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Some of you might be thinking, “I’m a prepper, I won’t have to scavenge for supplies. I already have everything I need.” Maybe, maybe not. Even if you’ve been prepping for years, it’s still possible you forgot a few things. But even if you didn’t forget anything, you could still end up in a situation where you need something you never thought you’d need.
What if you have to take in a pregnant woman or a parent with a small child? You may have to go looking for baby formula. What if your mother’s prescription medications are lost or destroyed? You may have to go looking for replacement meds. What if a crucial piece of gear is damaged? What if you need parts for your shelter or vehicle? These are just a few possibilities off the top of my head. There are dozens of situations you won’t think of until you’re in them.
The point is, you might have to scavenge for supplies after the shit hits the fan. If someone’s life is on the line, you’ll have no choice. But before I explain how to scavenge, I want to clear up some confusion about the difference between scavenging and looting.
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Scavenging is Not Looting
After hurricane Katrina, we all saw videos of people running down the street with arms full of jewelry and electronics. Were they scavenging or looting? I think that’s pretty clear. Looters are not looking for things they need to stay alive; they’re just taking advantage of the situation.
Looters know someone is going to miss the stolen items. They know the owner will eventually return and find out what’s missing. For these reasons, looters are no different from common thieves.
Scavengers are completely different. They only search for things after the end of the world as we know it, and they only take things that have been discarded or are unlikely to be missed.
There could be a situation where you have to take food or medicine that will be missed, but I believe this is justified if someone needs it to live. Taking food or medicine right out of someone else’s hands is another matter.
I know of some legalists who insist that stealing is stealing no matter the circumstances, but in my opinion, morality is not a simple list of do’s and don’ts. And frankly, people who are squeamish about morally gray areas will not do well after the SHTF.
Moving on, here’s how to scavenge after the SHTF.
Send a Scout
If you know the area you want to search, it’s a good idea to send a scout with binoculars, a radio, and a gun.
Scouts should use their binoculars to watch the area for a few hours and make sure no one is living there and that there are no bandits lying in wait. It might sound paranoid, but some people become very dangerous when there are no police to keep them in check.
The last thing you want is to get robbed or possibly killed while scavenging for supplies.
The radio is so your scout can stay in touch. If the area is compromised or not worth the trouble, the group’s leader can instruct the scout to return or to check another area. If you lose contact with your scout, you’ll know something is wrong and can send reinforcements. But the reinforcements need to be careful not to wander into a trap.
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The purpose of the scout’s gun should be obvious.
When surveying the area, the scout needs to note any obstacles that might make the area more trouble than it’s worth. Examples include barbed wire fences, high walls, ditches, streams, and so forth. All these things might make it too difficult or dangerous to lug back supplies.
The scout should also note whether any buildings in question have been damaged by things such as bombs or earthquake. You don’t want the stairs you’re climbing to collapse or a ceiling to fall on your head while you’re digging through the rubble.
If you have local maps, you should study them carefully to figure out all the ways in and out of the area you want to search. Plan your route carefully, and know alternate routes in case your main route gets cut off.
You and your group will have to weigh the costs versus the benefits and the risks versus the rewards before searching an area. Is the thing you want to search for necessary to save someone’s survival, or is it just something that would make you slightly more comfortable?
Make a Plan
Once you’ve decided where to go and what to look for, you’ll have to decide who to send. Never send someone alone. He or she could twist an ankle or something and need help returning to camp. Also, there could be heavy obstacles or supplies that require at least two people to move.
And remember, one person is far more likely to be robbed or killed than two or more people. Ideally, you would send several people, but that depends on how many you can spare. You don’t want to leave children alone at your camp.
Your group should take a vulture toolkit with them. This is a kit with things you might need for scavenging, such as bags, cordage, lock picks, cutting tools, a siphon, water jugs, and so forth. I also recommend bringing respirators and goggles in case the location’s air is full of dust or smoke.
If you have several areas to search, you’ll have to decide the order in which to search them. It’s better to start further out and work your way back toward camp so you don’t waste energy carrying supplies farther than necessary.
If you know the heaviest items are going to be in a particular place, go there last. If scavenging your area is going to take several days or weeks, you should get a map and mark the locations you search so you don’t accidentally visit the same place twice.
Where to Look
Pretty much everywhere! Here are some possible targets and what you may find within them.
1. Automotive Shops
You have a better chance of finding the part you need here than in a department store. It’s true now, and it will be true after the SHTF, too.
