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Field rations and "Rat Packing"

  • 05-09-2008 6:38pm
    #1
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,021
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    With all the talk of foreign adventures and weekend long stints in the out-doors I thought it might be worth looking at some of the common sense tips, tricks and know how of al-a-carte fine dining on the hoof.

    I'm looking for info as much as being able to provide it myself so post anything you think is useful (but please use lots of detail because that usually where these things fall down).

    Personally (and the first git to make a fat joke gets HK-slapped) I like to pack light if I'm going to be out for a while. trotting up to HRTA might mean fizzy pop and Doritos but out in the woods or hiking the hills these wont do you any good.

    Nuts, seeds and raisens and other dried fruit like Bannana, apricots, goji berries etc are brilliant for energy and also contain the necessary mineral content and metabolic chemicals to release that energy (niacin and thiamine specifically). The handy thing about them is that they contain a huge quantity of energy for weight carried and their bite size nature means they can be happily grazed while on the march without being fiddly.

    Nuts: Try to get the unsalted variety because the ridiculous ammount of salt in the salted/dry roasted kind will only make you thirsty. There is more than enough salt in them on their own to replace the lost electrolytes from physical exertion.

    I personally do not like meal bars or protein bars because they have a habit of being very glucose heavy. Glucose is a simple sugar which releases energy quickly in to the blood stream. This will boost you for a short period but it leaves you lower afterward which is useless when you need a constant stream of energy. You'll get similar results from sugary sweets and pop and these items can also lead to other problems like headaches, irritability and (where there is too much nutrasweet) Montezumas revenge.

    Having a flask with a hot brew in it helps too. Tea, hot-chocolate, coffee, ribena whatever floats your boat. It's less about the nutritional value than the morale effect. When its bucketing down, your boots are full of water, you can't feel your toes and your fingers are like rubber - a warm cup of milky coffee or thick ovaltine can really go a long way to alleviating the desire to throw yourself under a bus.

    I asked in here about a year ago if anyone had any tips for footcare and the best one I got was when you have new boots or you'll be walking long distance wear two pairs of socks. One thin pair against your skin and one thick pair over it as a cushion agaisnt the boot. It really helps to reduce the blistering and pain new boots and long walks can cause.

    Oh ... and avoid steel-caps like the plague.

    Anyone got anything to add?


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Comments

  • Closed Accounts Posts: 4,469 weeder
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    http://www.be-well.co.uk/products_military_rations.php

    had a couple of these at home, gonna be used for my next overnight airsoft outing


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 3,715 marco murphy
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    Excellent post :)


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,984 NakedDex
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    Easily carried and consumed caffeine products. My personal favourite are these ones.
    The other thing I'd recommend heartily are isotonic drinks. You can buy them ready made (like Lucozade sport) or in powder form. There's also an isotonic gel which does work but tastes a bit mucky unless you get a good brand, they're also bloody easy to carry a handful.

    Go to a good camping store, get yourself a Swedish firesteel and some maya-sticks. Head to a supermarket and get some cotton wool or tampons (stay with me here). The easiest way in the world to start a fire when out camping are with these. Tampons are just compacted cotton wool. Because of this, they're easy to carry a couple of. Pull them apart a bit, strike them with the firesteel and watch how quickly they catch fire. Put your maya-sticks (a type of wood that has a highly flammable sap, handily precut and packaged) over the fire as tinder and then gradually add your bigger twigs and scrub. Nothing in the world raises spirits more when camping than a decent fire.
    Be sure to surround the fire with stones to prevent tinder and embers escaping.

    If there's a stream nearby, soak your feet in it before you crawl into your sleeping bag. Initially your feet will be freezing because of it, but when you get back into the sleeping bag, your feet will warm up considerably and act like hot-water bottles, heating the whole sleeping bag in the process. Keeps you nice and toasty.

    Pedamed foot powder. The last thing you want is a lovely athletes foot infection from trudging around in sweaty boots all day and night.

    Ladies and gentlemen of the class of '97;
    Wear sunscreen...


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 207 Hunter1100
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    At Berget 6 this year both myself and many of the other irish lands used
    24 hour UK rations. Highly recommended your can even eat them cold if necessary
    http://www.flecktarn.co.uk/dpobr1nx.html


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,533 iceage
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    Kit List


    Lets see now….


