DIY GARDEN: survival

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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

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

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

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

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 Spotlight JM Bullion

It’s often difficult for persons on a limited budget to find affordable options when developing a savings plan or an investment program. JM Bullion provides these options and makes them affordable for even the smallest of investors. They offer some of the highest quality gold and silver products that are currently available online.JM Bullion offers a wide range of products that offers some of the best items available in the precious metals market to help you develop a hedge against the problems of inflation.

JM Bullion can also satisfy your savings or investment needs when it comes to ordering gold and silver bars or coins. They don’t limit the size or amount of your order and offer a wide range of choices that include very flexible payment options. If your savings or investment plans include buying gold or silver, the affordable options provided by JM Bullion may be what you are looking for to solve your needs for savings and investments that include physical gold or silver. They also provide an excellent investing guide to help you make the proper choice and consider the risks before starting a savings or investment program in precious metals. Their investing guide also contains a Precious Metals Glossary which will give you a better understanding of many of the terms used in the precious metals industry.

JM Bullion offers excellent customer service before, during and after the sale. They offer shipping and insurance on your purchases at affordable rates (free on larger purchases) and will promptly answer any of your questions via email, live chat or by phone at 1-800-276-6508.

Whether you are buying a single item or making a purchase of multiple items, JM Bullion has a dedicated customer support system as good as any found on the web. You can also track your order very easily online. This allows you to know when you will receive your products.

JM Bullion offers payment options that include check, bank wire and credit card. These allow you to choose the best method of payment to fit your personal circumstances and are done in a secure and protected manner to help safeguard your identity and protect your credit. Their prices are also some of the best available on the web. They also offer a special program for those persons interested in a dedicated investment program.

With an easy to navigate and very user-friendly website, a system of dedicated customer support, flexible payment options and a very secure product ordering system, JM Bullion has covered most of the basic items that are considered to be of vital importance to consumers.

JM Bullion is a sponsor of Stealth Survival.

Staying above the water line!

Riverwalker

Survival Spotlight JM Bullion

DIY Survival Gear Tips Keeping Things Simple

If you find yourself in a survival situation, every person needs to be able to use what they have on hand and take full advantages of what may be limited resources to satisfy their needs. Each of your resources will have unique advantages and disadvantages. Your main task should be to figure out how to use these items to meet your needs and increase your chances of survival. Here are some simple tips to remember when making DIY survival gear.

DIY Survival Gear Tips

1. Use only the minimum resources necessary.

Making DIY gear is a great way to train yourself to find alternative uses for items to meet these needs. It is important to keep things simple because this often makes things easier to accomplish. It will also help to reduce the amount of your available resources that will have to be used to make your goal a reality. The less hardware that you need to accomplish your project will increase your ability to achieve a successful outcome with limited resources.

2. Use your survival needs as a guide.

Need is a great motivator. Combining a need with a little imagination can usually lead to a successful project. In a survival situation, failure is not an option and simple solutions often work best.

3. Limit your use of power tools and electricity.

Hand tools work even when there is no power available. Try to design your DIY projects to minimize the use of electricity and the need for power tools. If the grid goes down, hand tools may be your only option to complete your project. You don’t want your thinking to be dependent upon grid power that may not be available.

4. Keep your projects simple and uncomplicated.

Complexity can create more problems than it solves. If you make your projects simple and uncomplicated, other family members can assist in the creation and development of any survival gear you may need. If a project is designed with simplicity in mind, you can free up your time to work on other projects. Children and senior family members can also contribute to the process of making needed survival items if you keep things simple.

5. Remember the primary goal of your project.

Your goal should be to create DIY projects that require minimal tools, no electricity, and minimum amounts of hardware or resources. This will help you be better prepared.

Got DIY survival projects?

Staying above the water line!

Riverwalker

DIY Survival Gear Tips Keeping Things Simple

Urban Survival Tools Part Two Testing the S W SW671 Extraction Evasion Tool

At first glance, the Smith and Wesson SW671 Extraction and Evasion Tool looks like a formidable tool capable of inflicting some serious damage. The test will be to see if it performs as good as it looks in an urban survival scenario.

Basic Features

The Smith and Wesson SW671 Extraction and Evasion Tool with its 3/8” thick full tang handle and Kraton grips has an overall length of 15.9 inches. It is made of 1070 high carbon steel and with a weight of 2 lbs. 11 ounces makes this a very formidable extraction and evasion tool.

It also comes with a protective nylon sheath that includes a belt loop (as if someone would actually carry this monster on their belt). The sheath has an inner nylon protector to prevent accidentally poking a hole in the sheath.

The 3/8 inch tang also allows the butt end to function similar to a hammer.

Basic Functions

The SW671 has a handle length that permits a good “two-handed” grip when in use. This allows you to exercise a lot more control, especially in close quarters. Control is an important factor when choosing a good hand tool and the SW671 gives you exactly that.

