So I purchased Mainstay and Datrex emergency food rations to compare.

Mainstay is eatable however it seems more compact and I couldn't see myself eating it unless I really was required too. Mainstay is packaged flat (3600) so it stores very easily... the Datrex was in a cube (2400) and had a lot of leftover packaging that would make it harder to store in a backpack or multiples in an army can. (I`m going to order some 3600C datrex when in stock again.)

Datrex Review - AWESOME! It taste good to me (coconut), doesn't make me want to grab a bottle of water, and I can see myself eating some in front of the TV. Datrex will go in my jeep and camping supplies while Mainstay will go for a backup.

I have not finished an entire package of either but I think to fully review each one I will need to so I can report back thirst problems and or 'bathroom' problems.

Has anyone eaten an entire package of Datrex over a period of a day? Results?

Nitro-Pak Datrex Case: $68
Nitro-Pak MainStay case: $64

So price isn't to different however I got my Mainstay case for around $54 so I would imagine Datrex can be found cheaper as well.

I don't know squat about this stuff but here's my ignorant reaction:

If the Datrex stuff isn't making you thirsty, that means it already has its own moisture, which means it's not maximally dehydrated and therefore doesn't have the highest possible number of calories per pound. That means you need to carry more of it to last for a given amount of time, assuming you have a source of water. So, that's a reason to think Mainstay might be better.

Also, the Mainstay stuff might not taste good, but in a survival situation you won't care. If anything, tasting bad will make it last longer. You're supposed to have just one of those little cubes a day or something like that, a bare minimum to stay alive. The bare minimum means you'll be hungry all the time, just not dying of starvation. The temptation to use up your supplies faster than you need to will be great, so tasting good is not a plus.

While that sounds good it's not really how it works. Mainstay and Datrex both are high energy low protein to prevent thirst not high moisture to prevent thirst.

Realy the Datrex is dryer than the Mainstay! I made a huge mess getting a lil cube out of the Datrex package it shattered and went all over my table. I wasn't being careful but I wasn't being forceful eeither, while the mainstay simply crumpled into a smaller piece and didn't explode all over my table I would think it's composed of more water.

I agree, like I said I could eat both but the Mainstay didn't taste AS good as the Datrex. As I said before I`d use the Datrex in my Jeep and camping stuff as I may need to eat it just because it's there, and if that's the case I`d rather eat the Datrex than the Mainstay. For instance last time we were on the Rubicon my friend's jeep broke, I had enough gear to stay the night and a ration of mainstay. While I new we'd be fine in the morning or that night if we fixed it (we did) once we started getting hungry I would have LOVED to grab a datrex and start eating it with the mainstay I would have put it off (eating). In this situation I new we were leaving it was just a matter of time but if we had to stay I would have WANTED to eat to be comfortable and that is why I will carry datrex.

edit: I did not ONLY have the mainstay wtih me, I`m simply saying it was the only 'emergancy' food I had, and by the time my extra sandwhich was gone the datrex would have been nice to eat while working

I've gone several days on Mainstay. I kinda like them! Seriously. <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

I tried Datrax- both my wife and I detest coconut, so it wasn't acceptable.

I slosh that other essential item of food kit- tobasco sauce on mine. One look and fellow survivors right flipped cessnas with a burst of superhuman adrenalin, remember the cellpones in their pockets and start being proactive in their rescue <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

I had some datex cubes for lunch, they held me over tell dinner and no ill effects I could see yet.

I would be quite surprised if you had any ill effects unless you have a medical condition for which you require a special diet. I don't know what you usually eat but I eat mildly healthy meals usually (no excess sugar, carbs, sodium, fat or cholesterol) and based on the igedients list on my Mainstay rations I'd say they are about the healthiest thing I eat. Granted they are designed for survival and specifically short term survival, which is why they contain little fiber and almost no protein. I have never gone for more than a few days on Mainstay and water alone, but I think with a protein supplement like whey and a good source of fiber like spinach to keep the plumbing functioning well (a diet of mainstay and water makes for a lot fewer BMs than a normal diet), I could probably go a lot longer. Don't know that I'm gonna try it but if I did you fine folks would be the first to know. <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Just a quick tip and warning on storing these survival bars.

