Perhaps you’ve seen the designs for a ‘candle heater,’ that have been going around the web for years. It seems exciting at first to think maybe something so cheap and simple could help keep you warm in an emergency. Fire is hot. Ceramic holds heat well. So I got curious and went digging to see if winter warmth was really that simple. Before you have your gas shut off this winter, perhaps we should have a look at the hard facts behind this wild idea.

Do candles warm a room? The math and science varies by room. Let’s say the room is 10×10 with ok insulation, no windows and a door that seals completely. Under these extremely favorable conditions, the answer is basically no. When you put it under a flowerpot, or three, the answer is still no.

Feel the Burn

Perhaps you’ve tried this and felt the heat. If so then you may be arguing with this assertion. If you put a small candle under a clay pot and sit near it you will feel the heat because it isn’t rising to the ceiling as readily and is more available to you. Any heat you can reach will help warm you, but this is not enough to warm a room. Basically, it’s a trick and one that actually costs more energy and money than other forms of heat.

You’ll see if you look, that the person who is credited with this ‘discovery,’ also sells these little candle heaters. They are fine for finger warming as a novelty. It’s a bit manipulative at worst and shows a lack of basic understanding of science and cost analysis at best.

A great alternative is to purchase a safe battery run indoor heater before an emergency occurs. Check out my recommended heater on Amazon here.

How Hot Will the Candle Get

Simply put, there is more to the question than the actual heat a single candle puts off. If you want to heat a room, you need to know what the heat loss ratio is from outside and how well the insulation works. You’ll need to know about all vents, windows doors and any other heat-loss-openings in the room and whether they can be sealed.

Different styles and sizes of candles will burn differently. Naturally, the wick material affects the burning as does the container. Any candle can burn you, however, beeswax is different from a long burning Crisco survival candle.

An average parafin tealight puts out around 100 BTU. Realistically speaking it will take around 1/5 of that candle to heat a square foot a single degree. So a tealight could heat a five foot square room (think of a pup tent and you’re in the right ballpark) for a short while.

Oxygen Burning Heat

Assuming you achieve a perfect seal, and there’s zero heat loss, then you have an oxygen issue. If you plan to be inside the room and use an oxygen burning fuel source to heat the space, you have a finite time within the space before you and the fire suffocate. It will take quite some time, but in general unventilated fire is a bad plan.

A fire loses about 80% of its heat out of a chimney when you ventilate. What this means is that most non-fire heat sources are far more effective at heating you and your room.

What Can I Burn

If you are determined to burn for heat, then it helps to know what burns easily. Always keep fires safety in mind so you don’t lose your shelter or your life while trying to survive.

• Wood, Coal and Other Organic Matter: Things like wood, leaves and even cotton will burn. Please be careful as some woods and many things which are chemically treated may be toxic.
• Candles- Paraffin, Gel, and Beeswax: Candles and even regular lumps of wax will burn. They are not efficient energy sources, but they’ll keep your fingers from freezing in a pinch.
• Fats- Lard, Oils, and Crisco: Most fats require a wick of some sort in order to burn. A Crisco Candle is another of those not-quite-as-it-seems internet designs. Crisco burns just fine, but any fire in a cardboard tube is a bad plan.
• Alcohol and Kerosene: You will need a lamp to burn these safely and efficiently.

Non-Oxygen Burning Heat Options

So, if a fire is wasteful then what options exist for staying warm in an emergency? Well, first, know that inefficient isn’t necessarily bad if it keeps you alive. If you need to warm your fingers over a tealight to stave off frostbite then do it. The fact that it would take a large number of candles to heat an entire room, even for a short while, does not mean you should avoid doing what you need to in a tough situation.

Fashion for Survival

It’s best to start with how you dress. Synthetics are a fine way to retain heat. Unfortunately, in a world or society ending situation these may cease to be an option. A great rule of thumb is that if it works for animals it can work for you. Wool, fur and down (feather stuffed) options are best. Nature has great designs if you look around for them.

If you cannot get your hands on any of these things go for layers. Between the layers of fabric, you’ll want to stuff crinkled paper or leaves. Make sure you don’t choose any poisonous plants to create your insulation. If you have access to it you can use extra fabric or even aluminum foil.

The more layers there are between you and the cold, the slower you will use up the heat you have. If you can keep enough insulation, it will save your life. This applies to living spaces as well as bodies.

Mongol warriors used rancid fat to protect their skin from the freezing temperatures of their homeland. Chapstick or Vaseline might serve the same purpose in an extreme situation, though it seems likely that actual animal fat would work better. Smelling bad, or feeling weird should never stop you from taking necessary steps to preserve your life or those you love.

Alternative Energy

If you are fortunate enough to have a source of electricity, be it a generator or solar panels, then you can run non-burning heat sources. Small energy efficient electric space heaters will do a fabulous job. Old fashioned radiators work as well.

A unique option might be to use a high-efficiency rocket stove to heat water in copper pipes as part of a radiant floor or wall heating system. These use less fuel to accomplish more and are fairly economical and easy to DIY.

Assuming you have sunshine, you can also opt for the ambient solar heater. You’ll need a small solar fan to move air in this case, but otherwise, it’s built of non-moving parts. A solar heater can be put together with some wood, clear plastic, soda cans, black paint, and tubing. It attaches to a window and creates a serious heat source as long as the sun shines.

If You’re Caught Outside

Create your own ‘room’. Basic shelter making is absolutely essential as a survival skill. There is no reason at all to avoid learning to make basic lean-to’s and other simple shelter. It is always easier to retain heat in an enclosed space.

Having a good ‘space blanket,’ on hand for when the SHTF. These incredibly lightweight thermal blankets help reflect and retain your body heat so that you aren’t losing as much.

