The Ultimate Survival Guide for a Stocked Walmart Without Power
Preppers often fantasize about being locked in a Walmart store, thanks to its extensive inventory of essential survival items. This guide explores how long one could survive in a completely stocked Walmart without power, covering food, water, shelter, tools, and more. If you plan to weather a disaster or simply enjoy a survivalist mindset, read on for critical tips and strategies.
Food: Filling Your Stomach and Immunity
Walmart is a treasure trove for non-perishable foods. With aisles full of canned goods, dried beans, rice, pasta, and snacks, you've got enough sustenance to last for months if rationed carefully. Add to that the cases of bottled water and soda, and you'll be set for hydration if you manage it properly. For vitamin and mineral support, stock up on vitamins and supplements, which can prevent diseases like scurvy.
Water: Hydration and Beyond
Even in the absence of utilities, Walmart offers bottled water, which should last for a considerable time. Don’t forget about juice and sodas as alternatives for additional hydration and sustenance. When you deplete these, you can resort to collecting rainwater or using camping water filters. Innovative solutions can keep you hydrated even in challenging conditions.
Shelter: Finding Your Safe Space
Walmart’s camping section boasts tents, sleeping bags, and air mattresses, providing a cozy base for shelter. With plenty of blankets and pillows available, ensure you stay warm and comfortable. This section also houses canopies and tarps, which can help in setting up makeshift shelters inside the store or in its aisles, ensuring you remain protected from the elements.
Tools and Equipment: Problem Solving
The right tools can make all the difference. Walmart stocks knives, multi-tools, and fishing gear that can help you solve a wide range of survival issues. For more heavy-duty tasks, tools from the hardware section, such as crowbars and heavy-duty pliers, can be invaluable. Embrace the "MacGyver" spirit by using creativity and the stock of tools to innovate solutions for your immediate needs.
Medicine: Tending to Injuries and Illnesses
First aid kits, over-the-counter medications, and even stronger prescription drugs from the pharmacy section can handle minor injuries and illnesses. If you can secure access, you'll be well-prepared to manage most medical emergencies. Remember, over-the-counter medications, such as pain relievers, antipyretics, and decongestants, can be lifesavers in tough times.
Entertainment: Fighting Boredom
Boredom is a luxury you can easily do without. Stock up on books, magazines, board games, and video games. For electronic gamers, a portable battery or a backup generator can provide power. With a few entertainment options, you can keep your spirits up even in long periods of isolation.
Reality Check: Walmart's Backup Generators
It’s important to note that Walmart has on-site backup generators capable of supporting essential store functions. These generators can be manually controlled to extend their operational life, ensuring that those critical supplies remain accessible. While a generator might not last indefinitely, it provides a significant buffer period.
Walmart also has fuel pumps to ensure the generator has diesel supply, typically kept at half capacity to avoid issues with sediment and rain runoff. Given the high efficiency of these generators, it’s essential to plan for the limits of the diesel supply. If you need to wait out a significant disaster, plan accordingly.
For the adventurous and prepared, Walmart can be the perfect survival haven. With a mix of creative problem-solving and careful planning, you can extend your survival time significantly within its walls. If you’re fully stocked, the possibilities are nearly endless.