whats in YOUR go bag?

[nemoaz]

Well, I was also going to put unless you are a bodybuilder who is worrying about losing muscular mass.

However, I would tell you that--despite what the "big muscle" branch of nutritional theororists may believe (because they are more concerned with muscule mass than health)--the United States has epidemic kidney disease related to extreme amounts of protein in the "normal" American diet. There probably aren't enough of the high fat, high protein, low carb guys to result in any serious studies of much worse you will fare.

The Atkins diet has been fairly completely rebuked in every serious study (meaning blind/double blind and especially meaning not sponsored or funded by Atkins)... for anything other than short-term weight loss.

The bottom line, protein isn't a priority in a survival situation, and you cannot burn it. This is what some people are alluding to when they speak of "rabbit starvation." And if you are trying to live on protein, you better be drinking lots of water and looking for fats and carbs.

My first choices for go foods include: nuts, p-butter (also high protein), refried beans (also high protein), tortillas (the real ones, lard and all). High fat granola would be a nice choice too. So would the sausages and spam mentioned above. Dates, raisins, also good.

 

[gkruty]

Has anyone read the first post in this thread????????????????

 

[nemoaz]

deleted deleted

 

[foxyrick]

Nemoaz,

Rabbit starvation is not caused because we can't 'burn' protein. In fact, we definately can use protein for energy. It's just that our bodies won't do it unless they have to. Carbs are easier! Protein is digested into amino acids, which can be digested further into glucose by gluconeogenesis.

Rabbit starvation is more likely caused by: Very low fat intake (some fats are essential for health), very low in certain amino acids required for human proteins (and our bodies can't synthesise the missing ones), and vitamin deficiency.

Think in terms of human-race development previous to farming. Early humans were hunter-gatherers. Most of the plants were not as we know them; fruits were smaller and less sweet etc. It's human farmers who developed bigger, sweeter fruits and veg. So, people lived off proteins and basic green vegetable matter; very low carb content. That's how our bodies lived.

I did a lot of research into low-carb eating before taking the plunge, because it goes against everything I was taught in nutrition. I also care very much about my health. I didn't hear about low-carb diets from any muscle-building source, and I certainly didn't start for any muscle-building reason. The benefits there are a bonus.

What must be realised is that as long as we give our bodies carbs, they don't bother digesting proteins and fats effectively. They get stored (in good and bad forms) or are excreted. However, when you get your system to change from carb-based energy to protein/fat, the protein and fat is processed more effectively to get the most out of it; less waste and nasty by-products. It takes about two weeks of v.low carb intake for our bodies to change over; during which time you can feel quite rough due to low glucose. That's why lots of people fail these types of diets and say they don't work.

Once the change is established, you can eat more greens. I probably eat more salad greens now than when eating 'normally'. What I don't eat is the bulk carbs: potatos, rice, pasta, flour etc.

Please don't think that I'm trying to tell others how to eat. I don't particularly care; it's their choice. People have different body types and metabolic rates. I do know that this diet is better for me; so do very many others who have been doing it longer than I have.

Anecdotal evidence for sure; but look at who has actually 'researched' this. At least in the UK, the only people to say anything really bad about it had ties with carb-based industry! And they gave no actual evidence, other than 'classic' nutritional 'knowledge'. There's a lot of money invested in sugar, fruit, veg and flour products.

Bottom line: in a short-term survival situation... If your on an Atkin's diet, eat fat/protein. If not, eat carbs. It's that simple.

Rick.

 

[nemoaz]

Rabbit starvation is not caused because we can't 'burn' protein. In fact, we definately can use protein for energy. It's just that our bodies won't do it unless they have to.

Fair enough. Perhaps I should have said we cannot burn it with any efficiency. Especially in a survival situation when water may not be readily available, ketones are bad news.

EDIT: In response to an email, I'm not saying, don't eat protein bars or eat rabbits in survival situations. But I would CHOOSE to pack my kit with high protein bars or powders over high fat and high carb foods. You may TAKE that stuff if that's your diet, but the emergency supply would be better off in high fat or high carbs IMO.

