72 hours survival kit vs modern times

[Yorkshire Andy]

The 3 days probably in my head atleast yields from the old Vladimir Lenin, the quote "Every society is three meals away from chaos"


3 days scran in the house keeps the looting and civil unrest held back long enough for the general population to see "something happening" be is soup kitchens or squaddies on the street ..

And it's not out the way both money wise for most households...

A big box of cereal be it cornflakes or coco pops. £3 ish supermarket own brand for 750g enough for a household for atleast 3 days..

Lunch a pot noodle / pot pasta each £1 so say family of 4.. 4x3 £12

Tea.. pile of pasta and some tinned chilli or similar 1.70 a can say 2 cans per day at £2 to feed 2 adults and 2 kids £14 to allow for pasta

Under £30 that's 3 days worth of easy to cook / warm food .. nothing overly inspiring but it'll keep body and soul together the usual prepper advice just grab an extra can with your weekly shop you'll soon have a decent reserve without noticing it

[pseudonym]

True that Andy but how many returned to their old ways after Covid?

I bet most ran down any excess tins/bog roll they had.

[Sarini]

I was on a training course at work a few weeks ago. I heard the guys on the table next to me saying talking out prepping. One said his wife was convinced that ww3 was going to start and is keeping a big stock of stuff and the other said, since covid, he's just always kept a bit extra in.

My father in law keeps extra of everything on racking in the garage, just buys extra of what he knows he likes when it's on offer, but my side of the family think that kind of preparedness is over the top. We were always running out of stuff when I was young and is hasn't changed.

[jennyjj01]

I was on a training course at work a few weeks ago. I heard the guys on the table next to me saying talking out prepping. One said his wife was convinced that ww3 was going to start and is keeping a big stock of stuff and the other said, since covid, he's just always kept a bit extra in.

My father in law keeps extra of everything on racking in the garage, just buys extra of what he knows he likes when it's on offer, but my side of the family think that kind of preparedness is over the top. We were always running out of stuff when I was young and is hasn't changed.

Good to hear that prepping is becoming less embarrassing and more mainstream thanks to covid.
'
Beware 'your side of the family.' If they are negative toward prepping, even after covid, then be sure they'll come a knocking if/when tshtf.
Like your FIL, MrJJ is now onboard with not only the extended pantry, but extended other stuff too. E.g, we have several months of soap powder, conditioner, flash, washing up liquid etc 'on shelves in the garage. It's now second nature to us both. It actually saves money as we buy bigger and buy cheaper when we can.

[Omega]

If I remember correctly, food for 72 hours came because this is more or less the amount of food a person can carry on them plus other items like clothes and valuable possessions
I admire people who don’t have much food at home because they get fresh produce. However, I prefer having some contingency
Bear in mind - if you are ordered to evacuate, and told t use public transport (like it was in Chernobyl after the disaster), then you might be prohibited taking more than 72 hours of food and drink, and be limited on the amount of possessions you can take with you

[Bijela]

I admire people who don’t have much food at home because they get fresh produce.

To much risk in not having anything and shopping daily to eat. The just in time replenishment fails more times that you probably think.

I work in a superstore and buy meat and produce most days. But, still have about a week of food in pasta and tins.

[izzy_mack]

One of the advantages of living in the back of beyond is that your neighbours do too. Nearest is over 1/4 mile nearest one I consider a friend is over 1/2 mile. Village shop is 12mile round trip for me, more for some and nearest supermarket is 40 mile round trip, so all who live here have food in the cupboards because you can't nip out for a pint of milk. This means they won't come begging/stealing my supplies for a while.

Disadvantage is that it may attract idiots with guns coming to shoot deer, rustle sheep and poach the rivers but hopefully not immediately so we'd have time to figure out what next.

[Omega]

To much risk in not having anything and shopping daily to eat. The just in time replenishment fails more times that you probably think.

I work in a superstore and buy meat and produce most days. But, still have about a week of food in pasta and tins.

Good point. However, what about the costs of storage? For example, I would think 1m2 of my house costs £4k and I don’t even live in London. I need probably 3 m2 to store my food or water, this is already £12k. Then there is a cost of storage boxes, revision and rotation… And, if I consider how much my 1 hour of work costs…
Wow - I just now persuaded myself that the cheapest option for me is to store Freezer Dried food. And I should stop making my own wine - it is much cheaper buy a bottle when I want. Not giving up on ales as I like making it, but it is definitely not cost effective. Thanks

[Bijela]

I agree and disagree with that assumption. Depends on if space is an issue. We don't keep stores separate. Our cuboards are often 2 or 3 high tins by 3 tins deep. Lots of pasta as it used for most meals. We don't store enough water. But, thats down to that I can't be bothered to take a 6x2 liter pack home 6 times a week after work. As for extra space I'm researching Underground storage in the garden.

[jennyjj01]

Good point. However, what about the costs of storage? For example, I would think 1m2 of my house costs £4k and I don’t even live in London. I need probably 3 m2 to store my food or water, this is already £12k. Then there is a cost of storage boxes, revision and rotation… And, if I consider how much my 1 hour of work costs…

Fair point about the hidden cost of storage. Available space is often the decider. If you have spare 'free space' then filling it up is pretty much a zero cost no-brainer. Not so much if space is at a premium.
I think of the value of my stores at post SHTF value, which is much more than cost. Part of my evaluation is kCal/kilo and £/kilo, with kilo exchangeable for litre for liquids and of course, a kilo takes up about 10cm ^3. Foods have to justify the cost of their inclusion.

...
And I should stop making my own wine - it is much cheaper buy a bottle when I want. Not giving up on ales as I like making it, but it is definitely not cost effective. Thanks

Really???
I know the price of wine kits like Cellar7 have gone stupidly expensive, has have beer kits. Also, they do take up space to produce. I'm loathe to stop making either.