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 wasn't 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 wasn't that great. After eating a small evening meal, my hunger was satisfied. While this supplement shouldn't 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 doesn't store protein, it doesn't 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.com by 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

Riverwalker’s Book Review and Giveaway - Good Clean Food

In a world of ever increasing dominance of large national companies that control our food sources, it is increasingly important that we make ourselves aware of the risks this poses to our food supply. In his new book,Good Clean Food, Samuel Epstein, MD helps to inform everyone of these risks and gives you a better understanding of the effects certain practices are having on our current food supply.

One of the main features of this book is the help and understanding that can be gained from knowing about how our food is labeled and whether it is truly organic and safe from toxic substances that can affect our health. There is a wide discrepancy in the manner in which our food is labeled and everyone should be aware of how to properly read and understand the labels on our food products. While most labeling isn't meant to be deceptive, it can also be very misleading if you aren't careful when reading the label. You can also learn to decipher the codes on fruit and vegetables in order for you to determine which products are truly organic and better for you and your family.

The book also offers tips on shopping locally (farmer’s markets, etc.), growing your own food and even tips for dining out. It also offers advice on nutritional and dietary approaches to help undo some of the harmful effects in many of our processed foods.

There is also a section at the end of each chapter with information on different organic farms and growers that are considered to have safe and reliable food products. There is also an extensive index with numerous businesses in the various states that have reliable products that you can trust to be safe for your consumption.

Information can be a vital key to understanding what is going on in our world. With government regulations that are at most inadequate in the majority of cases where our food supply is concerned, it is important to educate yourself about the possible risks to your food supply.

The Giveaway

As an added bonus, a lucky reader will also receive a free copy of “Good Clean Food” direct from the publisher at no charge. Simply leave a comment about how you are taking the necessary steps to have good clean food available for yourself and your family. Whether it is growing your own vegetables, forming a buying club, or going to farmer’s markets, let us know how you are working to make your food supply safer. A winner will be chosen at random from the comments received. If commenting anonymously, please leave an identifier in your comments. The winner will be announced in a separate post on July 15th from the comments received.

  

About the Author

Samuel Epstein, MD is an internationally recognized authority on avoidable causes of cancer. He is the author of more than twenty books and 270 peer-reviewed articles and has served as president of the Society for Occupational and Environmental Health, the Rachel Carson Council, professor emeritus of environmental and occupational medicine at the University of Illinois School of Public Health, and chairman of the Cancer Prevention Coalition. 

Got Good Clean Food?

Staying above the water line!

Riverwalker

Survival Hygiene - The No Rinse Solution

One of the first things to disappear in a crisis is the availability of fresh water. Water is essential to many of our daily activities including drinking, cooking and bathing. The ability to maintain a decent level of cleanliness in a crisis can be limited by your access to adequate resources of water. While most of your water resources will probably be devoted to drinking and cooking, it is still necessary to maintain adequate levels of cleanliness in order to avoid other problems that could affect not only your health but your overall sense of well-being. This is where the No Rinse solution can solve that problem.

Keeping a supply of cleaning products, such as body wash or shampoo, that don’t require water can solve this problem. Many people are unaware that there are products available that don’t require water in order to maintain an excellent level of cleanliness. These products are available in sizes that can accommodate a BOB or GHB to satisfy your needs and there are larger sizes that work well to meet the needs of a whole family. This can be extremely important if you have allergies or suffer from dry skin. Plus you won’t have to rinse off any residue. All it requires is a dry towel to wipe down with afterwards. Mrs. RW likes to clean her feet with the body wash before bedtime. She spends a lot of time walking around barefoot and she likes the way it only takes a few drops of the body wash to clean her feet before bedtime. I like the way it leaves you with a clean feeling and doesn’t dry out my skin...which is dry enough already. The shower caps are also an excellent way to keep your hair clean without using water. Just use a good comb or brush to rake all the leaves and other debris out of your hair and put on the shampoo cap. A short massage and towel dry and your hair doesn’t feel like it’s glued to your head. Great item to keep the kids heads clean.

