Desert Survival Skills Practice Part One Checking the Dry Stream Bed

Desert Survival Skills Practice Part One Checking the Dry Stream Bed

Dry Stream Bed

Spent some time following a dry stream bed to see if we could locate some shallow pools of water. When checked, the ground was fairly moist just below the surface and several locals indicated that there had been some rain recently in the area. This indicated that there was an extremely good chance of finding a source of water nearby.

Being able to read the signs and then using them to find a source of water can be extremely critical to your ability to survive in a desert environment.

When youre spending some time in the desert, its a good time to practicing your desert survival skills.

Staying above the water line!

Riverwalker

Desert Survival Skills Practice Part One Checking the Dry Stream Bed

Urban Survival Tools Part One

Urban Survival Tools Part One

Urban Survival Tool

Many times the tools shown being used for survival deal with rural or wilderness settings. The truth of the matter is that far more of us will be dealing with survival in an urban setting. The vast majority of people dont live in remote wilderness areas but instead must deal with the problems of surviving in an urban environment. If things go bad or take a turn for the worse, you may wish you had a different set of tools to get the job done.

In my next series of posts, we will take a look at the various kinds and types of tools you may need for urban survival. Even the simplest of tools can make an extreme difference when viewed from the perspective of an urban environment. There are many unique challenges to surviving in an urban setting. Hopefully you will have the right tools when needed.

In Part Two, we will do a real "world test" of  the Smith & Wesson Extraction & Evasion Tool.

Got urban survival tools?

Staying above the water line!

Riverwalker

Urban Survival Tools Part One

Improvising for Your Survival Dealing with Limited Resources

Improvising for Your Survival Dealing with Limited Resources

When your resources are limited due to a crisis, your ability to improvise will help you survive and find the resources you may be lacking. It will be your ability to “make do” with what is available that will enable you to survive even the worst of circumstances.

The problem with resources is the fact that they may not be readily apparent at first glance.  The more common the use of an item has will be a definite deterrent to the process. This will make it harder for you to envision a different use that can be applied to fit your needs. We all have a tendency to view things in a more normal application of their use during normal times.

In a period of crisis, you will need to switch your thinking to an “outside of the box” mentality. This is where a simpler type of thinking will be of benefit. The best way to approach the problem of limited resources is by viewing everything as a multi-use item.

Many of us are familiar with various multi-use items like a bandanna or duct tape. This can also be applied to a multitude of different items in a crisis. Just don’t limit your thoughts to the specific or more common use of an item and you will find new ways to use things that aren’t readily apparent. Don’t place arbitrary limits on your resources until you’ve given it some thought.

Got a solution for limited resources?

Staying above the water line!

Riverwalker

Improvising for Your Survival Dealing with Limited Resources

Simple Survival Tips Flat Tape

Simple Survival Tips Flat Tape

There are many things come in round packages or shapes. Unfortunately, these items don’t lend themselves to easy storage in a survival kit. The trick is to think flat because it doesn’t take up as much room and will leave you enough space for other possible items you may need.

 One of the most useful items you can have in a survival kit is duct tape. A big roll of duct tape isn’t going to fit in most survival kits. It may also be way more than you might need. Just wrap a few feet lengthwise around an old library card or some other discarded plastic card. You can actually store several feet on an old plastic card and it will only be slightly thicker than a quarter. 

It will also be a lot easier to fit in a survival kit.

Got flat tape?

Staying above the water line!

Riverwalker 

Simple Survival Tips Flat Tape

Riverwalker’s Book Review SAS Guide to Desert Survival

Riverwalker’s Book Review SAS Guide to Desert Survival

From the introduction to the final page with the Five Golden Rules of Survival, the SAS Guide to Desert Survival by Barry Davies covers the major factors that can affect your survival. This is a compact guide to surviving not only in a desert environment but a comprehensive guide that covers all the basic items and more that will be needed for your survival.

The contents are broken down into not only the basic requirements for shelter, water, food, and fire but also include helpful tips about the equipment you will need, medical priorities, and survival medicine.

It’s also compact enough to fit easily in your backpack or bug-out bag but where space may be at a premium. With over 150 pages of comprehensive information, it is presented in a useful format that allows anyone to access needed information quickly and effortlessly. This is one item that should be included in every backpack.

