PSK question

W

WVHILLS

Gold Member
Joined
Aug 2, 2006
Messages
1,836
OK I know all the typical things that go into a PSK, but what about a stimulant of some sort. Either a caffeine supplement or something like ephedrine? Something to get you over the "hump" if you are completely depleted of food energy or really run down? Only to be used as a last ditch effort to get up and keep going when you feel that you cant. Stimulants can suppress appetite as well. Or on the other side do you think they would do more harm than good? Not a Doctor or a fitness expert, just a thought let me know what you think:)
 
I dont know about thouse, usually they have a major kick when they run out, I.E you get very tired. I would replace the space an energy drink would take with a energy bar, but when it comes to pills, I guess mabye as a last ditch situation, you know that last burst of energy you might need.
 
Remember, when your boddy isn't properly nourished it can't process medicines like it might when you are fully fed/hydrated.

Speaking of hydration, stimulants typically add to dehydration and/or can be diuretics. Everytime you pee you are losing body heat and expelling minerals and such.

There may be a good use for them, like if you need to stay up signalling for help, or protect yourself?

We would probably be better off with some powdered energy drink, like Fonly mentioned. Help your electrolytes, minerals, hydration and you'll probably have a better longer burst of energy than simply the stimulant.
 
Unless they are perscription speed they wont do much. Any amount that will causes major side effects.

Better off with food, water and sleep like was mentioned.

Skam
 
Not a stimulant but a few years ago my wife had surgery and they prescribed some heavy duty painkillers that she only took a few of.

We usually bring a couple of those in case we'd be hurt a ways out and need to hike out some. One of our co hikers ende up using one last year after he hurt his knee and we still had six miles to go:thumbup:
 
hollowdweller said:
Not a stimulant but a few years ago my wife had surgery and they prescribed some heavy duty painkillers that she only took a few of.

We usually bring a couple of those in case we'd be hurt a ways out and need to hike out some. One of our co hikers ende up using one last year after he hurt his knee and we still had six miles to go:thumbup:
Click to expand...

I also carry painkillers, it may be the only thing that allows you to get things done.

Skam
 
I forgot about the diuretic factor... that would definately make things more complicated.
 
What about one of those coffee singles pouches in a psk? You may be able to chew it like a wad of tobacco. I work with some guys who were in the Army and they say they used to chew coffee grounds like a chewing tobacco when they needed a little push especially staying up a couple of nights. Never tried it though but this may an alternative and small enough for a psk.
 
I like "5-Hour Energy". They say hours of energy and no crash, no sugar. Just a bunch of vitamins, enzymes, and a mystery "energy blend." It seems to work for me. My daughter likes it too. I'd say it's worth 6 or 7 hours of extra go time, and so far I've never crashed, but it's $3 bucks a bottle at the local 7-11. Even so I'd say it's worth it to me for special occasions. Plus I can peel off the label and use the empty bottle to carry honey, bleach, alcohol, etc.. For once a hyped-up product that really delivers. Better than caffeine. YMMV.
 
+1 on "5-Hour Energy". Stuff works great for me and I'm and avid coffee drinker. Your lucky LittleHairyApe that it only costs 3 bucks where you live up here it is around 5 bucks as the same place!
 
I carry aspirin, benadryl, and Tums - but no caffein. The benadryl could save your bacon in case of a bug bite.

Stainz
 
I think that in terms of weight, space and ease of consumption relative to stimulation gained, something like No Doz caffeine pills would be best. With 1 pill equivalent to a decent cup of coffee, dropping two or three at once would have to give you a decent lift.

Whether taking stimulants is the right thing to do in a survival situation is definiely an interesting question. On the one hand, its possible that having that artificial stimulant might cause someone to violate basic rules of wilderness survival - for example, pressing on when the sensible thing to do is stop and take shelter for the night. On the other hand, the stimulant might just give an otherwise totally exhausted person enough energy to get a reasonable shelter constructed, which in a cold climate might easily prove life saving.

Obviously they're no substitute for proper food, but in an absolute last ditch "get a shelter constructed or die of exposure" type situation I think they probably would prove useful. Think I'll add a small pack to my kit anyway.
 
I've got both stimulants and painkillers in my FAK. I agree with everyone else - a painkiller is probably going to come in handy before a stimulant does. The only real need I can see for a stimulant is if you have to stay up pulling guard duty for some reason - might be good for a general catastrophe like Katrina but not likely to be needed for wilderness survival. Much more likely you have to hike out with a broken ankle which will be a lot more pleasant with painkillers.

One thing I do carry in my PSK is polypore mushrooms (Fomes fomentarius and Ganoderma lucidum) that I've shredded in a coffee grinder. It serves as tinder but also makes a bitter tea which both boosts the immune system and suppresses appetite. Some speculate that Otzi the Iceman was carrying polypore mushrooms for the same dual-use purpose - as tinder and to make medicinal tea.

Generally speaking I think a mild stimulant like tea or coffee might have a place in a PSK - to perk up one's spirits and offer refreshment. But serious stimulants are better left when your life is in danger if you fall asleep and those situations are rare outside of civilization.
 
I carry two small 25 gram blocks of raw cane sugar in my belt pouch sized PSK. I know from experience that one of these, a salt packet, and half a canteen full of water puts me right on top again. Its fuel you need more than anything under such circumstances. Honey works great too but it is harder to carry.

I also carry leftover pain meds from surgery. 30 mg Tylex (Tylenol w/ Codene). They make me feel pretty spacy but they really do knock down the pain to tolerable levels. I would much rather have sugar and a serious pain killer than a stimulant. Mac
 
the weird thing about caffeine is the body will shut down anyway if exhausted but metibolicly shows all the signs of stimulas.

To put it another way, you will sleep if tired enough even though your heart rate, bp is up and have tremors form caffeine overdose. This is why I say a true upper is the only way to counter that. Hard to get a scrip though.

I do believe they still issue pilots and spec ops uppers in the military for that reason.

Skam
 
They had a real good thread here a couple of months ago about using Honey for such needs. The little packs you get in fast food places or other places (as long as it's real!) or a small container. I thought it was a brilliant idea...
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top