You want to prepare for whatever comes your way. That’s why we pay for insurance and work on our emergency preparedness after all. How likely are you to really need all that preparation? It can feel so overwhelming when you don’t know if you’ve done enough. Alternately, when people say it’s ‘crazy,’ sometimes you have to wonder if you’re doing too much and wasting your time. However you feel, reliable answers will help you sort the fact from fiction, and I’m here to provide those answers. If you’re new to prepping, then you’ve come to the right place.

How Likely is a SHTF scenario? A SHTF scenario is a hundred percent likely. Unfortunately, if you live on Earth, you will almost certainly go through an SHTF scenario at some point. Although there are varying levels of severity and duration, everything from an extended summer power outage to a worldwide pandemic or war falls into this category. 

How Likely Are Different SHTF Scenarios

To sort fact from weird conspiracy theories about how likely an SHTF scenario is, you have to recognize that both exist. Sadly, there are tinfoil-hat types who are coping with schizophrenia or excessive paranoia. Alternately, plenty of people get into prepping because they understand that SHTF emergencies happen.

Right now, all the news is about one particular emergency scenario that we’re living within. What about the rest of the time? If you check the government websites, pretty much every country has guidelines for minimum emergency preparation.

Those sites exist to help people when SHTF. Notice that I said “when” and not “if.” That was intentional. Emergencies are going to happen. Whether they’re personal, environmental, weather-based, health-related, war, or other problems, it happens all the time.

SHTF Scenarios Happen

When things go sideways, that is an SHTF scenario. Personal examples, like a fire or significant identity theft, happen daily. Something like sixty million Americans, or one in seven, have had their identities stolen. That will wipe out your bank accounts, or cause other havoc. Luckily, this typically only affects a single home.

Local disasters can cause an SHTF scenario, like a power outage or tsunami. Riots such as the one in Los Angeles back in 1992, or Chicago in 1965 made the streets unsafe for anyone. Moreover, anyone living in the north has blizzards. In the south, it’s more likely to be a hurricane, while the center of the country has tornadoes.

Global problems arise every generation or three, like a war, climate change events, or pandemics. This isn’t new. That means when you live long enough; you are probably going to face a global scale SHTF scenario.

The Type of Disaster Doesn’t Matter Much

Whatever SHTF scenario has you most concerned about, the result is similar. You need to have all the same things to live. Food, heat, light, water, and the ability to make it through so you can thrive in the aftermath are what matters most.

The world doesn’t have to end in a nuclear fireball for dangerous SHTF scenarios to be part of your life. Check out this brilliant book, Survival Guide: When Sh!T Hits the Fan, for more ways to prepare. You can be prepared enough for anything survivable without going overboard.

Keep in mind that the specific disaster doesn’t matter if you’re well prepared. No one is going to make it if a massive asteroid hits the planet, or if the sun goes supernova. You have to let go of the idea that you need specific detailed individual plans for every possible problem. However, most survivable SHTF scenarios require similar preparations.

SHTF isn’t ‘Likely’ It’s Inevitable, What Now

Now that you know the unfortunate truth, what can you do about it? Luckily, you’re already taking steps in the right direction. By coming here and reading this, you can focus your intentions and actions on getting ready and staying that way.

One of the most important things you can do as a Newbie Prepper is to choose the right resources. Unfortunately, when you merely read piecemeal information, you don’t get everything you need. Get Survival Guide: When Sh!T Hits the Fan because having a complete guide will help you get organized.

Remaining calm, and working on a plan will make you a more effective prepper. It may surprise you to learn that yoga and other Zen activities make you better at taking care of business when SHTF.  Emergency preparedness is about quality of life when things are at their worst.

To survive, you need more than supplies. Being able to enact your plans means staying focused. An excellent guide will help, but so will working on your focus and calmness daily. People panic when the herd panics, and that means lower survival rates. Be the rock at the center of the storm.

What Are the Chances of SHTF Scenarios

There are three general categories of SHTF scenarios, based on how likely they are. First are the ‘probably not going to happen’ situations. Second are the ‘less likely, but possible,’ problems. Finally, there are the ‘Inevitabilities,’ which aren’t a question, but rather a certainty.

I’ll walk you through them from the crazy to the real. Each of the following three categories is important in different ways.

Probably Not

You may wonder why I bother to include SHTF scenarios that aren’t going to happen. It’s a fair question, and I have a sensible answer. People who are more worried about these things make terrible survival team members. You need to keep perspective. Understand that these problems are either not-survivable and a waste of planning time, or so unlikely that it amounts to the same thing.

• Zombies- Yes, science ‘could’ make this happen, but you’re not going zombie hunting. Moreover, if the zombies come, stick to the age-old monster solution. Cut off the head, burn the body, and scatter the ashes in the wind. You should have survival knives anyhow. Get a machete and go back to realistic plans.
• Supernatural Creatures & Monsters- Godzilla and the vampires are not coming for your long term for stores. There’s no statistically valid evidence for this scenario. Let it go.
• Aliens- The universe is vast, and we cannot hope to comprehend it. If Advanced beings from other worlds come for you, there’s just no way to know how to defeat them.
• Extinction Event- If asteroids, deities, or other genuinely world-destroying events happen on Earth, you cannot stop them. By definition, these are not survivable. Think of them as falling into a volcano. You can’t fight, so stick to survival plans for situations where you can change the outcome.

Less Likely

I am only including one all-encompassing scenario here. The details don’t matter as much as the effect.

• Rapid Complete Destruction- Most massive events do not wipe out everything at once. Moreover, they don’t hit everywhere at once. You are likely to have a warning, time to plan, and chances to escape. Any survivable event is more likely to roll in more slowly. Even in a world war, soldiers have to travel. Pandemics take time to spread. EMP weapons don’t affect shielded items.