While the book gives many useful and worthwhile tips for survival in an extreme desert environment (or Texas summers), it also contains a wealth of additional survival information that is suitable for both the novice and the more experienced outdoorsman. This is information which could play a critical part in your survival.

From knots to fire-making techniques, the SAS Desert Guide to Survival is full of useful tips and plenty of illustrations to guide you in your quest for survival. It’s also available at a very affordable price that won’t wreck your budget or break your piggy bank.

Got heat?

Staying above the water line!

Riverwalker

Riverwalker’s Book Review SAS Guide to Desert Survival

Survival Food Test Off the Shelf Instant Refried Beans

Survival Food Test Off the Shelf Instant Refried Beans

Having food items that can serve a variety of purposes can help increase your level of efficiency of your food storage. A simple can of beans works great for home storage. If you have to bug out, something a little lighter and easier to carry make be more suitable. This is where having dehydrated food can save you time and effort.

RW, Jr. and I are always looking for backpacking food that is convenient and easy to fix. Unfortunately, most dehydrated meal packets contain enough servings to feed a small army because of their larger portions. It also helps if you don’t have to violate the storage integrity of the larger food packet that is normally intended for long term storage. 

Many times there are products that can be found sitting on the shelf at your local supermarket that will solve these problems. For the purposes of this test, we will be using a small package of instant (dehydrated) refried beans straight off the shelf for our survival food test.

The package of dehydrated refried beans we used weighed a total of 7.25 ounces and came packaged in a Mylar pouch that can be resealed. The single serving size was 1/3 cup dry mix (or about 4 heaping teaspoons) combined with 1/3 cup of water (about 3 ounces). This makes a serving (or two) easily prepared in a GSI cup that many backpackers use. The contents do provide a sufficient quantity of product that will make a total of six servings. This would be more than sufficient for a single meal that would provide enough for a family of four. 

With 140 calories per serving that include 2 grams of fat, 21 grams of carbohydrates and 7 grams of protein, this a pretty powerful serving of food that includes vitamin C and iron. This is a pretty well balanced serving as far as simple nutrition is concerned.

It was easily prepared by just adding hot water, stirring the ingredients and then letting it set for a few minutes to allow the beans to rehydrate. It really doesn’t get much easier than that.

When the size and weight was compared, it would take two 16 ounce cans of refried beans to get the same number of servings that were in a single pouch of instant refried beans. The cost of the instant pouch is about twice the cost of two cans of refried beans. You do need to remember that you can buy these packages individually and don’t have to buy a big bucket all at once. This could work in your favor if you are on a tight budget.

Summary of Test Results

The instant refried beans win in the number of servings (6 in a pouch versus 3 in a can) and also save a lot in the weight department (7 ounces versus 2 lbs.) but are more costly (about twice the cost of the canned version). The instant refried beans have a shelf life similar to the canned product and they actually taste very similar to each other. I personally could not tell a difference between the canned version and the instant refried beans.

As a long term storage food, this product works well. It also works great as a backpacking food and could be easily added to your bug out bag as a simple to prepare meal that is also a nutritious food item. It also doesnt add a lot of weight to your bug out bag.

Got instant food?

Staying above the water line!

Riverwalker

Survival Food Test Off the Shelf Instant Refried Beans

Survival Food Test RW Tests Freeze Dried Meals from DailyBread

Survival Food Test RW Tests Freeze Dried Meals from DailyBread

Daily Bread is a sister site of foodinsurance.com and offers freeze dried meals with a 25 year shelf life. A decision was made that it was time for Riverwalker to check out their freeze-dried food products. After receiving a free sample from my friend Jeff at dailybread.com, Mrs. RW and I had a nice lunch of Beef Stroganoff with noodles and Lasagna with meat sauce. The results were a pleasant surprise.

The first thing that impressed me was the quality of the packaging. The packages were clearly labeled with nutrition information, contents and very clear and concise preparation instructions. They also featured an easy open tear notch on the package that worked as it was intended. There was also an inner zip lock inside the pouch that is used to seal the pouch while waiting for your meal to heat up after adding the required hot water. All the features of the packaging worked as intended. Riverwalker gives the packaging thumbs up!

The next thing that impressed me was that the meal was easily prepared in the pouch. This eliminates the need for a separate cooking container. It also means there won’t be any dirty dishes to be washed. This is important if water sources are at a premium during a crisis. You will need to remove the oxygen absorber from the pouch (the little blue packets in the pic) before adding the hot water. Preparation gets a thumbs up from RW!

Even though the contents showed a higher sodium content than I normally prefer, the meals were not too salty and the seasoning was adequate and not overdone. Mrs. RW said she was quite surprised at how tasty the meals were and offered to help me finish off my beef Stroganoff and noodles. I also sampled her lasagna with meat sauce and found it to be very tasty as well. While only being around 300 calories each, they did alleviate my hunger and left me with a very satisfied feeling. Taste gets another thumbs up from Mrs. RW and myself.

These freeze dried meals would also be great for camping and backpacking. They are lightweight and require only the ability to heat water to prepare. They also mean you don’t have unnecessary cleanup chores or extra cooking containers to haul around. A dozen or so empty pouches would weigh significantly less than the average cooking pot.

You can experience the taste of Daily Bread products by visiting dailybread.com

where you can sign up for your own free sample of Daily Bread.

The Glock Lady, my daughter, is a big fan of their products and also recommends you check out their Emergency Supplies.

Got  foodinsurance?

Staying above the water line!

Riverwalker

Survival Food Test RW Tests Freeze Dried Meals from DailyBread

Five Rules for Survival

Five Rules for Survival

You must be prepared to take any and all actions necessary if you find yourself in a survival situation.  You will need to be prepared to utilize any and all resources in order to insure your survival. Your skills and your knowledge may be put to the ultimate test. This will be a test that you can’t afford to fail.

Five Rules for Survival

Rule #1 - There are no rules. In a survival situation, your actions shouldn’t be bound by arbitrary rules that may exist and be essential to maintain order and stability in normal times. Things are not going to be anywhere close to normal in a survival situation until you’ve managed to get control of your circumstances.

Rule #2 - There is no guarantee of survival. Despite your best efforts, you or a member of your family or group may not survive. You will need to be prepared for this eventuality if it happens. There will still be family members or others in your group that may be depending upon you for help and guidance.

Rule #3 - There is no second chance. You will need to give it your best effort the first time if you want to survive. You probably won’t get a second chance.

Rule #4 - Don’t depend upon luck to save you. Your luck has probably run out if you find yourself in a survival situation. Put your faith in your knowledge and skills to help you survive.

Rule #5 - Never give up. If you give up, you lose the battle for survival. It’s really that simple.

Got rules for survival?

Staying above the water line!

Riverwalker

Five Rules for Survival

Group Survival Diversity in Numbers

Group Survival Diversity in Numbers

It’s difficult to be all things at one time. Although many of us have probably done a wide variety of tasks in our lifetimes, we may still lack necessary skills in many areas. A lack of skills in different areas can affect our survival. This is where diversity in numbers comes into play.

When you have numerous people in your group, the chances of someone having the required skills for your survival will be much greater. While being a “jack of all trades” is a plus, sometimes a little more expertise is required to get the job done. The odds are greatly in your favor of having a wide variety of skill sets in a group. This effect is magnified if you have a large group.

It is up to the leader of your group to be aware of the skills each member has in your group. This will enable you to play to the strengths of your group. You may have someone with medical knowledge and skills. It may be mechanic or carpentry skills that stand out among certain members of your group. The chances for your survival will be increased by the types of skill sets that are in your group. The chances for everyone’s survival will be enhanced when you have numerous skill sets in your group. 

There will be those times when an experienced person will be needed to accomplish a task. Knowing the abilities of the members in your group is just as important as having an inventory of food and supplies. These members can then be assigned to the more difficult tasks that may require a higher level of expertise and experience. These persons can also be used to teach others and further increase the skills and knowledge of your group. Don’t discount the ability of the members of your group to learn new skills.

Don’t fail to recognize that the “jack of all trades” makes an excellent helper for those with more advanced skills. They usually grasp new concepts easily and will work diligently to achieve their assigned tasks. They will also usually require less basic instruction to accomplish the goals of your group.

Always include the younger members of your group as well. Young people can absorb knowledge like a sponge collects water. There level of enthusiasm is usually way beyond normal and they will take pride in being included in the efforts of your group. While they may not be capable of certain physical tasks, older members can also provide a wealth of information from their past experience to assist in the efforts of your group.

