Survival/BOB thoughts and questions

[elandil]

So, I have some of what you would now call "prepper" friends. They recently had a discussion going, and being the in-resident MRE/Military ration expert... ...lets just say my opinions were solicited. However, after a fun discussion, It really made me do some thinking. So I'm coming here to some like minded folks to toss out a few ideas/questions, see where yall's thoughts lie.

Let me preface this by saying, I do not think we are facing Armageddon/zombie apocalypse/horde invasion/commie-socialist takeover/whatever today's theory is. But, I'm a redneck, raised in the country by a single mom who worked and raised 2 kids. We were taught at an early age to keep a pantry, put back for a rainy day, help others when they needed it, grow what we could, hunt and slaughter, and do what it took to keep a roof over our heads and food on our table. It's not fear, it's common sense. I also believe the influx of all the freeze-dried and recent high prices of the rations are reflective of "Prepper" going from a dirty word spoken in whispers to the popular status it has recently become. But, thats just me.

But, I digress. (which I think means get easily sidetracked... )

So here is the questions asked, and some of the answers I gave. Since we have a World-Wide sampling of individuals, I would like to hear your thoughts on these questions, see where things would lead.

(Questions in bold, answers I gave in italics..)

Question 1- Which is better, freeze-dried, canned, military rations/MRE's, or what?
Well, that depends. Long term sit-on-the-shelf-use-if-needed, FD wins hands down. Short term pantry, canned/jarred works just fine. Military rations are great pre-built item, but I don't think I'd want to try living for longer than a month or 2 off them. Hiking/Camping, depends on distance traveled and gear. Long hike carrying everything, FD. Weights an issue. Car/RV camp, fresh/canned/chilled in a cooler is fine. The tornado we had a few years ago that compromised the towns water reserves...Don't think I'd want to be adding water to FD in that situation, I'd prefer pre-made heat-and-eat cans or rations. I honestly have a mix of all at the house, but thats because I keep at least a 2 week grocery supply in the pantry/freezer, have FD I carry/carried on hikes and campouts, and just love MRE's/Rations...

Question 2- Which is a better days ration. 3 MRE's, or 1 24hr Ration?
Oooh...thats a toughie. They both have strong/weak points, I can't really say one is better than the other.

Question 3- If you were creating a ration, would you make individual meals or do 24Hr style?
Now thats a good question. I'd have to say, again, it depends. When you look at it, all a ration is is a ready to go meal. You pack your kids a lunch for school, that could be considered making a ration. You're taking into account storage conditions, activity, preferences, and tailoring a meal to fit. So, it depends on the reason i'm making it.

Question 4- Say you had to build your own ration kits for a Bug Out/Get Home Bag using only stuff found in a grocery/convenience store. No freeze-dried, no MRE, just common available off the shelf items. How would you build it?
In that situation, I'd do 24hr style rations. Since i'd be on the move, it would be 2 big meals with a midday mobile meal that can be eaten quick, and snacks.
Breakfast would consist of packaged cereals, either hot or cold. Powdered or shelf stable milk with the cold. Coffee, and some sort of fruit cup or applesauce pouch.
Lunch would be potted meat/tuna/meat spread with a cracker/bread component. Instant drink packet that can be made cold.

Snacks would be jerky/nuts/etc. granola bars, toaster pastry.

dinner would be a actual entree item, whether canned or bagged. Or canned meat and a Just Add Water side like mashed potatoes or stuffing. Something that can be heated, and give you a hot meal before bed. Add a teabag and/or cocoa drink. Dessert item like a cookie/candy/etc.

Rationale being if you're on the move, you're only gonna have fire/cook in a actual camp. Once you start moving, you'll only be stopping to rest, not for any real length. So make the first hearty, midday portable, and last hearty and comforting. If I'm carrying, I'd be looking at microwave style containers and pouches over cans, but could do either. Shelf stable milk and dry cereal can seem real comforting at a time when things are uncertain.

[Wolfsbane]

Surprised no one has picked this thread up .... I'll put in my Two-Cents ....

Question 1- Which is better, freeze-dried, canned, military rations/MRE's, or what?
I admit I'm a picky eater, always have been, so I have to pass on some of the military Ration components and some of the commercial FD Meals - given that TEOTWAWKI hasn't come yet. I am slowly, very slowly, getting better about this. I agree each type has it's place. My prepping aims to have three weeks of MRE's for us, for a 72-hour bag (which is more like a 100-Hour Bag in my case) I favor a mix of MRE and FD - in my area water supplies are a tight spot most of the year. I'm still aiming to get a First Strike Ration to round out my supplies in that Bag.

Question 2- Which is a better days ration. 3 MRE's, or 1 24hr Ration?
Elandil and I agree. And again, some items are outside my comfort zone so I prefer to pick my own three - but some of the Foreign 24's look so fun I'm thinking about splurging ...

Question 3- If you were creating a ration, would you make individual meals or do 24Hr style?
I'd enjoy tailoring a 24Hr unit. I'm reminded of a vacation around 1998 when we were driving through Saint George UT and I stumbled upon an amazing outdoors store, they had a 50 foot wall of bins and racks of (Desert Storm surplus) MRE components, everything individual - a smorgasboard of stuff. I was amazed and excited, my wife just rolled her eyes and I had to limit myself to using my pocket money.