Almost Inevitable

Sadly, this is the realistic SHTF scenario list. If I’ve left anything out, assume it goes here. There are so many probable situations that it’s near-miraculous that we don’t have an incident every few months. Unfortunately, this isn’t conspiracy-thinking, but rather a studied and scientifically backed opinion based on the world as it is right now.

• Pandemic- There’s not much to say about this because it’s currently happening. Easing restrictions without a solution will almost certainly make things worse.
• Climate Change- Although the stay-at-home orders around the world have helped slow this slightly, we are also currently undergoing this scenario.
• Nuclear War/Events- Rising global socio-political tensions make war, and atomic events extremely likely.
• Local Weather Disasters- These happen in many places each year. Volcanoes, earthquakes, tsunamis, blizzards, fires, and droughts are part of normal life.
• ETC- You don’t need a list of every detailed possible SHTF scenario given the three examples above. Two simultaneous SHTF scenarios are happening now. Although it takes more time than most people anticipate (thanks to TV), we live inside an SHTF scenario already.

The unfortunate reality is that, despite what our TV shows and movies lead us to believe, the world doesn’t fall apart in two hours or less. There are billions of people, and they don’t keep a tidy schedule for you to set your watch by when things go badly. This is why you might want to get a guide that can prepare for the inevitable. I highly recommend Survival Guide: When Sh!T Hits the Fan. It provides you a full program that gets you, your family and loved ones prepared no matter what!

When Specific SHTF Scenarios Become Likely

Although ninety percent of being prepared is the same for all disasters, there are extra things you can do when specific events happen. For example, the pandemic means avoiding people more than usual. In that case, boning up on how to evade capture, and where to go to avoid crowds is a wise addition to your planning.

Start with the basics. Get a copy of Survival Guide: When Sh!T Hits the Fan and build up from there. If you have most of the survival tips and tricks on hand, it’s easier to know what to add because you aren’t starting with a blank page for your plans.

Instead of stressing over what you need, turn to the pros who have been at this for years. Skip the tinfoil hats and nervous breakdowns. Instead, handle the majority of what you need for every scenario, and then work on new skills and supplies for things that aren’t part of general survival planning.

Incidentally, stress will hurt your survival chances. Not only does it threaten your state of mind, but it also affects your body. Psychological pressure can tank your immune system, among other detrimental side effects. Breathe deep and plan well.

Adding More As You Build Up Supplies

Adding some targeted survival gear to your collection is smart. Mainly when specific SHTF is more likely for you personally, or the world at large. The mask and glove shortages are a great example of when a particular prep would help.

Another good ‘extra’ is Iosat tabs for radiation poisoning. There are ninety-eight nuclear reactors in the US. You don’t have to be near one to suffer fallout in case of an accident. Fortunately, as long as you keep the extras to a reasonable weight and don’t go overboard, you can have them.

If it makes you feel better, you can even add zombie hunting gear or stakes for vampires at your BOL. It’s not a likely scenario, but a little extra equipment won’t hurt. Plus, it can help you have some perspective on just how surreal an SHTF scenario feels.

By adding some little extras, you’ll feel more in control. Don’t forget the chocolate. It’s okay to put away things you want for an emergency as well. Having small pleasures in the worst situations is good for your brain. Stock some card games, and other minor things to help you keep your sanity, it will save on tinfoil, and it could even save your life.

Final Thoughts

How likely is a SHTF scenario? You live in one now. If you came to read this article in the hopes that you’d find nothing to be concerned about, then I hope you have a better understanding now.

The severity of our situation depends on our actions. Being prepared is about taking the necessary steps to preserve life. For a scientific look at how close we are to an even worse SHTF scenario, watch this video on The Doomsday Clock.

Anything short of total world annihilation is survivable. By choosing emergency preparedness now, you’re more likely to be one of the lucky survivors who help create the future. Be proud of that.

You don’t want a headache you could prevent on top of your other problems. Surviving is stressful enough without thinking about sugar and caffeine withdrawal on top of everything else. Luckily survival candy can help you out in more ways than one. If you’re not familiar with this delightful staple, I’ll happily explain why you need a little sweetness, even in the event of an apocalypse. Hopefully, your emergency situation won’t be quite that bad. Regardless, you can afford to add some tasty treats to the most dire preparations without guilt.

Why You Need Survival Candy

What is survival candy? It is candy or gum that serves as comfort food but should provide additional calories, boost one’s energy level or keep you alert and awake. If this is your first time hearing the term, then you’ve been missing out. Although you may not technically need sugar or caffeine, you don’t have to leave them out of your emergency preparedness plans. Plus, candy tastes better than freeze-dried coffee.

Candy should never be your only source of calories. However, when SHTF and you can’t get or carry large quantities of other foods, subsisting on sweet and tasty treats will certainly keep you alive. More importantly, the right candy can do a lot more than give you calories.

Classic survival candy was little more than sugar and corn syrup, but things have come a long way. Now you can get caffeine and even vitamins in your treats. More importantly, it’s a ready source of energy that doesn’t weigh too much or take up a ton of space.

How Sugar Affects Your Brain Positively

You already know that too much sugar is bad for you, but there’s an upside to survival candy as well. Sugar activates the mesolimbic dopamine system. That’s a lot of big words that mean it makes you feel rewarded and happy.

If you need an excuse to do your inventory, or you want to make sure you practice a survival skill every day, promise yourself a small sweet reward. Over time, you’ll notice that it becomes easier to get up that motivation. Also, you may note that not having any sugar makes you feel crummy because it’s addictive.

