Water is a higher priority in an emergency than:

In an emergency situation, water is often considered a higher priority than food due to the human body's physiological need for hydration. While food is important for sustaining energy over time, the human body can typically survive much longer without food than without water. In fact, a person may only last a few days without water, while they can go weeks without food, depending on various factors such as their activity level, environment, and individual health.

The need for water becomes even more critical in high-stress situations like a search and rescue operation, where dehydration can impair physical and cognitive functions. Ensuring access to clean drinking water allows for better decision-making and energy management, which are crucial during emergencies. As such, prioritizing water can help maintain overall health and effectiveness while awaiting rescue or executing a survival plan.

First aid is also vital, but it typically addresses immediate threats to life or injuries rather than basic survival needs. Warmth and navigation equipment are important depending on the context of the emergency (e.g., exposure to cold or being lost), but survival generally hinges first on securing water. Therefore, prioritizing water over food aligns with survival principles that emphasize immediate hydration needs.