Utilizing the diversity of skills in your group will ultimately make the efforts of your group more successful. The success of your group will ultimately require you to take advantage of this fact and this will increase the overall chances for your survival.

Got group diversity?

Staying above the water line!

Riverwalker

Group Survival Diversity in Numbers

Urban Survival Tools Part Three Making a Positive Connection

Urban Survival Tools Part Three Making a Positive Connection

When it comes to transportation in an urban environment, you probably won’t be throwing a saddle on your horse when you need to “get out of Dodge”. You’ll most likely be cranking up the four-wheeled urban version instead.  There is a simple tool that will be needed to fix one of the main problems that occurs with a mechanical form of transportation. This tool is a good set of heavy duty battery booster cables.

Whether it’s an interior dome light left on, a weak alternator or simply a weak battery, a good set of heavy duty battery booster cables can often “make your day”. Unless you have a manual transmission in your vehicle, there’s little else that can help get a vehicle with a weak battery started (pushing a vehicle with an automatic transmission doesnt work). Until you do get it started, you won’t be going anywhere anytime soon.

Don’t waste your money on a cheap set of booster cables. These could create a possible fire hazard and this would create additional problems you don’t need. A good heavy duty set of booster cables arent that expensive ($20 to $25) and you’ll be glad you had them when and if they are needed.

Just remember to keep a set of booster cables in your vehicle.

Got booster cables?

Staying above the water line!

Riverwalker

Urban Survival Tools Part Three Making a Positive Connection

Financial Survival Stuffing the Mattress

Financial Survival Stuffing the Mattress

With an economy that has been on artificial life support for the last five years, it looks like the government is finally going to pull the plug. We are probably going to be in for the ride of our lives on this financial rollercoaster and you may need a mattress to cushion the fall if you get thrown off.

Many of the benchmarks that are being considered to mark the need for the “taper” of stimulus to our economy may actually be false indicators of our true economic status. The jobless rate shows a decrease but is lead by an increase of part-time workers which is probably due in large part to the upcoming effects of the Affordable Care Act, many of which are probably as yet undetermined.

Artificially low interest rates are probably going to increase significantly and good luck in finding a bank that is willing to loan you money. Most banks are still fundamentally under capitalized and even with a rise in interest rates may be hesitant to loan money to the average individual who is likely to be reduced to part-time status in their job.

The low rate of inflation is also considerably inaccurate when you consider that food and fuel costs aren’t included in government statistics. It is hard to believe that the inflation rate can be considered to be under control when fuel prices have nearly doubled in the last few years and food costs are also significantly higher.

Let’s not forget about the significant increase of the number of individuals that now rely on some form of government assistance in order to merely survive. Many individuals have even dropped out of the workforce because the amounts of government benefits are greater that can be obtained from what used to be characterized as “gainful employment”.

The decrease in the median income of most families is not likely to improve, especially if they suddenly find themselves working part-time. A further reduction in income won’t offset the higher costs of individual healthcare that are also likely to occur. Unfortunately, it appears that our economy is still in a coma and has yet to wake up. It may turn out to be a very rude awakening for everyone.

Essentially, like any individual once removed from life support, you will be on your own and your survival will be at stake. It may be time to start stuffing the mattress to cushion the fall.

Got mattress?

Staying above the water line!

Riverwalker

Disclaimer: This is not to be considered financial advice of any kind and is only an opinion of this author.

Financial Survival Stuffing the Mattress

RW Visits Destiny Survival

RW Visits Destiny Survival

Last Tuesday I had the opportunity to be a guest on John Wesley Smith’s radio program. It had been a while since I had been on his show. You can find a link to the radio program on his site and a brief overview of the many topics we discussed including “underground preppers” here:

Are you becoming an underground prepper?

Staying above the water line!

Riverwalker

RW Visits Destiny Survival

Threats to Survival Part One Darkness Friend or Foe

Threats to Survival Part One Darkness Friend or Foe

Many times the greatest threat to our survival is influenced by irrational fears. While there is some basis to our fears, it is our understanding of those fears which will strongly affect the outcome of our survival. Learning to cope with these fears requires a basic knowledge of why we have developed an irrational response to threats to our survival.

