Survival Supply Caches: A Brief Introduction

During emergencies and disasters, having the ability to leave your home while still having easy access to the most important supplies is necessary. This makes it essential to have a good survival supply cache complete with all the supplies that you need in any emergency situation. With a survival cache around, you will have easy access to supplies that you can’t carry or store inside a bug-out bag.

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Why Do You Need a Survival Supply Cache?

A survival supply cache can be defined as a well-hidden stash or stockpile of survival items or supplies. It contains a collection of additional supplies that you want to reserve or hide only to access them at the exact moment that you need them. There are several reasons why you need to use survival caches.

One reason is that it ensures that all your survival supplies will not just be in a single location. It allows you to spread the supplies in unique and concealed spots. With this, you can lower your risk of losing all your supplies in case one site is compromised because of a disaster or emergency.

Another reason why a survival supply cache is necessary is that it helps support a bug out. Putting it in a strategic location can offer additional supplies together with your bug-out route. This is beneficial as it makes your survival backpack weigh less while still giving you the chance to restock critical bug-out supplies and gears, including ammo, water, and foods.

Having the cache around will also prevent you from losing the entirety of your survival stash in case someone reaches that spot when you are not around. You just have to make sure that you create your survival supply cache considering all important factors. One factor to consider in creating the cache is the specific container that you will use.

Your goal is to find a container that is strong enough that it can keep all the supplies inside fully protected from the harshest elements. It is also necessary to think about the ideal places or spots to hide the cache and the best methods to bury and hide it. Also, make sure to create a cache that adapts well to your specific geographical location. Note that various environments also need a different set of practices for creating the cache.

 

Of course, you also need to determine the key supplies that you should add to the cache. Decide on the specific number of items that you should store in the cache, too.

Survival Cache Supplies

So what should you put inside your survival cache? Here are just some of the most vital supplies:

  • Medical Supplies – There is no need to build a cache filled with all the medical supplies that you can think of. You just have to cover the essentials, like the ones needed to provide first aid. Among the medical supplies you can include in the cache are sterilizers, bandages, as well as basic over-the-counter medicines that can raise your chance of surviving a disaster.

Note that during disasters, there is a high risk of dealing with a short supply of medicines. This might cause even those basic infections to become deadly, so it is best to prepare for it. Aside from having medical supplies, it also helps to have a dental emergency kit inside the cache.

  • Fire Starter – You need a fire starter in case you have to spend several days away from your home. It is even considered as the ultimate survival tool. With that in mind, do not forget to fill your survival cache with lighters, strikers, and waterproof matches.
  • Artificial Light – This is necessary during night and low-light survival situations. Store a quality flashlight and a set of batteries inside your cache. It also helps to have some candles inside. Other sources of artificial lights that can help you during survival situations are gas lanterns and fuel.
  • Ammo and Guns – Note that situations requiring you to open up your cache are usually those that require you to prioritize your own defense or protection. This is why you should also consider having ammo and guns inside your chosen container. The good thing about tucking ammo and guns inside the cache is that it can prevent you from worrying about firearm confiscation.
  • Food – Of course, you also need a good supply of food during survival situations so it helps to have some of them stored in your cache. Storing some food in the cache can help ensure that you will still have an adequate supply of it in case your primary food supply becomes inaccessible or gets stolen. Make sure that the supply is enough until you have a new source of food secured.
  • Water – There should also be a water filter bottle, which is a space-friendly supply in case you live close to a source of water, like a lake or stream. It also helps to pack some bottled water.
  • Utility Items – Your survival supply cache should also contain some utility items. Some examples of these items are sharp knives, multi-tool, duct tape, 550 cords, and steel pot designed to cook food. The knives and cords are ideal items to put in the bin or box’s odd corners.

The cooking pot is also a wise addition to your cache because it can provide space where you can put some gears. The multi-tool is a big help in overcoming the most challenging and realistic scenarios that might happen during a disaster or emergency.

Where to Hide your Survival Supply Cache?

Note that your survival supply cache should be created and hidden in a way that you can use and access it in case you can’t reach your bug-out bag or when it is stolen. One of the best places to hide it is along the road where you can reach your bug-out location. It should be a secluded place to avoid drawing attention when you are trying to get it.

You may also put the cache inside your home. Make sure that it is hidden from view. This is a big help in case your home gets looted, allowing you to have ready supplies to hunker down. Also, take note that you can just choose to bury the cache inside a hole. You may then camouflage it.

Another way to keep the cache concealed is to spray paint its container in a way that it blends with the trees or foliage. You can then conceal it behind vines, inside a hollowed tree, or any other place that only you can see and access.

Conclusion

Your survival supply cache serves as a supplement to your survival or bug-out bag. It is meant to give you almost all the supplies you need during a survival situation when you can’t access the primary source of your essentials. With the cache around, you have a higher chance of surviving any emergency.