reThinkSurvival.com

One Problem I’ll Bet Almost NOBODY has Considered for Bug Outs in the Summer Heat

The other day I spent the entire day outside doing a bunch of different things from landscaping to cleaning out the garage and plenty of other random stuff. In fact, I felt like I was running around like a chicken with my head cut off. 😉 Because it was hot and fairly muggy out that day (aren’t most days in the midwest?) I felt I was prepared for the day as I wore loose-fitted clothing, a hat, sunscreen, and had plenty of water breaks too.

But, you know what I wasn’t ready for? And it didn’t actually hit me until that evening? Chafing! Also known as “saddle sores” they become quite unpleasant, so much so that if I had to walk a long distance later that night such as on a bug out I would have been VERY unhappy. Now, it’s not like I haven’t had this problem before. It’s just that it has never dawned on me as being relevent to prepping.

Granted, I probably could have taped some large gauze to my legs or even ripped up an old shirt to make do but where’s the fun in that? I know runners and cyclists have this problem and began looking for a solution.  I originally found a page that referenced several home remedies, including Noxema, Vagisil, Preparation H, Tea Tree Oil. Honestly, I’m not sure I would want to use any of those besides maybe the Noxema. I then found another page that discussed using petroleum jelly, other medicated ointments (didn’t specify which ones), baby powder, and cornstarch. Ok, now we’re getting closer.

I was hoping to find something similar to gauze that would–ideally–just velcro on or something but no luck thus far. I did find anti-chafing tape but that seemed to be geared towards marine (boat) use. A bit more research and I wound up opting for anti-chafing gel because it seems to be geared for keeping lubricated yet not being sticky or slimy and it’s not too costly:

My biggest concern with stocking anti-chafing gel is that I keep our primary bug out bag in our car and I doubt this stuff would last very long in the relentless heat. So, any ideas here? I’d love to hear of a better solution.

Posted in

by

Damian Brindle

Discover the 5 Minute Survival Blueprint course and get yourself prepared fast, easy, and inexpensively! It’s my gift from one prepper to another. 🙂

Comments

17 responses to “One Problem I’ll Bet Almost NOBODY has Considered for Bug Outs in the Summer Heat”

  1. the almighty crunt

    Every Summer when I first mow my yard and sweat a lot I get, as the old timers call it, “galded”. Never fails. Any diaper rash medication esp. those with mostly zinc oxide will take care of that problem. Just takes that one time. The rest of the Summer my thighs are fine.

    Reply
  2. TexasScout

    I have gone to Boy Scout Summer camp in the blistering hot South Texas Sun for the last 19 years. I have tried it all. This year, I found that Gold Bond has a new product. It’s called Gold Bond “Friction Defense” http://www.goldbond.com/friction-defense.html

    This stuff works WONDERS! One swipe on each side of the “boys” each morning and I had no problems in the heat (every day over 100) It’s not cheap, I think I paid $5.46 at Walmart, but this stuff works!

    Some great things to try AFTER you have already got “the rosies” or “The John Wayne Walk” are:

    The best stuff: Boudreaux’s Butt Paste (look in the baby section) This stuff looks like oatmeal with Vaseline mixed in, but it will fix you right up.

    Plain o’l Vaseline if you have nothing else.

    Gold Bond powders (gold and green if you REALLY want light em’ up!)
    But don’t put them on until you take a shower and dry off and are about to go to bed. The just make a mess during the day and really don’t work that well.

    Reply
    1. millenniumfly

      Sounds good, TexasScout. Thanks!

      Reply
  3. MikePhila

    Haha! It was one of the first things i put in to my BOB. Its also in my gethome bag, and one in the car. I have big legs and always struggled with chaffing. This stuff is gold. Without it id be a hurting puppy.

    Reply
  4. Rev. Dr. Michael E Harris

    I have used Anti-Monkey Butt powder for years to prevent chafing. The powder can be found anywhere you find supplies for motorcyclists or equestrians. The original powder is talc, calamine, and scent. This comes in the yellow container. The newer, female powder in the pink container has a different scent. The stuff for kids uses cornstarch instead of talc.

