No can opener, No problem!

 Many of the common food items found in a typical pantry are canned goods. The relative low cost, superior strength, and versatility of sizes all make the can one of the greatest storage methods available. All Code Red Foods products are available in cans, but so are other common storage items, such as canned fruits and veggies, gravies, meats, and tomato sauces and pastes.

The down side to this method of storage is getting into the can, safely. Using some austere techniques can leave your fingers and hands at risk of cuts and gashes of varying degrees, but there is one way that I would strongly recommend. I learned about it in Cody Lundin's book, When All Hell Breaks Loose.

Note: Being adaptable and resourceful are the greatest skills to possess. However, if hypothetically you could be 100% prepared these skills would be worth much less. It is for this reason that in this circumstance we recommend preparedness as Plan A and resourcefulness as Plan B. We strongly suggest a $10 investment in a bag of P-38 can openers such as the Army uses. They can be found at most Army surplus stores for around $0.25 each.

In the pictures I use a small section of a metal file, a great tool to have in a Bug out bag, Get out of dodge bag, 72 hour kit, etc. However, this can be accomplished with a concrete surface, a rough rock, asphalt, etc.

 

On the top rim you will want to file through the lip, aiming straight down. As you file away you will see the lid and the wall of the can start to separate.  What you are filing away is actually a fold of metal that binds the wall and the lid, and when this fold is eliminated, the lid and can become 2 independent pieces.

 

 As you continue to file, you will see the lid can sway slightly, and if your can contains a liquid it might start to seep out.

After you have removed the fold of metal from the entire upper ring, the lid can be removed. There are some sharp edges, but they are relatively smooth, and do not have the burrs that often inflict deep cuts and wounds.

This is what the wall of the can will look like once the lid is removed.

This is the top of the lid. You can see the edge does not pose as much of a safety hazard as using a knife or screw driver to open a can. This will also protect the life of the tools that would have otherwise been re-purposed for this job.

As you can see here the inside of the lid remains clean and the food inside is not compromised from this method of opening it.

This is the book written by Cody Lundin, where I learned this little trick. This book if certainly worth a read and a good one to have on hand.