@rickvanman thanks man i am only 14 but i have got my dug out bag sorted just going to make mre's then go campng with my dad thanks again , you really helped
People put all this work into bug outs, but how many know how to identify edible plants and how to prepare certain insects etc. 3 days turns into 30 days....then what?
The vacuum bags keep everything nice and tight but If you need to keep traveling throughout the day you’ll need to pack lunch and dinner away loosely and you wont be able to reseal the bag on the go. I suggest you also add to your bag a few Ziploc freezer bags with the small light weight hand pump so you can re-vacuum on the go. (No I don’t represent Ziploc but I think it would work well for this application.)
LOL, ran out of room ;-). Was going to add that - following your thoughts re making the best of a bad situation:
Try to find Indian 'ready to eat' packs - Vimal is one brand available here in Canada. No preservatives but 1.5 year life span, so not bad. Bag up a 1/4 to 1/2 cup of rice to go with it (so only 1/2 - 1 cup water needed) and you have a tasty, spicy meal (e.g. Curried Mixed Veg) or two for comfort!
FYI - Here, I find them at the chemist's - not the grocer. Weird but true ;-)
@shelladavis I'd say forget about any of this untill you've addressed your water situation. Water is the number 1 priority for any bug-out / prep kit, if you haven't figured out how you will secure water, then the rest of this is pointless.
Well done mate! Excellent video! Do you choose what you are going to use for your MRE calculating the calories? How many calories approximately one day pack contains?
would you be interested in having any treats/food things mailed to you from the states in exchange for some kendall mint cakes? it's nearly impossible to get them here!
Great video, Rick! I have a nice tip: If you take the food out of the original package, it will be much smaller, because there is air in the packages, and you can't vacuum seal that. So you can vacuum seal the food itself, and then vacuum seal the package of things you want to carry. So when you have vacuum sealed the intire MRE pack, the food won't spoil, because the food is vacuum sealed another time. Just a tip.
One thing I will say about the pot noodles is that there's no point in em, they're just salt and corn flower the veg isn't even real veg, so they'll be worse for than good. Other than pretty good mate, try keep clear from foods with too much salt in them, a good way of having a salt suppliment in there is to add a few little sache's of salf like the ones you get at McDonalds etc. also, put in some alchohol wipes in there or something just to clean your hands a bit and purification tablets
@Mr912Lancer ... Speaking of noodles, if I may barge in on the conversation, there are healthy alternatives out there. Authentic Asian noodles, like Soba noddles (buckwheat Japanese noodles) only have 2 mg of sodium per serving, 50g of carbs and 11g of proteins. There's also a variety that comes already cooked in a sealed package, so no need to add water and you can also eat them cold. Down side is, they're higher in sodium, but nowhere near as those cheap dried things...
Actually, if we compare... 1 "instant noodles" package will run about 190 calories with starch as its main carb (quick carbs); while 1 portion of good quality Soba will be around 250 calories. They are also much richer in proteins and long-carbs and are low in sodium. Soba gives you more nutrition and energy and is a lot less damageable to your health.
... Of course, we could argue that 1 portion of instant noddles is around 60-70 grams, while Soba will be around 80-100 grams.
Nice work Rick, I would say that this is one of your most important videos (It inspired me for sure) as the military MREs where good enough for eating but weren't the nicest thing around where as doing it this way means you can put anything you want into the MRE. Nice one mate :)
i would not include the gum beacause your chewing but not actually digesting anythink it makes you more hungry mints woulld be a better alternative great video though keep up the good work =]
Thank you for the ideas! I've got all the components, but I've never considered placing them together & sealing them as daily MREs. That would take up much less room in the BOBs & travel better.
looks a whole lot tastier than the ex-army ones i got from a surplus store.
Really think soon be making your version. Don't have a vacuum packer.I was thinking just ziplock bags. Or them bags you attach a hoover to to store clothes!
Never knew Pot Noodles did a sachet version...I'm looking for them now. Many thanks.
Great Video Rick, the only thing I have done different is use U.S. brands and I added a tin of Ham and a tin of chicken to give a different tast to the meals. You can find those in pouches as well as the tuna here. Glucose great idea. We are diabetic so this could be a life saver just in case we can't eat when we need to or if the emergency is drawn out.