You’ll want to brush your teeth and eat very healthy if you use this technique. For diabetics and those who are overweight, you may want to substitute a non-sugar candy instead. Whatever the case, that sweetness will help you prepare, and you can store it for a future date when you may have to survive a much worse situation.

Choose a candy that has a long shelf life and gives you more of what you need. I recommend Kabang Energy Candy from Amazon because it also gives you a vitamin boost. In an emergency, a pick-me-up that also stimulates the pleasure center of your brain can help keep you calm and moving forward even when things are dire indeed. Plus, Kabang is low in sugar and provides a natural, crash-free energy boost. Learn more by clicking here. 

Don’t Go Ham on Survival Candy

All survival is a balancing act. You don’t want to wreck your teeth and pack on pounds just to make it to tomorrow. Fortunately, that doesn’t mean going without for the rest of your days. With enough survival candy stocked away, you can have a little sweetness in your life even if society crumbles down around you.

Try adding honey-sesame candies to your stock as well. Not only does honey have a lower glycemic index, but it also has some health benefits. You’ll find the sweet crunch of this classic treat also satisfies your sweet tooth.

How Long Has Survival Candy Been Around

When asking what survival candy is, you have to look at how long people have been making candy. According to Candy History, sometime around fifteen thousand BC people in Egypt started making candies. They used honeycomb, spices, figs, and nuts to create these early delicacies.

Although it’s been attributed to many cultures, the reality is that anywhere people had honey and fruit or nuts, a similar treat probably existed reasonably early on in history. Was it considered a survival food at that point? It’s hard to know for sure. However, anyone who needed a quick pick-up to make it through the day likely survived on a little candy.

Sugar in various forms is integral to human history. Modern candies came about more slowly. The candy cane didn’t begin as a Christmas treat. Instead, it was invented in Cologne, Germany, around 1670.

Likewise, chocolate bars are courtesy of an Englishman named Joseph Fry. He came up with the process of using cocoa powder, sugar, and cocoa butter pushed into a mold for shape in 1847.

By the time WWII rolled around, candies were a part of soldier’s MREs. The addition of the sugary treat gave them a boost for fighting or trekking long distances. Doubtless, it also released dopamine and other happy chemicals that helped them feel good about going to war.

Survival Candy Lasts Longer Than You Think

Anyone who has ever found a half-melted jolly rancher at the bottom of their bag is probably wondering what survival candy does differently to prevent this. Honestly, it’s the wrong question. The thing that makes candy excellent survival food is the packaging.

Individually wrapped, vacuum-sealed hard candies last the longest, along with honey candies. However, the humble chocolate bar can also store well for quite some time. The trick is to keep them sealed, moisture free and in a cool, dark environment.

I recommend keeping your survival candies with moisture remover packets, just like other survival foods. Mylar bags and light-proof buckets or jars will help you hoard your sugary treasures for two to four years in ideal conditions.

Sugar, like honey, technically doesn’t spoil. If it gets wet, it will dissolve. However, the dry powdered form will remain sweet crystals indefinitely. Those who plan to DIY their treats may want to keep powdered sweeteners, freeze-dried fruits, and some corn syrup in their long-term survival supply caches.

Another great alternative is MEG – Military Energy Gum. Not only is it made in the USA, but it won the 2005 US Army’s Greatest Invention of the Year Award. Civilians can get MEG from Amazon, but it’s also used in several MREs to help soldiers keep up their endurance. Check the reviews right here. Please be aware that this gum is loaded with caffeine. Having personally tasted this gum, one will definitely notice the caffeine flavor. The taste may not be for everyone but the gum was created to keep the user awake and alert when it may be urgent to keep watch for the safety of others during a life or death situation.

Uses for Survival Candy

No one wants sugar withdrawals, but that’s not half as bad as scurvy. Fortunately, many long-term storable candies have citric acid, and vitamin C included. Survival candy will keep you from suffering the nasty side effects of either condition as long as you ration correctly and pick the right type. At least until you can find an alternative source, a little sugar might make a big difference.

Additionally, many candies are available with an added vitamin boost or caffeine. Plus, any hard candy can help keep you from dry mouth and calm a cough in a pinch. Survival candy also tastes a whole lot better than chewing plain elderberries or drinking pine needle tea, which will help with cough and scurvy (vitamin C deficiency), respectively.

The calorie-dense, attitude-improving treats might seem like an indulgence at first, but nothing is further from the truth. You need to add some sweetness to your long-term survival storage. Lightweight and energy sustaining survival candy can mean the difference between life and death if you use it correctly.

Survival Bars Are Similar to Survival Candy

In addition to your survival candy, a meal replacement bar can help you get vitamins, protein, and sugar your body craves. Though survival bars weigh a little more and take up slightly more space, they are still an excellent addition to your preps.

You’ll get a lot more protein from these bars. Furthermore, they’re still small enough to pack plenty easily. Plus, you’ll feel fuller than you would from the same number of calories in sugar-candy form.

I prefer the Redcon1 MRE Bar from Amazon. They come in several flavors, like s’ mores and iced carrot cake, and pack a substantial twenty grams of protein per bar. That will keep you on your feet for a long trek. Furthermore, you’ll appreciate the real-food ingredients and fast shipping times from Redcon1. Get a box by clicking here.

The best thing about good survival bars is that they’re meant to replace a whole meal. You can find them in gluten-free, sugar-free, and vegan options for those with special dietary needs.

If you can eat healthy, fresh food, do that. However, when lives are on the line, stores are closed, and you’re lost in the woods, things are a little different. A good survival candy or bar can help you make it to your BOL, or evade roving hordes of zombies without collapsing from exhaustion.

Final Thoughts

You’ll never find a better excuse to pick up a bunch of sugar than survival candy. It’s okay to eat ’empty carbs,’ if your life depends on it. Because your body will use them instead of storing them as fat, it’s not a terrible backup plan.

That said, you need to pack a toothbrush. Moreover, survival candy is only a temporary fix or a small pick-me-up. Luckily, as long as your self-control holds out, you can still buy them in bulk because they’ll store for years if you keep out moisture, light, and pests.

You’re working hard to stock up, and some tuna, green beans, and even drinks sound like useful additions. They are, but what do all those things have in common? Well, they’re all canned goods, so you need to make sure it’s kept in the right conditions. Otherwise, you’ll be throwing away money, or worse. You can get very sick from bad canned goods. As long as your cans don’t explode from water expansion in the cold, they’ll be fine, but what about heat? Can you tell when canned food has gotten too hot, and isn’t safe? I’ll help you sort through your supplies and figure out what to make for dinner and what to toss so you can stay healthy. Luckily, it’s easy enough to tell the difference.

Is canned food safe if it gets hot? Your canned food is safe if it’s no warmer than seventy-five degrees. Although most canned goods can withstand temperatures up to a hundred degrees for a short while, over seventy-five can affect the quality. However, there are other signs to watch for that indicate spoilage, like can expansion. 

Canned Food Safety: Heat & More

The heat will undoubtedly spoil your canned goods. That’s why I don’t recommend using your car for storage, but what’s the big deal. Although some canned goods are better cooked, you don’t want to pre-heat them because it can cause mold growth, among other problems.

Foods tend to expand in the heat. This can cause cans to bubble or expand, which shows an obvious problem. However, not all canned goods will demonstrate this sign simply because they got warm.

In some cases, Clostridium botulinum can contaminate overheated or improperly packed canned goods. Mold spores and decomposition can happen in improperly stored canned goods. Additionally, the heat can cause the cans to sustain damage.

What Happens If You Eat Bad Canned Food

Damaged canned goods will make you sick. Not only will spoil food cause abdominal pain, but it can have a host of other issues as well. Food poisoning is more dangerous in emergencies. Typically trouble will occur within a few hours to a day after consuming harmful canned goods and maybe the result of campylobacter, salmonella, E.coli, or other contamination. Plus, if anyone else ate the same food, they’ll be ill too.

Symptoms of Normal Food Poisoning

Not everyone experiences all the symptoms. However, if your whole family or group ate the same food, and they have any of these symptoms, you may have gotten food poisoning. Additionally, the severity varies from person to person based on their immune system and constitution.

• Weakness- It goes without saying, weakness is detrimental in any survival situation. You need to stay healthy and remain capable of action during a disaster.
• Muscle Aches- Sore muscles aren’t a massive problem if you can push past it. However, anything that slows you down or steals your focus is terrible news for survivors.
• Gas- It may not seem like a big deal to fart. However, it’s a sign of intestinal distress and other issues. Being stinky in a survival situation won’t make things easier.
• Diarrhea- Especially if you’re on the move, it can be a problem. Not only does it feel bad and waste time, but diarrhea takes vital nutrients and water out of your body. That can be a more serious problem in an emergency than it would normally.
• Nausea & Vomiting- Upset stomach can cause you to barf. Then, not only do you have no food in your stomach, but the acid can damage your throat.

Severe Food Poisoning Signs

Most of the time, a person who has food poisoning will pass the bad food out of their system and heal. Time, rest, and fluids will allow their body to fight. Unfortunately, there are more severe issues that can arise. Keep an eye out for these signs of acute food poisoning.

• Fever- A sharp spike in your body temperature might help you fight viruses and other health problems, but when your fever gets too high, it can cause brain damage. Tylenol can help, but in a real SHTF scenario, it might be hard to find.
• Severe Stomach Cramping- Extraordinary stomach pain is nothing to sneeze at. You shouldn’t ignore unusually severe pains.
• Prolonged Vomiting- Throwing up is one thing, but when it lasts more than a few minutes, you need to take steps to prevent further vomit.
• Dehydration- Either diarrhea or vomiting can contribute to dehydration. Losing your water too quickly is a death sentence when you’re low on water and electrolytes. Watch out for dizziness, dry mouth, fatigue, confusion, and excessive urination.
• Black or Bloody Stools- Any sign of blood when you poop is terrible news. It means you’re bleeding somewhere in your intestinal tract. Resultantly, the blood gets into your feces.
• Death- In severe cases, death can result from a combination of these symptoms and a lack of proper treatment.

Treating Food Poisoning from Spoiled Canned Goods

When you are in the midst of an emergency survival situation, anything that harms, sickens, or slows you down is problematic. Even a fart can cause problems if, for example, you’re hiding from attackers. We store food to stay healthy, so proper storage and caution are necessary.

Modern people have gotten spoiled from easy access to medical assistance. In a real disaster, you may not have that for days, or ever depending on the severity. Waiting on medical aid that may not come is a bad plan.

You need to prevent dehydration most. Have the affected person take small sips of water or clear fluids. This will help keep enough water in the body, plus it may help with nausea.

Alternately, it’s essential to avoid certain medicines. It might seem obvious to use an anti-diarrhea or anti-nausea med, but please don’t. Unfortunately, this can make things worse. Have the sick person rest and recuperate as much as possible.

Botulism Can Mimic Overheating in Canned Food

Luckily it’s rare to encounter botulism, improperly canned goods may be contaminated. Although this isn’t necessarily related to overheating, some of the symptoms are similar. Unfortunately, botulism is a much more significant concern than standard food poisoning.