After my open heart surgery, I was left with some pretty significant scar tissue and the area is not only very sensitive but needs to be kept as clean as possible. This product allowed me to clean a very sensitive area without any irritation. This is a big plus in my opinion.

While there is really no substitute for a hot shower or a warm bath, this may be the least of your worries in a crisis. Still, it is important to remember that maintaining a certain level of cleanliness will be required and water resources will more often than not be severely limited. No Rinse offers an excellent line of products which include an alcohol-free hand sanitizer. If you are looking for a means to stay clean while conserving your water resources in a crisis, these are products that are excellent additions to any disaster or survival kit

Got the “No Rinse” solution?

Staying above the “water-less” line!

Riverwalker

Beyond the Basics - The Dedicated First Aid Kit

Each and every day we are all at serious risk of being injured in an accident or developing some form of incapacitating illness. Whether you are traveling in your car, relaxing at home or busy at work, there is always the distinct possibility that you, a member of your family or a friend will require some form of first aid. One of the ways you can prepare for this eventuality is to have a dedicated first aid kit.

Having a home first aid kit is an essential part of being prepared for those small emergencies that can happen everyday. Having a dedicated first aid kit can help you be even better prepared. It is also important to remember that first aid is exactly what it says. It is the first aid an individual receives when sick or injured and prior to receiving proper medical treatment by a qualified professional. It is emergency care that is in the best interest of the sick or injured person that is applied using common sense decisions based on your level of first aid training.

Having a dedicated first aid kit is a fairly simple goal to accomplish. Most everyone has a home first aid kit which usually manages to stay right where you put it. This is a good thing because everyone in the family should know exactly where it’s at all times so that it can be accessed quickly when needed. This is why having a dedicated first aid kit is so important because it will save you time in an emergency. Having dedicated first aid kits in certain designated areas can make the difference in preventing a minor emergency from becoming an event that could be life threatening. 

Do you have a first aid kit in your garage or workshop? They have first aid kits in most workplaces and your garage at home shouldn’t be the exception. Most commercial vehicles are required to carry a first aid kit. Do you keep one in your vehicle? If you are traveling on the open road and find yourself in the middle of nowhere, you don’t want to find yourself suddenly in need of a good first aid kit.

Do you have specialized first aid kits available? One that everyone should consider is a good first aid kit that is dedicated to the treatment of burns. Burns are one of the more common injuries that can happen at home. Having extra first aid kits that are kept in designated areas can help you respond more efficiently to a person’s needs when first aid is required.

Proper first aid management requires you not only have good first aid kits but the proper training as well. Having the right tools and equipment won’t help you if don’t know how to utilize them properly and efficiently. In fact, the lack of proper training could create a situation where your help may actually be detrimental to the efforts of those persons attempting to render first aid in an emergency.

Sometimes you need more than a band-aid.

Image source: http://www.firstaidmanagement.com.au/first-aid-kits.html

Staying above the water line!

Riverwalker

Survival Humor - You May Have Heart Problems If...

Sometimes a heart attack can be avoided by paying attention to the different warning signs. There are a few warning signs you may not be aware of that could be a sign that you are at risk of having a heart attack.

You may have heart problems if...

1. The local police stop you and this is your third offense for “Failure to Exercise” and they tell you are under “cardiac arrest”.

2. Your vehicle breaks down and you call Enterprise to pick you up and they show up in an ambulance.

3. You get a checkup and they find you need more bypasses than the average freeway.

4. The local EMS keeps an ambulance parked in your driveway...just in case.

5. Your cardiologist keeps a cardio-thoracic surgeon on 24 hour standby for you.

6. You buy food items containing cholesterol at the grocery store and it sets off an alarm when you check out.

7. You’ve added an AED to your first aid kit.

8. Your pharmacist sends you discount coupons for blood pressure medication.

9. You keep hearing the words “walking” and “heart attack” in your conversations with other people.

10. You stopped using the phrase “serious as a heart attack” because you don’t want to push your luck.

Remember, while laughter is the best medicine, heart problems are no joke.