It has a good balance to it and packs enough weight to enable you to apply plenty of force with your swing. This tool is going to create some awesome damage to whatever gets in its way. After using it, don’t expect the protective blade coating to survive without some scuff marks.

Main Function

The SW671 with its combination spike tip and blade allows you to destroy a variety of different materials. The ability to hack your way through different types of material will aid in your escape or entry as determined by the situation at hand. This is the main function of any evasion & extraction tool.

The SW671 had no problem with cinder blocks and did a good job of breaking rock masonry with just a few blows. It would probably be more prudent to use it to chip away the mortar between the bricks or masonry because it will probably require less effort on your part. Once the mortar has been removed, the masonry should come apart easily.

The spike tip with its beveled edges easily punctures thinner sheet metal (such as tin roofing, etc.). It doesnt do much good on thicker plate metal of a 1/4 inch thickness or more as it merely scratches the surface. You could hack your way through a metal roof or a metal clad door fairly easily.

It chops wood quite easily and works like most any type of axe in this regard. Its size falls between a small camp axe and a regular axe. The weight also falls in between these two types of axes. It weighs slightly more than a typical camp axe but less than a full size axe.

The blade edge held up well when chopping wood and the only damage done to the SW671 was the finish. Several scuff marks and scratches were readily apparent with even moderate use but this doesnt affect its overall performance.

When tested on various materials that are normally used in home construction, the SW671 handled the destruction of all the basic home construction materials with ease. This makes it an ideal tool for extraction and evasion. You’ll need to keep a pair of safety goggles handy and a decent pair of gloves when using the SW671.

Got urban survival tools?

Staying above the water line!

Riverwalker

Urban Survival Tools Part Two Testing the S W SW671 Extraction Evasion Tool

Real Life Survival When All Else Fails

There will be times when your best efforts and planning will not be able to get you safely through a crisis. This is when you will need to be ready to improvise alternate plans and adapt them to the current situation. This is when experiences and skills will become your most valuable resource.

In a crisis, we all like to believe we’ve covered all our bases but unfortunately this doesn’t always hold true in a survival situation. We sometimes get blown away by any number of little kinks that develop in our plans and we need to be ready to improvise and adapt to the current situation to solve these problems.

Haste Makes Waste

Normally, it won’t be necessary to scrap your plans entirely. Sometimes a simple modification will get you back on track. A good example of this is your bug out plan. Sometimes a minor adjustment is all that is needed before you need to switch to your alternate bug out plan. Don’t abandon a perfectly good plan if it only requires a simple modification. Weigh your options before you change to a totally different plan. This will also cause less disruption and confusion for everyone involved. Remember, a good plan is a terrible thing to waste.

He Who Hesitates Is Lost

Waiting too long to decide if a change is necessary can have severe or even deadly consequences. Sometimes you will have to adapt quickly to a change in your circumstances to avoid a small problem becoming a major catastrophe. This is where the leader of your group must be ready to act decisively to maintain the safety and security of everyone involved.

Being prepared to adapt to changing circumstances should be a crucial part of your plans. When all else fails...find another solution by improvising and adapting to the change.

Staying above the water line!

Riverwalker

Real Life Survival When All Else Fails

Using Your Sixth Sense for Survival

In the world of survival there is a simple truth that reveals itself. Sometimes you have to trust your instincts if you want to survive. Many times it is a matter of how we react to our environment that helps us to survive. If you can learn to trust your “sixth sense”, you may just survive a bad situation before it happens.

Our sixth sense may be due to the fact that our subconscious mind realizes the danger before we are even consciously aware of impending disaster. It may be that we sense things through our subconscious mind that aren’t readily apparent to our conscious mind. Have you ever hesitated at a green light for just a moment only to look up and see a speeding motorist pass in front of where you might have been? You then realize that your hesitation (sixth sense?) prevented a possible accident where you may have been an unwilling victim. Perhaps it may have been a strange sound that caused you to pause your stride for a moment and take a closer look at your surroundings. This simple action may have helped you to avoid a step in the wrong direction that might have led to a dangerous fall or perhaps even stepping in the wrong place on the wrong thing.

Listening to that inner sense that sometimes tells you something is wrong or isn’t quite right is a challenge for all of us. We may often fail to heed those simple “gut feelings” that are trying to tell us something. Our subconscious mind may hear, smell or see things before we are actually aware of the importance of the message our subconscious mind is trying to tell our conscious mind. If we consciously ignore these feelings, we may be risking more than we realize. Trust is a difficult thing to establish in many cases. Learning to trust your “sixth sense” should be a practice that everyone should endeavor to enhance in their daily lives.