@masm60 interesting idea. personally I wouldn't trust the vacuum sealed bags to stay leak-free though, plus I have a growing distrust of plastic since the BPA U-turn by the FDA
Excellent video Rick, your MRE's are a great improvement on the military ones which are known as "three lies in one": they're not meals, they're not ready, and you cant eat 'em!
Great video Rick! I hadn't considered making actual MREs. Excellent idea. I can tell you from eating my share the actual MRE are only for one meal, innovative idea to pack a day's worth. Some of the contents did require dehydration, I'm not sure with the modern ones. I love the tuna pouches. The cans seem to contain too much oil or water, not so with the pouches. Peanut butter, jelly, ketchup, salt, pepper, hot sauce, packets from restaurants make a handy addition.
@FenderGibsonWashburn Hi Paul, I can't take credit for the original idea - got it from the survivalist forums :o) I agree on the sachets from restraunts - they make excellent additions and keep the food interesting.
@Glen1040 I gues there are some advantaged to living in a temperate climeat - less melted chocolate! I guess Kendals mint cake would be a good alternative to chocolate.
That's a lot of calories, should keep anyone treking for a good while! :-) Minor suggestions could include; Vitamin C or Multivitamins to upkeep the immune system if its a stressful event. Electrolyte replacement in case you / someone else got diarrhea from unhygenic conditions / water. And given that food is less important than water (3 weeks Vs. 3 days survival), I'm assuming you've got the big one of hydration covered already. :-)
@ThereAreNoSides Thanks for the excellent tips - I actually forgot about vitamin supplements & have just ordered some re-hydration sachets. Water will be coverd in a future video, but yes, it's covered.
Nice. Could probably stretch 3 bags to a week if necessary, considering the calorific value of the kendal mint cake in there. Good to have a few comforting flavours too for times of stress. What's your strategy for bugout water?
Hey Rick, if you roughly crush the pumpkin seeds to smaller pieces, then toast them on the frying pan until the are very dark green or begin to pop,add salt while during this, and add loads of salt after that. Then throw them in a little bag or eventually a zipbag, then you have a nice quick "meal". It is soooo delicious.
Rick, not all sure what is in your bugout bag...but don't want to be a downer on you...but I think I might have wanted to add iodine tablets, to purify any needed water source just in case a water source was contaminated, and you were unable to start a fire at the time. Just a suggestion...and one of the many key items I have in my survival bag. Otherwise I thought it was a great video...keeping your mind free of stress and able to think of other things in crazy times is always smart. thanks.
great video rick nice work stuff you already know but a pack of dry condoms water carriers , match heads cut down stored inn wax straw , oxo cubes , cuppa
soups sachets various flavors . great work rick.
This is the sort of thing I was thinking of doing but it hadnt occurred to me to use a vacuum sealer thought I must get one. I've been looking at the 24hr ration packs on a uk website called evaq8 which are £10-12 but they dont have as much in them as your homemade MRE'S. Being a cumbrian im luvvin the kendal mint cake!
@lisaloolibell Thanks forthe comment - yes the vacuum sealer is fantastic for loads of things - i've used it to make clothing small and compact for the rucsack too :o) kendals mint cake - i believe it's used all the time on arctic expeditions etc - best stuff in the world for energy.
Is there a more "organic" way to do MRE? All the packages you (and I) use to do this is all good and well but it is not the most healthy option, is it? :)
I believe there´s more conservation-chemicals in it to perserve a body longer than a mummy. :)
Good point about not caring so much about the price.
@Brainiac1056 Interesting thoughts that have been on my mind lately.
I eat nothing but organic food now, but I figured in a SHTF situation, convenience will be the order of the day. As far as I'm aware there is no organic food of this nature available, however. I will be supplementing my meals with wild foods such as nettles, hawthorne, sorrel, dandelion etc, so it won't all be chemicals :o)
Rick, you might find it easier to break them down into individual meals -- less bulk, and you'd be surprised at how little you actually need. Depending on the labor you intend to do, your caloric intake should be around 1000-2000 per day, more if you plan on heavy labor. Also, don't neglect tinned corned beef, nor Spam - they're lightweight, and keep for a LONG time...
@clinkerbuilt thanks for the tips. I figured when bugging out, I could easily open all three vaccum sealed bags anyway and just mix/match as I see fit.
I did ponder tinned meat, but weight was the issue - decided to use sachets of protien powder instead - a fraction of the weight.