Clostridium botulinum produces a potent neurotoxic chemical. While weakness and abdominal cramping may appear similar to ordinary food poisoning, typically, those signs pass after a day or two. Alternately, with botulism, the effects can last weeks.

Moreover, botulism can cause muscle paralysis, difficulty breathing, and blurred vision. It also sometimes makes your eyelids droopy, or the tongue feels thick. Plus, signs may take twelve to thirty-six hours to manifest. Sadly, you’ll need botulinum antitoxin and a hospital stay to handle this problem.

Avoid low acid foods and home-canned mystery meals. Most vegetables and meats have less acid than necessary to kill off botulism inside their containers.

Storing Canned Goods Safely

All canned goods require similar storage conditions. For optimal preservation, you need several things. First, low moisture is vital. Next, darkness helps keep spoilage down. Third and finally, you’ll want the right temperature range.

Because cans are made from metal, moisture is the enemy. Despite all modern efforts to create rust-proof metals, over time cans become more susceptible to moisture. You should rotate out and eat your supplies regularly, replacing them with newer cans.

If you have a root cellar or basement with a stable temperature, you can try sealing your cans by dipping them in paraffin wax. This may help keep out moisture and contaminants over time. Likewise, vacuum sealing cans inside of bags could extend the shelf life as long as those bags remain intact.

Some of the foods you can store in cans are surprising like B & M Brown Bread from Amazon. This unexpected and delightful raising bread is tasty warm, or cold, and can be eaten right out of the can. Brown molasses bread is sweet and satisfyingly full of carbs for survival. To find out more about B & M by click here. 

Jars

When you have any ‘canned’ goods inside jars, they are especially susceptible to light. Always opt for darker glass if you can get it. Plus, storing all your jars and cans away from sunlight and heat sources helps extend the shelf life and prevent label fading.

Canned food in clear jars will suffer a nutrient loss if exposed to light. Furthermore, it also becomes discolored. Light typically indicates heating, although it’s not necessarily enough to cause spoilage. For example, when food is only exposed to a lightbulb periodically, it’s not a significant concern.

The sun isn’t your only enemy when it comes to heat. Water heaters, stoves, and other sources of heat can damage your canned goods over time. For best results, store your cans off the ground in a stable temperature, dry, and dark place.

Are Expired Canned Goods Safe to Eat

You should always try to eat canned goods by the expiration date. That said, we are assuming that your preparation may someday include a situation where this isn’t a viable option. So how long can you wait to eat your food?

Well, in optimal storage conditions, most canned goods will last up to six years. However, you need to know how to inspect cans for damage and spoilage properly. Guess-and-check is excellent for estimating how many jellybeans in a jar in elementary school. However, it is not a safe or sane method for survival food consumption.

To answer the question as best I can, yes; you can eat foods stored past their expiration date in an emergency. Unfortunately, it’s vital to ascertain that the food is safe before you eat it—more on that in a moment.

How Long Could Canned Goods Last

It may surprise you to learn that cans found in a hundred-year-old shipwreck contained edible and safe food. A big part of food storage is knowing how long your foods can last.

Although the exact shelf life of every food you want varies, it would do you a world of good to research how long it can last. Everyone has their preferences, but making a practical assessment of what works best for your diet is part of proper emergency preparedness planning. Some things certainly go off quickly, but there are also a few foods that last virtually forever.

Although it didn’t make the forever-list, getting some cases of V8 Original from Amazon is a smart choice. You can drink it from the can, or add it to flavor soups, stews, and more. Getting the vitamins and nutrients your body needs is vital in an emergency, and V8 is a great way to make that happen. Check the reviews right here. 

Forever Foods List

• Honey Powder, Maple Syrup Powder, Corn Syrup & White Sugar- Because these sugary foods are so stable, they don’t expire. Unfortunately, if you get any of them wet, you’re going to lose that fantastic preservative quality.
• Fruitcake- That Christmas staple that everyone complains about is often packed with everything it needs to last for decades. The alcohol and sugar content work together with flour to create a stable barrier for the dried fruits. Especially when vacuum sealed and kept away from sun and moisture, your granny’s fruitcake might be around for your grandchildren to eat. At least one fruitcake made it a hundred and six years.
• Soy Sauce, Salt & Vinegar- Although they aren’t foods on their own, all three of these shelf-stable pantry staples will keep as long as they remain sealed and stored. Additionally, you can use the first two for your salt needs in an emergency. The latter two both work to sterilize and preserve, so I recommend keeping all three around.
•  Ghee- Especially in its powdered form, clarified butter, known as Ghee doesn’t expire.
• Hard Liquors- Again, this isn’t food as such, but it has calories, and in a pinch, it’s useful to sterilize surfaces, or for drinking.
• Cornstarch & Bullion Cubes- Like most items on this list, both cornstarch and bullion cubes will remain permanently the same. If you don’t allow contaminants like moisture and light to interfere, then you’ll have these for years to come.

When Canned Goods Go Bad

Canned goods might be safe even if they got hot. Similarly, they can go off when you do a perfect job of storing them. Accidents happen. The three main telltale signs of food spoilage are easy enough to spot.

First, look for bulging cans. This indicates a buildup of gas from the decomposition process. Any pop-top that isn’t depressed has lost its vacuum seal. Also, cans that are bulging tend to be rotten inside. Don’t even open these because they are both spoiled and potentially dangerous.

Secondly, you should examine your cans for signs of rust or other breaches. Make sure you have good light. Remove any labels and check the seams. Next, consider the top, bottom, and sides thoroughly. Any rust, dents, or leaks are a warning. Read it as, “Do not eat!”

