Hey Everyone,

I am getting serious about doing some prepping (Not as extreme as the TV show preppers) just in case the ships stop coming and/or there is civil unrest here on Oahu. I feel that my house is in a good place to bug out at so I am going to stay put if something occurs. I know what I want to get just in case. It is just me, the wife and the cat. What my question is about quantities. What I want to know is, in your opinion, how much food and water per person per day do you stash away just in case? I know I can go to the government website or the extreme preppers websites and get recommendations. What I want to know is from those that are actually here and prepping, how much food and water per person per day and how many days you are stashing away. And if you would also include why and how you came up with this amount I would appreciate that info as well.

This, and any additional information is much appreciated.

I'm thinking of picking up one of the 250g water totes. There's 4 of us.  I figure can't really have to much.

I'm thinking of picking up one of the 250g water totes. There's 4 of us.  I figure can't really have to much.

I like the idea of that plastic bath tub storage container myself. How many days are you thinking your water will last you?

1 gallon per person per day is a good place to start.  That figures in drinking, food prep, and modest sanitation. 

What my question is about quantities. What I want to know is, in your opinion, how much food and water per person per day do you stash away just in case?

Rule of thumb is 1 gallon per person per day (for drinking).  May have to stink for a while.  Food: 2k calories per day.  Dehydrated is easiest to store, but you will need more water to rehydrate.

How much to stash depends on what you are preparing for: short-term (a few days to a couple of weeks) or long-term (a few months).  You can live without food for a couple of weeks, but only last 3 or 4 days without water.

General rule of thumb (my thumb) is at least three months supply of food & water per person.  This is the minimum I would feel comfortable with.  That is a lot of water to stash so a good supply of water with the means to purify it (aqua pails?) may be an alternate plan.  We are surrounded by salt water (ocean) and I have seen several different methods of desalinization on the internet.

Of course, if we are without shipment of food & fuel for more than a couple of weeks then storage of food & water is only one of our concerns.  Security against those who are not prepared and want what you have stored is vital.  Which begs the answer to the question, "are you prepared to defend yourself and your stores with deadly force against your neighbors or other family?"  It may be easy to flippantly answer "of course, I going cap 'em all."  Really?  Your brother/sister and their family or your neighbor that you talk story with, drink beer/eat poke with for the last 10 years?  Really?  It is a serious question that demands serious contemplation.

If the answer is "no," then better store tons of food & water.

Me?  I don't know.  Can I take the life of someone I know (and love) to protect or ensure that my immediate family has adequate food & water?  I don't know.  And that is the moral dilemma.

When the ships stop coming and there is civil unrest (WROL) it would be good to have "choke" bullets and guns (among other things & plans) cause its going to get crazy.  The riots in London will seem tame in comparison.

I work at Foodland during the Big Island Earthquake, the Oahu Blackout, Japan Eartgquake/Tsunami....
I can tell you once sum-thing happens our stock would be out in a couple of hours.
We don't carry backstock!!! Unless the items on sale due to keeping track of inventory for the bean counters. SO I say stock up what you can now.

Hawaii been fortunate by these events that happened in a short time span.

Can foods I say buy the ones you normally eat and your body agres with.

 Ramen (Chix) just in case you get sick during this time and water
batteries
toilet paper(buy em when they are on sale when you can.

here is an idea to store water and keep it sterile
use thosw water container and store it in a closet with a UV lamp,the lamp kills whatever in the water

If you are on medication stock on the medication that you need to rely.

My approach for food and water?

Food- I like eating healthy.  Plus I want to live by the "Eat what you store and store what  you eat" philosophy.  So it's taking a lot of work, and a lifestyle change.  But I am changing my diet to work with storable foods, as much as I reasonably can.  One very valuable thing I recently added to my diet and preps is sprouts/sprouting.  It's a super quick way to attain super nutrient-packed food!  Great way to get vitamins and nutrients and GOOD foodstuff in you if you're living off of cans, and mre's.  Also, don't overlooks vitamins.  Find good ones, not cheapo "bowl-ringer" pills.  Stock up and actually take them so you can rotate them out.  Most vitamins are only potent for 1-2 years, if that.

Water- Just store it.  Use safe and reliable containers, big and small.  Put up as much as you reasonably can, then a little more.  Then, have several methods of disinfection and filtration as well as knowledge of nearby or accessible water sources.  Then store a little more.   A Waterbob couldn't hurt, but don't put all your eggs in that basket.  What if nobody is home to fill it up when the emergency happens--and the water or contaminated is off by the time you get home?  Okay, that's all.

Thanks everyone for all the great ideas!