Great idea Rick! To add to the idea- you might want to type up an inventory with expiration dates and slip it in the front of the pouch so you can remember what you packed and when you will need to switch out expired stuff.
@spisblog thanks for the tip - I tend to let these things sit for about 2 years then replace them and eat or give away the old stock. the vacuum sealing will help, and virtually everything there will be just fine when its well past its sell-by date.
as a general rule, if it's a "best before" date, you can eat it years later and it'll be fine, if it's a "use by" date, then those are the only dates you need to take notice of and adhere to. most of the stuff here is " best before" :o)
@m6pcg -- Storing in regular 2-litre bottles will last about 2 years or so. I recommend cleaned-out Gatorade bottles. I've had water in some of them for 4+ years, and never had any issue with them. Just be sure to keep the bottles out of sunlight until you need them.
@clinkerbuilt Of late, i've been concerned aboout BPA's in plastic since the FDA recently decided they were dangerous after all. Not sure what the alternatives are though.
@rickvanman Not many, I'm afraid. Glass is too fragile for rough handling, and "long-term water storage+metal canteens=ewwww". You could look into purifying on the fly with either a portable filter/purifier, or using sodium hypochlorite [NaOCl] (in the US, UNSCENTED Clorox Bleach is 5% NaOCl) bleach - 16 drops to the gallon...but that's not my first choice...
@rickvanman You know, I'm going to put this down to a blind spot on my part, but if you're building a bug-out bag, you won't be carrying a lot of water with you, anyway -- a couple of 2-litre bottles and water purification gear is all you can really manage. Your long-term storage should be at your destination. DON'T BECOME A REFUGEE! Have a plan, have two backup plans, have a destination!
@clinkerbuilt thanks for the great tip - water I have covered, I think! - will discuss in a future video. I've been slacking on the destination plans - but hope to rectify that shortly. Google maps are excellent for this purpose!
@clinkerbuilt Thanks for the ideas. Purification is no problem if "bugging in" at home - got a Berkey, but away from home will be where the issues lie. Have gone for the portable purification option, but it's limited to a certain number of fills. have discovered that baby's sterilising solution is a pure & cheap source of sodium hypochlorite.
Interesting, practical video. Be good to see how you go about the out and about activities in the wilds. Wrapping up warm is going to be important very soon.
Just want to say great job Rick, I'd rather prepare MRE's and bug out bags and NOT need them, then to find myself needing them and not HAVE them like the rest of the masses.
@JUSTTHEBEST12 I want to get into it - finding somewhere to practice it is my biggest issue so far. If anyone has any woods I can practice in, feel free to get in touch :o)
very good vid. Ive seen alot of yank vids do the same, so its nice to see a UK version. One bit of advice tho, look for the "be good to yourself" ASDA brand pasta packs as they dont require milk and butter like the batchulers version. Keep it up rick, and stay safe bro = )
Call them MAR's meals almost ready
glitchminion 1 day ago
where did he bye the pot noodle things rick???
darkside2471 1 week ago
@darkside2471 found em in Tesco's :o)
rickvanman 1 week ago
@rickvanman thanks man i am only 14 but i have got my dug out bag sorted just going to make mre's then go campng with my dad thanks again , you really helped
darkside2471 1 week ago
R u a biabetitc
mrhostrider 3 weeks ago
Good video... But i think its easy to find MUCH healthier altenatives to your MRE´s.
There´s saying that "Prep Food... Is CRAP food... !". And your MRE does contain a lot of sugar and lack nutrition and fibres.
BUT of course if its only for a short period... Your gonna survive... :-).
I also use tuna, salmon and chicken.
But also oats, lentils, couscous, bulgur, wholegrain pasta, wholegrain nudles and rice.
I also throw in a little bag containing : vitamin pills, supplements like fishoil etc,
JanHuniche 1 month ago
@JanHuniche Thanks for the excellent tips :o)
rickvanman 1 month ago
What is the calorie count?
Realtomahawk07 1 month ago
People put all this work into bug outs, but how many know how to identify edible plants and how to prepare certain insects etc. 3 days turns into 30 days....then what?
YiuTeub 2 months ago
@YiuTeub i try to tell people the same thing, learn basic bushcraft and primitive survival skills first
TrinityRewind 2 months ago
Pumpkin seeds have alot of protein.
YiuTeub 2 months ago
nice, very informative thanks:)
27dreamweaver 2 months ago
The vacuum bags keep everything nice and tight but If you need to keep traveling throughout the day you’ll need to pack lunch and dinner away loosely and you wont be able to reseal the bag on the go. I suggest you also add to your bag a few Ziploc freezer bags with the small light weight hand pump so you can re-vacuum on the go. (No I don’t represent Ziploc but I think it would work well for this application.)
Fuguer 3 months ago
LOL, ran out of room ;-). Was going to add that - following your thoughts re making the best of a bad situation:
Try to find Indian 'ready to eat' packs - Vimal is one brand available here in Canada. No preservatives but 1.5 year life span, so not bad. Bag up a 1/4 to 1/2 cup of rice to go with it (so only 1/2 - 1 cup water needed) and you have a tasty, spicy meal (e.g. Curried Mixed Veg) or two for comfort!
FYI - Here, I find them at the chemist's - not the grocer. Weird but true ;-)
NewbieCamper 3 months ago
Great video, with good suggestions based on sensible thought process ;-).
A few suggestions, if you don't mind: For each MRE
1. Add salt & pepper & perhaps bit of spices(?) + sugar & powdered creamer if you use for coffee or tea.
2. Add a wet wipe (or similar) for hygiene; small packet of matches & tinder; plastic eating utensil - inexpensive 'spork' or just fork & spoon.
This way, each packet is complete re being able to clean hands, start fire to cook and utensils to eat it.
NewbieCamper 3 months ago
hi Rick
woul'nt the mre's take a lot of water.
where is the water going to come from
shelladavis 4 months ago
@shelladavis I'd say forget about any of this untill you've addressed your water situation. Water is the number 1 priority for any bug-out / prep kit, if you haven't figured out how you will secure water, then the rest of this is pointless.
rickvanman 4 months ago
@rickvanman
i know where my water would be coming from
watching the vid you don't mention water and for people watching this would not think about water
just my observation
shelladavis 4 months ago
@shelladavis see 0:33 - Yours is very much a valid observation though and worth bringing up :o)
rickvanman 4 months ago
@rickvanman you made a meal of this vid Rick :P
SteveMakesAmillion 1 month ago
MRE should contain no suggar..
vet4piece 5 months ago
Thanks for your reply! Well done again! Greetings from Greece!
orestis2010 5 months ago
Well done mate! Excellent video! Do you choose what you are going to use for your MRE calculating the calories? How many calories approximately one day pack contains?
orestis2010 5 months ago
@orestis2010 Cheers. I'm not really that anal about it - I just figure "what would I eat in a day" and worked from there :o)
rickvanman 5 months ago
would you be interested in having any treats/food things mailed to you from the states in exchange for some kendall mint cakes? it's nearly impossible to get them here!
mahoneypony79 5 months ago
matchs
cooooool32 7 months ago
Great video, Rick! I have a nice tip: If you take the food out of the original package, it will be much smaller, because there is air in the packages, and you can't vacuum seal that. So you can vacuum seal the food itself, and then vacuum seal the package of things you want to carry. So when you have vacuum sealed the intire MRE pack, the food won't spoil, because the food is vacuum sealed another time. Just a tip.
mandgsurvival 7 months ago
@mandgsurvival thanks for the tip :o)
rickvanman 7 months ago
Comment removed
mandgsurvival 5 months ago
@rickvanman No problem, I think I used 'vacuum sealed' a little too often... LOL but great vids, thanks for sharing!
mandgsurvival 5 months ago
Comment removed
mandgsurvival 7 months ago
One thing I will say about the pot noodles is that there's no point in em, they're just salt and corn flower the veg isn't even real veg, so they'll be worse for than good. Other than pretty good mate, try keep clear from foods with too much salt in them, a good way of having a salt suppliment in there is to add a few little sache's of salf like the ones you get at McDonalds etc. also, put in some alchohol wipes in there or something just to clean your hands a bit and purification tablets
Mr912Lancer 7 months ago
@Mr912Lancer ... Speaking of noodles, if I may barge in on the conversation, there are healthy alternatives out there. Authentic Asian noodles, like Soba noddles (buckwheat Japanese noodles) only have 2 mg of sodium per serving, 50g of carbs and 11g of proteins. There's also a variety that comes already cooked in a sealed package, so no need to add water and you can also eat them cold. Down side is, they're higher in sodium, but nowhere near as those cheap dried things...