While a certain amount of humor can help us get through some bad times, there is also a need to be serious when it comes to taking care of your health. So here’s a small amount of advice from someone who’s “been there and done that”.

Make sure to exercise regularly, eat a healthy diet and get regular checkups.

Staying above the water line!

Riverwalker

Riverwalking - Rehabilitation Road Trip

Plans are under way to go on a short road trip and get away from the house for a while. It’s felt like I was under house arrest the last several weeks and I was sure that I might succumb to cabin fever. It’s been a while since there were any serious opportunities to do some riverwalking and now that my rehab has started it seems like a good time to start back up. Hopefully this will help speed up my rehabilitation after surgery.

The plan is to visit a river area that can only be reached by dirt trail and is subject to flooding in wet weather. There’s not much chance of rain at this time of year and should be a good time to make the trek. It’s best to know the terrain and the area where you’re planning to travel. You won’t have any unwanted surprises that way.

Hopefully, I will be able to get some good outdoor and nature pics for everyone to enjoy. When you’re riverwalking, you never really know what you may come across.  While not fully recovered, things are beginning to return to a somewhat more normal state.

Got rehab?

Staying above the water line!

Riverwalker

Beyond the Basics - Upgrading Your First Aid Kit for Bleeding and Burns

First Aid Kit Additions

A basic First Aid Kit (FAK) is an absolute necessity for emergencies. It can usually be made better with some simple additions that aren’t often seen in the basic ready-made First Aid Kits. When you build your own First Aid Kit, you can make upgrades to its basic contents quite easily to allow you to better handle a wider range of injuries.

Two of the most frequent injuries you will see in a minor emergency are bleeding or burns. Past experience has dictated that my First Aid Kit have something a little more extensive to cover these two areas. This is especially true in the summertime when a severe case of sunburn can totally ruin your day and make you miserable. Being able to treat minor burns and bleeding until proper medical help can be obtained can be essential during a crisis and normal times.

Two items that should be added as an upgrade are something that will allow you to better handle minor bleeding and minor burns. For minor burns, the Water-Jel brand of burn jel is a good addition to your first aid kit. These are small and lightweight and make a suitable addition for any size First Aid Kit. They come in a box of 25 packs that can be distributed among your various First Aid Kits. Water-Jel specializes in burn treatment products. They also make special bandages if you want to make a more extensive upgrade to your first aid kit to handle even more serious burns.

There are times when a band-aid just won’t get the job done. Even a fairly minor cut or scrape can bleed profusely and may require more extensive treatment. Even having several heavy gauze packs may not be sufficient. This is where a small Quick Clot bandage can come in handy. In a “not so minor” emergency, a Quick Clot Bandage may be just what is needed to handle a crisis properly. They’re an easy to use, compact and lightweight addition for your First Aid Kit to help treat cases of bleeding more effectively.

Both the QuikClot Sport Regular and the Water Jel Burn Jel are fairly inexpensive and make good upgrades for your First Aid Kit. This will give you an option to better treat minor burns or bleeding.

Got First Aid Kit upgrades?

Staying above the water line!

Riverwalker

Simple Survival Tips -Treating Minor Sprains and Strained Muscles

During a crisis or a disaster, you may find yourself experiencing some very simple medical problems for which normal medical treatment may not be readily available. One of the more common and frequent conditions you may experience are sprained joints or muscle strain. There is a simple solution to these problems.

What’s the solution? It’s raw potato juice. Potatoes contain several helpful and beneficial properties and are one of the most widely consumed vegetables. Since it is one of the most strongly alkaline of all the foods we consume, it works to promote a healthy balance in our system. Although the primary use of potatoes is generally internal (as a food source), it can also be quite helpful when used in an external manner.

                                                                                                                              

Applied externally, raw potato juice can be quite helpful in treating swelling and other disorders which may affect the joints and muscles of your body. When used as a sort of liniment, it can be helpful in reducing the swelling and pain associated with minor sprains or strained muscles caused by simple injuries. Simply apply raw potato juice to the affected area of the body every three to four hours until the pain and swelling are reduced or eliminated.

Got potato?