I am not sure what may or may not happen here on Oahu? We have some more unusual type circumstances than the mainland. My thoughts are this. If we have some civil unrest I expect it won't last much more than a week. We have the servicemen on island that would be called on to quell any uprising. After living through the Watts Riots and the LA Riots (A new Olympic Sport: Loot, Shoot and Scoot  ) I see that the actual rioting can go on for about a week. So for this I figure I need supplies for 2 weeks. But if we or the mainland are attacked (not likely) or a strike is prolonged I think it could be a month before things are brought back to somewhat normal. So I am thinking a months worth of supplies. I need to build up slowly as I don't have a lot of money to do this immediately. So right now I have a week of food and water. I intend to add a week worth of water and food every 3 months until I have 4 weeks worth. I already stock a minimum month of TP.

Here are my concerns. I need a generator but do not have the money nor the need for one outside this situation. I need a better first aid kit. I need to be better organized. Also, I think I might need to get an AR as my sniper rifle is not very portable. I need more batteries and a portable radio.

Sorry forgot about the post till now, but I live on the drier side of the island so I figure can never have to much and 250g is a good start.  Also since my side is drier I would be less likely to find rivers streams and ponds. So instead I focus on having water available and methods of filtration.

for water purification , I have this
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B0007U00YE/?tag=2ahawaii-20

it can filter 13000 gallons,  before the ceramic filter needs changing.  bought this a year ago for 250.  must be popular now or inflation is a bitch.

My retired store manager said the number 1 thing that runs out on hurricane seaon is.............................

TOILET PAPER

Lots of good input here, really want to try and build a network of folks who are into looking at reality and not thinking we live in a bubble, there are lots of issues in the world right now, not including whatever mother nature can throw at us, there is also some thought provoking stuff,, like wirecounter's question about are you willing to defend against your neighbors,,, Im not so worried about my neighbors, as I think we will pretty much need to band together to make the defensible area work,, we live rural, but can see all the neighbors, that said, we got farmeres, ranching people, some dummies, they are everywhere, etc, and some kupuna, the old folks Ill do whatever I can to help them, I think the biggest threat will be from those who are not prepared,,, and there are many, that is what the LR308 is for,  or that mossberg,  can grow stuff, but the quick stable food is always an issue, unless your flush with cash a stash of freeze dried foods or MREs is tough to do, especially when you spent all your money on reloading supplies,  the water purifyer is a good investment, toilet paper, and lots of saimein! I try to buy cases of canned stuff at Costco and rotate it out, figure a months worth of canned stuff and about two months worth of dry ramen noodles with two or three big bags of rice should do,,, beyond that I know a good recipe for manapua. 
   

Ever thought about using a those Public Storage as a fort because it sure does look like it.

You can store your can food and whatever else provisions there when you don't got space at home.

However this is for the extreme like zombies, aliens, and stuff.

Sounds like you guys are really serious about this stuff.  The info here is priceless in my opinion.
One thing (of countless things) that I'd like to contribute is required reading... there are 2 books that I HIGHLY recommend if you haven't already read which are:

One Second After
Patriots, A novel of Survival - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Patriots:_A_Novel_of_Survival_in_the_Coming_Collapse

The information contained in these 2 books will blow you away.  The authors have gone to great lengths to specifically detail some of the scenarios that you have and have not envisioned.  I'll put the emphasis on the HAVE NOT envisioned portion of that statement.

So please, make the time to read these and have a pen and paper on the side to write down things or trust me, you'll read them more than once...

also, I recommend the movie Collapse, which is a documentary/interview type movie with Michael C Ruppert.  He supports sustainable living and outlines another reality which we are facing which is peak oil.

for water purification , I have this
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B0007U00YE/?tag=2ahawaii-20

it can filter 13000 gallons,  before the ceramic filter needs changing.  bought this a year ago for 250.  must be popular now or inflation is a bitch.

I think you need to add the activated carbon filter to remove chemicals from the water too.

I just purchased a Berkey gravity water filter.  It is not as portable as the Katadyn, but it will work for what I need.  Plan to put a few drops of chlorine to kill 100% of bacteria and pathogens before it (the water) even goes through the filters.

Although, the Katadyn will be better suited for my BOB . . . may have to get one as well.

Mahalo for the info!   

One Second After
Patriots, A novel of Survival - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Patriots:_A_Novel_of_Survival_in_the_Coming_Collapse

The information contained in these 2 books will blow you away.  The authors have gone to great lengths to specifically detail some of the scenarios that you have and have not envisioned.  I'll put the emphasis on the HAVE NOT envisioned portion of that statement.

Mahalo duchi for the heads up.  May be "just novels," but useful information is useful information regardless of the source. 

