Hi everyone,

My interest for preparedness and survival techniques is quite new and I have some questions that I was wondering. BTW excuse my english as my mother tongue is french.

First question: Salt deficiency
I have read in the SAS survival handbook that salt is an essential for human survival. So, do you put salt tablets in your PSK? And is Iodized salt better than table salt or are all table salt iodized anyway? I know that we send iodized salt to some countries in the third world to prevent the IDD (Iodine deficiency disorder) but it's mainly for the Iode, the salt is just the intermediate, the cheapest, easiest and most convenient food to iodize. Do you think that when John Wiseman talks about salt deficiency he's actually talking about iodine deficiency?

Also, I know that an average person can stay alive without drinking water for about three days and with water for about three weeks. But after how long do the symptoms of salt deficiency (dizziness, nausea, tiredness, etc.) should appear and become bad within these three weeks? In other words, to what extent is it important to have salt supplies in your PSK?

Second question: Paracord
Can I order the famous real 7 inner strands Mil Spec. nylon parachute cord with core type III 550 lbs at this website or do they sell the "citizen version"? And where can I order some somewhere else? (While I'm at it, I may as well order a bandana from this store)
http://www.vtarmynavy.com/

And do you know any other good places that you would recommend for buying elite class adventure gear such as Tadgear where I can order from Canada (Québec)?

Thank you
François

Welcome to the forum.
Regarding the salt question: I do not have any facts or figures but I know that the amount of salt needed depends completely on the weather/temperature and the amount you are excerting yourself. For example about a year ago I did a hike with a group with huge heavy bergans on, in hot weather. We all made sure we drank lots of water to stay hydrated. However one of the lads started to go downhill as we reached the end of the hike and when we reached the final destination we had to carry him as he was almost colapsing. This was all due to drinking lots of water and sweating. This just washed all the salt and minerals out of his body. We gave him a strong drink of orange squash with salt and sugar disolved in it.

Hope this helps a bit.

Bonjour, François !

I just want to say, that from my point of view, your english is quite good .... <img src="images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

About salt, I have no answer to your question. When I go for a few days hike, I have in my rucksack some tablets containing vitamins, salts and trace elements, just to compensate for a possibly unbalanced diet and replace salts spent while perspiring.


Alain

Merci Alain... Mais j'ai pris un certain temps à chercher dans le dictionnaire et à tester mes phrases avec google...

À la prochaine <img src="images/graemlins/smirk.gif" alt="" />

Thank you Ditchfield, it does give me a better idea.

François

I've come across sweating / fluid / salt loss problems in (initially) well-hydrated people after as little as running eight miles with a heavy pack. I think (I'm not a doctor) that salt tablets on their own are frowned on now. We use an electrolyte powder. They will have different brands in Canada, but you get them from a pharmacy. What you're looking for is the rehydration powders given to children / adults when they've had diarhoea.

Cheers, Scott

Frankie,

If you are going to intentionally go into a situation where you are going to be sweating heavily, it wouldn't hurt to have some means of replacing your salts. Since you have asked about packing salt in your PSK, though, I assume that you are referring more to a survival situation. In that case, while it wouldn't hurt to have the salts available, I'd be careful about taking them, or about eating or drinking anything salty. The salts are going to make you thirsty, and you may not have the water to spare.

Speaking of having water to spare -- in a survival situation, be sure to do what you can to keep your need for water to a minimum, such as staying as cool as possible, travelling at night (if at all), keeping exertion to a minimum, avoiding drinks that make you lose water (cola drinks, coffee, tea, etc), watching what you eat, etc.

If you still wish to pack something for salt replacement, and can't find a suitable electrolyte replacement powder, or if the powder is more expensive than the salt tablets, I'd suggest just packing a few of the tablets. They won't kill you. As a last resort, you could pack some table salt (iodized would be better than plain), but you run the risk of taking too much at once and making yourself vomit. If that happens, you'll dehydrate yourself even more.

As for the paracord, you should be able to find the real thing without a lot of trouble. There are many places from which you can order it either online or by phone. One of my favorites places is Brigade Quartermasters. I have ordered many of their products, and have been very satisfied. Their service is excellent. I also like Cheaper Than Dirt. I have never ordered anything from them, but they have a good selection, and their prices are quite good.

http://www.frc.mass.edu/bbraate/packlite/water.htm Barbara discusses ways to avoid heat exaustion and salt depletion. Earlier forum posts discuss various electrolyte powders and "sports"drinks.

]Frankie[

I prefer to buy from BQM, paracord from Hope Global as the outer sheath is tightly wound on the inner strand.

The BQM inhouse paracord sheath is very loosed.

HTH.

Thank you for the link. I will read it.

François