    1. Clothing: Comfortable shoes/boots trainers will do but won’t stand up to bad weather.

    Above should be in layers i.e. T shirt/thermal, fleece, sweatshirt, outer jacket/smock or waterproof, gloves(easy to remove if it gets too warm)

    2. Decent socks wool if possible-bring spares also a spare shirt/trousers.

    3. Something to carry your stuff in. i.e. rucksack/Bergen framed backpack or daybag. 35ltrs to 70ltrs. No bigger because you will find something to fill it with, and YOU will be carrying it. 35 ltrs is plenty for a short hop.

    4. Something to sleep under. Small tent, Poncho X2 (or bivvie up with a mate. He should have his own basher/poncho and both make an ideal shelter.

    5. Something to sleep in. sleeping bag/bivvie bag depending on climate.

    6. Something to sleep on. Sleep mat/thermarest inflatable mat.(keeps the cold off your back.

    7. Something to cook on, hexamine/meths stove or camp fire.

    8. Something to cook in, mess tins, camp set aluminium or stainless, a cup of some unbreakable material is a must. Eating irons although a spoon on its own usually will suffice.

    9. something to cook!! This may be all too obvious but think of weight, packaging and so on. It must be friable/boilable or edible cold.

    10. Water!! Probably the heaviest item you will carry on a basic hike. Minimum 2 litres Per day. Beauty is the lighter it gets as you go!!

    11. Basic Personal kit: water purification, first aid kit, bog roll, knife/sharp backed blade, matches/fire lighting, navigation i.e. compass/map, gps. good torch(spare batts, also for gps) and mobile phone, anything else you can think of to make your life a bit more comfortable is a bonus! But you will carry it!!

    12. These are just some suggestions as to what you should bring with you and are just the pure basics. Food will be important as are drinks hot and cold. Some high sugar sweets/treats are good to carry but chocolate melts guys so think on. Should the weather turn for the worst waterproofs or wet gear will be needed. All trips and routes must be agreed in advance and details left with someone responsible.

    british Army 24hr rat packs if you can get em, several menus available.
    If in doubt ask Rhinocharge, he sells a version of ratpack worth a look, very good value and easily carried as it if cleverly packed, everything you need calorie wise for a short yomp!:D:D


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,125 amaughan
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    is there any shops anyone knows of in ireland that i can just go in and buy some


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,021 Hivemind187
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    Iceage mentioned something important there.

    BOG ROLL.

    Quite seriously thisi s the one thing everyone forgets and it is, without hyperbole, a pain in the arse when you do.

    However, wet-wipes or baby-wipes are a great substitute. Get the ones with anti-bacterial agents in them since these will cover a lot of eventualties such as hand santisiers, minor wound cleaning, cutlery steralisers as well as for polishing your brasseye.

    ... they are also a lot kinder to hemaroids.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,348 Rhinocharge
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    amaughan wrote: »
    is there any shops anyone knows of in ireland that i can just go in and buy some

    Perhaps Monday there might be.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,984 NakedDex
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    A couple of things to add to my previous post that I forgot to mention.

    Beef jerky. If you can find some decent jerky it has plenty of protein and salts. It'll also keep you chewing so your mouth won't be dry. Plus it tastes the business.

    Underarmour/Canterbury thermal shirts and shorts. They're about 35 for the shirt and 25 for the shorts. Available in cold weather and hot weather versions. Obviously the cold weather one is a thermal insulator, but the hot weather one works in reverse. Both regulate your body temperature nicely and keep you comfortable. They also wick sweat away and dry seriously quickly. I used to use them for playing american football so I can tell you from experience that if you're sloshing around in the cold, wet mud, or running around on a hot, dry day with 40-50lbs of kit on, you'll be glad you invested in them.

    Vaseline (quit making jokes down the back of the class).
    Vaseline is, as you know, petroleum jelly. It's medicinal uses were discovered when oil rig workers were seen to be putting the petroleum residue from the bore onto their cuts and grazes as it accelerated healing. This is exactly why you should carry a small pack of it.
    Put it onto cuts to seal them from infection, onto chapped lips so you don't eat them off when they get all flaky on a windy day, etc. The little handy-tins are available all over the place for about a euro and aren't much bigger than a couple of stacked 2euro coins.