Many of us have a basic fear of the darkness. This is due to a variety of factors from our own life experiences. Tales of the boogeyman when we were young made us fearful of the dark but had little or no foundation in the truth. It was simply a way parents controlled unruly children but their actions also instilled a healthy respect for the dangers that can be encountered in the dark. Many dangers of the dark are real but many of the dangers are ones of our own making.

Simply put, darkness is the absence of light. Thus the ability to conquer any fear begins with a thorough understanding of that fear. This is important in order to develop ways to conquer the darkness that will alleviate our fears. One of our most severe shortcomings is our inability to see in the darkness. Our night vision is extremely poor and pales in comparison to other creatures present in our world. This creates problems when it becomes necessary for us to move about or perform tasks in the darkness. Even the simple task of moving from one place to another can create a dangerous situation. We risk injury from falling or tripping over an object even in the safe confines of our home if we move about in the dark unaided.

The darkness comprises nearly half of our existence and it is necessary to deal with this fact. One of the means to conquer a fear of the dark is to combat it with its opposite. Light can banish the darkness and reduce our fears. A flashlight, a simple candle or a roaring campfire can and will help to reduce your fear of the dark. You have given yourself the means and ability to see things more clearly. Those dangers which lurk in the dark have now been brought into the light and your safety and well-being is increased.

The darkness can hide many things. This is the reason a majority of predators; including the two-legged variety, use the darkness to disguise their movements. The darkness can also be your friend because it can hide your presence or activities if necessary. The important thing is to use the qualities of darkness to your advantage to increase your chances of survival.

The darkness is both friend and foe. While we are basically creatures more accustomed to sunlight, it is your actions and a rational response to the darkness that will ultimately determine the outcome of your survival. Understanding our physical limitations caused by darkness and using relevant actions to overcome them will prevent the darkness from becoming your enemy.

Got dark?

Staying above the water line!

Riverwalker

Threats to Survival Part One Darkness Friend or Foe

The Unofficial Hunger Games Wilderness Survival Guide and Gear Winners

The Unofficial Hunger Games Wilderness Survival Guide and Gear Winners

We have two winners in our survival guide and gear giveaway. They will be receiving an autographed copy of The Unofficial Hunger Games Wilderness Survival Guideas well as several items of survival gear. 

Here are their winning comments:

Ed Vaisvilas said...

In our home, after using it, the bathtub is always rinsed of any soap residue. If there is just an hours warning that the city water will shut off, the tub can be filled, and thats a couple hundred gallons we wouldnt otherwise have. Then a clean tarp will be placed over it, to stave off anything airborne.

MAY 24, 2013 AT 9:02 AM

Congetta said...

My best survival tool is to teach my 7 year old son the skills and information that I learn. I completed a first aid/CPR/AED class the other day and I will be teaching him the techniques.

MAY 24, 2013 AT 11:42 PM

The winners will need to contact me at  riverwalker_texas@yahoo.com  with their shipping address so that their free survival guide and gear can be sent to them.

 Please respond by email within 72 hours in order to receive your prize. 

Congratulations to our winners!

Staying above the water line!

Riverwalker

The Unofficial Hunger Games Wilderness Survival Guide and Gear Winners

Survival Warning Signs Lions and Bears

Survival Warning Signs Lions and Bears

Survival Warning Sign

Got warning signs for survival?

Staying above the water line!

Riverwalker

Survival Warning Signs Lions and Bears

Simple Survival Gear The Cup

Simple Survival Gear The Cup

Of all the different types of survival gear, one of the essential items is the cup. In a search for that perfect piece of gear, the cup is probably one of the most difficult items to find. When looking for that perfect piece of gear, there has been a lot of time and effort expended by a lot of people in their search for the perfect cup. It is only after many years of trying to find that ultimate piece of gear that the simple truth has come to light. Most cups have a number of good qualities in common and it is not the cup that is of major importance. It’s the manner in which you take advantage of all of its features.

