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How to Open Cans in DayZ for Sustenance

Canned food is an important source of sustenance in the post-apocalyptic world of DayZ. Opening cans allows you to access the precious calories inside to restore your hunger and hydration levels. However, opening cans in DayZ can be tricky, especially for new players. This comprehensive guide will teach you everything you need to know about opening cans for food in DayZ.

Types of Cans in DayZ

There are two main types of cans you will encounter when scavenging for food in DayZ:

Pull-Tab Cans

These cans come with a ring pull attached to the lid. Pull-tab cans are easy to open by hand without any tools. Examples include:

  • Canned Pork
  • Canned Tuna
  • Canned Lunchmeats
  • Canned Pet Food

Non Pull-Tab Cans

These cans have no ring pull and require a tool to open them. Examples include:

  • Canned Baked Beans
  • Canned Peaches
  • Canned Sardines
  • Canned Spaghetti

Opening Pull-Tab Cans

Opening pull-tab cans is simple:

  1. Put the can in your hands to hold it
  2. Press and hold the action button (left mouse button on PC, RT on Xbox, R2 on PlayStation)
  3. After a short opening animation, the can will be open

No tools are needed for this process.

Opening Non Pull-Tab Cans

To open cans without a ring pull, you need to use a tool that can puncture the lid such as:

  • Can Opener
  • Knife
  • Machete
  • Screwdriver
  • Other sharp tools

The process is:

  1. Hold the can in one hand
  2. Hold your opening tool in the other hand
  3. Look at the can and use the tool-specific action to puncture the lid
  4. Repeat as needed until the can opens after a short animation

Where to Find Canned Food

Canned food can be found by looting these locations:

  • Residential buildings (houses, apartments)
  • Supermarkets
  • Industrial areas (factories, garages)
  • Vehicles (car trunks, dashboards)
  • Farms and greenhouses

Coastal towns and cities provide plenty of residential buildings to scavenge. Move inland to find more stocked supermarkets, factories, and farms.

Pro Tip: Sort your inventory view by type to easily spot canned items when looting.

Preserving Opened Cans

Once opened, canned food starts decaying into a rotten state after a while.

To preserve opened cans:

  • Eat ASAP: Canned food lasts longer when left unopened.
  • Store in containers: Placing opened cans in backpacks, crates extends their lifespan versus carrying in hands or loose inventory.
  • Use storage buildings: Leaving food in containers at storage buildings like sheds slows decay versus outdoor storage containers.

Pro Tip: Combine partial cans with similar food types to free inventory space.

Nutrition Values of Canned Foods

All canned foods provide hydration and hunger benefits but some offer far more energy and nutrients than others.

Best canned foods for energy and hydration:

  • Canned Bacon: 1200 calories, 200ml hydration
  • Canned Pork: 562 calories, 62ml
  • Canned Tuna: 186 calories, 64ml
  • Canned Peaches: 600 calories, 400ml
  • Canned Baked Beans: 800 calories, 200ml

Most nutrition per inventory slot:

  • Canned Bacon
  • Canned Pork
  • Canned Tuna

Pro Tip: Favor meats over fruits and vegetables for energy.

Preserving All Foods in DayZ

Canned goods provide long-lasting sustenance but all foods in DayZ eventually decay over time.

To slow food decay:

  • Cook food: Dramatically slows decay rate for meats and vegetables versus raw.
  • Bake food: Preserves even longer than cooking.
  • Dry food: Dehydrating meats, fruits via cooking pot, oven drying prevents decay almost entirely.

Pro Tip: Always cook, bake or dry food if storing for later.

Conclusion

Learning how to open cans is critical to survive and thrive in DayZ. Now you know how to open both pull-tab and non pull-tab cans, where to find canned goods, and how to maximize nutrition and preservation. Use these tips to effectively scavenge, store and consume canned food.

Stay safe out there survivors!

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