    Wesco Camo Cream.
    Available in army surplus and camping stores. It has insect repellent in it to prevent midgie bites and the like. Put a strip of it under each eye on a bright day (preferably black or brown). It'll cut down on glare, making it easier for you to see.

    While you're in the army surplus store, pick up a first aid bandage kit. They're usually in a sealed cloth-like pouch and contain an antiseptic wipe, some bandage and gauze. It's basic, but it's light, small and all you need to get yourself to a medic station.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,125 amaughan
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    Perhaps Monday there might be.

    wat ya mean by that


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,533 iceage
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    Hmm, also the issue of correct disposal of any waste. food or otherwise, this is an art in its self and would take all night to discuss!;) very important that it is treated correctly, lighting a fire and trying to burn everything or bury it is not always the best solution, or worse still leave it littered all over the place.:mad:


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,021 Hivemind187
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    iceage wrote: »
    Hmm, also the issue of correct disposal of any waste. food or otherwise, this is an art in its self and would take all night to discuss!;) very important that it is treated correctly, lighting a fire and trying to burn everything or bury it is not always the best solution, or worse still leave it littered all over the place.:mad:

    Agreed. And it pisses people off to have to wade through your remnants.

    None too familiar with this but I believe it involves bringing baggies with you, tieing them up tight and having a pouch or pocket reserved in your kit for transport. Ahem.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,478 Chuck the Buck
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    iceage wrote: »
    Hmm, also the issue of correct disposal of any waste. food or otherwise, this is an art in its self and would take all night to discuss!;) very important that it is treated correctly, lighting a fire and trying to burn everything or bury it is not always the best solution, or worse still leave it littered all over the place.:mad:

    Stick it in your pocket and dump it in the helicopter when they rescue you! :pac:


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,216 Ayrtonf7
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    Helecopter xD


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,021 Hivemind187
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    Handy tip:

    You can get clear polythene bags with air valves used for packing clothes for flights. These basically squeeze out all the air in the clothing and reduces its size. It'll save you a hell of a lot of space in your bergen or back pack and will let you keep a whole days clothes fresh and dry separate for the rest of your whiffy/soggy left overs from the day before.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,533 iceage
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    Stick it in your pocket and dump it in the helicopter when they rescue you! :pac:

    Laugh!!!! I spilled my beer!:D


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 4,469 weeder
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    amaughan wrote: »
    is there any shops anyone knows of in ireland that i can just go in and buy some

    SEairsoft have the be-well ones,really tasty and nutritious, worth the money


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,533 iceage
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    Is that Rhinocharges place? He sent me one a while ago. Yummy;)


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,125 amaughan
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    iceage wrote: »
    Is that Rhinocharges place? He sent me one a while ago. Yummy;)

    haha i cant wait i going to end up in a tent after a night game only to wake up to an easy meal ha


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 4,469 weeder
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    indeed it is aye,


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,533 iceage
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    yeah the one i got from Rhinocharge was really tasty, not what I was used to using but a very good replacement. Very straightforward to use, nearly all of it can be eaten hot or cold and to use you just add hot or cold water mix let sit for appropriate time(i would always give it longer) and bobs your uncle!!! he also has a range of menus available chilli con carne was a blast and a real favourite with my son who I has to wrestle to get it off of him.:rolleyes: Give him a shout guys if you fancy some trail food. and very reasonably priced as rat packs go.:)


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,478 Chuck the Buck
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    iceage wrote: »
    Laugh!!!! I spilled my beer!:D

    Laugh? A friend of mine (years ago) got 'rescued' from an island off the west coast and left his rubbish behind him in the copter! :eek:


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,045 OzCam
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    Useful kit for the field (and, just as important, what you don't need)
    http://www.practicalairsoft.co.uk/fieldgear.asp

    Suggestions for what to carry in your webbing and how (modify to suit if wearing a vest)
    http://www.practicalairsoft.co.uk/plce-assembly.asp

    All you ever wanted to know about British rations (so good the Irish army uses them as well)
    http://www.practicalairsoft.co.uk/gp-menu.asp
    ...also contains link to Meals Rejected by Ethiopians info.

    Top UK online store, also contains losts of useful info and advice.
    http://www.surplusandadventure.com

    Bars: I second the recommendation to avoid NutriGrain bars and similar. Most of them contain up to 40% sugar. When the quick boost wears off, you'll crash hard. Instead, go for something like Jordan's bars; less sugar and slower & more sustained energy release. Nature Valley granola bars work great, weigh almost nothing and the Apple Crunch one is tasty.