If necessary, when you’re caught outdoors, you can bury yourself in leaves or pine needles, as long as you keep your body off the ground, but this method is more dangerous.

Don’t Burn Out

When you get cold, your body burns energy. Essentially you use yourself for a heat source. In order for this to work efficiently you need to stay in good health. Exercising regularly, especially cardio, helps keep your body functioning. Make sure you are eating properly so you have the nutrients and fat you need. Also, don’t forget to stay hydrated.

Final Thoughts

With no other available options, always do what you can. If you’re caught in a car in a blizzard this trick may help save your life, at least for a short while. However, there are simply better ways to handle your survival needs. A candle is better for romantic lighting, or at worst heating a very small amount of food. You can certainly keep your fingers from freezing, but for serious survival planning, you’ll want to try almost anything else.

It is best to plan ahead and get other sources of heat that does not run on electricity and can be used indoors. One such heater that I recommend can be found here on Amazon.

Additional Questions

Are there ways to keep warm without heaters? In addition to the ideas above, exercise will help to warm you and skin to skin contact is excellent for transferring heat. Anything involving friction creates heat. Organic decomposition also creates a little bit of heat, so creating a small sleeping space above a compost bin will help keep you warm, though not comfortable. Also, decomposition smells bad.

What else can I do to help heat a home without electricity? Close up any spaces you don’t need to use. Block off the gaps around doors and windows. Use the sunlight you have, plastic shower curtains over existing windows will let in sun without letting so much heat escape. Use rugs and floor covering everywhere. You can use the same principal on the walls, with rugs, tarps or tapestries.

What did people do before heaters and fire? Well, you’d be talking about prehistory if you want to look that far back. Not a whole lot is known about that era. It seems likely that huddling together in caves and wearing animal skins would be about the extent of it. It’s also possible that early humans had more efficient bodies than modern mankind.

When lives are on the line, using every resource at your disposal is the smart move. It may not be possible to hunt or fish. You may be vegan/vegetarian or have allergies. Resources can become too limited or contaminated. You never know what you may face. As always, try not to stress and panic, that will wreck your chances the fastest.

Can you survive in the wild without meat? Finding enough protein in a survival situation is difficult at best. Getting only vegetable protein is even harder. Fortunately, it can be done. There are some serious challenges if you want to go without meat in the wild because of how much easier it is to identify safe edible meal.

Where Can I Find Wild Protein

In a survival situation, any disadvantage can tip the scale and kill you. If the world as you know it ends, dietary restrictions, like allergies or any sort of dependency, will make you less likely to endure. Being properly educated and prepared can help swing those odds back to your favor. It can help if you’re willing to relax any self-imposed restrictions, but that is a choice.

For those who consider the need for convenience, you can prepper ahead of time and store away a bag full of food and needed supplies in case you are forced to flee into the woods. I highly recommend getting food that can be stored for years without going bad. Also a safe water supply is essential. I suggest the following bag that you can find here on Amazon to stowaway in your car or have ready at home if you need to evacuate on a drop of a dime.

Plant Protein

Easy sources of protein that everyone is familiar with, like Soy, don’t grow everywhere. The issue with many plant proteins is that they are incomplete. That means you need more to fulfill your needs. When you need more it means extra effort. That takes time and know-how which can certainly become a dangerous problem unto itself.

Sourcing your protein from plants is tricky, but once you understand how it’s done, you can begin to find ways to fill the gaps in your dietary needs without hunting. For example, beans and rice are each partial proteins, but when eaten together they contain about seven grams of protein in a cup.

Nuts

Nuts are abundant. You can find some variety in almost every climate on earth except Antarctica and perhaps Siberia. Unfortunately, not all nuts are created equal when it comes to locating or using them.

Easy

Some nuts are obvious, like Brazil Nuts and Pecans. Most of us recognize a familiar nutshell or two. Certain nuts are excellent sources of protein and easy to find but can be difficult to collect like pine nuts. They are inside pine cones, but because of the size and need to spend time cracking pine cones and removing the outer husks, it can be labor-intensive to get enough of these tasty little treats to do much good.

Tricky

Acorns are tricky in a different way. In order to be healthy for humans, you need to leach tannins from these incredibly common nuts. The bitter flavor of a raw acorn, which most people rightly spit out, is almost astringent. The excess tannins may harm your kidneys. Luckily those nasty tannins are water soluble, that means they can be boiled out once you understand the process.

Sneaky

Sneaky nuts aren’t really trying to hide from you. Most urban or suburban people simply have never needed to pick, for example, a walnut. The green orbs on a tree do not resemble the nut meat we find in stores or even the unshelled walnuts we see in holiday bowls so often. The tan brain-like appearance of a processed walnut shell is not what you would need to find in nature. You will need an identification guide to help along the way.

Beans/Legumes

The bean family includes peanuts, which actually grow underground. Peas and other more recognizable beans, like kidney and pinto, round out this high fiber and protein group. Once you have the aforementioned plant identification guide you shouldn’t have too much trouble finding beans if they’re around and ripe.

Mushrooms

Mushrooms make for excellent sources of protein and vitamins, however, they do come with a dark side. From hallucinations to death, misidentifying mushrooms is as bad as getting the wrong berries. When hunting for wild mushrooms you need to be absolutely certain you have the right species. Poisonous lookalikes are abundant in this family.

What Does A Body Need?

What does a body actually require to survive? Basic nutrition is fairly simple. You need sources of energy, hydration and a complete variety of vitamins and minerals to maintain good health. Nutrients can be broken down different ways, but however you group them, they are vital to your existence.

