The Warrior's Emergency Rations

The start of hurricane season is one week away, and the weather over the continental U.S. is volatile. The forecasters at both the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and Colorado State University are predicting a busier-than-average year. With all that in mind, I hope coastal residents are making early preparations to take care of your home and family in case a storm hits your area.

One of the important considerations is food. Emergency management leaders in Escambia County, Florida, today encouraged people to have not just the 72 hours worth of supplies that the federal government recommends, but rather at least 96 hours worth of supplies. That's four days worth of food and water, instead of just three days.

Let's review:

• One gallon of water per person per day. Don't forget to factor pets into your math.
• Non-perishable food that doesn't require refrigeration or cooking.
• If you plan on using canned goods, have a manual (not electric) can opener handy.
• Paper plates are a great idea, since you may not have hot running water available.

I just discovered a new source for food with a long shelf-life. The company doesn't offer a lot of variety, but what they have is fun and will definitely keep through a couple of seasons, if needed.

CMMG is primarily a firearms company. They sell assault rifles and parts for assault rifles. As a sideline, they offer a few emergency rations.

Their Tactical Bacon comes in a black and white can with infographics on the back to demonstrate use.

For $15.95, you get nine ounces of fully cooked bacon which, the company says, will last up to ten years on the shelf. Once you open the can, though, you pretty much have to eat it right away, not that nine ounces will probably take you long to eat.


I can't see the top of the can, but it probably requires that manual can opener.


The company also makes sandwiches, which they call Sammiches, in two varieties: beef and pepperoni. The sandwiches are individually packaged and come vacuum sealed.

According to CMMG's website, each Sammich contains "300 calories of pure tactical goodness" and will last more than two years in your emergency kit, as long as it's stored at 80°F or less.

The cost is $5.95 each.

These are not the most economical addition to your disaster supplies. I placed one can of Tactical Bacon and a few Sammiches to my cart, and with the $10 shipping charge it came to over $50. If you can afford it, though, it would be a fun menu item to give to the guy(s) in your household, to help lighten the mood in the midst of catastrophe. Click here to shop.

I read about these products online. I have received no promotional consideration from CMMG, and I have no personal experience with the products.

Films for the Hurricane Party

This list is really only good until the power goes out. Well, and some of the films on it aren't that good anyway. But this list is all in fun. What am I missing? What other films can you think of that focus on a hurricane or at least have it as a major plot device?

The Hurricane (1937)
Key Largo (1948)
Hurricane (TV 1974)
Condominium (TV 1980)
The Abyss (1989)
The Day After Tomorrow (2004)
Category 6: Day of Destruction (TV 2004)
Category 7: The End of the World (TV 2005)
Shutter Island (2010)

Please note: I have elected to list only fictional films here. Many documentaries exist that cover damage and recovery from storms, from the great hurricane that hit Galveston in 1900 to Katrina in 2005. They probably won't be as much fun to watch when a storm is bearing down on you.

Prefense Winner!

The Randomizer picked comment #9, so Barbarawr is our winner! I'll be sending an email tonight. If I don't receive a response within 72 hours, I will pick an alternate.

Thank you to everyone who commented, and I hope you are all using the tips and advice on this blog to build your disaster kits.

Thanks also to Prefense for providing a great opportunity to the Hurricane Safety blog to try the product and to give a full-sized bottle away.