Would maybe stripping an MRE for just the entree be a good idea for a food source, or would that be too bulky?
Would maybe stripping an MRE for just the entree be a good idea for a food source, or would that be too bulky?
Yeah I remember that tidbit from the Paul Levins class. I was just thinking the MRE would be good in terms of being high in calories.
At the very least, a few packets of Quick-Clot would be a real good idea. That's that powdered crap that you dump in a wound and the bleeding stops within seconds. I swear to G-d, it's like fucking magic; even arterial bleeding. Cheap, too. The Army and Marines buy it by the truckload now. And it's most certainly possible to have a bad bleeder during an ejection/bailout.
I may not know too much, being the only salt that I have is from the fries at McDonalds, but every Doc that I spoke to at TBS told us to stay the hell away from quick-clot. We were all told that it does more damage than good. Sure it stops the bleeding, but it burns everything that is wet. And if you're bleeding alot, you'll have blood all over your hands and all over the skin and area surrounding the wound. I was told theres nothing that they can do with that shit after either. They have to just cut it all out.
But then again, the only experience that I have with it was I spilled it all over the floor of my room before a Fex. I hope they didn't issue us real quick clot, other wise they're going to be getting a nice surprise if they shampoo the floors ever.
I may not know too much, being the only salt that I have is from the fries at McDonalds, but every Doc that I spoke to at TBS told us to stay the hell away from quick-clot. We were all told that it does more damage than good. Sure it stops the bleeding, but it burns everything that is wet. And if you're bleeding alot, you'll have blood all over your hands and all over the skin and area surrounding the wound. I was told theres nothing that they can do with that shit after either. They have to just cut it all out.
But then again, the only experience that I have with it was I spilled it all over the floor of my room before a Fex. I hope they didn't issue us real quick clot, other wise they're going to be getting a nice surprise if they shampoo the floors ever.
This has been beaten to death but you will rarely if ever find yourself on walk about long enough to need more food than a whatever bar. Water ammo a radio and ammo is all you really need. I dont want half the crap on my vest both CONUS and OCONUS let alone extra crap.
I stand by my original post on the other survival thread. Neoprene gloves and a wool stocking cap. Go in the water in the winter and your exposed hands will be useless in less than 15 minutes. Most of your body heat escapes via your head.
I don't have this on anything factual - perhaps some JO @ Naval Safety Center can take time out from surfing the net and do some real analysis - over the course of XX years, how many Navy ejections or helo crashes have ended up in the drink? I'm guessing more than 50%. No need for matches or knives, etc in that environ.
You don't need food - you will get rescued (or die from another reason) way before you starve to death or lose your strength due to malnutrition. You need to stay warm enough to maintain your wits and have functioning fingers to operate your radio or flares. Equally important over water in the winter or in the mountains, while on deployment or during workups, from the boat or homeplate.
Prowler RAG ejection in the winter over the Cascades - Instructor ECMO on the ground about 90 minutes if I recall the story correctly. Close to debilitating hypothermia. Told me he had matches, etc. First 15-30 minutes the shock and adrenaline kept him busy. Did not even think about building a fire, or any of that other Magyver stuff. By the time the rush wore off, he realized he was pretty damn cold and beginning to fade fast.
VA-145 ejection off the end of the runway @ NUW around 1990 timeframe. Less than 30 minutes in the water - chilled to the bone.