• Water- It goes without saying that you will die without a source of adequate clean water.
• Vitamins and Minerals- Your body has a complex list of mineral and vitamin needs. Among these are salt, B12 and vitamin C. A good supplement will get you a long way in a survival situation until you can make a better arrangement for the rest of your life.
• Protein and Fats- We have been all over the protein issue in this article. In addition to protein, you need fats to survive. Healthy fats like olive and coconut oil can serve in place of meat fats if necessary or desired.
• Carbohydrates- Contrary to what many diet gurus might have you believe, carbs are not the devil. Your body turns them into an easy energy source when you need to move quickly or expend a lot of energy, like when you go hiking or chop wood.

Regardless of the source, meats, supplements or entirely vegetable/plant based, without sufficient quantities of the most basic staples in your diet, it will harm or kill you in time. As you can see, meat is less the issue than overall health. Taking a ‘bigger picture,’ perspective is a good way to approach survival.

How long can I go without protein?

One of the questions everyone asks in extreme circumstances is, “How long can I go without…” It’s important to know the answer, but equally important not to fixate on it. Fixation is a distraction. Distraction is the loss of focus, and that will harm your survival chances.

Learn to rephrase things in your head so instead of worrying how long you can go without protein (for example) you are more focused on how long until you can reach a likely source. Know where to get extra protein in your local area and how to get good sources from nature and you won’t need to worry about it at all.

Protein is not like air or light. An adult who is in decent health can last around 70 days with no protein, though they will absolutely suffer for it. Your body will cannibalize muscle tissue and fat reserves to feed your needs.

Women store more lean protein than men, so they are likely to last a little longer if the protein is your only concern, but it’s hardly a guarantee. The science behind starving and nutritional deficiencies is far from complete. Sadly, studying such things may be important, but it’s also pretty unethical to deny humans or even animal test subjects access to basic health requirements.

Final Thoughts

The human body is evolved to eat as an omnivore. Our bodies want vegetables, fruits, legumes, grains, meats and dairy to be healthy. Our ancestors began as nomads, which is another way of saying hunter/scavenger/gatherer. Cultivating plants came much later for us, though we have been able to eat them since before we counted time.

Sure, there are ways around these needs, but it’s easier to just go with the flow when possible. In an extreme situation, dietary preferences are going to be much harder to hold on to. That said, sometimes it’s not an issue of choice. There are plenty of possible circumstances where meat could become temporarily unavailable. Additionally, lots of folks have allergies or intolerances. Surviving without meat isn’t as much the issue as being familiar with plants so you can use all your resources if you’re in a survival situation.

Therefore, I again want to suggest getting food as part of an emergency kit that you can store that is compact and can keep for a long time in harsh weather. Click here to get my suggested product that I recommend from Amazon.

Additional Questions

Is it healthy to eat vegan long term? It’s not hideously difficult, but it can be a challenge in an omnivorous society. The modern world, with grocery stores, supplements and soy lattes you can be vegan with some forethought. In nature, there are protein sources to be had. However, it becomes much more difficult to maintain your dietary needs when you can only source your food locally from what you can get yourself.

Is there any one food you can survive on by itself? If you have modern supplements, it’s very possible to survive on a single source of nutrition. In a survival situation you can live for a while on limited options. If you want a long and healthy life the answer is probably no. Potatoes or meat may come the closest, but both lack certain nutritional components and have a downside, like starch or fat.

What emergency supplies do vegans need more of? In emergencies, living off your own supplies is virtually always the first step. Vegans and vegetarians are no exception and most are familiar with their own needs. Vitamin B12 is especially important. TVP or textured vegetable protein is often stored in case of disaster along with soy, beans, and nuts. If you plan to survive TEOTWAWKI (The End Of The World As We Know It) as a total herbivore, stocking up on your supplements and protein powders beyond what a meat-eating prepper might need is a great idea.

Contemplating your own mortality is never fun. The only way you can really be prepared to save your own life is if you stop to think about the ways you are likely to lose it. Most things are avoidable or at least manageable if you have a decent plan and you’re prepared. Food and water are among your most basic needs. Without both, you cannot survive.

How long does it take to die from starvation and dehydration? These are two very different questions. First, you will die of dehydration much faster than you will starve. Without water, most people can only survive 1-3 days if it’s hot and not more than about 6 days at best. For most people, it takes 35-40 days before the really serious symptoms of starvation set in. After 60-70 days without food, most people will die.

Dehydration

Average adults need no less than 2 liters of water per day, and that’s with no strenuous activity or extreme weather. You will need a lot more if you need to be active. In summer heat or snow you can lose a shocking amount of fluid much faster than you might think.

The old wives tale says we are 90% water. This number isn’t quite accurate, however, we are more than half made of water. Additionally, every cell in your body needs water to survive. Running out of water on a planet covered with so much is nightmarish, but it can happen. Lack of clean and clear water sources will kill you quickly.

Being prepared for water emergencies is one of the most basic skills that everyone needs to learn. There are dozens of ways to make clean water from solar stills, which make drinking water out of almost nothing, to collecting rainwater and even carrying a Lifestraw or water purification tabs. The importance of this can never be overstated. (Click here for the latest pricing for Lifestraw on Amazon).

Effects

Dehydration in the first stage just makes you thirsty. In fact, any time you feel thirst, unless it is related to an illness, you are nearly always beginning to get dehydrated. This does not mean you should panic every time you want a glass of water. It simply means your body is telling you it used up most of the available water you put in.

Having dry skin, and dry or “cotton” mouth is also a symptom of mild dehydration. Headaches and feelings of low energy are also normal side effects from lack-of-water.

As you get toward the more advanced stages of dehydration you will feel ill. Your body tries to warn you that it is shutting down. You will pee very dark and eventually stop being able to pee at all.

Without water, you may overheat and your kidneys, among other organs, will begin to shut down. You may have vertigo, or breathe hard and have a fast pulse as your heart and lungs try to compensate for your blood becoming sluggish with less water content.

