Survival Food Test - Spam 411

Invariably some food items in your pantry will somehow manage to sit around in the cabinet and avoid your best efforts at proper rotation until their “Best By” date expires. Fortunately, this doesn't mean it’s unfit for consumption but will still be perfectly palatable. There are still a few things you need to check to insure that it is safe for consumption.

For the purposes of this survival food test, we will be using one of the favorite food items of survivalists everywhere...spam. Spam is a very versatile food that is rumored to have an indefinite shelf life when properly stored. It is now going to be put to the test.

We will be using a can of spam with a “Best by” date of 04/11, which makes it slightly out of date by more than a couple of years. Here is the manner in which it was checked to see if it was still a viable food source.

The first thing checked was proper storage conditions. Having been stored in my pantry for well over three years under proper conditions this was not a concern. If the storage conditions can’t be verified, you will need to exercise additional caution and be a lot more critical of the next steps in determining it’s viability as a food source.

The second thing to check was the overall condition of the can. It appeared in good shape and had no dents, leaks, swelling or bulging areas and had no rust.

The third item checked was the presence of any visible deterioration of the food product in the form of mold or mildew that might be present. The spam was also sliced to make sure there was no interior contamination. None was evident.

The fourth item checked was the smell of the food item. It actually had a very fresh smell and reminded me of spam that I had been eaten on previous occasions. No problems with the spam in the smell department.

The final check was the taste test. After frying up several slices of the spam, it was supplemented with some eggs. It made for a very satisfying meal.

When using canned food items that may have passed their “Best by” date, a few simple precautions can help you avoid problems.

1. If possible, always check that proper storage conditions of the food product were maintained.

2. Examine the container for any visible damage that could affect the food item.

3. Examine the contents for any visible signs of deterioration.

4. Use the smell test...if it smells bad, it probably is.

5. Finally, use the taste test on a small sample before consuming the food item.

There is an old saying that is easy to remember and applies in this type of situation.

When in doubt, throw it out!

Got spam?

Staying above the water line!

Riverwalker

Trekking Survival Tips

Trekking is an amazing experience that can change your life, taking you through some of the world’s most amazing landscapes and treacherous terrains. As you venture up steep mountains toward the clouds, miles from the rest of civilisation, you will test your survival skills to the very limit.

Here are some tips to make sure you stay safe during your adventure:

      Adjust to the altitude!

• Altitude sickness will occur if you climb too quickly, too soon, with symptoms including headache, nausea, dizziness and exhaustion.
• Make sure you give yourself a few days to adjust to the atmosphere by spending a few days in the locality of the trek.
• By ascending slowly you can give your body an extra fighting chance - once you are above 10,000 feet, avoid increasing your sleeping altitude by more than 300-500 meters a night.
• Drink lots of water and avoid alcohol.
• Training is important too, spend time building your leg muscles prior to your trip; hill walking and gym time will improve your body’s ability to carry oxygen.   

     Wrap up warm!

• Mountains get incredibly cold at night; the highest point of Peru’s Inca Trail, ‘Dead Women’s Pass’, is 13,900 feet above sea level, with temperatures dropping below freezing at night.

• Your head, hands and feet will lose heat the quickest; make sure you wear a woolly hat, warm gloves and thick thermal socks, while protecting naked areas of your body, like the neck, with a fleecy scarf.
• Make sure you have plenty of layers (synthetic materials are better than cotton).   

     

           Wear decent boots!

• Trekking is grueling on your feet; make sure you wear a good set of hiking boots which are worn in to avoid blisters.
• Insoles will provide extra comfort while helping to maintain body heat.
• For rocky or icy terrain, grips are a really good idea too.   

           Food and water!

• Rehydrating yourself is key, so make sure you always have a steady supply of water and take water purification tablets; a urine test will tell you when you need to top up, the darker the urine, the less hydrated you are.
• Trekking food needs to be high in energy and light to carry; remember, survival is your number one priority here, not culinary enjoyment.
• Make sure you eat plenty of carbohydrates for energy – pasta, rice and bread.
• Protein is also important to maintain and develop strength - eggs, tofu, lentils and nuts.
• Fruit is required to fight off infections and colds but will go off quickly, so take multivitamin and iron tablets also.
• Sugary foods will give you a quick boost of energy while you walk, so take a few packets of sweets.
• Specialized food from hiking stores is usually dried or freeze-dried to reduce its weight and surface area, making it easy to pack and carry; this guide will show you how to dry your own.   

           Equipment!

• A good closed tent and sleeping bag are a must, minimizing heat loss at night.
• Light and functional cooking equipment is also important, but don’t be afraid to cook on an open fire, it really adds to the experience and will keep you warm.
• A head torch will allow you to navigate in the dark and cook food, keeping your hands free.
• A light, durable backpack is a must, allowing you access to your most treasured items and distributing weight on your back.
• Trekking polls are important for hiking steep or rocky terrain, providing extra balance and support.
• A guide book, compass and first aid kit are imperative and could be the difference between life and death.

Trekking will open your eyes to the natural world, just make sure you are fully prepared and go with someone experienced; you want your trip to be memorable for all the right reasons!

This post was written by Helene Cooper of adventure travel company, Imaginative Traveller. Helene is an avid trekker and regularly writes about Peru’s Inca Trail.

Thanks Helene for an informative guest post.

Staying above the water line!

Riverwalker

Riverwalker’s Top Ten Alternate Uses for Lip Balm

There are numerous items that we frequently use in our everyday lives that frequently have multiple uses. Many of these uses aren’t readily apparent but can be a big help in a crisis or an emergency when your resources may be limited. One extremely handy everyday item that most people carry is lip balm . That small little tube can do a lot more than keep your lips moisturized.

                                                      

Most lip balms are a petroleum-based product that also includes additional beneficial ingredients. It’s also a small enough item to be carried in your pocket, your purse or your first aid kit. Here are a few alternate uses for lip balm.

Top Ten Alternate Uses for Lip Balm

1. Treat minor cuts and scrapes on the skin with a thin coating of lip balm.

2. Use as a lubricant for stubborn zippers on your gear or equipment bags.

3. Rub on a cotton ball or gauze pad to make an expedient firestarter.

4. Insert a make-shift wick to make an expedient candle for emergencies.

5. Rub on other exposed areas like the ears to protect them from the cold.

6. Coat your shoe or boot laces to keep them secure and prevent untying.

7. Use to coat irritated skin areas on your feet before a blister can form.

8. Use to waterproof and seal damaged or exposed seams on tents.

9. Coat your knife blade to protect it from excess moisture in wet conditions.

10. Use a chunk of lip balm to seal a rifle barrel to keep out debris or moisture.

This is by no means all the uses for lip balm that are possible and you shouldn’t limit your resources by thinking in finite terms.

Got an alternate use for lip balm?

Staying above the water line!

Riverwalker