Staying above the water line!

Riverwalker

Survival and Physical Fitness - Survival of the Fittest

An area that is often neglected when considering your survival is your level of physical fitness. Being physically fit should have as much priority as having a well stocked pantry. The old saying “Survival of the Fittest” will come back to haunt you if you haven’t maintained a proper level of physical fitness.

It’s not necessary to become a world class marathoner or weightlifter to be physically fit. You just need to make sure that your daily activity levels are such that you can stay in shape physically. A daily exercise routine will go a long ways in this regard and when combined with a healthy diet you can easily reach levels where your physical fitness will be at a satisfactory level. It needs to fit your lifestyle so that it can be incorporated into your daily life and be maintained on a regular and consistent basis.

Almost everyone has some sort of limited physical ability that could adversely affect their survival but even with these limitations there are many types of physical activities that can be used to enhance your level of fitness.

Where do you start? One of the best and easiest things to do that will help increase your fitness level is to do a little extra walking. You may even want to work your way up to the point where you can do a little jogging or run the occasional race. Another great way to increase your fitness levels is to do a little bike riding or simply take a hike.

You can also set a goal to eat a healthier diet and remember to include portion control. Sometimes it’s not a matter of “what” you are eating but of “how much” you are eating. If your caloric intake exceeds the amount of calories burned by your daily activities on a regular basis, you will eventually develop additional health problems that could have been avoided.

If you do have certain physical conditions that may limit your physical abilities, you will need to make any and all necessary adjustments possible so that these will have a reduced impact on your ability to survive. How well can you see without your glasses? How long can you get by without that prescription medicine? These are just some of the questions you need to ask yourself so that you will be prepared.

Got physical fitness?

Staying above the water line!

Riverwalker

Free Bushcraft Books Downloads - Expedition Medicine

Kayaking on open sea water (G. Bruce)

Knowledge is a fundamental part of survival. It is what feeds our brain and makes it your best survival tool. When traveling in any type of outdoor scenario, it is important to have information that will help you maintain your health and safety. Here are some free basic guides that are available in a secure download to help further your knowledge should you become involved in a situation that may be a threat to your survival.

There are several excellent books available for download on Expedition Medicine that provide useful and helpful information that can be of value to anyone. Download links follow.

EXPEDITION MANUALS FOR FREE DOWNLOAD

1.) WATER PURIFICATION by Paul Goodyer and Larry Goodyer can be downloaded here:

Water Purification.PDF

2.) BASE CAMP HYGIENE AND HEALTH by Hokey Bennett-Jones can be downloaded here:

Base Camp Hygiene and Health.PDF

3.) FIRST AID AND MANAGEMENT OF MINOR INJURIES by Jon Dallimorecan can be downloaded here:

First Aid and Management of Minor Injuries.PDF

4.) TROPICAL FOREST EXPEDITIONS by Paul Richards can be downloaded here:

Tropical Forest Expeditions.PDF

5.) CANOE, KAYAK AND RAFT EXPEDITIONS by Andy Watt can be downloaded here:

Canoe, Kayak and Raft Expeditions.PDF

Things included in these guides involve how to build numerous types of latrines, how to minimize the effects of biting insects (such as mosquitoes) and field expedient treatment for such injuries as a dislocated shoulder. Many health problems and minor injuries can be avoided or treated by the use of proper techniques.

Staying above the water line!

Riverwalker

Free Download – Burn Prevention and Care Guide

One of the most frequent and most preventable of all serious injuries are burns. Even a minor burn if not treated properly can have devastating effects that could affect you for the rest of your life. Burns can be one the most serious types of injuries that a person may face in their everyday lives but are also one of the most preventable.

Knowing how to prevent them and the proper care required for the treatment of burns is an essential part of being prepared. Recognizing those things which can affect you in your everyday life and being prepared to deal with them can be critical if the worst happens.

Here is a simple guide to help you understand the proper care for burns and how to prevent them:

Burn Prevention and Care Guide

Staying above the water line!

