The Minimum Amount Of Food And Water For Prepping

It wasn't so many years ago that the standard recommendation, including from FEMA, was that you should have enough food and water for three days (thus the proliferation of 72-hour kits). That was supposed to be enough time for rescue workers to at least reach you in the event of disaster. FEMA and the Red Cross have a pretty good guide on Food and Water in an Emergency (PDF) which recommends two (2) weeks, stating: "Even though it is unlikely that an emergency would cut off your food supply for two weeks, consider maintaining a supply that will last that long." It has some simple tips and guidelines for storing and using your food and is worth the download.

    Apartment Prepper recently addressed this topic in an article entitled "Emergency Preparedness: The Minimum Amount of Food You Need." The author, Bernie Carr, writes:

The minimum amount of food you should have in your emergency supply is based on the number of people in your household and the duration you want to be prepared for. Here’s a general guideline:

• One Week Supply: When you are just getting started, at a minimum, aim to have enough food to sustain your family for a week. This is typically the initial period during which emergency services may not be readily available.
• Two-Week Supply or more: Once you have a week covered, consider expanding your supply to cover a few more weeks. This ensures you can endure longer disruptions and recovery periods.

Carr then gives a list of types of food to store as well as tips about storage to maximize the shelf-life of the food. 

    I like Carr's list for the fact that, given that this is a one to two-week store intended after a disaster, it focuses on foods that can be either be consumed straight from the package or with minimal heating (e.g., soups). I think that is important. In the wake of a disaster, you may very well not have electricity or natural gas for cooking. Besides, if you are starting out prepping, you either may not have a portable stove or other source of heating/cooking food, or it will probably be something very basic (like a backpacking or camp stove) with a limited supply of fuel. 

    My main criticism is the amount of water he suggests. He indicates 1 gallon per person per day for both hygiene and consumption. This may be unrealistically low, even if this is what the government recommends. It is based on the conclusion that "[a] normally active person needs about three quarters of a gallon of fluid daily, from water and other beverages." But even the latter Ready.gov citation acknowledges that:

• Children, nursing mothers and sick people may need more water.
• A medical emergency might require additional water.
• If you live in a warm weather climate more water may be necessary. In very hot temperatures, water needs can double.

That last bit is an understatement. Cody Lundin notes in his book, When All Hell Breaks Loose, that "[i]n extreme hot temperatures, it's possible to lose a gallon of water an hour in sweat." (Underline added). He adds: "When living, recreating, or traveling in hot temperatures, I recommend at least three gallons of water per person per day, more if the terrain, temperatures, or activities undertaken are extreme." In addition, fever, diarrhea, vomiting, various chronic illnesses (such as diabetes and kidney diseases, to name a few), or suffering from burns can also lead to further dehydration. As does living at high altitudes (over 8,000 feet), exertion, and cold or hot weather. Consequently, I believe 3 gallons per day per person is probably a minimum amount to store.