Eventually, you will become sleepy, or pass out. Death is the final stage of dehydration if you let it get that far along. Not everyone experiences every effect the same, but there are always warning signs.

Symptoms

These are not in exact order. A good rule of thumb is to keep an eye out for any combination of these signs. Naturally, staying hydrated is the best plan, but if there’s a significant risk, keeping aware of yourself and those around you can save lives.

• Thirst
• Extremely Dark or No Urine
• Fever
• No sweat
• Dry Skin and Mouth
• Low Energy
• Confusion and/or Irritability
• Rapid Pulse
• Rapid Breathing
• Dizziness and Fainting
• Sleepiness

What Can I do to Reverse Dehydration

It may seem like the only thing you need to do about dehydration is have some water. If the dehydration is mild enough this may be true. However, in advanced states of dehydration water alone may not be enough to save your life.

If you are in the heat you’ll want to get to some shade as quickly and safely as possible. Wrapping damp clothing around a person who is suffering from dehydration will help bring a fever down and may keep them from overheating dangerously and losing more water.

Most of us know the word “electrolytes,” but we don’t really understand what they are and what they do. Your electrolyte balance, the minerals and salts you need to live, help keep your fluid balance. In addition, they help regulate your blood pressure.

Gatorade is great if you happen to have it on hand, but there are other ways. Salt tabs can be bought for first aid kits, along with magnesium and other essentials. Lemon juice or lemonade is a great way to restore balance. Surprisingly, dairy, bananas and avocado also help a great deal. Without the right electrolyte balance, water won’t absorb correctly.

Starvation

Diseases like Bulemia and Anorexia are a sign of how truly fortunate we are to live in this era. Voluntarily starving your body of nutrients is virtually unheard of where food shortages are an issue.

What Happens When You Starve

Hunger is the first symptom of starvation. It is usually a mild warning from your body to let you know there is a need for more food. If you go too long without eating, nausea and lightheadedness can follow shortly thereafter.

By the time you have not eaten for a few days your body is in a state of ketosis. It is cannibalizing your fat stores for energy to continue. Acid from your stomach will cause discomfort and damage. You may experience cramping and will not need to poop very often. (Though your body will continue to produce some solid waste even when you do not eat, at least for a while.)

A body can live off of stored fat for quite some time. Most healthy people don’t actually die of starvation in the first one to two months. So long as you have water, starvation is much slower. The discomfort is said to pass long before you can actually starve. The young, elderly, sick and thin will of course starve faster.

It may surprise you to learn that extensive hard scientific data on starvation is actually quite hard to come by. This is doubtless a result of the fact that it’s incredibly unethical and inhumane to starve people and study them. Unlike most other problems a human body can have, starvation is simply not well understood.

What Do I Need Nutritionally

Doctors have said the body can survive on as few as 500 calories a day if the exercise isn’t strenuous. A normal healthy adult male needs about 1800 calories and a female needs around 1200. This varies by height, weight, activity level, and other factors like age.

Eating too little causes your body to believe it is starving and slow down your metabolism. This can result in weight gain when you eat too little as the body tries desperately to store fat to save you from eventual death.

In addition to simply having enough calories to eat you need vitamins and minerals to maintain your health. Lack of different components of a healthy diet will have different results. A good example would be lack of iron, which can cause a type of anemia.

As previously noted, electrolytes help with blood pressure and water regulation. Vitamin C prevents you from having scurvy. What you should take away from all of this is that every aspect of a normal diet effects your health. Calories alone will keep you alive for a while. Sadly, without proper nutrition, those calories may as well be cardboard because it will do the same amount of good.

In a dangerous survival situation try to remember that any food will help. Acorns, dandelions and pine trees are found almost everywhere. They won’t keep you healthy, and they don’t taste great, but you can survive a little while off of them if you really must.

Final Thoughts

Learning to fend for yourself in a dire situation isn’t quite as simple as reading a single blog post or book, but it’s a start. Try to focus less on how long you can make it without something, and more on how to make certain that is never an issue for you. After all, facts and figures will not keep you alive. Being prepared for a disaster will.

The most basic preparedness factors are air, light, shelter, food and water. As a newbie prepper, you need to begin by learning to have these things at all times. Without the simplest things you cannot survive long enough to worry about the more complicated problems of actually thriving beyond the end of your first difficult situation.

It is my suggestion that you considered always being prepared for the possibility you might get stranded or force to leave at a moments notice. You might consider getting an emergency food and water bag that you either store in your vehicle or easily accessible at home. Click here to get the latest pricing from Amazon on one I highly recommend.

Additional Questions

Can I get enough water just from eating? Under normal circumstances about 80% of your water comes from drinking. The other 20% comes from food. While you cannot survive without drinking some water, it might be possible to push this limit if you ate a whole lot of water heavy foods.

Can you die from eating too much after starving? When you starve your body begins to shut down. If it has been a while then your ability to process things like carbohydrates is lessened. In addition to these complications it is possible to simply burst your stomach. In short, yes, you can die from overeating after starvation.

How much does it hurt to die of starvation and dehydration? Surprisingly, medical professionals say that once the body passes beyond the initial discomfort, neither starving nor dehydration is a horrible way to die. It is most likely less pleasant than dying in your sleep from old age, but certainly far from the worst way to go.

It seems like every other day the news is running a story about food poisoning. Salmonella looks as common as a cold in winter. When meat goes off it can absolutely make you very sick, and we’ve all seen those signs on restaurant menus that say they won’t serve you a medium rare burger. How concerned should we really be about under-cooked and raw meat?

Will eating raw meat kill you? Not all raw meat is dangerous, though it can be. Steak tartar is raw meat, so are prosciutto, sushi, and many other dishes. Raw meat can kill you but that doesn’t mean it will. The risks depend on the source and preparation. Almost anything could kill you if it’s contaminated.