Unicron4ever 7 months ago
@Unicron4ever Thing is for an MREs you need as much calories as possible..
Mr912Lancer 7 months ago
@Mr912Lancer
Actually, if we compare... 1 "instant noodles" package will run about 190 calories with starch as its main carb (quick carbs); while 1 portion of good quality Soba will be around 250 calories. They are also much richer in proteins and long-carbs and are low in sodium. Soba gives you more nutrition and energy and is a lot less damageable to your health.
... Of course, we could argue that 1 portion of instant noddles is around 60-70 grams, while Soba will be around 80-100 grams.
Unicron4ever 7 months ago
Cool vid Rick, how long do these last until they go off?
xTaPzZx 7 months ago
@xTaPzZx cheers - am giving them about 2 years
rickvanman 7 months ago
@rickvanman Cool thanks will come in very handy
xTaPzZx 7 months ago
Nice work Rick, I would say that this is one of your most important videos (It inspired me for sure) as the military MREs where good enough for eating but weren't the nicest thing around where as doing it this way means you can put anything you want into the MRE. Nice one mate :)
90freaks37 8 months ago
i would not include the gum beacause your chewing but not actually digesting anythink it makes you more hungry mints woulld be a better alternative great video though keep up the good work =]
airsoftmerseyside 9 months ago
@airsoftmerseyside Cheers & thanks for the tip :o)
rickvanman 8 months ago
Thank you for the ideas! I've got all the components, but I've never considered placing them together & sealing them as daily MREs. That would take up much less room in the BOBs & travel better.
TheZooKeeper33 9 months ago
looks a whole lot tastier than the ex-army ones i got from a surplus store.
Really think soon be making your version. Don't have a vacuum packer.I was thinking just ziplock bags. Or them bags you attach a hoover to to store clothes!
Never knew Pot Noodles did a sachet version...I'm looking for them now. Many thanks.
69Phuket 9 months ago
Fantastic vid, giving me so many ideas for personalising MREs for my children. I'll eat anything lol xx
wildrose39 9 months ago
I really like the idea here, I will be setting up one of my own. Great Video!
BudgetSurvival 9 months ago
Great Video Rick, the only thing I have done different is use U.S. brands and I added a tin of Ham and a tin of chicken to give a different tast to the meals. You can find those in pouches as well as the tuna here. Glucose great idea. We are diabetic so this could be a life saver just in case we can't eat when we need to or if the emergency is drawn out.
I watch all your videos.
shirleykendrick1951 10 months ago
@shirleykendrick1951 Thanks for the great comments Shirley - glad you're liking the vids :o)
rickvanman 10 months ago
This has been flagged as spam show
Rick,
Great vids! Very helpful.
confidenemini 10 months ago
great idea, have you considerd freeze dried foods for the weight and shelf life issues?
rfordm 1 year ago
@rfordm considered, but the high costs eventually put me off
rickvanman 1 year ago
wats the shelf life of one of those packs
TheiTouchGuys 1 year ago
@TheiTouchGuys 1-2 years
rickvanman 1 year ago
Very nice.
Depending on your workload, I would bet you could stretch those MREs out to 2-3 days each. You put plenty in them. The glucose idea is genius.
castaway96928 1 year ago
Hi Rick, where did you get your vacuum sealer from and are the bags specifically designed for this device?
TK42138 1 year ago
@TK42138 amazon i think, or was it eBay? the bags are universal so youcan get them anywhere
rickvanman 1 year ago
Great idea. Excellent video. I picked up a few new ideas from your lecture.
johnny102marvin 1 year ago
If you put ice in a vacuum sealed bag could you stash some extra water in the meals as well? If so how long would it be usable?
masm60 1 year ago
@masm60 interesting idea. personally I wouldn't trust the vacuum sealed bags to stay leak-free though, plus I have a growing distrust of plastic since the BPA U-turn by the FDA
rickvanman 1 year ago
Excellent video Rick, your MRE's are a great improvement on the military ones which are known as "three lies in one": they're not meals, they're not ready, and you cant eat 'em!
