Food Supplies for the Plague

[dan79brooklyn]

OK, my Dad is convinced that there will be a global plague in the not too distant future. For whatever reason he has taken this threat pretty seriously and has been weather proofing the garage in preparation for the family all hiding out together. He has been asking me to research what type of food to put away for a six month plague. I would be curious to know what your responses were to this question. His concerns are food going bad before the plague is over. Yes, he is a unique individual and he might be wrong, but let's humor him and take this concept seriously.

[legion]

How about those freeze-dried backpacking meals? Available from places like Erehwon and REI. Designed for backpackers. Just add hot water and you have a meal for four.

[notfarnow]

Lots of canned beans. Cheap, healthy... but may not help the garage biosphere.

[Rot 911]

MRE's. Enough that there is a variety. Plenty of calories and last for years.

[gaijindabe]

You had better get a 30-30 or better if you dont want all your Brooklyn neighbors coming over for dinner..

[yellowline]

Twinkies?

[930addict]

Originally posted by dan79brooklyn
OK, my Dad is convinced that there will be a global plague in the not too distant future. For whatever reason he has taken this threat pretty seriously and has been weather proofing the garage in preparation for the family all hiding out together. He has been asking me to research what type of food to put away for a six month plague. I would be curious to know what your responses were to this question. His concerns are food going bad before the plague is over. Yes, he is a unique individual and he might be wrong, but let's humor him and take this concept seriously.

We're buying a family pack from these people: http://1stopfoodstorage.com/

With everything that's going on in the world it's really not a bad idea, IMHO.

[dan79brooklyn]

Thanks for the tips guys. MRE sound promising they look like they would last for at least ten years if kept below 60 degrees!

The compound is a top secret location in Vermont.

and he does have a pretty large cache of guns too.

The idea may seem far fetched, but those virus's are getting more serious.

[legion]

I'm thinking more and more that anti-biotics and such just gave us a temporary edge that the viruses and bacteria will eventually catch back up to.

[dan79brooklyn]

A lot of the anti-biotics also decrease your immune systems ability to fight of virus' on its own.

A program on PBS about global warming seemed to imply that warmer temps and increase in CO2 levels would create more and more serious types of diseases.

I think humanity's existence on Earth is going to go through some drastic changes in the next 20-60 years...

It's not too late to make changes but USA's attitude about global warming and reducing consumption of the Earth's resources is not setting a very good example for the rest of the world.

[Moses]

Here is a partial disaster readiness list from the American Red Cross;

Water

* Store water in plastic containers such as soft drink bottles. Avoid using containers that will decompose or break, such as milk cartons or glass bottles. A normally active person needs to drink at least two quarts of water each day. Hot environments and intense physical activity can double that amount. Children, nursing mothers, and ill people will need more.
* Store one gallon of water per person per day.
* Keep at least a three-day supply of water per person (two quarts for drinking, two quarts for each person in your household for food preparation/sanitation).*

Additional Information

* Water sources during an emergency

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Food

Store at least a three-day supply of non-perishable food. Select foods that require no refrigeration, preparation or cooking, and little or no water. If you must heat food, pack a can of sterno. Select food items that are compact and lightweight.

Include a selection of the following foods in your Disaster Supplies Kit:

* Ready-to-eat canned meats, fruits, and vegetables
* Canned juices
* Staples (salt, sugar, pepper, spices, etc.)
* High energy foods
* Vitamins
* Food for infants
* Comfort/stress foods

Additional Information

* Food supplies during an emergency

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First Aid Kit
Assemble a first aid kit for your home and one for each car.

* (20) adhesive bandages, various sizes.
* (1) 5" x 9" sterile dressing.
* (1) conforming roller gauze bandage.
* (2) triangular bandages.
* (2) 3 x 3 sterile gauze pads.
* (2) 4 x 4 sterile gauze pads.
* (1) roll 3" cohesive bandage.
* (2) germicidal hand wipes or waterless alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
* (6) antiseptic wipes.
* (2) pair large medical grade non-latex gloves.
* Adhesive tape, 2" width.
* Anti-bacterial ointment.
* Cold pack.
* Scissors (small, personal).
* Tweezers.
* CPR breathing barrier, such as a face shield.