Some paleo-dieters believe in eating raw meat, though there is a great deal of debate about what is healthy. Certainly, there is enough evidence to argue for either side. Carcinogens and oxidized fats from cooked meats are a major downside to cooking. Meanwhile, the ease of digestion and significantly higher amounts of digestible protein in cooked meats would seem to point to the benefits.

Why are the dangers of raw meat?

Contamination, like rancidity, can absolutely cause illness and even death. The risk in farm-raised food animals appears greater than that of free range animals. Regardless, there are dangers that can be avoided with simple cooking. Whenever you can, use refrigeration and modern sanitation techniques.

With so much information available it seems almost inexcusable to get meat-poisoning in a modern kitchen. Unfortunately, we don’t stress the importance of kitchen safety in this way, instead focusing on sharp edges and hot surfaces (which are also important). Perhaps it’s difficult to consider what we can’t see, but clearly, we need to spend more time self-educating on invisible health issues.

In a SHTF scenario, a lot of those easy solutions can go out the window in a heartbeat. The inherent risks of raw meat are more prevalent. When you aren’t able to wash surfaces you cut on or do other daily tasks we’ve all become accustomed to for sanitizing, it may be a better idea to cook first and ask questions later until you can be more certain. Children, the elderly, pregnant women and people with weakened immune systems should avoid all raw meat when possible.

A great alternative every prepper should consider is to have a few packets of fully-cooked freeze dried meats. They can be stored easily in your backpack or car. These packets lasts for years in any kind of weather conditions. Just add water and get much need protein you need during times of distress. Click here for the latest price on Amazon.

What You Can’t See

Animals bred for food can carry bacteria like E. coli and salmonella. Eating raw meat is the highest risk you can take for exposure to these problems in pork, beef, and chicken. Predictably, cooking is the easiest way to kill these bacteria.

Chicken and pork have additional risks. Campylobacter, found in chicken, causes diarrhea in the infected. While diarrhea doesn’t necessarily kill you, it can lead to potentially deadly complications like dehydration in extreme cases. Meanwhile, eating raw pork might be risking Trichinella. Though modern farming practices make it far less likely, having a parasitic worm because of your diet is not going to help you survive.

 

What are the benefits of raw meat

When you consume raw meat, the main benefit is that heat-sensitive vitamins and enzymes haven’t yet been destroyed. Some say it is great for reproductive health and hormones because of the increased B vitamins, though the evidence isn’t conclusive. Vitamin C in meat is all but completely destroyed by heat, but it may be possible to avoid scurvy with raw consumption.

Oysters are packed with quality nutrients. Raw fish is great for you if you are careful to avoid fish that is at high risk for mercury exposure. You’ll find a ton of B12, A, C and E along with selenium, calcium, iron, and zinc.

What meats are the safest raw?

Fish is generally considered safer than some meats when freshly killed. This includes oysters. In general smaller fish are safer than the larger, and bottom feeders are the least desirable for raw consumption.

Crabs, shrimp, and lobsters are bottom feeders and they tend to be somewhat inedible before boiling. It’s probably best not to try eating crustaceans raw.

Beef and lamb would be the second choice. When you eat raw meat, the texture or ‘mouth feel’ is supposed to be excellent. Make sure your cuts are whole and either very fresh or properly cooled.

Once you grind any form of meat the risk is exponentially higher. Grinding makes the surface area that is exposed much larger, thus the higher risk for bacteria.

Pork and poultry are at the bottom of the safety list for raw consumption. Both come with additional risks that make them much more likely to cause problems.

Don’t eat ground poultry or pork raw. Unless you are dying it’s still probably not worth the risk. These would be the most likely to cause you problems.

Don’t Eat Raw Deer

In light of the facts, I am including deer specific information. Some deer have been suffering from a wasting disease that is called the Zombie Deer Virus. Norway, Finland, and South Korea have also had reports of this issue, though it seems to be a bigger problem in North America.

While it has not yet made the leap to another species, scientists do warn that the potential is there for it to do so. Maybe… just don’t hunt deer if you don’t want to start the apocalypse, at least until the doctors figure it out.

You may think this is a joke, but it is a real problem. The symptoms include drooling, wasting away, fearlessness and aggression toward humans. So-called Zombie deer haven’t been studied extensively. However, scientists are attributing this to a prion disease. Oddly enough, that is a protein related problem. Don’t panic yet, but consider not hunting deer if SHTF, for your own safety. Absolutely, do not eat them raw!

How Can I Prepare and Preserve Raw Meat Easily

Right after you kill it is generally a safer time to eat it raw. It hasn’t had time to ‘go off,’ but there are other ways to use fresh meat that you can’t cook. Refrigeration is lovely if you have power and certainly cooling and freezing will save your hard-won hunting successes so you can eat them. Freezing even helps kill bacteria to a limited degree (Not as well as cooking).

If you have no powered refrigeration you can DIY cool storage. It may not work quite as well as electric cooling, but it will help.

You can always dehydrate or salt your raw meats. Learning these skills isn’t difficult. You don’t need a whole lot of equipment. Additionally, very little preparation is needed. Canning will take more knowledge and preparation. If you learn the skill, it can also be an effective way to keep your raw fresh meat edible longer.

Try to remember that killing more than you can eat, preserve, store and carry is a waste of energy in a survival situation. Excess meat will draw other predators to you. Keep it to what you can use.

Final Thoughts

A plethora of delightful and healthy dishes include raw meats. So long as you treat your meat with reasonable caution, there is no reason that you shouldn’t eat raw meat. Cooking meat may make it easier to digest, but it also destroys the vitamin C content. While some things are riskier than others, raw meat that is fresh or properly stored can make a fine addition to your diet.