TheOldBladerunner 1 year ago
@TheOldBladerunner LOL! thanks for the info - haven't heard that particular description about MRE's before :o)
rickvanman 1 year ago
@TheOldBladerunner Meals Rejected *by* Ethiopians ;)
Matroxxtriste 1 year ago
Wondered when you were going to use you vacuum sealer again, Great video as always mate. Looking forwards to the next one!
Zeamus634 1 year ago
@Zeamus634 cheers :o)
rickvanman 1 year ago
Great video Rick! I hadn't considered making actual MREs. Excellent idea. I can tell you from eating my share the actual MRE are only for one meal, innovative idea to pack a day's worth. Some of the contents did require dehydration, I'm not sure with the modern ones. I love the tuna pouches. The cans seem to contain too much oil or water, not so with the pouches. Peanut butter, jelly, ketchup, salt, pepper, hot sauce, packets from restaurants make a handy addition.
FenderGibsonWashburn 1 year ago
@FenderGibsonWashburn Hi Paul, I can't take credit for the original idea - got it from the survivalist forums :o) I agree on the sachets from restraunts - they make excellent additions and keep the food interesting.
rickvanman 1 year ago
@Glen1040 I gues there are some advantaged to living in a temperate climeat - less melted chocolate! I guess Kendals mint cake would be a good alternative to chocolate.
rickvanman 1 year ago
That's a lot of calories, should keep anyone treking for a good while! :-) Minor suggestions could include; Vitamin C or Multivitamins to upkeep the immune system if its a stressful event. Electrolyte replacement in case you / someone else got diarrhea from unhygenic conditions / water. And given that food is less important than water (3 weeks Vs. 3 days survival), I'm assuming you've got the big one of hydration covered already. :-)
ThereAreNoSides 1 year ago
@ThereAreNoSides Thanks for the excellent tips - I actually forgot about vitamin supplements & have just ordered some re-hydration sachets. Water will be coverd in a future video, but yes, it's covered.
rickvanman 1 year ago
2 British pounds equals $3.25 US dollars
mad4misty 1 year ago
Getting a bit peckish watching this : )
skbworld2008 1 year ago
@skbworld2008 LOL! me too :o)
rickvanman 1 year ago
I guessing you have a lot of sponsors for these judging from the brand names : )
Are these for camping trips or just normal use, as they seem like the sort of things youd take out trekking somewhere!
skbworld2008 1 year ago
@skbworld2008 Can be used for either - although my intention is long(ish) term storage in a bug-out-bag.
rickvanman 1 year ago
Nice. Could probably stretch 3 bags to a week if necessary, considering the calorific value of the kendal mint cake in there. Good to have a few comforting flavours too for times of stress. What's your strategy for bugout water?
whorlus 1 year ago
@whorlus thanks for the comments - water discussion coming in a future video :o)
rickvanman 1 year ago
@Thenewyorkcritic I'm preparing for anything that may come our way - no specific agenda.
rickvanman 1 year ago
@NuggetsOfTruth Thanks an interesting though and something i have not considered - maybe I could just trade it instead :o)
rickvanman 1 year ago
Hey Rick, if you roughly crush the pumpkin seeds to smaller pieces, then toast them on the frying pan until the are very dark green or begin to pop,add salt while during this, and add loads of salt after that. Then throw them in a little bag or eventually a zipbag, then you have a nice quick "meal". It is soooo delicious.
chrismastere 1 year ago
@chrismastere Nice one! thanks for the tip - will have to have a play :o)
rickvanman 1 year ago
Comment removed
chrismastere 1 year ago
great idea , but i would of peireced the content bags too so that all the foods were vacumed
joecrx1 1 year ago
Fantastic idea Rick. :-)
007vauxhall 1 year ago
Rick, not all sure what is in your bugout bag...but don't want to be a downer on you...but I think I might have wanted to add iodine tablets, to purify any needed water source just in case a water source was contaminated, and you were unable to start a fire at the time. Just a suggestion...and one of the many key items I have in my survival bag. Otherwise I thought it was a great video...keeping your mind free of stress and able to think of other things in crazy times is always smart. thanks.
galeccox 1 year ago
@galeccox thanks for the feedback - Bug out bag video coming soon where i hope to discuss water etc.
rickvanman 1 year ago
great video rick nice work stuff you already know but a pack of dry condoms water carriers , match heads cut down stored inn wax straw , oxo cubes , cuppa
soups sachets various flavors . great work rick.