Many of us have experienced those moments where a slight hesitation or a simple pause has had a profound effect on our circumstances. We may have averted a probable disaster. It may just be luck is sometimes with us but I don’t want to put too much trust in luck being with me at the right time. I prefer to believe that it is our innate ability to sense danger through our subconscious mind, even before we are consciously aware of the danger that will quite often make the difference in our circumstances and our survival.

An instinctive reaction may be the only thing that saves you.

Got “sixth sense” for survival?

Staying above the water line!

Riverwalker

Using Your Sixth Sense for Survival

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

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

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

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

Supplements for Survival Product Review and Giveaway Tactical Protein Replacement

Many of us are already aware of the need for vitamin and mineral supplements to help insure our diets contain all the necessary nutrients. We often fail to realize that there are other nutrients that are as equally important to our survival. One of these essential nutrients is protein.

Protein is required for maintaining and repairing tissue (especially muscle), to keep our immune system functioning properly, production of necessary hormones and providing energy for our body. These important body functions may be significantly impaired without the consumption of adequate amounts of protein. This can be a critical factor in a survival scenario.

Symptoms of inadequate protein consumption may include weight loss (including muscle tissue), fatigue or a general overall weak feeling, an increased susceptibility to infections, and swelling (edema) due to fluid retention. When your body is low on protein, it can also enter the “starvation mode”. One of the early signs that indicate a lack of protein is muscle weakness. Unfortunately, our bodies don’t store protein and this essential nutrient must come from the foods we consume on a daily basis. This could create problems If we don’t know where our next meal is coming from or when.

The Product

A tactical protein replacement from www.vitalitysci.com called SurvivAmino was chosen for this test. It is a fat-free, non GMO, gluten free protein supplement that contains no artificial preservatives or meat or dairy products. This is a big plus in my opinion. This supplement is also in a form that makes it readily absorbable by the body. This also makes it a suitable product for use by those who require a gluten free product or wish to maintain a strict vegetarian diet.

The Review

For this review, a 72 hour scenario was utilized to check the effectiveness of a protein supplement to:

1. Use as a supplement to avoid cramps or swelling during normal activity levels.

On the first day, the protein supplement was used instead of my normal breakfast of scrambled eggs prior to my daily hike/walk. There was some minor cramping in my right leg after several miles but was “walked off” and my hike/walk was continued without further problems.

2. Use as a supplement to avoid weakness or fatigue due to strenuous activity with limited caloric intake.

On the second day, the protein supplement was used a meal replacement for lunch. The day was spent in a period of fairly steady activity while doing some minor repairs to my bug-out van. Overall the lack of an actual meal did not hinder my ability to work at a steady pace and work wasnt discontinued until well into the afternoon. At this time, temperatures were getting extremely hot and required a break in my activity.

3. Use as a meal replacement to avoid hunger pains due to lack of a sufficient meal.

On the third day, the protein supplement was used as a total meal replacement. Activities for the day were pretty routine and not anything of a strenuous nature. Even though I had missed two meals already, my appetite wasnt that great. After eating a small evening meal, my hunger was satisfied. While this supplement shouldnt be used on a regular basis as a meal substitute, it actually did quite well in this regards. It is best to remember that we get additional nutrients from our food and should make every effort possible to eat regular meals when possible.

Overall Review

The contents of the tactical protein supplement were securely packaged and included both an outer seal on the cap and an inner seal to protect the integrity of the product. The dosage size was five tablets and the supplement contained a total of 100 tablets. The packaging gets a thumbs up.

The tablets are fairly large and required them to be swallowed individually. If you have trouble swallowing large pills, you would probably need to break them in half. In my case, they were just swallowed one at a time.

There is no taste factor involved. When compared with Mrs. RW’s home made granola/protein bars, the clear winner in the taste department was Mrs. RW’s protein bars. The pills won’t satisfy your taste buds even though they had readily available amounts of protein.

A tactical protein supplement can serve you well when hiking or backpacking, as an addition to your bug-out bag or as a means to keep the amount of proteins in your body at sufficient levels. Since the body doesnt store protein, it doesnt hurt to keep a good protein supplement available for when it might be needed. These tablets also have a good shelf life and come in a portable form that is easily stored or carried.

The Giveaway

One lucky reader will receive a free product sample of Survivamino from www.vitalitysci.comby leaving a comment about your experience using protein supplements. A winner will be chosen at random from the comments on this post and announced at a later date. Those of you wishing to obtain this protein supplement can also visit www.vitalitysci.com and use the promo code “rwalker” to receive a discount on your purchase of Survivamino at checkout.

While many people realize the importance of supplements to aid our diet, protein supplements are quite often neglected and sometimes fail to be included in an effort to maintain proper dietary nutrient levels for our survival.

Got protein?

Staying above the water line!

Riverwalker

Supplements for Survival Product Review and Giveaway Tactical Protein Replacement