Food and Water

Water

Access to clean drinking water is the top priority.

• Collect rainwater using containers or tarps
• Locate natural springs or fast-moving streams
• Dig a well to access groundwater
• Purify water by boiling for 3 minutes or using charcoal and sand filtration
• Store purified water in clean, covered containers

Food

Foraging, hunting and fishing can provide immediate sustenance, but farming is necessary for long-term survival.

Foraging

• Learn to identify edible plants, berries, nuts, mushrooms and roots
• Avoid plants with milky sap, thorns, shiny leaves, or bitter smell
• Cook underground tubers and roots to improve digestibility

Hunting and Trapping

• Build simple traps like deadfalls and snares to catch small game
• Fashion spears, bow and arrows, or other primitive weapons for hunting
• Shoot for the lungs and heart to quickly kill game
• Preserve meat by smoking, salting or drying

Fishing

• Make hooks from bone, wood or thorns
• Bait hooks with insects, grubs, or small pieces of meat
• Weave nets from vines or cordage to catch fish
• Build fish traps in streams using rocks or sticks

Farming

• Collect and plant seeds from edible plants
• Cultivate hardy, nutritious crops like potatoes, beans, and grains
• Domesticate animals like chickens or goats for eggs, milk and meat
• Use manure and composted waste to fertilize soil
• Terrace hillsides to prevent erosion and collect water

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Food Safety

• Thoroughly cook all meat to kill bacteria and parasites
• Wash plant foods to remove dirt and potential contaminants
• Avoid eating spoiled or rotten foods, which can cause illness

Food Preservation

Preserving excess food is crucial for long-term survival. In addition to smoking, salting, and drying, consider fermentation.

• Ferment vegetables like cabbage, carrots, and cucumbers to make sauerkraut, kimchi, and pickles
• Ferment dairy to make yogurt and cheese
• Fermented foods are rich in probiotics and nutrients

Caloric Needs

The average adult needs between 1,500 to 2,500 calories per day to maintain basic functions and energy for survival tasks. Aim to obtain calories from a mix of carbohydrates, proteins, and fats.

Farming Techniques

• Practice crop rotation by planting different crops in a field each season to prevent nutrient depletion
  • Rotate between nitrogen-fixing legumes, nutrient-hungry leafy greens, and sturdy root vegetables
• Use companion planting to deter pests and improve yield
  • Plant basil with tomatoes to repel insects
  • Grow corn, beans, and squash together in a "three sisters" arrangement
• Save seeds from the healthiest, most productive plants for next year's crop