westmids11 1 year ago
@westmids11 thanks for the tips and feedback - just added some oxo cubes & cuppa soups :o)
rickvanman 1 year ago
This is the sort of thing I was thinking of doing but it hadnt occurred to me to use a vacuum sealer thought I must get one. I've been looking at the 24hr ration packs on a uk website called evaq8 which are £10-12 but they dont have as much in them as your homemade MRE'S. Being a cumbrian im luvvin the kendal mint cake!
lisaloolibell 1 year ago
@lisaloolibell Thanks forthe comment - yes the vacuum sealer is fantastic for loads of things - i've used it to make clothing small and compact for the rucsack too :o) kendals mint cake - i believe it's used all the time on arctic expeditions etc - best stuff in the world for energy.
rickvanman 1 year ago
Tinny over at minibulldesign makes MREs at home for hiking.
baddogonline 1 year ago
@baddogonline Thanks for the heads-up - have just subbed - some cool vids there!
rickvanman 1 year ago
Is there a more "organic" way to do MRE? All the packages you (and I) use to do this is all good and well but it is not the most healthy option, is it? :)
I believe there´s more conservation-chemicals in it to perserve a body longer than a mummy. :)
Good point about not caring so much about the price.
Brainiac1056 1 year ago
@Brainiac1056 Interesting thoughts that have been on my mind lately.
I eat nothing but organic food now, but I figured in a SHTF situation, convenience will be the order of the day. As far as I'm aware there is no organic food of this nature available, however. I will be supplementing my meals with wild foods such as nettles, hawthorne, sorrel, dandelion etc, so it won't all be chemicals :o)
rickvanman 1 year ago
Rick, you might find it easier to break them down into individual meals -- less bulk, and you'd be surprised at how little you actually need. Depending on the labor you intend to do, your caloric intake should be around 1000-2000 per day, more if you plan on heavy labor. Also, don't neglect tinned corned beef, nor Spam - they're lightweight, and keep for a LONG time...
clinkerbuilt 1 year ago
@clinkerbuilt thanks for the tips. I figured when bugging out, I could easily open all three vaccum sealed bags anyway and just mix/match as I see fit.
I did ponder tinned meat, but weight was the issue - decided to use sachets of protien powder instead - a fraction of the weight.
rickvanman 1 year ago
have you decided what tools to include in your BOB?
Urudrim 1 year ago
What is the bug out bag for? I'm seeing alot of these videos on youtube. Is there some sort of impending disaster on the way?
Meathead36 1 year ago
@Meathead36 it comes from the 'better to be safe than sorry' school of thought.
Urudrim 1 year ago
@Meathead36 Back to basics - boy scout stuff - "be prepared" - It's never bad advice in any situation.
rickvanman 1 year ago
MARE "meals almost ready to eat"?
ljredneck 1 year ago
@ljredneck Nice! I like it :o)
rickvanman 1 year ago
I love these styles of videos, keep up the great work!! :-)
MCDiscos 1 year ago
@MCDiscos thanks :o)
rickvanman 1 year ago
Hey Rick i like Sneackers chocolate bars, oily sardines, and Spam.
Those foodstuffs look wonderful i also like cocoa which we always had with our c-rations and ofcourse peanut butter. Cheers from Texas mate.
EDINBURGSTAR 1 year ago
@EDINBURGSTAR Thanks for the comments - i'm hungry now :o)
rickvanman 1 year ago
Great idea Rick! To add to the idea- you might want to type up an inventory with expiration dates and slip it in the front of the pouch so you can remember what you packed and when you will need to switch out expired stuff.
spisblog 1 year ago
@spisblog thanks for the tip - I tend to let these things sit for about 2 years then replace them and eat or give away the old stock. the vacuum sealing will help, and virtually everything there will be just fine when its well past its sell-by date.
as a general rule, if it's a "best before" date, you can eat it years later and it'll be fine, if it's a "use by" date, then those are the only dates you need to take notice of and adhere to. most of the stuff here is " best before" :o)
rickvanman 1 year ago
great video.. If i wanted to store water from the tap in plastic containers, how long do you think the water would last before it went off?
m6pcg 1 year ago
@m6pcg -- Storing in regular 2-litre bottles will last about 2 years or so. I recommend cleaned-out Gatorade bottles. I've had water in some of them for 4+ years, and never had any issue with them. Just be sure to keep the bottles out of sunlight until you need them.