Riverwalker

Hiking and Walking Tips - Avoiding Blisters

Blisters are one of the more common foot ailments that can affect people when out hiking or walking, especially over rugged terrain. Taking the time to properly care for your feet will save you a lot of misery when on a long hike or if you're just taking a short walk. Proper care of your feet is a necessity. You won't go very far if you don't.

Tips to Avoid Blisters

1. If you feel a blister starting, take off your hiking boots or shoes and give your feet a chance to cool down and dry out.

2. Treat any areas where you feel a blister starting by covering them with moleskin, a band-aid or duct tape to prevent further chances of blistering.

3. Put on clean, dry socks. You need to carry an extra pair with you. Wet feet will blister quickly.

4. Empty any sand, dirt or rocks from your hiking boots or shoes on a regular basis.

5. Reduce the swelling in your feet that occurs during hiking or walking by stopping to rest your feet at regular intervals.

Remember to take care of your feet and they’ll take care of you!

Got blisters?

Staying above the water line!

Riverwalker

The Path to Preparedness

The Path

Although your intended purpose of becoming better prepared may be to enact a major change in your lifestyle, sometimes a simpler approach to that change will be much easier for you to accomplish. Becoming more self-reliant and better prepared for things that come your way may be better approached in a few simple stages. Although some people can endure dramatic changes in lifestyle and even view them as acceptable, for many others drastic changes in lifestyle over a short period of time can quite often be just as devastating as any disaster. There is simply no reason to make that disaster one of your own making.

Simple Stages of Preparedness

1.) Financial Preparedness. Work towards becoming more economically and financially independent. Start by keeping a record of your expenditures. If you don’t know where your money is going, you won’t know where or when you can save extra money to help you reach your preparedness goals. Your finances will be a lot easier to keep track of and you’ll be able to understand where you can save money by eliminating certain items that may not be essential. Small savings will add up to a substantial amount in just a short period of time without creating a major change in your lifestyle.

2.) Mental Preparedness. Learn to do more things on your own and reduce your need for assistance. In other words, become more self-reliant. Begin with small tasks that are easily accomplished and move on to more complicated things as your knowledge and skills grow. It’s also a lot cheaper than paying someone else to do them for you and will save you extra money in the process. Be prepared for those times when assistance is necessary because the task may be outside the realm of your knowledge or skills.

3.) Physical Preparedness. Develop a healthier lifestyle. Learn to eat healthier meals and find ways to exercise more. Monitor any health problems closely. Your health is an important part of your lifestyle and maintaining a healthy lifestyle should be a part of the process.

Simple changes in your lifestyle which are done slowly and systematically will help you reach your preparedness goals much faster and easier than you may have thought possible. You will ultimately need to figure out which path will be the best for you to reach your preparedness goals. The path to preparedness that you eventually choose should be based on your lifestyle, your circumstances and your goals. There is no single path to preparedness that is right for everyone. Not everyone will choose the same path even though they may be similar in many aspects. The path to preparedness should always be based on your own unique needs and circumstances.

Staying above the water line!

Riverwalker

Survival Super Foods - Eggs

Eggs are not only a good source of protein but have many other excellent health benefits. There are a number of health benefits that are derived from eating eggs. Egg yolks contain the antioxidant called lutein which works to protect your eyes from harmful light that could otherwise cause damage to the retina. Eggs also contain the macro and micro nutrients necessary to maintain good health. They have the necessary protein, essential vitamins and many minerals required by the body. Although eggs lack vitamin C, they contain varying amounts of most of the other vitamins necessary in order to maintain good health.

They make a great meal alone or in combination with other foods and are a major ingredient in many recipes. Eggs can also be spiced up with a little salt, pepper or some red or green salsa. It is also a fairly simple process to preserve eggs by salting or pickling which allow them to be saved for use at a later time. They can also be prepared in a number of different ways from boiled to fried or in a salad or a sandwich. Talk about variety in a single food item and you come up with eggs every time!

Eggs can be store bought or produced from your own flock of hens if you raise poultry. They are an inexpensive and vital food source with excellent nutritional value and great health benefits. And if you’re into bushcraft, they can also be found in the wilderness if you know the right places to look for them. Hint! See above picture!

