult crisis situation. People are driven mad by hunger, thirst and other pains. Given the posh state of our modern society, most people do not have the discipline, endurance and ability to withstand these types of stresses to the body, mind and spirit. Remember these things when you are planning for your survival in any type of emergency situation.
A good and bad thing is that most people who would find themselves in an emergency situation probably haven’t gone more than a day without food either. It is good because we live in a world of plenty – so long as the status quo is maintained. It is bad because most people have never had to develop the discipline necessary to go without or with very limited amounts of food. So when put into a crisis or survival situation they are not prepared for the harsh realities that are there. So learning to temper your cravings, your inclinations and focus your energy on procurement will be very beneficial. Within 24 hours of a disaster, the world will start getting pretty crazy. Resist that urge, it will only get you killed.
Food is essential and going for days without it will only cause you to grow weaker, your brain become foggier and decision making less effective. It is dangerous and you want to have food to get you through these most critical moments. One of the very first things you should have for yourself is a 72 hour kit that is highly portable and capable of comfortably sustaining yourself for at least 3 days, but with the right planning and discipline can extend for more if needed. Another word for a 72 hour kit – the portable variety is the “bugout bag.” It should have everything you need for 3 days – 72 hours. Short term, mobile supplies of essential items – food, water, clothing, weapons and tools etc.. This is important enough that entire chapter has been dedicated to this, which you should have read. If you are diligent in your efforts to be prepared, you should have already created a basic Bugout Bag for each member of your family. They do not have to be elaborate, but they do need to have a quality, lightweight, long term food supply for each person.
Back to food in general - What is your situation? Are you in a major city area or are you more rural? Do you have room in your house and vehicles to keep stocks of food? Have you thought about what you would do if you had to leave your home and be on the move – for either safety or necessity because your home was destroyed, or otherwise unlivable?