Finally, there’s the smell and appearance test. If you open a can and the food smells off, or nasty, then you can assume it’s gone over to the dark side. It’s not worth doing a taste test. Furthermore, in canned goods, looks do matter.

If your can bursts open, there was a buildup of gas inside it. Moreover, you may see foam or froth at the top. These are visual cues that mean you need to put the can down and find something else to eat. Dispose of the contents and can properly. Then, make a meal out of anything else.

What if Canned Goods Freeze

Freezing might damage some of the nutritional value of your food. Plus, it can change the texture in unpleasant ways as ice crystals form inside. However, frozen cans aren’t a problem as long as they remain intact.

Always place frozen, canned goods in the fridge. Thawing at warmer temperatures is not advisable. You shouldn’t eat rapidly thawed canned goods.

Consider adding a few cans of Libby’s Whole Kernel Sweet Corn to your plans. Corn holds up exceptionally well over time, and it’s useful in many recipes. Libby’s is kosher and packed in the USA. Better still, corn freezes well and thaws quickly. Plus, it’s fully cooked so you can eat it straight from the can if you like. Pick some up from Amazon by clicking here. 

Cooking Canned Goods in the Can

Since canned goods can go bad when exposed to heat, does that mean you can’t cook them in the can? Realistically, it’s fine to prepare unspoiled canned goods inside the can so long as you practice common sense.

Always remove the lid before heating. An exploding can is shrapnel, and you can get severely injured. Additionally, make sure you remove the label and any remaining glue before you put the can near the fire. You don’t want melting glue or burning paper near your food or skin.

Final Thoughts

Storing your canned foods away from heat is just common sense. You wouldn’t store regular food where it’s hot either. Heat promotes decomposition, mold growth, and cooking, none of which are suitable during food storage.

Most bad canned food is easy enough to identify. If you want more information on how to spot bad canned goods, check out this video. You’ll see seven signs of food spoilage to help you check your supplies more efficiently.

Never eat food you suspect has gone off. It’s not worth the risk to your health in an emergency.

It’s dark out, and you’re running. Whether you’re in a survival situation already, or it’s about to happen, you need an excellent way to defend yourself. However, you also probably aren’t planning on taking a ton of supplies and a backpack on your jog. So how do you compromise and bring a great self-defense item without carrying too much weight? A neck knife is an ideal solution. You don’t need to put it inside a pocket or on a keychain, plus they won’t weigh you down. I’ll explain how to stay safe while you’re going out for exercise or sprinting for your life with an excellent neck knife.

Why Carry a Neck Knife Running

All runners should carry a neck knife. Realistically, guns are heavy. Pepper spray can be messy, and personal alarms are better for busy parking lots near your favorite bar. A neck knife gives you the ability to defend yourself without any of the downfalls of those other defensive weapons.

There’s no good reason for an adult in this world to wander around, intentionally helpless. Hopefully, you’ll never need a knife. Or at worst, maybe you’ll only need to save some kids’ kite from a tree by cutting the line loose. Regardless, you should protect yourself. Here are three good reasons a neck knife is a right choice for that job.

If you want a superb tiny knife, I suggest you pick up SOG Instinct Mini from Amazon. With a blade that’s under two inches, attached to a full tang, you’ll have a very sturdy little neck knife. More importantly, it’s small enough to carry most places without any trouble. To get yours, click here. 

Runners Have No Pockets

Unless you have high-quality women running clothes or a jacket on, then you probably have no pockets when you jog. More importantly, pockets are inefficient when you’re moving fast. They tend to work small items up and out at inopportune times.

You can always sew internal pockets or add zippers to your running gear. However, that is a better solution for ID or cash. When it takes extra time to fish out your knife, you lose precious seconds in an attack. That can make a life-changing difference, or a life-ending one if things go sideways.

Easy Access

The ability to simply reach up and pull out a knife is a significant boon. Worn outside your clothing, a neck knife is fast and straightforward to access. For the same reason you don’t want your defense inside a pocket, you do want it right where you can grab and go.

Though it takes a little retraining if you’re used to wearing a blade on your belt, you’ll get used to it quickly. Like all weapons, you should schedule practice time for your new defensive strategy. Moreover, it’s vital to keep up your drills.

Lightweight

Good neck knives don’t weigh you down. You should always make sure the fit and drag on your neck are comfortable for you. Ideally, you want a knife that, after a few days, you’re so used to that, you hardly notice it’s there until you need to get it out.

Self Defense & More

Assailants can come at anyone, anywhere, and anytime. Instead of hoping you never have an issue, prepare so that you’re ready if and when it does. For women, a 2018 article in the New York Daily News claims the chances of harassment are forty-three percent. That’s almost one out of every two.

Typically men face lesser chances of harassment and threat, but that doesn’t mean you’re safe, far from it. Runners, especially solo runners, are easy targets on a lonely road. However, there are plenty of other reasons to bring a knife.

You never know when you’ll find some trapped wildlife, or snag a shoelace on a bush. Any number of non-threatening problems can happen while running. If you injure yourself, cutting the fabric away can help save a limb that’s swelling while you wait for help to arrive or limp to the nearest hospital.

Choose the Best Neck Knife For You

Any knife can be modified to become a runner’s neck knife. However, your machete is a poor choice unless you’re about ten feet tall. Instead of improvising ‘something that works,’ you want a premade option that fits well.

So how do you decide what will fit right and cover your basic needs? I’ll walk you through everything you need to look for when trying out your new neck knife.