 

[foxyrick]

Fair enough. Perhaps I should have said we cannot burn it with any efficiency. Especially in a survival situation when water may not be readily available, ketones are bad news.

That I'll agree with. If I didn't have much water, I'd either not eat for a little while, or 'go carb'!

Rick.

 

[kr1]

That I'll agree with. If I didn't have much water, I'd either not eat for a little while, or 'go carb'!

Rick.

Absolutely. High protein without available water is a bad idea.

KR

 

[task force k]

looks like if Y2K ever really happened you guys woulda been at the top of the list.

If Y2K HAD happened, I'd have been set. At the time, I was manager of one of the largest gun/survival supply stores in the country and the owner asked if, just in case, I would mind staying the night there. We had an indoor pistol range and a 75 yard indoor rifle range so I spent the night, surrounded by guns, ammo and MRE's, firing range ammo. My second wife was pissed...no big deal, she was always pissed.

I also keep some basic supplies loaded in a rucksack in the trunk of the car. Nothing special...clothes, food, cookset, extra knife, pistol and ammo, rifle and ammo, maps and compass, gps, first aid and minor surgery kit, IV sets and fluids (my wife has a chronic illness which sometimes requires fluid therapy), spare medications, SOCOM secure satellite uplink and laser target designator (ha, I wish).

 

[siguy]

i have a "go bag" that is a backpack that has things like a small fixed blade, a med kit tailored to my needs and abilities, a strop, a small bike kit (my prefered vehicle for getting around town etc), water, some rope, edible plant guide, flat pack duct tape, mini mag with extra batteries and lots of extra room to pack other things on a whim.

i keep it by the front door so that when i get home from school i can drop my book bag and grab my go bag and head out the door.

i don't have a real BOB or kit like that, but i do have extra space in my bag so that i can pack things like an alcohol stove, mini pot, food, clothes, (mostly consolidated in a bin) etc if i needed to run.

 

[brokersteve]

I have a BOB very, very similar to what QuietStorm has. My input, though, is to ask if anyone has thought of supplementing the bag with a hunting/fishing or tactical vest? I feel the vest would be a great addition for item most frequently needed as they would be easily accessable. Also, in case you happened to be detached from your bag for any reason, you would still have some minimum items such as: lighter/matches, multitool, compass, collapsable cup, etc. I just got my vest in and am thinking of what exactly to carry. What do you think?

 

[jca21]

boy you guys really gave some life back to this otherwise DEAD post

cheers

 

[Sproles]

What bag is this that you have pictured? I like the size and it looks quite finctional...
Sproles

I don't have pictures of my larger Kifaru EMR...but it's usually packed for "grab bag, go hiking"

For a smaller kit that has since been upgraded a little...works well as a 72 hour kit or get-home-bag when around town, and nice to have when out hunting or day-hiking:

The Scout will easily do me for a few days and can cover most of my needs for my current situation/location. It has changes some since the pictures, but here's what I was using last year in KS:

Like I've said, a few things have changed. Instead of the MIOX, I like a simpler Katadyn pump filter...it's quicker and easier while on the move. Also, I'm a bigger fan of the folding saw over the wire/chain-type saws...I've found you really don't need to be sawing logs over 6-7" in diameter unless you're clearing a dropzone. Also, I've replaced one of the Nalgene bottles with a Siltarp for shelter...my original intent was humping my limited range of 10 miles or less, and didn't feel the need for shelter under even extreme weather...especially in an urban environment where you could wait out larger storms under over-passes or abandoned buildings. Now that my 72-hour kit is upgraded to include some rural areas, I've added the shelter.

Everybody's situation is a little different, but everybody probably needs to take a little hike and weekend camping trip to try out their 72-hour go-bag, BoB, INCH...or whatever it is to you. I've often had to finally drop that "cool" item because I never had or found a need for it.

ROCK6

 

[jca21]

old post ressurected