Protect your Survival Cache, Protect Yourself and Your Family
In the unfortunate event of an emergency or disaster, you and your family will want to have access to several Survival caches that contain shelter, food, water, and other tools that aid in survival. Preparing in advance for emergency situations is wise. Whether you’re utilizing a survival cache or a bug-out bag, here are five tips on protecting your cache.
Type of Container
Your choice of container must be based on the kind of environment you plan to stash your survival cache in.
- PVC tube (DIY)
- Garbage Cans/Barrels
- Pelican Cases
- Waterproof Containers
- Monovault
Prevent equipment damage and any food from spoiling by ensuring that your container is sealed to keep moisture at bay. Many options add layers of protection such as the use of double zip-lock bags and industrial sealants, as well as other waterproofing products.
The Location
It’s tile to treat your survival cache as a valuable, and just as you would hide and protect your valuables, you should aim to properly hide your survival cache. Since nearly 66% of all burglaries are residential (home) break-ins, and 2 million home burglaries are reported each year in the U.S., you need to consider that the items you’re going to have in there will be valuable (such as firearms). Because of that, hiding and protecting this cache is going to be imperative. The following locations are typical for hiding or burying survival caches in:
- Attics
- Under floorboards
- Inside a hollow door
- Secret room in the house
- Inside a hollow stump
- Abandoned well
- Inside an old chimney
- Inside an old tire
- In appliances
- In a vehicle
Watch the Stash
A great way to keep a watchful eye on the location of your hidden cache is to employ the use of a security camera. Most come equipped with high-performance microphones to record audio from the cache site.
Geographical Knowledge
Learn as much as you can about the topography of the area that you plan on storing your survival cache/s in. Each environment has unique challenges that you must be aware of in order to keep your stash hidden and undamaged. Also, do not forget where you left your survival cache. A simple way to do this is coding a map in a way that only you and your family understand. It is recommended to create two copies of the map and keep them hidden in two different places. Another option is to use a GPS device and limiting what you say about the exact location.
Safeguarding
When necessary, always bury your cache at least one foot down in remote locations that are well above any flood zones. Store the things that you will need to survive for an extended period, and prevent having to hike all over to gather other essential items needed for survival.
References
Home Security and Automation | ADT
Survival Caches: What to Put in Them and Where to Hide Them | Urban Survival Guide
What to Bury: A Guide for New Preppers | How To Bury Your Stuff