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Non-Prescription Drugs

* Aspirin or nonaspirin pain reliever
* Anti-diarrhea medication
* Antacid (for stomach upset)
* Syrup of Ipecac (use to induce vomiting if advised by the Poison Control Center)
* Laxative
* Activated charcoal (use if advised by the Poison Control Center)

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Tools and Supplies

* Mess kits, or paper cups, plates, and plastic utensils*
* Emergency preparedness manual*
* Battery-operated radio and extra batteries*
* Flashlight and extra batteries*
* Cash or traveler's checks, change*
* Non-electric can opener, utility knife*
* Fire extinguisher: small canister ABC type
* Tube tent
* Pliers
* Tape
* Compass
* Matches in a waterproof container
* Aluminum foil
* Plastic storage containers
* Signal flare
* Paper, pencil
* Needles, thread
* Medicine dropper
* Shut-off wrench, to turn off household gas and water
* Whistle
* Plastic sheeting
* Map of the area (for locating shelters)

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Sanitation

* Toilet paper, towelettes*
* Soap, liquid detergent*
* Feminine supplies*
* Personal hygiene items*
* Plastic garbage bags, ties (for personal sanitation uses)
* Plastic bucket with tight lid
* Disinfectant
* Household chlorine bleach

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Clothing and Bedding
*Include at least one complete change of clothing and footwear per person.

* Sturdy shoes or work boots*
* Rain gear*
* Blankets or sleeping bags*
* Hat and gloves
* Thermal underwear
* Sunglasses

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Special Items

* Remember family members with special requirements, such as infants and elderly or disabled persons

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For Baby*

* Formula
* Diapers
* Bottles
* Powdered milk
* Medications

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For Adults*

* Heart and high blood pressure medication
* Insulin
* Prescription drugs
* Denture needs
* Contact lenses and supplies
* Extra eye glasses

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Entertainment (based on the ages of family members)

* Games (cards) and books
* Portable music device

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Important Family Documents

* Keep these records in a waterproof, portable container:
o Will, insurance policies, contracts deeds, stocks and bonds
o Passports, social security cards, immunization records
o Bank account numbers
o Credit card account numbers and companies
* Inventory of valuable household goods, important telephone numbers
* Family records (birth, marriage, death certificates)
* Store your kit in a convenient place known to all family members. Keep a smaller version of the supplies kit in the trunk of your car.
* Keep items in airtight plastic bags. Change your stored water supply every six months so it stays fresh. Replace your stored food every six months. Re-think your kit and family needs at least once a year. Replace batteries, update clothes, etc.
* Ask your physician or pharmacist about storing prescription medications.





I could not find "handgun" or "weapon" listed anywhere, but without one of these;




You won't have these for very long.

[Moses]

And I suspect many of your neighbors have figured out that with one of these;



They can get as many of these as they want.

[techweenie]

You can buy MREs on eBay.

[nostatic]

MREs - check (2 cases)
water - check (5gal + 36 invidivual bottles)
first aid - check (fairly extensive kit)
drugs - check (antibiotics and pain meds)
cash - check...I mean cash
weapons - check (Sig and knives...still pondering 12 guage)
ammo - check (250 rnds JHP, 1K rnds FMJ)
guitars - check (there needs to be post-apocalyptic music)

OK...I think I'm ready.

[Moses]

Originally posted by nostatic
cash - check...I mean cash

nice.

[RickM]

Water: You can live for quite some time without food but the same can't be said for water. If you have a swimming pool look at it as a 40,000 gallon reservoir. There are many techniques for making this water potable. From chemical treatments to reverse osmosis hand pumps. You can even utilize the water from your Coi pond.

Note: Do not use Hefty type trash bags to line vessels for water (or food). From what I understand they are impregnated or sprayed with pesticides.

[gaijindabe]

Vermont huh? Dont for get the firewood. Kind of cold up there..

[azasadny]

I thought Y2K was over? Why do some people insist on believing that TEOTWAWKI (the end of the world as we know it) will happen during their lifetime?

[Vipergrün]

Originally posted by azasadny
I thought Y2K was over? Why do some people insist on believing that TEOTWAWKI (the end of the world as we know it) will happen during their lifetime?

He's talking about a plague, not the end of the world. Besides, this stuff should be staples for folks that live anywhere subjected to harsh weather, earthquakes, etc.

[930addict]

Originally posted by bb80sc
He's talking about a plague, not the end of the world. Besides, this stuff should be staples for folks that live anywhere subjected to harsh weather, earthquakes, etc.

Living in California you never know when the big one is going to hit and what services will be available when it does. So my wife and I keep a 72 hour kit in each of our cars. In addition, we're getting our 1 year food and supplies together - good insurance.