9 Rules for Bunker Survival
Sharon Kuhlman has been prepping for a crisis situation for nearly 20 years. As the owner of the Bunker, a survival store in Leander, Texas, we figured there was no-one more better placed to ask for advice on how to endure a long stint of social distancing. (See our interview with Sharon about what got her into prepping - and what even she still worries about.)
1 - Take what you need
The first point Sharon makes is that we shouldn’t take more than we need. Stockpiling puts a strain on the system, she explains, which means that vulnerable people don’t get the necessary supplies.
With that in mind, what’s the most important prepping rule of thumb according to Sharon?
2 - Eat what you actually enjoy
“You want to eat things that you actually enjoy eating”, she explains. “We have a very psychological connection to food.”
3 - Remember the six basics
It’s simpler than you would think. Sharon advises that you prioritise the basics:
Camp foods
Frozen vegetables
Essential toiletries like toilet paper and handwash
Medical gear, such as antiseptic cream, antibacterial wipes, bandages etc.
Long-term food storage
Fuels for cooking stoves, batteries for flashlights, long-term emergency candles
4 - Don’t forget the food groups
When it comes to food, Sharon says, “I don’t think it needs to be super complicated but I do think that you need to think about your food groups, your dairy products, meat products, just like you normally would.”
5 - The great bunker bake-off
Once you have the core essentials, you can build your supply from there. One top tip from Sharon is to try and have all the ingredients to make bread in case there is a shortage at local stores. “Your bread and your milk and your eggs are super hard to get replaced and you can't really purchase them in bulk.”
6 - Tins to take in
Three tinned foods that Sharon swears by as a prepper are:
Soup
Corned beef hash
Canned chicken or tuna
For the vegetarians and vegans among us, Sharon advises stocking up on tinned fruit. She favours canned food because of its longevity though emphasises the need for additional flavouring because much of this food is prepared without spices.
7 - Inspiration from the army
Where possible, and if you can, it’s good to purchase some military MREs (meals-ready-to-eat). These are full of calories and require no food prep - ideal if you are in a limited space. Alternatively, Sharon recommends Mountain house pouches to which you just add hot water. You can even purchase emergency food kits from Mountain House that provide supplies for up to fourteen days. With both of these ready-meal options, there’s also lots of variety which means your diet doesn’t have to suffer in a crisis situation.
8 - Water, water, water
The most crucial supply of all, though, is water.
“Water is super important even more important than food in many instances”, Sharon says.
“People tend to not take the water situation as seriously as I think they should.”
Sharon suggests investing in long-term water storage and filter cleaners so that you are prepared for the worst-case scenario of your water supply being cut off.
9 - Distraction action
When prepping for an emergency, it can be easy to only prioritise food and water supplies. Sharon highlights the importance of having distractions, though.
“I made sure that I had quite a few books on hand and I love to do crossword puzzles”, she says, when reflecting on her years of prepping.
Are there any positives that can be taken from this current situation? For Sharon, it’s a time to appreciate having loved ones close to you. “We don’t get to slow down a lot”, she notes.
“It would be nice to think that families are spending more time with each other.”
>> Read and watch our full interview with Sharon