Features That Matter

All runners have their style. More than merely looks, the gait varies based on height and other personal details. Furthermore, some people have long torsos, while others are shorter. The fit matters more than anything else.

Additionally, you need a knife that feels right in your hand. Never underestimate how vital it is for a weapon to be comfortable. There are so many options for blade and handle styles that you can find whatever you’re looking for.

Those who prefer a longer style should consider the Survival Frog Tactical Neck Knife. The beautiful tanto blade alone is nearly three inches long, and it comes with a host of bonus features. You’ll have a sharpener, compass, fire starter, and signal mirror all in one six-point-four-ounce package. Plus, the handle has an outstanding grip. Check the Amazon reviews yourself right here. 

Heavy and large knives have their place in survival equipment. However, when you need to move fast and protect yourself from close-range assailants, a neck knife should be part of your EDC instead of a more extended, bulkier option.

 

Carrying A Neck Knife

Whenever a runner chooses to carry a neck knife, they should look up local laws. There’s a vast difference between tucking that little blade into your jacket and wearing it right out front. Comfort is vital, but as long as society has law enforcement, concealed carry and other knife laws determine how and where that blade can go.

If you plan to go anywhere near a state or county line, the laws can change in an instant. However, in general, most places are alright with an openly carried blade that is shorter than three inches, not including handle, and does not lock open.

Some countries ban the carry of any knife. However, in the USA, it depends on where you are. States, counties, rural and urban divides, along with government buildings, all have their legal restrictions. Fortunately, it’s not difficult to check your local laws online.

Naturally, in a TEOTWAWKI scenario, when social niceties are no longer enforced, it doesn’t matter. Until then, I always strongly recommend that people follow all the applicable laws. Survival chances get a lot slimmer if you’re in jail when SHTF.

 

Knife Care Tips

Runners who carry neck knives should adhere to the same standards as anyone else with a knife. You need to keep it sharp and maintain it properly. Otherwise, you may someday reach for your knife and end up with a broken piece of rusty trash in your hand instead. Upkeep is an essential part of weapon ownership.

In addition to the legal reasons, wearing a neck knife outside your clothing is also practical. You want to keep it clean and dry to help prolong the life of your blade. Inside your shirt, sweat and oils from your body can damage metal over time.

If you do get sweat, dirt, or anything else on your weapon, then you need to clean it as soon as possible. Use mild soap and a soft cloth to remove any stuck-on grime. Never use abrasive ‘scrubbing’ cloths. Opt for microfiber or similar materials because scratching the blade will lead to rust.

Additional Knife Care Considerations

Make sure you check the sheath and strap along with the blade. It’s easy to forget the container, but a broken cord can be the difference between having a lifeline and losing your knife three hills back.

One of the best and most straightforward to maintain runners’ knives is the Esee Knives, James Gibson Pinch Fixed Neck Knife. At only three-point-four inches from blade to handle, this sharp and stunning knife is much easier to carry than its larger siblings. Plus, it’s made from 1095 carbon steel. Esee also offers a hundred percent lifetime warranty on their knives. Learn more on Amazon by clicking here. 

It doesn’t take much blade length to stop an attacker once you know what you’re doing. Hence choosing a higher-quality, but also smaller knife is the best for runners. Better yet, it’s much easier to sharpen and care for a neck knife than a sword or set of kitchen knives.

Carbon steel knives are more susceptible to acids than regular steel. Resultantly, you shouldn’t use a blade of this material to cut lemons. Always make sure you wipe a carbon blade off right away and dry all your blades entirely with paper towels or microfiber.

Final Thoughts

Runners carry neck knives because they know the world is a dangerous place. As a prepper, you should never get caught outside the house without your essential EDC. That means taking your blade when you jog.

Regardless of gender or circumstances, having an outstanding small blade around your neck could give you the upper hand in a seriously dangerous situation. For another perspective, watch the video above on why you need a neck knife. You’ll see how different people need and want widely variable styles.

Make sure you remember to stash this particular piece of incredibly useful EDC in your car if you plan to enter any federal building. Most government checkpoints won’t take kindly to any fixed blade, no matter how small.

You’re finally ready to get that home generator you’ve been planning for all this time, but do you need diesel or propane? There are some vital differences between the two, and staring at pages of reviews and scattered facts is just confusing. Fortunately, I’ve been running my generators for a couple of decades now both at home and my BOL. So I can help enlighten the situation with straightforward facts. As long as you have power, you’ll have the ability to do a lot more for your survival, especially if you live in the city. The new generator is about to be your favorite prep because you will use it more than you expect. Even when there are no SHTF level problems, storms knock out powerlines every year, but you won’t be in the dark anymore.

Diesel Vs. Propane Storage

When looking at generators, whether diesel or propane, one of your main concerns should always be fuel storage. How much space you have, and how well different fuels keep over time are essential questions. Additionally, you’ll want to look at the cost, safety, and efficiency of each.

When winter comes, and you need to keep your loved ones warm, a disaster is the worst time to realize you don’t have enough fuel. You may recall that in January of 2019, a severe cold snap hit a huge portion of the midwestern US and killed twenty-two people. Businesses and schools closed down, and people were freezing.

Unfortunately, severe weather can knock out local power grids and leave you in the lurch. Hence, a home power generator is necessary, but which one? Let’s take a look at the four main fuel differences.

Fuel Basics

Sure, both propane and diesel will keep you warm, but the differences can be shocking. Depending on how good you are at engine maintenance, or how much space you can dedicate to fuel storage, your best option varies. There are advantages to both. Your situation makes a huge impact on what type of generator you need.