Basic Features

The size and shape of most cups are fairly common and you only need one with a capacity to boil water for cooking or making a hot cup of coffee or tea. Stainless steel cups are probably your best bet with titanium a close second, if you can afford it. Your cup should also have a flat bottom in order to fit comfortably on most backpacking or hiking stoves. Your cup will also need to hold 16 to 24 ounces of liquid which will give you adequate capacity for fixing a dehydrated meal, soup or a cup of tea or coffee. The handle should fold out of the way when not in use and it should lock firmly in place when deployed. The handle is important to make sure you can securely handle your cup when it is hot. A couple of extra drinking cups that nest inside the cup are also a definite plus.

Cup Storage

The true secret to that perfect cup is how you utilize its storage capacity. Cups with canteens nested in them don’t give you much of a storage option. The majority of people carry separate water bottles and this allows you to take advantage of the storage capacity of your cup. You can add coffee filters for water filtration and a small bottle of bleach to purify it. You can add a lighter, a firesteel and some tinder to help make a fire to heat the water in your cup. You can include a small knife and a spork as well. Throw in some instant coffee packets, drink mix and a little salt and pepper and you’re good to go.

The true worth of any cup is not realized until you put something in it.

Got cup?

Staying above the water line!

Riverwalker

Simple Survival Gear The Cup

Survival Knots The Clove Hitch

Survival Knots The Clove Hitch

A clove hitch is considered one of the four primary maritime knots and being able to tie one should be included in your survival skills.  The clove hitch is essentially two successive half-hitches around an object. It is simple to tie and can be used to secure the end of a rope to an object and is most effective when tied to a round (tree, post, etc.) or cylindrical-shaped object (pipe, barrel, etc.). 

It can also be easily tied in the middle of a rope in order to secure a line to a carabiner.

The clove hitch has another distinct advantage. With a little practice, it can be tied quite easily using only one hand. This is important should you suffer an injury that leaves you in the position of only having the use of one hand. When you can tie a clove hitch to the index finger of the hand you are using (right or left), you have mastered the ability to tie a clove hitch one-handed. 

A great resource for learning how to tie a variety of knots properly can be found at http://www.netknots.com/. They offer different sets of knot cards at a very reasonable price. The knot cards can be easily carried and used for reference purposes to insure your knots are being tied properly.

Got survival knots?

Staying above the water line!

Riverwalker

Survival Knots The Clove Hitch

Food for Survival

Food for Survival

Natural disasters are no mystery to everyone and we know they happen. They are inevitable and the only thing we can do is to be prepared for whatever these might bring. When disaster strikes, the first thing that comes into mind is how you and your family would survive the onslaught of calamity. Surviving means staying alive and to do this, you need food to keep you going.

Anything can happen whenever there is a disaster. The government may ask you to evacuate your house stay somewhere else safer for the meantime or you might be prompted to stay at your house without leaving its comfort. Both situations pose a problem when it comes to food and water supplies: when you evacuate, will your family be given enough food and water? When you have to stay in, will your supplies last until it’s safe to go out? Whichever situation comes beating down your door, both call for preparation for long-term food storage. You may bring well-stored food items with you if you have to evacuate your home, and if there’s no other option for you but to stay, a well-stocked food storage bin will keep you and your family from starvation.

Counting food for your family

If you consider your family to be a big one, you should also consider that a large amount of food supplies is needed to sustain everyone for at least two weeks: that’s 42 meals for each family member if you will be eating meals three times a day. Not only your family size but also your eating habits will tell you how much food you need to store for the ‘rainy’ days that may come your way. Families who prefer cereals for breakfast would have different preparation activities from those who prefer eggs and sausages (who may have to do without eggs during disaster time). A disaster is not the time to indulge in food you like to eat; more often than not, you have to stick to canned food and ready-mixes that can be easily prepared, even without cooking. You may take individual needs in mind and work it into your disaster meal plan. Consider your family size and diet restrictions when planning meals. The meals should be simple but still nutritious, easily prepared, and are able to keep well even without heating and refrigerating. Schedule “fresher” food for the first week and leave the canned food for the second.

Food basics for survival

You might think that canned foods are the only choices you can stock when disaster comes. Sure, canned goods get high marks for long term food storage but you don’t actually have to stick to them entirely. Pasta, powdered milk, sugar, beans, honey, wheat and several other recipe ingredients are actually good choices for long-term food since they don’t expire quickly, and if properly stored should keep for a span of 10 to 30 years. Non-perishable goods also make the list, like freeze-dried or dehydrated food like fruit preserves and even candies. Biscuits and cookies may also be a good choice. Just make sure that you seal them in re-sealable bags or airtight containers to keep them fresh even if they have to stay in your survival food bag for two weeks (unless they already get snacked on during the first couple of days!). Ready-to-eat, complete meals are also available in grocery stores.