[Paul Buikema]

I'll chime in as well.

(Questions in bold, answers I gave in italics..)

Question 1- Which is better, freeze-dried, canned, military rations/MRE's, or what?
As Elandil has stated, it depends. I like FD for weight and longevity, MRE / ration packs for medium distance carrying and varying fiber/calorie/nutrition available and at home, our pantry has at least a months worth of rice, pasta, canned fruit, sardines, chili, ravioli, soups, juice boxes, bottled water etc.

Question 2- Which is a better days ration. 3 MRE's, or 1 24hr Ration?
I must also waffle on this one, it depends. Weight, longevity, cooking conditions, water availability. For one day I would consider2 proper MRE's (not a civilian stripped down one) or 2 Mountain house style FD meals with a fresh fruit or veg snack if available or a 24 hour style pack would be good for a 24 hour period. So long as the energy output is average, not forced march or running etc, if it was then I would add the 3rd MRE of further calories where available.

Question 3- If you were creating a ration, would you make individual meals or do 24Hr style?
A ration for immediate transport and use would be weight and nutrition needs based. The answer to question 1 kind of deals with this.

Question 4- Say you had to build your own ration kits for a Bug Out/Get Home Bag using only stuff found in a grocery/convenience store. No freeze-dried, no MRE, just common available off the shelf items. How would you build it?
"In that situation, I'd do 24hr style rations. Since i'd be on the move, it would be 2 big meals with a midday mobile meal that can be eaten quick, and snacks."
I would be of the same mindset. Whats in my pantry, what is easy to bring to a serviceable state and what needs additional water. Canned food for longevity, dry foods like cereals, crackers, cookies (great high calories yet devoid of vitamins), chips, cheezies (don't forget salt in your diet!). granola bars, fiber bars, drink powders, dried soups, mashed potato flakes...

To return to the water availability issue, I have at least 3 different types of tablets for cleaning water, maybe enough to do 200+ liters (50 gallons) and a number of different filters, some rated for use inline on a camelbak type system, some pump style versions and lastly a few of the reverse flushable media filter types that boast a lifetime of 100,000 gallons of water, not too worried about that unless the issue is nuclear fallout (in which we are all pretty much effed anyways).

As I am a family man, we are a group of 3, each has a water filter set (pills and mechanical system), basic BOB with a small amount of food (FD) and the other usual items to cover the 5 to 10 C's which Mr Canterbury and others have made famous.

[rabidwolf]

Question 1. Each has its own strengths and weaknesses. FD is lighter and lasts longer. Portion sizes are much easier to control. Special dietary needs can be better taken care of. If you make the meals yourself. However, if water is a issue, that can be a big weakness. Contaminated or scarce water sources could be a problem. Another would be water in and of itself for preparing the meals. It is possible to negate the weight savings.

Canned food would probably be much easier to acquire. Though portion sizes may make balancing a meal tricky. Also, pop-tops are not the most sturdy. Without a pop-top. You would need an opener. Once again, special dietary needs could possibly be better taken care of.

Military rations would over all, solve some problems associated with the previous two. Plus, as with canned foods, extra water may not be needed to constitute the meal. Though in a survival situation, they could make you stand out. Special dietary needs most likely will not be met with them. Military rations I would imagine. Would be harder to obtain in sufficient quantities. Canned and DIY FD foods would be easier to stock pile and rotate.

Really, it just comes down to a couple of questions. Are you preparing a stock to used from a central location? Or are you planning on being on the move a lot?

Question 2. I would say that is most likely a personal or practical preference. If you have a 24 hour ration or 3 MRE's. You still have a 24 hour ration either way. Though I personally like the 24 hour ration idea. Because usually they contain items for the 3 main meals of the day. Look at how many breakfast options there are in MREs. Not very many, anything is good when you are hungry. Although mediterranean chicken and cornbread stuffing. Does not strike me as a breakfast meal.

Question 3. I would probably go for a 24 hour ration. Even if I took 3 MREs and broken them down. I just like the perceived efficiency of a 24 hour ration.

Question 4. I've done this type of thing before. Just for research and fun. Anything must be able to be prepared and consumed with minimal effort. Even something as simple as a Cup O Noodles. Requires water, a fuel source, time, and equipment just to boil water. If are stopping to camp for the night, or preparing to break camp in the morning. That might not be an issue. Unless for whatever reason, you can not have or start a fire. Mid-day meals or snacks should be eat out of hand. Some sample meal menus, from items I could grab at a gas station or some other store.

Snacks and mid-day: Beef jerky, dried fruit, potted meat, crackers, candy bar, tea etc. If you have the equipment, it doesn't take long to boil up some water for a brew. Just as the Brits.
First Meal: PB and Jelly (or just PB), tortilla, coffee, granola bar.
Second Meal: Can of Chef Boyardee, small can of fruit, filled crackers, hot drink.

These are just ideas.