Generally, I recommend a high-quality propane generator like the Etq TG32P31 3600W Portable. Like many generators these days, it’s a dual fuel model so that you can use gasoline in a pinch. However, with a thirteen-hour runtime at fifty percent load, you won’t run out of fuel anytime soon. Plus, it’s EPA and CARB approved for all fifty states. Click Here to find out more on Amazon.

Especially when you’re new to prepping, it’s often best to start with less dangerous options. You can work your way up to storing harder to care for materials.  In this case, diesel is the advanced class. I’ll explain why.

Fuel Differences

Not all fuels are created equal. Burn rates, heat output, and toxicity are just some of the things you need to consider when you plan to store and use any fuel in your home. Here are the four most important differences between propane and diesel.

• Fuel Safety- Diesel in smaller quantities is stored the same as regular gasoline, while propane tanks come with safety valves. Propane is also nontoxic and has a much narrower range for flammability.
• Efficiency- Unlike the cooler burning propane, diesel puts out thirty percent more heat for an equal amount of fuel burned. You’ll need a lot more propane to do the same job. Diesel engines also tend to operate better.
• Cost- Typically, propane costs about half as much as diesel fuel. However, it’s worth checking local sources before you make a final decision.
• Shelf Life- Propane doesn’t go bad in the tank over time. Meanwhile, the same cannot be said for diesel fuel.

As you can see, there’s an upside to either fuel source. If you have space, and a smaller budget, then propane is for you. However, if you want fuel efficiency and you have a large budget, diesel is alright. Still, propane is less toxic and less flammable, which makes it a better option for beginners.

Differences Between Propane & Diesel Generators

Fuel storage isn’t your only concern when selecting between propane and diesel generators. The physical features and cost of your machine are also huge factors. The environmental impact is also an essential consideration.

Although diesel can be a less expensive fuel to use in a generator, you’ll find that the harmful chemical output is both messy and problematic. Moreover, propane won’t go bad inside the tank, causing failed starts and motor issues.

If that wasn’t enough to put you off diesel generators, there’s also the noise consideration. Propane makes for a fairly quiet generator and can run under sixty decibels easily. Alternately, the typical diesel generator is loud enough to damage your hearing.

Why Noise Matters

In a true SHTF scenario, announcing your presence and wealth of preparedness supplies can be a deadly decision. It doesn’t take very much to screen out the noise from a clean-burning propane generator. Trees or bushes in your yard will make it less noticeable. You can also move woodpiles and other stable large objects nearby to help break up the sound.

Sixty decibels is about the same as a moderately loud conversation, so it’s not so hard to disguise. Although you should never place a generator in an enclosed shed, you can build an awning in most places. Protecting your generator from the weather while reducing sound is a wise choice. Make sure to check your local ordinances first to avoid trouble.

When stores close down, and people start to run short on supplies, it won’t be long before you face bandit issues. There are already almost two and a half million robberies per year in the USA. How much worse do you think it will get if things go south and people lose power or other vital services?

Cost-Effective

Another significant prohibiting factor for many seeking their first or latest generator is cost. Unfortunately, a conventional, portable diesel generator will cost upwards of two thousand dollars at least. Portable generators with multi-thousand dollar price tags aren’t within the average budget.

Although it may be worth saving for, you need a solution sooner. You can always use your propane generator as a backup at your BOL later. When you can cut a zero off the price tag, that’s enough incentive to consider propane or dual-fuel generators seriously.

A reliable model like the Rainier R4400DF from Amazon will get you through the dark. At just sixty-five decibels, it won’t scream your location to the world. You’ll love the wheels for easy portability. Plus, Ranier offers a three-year limited warranty to make sure you get the most out of your home generator. Read the reviews right here. 

Keep Your Propane or Diesel Generator Safe

A good home generator, propane or diesel, needs to be portable. Instead of leaving it out like bait all the time, you can pull the generator inside when it’s not in use. Protecting your generator from thieves and weather can be that simple.

If you only use a home generator when you genuinely need it, you’re less likely to attract notice. In an emergency scenario, keeping your head down is one survival strategy that almost everyone needs at times. However, there’s one situation almost no one is prepared for, and they should be.

EMP weapons are becoming part of the arsenal for several major world powers. Last year America’s President made moves to help protect against the probability of an EMP crippling the US infrastructure. Sadly, that won’t protect your house or your generator.

Emergency Backup Generator

Keeping your emergency backup generator somewhere it’s out of sight isn’t enough. You want to keep it safe. Luckily, you can build a very basic Faraday cage to store your generator and other backup supplies inside. It won’t even take too long.

Choose a high-powered All Power America APG3590CN, and you’ll have enough power to get through almost anything, even if you have a large house. Ten thousand watts of output will keep your refrigerator, and anything else you need working long after the rest of the country goes dark. Moreover, it’s EPA and C.E.T.L certified. Get yours from Amazon, click here. 

Once you have a generator worth protecting, you’ll need some copper mesh, aluminum, or chicken wire. The trick to a good Faraday cage is making sure it fully encloses whatever you want to protect with no gaps on any side. A simple cube shape will do. Store your generator inside with other backup devices you plan to power with it.

Final Thoughts

As you learn better preparedness strategies, you’ll be glad you have a good propane home generator. Moreover, you’ll start to see why protecting it is so vital. When you plan to survive an emergency, you want to have as many options a possible to help you thrive.

Keeping your generator away from thieves and EMPs will help you do that. For more details on how to build an excellent Faraday cage for storing your generator when it’s not in use, check out the video above. Add a couple of high-quality padlocks, and you can protect against robbery and energy pulses at the same time.

Running out of power at some point is inevitable. Luckily, staying that way is a choice, and you can avoid it with a simple home generator.