    For short ops, don't bother with dehydrated foods. You still have to carry or find enough water to reconstitute them. If you can't find ration packs, buy civilian meals in pouches. A really quick & simple meal is a pack of Uncle Ben's Express rice (with veg for a bit of flavour) and a John West tuna with a twist. The rice is parboiled already, just bung it all in a mess tin and boil it up for 2 minutes.

    Baby wipes are an absolute must. You can also use them to remove makeup camo cream ;). Actually, darkening the back of your hands is more tactically useful, especially if you're wearing a mask/scrim/shemagh but no gloves.

    The entire US Armed Forces swear by Tabasco sauce. It makes almost anything edible apparently. I dunno myself, but they can't all be wrong.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,348 Rhinocharge
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    OzCam wrote: »
    entire US Armed Forces swear by Tabasco sauce. It makes almost anything edible apparently. I dunno myself, but they can't all be wrong.

    Having tasted their MRE's, I'd understand why. Hot food tastes like damp cardboard.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,021 Hivemind187
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    OzCam wrote: »
    Nature Valley granola bars work great, weigh almost nothing and the Apple Crunch one is tasty.

    Just be careful A lot of these contain peanut flour and that can seriously ruin your day if you are sensitive or have allergies. I found out the hard way.

    OzCam wrote: »
    The entire US Armed Forces swear by Tabasco sauce. It makes almost anything edible apparently. I dunno myself, but they can't all be wrong.

    I swear by it too. Infact, there are a range of hot sauces out there which work a treat. The hotter the better in some cases as the capcasin in the chilli is a powerful antiseptic and will kill a variety of nasty bugs picked up in the wilderness (DO NOT SMEAR INTO CUTS - it's only going to be a small protection, nothing that will kill salmonella)


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,533 iceage
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    Nice linky Ozcam, defo mucho cracker info! I brought a BA rat pack to work to show a mate, hes now addicted to the fruit biscuits!!!!! can't getenough of them:D


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,533 iceage
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    Just be careful A lot of these contain peanut flour and that can seriously ruin your day if you are sensitive or have allergies. I found out the hard way.




    I swear by it too. Infact, there are a range of hot sauces out there which work a treat. The hotter the better in some cases as the capcasin in the chilli is a powerful antiseptic and will kill a variety of nasty bugs picked up in the wilderness (DO NOT SMEAR INTO CUTS - it's only going to be a small protection, nothing that will kill salmonella)

    Hmm yes, smearing tabaco into open wounds....not my idea of a nice day out for a tab.:eek:


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,045 OzCam
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    Having tasted their MRE's, I'd understand why. Hot food tastes like damp cardboard.

    +1. Some parts of it weren't bad, the heater is nifty, and there's so many preservatives in it it's bound to keep you alive.

    I have it on good authority that some of the newer menus are pretty ok.

    One thing about the Brit ORPs though is that you'll soon get sick of beans if you can't mix up the menus. Not wild about the tin of turkey pate, it's there to make sure you get enough fats I guess. Otherwise they're absolutely top class. The next revision of the hot-weather menus will contain more lemon/orange drink mixes and fewer chocolate/soup mixes. It'll probably be a long time before they're available on Civvie St., if ever.


    Good point, Hive. Always RTFM for these things. Assuming they declare all the ingredients, of course, though the rules are pretty strict now. And rightly so.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,348 Rhinocharge
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    OzCam wrote: »
    The next revision of the hot-weather menus will contain more lemon/orange drink mixes and fewer chocolate/soup mixes. It'll probably be a long time before they're available on Civvie St., if ever.quote]

    Oh I wouldn't say that!!


