When is comes to survival during a disaster, you already know that water is the most important item. After water, food and shelter become a primary concern. Since we are initially planning for a 72 hour period, we have several options available to us when considering emergency food rations. These options include, but are not limited to; MREs, freeze-dried meals and ration bars.
There are pros and cons to each of these types. When deciding the best option, you must consider your situation and individual requirements. Other things to consider should include; product weight, shelf life and if it fully contained.
MRE (Meal Ready to Eat) is something that many people have heard about or even seen on television. These meals are exactly as their name implies, ready to eat. They come in individually wrapped portions that are fully cooked and can be eaten either hot or cold with no preparation. The variety of these meals is broad and they can include everything from full entrees to deserts. The cost of these range from $1 to $6 depending on the the type of meal, such as a side item or a complete entree. With an optional heater and a small amount of water, they can be heated in their own pouch, providing a warm meal.
Freeze dried meals are normally lighter in weight but do require that water be added for preparation. It is recommended that hot water be used, but cold water can be used in a pinch on most items. Preparation time ranges from 5 to 10 minutes depending on the meal. Again, the variety of meals is wide ranging with items for breakfast, dinner and even desserts. These meals are packaged in special pouches that also double as the cooking container. The shelf life for these pouches can range from 2 -7 years depending on the meal and the storage conditions. Optional heating appliances are available to provide a hot meal in most situations. The cost per entree is approximately $6 per single serving pouch.
Ration bars are a fully, self contained nutrient bar designed to give you the basic nutrition you need to survive for a limited time. The variety of flavors is extremely limited, but no water, heat or other items are needed for consumption. Most are manufactured to have a 5 year shelf life. These bars are often notched or segmented into 400 calorie portions, with a target of 1,200 calories per day. The cost for a typical 3,600 calorie (3 day ration) bar starts at approximately $7.
Because these bars can withstand a much greater range of storage temperatures, they are ideal for vehicles.
I personally keep some of each type in my survival bag. The variety and convenience of each type gives me a degree of flexibility depending on the situation. As with all the items you place in your 72 hour kits, take the time to become familiar with them. Try using these items when you don't need them. A survival situation is not the time to learn about a new product.