How are we meant to eat our meat? Should we have our oysters raw or should we be chewing on the crispy chicken skin al carbonara (blackened)? It’s interesting to consider. In the absence of solid evidence, either way, how we are meant to eat meat is only an exercise in theory and hypothesis. You can eat decent quality raw meat if you want to do so. Just do us all a favor and avoid venison until more studies have been done on the zombie deer.

For a safer choice you may want to consider an easy to carry long term option. Click here to get the meat product I highly recommend.

Additional Questions

Symptoms of eating raw meat? This common question is incomplete. Food poisoning symptoms can include diarrhea, nausea, stomach cramps and vomiting among others. Food poisoning is not the only possible problem from consuming raw meats.

Should I eat meat every day? Meat, like all foods, is healthy in moderation. It is an excellent source of necessary proteins and fats. Healthier meats that are free range and/or organic, are the best for you. If you are an adult male with a fairly sedentary lifestyle up to 0.36 grams per pound of bodyweight is healthy. Naturally, this varies depending on lifestyle, age, size, physical activity, and gender.

Can I survive on just meat? It might be possible to live on meat alone. Make certain to eat fermented, raw and include both fat and organs. No conclusive evidence seems available for how healthy it would be. There are people who have done so for years, however little evidence of their physical health is available. In most cases, the meats they consume are free range and organic.

*A Special Case- The Inuits of North America is one group known to practice a mostly carnivorous lifestyle with little plant material eaten. Not much hard scientific data exists about their dietary habits and how it affects health. However, they supplemented their diets by eating the stomach contents of caribou for additional plant nutrients.

Handling your personal safety needs can seem a little overwhelming when you are just beginning to learn about emergency preparedness. The best advice there is for prepping is, stay calm. This applies to get caught as well. Emergency situations are intense enough without adding stress unnecessarily. The second best piece of advice is when in doubt check it out. This is never truer than when dealing with weapons.

Can you get arrested for carrying a pocket knife? No one wants to hear they can be arrested for staying safe. In short, yes. You might get arrested for carrying a pocket knife. Even a really small one. Always check your local laws.

When and Where Can You Carry a Pocket Knife

A little bit of foreknowledge can save you a great deal of trouble. Remember to check the local laws and regulations of carrying weapons of any kind. You may be surprised to learn that standards vary wildly. You will see different laws by the city, state or country. Sadly, what works in one location is not universally accepted at another and the consequences can be severe.

No Knives Allowed

There are some places you cannot carry a knife at all for any reason. An extreme example would be the White House. Trying to carry your knife into a heavily secured area is asking for trouble. You most likely won’t ever get it past airport security, or into a federal building. Taking a pocketknife to a school is a special kind of trouble in most places. Going out of your way to try and fight these rules is likely not worth it.

Knife carry gets especially tricky when you are traveling internationally. For example, in the UK you can’t even buy a kitchen knife if you’re under 18. In Germany, you can’t have any sort of folding knife that locks. However, you can carry a short fixed blade knife. One brand that is most popular for every day carry is the Swiss Army pocket knife (Click to get the latest pricing from Amazon).

Pushing the Limits

Practice common sense. You may be incredibly sneaky and love a challenge, however, if you court trouble, you’ll probably find it. Emergency preparedness isn’t about fighting the power, unless ‘the power’ coming after you is the reason there’s an emergency.

If society as we know it collapses, or you are in the middle of some lesser, more personal, calamity, there will probably be enough excitement without going out of your way to try and get in trouble. Know your limits. Survival has plenty of places where your sneaking skills are useful, but save it for when you need it.

No Big Deal

If you’re planning to travel to Bulgaria, which is particularly permissive, you don’t need any reason to carry a knife. There are apparently no laws restricting them. Likewise, many places in the USA are fine with open carry of most knives.

Unless laws have changed significantly, Ohio is one of many places you can bring your blade. Realistically, you do need to tell a police officer you have it if stopped, but that makes sense. Similarly, Kentucky, Idaho, Arizona, and Oregon don’t appear to care much about your blades. Keep in mind all that permissiveness goes right out the window the second you use your knife in a threatening manner.

What Kind of Pocket Knives Can You Get?

Know your knives if you want to avoid trouble. Pocket knives come in a handful of styles. Some knives are more widely accepted than others.

• Balisong- A balisong or butterfly knife has a handle that folds down on either side of the blade.
• Multitool- Swiss Army knives are the most well-known multitools. Your multitool is useful for more than just cutting.
• Traditional- Folding pocket knives with a single locking blade are the most common.
• Switchblade- A knife with a trigger and a spring that pushes the blade out is a switchblade.

Blade types

• Serrated- Bread knives have serrated blades. You can get a serrated pocket knife.
• Straight- A standard sharpened blade is what most knives have.
• Double-sided- If your blade is sharp on both sides like a dagger it’s a double-sided knife.
• Combination- In some cases, you’ll find half and half blades. Typically this means serrated near the handle and straight on the tip.

What is the Penalty for Carrying a Pocket Knife?

You probably want to know what will happen. There is no single answer. Naturally, there are different consequences depending on where and how you get caught. If you are holding a bloody knife over a body, it’s not the same as a work tool in your pocket. Penalties range from the mild to the terrifying. Knife violations are handled in many ways.