I used to keep a several of these in my vehicle kits for emergencies. (I think it was Datrix. It was a hard, thick, square block in a vacuum packed silver pouch).

During a routine check of my kits I found that the vibration from the vehicles caused the foil packaging to wear through, exposing small holes in the package and compromising the air tight seal. The bars may or may not have been edible, but a rancid or rotten survival bar is less than worthless. After this I started putting the bars in heavy duty ziplock freezer bags. I then double bagged each bar to prevent the friction and rubbing that will damage the foil container.

Don't ever assume that you are safe just because you put together a preparedness kit. I've made plenty of mistakes and found numerous problems just by making routine checks of all my kits. I'll share some of my blunders in future posts.

Cheers, TR

Me too! YUCK!!!

I really like Mainstay, a bit like a Sandy(a cooke that is VERY grainy and crumbly) with a LITTLE suger added... I could eat them for snacks, except for the fact that I would gain a LOT of weight!
Though it fills you up so much, that you MIGHT be able to use it to loose weight...I wander if I should experment???

Mainstay makes a special version with lots of protein, but it is not sold as survival food, because you have to have more water to eat it.

It is sold for relef programs...
You first ship in the regular Mainstay for the first week or so, untill you can insure a stedy water supply, then you send in the high protein Mainstay for the months that follow...It is expecially important to get childred on the High protein stuff as soon as possible, because the need a LOT more than an adult to avoid long term developmental problems.

I have some OPENED Mainstay bars that have been in my car for over 4 months in 95degF heat(in the shade! The inside temp is usually WAY over 105degF). I am planing on opening it up and trying it in another month or so(say a prayer for me...) <img src="/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" />

I was told that AFTER opening, that it is good for weeks(I THINK that is what they said!)

This experment was NOT planned... I just found some that I had opened and used half of, and forgot it was in the car.
It has been in a Glad ware soup & Salad container all this time and a lot of it in the back window in the sun, so this should be a pretty good test...
I will report as soon as I get the courage to open the container and smell it <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

I have heard of the mainstays with protein but never found a vendor that sells them to the general public. <img src="/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />

Anyone ever think of making their own survival food?

There are plenty of readily available ingredients to work with (Total cereal, nut butters, dehydrated fruits, etc).

I've made some very special ranger cookies out of rolled multi grains, total cereal, flax seed, raisins, dates, tahini, coconut, and flour. They lasted about 3 months and were gobbled up every time I took a batch in to work. I figured three or four 4 ounce cookies a day were enough to get by on. They were better with a large glass of cold milk, or some hot coffee or tea <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Then of course there's the two year old pemmican balls that just keep going, and going, and going... I estimated about 5,000 calories at least in each of those 8 oz balls, though I'd be hard pressed to consume one at a sitting (too much fat normally). Huckleberries sure make a difference in those things.

Still, I may have to give those ration bars a try. Back in Baghdad, we get "Hooah" bars at the DFAC, which is just a high energy highly viscous carb bar with a enough fat mixed in to keep it fluid (think cookie dough consistency). They have apple and chocolate. They don't seem to change consistency regardless of the temp. Go figure. They ain't bad, but I'd get tired of eating them after the third one. Got a few in the BOB, along with a supply of jerky and some vitamins.

>I have some OPENED Mainstay bars that have been in my >car for over 4 months in 95degF heat(in the shade! The >inside temp is usually WAY over 105degF). I am planing on >opening it up and trying it in another month or so(say a >prayer for me...)

You are a braver man than I. Keep us posted. It really is a good experiment since to foil packaging on these bars is so vulnerable to wear and tear.

TR