    Monkey butt is redness (primarily) and chafing due to friction. The powder does prevent most of the problem on the really nasty days–I live in the Jersey Pine Barrens where temperature and humidity are almost the worst in the country. Even the local hardware store sells it. Most of the people who buy it are motorcyclists.

    I also switched from briefs to boxer briefs–this helps a great deal, but I will not give up my AMB powder.

    Reply
  5. carol

    Monkey Butt.. powder. best so far

    Reply
    1. Ron

      That’s one I’ve been meaning to try.

      Reply
  6. Ron

    I’ve worked outside almost all my life. Year round. The Gold Bond powder is really good, but the best thing is to keep sweat salts and dirt from building up in the delicate areas. Wash yourself with soap and water if possible, otherwise use wipes. And don’t overuse them. Change for a fresh one often. Then when completely dry, apply the Gold Bond powder. Sprinkle a little in your underwear and in the underarm area of your shirts. It really helps. Also, after a few hours of heavy sweating, if you can also change your undergarments, that will help a lot! Gold Bond Powder and good diaper rash ointment is part of our kits. Oh, and don’t think that this is only a Summer malady. If you find yourself working hard in heavy clothes (something like splitting firewood in cold weather), it can be just as bad. Or you may need to go a long period of time before having clean undergarments. After all, we are preparing for the known as well as the unknown.

    Reply
  7. white.buffalo {Doug}

    I am quite sure I will get back many-many comments on this recommendation ….. but, for the issues you have described – I have used “Bag Balm” for many years (as far back as I can remember = some 60 plus years) —- I know it is designed and manufactured specifically for cow’s unique anatomy – but even with the supposed medical issues that have been discussed elsewhere I have never had a reaction or a side effects = all I have ever had are benefits. It can be a bit messy – but, who cares when it is 100 deg.F and you have to be out in it and preventions and/or relief are needed ……….

    Reply
    1. millenniumfly

      Bag balm sounds quite similar to Vaseline and I figured it would be more likely to retain heat but, hey, I’m willing to give anything a shot once. Thanks!

      Reply
      1. JAS

        Bag Balm is probably the one item that every prepper should have in their first aid kit. We use it for everything. When my kids were babies, it was the best diaper rash med around. We put it on any rashes or scrapes we get. It was designed for dairy cows chafed utters and is something like carbolic salve. My wife used to comment that her hands were always so soft when she had the babies around because of the bag balm.

        Reply
  8. Douglas Dickson

    Mitchum Deodorant (unscented), and Gold Bond are in every pack as is toothpaste and floss.

    Reply
    1. T.R.

      Mitchum is great stuff , I live in a 100+ degree climate , it works as good as your going to get , its in my hygiene kit as well . Burn gel ight relieve some of the chafing , works on sweat burns . Stuff for diaper rash might work …..dunno . Combat pants seem to work the best for me , not too tight or too loose .

      Reply
  9. reThinkSurvival

    Awesome! Then you must be in the “almost nobody” category. 🙂 Though I’m
    not sure Gold Bond is the best choice for this problem but have never tried
    it personally.

    Reply
  10. JAS

    Yep, it will get you every time. Here in Florida if you work out side you have to be aware of chafing all the time. One thing I found during my time in the military that helps is to wipe down frequently with baby wipes. During the really hot weather, I wipe down every time I take a bathroom break. Also a little sprinkle of Gold Bond powder when you are done work helps take the edge of any chafing you do have.

    Reply
  11. grayfox114

    I’ve been talking/posting about “swamp ass,” monkey butt, etc for better than a year. It can be as disabling as a gun shot wound. Other ideas? Baby wipes, baby powder, scissors to cut the seams out of undies, as the seams constrict, rub, chafe, etc. Loose clothes and ventilation/air flow are the best bets for preventing chafing, and the problem can be mitigated with the above items. careful, using oily creams and lotions, if they get gritty or dirty you have sand paper on your bod!

    Reply
  12. Kris Philpot

    I have thought of it that’s why I carry Gold Bond Medicated Powder in all my bags. It’s available in a travel size and then I stock it in full size in my preps. I’ve never tried this product before but I like that the Gold Bond is a powder.

    Reply

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *