Here’s an interesting question that I don’t hear very often: If you start running low on food, how do you ration what’s left? Hopefully, you won’t ever run low on food, but there are plenty of scenarios where it could happen. So in the interest of preparedness, I think it’s important to think about this question.
You might think the fair thing is to equally divide what’s left among the people in your group. But it’s not fair at all when you consider the fact that different people burn different amounts of calories. If you hand out equal rations, then people who are smaller or do less physical labor will have more food than necessary, while people who are larger or do more physical labor won’t have enough food.
As a father, I’d be more than willing to go hungry so my children could eat, but if they’re relying on me to do most of the work while keeping them safe, that might be a bad idea. Yes, I could survive on a few hundred calories a day while my body burns fat for energy, but I’d be weak, tired, and unable to think clearly. In that condition, I wouldn’t be much good to my family.
There are many other factors to consider, and they’re all discussed in this video by Canadian Prepper. I highly recommend watching his discussion of the topic. It will give you a lot to think about.
Very impressed with your video. I had wondered about that. I am trying to do what will someday be necessary but my family thinks I’m a nut case. I now know what has to be done. One thing I have not gotten yet since I am not sure is a radio. I have the traditional windup types and do not want a HAM. What type do you recommend? Is a Bayofeng good or an ETON? Thank you for sharing your knowledge.
Cheryl
You pose some good questions.
People should probably consider cannibalism a likely outcome in a long-term SHTF situation. It all sort of depends on the SHTF scenario. Could current supplies of “regular” foods will run out over time, even if rationed? Answer: likely yes.
Again, it depends on the scenario. If farmers quit producing food because they cannot get their produce to markets (either no means of transportation or their farming machinery runs out of the fuels currently being delivered to farming areas).
Markets and warehouse supplies could shrivel if the raw foods supplied by farmers stops and newly-jobless workers have no incentive to show up for nonexistent work at the canning industries.
Police protection will be nonexistent when starvation becomes reality and mobs/gangs begin to rule…there are currently 17 police officers for every 10,000 in population in smaller cities though more in larger cities. The cops will stay home defending their own families, don’t you think? OR, they may gang up on weaker prey. Terrible to think about, but put yourself in their position for a moment…you have the guns and ammo, a starving wife and kids, no prospects for food, what to do?
People will find they have to band into “neighborhood protection units” or develop some sort of “tribe” to survive. They’ll collectivize their skills and abilities. Seems obvious that the average family of four can’t possibly guard/defend, patrol, plant and harvest a garden, hunt food, build protective devices/shelter(s), gather fuel and cook, doctor (inevitable) wounds, forage wild edibles, can/preserve foods at the end of harvest, etc., etc. There are not enough hours in a day to accomplish all of those chores with only two adults and two kids.
Hopeful individuals will (eventually) head out to the countryside expecting to find unguarded foodstuffs for their families…unfortunately, they’ll be left to rot where they are killed because the country folk (trying to survive as well) won’t have time to bury all of them. Plagues and pestilence will result.
If the sun is darkened by a likely scenario (volcanic eruption) there won’t be sunshine to grow crops and people will have to migrate to warmer climes (those warmer climes are already overcrowded, btw).
As the dead bodies piling up begin to outnumber the living, disease will increase exponentially and kill many more.
Time to get your spiritual house in order, now, as not many will make it.