When the grid goes down, the rules change. Scavenging becomes survival. But the difference between coming home with supplies and never coming home at all lies in how you move, what you take, and what you leave behind. This isn’t looting—it’s recovery.
Here’s how to do it right when it matters most.
1. Choose Your Window
- Early or Late: Move before sunrise or just after dark when visibility is limited but patrols are scarce.
- Aftermath Timing: Wait 12–48 hours after major unrest for first-wave chaos to clear out. Don’t be first. Don’t be last.
2. Read the Signs
- Unbroken Glass & Intact Locks: Indicates low traffic and higher chance of untouched supplies.
- Graffiti, markings, or improvised symbols: These may be signs used by other scavengers or groups to claim territory or warn of traps.
- Dead quiet = suspicious: If it's too still, assume you're not alone.
3. Move Like a Ghost
- Footwear Matters: Soft soles over boots. Every step should land ball-first, not heel-first.
- Stay in the shadows: Avoid main roads. Move through alleys, loading docks, rooftops, and behind overgrowth.
- One Ear Open: No earbuds. Keep one ear free if using comms.
4. Prioritize by Tiers
- Tier 1 – Life Support: Water, filters, meds, bandages, food (sealed). Check under sinks and inside toilet tanks for clean water.
- Tier 2 – Tools & Comms: Radios, flashlights, knives, batteries. Look for janitor closets, utility rooms, break rooms.
- Tier 3 – Materials: Rope, tarps, wire, tape, containers. Avoid bulk unless you have transport or a nearby cache.
5. Avoid These Mistakes
- Don’t get greedy: If it doesn’t fit in your kit or slows you down, leave it.
- Don’t hit high-profile locations first: Grocery stores and pharmacies are picked clean fast and attract heat.
- Don’t leave a trail: Close doors. Cover tracks. Stay silent. If you found it, someone else can too.
6. Cache or Extract
- If extraction is risky: Bury or conceal supplies in a marked cache for later pickup.
- Mark discretely: Use natural or coded markers—never leave obvious signs.
Final Word: Scavenging isn't about desperation—it's about strategy. Know when to move, what to take, and how to disappear. The smart scavenger doesn’t just survive—they sustain. Move light. Stay quiet. Get home. For more information, download our Bartering & Scavenging Guide.