Consequences

• Warning– If you are very lucky you may get a warning. Whether verbal or written, this means there is no long term consequence. Should you be so fortunate, don’t push your luck.
• Confiscation– Sometimes, the offending weapon might get taken away. Don’t try and argue or fight, this will make it worse. Have the good grace to let the knife go, even if it’s an expensive knife.
• Citation– Less pleasant, you may get a citation. Often, a ticket means a small fine. Fines can be substantial as well. Whatever the case, when you get ticketed you will probably need to show up in court if only to pay.
• Arrest– Unfortunately, as mentioned, you can absolutely be arrested for knife possession. Looking suspicious, or arguing with the officer who catches you almost guarantees trouble. If you appear threatening, chances are higher that you’ll be arrested.
• Court– Get a good lawyer. If you get arrested with a weapon, a court visit is going to happen. Failure to appear will only make it worse. There are courts where you don’t need legal counsel for minor offenses. Not every court will treat your knife like a minor offense.
• Jail– Sadly, though it’s not common, you can do jail time for knife possession. Typically this happens if you have other charges in conjunction with the knife, or if you have hurt anyone. Even doing property damage with a knife might be enough to get you a short ‘involuntary vacation’.
• Special Circumstances– In some places, mostly outside the USA, you can suffer special consequences. Public beatings, foreign prison, the possibilities are as extensive as they are frightening. Do yourself a favor and don’t carry a knife if you don’t know the laws

Will This Go On My Permanent Record?

Unfortunately, yes. When you get arrested or ticketed it goes on your record. If you can prove it wasn’t yours, which will be tricky at best, then perhaps a court will excuse you for having it. It’s unlikely that you’ll be able to pretend you didn’t know you had a weapon on your person.

Most importantly, once you have an arrest record for weapons possession, you’ll find it harder to carry. Learn to assess risk versus reward. Do you live in Compton or the Favelas of Rio De Janeiro Brazil? You might decide it’s worth the risk in that case. Notably, you can’t prepare for disasters very well from jail.

Final Thoughts

Have some common sense and a practical approach. You can probably take your knife most places as an adult. It is vital to weigh your risks. Personal safety is no laughing matter, and you never want to put yourself in a more dangerous position. Fortunately, having good information is the right place to start. Though, in the end, it depends on what you do with it.

You just cannot take your knives in some places. Additionally, US states tend to differentiate between knives. For example, you could get in trouble for a switchblade or gravity knife meanwhile, your swiss army knife is just fine. Likewise, some states consider a balisong/butterfly knife the same as a switchblade, but because not all do you have to be cautious.

In conclusion, you have to make your own choices, and manage the consequences, if you choose to break a law. Fortunately, deciding what your freedom is worth and how to preserve it is entirely up to you. You don’t have to take a risk if you don’t want to. That said, a knife is a solid piece of kit to have around. One knife that is popular, extremely useful and compact is the Army Swiss knife. It’s attachments make it a very desirable survival knife. Click here to get the latest pricing from Amazon.

Additional Questions

How old do you have to be to carry a knife? There’s no age limit to carry a knife under 3 inches long in some parts of the USA. Of course, if you’re not 18 you can’t even buy a knife in lots of places. Alternately, adults can carry wherever it’s legal to do so. Seems like this means 18 or 21 is the answer here, but it can vary, especially with very small blades.

Can I keep a knife in my car? Knife carry laws vary wildly. Certainly, in areas that allow knives, you are most likely going to find that concealment is still an issue. Bizarrely, you’ll find that some places don’t even allow you to take a new purchase home legally, meanwhile, others could not care less if you have a trunk full of weapons as long as you don’t use them. Variability is an issue.

What is a “gravity knife”? Gravity knives are similar to switchblades in some ways. Typically, they have a switch or lever. Whereas a switchblade has a spring, a gravity knife opens by gravity or centripetal force. A flick of your wrist or pointing the blade down will cause it to open fully and the trigger switch locks it in place.

Picture this: it’s the end of the world and everyone is running low on hygienic supplies. Everyone knows staying clean is the key to maintaining decent health during any crisis. Whether it’s the end of the world, natural disasters, or just encountering a shortage of necessities, it’s important to stay aware and be resourceful. One unexpected product can serve multiple hygienic solutions and may even save a life — mouthwash.

Why Mouthwash?

Mouthwash goes beyond the habit of something to rinse your mouth after brushing your teeth but, can mouthwash act as a disinfectant?  Mouthwash not only cleans your mouth, but it has the ability to sterilize. It carries antiseptic properties much like the ones found in wound care products.

Has Mouthwash Always Been Used for Something Other Than Cleaning Your Mouth?

The concept of mouthwash originated in the 1800s, however, it did not consist of alcohol at that time. Romans, Greeks, Chinese, and Egyptians used human pee to clean their teeth. In addition, boiled cow urine was utilized to clean wounds and prevent infections. Other notorious ingredients in the past for mouthwash consisted of tortoise blood – later found not effective – vinegar, wine, and ammonia. Despite these unorthodox methods, all aspects seemed to be somewhat effective for killing bacteria. Without question, mouthwash endured growing pains in its early development. You can get mouthwash cheaply at your look discount retailer or on Amazon (check here for current pricing)

When Did Mouthwash Become Modernized?

Listerine was invented in the late 1870s; however, it was not quite like the mouthwash product that is well-known today. Listerine was originally created to serve as an oral cleaner and a sterilizing agent for surgical incisions. It was also convenient for cleaning floors. The evolutionary product was invented by Robert Wood Johnson, James Wood Johnson, and Edward Mead Johnson — inventors of the company, Johnson & Johnson. Dr. Joseph Lister was the first surgeon to use Listerine in order to perform surgery in a sterilized operating theater.

What is the discovery of this invention? Antiseptic is antiseptic, regardless of the way it is presented. It works to aid injuries to soft tissues and open wounds. As mouthwash progressed over the years, it began to carry more than just antiseptic qualities. For example, mouthwash today may contain an excessive amount of sugar or undesirable additives; which increases the probability of limiting its cleaning and sanitizing properties. To gain the most antiseptic properties from mouthwash, try to avoid the ones labeled as “alcohol-free” or contains great amounts of sugar.

What Kind of Properties/Ingredients Does Mouthwash Have?