These qualities make eggs a true survival super food.

Make mine scrambled with lots of ketchup!

Staying above the water line!

Riverwalker

Survival Super Foods - Raisins

There aren’t many foods that contain a majority of the macronutrients (carbohydrates, fiber, sugar and fats) and the necessary micronutrients (minerals and vitamins) that are necessary for good nutrition. In a survival situation, good nutrition is essential in order to maintain your health, especially during the stressful situations that you will encounter in an emergency or crisis. Raisins are a survival super food as they contain most all the necessary nutrient contents for good health.

Raisins are also fairly sweet. This is due to a high concentration of fructose (sugar). When stored for a long period of time, the sugars inside the raisins will crystallize. This does not affect their use as the sugar grains can be dissolved by soaking the raisins in warm water or when used in cooking or preparing a dish with raisins as part of the ingredients. They may still be eaten as is but may have a grainy consistency due to the sugar crystals.

A single serving of raisins contains approximately 110 to 130 calories, has a fairly high water content per serving, most all of the essential macro and micro nutrients that are required by the body and only lack significant amounts of vitamin A. They also are low in cholesterol. This makes raisins a true super food. Hikers and backpackers have known this for years. Raisins, a dehydrated form of grapes, are a main ingredient of the trail mix often used when hiking or camping.

Raisins keep well for about six months when stored in the refrigerator. They are also a great snack for growing children. There are a number of benefits that are derived from raisins and they should be included with your recipes. There is even a study that shows raisins may be beneficial for oral health.

Got raisins?

Staying above the water line!

Riverwalker

Simple Survival Tips - Walking for Survival

Your health should always be a main priority for your survival. Without good health, you are already at a serious disadvantage when it comes to your survival. The number one threat for your survival is health problems, especially those which are heart related. Heart attacks, heart disease, high blood pressure are all serious threats to your survival on an everyday basis. Walking is a great form of exercise that can help to reduce this risk to your survival.

While running and jogging are excellent ways to stay fit, many people are not capable of meeting the demands of these fairly rigorous forms of activity without creating a further risk to their health. The simple solution is to do a little walking everyday. Not the normal walking done as part of your daily routine, but a dedicated amount of walking to keep up your level of fitness.

Many people will argue that they don’t have the time but this is merely an excuse. There are 1,440 minutes in each and every day. A brief morning or evening walk of about 15 minutes will use up only about 1% of the time in your day leaving the other 99% free for other activities. This is a very small price to pay for the benefits you will gain. Plus it gets easier each and every day. Eventually, you will grow accustomed to your daily walks as they become a part of your routine. Then if you want to get really serious about things, you can always put on that 40 pound bug-out bag and wear it while you walk. This will give you some serious survival practice!

Make sure you have a comfortable and well fitting pair of walking shoes or hiking boots, carry a water bottle to stay hydrated and give yourself much better health in the process. You can even use your home-made hiking staff while you are walking.

Got 1%?

Staying above the water line!

Riverwalker

First Aid Kit for Treatment of Burns

One of the advantages of making your own first aid kit is that you will hopefully have saved some money. These extra savings can then be translated into some advanced first aid measures to help protect you and your family. One of the most serious threats to everyone's safety on a daily basis is the possibility of being burned. You owe it to yourself and your family to become knowledgeable in recognizing the different types of burn and how they can be treated in an emergency.

You can get consumer information on this product at:

http://www.waterjel.com/consumer-products/

Did you know?

One person is either burned or scalded every 25 seconds in the USA.
Ninety percent of household burns to women occur in the kitchen, two-thirds involve hands and arms.

Up to 1 million burns occur in households annually; approximately 500,000 are scalds resulting from spilled food and beverages.

Most people associate burns with flame. In fact, liquids cause burns more often than flames.
200,000 children are burned by contact with hot substances and objects, with 100,000 children scalded from spilled food and beverages.

The two highest risk groups are children under the age of 5 and adults over 65; scalds are the number one cause of burn injury to children under 4 years old.