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,533 iceage
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    Oooooh your a tease Rhinocharge. go on do tell.:D


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,348 Rhinocharge
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    I'm like an eighty year old stripper, I'll reveal my wares slowly.
    You'll have to wait till Monday to see my goodies!! :D


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,341 Fallschirmjager
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    on the whole bogroll thing you can get small packs of baby wipes. they serve a double purpose, if you are fed up, run down, thinking of quitting, a change of socks and jocks after a bit of a wipe down will be the closest to a shower. now if you are all manly and dont want to smell like a Johnsons and johnsons advert, you can get the ones with no perfume. in fact a great one is E45 wipes (only know of superquinn that do these).. you can always put a number of them in resealable plastic bags if you want to reduce the load. now may sound like the type of thing John Wayne would not be impressed with but it works. also a good wet shave works wonders as well and a good brush of the ole teeth.

    it will give you a great lift in morale, will actually wake you up (there is a psychological effect as you are doing your morning sequence) as well.

    for when u are really down have a small bag of your most childish sweeties, the one that make you feel happy....only dole them out as a real treat and promise yourself to eat one if you make the next hours march, give yourself a target when you are knackered. dont forget you will be doing a heavy workout for 24 hours so to avoid the worst headache in the universe dont forget salt tablets or the drinks that include them.

    i have only tasted the US rations once (called MRE) and to be fair they are not bad. they also come with a chemical heater and it gets piping hot in a few minutes and the good news is they have all the energy you need. they are in a bag that fits the pocket on your leg exactly and is in a waterproof bag. the normally come with everything needed so you dont have to go digging about for stuff in your kit. you can eat them cold as they are precooked. the bad news is they are not cheap but they do keep for around 5 years or longer (there is a test on at the moment for how long they maintain vitamins, i think its now up to about 9 years but thats from memory). only place i know that sells them is ebay and as it happens after a hurricane is a good time to check as they are used by the US authorities for emergency rations and normally people sell the surpluses.

    loads of other countries do the same so you might check around. since it looks like we are all beginning these types of events, buying a few might be worth it as they keep for so long...

    now it may sound all a bit much but hell you may as well get into the mood of the thing...


    one final thing, before you eat, use wipes on your hands so remember what your mommy told you about washing your hands -- unless vomit and crapping every 15 minutes for 24 hours is your thing....


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,533 iceage
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    All good sound advise, like our BB's, think Bio-degradable wipes guys, if you use them.;) Ole mother nature is not supposed to smell like Johnson + Johnson;)


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,414 kdouglas
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    I'm like an eighty year old stripper, I'll reveal my wares slowly.
    You'll have to wait till Monday to see my goodies!! :D

    Enough shilling your business please, the other retailers on here dont do it.

    If you want to request a thread in the appropriate sub-forum you can, anywhere else you are just a normal poster and expected to behave as such.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,348 Rhinocharge
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    kdouglas wrote: »
    Enough shilling your business please, the other retailers on here dont do it.

    If you want to request a thread in the appropriate sub-forum you can, anywhere else you are just a normal poster and expected to behave as such.

    Fair enough. I was going to Pm ye on Sunday evening regarding same.


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  • Closed Accounts Posts: 1,099 Tommyboy71
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    I don't know whether it was said or not. Forget packing a wardrobe. You only really need two sets of clothes - one dry, one wet. When you are in the game wear the wet one and when you are tucking yourself up for a kip change into the dry one. The wet one will feel cold and horrible first thing in the morning but it will warm up once you get moving and may dry out (weather dependant). The dry set is so you can have a fairly comfortable nites kip.

    Always have at least two spare pairs of socks with you in a ziploc bag or similar. If you can change your socks as soon as you can after walking into that puddle/stream/boghole/lake it will prevent you feet turning to mush.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 323 birdman 1979
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    You also dont have to waste your money on ration packs. Alot of the stuff you need for going out on the 'ground' can be found in any supermarket. As long as you have a mess tin and a hexi your laughing. Noodles, cup a soups. dried fruit, cereal bars. canned meat balls. The current Irish Army ration packs have all the above in it. Also remember what you pack, you have to carry.;)


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,021 Hivemind187
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    You also dont have to waste your money on ration packs. Alot of the stuff you need for going out on the 'ground' can be found in any supermarket. As long as you have a mess tin and a hexi your laughing. Noodles, cup a soups. dried fruit, cereal bars. canned meat balls. The current Irish Army ration packs have all the above in it. Also remember what you pack, you have to carry.;)

    I've got to agree with this.

    Ration packs are only useful to a massed army which needs to transport a huge ammount of supplies in a compact way without jeopardising longevity. Airsofters - who go home in the evening - dont really suffer this requirement.

    A couple of bottles of water or isotonic drinks and a sandwich is enouogh for a casual skirmishing day with bits and bobs added or subtracted depending on how long you intend to spend in the field.

