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Food Procurement in Emergency Situations

Quick Summary​

When stranded or in an extended emergency, finding food becomes critical within days. This guide covers safe, protein-rich food sources you can find in the wild, from insects to freshwater crustaceans.

Why This Matters​

Food procurement skills become essential when:

  • You're stranded in remote areas for days or weeks
  • Natural disasters disrupt food supply chains
  • You're on extended wilderness trips and run out of supplies
  • Emergency situations prevent access to stores or restaurants

While you can survive weeks without food, your energy and decision-making ability decline daily. Starting food gathering early maintains your strength for other readiness tasks.

The Priority System​

Remember the readiness priorities:

  1. Water - You'll die in days without it
  2. Shelter - Protection from elements (may be #1 in extreme weather)
  3. Food - Critical for long-term energy and health

Start food procurement early, even while addressing other needs, because it takes time to learn what's safe and set up reliable sources.

Focus on Small Game and Alternative Proteins​

Unless you have hunting experience and equipment, focus on smaller, more abundant food sources:

Why Small Sources Work Better​

  • More abundant than large game
  • Easier to catch and prepare
  • Require less specialized equipment
  • Provide steady, reliable nutrition
  • Lower risk of injury during procurement

Overcoming Food Bias​

In emergency situations, you must eat what's available. Throughout history, people have survived on foods they'd never normally consider. Your survival depends on nutrition, not personal preferences.

Important

Always cook food sources when possible to avoid illness. Some items can be eaten raw if necessary, but cooking is safer.

Insects: Nature's Protein Powerhouse​

Why Insects Matter​

  • Most abundant life form on Earth
  • 65-80% protein content (beef is only 20%)
  • Easy to catch in large quantities
  • Available in most environments
  • Require minimal preparation

Safe Insects to Eat​

Good choices:

  • Grasshoppers (remove wings and legs)
  • Crickets
  • Ants (some species taste sweet)
  • Termites
  • Beetle larvae (grubs)
  • Caterpillars (hairless varieties)

Insects to Avoid​

Never eat:

  • Anything that stings or bites
  • Brightly colored insects
  • Hairy caterpillars or insects
  • Insects with strong, pungent odors
  • Spiders
  • Disease carriers (ticks, flies, mosquitoes)

Where to Find Insects​

Rotting logs:

  • Lift carefully to find ants, termites, beetles, grubs
  • Look for white, grub-like beetle larvae
  • Check both under and inside decomposing wood

Ground level:

  • Under stones, boards, or debris
  • In grassy fields where they're easily visible
  • Around ant hills and termite mounds
  • Near water sources

After rain:

  • Many insects emerge or become more active
  • Check areas that were previously dry

Preparation Methods​

Hard-shelled insects (beetles, grasshoppers):

  • Must be cooked to eliminate parasites
  • Remove wings, legs, and any barbed parts
  • Can be roasted, boiled, or fried

Soft-shelled insects:

  • Can be eaten raw if necessary
  • Better cooked for taste and safety
  • Wood grubs have bland taste
  • Honey ants have sweet taste

Preparation tips:

  • Grind into paste and mix with edible plants
  • Cook to improve taste and texture
  • Remove any hard or sharp parts before eating

Worms: Excellent Protein Source​

Why Worms Work​

  • High protein content
  • Easy to find and catch
  • Safe when properly prepared
  • Available in most soil environments

Finding Worms​

Best locations:

  • Damp, rich soil (humus)
  • Root systems of grass clumps
  • Under logs and debris
  • On surface after rain
  • Near compost or organic matter

Preparation​

  1. Purging process: Drop live worms into clean, drinkable water for 15 minutes
  2. Why this matters: Worms will purge dirt and waste from their systems
  3. After purging: Can be eaten raw or cooked
  4. Cooking: Improves taste and ensures safety

Freshwater Crustaceans​

Freshwater Shrimp​

  • Size: 1/16 inch to 1 inch long
  • Location: Floating algae mats, muddy pond bottoms
  • Often found in colonies
  • Net or scoop from shallow water

Crayfish (Freshwater Lobsters)​

Identification:

  • Hard outer shell (exoskeleton)
  • Five pairs of legs
  • Large front claws (pincers)
  • Similar to small lobsters

Where to find crayfish:

  • Under rocks in streams during day
  • Around chimney-like holes in mud (breathing holes)
  • Active at night near water edges
  • In slow-moving or still water

Catching crayfish:

  1. Bait method: Tie meat scraps or fish guts to string
  2. Technique: Lower bait near crayfish, wait for grab
  3. Retrieval: Pull steadily to shore before they release
  4. Night catching: Use flashlight, they're more active

Saltwater Options​

If near ocean:

  • Lobsters and crabs: Use baited traps or hooks
  • Shrimp: Attracted to lights at night, scoop with net
  • Crabs: Place bait at surf edge, net or trap
  • Best time: Night fishing generally more productive

Critical Safety Rules​

Must Cook

ALL freshwater crustaceans, mollusks, and fish must be cooked thoroughly. Freshwater environments harbor dangerous parasites and bacteria that can cause serious illness or death.

Cooking Guidelines​

  • Boil for at least 5-10 minutes
  • Cook until shell turns red (crustaceans)
  • Internal temperature should reach 165°F (74°C)
  • When in doubt, cook longer rather than risk illness

Modern Alternatives​

While these traditional methods work, consider modern options:

Emergency fishing gear:

  • Collapsible fishing rod ($25-50)
  • Pocket fishing kit ($10-15)
  • Survival fishing hooks and line

Trap supplies:

  • Wire for small game snares
  • Portable fish traps
  • Collapsible crab/crawfish traps

Common Mistakes​

  • Mistake: Avoiding unfamiliar food sources due to personal bias

  • Why it's dangerous: Limits nutrition in emergency

  • Instead: Prepare mentally to eat available protein sources

  • Mistake: Eating freshwater crustaceans raw

  • Why it's dangerous: High risk of parasites and bacterial infection

  • Instead: Always cook thoroughly, even if fuel is limited

  • Mistake: Focusing only on large game

  • Why it's problematic: Wastes energy, low success rate

  • Instead: Focus on abundant small sources first

When to Seek Help​

Seek immediate medical attention if you experience:

  • Severe stomach cramping after eating wild food

  • Vomiting or diarrhea that persists

  • Signs of allergic reaction (swelling, difficulty breathing)

  • Fever or chills after consuming wild food

  • Secure water first

  • Add vegetation to diet

  • Essential for cooking safety

Budget Option​

Basic Fishing Kit - $10-15

  • Hooks, line, sinkers
  • Compact emergency fishing supplies
  • Good for: Basic protein procurement

Best Value ⭐​

Pocket Survival Fishing Kit - $25-35

  • Multiple hook sizes, strong line
  • Small net, basic lures
  • Waterproof container
  • Good for: Versatile food procurement

Premium Option​

Collapsible Fishing Rod Kit - $45-75

  • Full rod system, quality reel
  • Comprehensive tackle selection
  • Good for: Extended wilderness situations
Source

Adapted from Field Manual FM 3-05.70

Last updated: January 18, 2026