Coffee, tea, soup and hot tap water can be hot enough to cause serious burn injury.

There is also excellent technical guide in PDF format available here:

http://www.waterjel.com/technical-information/

Burns can happen at anytime and to anyone. Just ask any dedicated coffee drinker! Being prepared to provide the best possible treatment you can will always be useful. You will also be able to recognize the more serious types of burns that will require immediate professional care.

Staying above the water line!

Riverwalker

Growing Your Own First Aid

There are numerous plants that can be grown for their health benefits and medicinal value. One of the easiest plants to grow is Aloe Vera. Aloe Vera gel is used as a common ingredient in many commercially available lotions and food products. AloeVera extracts have even exhibited possible antibacterial and antifungal properties. Most people are probably most familiar with its use in lotions and sunburn creams.

The Aloe Vera plant is a succulent that is very drought tolerant and resistant to most diseases and insects. This combined with the fact that it is easy to grow makes it an excellent plant to considering growing as part of your preparedness efforts. Though not cold tolerant, they are easily grown indoors as a houseplant or outdoors in a greenhouse.

Here is a link with some simple tips on growing Aloe Vera plants:

http://monsterguide.net/how-to-grow-aloe-vera

Aloe Vera plants also make a great barter item!

Staying above the water line!

Riverwalker

Simple Survival Tips – Staying Healthy

Many times people get sick because they fail to take simple precautions to insure they stay healthy. They ignore the fact that a few simple and easy steps can help you maintain a better state of health. A little common sense and good hygiene will help to prevent many illnesses. While these actions can’t guarantee you won’t get sick, they will still be beneficial to your health.

Simple Ways to Stay Healthy

1. Learn proper handwashing techniques. People touch a variety of items each and every day of their lives without even realizing it. From doorknobs to money and desktops to keyboards, the numbers of surfaces we come into contact with on a daily basis are all a source of potential contamination. Take some time to find out if you are following the Handwashing_Guidelines.

2. Eat regular and well-balanced meals. Proper nutrition will go a long way in helping you maintain your health. Make sure you are eating Well-balanced Meals.

3. Drink plenty of fluids. Make sure you’re getting enough water for your health.

4. Exercise on a daily basis. Even a short walk each day will have a great benefit on your health. Try to include exercise as a part of your daily routine.

5. Get plenty of rest. Failure to get enough sleep or the proper amount of rest can result in your body being more susceptible to illness. Try to get healthy sleep.

6. Maintain your physical space. Everyone has a few close friends but try not to be so close that a small cough or sneeze from your friends or family could also put you at risk. Give yourself a little additional room as a precautionary measure.

7. Get regular check-ups with your family doctor or healthcare provider. Regular check-ups can sometimes find problems with your health before it is too late.


A few simple things included in your daily routine will help you to stay a lot healthier.

Staying above the water line!

Riverwalker

Summer Survival - Heat Rash

Heat rash, which is sometimes referred to as prickly heat, is a very common skin irritation that occurs during the summer. It is normally caused by the excessive sweating of your body which causes an inflammation of the sweat glands. This is especially true during hot, humid weather conditions. Although heat rash can affect persons in any age group, it is much more common among young children who are much more susceptible to the effects of warmer temperatures.

Heat rash looks similar to a group of tiny red pimples or small blisters. It generally occurs on the neck or upper chest area, in the groin area between the legs, and in the creases of your elbow. It can also appear in other areas as well. It sometimes creates an itching or “prickly” sensation.

The treatment of heat rash is a rather simple process and additional medical assistance isn’t usually required. The first thing you will need to do is keep the affected area dry. A good body powder will help to decrease the discomfort caused by a heat rash. You will also need to provide a cooler environment for the affected person or child that has less humidity. Using ointments or creams to treat heat rash may seem like a good idea. Unfortunately, ointments or creams may only make conditions worse instead of better once you’ve gotten a heat rash.

Treating a heat rash is fairly simple and is usually one of the less severe forms of heat-related illnesses. Taking some simple precautions can help you survive the summer heat.

Got rash?

Staying above the water line!

Riverwalker