    Infact you can make your own hard tack by mixing broken peanuts, raisens, dried cherries and cereal with honey and oats, pressing it into small bars and chilling it until set (or baking it for 20 minutes at a low heat). They keep for a couple of days and provide you a pretty decent boost of energy in a compact size when you need it.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,533 iceage
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    Mars bars and fizzy pop!!;)


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,125 amaughan
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    I've got to agree with this.

    Ration packs are only useful to a massed army which needs to transport a huge ammount of supplies in a compact way without jeopardising longevity. Airsofters - who go home in the evening - dont really suffer this requirement.

    A couple of bottles of water or isotonic drinks and a sandwich is enouogh for a casual skirmishing day with bits and bobs added or subtracted depending on how long you intend to spend in the field.

    Infact you can make your own hard tack by mixing broken peanuts, raisens, dried cherries and cereal with honey and oats, pressing it into small bars and chilling it until set (or baking it for 20 minutes at a low heat). They keep for a couple of days and provide you a pretty decent boost of energy in a compact size when you need it.

    thats all well and good for a day skirmish but when you are doing a big event like a 2 ta 3 day thing its better to have rations and adds to the mil sim aspect. i do alot of fishing and normally i bring out big bags or fry up food well when i go for week or weekend sessions.all the stuff needed just for the cooking and camping alone takes 2 or sometimes 3 trips to the car and thats without the fishing gear.rations would make this much much easyer along with not having to cook it i just wish there was somewhere in longford to get them ha


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,341 Fallschirmjager
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    of course you could just use the burger van...at this stage i am guessing they are even in the hindu kush....LOL


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,984 NakedDex
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    Not really, if it was a weekend event you'll want high energy snacks during the day, like isotonic drinks and nut/cereal mixes, and something more substantial in the evening when play has broken. A pack of rashers in a cooler bag with an ice pack along with a hex stove and a metal plate is plenty to satisfy. You don't need to carry much really. And if you're going for an event longer than an overnight/two days, you will most likely move to a safe area where your gear and tent are stored anyway, so ration packs aren't any advantage if you can store some proper grub in your tent for the evenings.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,125 amaughan
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    NakedDex wrote: »
    Not really, if it was a weekend event you'll want high energy snacks during the day, like isotonic drinks and nut/cereal mixes, and something more substantial in the evening when play has broken. A pack of rashers in a cooler bag with an ice pack along with a hex stove and a metal plate is plenty to satisfy. You don't need to carry much really. And if you're going for an event longer than an overnight/two days, you will most likely move to a safe area where your gear and tent are stored anyway, so ration packs aren't any advantage if you can store some proper grub in your tent for the evenings.

    the reason they are so good is space.i do some camping where i might not see my car for days on end and carrying down all the grub needed to supply me for such a lenght of time is not an option for the sheer weight and amount of room needed to hold it the ration packs just seem alot easyer and well i hope there nice too ha.i like the ration packs for skirmishs as the give a great feel to the event i like my games and events as real as possible from a mil sim point of view it gets me in the mood to kill hahahaha


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,984 NakedDex
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    Ration packs are designed fir long term use, ie fir extended periods away from your food source. I can see a use for them on long camping trips, but you'll never be that far away from proper food in any airsoft game. That said, if you're mad enough to enjoy them, tuck in. I'd rather cook something fresh, it builds morale as well as satisfies hunger.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,341 Fallschirmjager
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    its agreed then...all we need is :

    taytos.jpg

    :D


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,533 iceage
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    And don't forget this.
    fizzy_pop_130x173_two.jpg;)


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 14,012 Cuddlesworth
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    A word on socks.

    Thousand mile socks.

    That is all.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,533 iceage
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    Thanks cuddlesworth.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,533 iceage
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    On a rather sensible note, I found this linky, I know not all of it applies but if we decide to spend a night or two out under canvas so to speak, this might give some futher info as how to properly conduct ourselves in the irish countryside. Some handy tips on water courses and what to do/not to do.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,021 Hivemind187
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    iceage wrote: »
    On a rather sensible note, I found this linky, I know not all of it applies but if we decide to spend a night or two out under canvas so to speak, this might give some futher info as how to properly conduct ourselves in the irish countryside. Some handy tips on water courses and what to do/not to do.

    Which linky?


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