2. Cars
You’ll want to check the glove box, under the seats, and in the trunk for snacks, tools, and other useful items. Parts of the car itself might prove useful, too. The mirrors could be used for signaling, the wiring for cordage, the upholstery for bedding and insulation, the battery for power (if someone in your group is mechanically inclined), and of course the engine parts if you need them for your own vehicle.
Here’s a list of 13 things you can scavenge from cars.
3. Churches
I know, stealing supplies from a church is pure evil, right? But again, it’s not stealing if you’re in an end-of-the-world type scenario and the church has been completely abandoned. Churches that give food to the needy might have lots of canned food in the kitchen and closets.
4. Distribution Centers
Most people will hit grocery stores first, so it will be a little longer before the warehouses are picked clean. Even then, there may be a few things that were overlooked. Also, check the semi-trailers. You may find non-perishable foods and other supplies.
5. Dumpsters
It won’t be fun, but you might find some hidden treasures in dumpsters. There’s a book worth checking out called The Art and Science of Dumpster Diving.
6. Fire Stations
You may find food, supplies, and clothing. Plus, the fire engine has a tank with hundreds of gallons of water. It will need to be filtered, though.
7. Gas Stations
These will probably be picked clean, but you never know. It’s worth a look.
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8. Government Buildings
Most federal installations have commercial grade solar panels. You may also find backup lighting and emergency supplies.
9. Grocery Stores
These will probably be picked clean, too, but you may find food in less obvious places such as under shelves, behind displays, and beneath cash registers. Also check the bathrooms, the offices, the stock room, and the loading dock.
10. Hospitals
Obviously these should have lots of food, clothes, and medical supplies. Check every single closet and every single drawer.
11. Houses
Check everywhere–rooms, garage, basement, attic, backyard, storage sheds, the garden if there is one, etc. The water heater has up to 70 gallons of drinking water. Better yet, look for houses with swimming pools. Also keep an eye out for metal mailboxes which can be converted into wood stoves.
12. Manufacturing Facilities
They may have fuel, batteries, tools, first aid supplies, and all kinds of useful items.
13. Marinas
Check abandoned boats. They usually have supplies like emergency rations, communication equipment, fishing equipment, and possibly guns.
14. Office Buildings
Check break rooms for vending machines and check desks for snacks and small tools. There should be fire extinguishers in most rooms and cleaning supplies in the janitor’s closet.
15. Pawn Shops
If you’re lucky you’ll find weapons, ammo, and other miscellaneous gear. You might even find some working electronics such as walkie-talkies or a ham radio.
16. Pet Stores
If your pets are still okay, a pet store might make it possible for you to keep feeding them without giving up any of your own food. You could also eat it yourself, but I wouldn’t recommend that unless you’re very desperate. There are no FDA regulations on pet food and it could make you sick if you eat too much.
17. Restaurants
These will probably be empty, but check anyway. There may be a few cans or bags of food that were overlooked. Anything that was in the freezer will have gone bad, though.
18. Retail Stores
See “Grocery Stores” above. Consider grabbing some non-electric entertainment such as books, cards, board games, sports equipment, etc.
19. Schools
There’s a lot to be found in schools–tools, fire extinguishers, first aid kits, cleaning supplies, and possibly food in the cafeteria. If you have time and can get them open, you might want to check the lockers as well. There may be some snacks with a long shelf life in them.
20. Self-storage Facilities
If you have time to pry open all of them, it might be worth it. You probably won’t find any food or perishable items, but there’s a chance you’ll find some clothes or useful gear and equipment.
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I’ll keep all of this in mind.
When you are in the country and approaching a farm, be obvious as most farmers I know have dogs as well as guns.
You want some food from a farmer, you are going to have to work for it. Strangers in town will be noticed, watched very carefully and commented on.
Very early ont9 this article, you made a comment you might hear from preppers that surprised me. You stated a response from a prepper might be :I don’t need to scavenge, I have everything.” That to me goes against what I’ve always been taught. Now I should say I grew up on the Appalachia region and what you call prepping, we always called living. But back to my comment. Being prepared, I was always taught the craft of foraging and trapping. And foraging is in a sense the same as scavenging. Of course different precautions need to be taken, that’s every situation. You investigate, assess, document, and plan. Doesn’t matter it you’re in WV knee deep in thicket or off Broadway scoping dumpsters behind 6 star restaurants. I know this comment is winded but I’m trying to make a point here. If you at any time think you have everything you need, you are already dead. Not saying go looking for it. Just saying expect some day to need to do it no matter how much you have.
I have no idea what a church would have to offer. Most churches do not keep food and supplies on hand. What supplies they would have would likely been handed out long before scavenging would be an issue, especially those associated with food banks and soup kitchens.
In the restaurants, look for condiment packages. Salt/pepper, ketchup, mustard, soy sauce etc. They will provide flavor to that squirrel you’re eating fir the first time
Make a rank list in order of checking such places depending on what’s close to you and known to have already been scavenged, similar to what Grampa said above. Dumpsters don’t go out of your way, just take a quick look as you happen to pass any by.
For storage units this would be the last on any list. The effort to open and go thru them is not worth it. Just watch a couple episodes of Storage Wars and you’ll see what I mean. There will be tons of clothing you’ll be able to get from numerous other locations.
A main place to get if you don’t know or have such information yourself is the Library. Get yourself how to books on anything and everything such as electrical stuff before the library gets destroyed by disaster or vandals. All the circuit boards, solar panels, and rechargeable batteries and other technical stuff will be heavy useless junk to you if your not able to utilize them. Better yet just get some how to stuff and minor supplies now and store it away, you’ll have plenty of time to teach yourself later when there’s no Netflix to watch!
If you find a place with lots of stuff more than you can carry:
A. See if this is an easily defendable place to make your Home Base as. If so tear down all signage of what the place is and on nearby roads to avoid those that would come to it if they would have seen it. If you can make fake signs or transport real ones to disguise the place. Instead of a Food Storage Facility find a company that is a hazardous chemical facility and put those signs up. Make home made signs that says trespassers will be sprayed with flammable corrosive acid. I’d bypass this place and go around!
B. If not defendable still destroy signs of what the place is.
#1. find a stash spot that you can put most of the important stuff you want to come back for so if others come by before you can get back and take everything at least they might miss that. Use them dumpsters and cover it with trash!
#2. Try to do as many transport runs back and forth to get as much before others come and grab as well.
Super great article. Thank you for the information.
We are farmers and have always planned ahead for needs. One, a farmer, must do so to successfully farm. Our greatest concerns are accidents and thievery. The uninvited could be armed now and especially during difficult times. There are those who would believe it is acceptable to steal from those who work very hard and very long hours. On the other hand, we are willing to help as many in need as we can, all the while, keeping in perspective the needs of our own families. Most of my neighbors feel the same. We help each other often and gladly.
I would caution people not to venture onto farms during hard times. All farmers, I know, have dogs and are very capable with weapons. They also look out for each other. Weapons are simply a purposeful farming/ranching tool especially if one has livestock. My advice, best to call ahead and volunteer to work for your needs than to try stealing it.
How would someone call ahead in an apocalyptic situation? Also how would they get the phone number of the farmers? Like “hey,the worlds ending and I found your phone number on the one working computer in the world,could you come pick me up & take me to your farm so the neighbors and their dogs don’t kill me?”
Ok I have never laughed so hard in my life. Thank you for that.
Have a sign “Will work for food!” and white flag and be obvious calling out coming up main road?
Great article, please keep up the good work. I lived through Katrina and Harvey. Yes there were looters, but I also saw people collecting survival supplies and meds to take care of the family and friends. Great list, thanks.
W. E. Grayhawk survival instructor and prepper.
I’m surprised the article didn’t mention veterinarian hospitals & offices. You can find medications and maybe some food. Also car dealerships. There you can find tools, coffee, tea, and vending machines.
You’re right, I don’t know why I didn’t think of those. Thanks for the comment!
make a map of areas covered and items for future use when in need. the list and map can be passed to others in your group that would save time vertically all office buildings and factories must have emer. lighting to allow exit when the power fails or fire blocks vision these have rechargeable batteries. while these are not the best type they will provide lighting and are easily recharged. circuit boards that are in them will provide a way to recharge the batteries. also they have candy machines that could be emptied quickly things like toilet paper is usual stored in adequate supplies. some places provide sanitary supplies for women hilos could provide batteries as well. places large enough to service their cars and trucks would have oil and fuel. this is where the list will come in handy so others can find it easily.
Grampa
The list is long on TEOTWAWKI fantasy and short on practicality …. half the locations will be overwhelmed refuge centers and gooberment support – the other half will be nothing but looted & burned shells of former stores ….
Great ideas. Thanks
Illini: Don’t be so negative. If you don’t check, you will never know. Yes, the building may be mostly stripped, but there may be items that some found useless but that you have a pressing need for. Think positively. Yes, I am that LCC
Some of these places I hadn’t thought of. Thanks