Burying survival supplies: A strategic approach to emergency preparedness

07/15/2025 / By Zoey Sky

When SHTF, essential supplies can become scarce. By burying your supplies, you safeguard them from potential threats and ensure they are available when needed most.
Before SHTF, bury essential items like tools and survival gear, food supplies, weapons and ammunition, essential documents, precious metals and valuables, medicines and first aid supplies, water filtration and purification tools and garden seeds.
When burying items in a cache, use oil, greased cloth or silica gel packs to prevent rust. Spread caches across different locations to minimize risk.
Fuel is valuable but risky to bury due to leaks and flammability. Use proper containers, seal them tightly and bury in a dry, well-drained pit.
Before burying items, especially weapons, ammunition or fuel, ensure compliance with local, state and federal laws to avoid legal consequences. In a world where uncertainty is the norm, burying essential supplies is a strategic move that can provide peace of mind and security.

In an era where uncertainty looms large, the importance of preparedness cannot be overstated. When disaster strikes, the world as you know it can change in an instant, leaving chaos and desperation in its wake.

In such scenarios, having a well-thought-out plan for safeguarding your essential supplies can make the difference between survival and peril. One of the most effective strategies for protecting your resources is to bury them in secure, hidden locations.

This method not only shields your supplies from potential threats like looters and desperate neighbors but also ensures that you have what you need when the situation deteriorates. Below are eight crucial items that you should consider burying before disaster strikes, along with tips for doing so effectively. (h/t to AskAPrepper.com)

Tools and survival gear

In a post-disaster world, tools are invaluable.

The following tools are essential for building, repairing and defending yourself:

EMP cloth
Hammers
Hatchets
Knives
Multitools
Paracord
Shovels

However, they are also among the first things people will seek to acquire by any means necessary.

Tips for burying tools and survival gear:

Rust prevention – Coat metal tools with oil. You can also cover them in greased cloth to protect against rust. Use silica gel packs to absorb moisture.
Depth – Bury tools at least two to four feet deep, depending on soil type, to avoid detection by metal detectors while ensuring they are still retrievable.

Food supplies

Grocery stores could run out of supplies when SHTF, but if you have a cache of food, you can ensure that your family is well-fed. Stock up on non-perishable items like canned goods and freeze-dried or dehydrated meals.

Tips for burying food supplies:

Airtight containers – Use airtight containers to keep food fresh. These can also protect against moisture and pests.
Location – Choose a secluded spot and avoid locations prone to flooding.
Depth – Bury food supplies at least two to three feet deep to keep them safe from scavengers. Disguise the site with natural debris.

Weapons and ammunition

In times of crisis, self-defense becomes a top priority. Firearms and ammunition are high-value items that need to be hidden well to prevent theft or confiscation.

How to bury weapons and ammunition:

PVC pipe cache – Store guns and ammo in a PVC pipe. Seal the ends to protect against moisture.
Grease and oil – Coat firearms in gun oil or grease to prevent rust.
Mark the spot – Keep a discreet map or note of the location using a coded marking system to ensure privacy.

Essential documents

Documents like birth certificates, property deeds and medical records will prove identity and ownership after a disaster. When SHTF, having these documents can provide security and legitimacy.

How to bury essential documents:

Waterproof bags – Use waterproof, vacuum-sealed bags to keep documents dry.
Double-bury – Store all documents in a lockable box to protect against water and pests.
Location – Choose a spot that is easy to access in an emergency.

Precious metals and valuables

You can use gold, silver and cash to start again after a disaster. These items can be used for barter or to pay for essential supplies.

How to bury valuables:

Small metal boxes – Use sealed metal boxes lined with anti-corrosion materials.
Consider the soil – Avoid areas with high moisture and use silica gel packets to absorb moisture.
Depth and secrecy – Bury valuables at least three to four feet deep and choose a location that is not frequently disturbed.

Medicines and first aid supplies

Medical supplies are critical in a crisis, and having a hidden stash can be lifesaving. Stockpile essential medications and first aid items to ensure you can treat injuries and illnesses.

How to bury medical supplies:

Plastic bins – Store medicines in labeled, airtight plastic bins and include spare parts or extra supplies.
Shade and coolness – Choose a shaded, cool spot to preserve the effectiveness of medications.
Rotation – Regularly check and rotate out expired medications.

Water filtration and purification tools

Access to clean water is vital for survival. Bury portable filters, iodine tablets and filtration pumps to ensure you can purify water when needed.

How to bury water filtration and purification tools:

Layer of protection – Use plastic containers and protective cloth to prevent damage.
Easy access – Bury items in a spot that is easy to reach, ideally near a water source.
Include spare parts – Include extra filtration cartridges for long-term use.

Garden seeds

In a post-collapse world, growing your own food is a sustainable strategy. Seeds are small, easy to store and can provide long-term food security.

How to bury garden seeds:

Mylar bags – Store seeds in Mylar bags with oxygen absorbers to extend their shelf life.
Label clearly – Label bags with seed type and date, and include planting instructions.
Multiple varieties – Store a variety of seeds to ensure diverse nutrition.

Tips for burying items effectively

Below are more tips for burying survival caches effectively:

Diversify locations – Spread your caches across different locations to minimize risk.
Natural indicators – Use natural landmarks to mark your spots instead of obvious signs.
Keep it secret – Share information with as few people as possible to maintain security.
Use a metal detector – Scan the area before burying to avoid interference from other metallic objects.

Can you prepare a fuel cache?

Fuel is a valuable resource that can be buried for future use. However, it comes with risks like leaks and flammability. Use proper containers, seal them tightly and bury them in a dry, well-drained pit.

Legal considerations

Before burying items, especially weapons, ammunition and fuel, ensure compliance with local, state and federal laws. Unauthorized storage can lead to legal consequences. (Related: The survival mindset: Why attitude matters when SHTF.)

In a world where the unexpected is the norm, burying essential supplies is a strategic move that can provide peace of mind and security. By taking proactive steps now, you can ensure that you are prepared for whatever challenges may come your way. Remember, what stays hidden, stays safe.

Visit Health Ranger Store and Brighteon Store to find supplies for your survival cache. You can also check out Survival.news for more tips on how to prepare before SHTF.

Watch this clip about Organic Soft Dried Apple Slices and why you should add them to your survival stockpile.

This video is from the Health Ranger Store channel on Brighteon.com.