Ingredients found in mouthwash are designed to clean, sterilize, and fight germs. The most common elements of mouthwash consist of antimicrobials, antibiotics, antiseptics, anti-inflammatories, and antibacterial properties. Not sure what these terms mean? Read below:

• Antimicrobials: These are agents that destroy microorganisms and prevents growth. These microorganisms consist of bacteria, viruses, protozoans, and fungi (such as mold and mildew). Simply put, these work to fight germs and viruses that can be easily overlooked by the human eye.
• Antibiotics: An antibiotic is a type of antimicrobial. This is the most vital antibacterial agent when it comes to fighting off bacterial infections. Antibiotics serve to permanently kill bacteria. For example, parasites and fungus are forms of bacterial infections.
• Anti-inflammatories: Anti-inflammatories primarily reduce inflammation and swelling. However, evidence has shown that these chemicals may also contain antibiotic properties.
• Antibacterial: Antibacterial is a general term that describes anything that rids bacteria. For example, hand sanitizer is antibacterial.
• Antiseptic: An antiseptic is a type of antimicrobial. These substances slow the growth of bacteria, rather than killing it permanently.

Why Should I Know All of This About Mouthwash?

As the saying goes, knowledge is power. If disaster strikes, your chances of survival will increase significantly. It never fails, the most unexpected things have the potential to save your life. If a crisis occurs, mouthwash will most likely not be the first product to disappear. A lot of people will more likely focus on gathering food, hygienic supplies, first aid kits, and other medical supplies. However, knowing and understanding the numerous benefits of mouthwash will create a better chance of maintaining your health. Regardless of any circumstances, you should not feel limited to use mouthwash as only a refresher after brushing your teeth.

You don’t have to go through a natural disaster, or a zombie apocalypse to use it for multiple purposes. It’s okay to use mouthwash for more than just rinsing your mouth. Unless you have a chemical sensitivity, mouthwash is safe to use on skin. Running low on deodorant one day? Apply a pinch of mouthwash (keep in mind, it may not have the antiperspirant qualities you want). Being aware of its multiple uses can also be as beneficial as simply saving money. Mouthwash not only carries properties to clean and sterilize the human body, but it can also be used a household cleaning product. It can clean tile, tubs, and even toilets.

Are There Other Options Besides Mouthwash That Can be Used to Clean/Sterilize?

Yes! There are plenty of other household items that can aid in killing bacteria. You may be surprised by the items sitting in your kitchen cabinet or refrigerator. Items such as baking soda, mineral oil, coconut oil, turmeric, activated charcoal powder, colloidal silver, peppermint/cinnamon oils, ginger, cumin, limes/lemons, rubbing alcohol, and vinegar can help with cleaning and fighting germs!

DIY Options for All Purpose Mouth and Wound Antiseptics

• Salt: Salt is extremely useful for cleaning various surfaces. This includes skin and soft tissue. Keep in mind, dilute the salt before using. Be aware, using salt as an antiseptic can result in a stinging sensation.
• Baking soda: Baking soda can do all kinds of things, such as bake cakes, remove odors, and serve as the ultimate cleaning product. The powder can be an adequate substitute for mouthwash and even go-to temporary wound care.
• Mineral oil: Whatever you do, don’t swallow mineral oil. It probably won’t kill you, but may act as an undesired laxative. If a disaster is taking place, this would be a major inconvenience for you. Mineral oil has been proven to benefit skin and hair. It’s especially good for treating dry skin. As for open wounds, mineral oil has the ability to sustain moisture, which can seal off germs.
• Coconut oil: Coconut oil contains numerous benefits. It’s mainly known for cooking and moisturizing. Another less-known perk is its ability to cure wounds and provide improved oral hygiene.
• Turmeric: Although it is not FDA approved, turmeric can be extremely beneficial for your health. Turmeric is useful for its antibacterial elements, but it also reduces swelling and stops bleeding.
• Activated charcoal powder: This active ingredient can quickly minimize the size of wounds. Evidence suggests it also helps your teeth and can fight infection.
• Colloidal silver: This silver can contribute to sustained health in numerous ways. Colloidal silver can help heal wounds, improve the immune system, heal your skin, and even act as an alternative to antibiotics. Despite these multiple benefits, swallowing too much can alter your skin tone to a creepy shade of grey. Yes, seriously. That’s probably not the best idea if the world is ending due to a zombie apocalypse.

• Peppermint/Cinnamon oils: Before using these oils, make sure to dilute. These essential oils are natural healers and help kill biofilms (slimy bacteria). Despite its known benefits, be sure to use at your discretion. Chemical burns may occur, especially if you have sensitive skin.
• Ginger & Cumin: These spices are used for more than just cooking. This dynamic duo improves your skin’s health and promotes healing. This combination can also benefit aging skin.
• Vinegar: While apple cider vinegar is typically the best, all vinegar possess cleansing agents. Before using, dilute the liquid to avoid damage. Too much of a good thing is never a good idea!
• Lemon/Lime: Lemons and limes are high in vitamin C; which has the potential to enable quicker healing time for the body.
• Rubbing alcohol: Rubbing alcohol is most commonly known for sterilizing wounds/cuts. Never use rubbing alcohol for oral care. If absolutely needed, choose a clear, white alcohol with no added sugars or flavors. This will create the best results. For shallow scrapes, hydrogen peroxide is the best choice. Avoid using hydrogen peroxide for deep cuts/wounds.

Now That I Know All of This, I Should be Prepared, Right?

Learning the history and understanding how everyday items work can save your life. More importantly, YOU could save someone else’s life. You never know when SHTF (sh*t hits the fan). Knowing what’s useful and being prepared will always be the best skill you can have. But also consider though having mouthwash around is important,  all emergency experts would suggest to also have a first aid kit handy. One of the best first aid kits you can get that I recommend and is the highly rated Surviveware Small First Aid Kit which can be purchased on Amazon.