An old hunting adage is that if you can see game it can probably see you if it knows where to look and certainly can smell you.
In a survival situation, be it humans or game, the same principles apply; here are three smells that can lead to trouble if you do not take measures to mitigate them.
#1 Avoid Perfumes.
We have already established that smells are going to be amplified in an apocalyptic scenario. So, what can we do to avoid becoming a statistic in these nightmare situations?
Avoid using perfumes, or any strong scented body wash’s or soaps.
Do use unscented soap.
If you only have scented soap use it lightly.
Don’t bathe as often.
Most of these only apply when you are traveling so it may not be an issue.
#2 Be Aware of Food Smells.
Something that may be terribly obvious to most people is the smell of food. We have all had those situations where we catch a scent of burgers grilling a whole block away.
Use MRE meals, still be cautious if you use the built in heater.
Place all cooked food in scent proof containers, like Tupperware.
If you need to cook food and feel people may be somewhat close, wait until late night, around 2 or 3 am to cook it. Make sure to hide any flames if cooking over an open fire.
#3 Human Waste Stinks!
Have you ever smelt a port-a-potty stand from a significant distance? You need to have a plan for what you are going to do with this waste, especially if you are planning on bugging in.
Dig a deep hole, far far away from your living quarters especially if you have a well for drinking water.
Make sure the hole has a good seal on it. You should be able to engineer something cheap with some plastic like visqueen.
Carry the waste there in a 5 gallon bucket. Be sure not to dispose of urine on top of the ground near your living quarters. It may not stink at first but it will smell like male cat urine after a few days.
You can burn solid waste, but this presents a whole new set of issues because burning poop is very hazardous. I would research this topic thoroughly if you plan on doing it yourself.
Smells are not necessarily deadly, but they can be.
In a survival situation, the smells that accompany you and your situation can alert people as to your whereabouts or even your presence and if it is a dire situation, that can lead to trouble.
That is why you must take measures to mitigate your smell; to read up on this topic, please visit Emergency Ideas.
You’re in a railyard, and smell fresh drying hay… Get away fast, and get high ground…
When your in my living room and smell warm crap and see my son smiling… run like hell
I thought this was smells to avoid, not smells to avoid making. Stupid and misleading.
When your in a room and smell a noticeable almond smell, get the hell out of dodge, you were about to be poisoned by cyanide
Adam Birch
Why what is it? o_o
Phosgene…. Used as a pesticide in grain shipments. Under certain circumstances it can outgas causing toxic clouds.
Highly effective in ww1.
Why does drying hay smell like?
Kind of in between cut grass and dry hay, slightly sweetish. Hard to describe if you haven’t smelled it. Makes you a bit paranoid if you suddenly smell it at a mall , or elsewhere if you’ve had to work with Phosgene pellets. Some woman had some damp haybales in her truck one day in town…gave me the willies before i figured out where the smell was from.