clinkerbuilt 1 year ago
@clinkerbuilt Of late, i've been concerned aboout BPA's in plastic since the FDA recently decided they were dangerous after all. Not sure what the alternatives are though.
rickvanman 1 year ago
@rickvanman Not many, I'm afraid. Glass is too fragile for rough handling, and "long-term water storage+metal canteens=ewwww". You could look into purifying on the fly with either a portable filter/purifier, or using sodium hypochlorite [NaOCl] (in the US, UNSCENTED Clorox Bleach is 5% NaOCl) bleach - 16 drops to the gallon...but that's not my first choice...
clinkerbuilt 1 year ago
@rickvanman You know, I'm going to put this down to a blind spot on my part, but if you're building a bug-out bag, you won't be carrying a lot of water with you, anyway -- a couple of 2-litre bottles and water purification gear is all you can really manage. Your long-term storage should be at your destination. DON'T BECOME A REFUGEE! Have a plan, have two backup plans, have a destination!
clinkerbuilt 1 year ago
@clinkerbuilt thanks for the great tip - water I have covered, I think! - will discuss in a future video. I've been slacking on the destination plans - but hope to rectify that shortly. Google maps are excellent for this purpose!
rickvanman 1 year ago
@clinkerbuilt Thanks for the ideas. Purification is no problem if "bugging in" at home - got a Berkey, but away from home will be where the issues lie. Have gone for the portable purification option, but it's limited to a certain number of fills. have discovered that baby's sterilising solution is a pure & cheap source of sodium hypochlorite.
rickvanman 1 year ago
@m6pcg see my video titled " Prepared #1 - Storing Water - Basics " - it talks about this very subject :o)
rickvanman 1 year ago
Interesting, practical video. Be good to see how you go about the out and about activities in the wilds. Wrapping up warm is going to be important very soon.
minus321 1 year ago
Cool video Rick, useful for campers like myself!
TheMusicMark 1 year ago
hi i have a question if i want to buy agreen scream wich one is bigger 20x-12 or wich one man thanx a lot
lazarotheboss123 1 year ago
Just want to say great job Rick, I'd rather prepare MRE's and bug out bags and NOT need them, then to find myself needing them and not HAVE them like the rest of the masses.
mookixox 1 year ago
@mookixox great comments - thanks :o)
rickvanman 1 year ago
Thank you. Good vid.
Hobohube 1 year ago
@Hobohube thanks :o)
rickvanman 1 year ago
do you do bushcraft also rick bc that would be a great peace of knowledge for urban and wilderness survival
JUSTTHEBEST12 1 year ago
@JUSTTHEBEST12 I want to get into it - finding somewhere to practice it is my biggest issue so far. If anyone has any woods I can practice in, feel free to get in touch :o)
rickvanman 1 year ago
@rickvanman I have some small forests where I live, you're welcome :)
WASDsweden 1 year ago
@WASDsweden Thanks for the offer, was hoping for something a tad more local LOL!
rickvanman 1 year ago
@rickvanman you can come over to the us and use my back woods lol j/k but if you need a knife or axe i can make one for you rick
JUSTTHEBEST12 1 year ago
@JUSTTHEBEST12 excellent offer! thanks :o) have already got a new knife on order - but thanks anyway :o)
rickvanman 1 year ago
@rickvanman your welcome rick and like i said anytime
JUSTTHEBEST12 1 year ago
very good vid. Ive seen alot of yank vids do the same, so its nice to see a UK version. One bit of advice tho, look for the "be good to yourself" ASDA brand pasta packs as they dont require milk and butter like the batchulers version. Keep it up rick, and stay safe bro = )
skywalkeruk84 1 year ago
@skywalkeruk84 Thanks for the tip. DOH! I didn't read the instructions on the pasta LOL! - oh well water will have to do.
rickvanman 1 year ago
@skywalkeruk84 PS I was purposely avoiding the "good for you" type of stuff because I wanted higher calories etc.
rickvanman 1 year ago
Nice.
That's more than a army ration. ;)
Wy do you need MRE's?
Jefftrigwell2 1 year ago
@Jefftrigwell2 They're convenient for my bug out bags.
rickvanman 1 year ago