Aside from having a sufficient supply of food and water, the absolute most critical point is to get healthy and "in shape" now (if you already are not).
When there will be social unrest, people WILL die.  Depending upon how severe the situation, many people will die.  Disease and illness will be killers.
Hospitals are currently short staffed and CLOSING left and right.  You do not want to have any avoidable reason to have to visit the emergency ward when everyone else is too.  All members of your family having a healthy body and immune system is critical to survive.  If you or a family member have disabilities, are diabetic, obese, etc... get your necessities and your body in order NOW so that you won't be relying upon your government(because a large percentage of the populace will) to assist you in a crisis.  If you're used to eating ALOT, get used to eating a bit less since your food source will last longer if your body knows that your caloric intake is satisfied but you're not over eating.
If you smoke, stop smoking... it's easy if you have other more important things to worry about.  I've been a smoker for ~20 years and I had quit just over a year ago.  Feels great!  I'll keep cartons of cigarettes to barter with.

Another example; I have had very poor eyesight from a young age.  -5.50 in both eyes.  I recently had the LASIK procedure performed and cannot say enough positive things about it.  Yes, it is VERY expensive($4600 in my case).  But in a SHTF scenario, broken eye glasses or lost contact lenses are no longer a concern especially if you have to fight.  So a visit to the optometrist is avoided.
Also, good oral hygiene is essential.  I had also had my wisdom teeth extracted last year(they were causing a bit of discomfort) so as to not have those to get in the way of normal living if the dentist is not readily available in the future.  So take care of your teeth so that they will take care of you.
If you can imagine an economic collapse such as the dollar losing its place as the worlds reserve currency, hyperinflation may cause the eye correction procedure or a visit to the dentist for a simple tooth ache to either be non-existent, or cost like $10,000, $50,000, $100,000... if you think those types of procedures are a luxury now... wait until it's too late.  In the collapse of other countries, bread would cost $1000.00...  Gasoline $400 per gallon.

These are things to keep in mind in case the time to get back to normal takes years... or never.

The normalcy bias http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Normalcy_bias no longer affects me and I really don't think everything is as it should be in the world today, so my views may differ from yours.

good points duchi!

Aside from having a sufficient supply of food and water, the absolute most critical point is to get healthy and "in shape" now (if you already are not).
When there will be social unrest, people WILL die.  Depending upon how severe the situation, many people will die.  Disease and illness will be killers.
Hospitals are currently short staffed and CLOSING left and right.  You do not want to have any avoidable reason to have to visit the emergency ward when everyone else is too.  All members of your family having a healthy body and immune system is critical to survive.  If you or a family member have disabilities, are diabetic, obese, etc... get your necessities and your body in order NOW so that you won't be relying upon your government(because a large percentage of the populace will) to assist you in a crisis.  If you're used to eating ALOT, get used to eating a bit less since your food source will last longer if your body knows that your caloric intake is satisfied but you're not over eating.
If you smoke, stop smoking... it's easy if you have other more important things to worry about.  I've been a smoker for ~20 years and I had quit just over a year ago.  Feels great!  I'll keep cartons of cigarettes to barter with.

Another example; I have had very poor eyesight from a young age.  -5.50 in both eyes.  I recently had the LASIK procedure performed and cannot say enough positive things about it.  Yes, it is VERY expensive($4600 in my case).  But in a SHTF scenario, broken eye glasses or lost contact lenses are no longer a concern especially if you have to fight.  So a visit to the optometrist is avoided.
Also, good oral hygiene is essential.  I had also had my wisdom teeth extracted last year(they were causing a bit of discomfort) so as to not have those to get in the way of normal living if the dentist is not readily available in the future.  So take care of your teeth so that they will take care of you.
If you can imagine an economic collapse such as the dollar losing its place as the worlds reserve currency, hyperinflation may cause the eye correction procedure or a visit to the dentist for a simple tooth ache to either be non-existent, or cost like $10,000, $50,000, $100,000... if you think those types of procedures are a luxury now... wait until it's too late.  In the collapse of other countries, bread would cost $1000.00...  Gasoline $400 per gallon.

These are things to keep in mind in case the time to get back to normal takes years... or never.

The normalcy bias http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Normalcy_bias no longer affects me and I really don't think everything is as it should be in the world today, so my views may differ from yours.

For prepping, I don't think you should have a "limit"  Just keep going as long as you have space and can financially IMO.  I think the most important thing and what you should shoot for is to be self sufficient. 

As for killing people, strangers would be no problem.  Friends/family, thats a question that I can't answer till the moment comes but Im pretty sure if its between my wife and children and them its a no brainer.   

to all diabetics stockpile your insilin