Just remember not to wolf down all of your food provisions at once. Moderate your food consumption; strictly follow your disaster meal planning. Conserve your food especially when you are not sure when you will be able to replenish your stocks. Don’t forget to keep enough supply of fresh water as your body would need it more than food. Having food for your family amidst a disaster ensures that you’re a step ahead to survive any calamity that may happen at any time.

About the Author

Adeline is a writer who specializes in food preparation and long term food storage.

References

The Epicenter: How to Prepare for an Emergency;

http://theepicenter.com/howto.html

 

 

Family Survival Planning: Survival Planning – Emergency Supplies – Survival Tips;

http://www.family-survival-planning.com/#axzz2KbEeDI9X

The Daily Beast: 10 Ways to Prepare for Disaster;

http://www.thedailybeast.com/newsweek/2009/12/27/10-ways-to-prepare-for-disaster.html

 Thanks Adeline for an excellent guest post.

Staying above the water line!

Riverwalker

Food for Survival

Survival Food Review MRE’s from Meal Kit Supply

Survival Food Review MRE’s from Meal Kit Supply

During an emergency or a crisis you never really know what kind of meal is going to wind up on your plate. While there are many types of long term storage food options, few can beat the simplicity and ease of use of an MRE (Meal, Ready to Eat).

While they may not be quite the same as a “home-cooked” meal, MRE’s do provide a total meal and include beverages and a snack as well. The different menu plans do offer a decent amount of variety for your diet that normally includes breakfast and the “veggie” option. While there really is no “wow” factor when you consider the taste of the entrees in an MRE, they do furnish an adequate amount of calories and the necessary nutrition for your survival.

One distinct advantage of MRE’s is that they come with condiments, as in sugar, salt and pepper. With the right amount of seasoning, anything on your plate or in your MRE is going to taste a whole lot better. 

There is also an important note about MRE’s to remember. You will need water to properly prepare your MRE and also to make your beverage. 

The MRE’s from Meal Kit Supply were shipped in a sturdy container that contained 12 individual units that included 4 breakfast entrees and a couple of “veggie” options. All the individual packages were in excellent condition and suffered no damage in transit. They also arrived promptly in just a few days after being ordered. Variety is an important consideration when considering an item for long term food storage.

There are also very clearly marked date codes on the bottom of the case with instructions on how to read the date code properly. This makes it easy to keep a proper rotation of your storage food items. Clearly marked date codes are a must when considering an item for long term food storage.

Individual MRE’s from Meal Kit Supply come in a sturdy package that is almost identical to the regular government issue MRE’s. The actual wording on the MRE’s from Meal Kit Supply was a lot easier to read. Sturdy packaging is a must when considering an item for long term food storage.

The pork sausage patty MRE was a nice change of pace from some of the usual breakfast entrees. This also helped enhance the variety of the menus offered in these MRE’s. It’s really nice when they include something besides oatmeal for breakfast.

The chicken fajita MRE was a pleasant surprise in the taste department and adds a lot to the menu variety. On a scale of 1 to 10, I give this meal an 8 (with 10 being reserved for homemade fajitas). The tortillas were actually quite good. This puts it right up there in the taste category and is probably one of the better meals that came in the case of MRE’s from Meal Kit Supply.

The chili and beans MRE was my next favorite item and it tasted as good as, if not better, than the canned versions available in the grocery store. On a scale of 1 to 10, I give this meal a strong 7 only because I’m very picky about my chili and beans. I really prefer my own “homemade” version but wouldnt have any trouble eating this MRE on a regular basis.

  If you want a long term food storage product with sturdy packaging, easy to read date codes, a wide variety of menu options and that is simple and easy to prepare, then MRE’s from Meal Kit Supply  may be just what you are looking for to solve your long term food storage needs. You’ll also be pleasantly surprised by the taste and quality of these MRE’s.

Got MRE’s?

Staying above the water line!

Riverwalker

Survival Food Review MRE’s from Meal Kit Supply