72 Hour Kit Revisited- Solar Power Cell Phone Charger

I revisited our 72 hour kit this past week.
It had been a little too long, mostly because of the basement remodel.
It was disassembled, then reassembled with new things.
Luckily most everything in the kit was still good, the only replacement items I needed were food items, water, and sunscreen because it had also expired.
I went ahead and added some more cash too, because I had some left over from a recent vacation.

It really only took about 20 minutes at the store and home to collect new items and place them in our backpack.

The one thing I don't have in my bag yet is this

A solar charge for (most any) cell phone.

I found this
one on Amazon. It is the best rated charger and at only $29.99, maybe I should just go ahead already. The biggest complaint consumers have with it is that solar power- in general will only charge your phone to about 50%.
But hey my phone is usually only 50% charged anyways because I always forget to plug it in at night and let it go for three days without charging.
Most the reviews of the charger are glowing!
Also it can use solar power, or be plugged in to any computer to get power- two options is always better than one in an emergency.
It also has an LED light that people raved about too as an extra.





How about any of you?
Do you have a solar power charger for your cell phone?
Do you have one for your car and one for your 72 hour kit.... like I want.

Wise Foods

The kind folks over at Wise Foods sent me some free samples to review for you.
Neatly packaged to my door came a 2 serving cook in package sample of their outdoor meal Chicken Ala King and a 4 serving long term storage packet of Cheesy Lasagna.

The kids and I decided to try out the Chicken Ala King for lunch this week.
Here is how simple it is to make.
Step 1: Open Package and remove oxygen absorber
Step 2: Pour 2 cups of boiling water in.
Step 3: Re close pouch and let stand for 8-1 2minutes.
Step 4: Eat
What did you think kids?

They loved it!
I mean the really loved it.
It may have well as been chocolate chip cookies.
And we were not even camping of hungry during and emergency.
I imagine they would liked it more than chocolate chip cookies if that were the case.

Other than my children will eat it here is what I like about their company.

1. Prep- I can prepare the foods in the package with hot or cold water. This means all I need a way to get hot water and we are eating in under 12 minutes.

2. Retail- You can purchase their products online here. Or at several local retail shops. I love this option. I love being able to pick up food storage products while I shop for groceries.

3. Size and Weight- a one year supply for 1 adult weighs only 60 lbs. An entire years supply for our family of four would fit in about the space a washer and dryer takes up.

4. Cost- On average their foods cost about $2.00 a serving. This is pretty comparable especially when you consider the average calorie count of a meal is almost 250 calories.

5. Storage- Each meal comes packaged in a four serving pouch. Leaving the rest of the food still sealed up tight for long term storage. I always hate it when we open a #10 can and then have to have green beans with every dinner all week.


What I can see myself purchasing.

1. They have a 60 entree bucket. with these meals below included for $135. Three of these would fit in with our storage nicely.

• Stroganoff (8)
• Creamy Chicken Pasta (8)
• Cheesy Macaroni (8)
• Chicken Ala King (8)
• Chicken Teriyaki (8)
• Southwest Beans and Rice (8)
• Beef Teriyaki and Rice (8)
• Cheesy Lasagna (4)

I don't see us outfitting ourselves with an entire year supply of Wise Food pouches. But I think having some would be useful. I can see us using it in emergency after eating down the 3 month pantry and before we start digging into our #10 cans and wheat. I think they could be nice transitional meals between the gourmet 3 month pantry and the more long term food storage. Even then we would not eat it for every meal. Just dinner. Which is why I like the entree only packages.

2. 72 hour Emergency Meal Kit for $39

I would love three of these. One entire kit for the 72 hour kit and one entire kit for each car. I love the cook in the bag option. I could take out the mess kit in our 72 hour kid, which would free up a little space. Plus these seem some how more appropriate to eat than only soups and spaghettios.

What do you think?
Have you tried their products?
Have you seen them in a store near you?

Do you want to try them?
Go here for your free sample
Then come back and tell me what you think.

Also if you are looking for a group discount or perhaps a price break on shipping for an order you can talk to this guy.

Tony Smoot

Wise Foods Inc.
801-677-1077 office
435-730-2118 cell
tsmoot@wisecompanyus.com
www.wisefoodstorage.com

he may just be able to help you out.

Giveaway!!!

Remember how the Preparedness Pantry has the best giveaways. I know that I post about them almost every week, but who doesn't love trying for free stuff. This week they are featuring a personal emergency kit with MRE's. It has a wonderful assortment of MREs (including MRE heaters) and basic provisions for water, shelter, light, warmth and more. This kit is designed to be compact and efficient, allowing you to easily carry it in the provided backpack in an emergency. The retail for $97.55- what a great prize. I also love how they always mark down their giveaway item so that if you are the winner you don't have to pout to much. You can get your own- if the randomness of blog winning doesn't pick you- for $69 this week here.
You could always make your own instead too.

Preparedness meets Main Stream Fashion

I guess I haven't looked at an L.L.Bean catalog in a while. They have some very nice stuff, and not for wearing, I actually can picture myself wearing any of their clothes. I mean for 72 hour kits.
It doesn't get more high end than a stainless steel canteen with your name on it.
Or how about this solar hybrid flashlight in a variety of hot colors.
This solar/ crank light radio looks better than any other I've seen, and it does not even cost that much more.
I love when I find emergency preparedness stuff in a place I just didn't expect. If
L. L. Bean has water bottles on the cover of its catalog for the holidays- I say being prepared must be SOOO hot right now.

72 Hour Kits

Disaster Survival Kit and contents

Today's project- 72 hour kits- or really a natural disaster survival kit. I used the space for other things instead of putting all the diapers and clothes we would need for 72 hours because I have an emergency diaper bag for the kids in my car at all times with wipes, diapers, socks, clothes, drinks and kid food. I also have blankets, the first aid kit, and flares in my car as well instead of in this kit.

I had made us a 72 hour kit a few years ago when Hurricane Katrina came. At the time I was not working and had all day to watch the news coverage. It prompted me to make the 1st version of this which we kept next to our front door. We wanted to be ready- but mostly because we had no choice- our house was very small after all. I packaged everything in this great soft backpacking backpack I purchase from Out N Back before I went to China. It works perfectly and cost me $25 at one of their super sales. I like the large backpack for storing everything in because although it is heavy- it is the most portable it could be.

I decided to re-evaluate the kit and our needs in my current preparedness obsession. Then we were two healthy hardly twenty year olds who could have likely survived without shelter or food for three days regardless of the kit. Now we have to small children. I had a ton of stuff already- including all the first aid stuff and most the disaster supplies, but I added a few new things- mostly kid stuff, and all new food since the other stuff had all expired. This ended up costing me more than the other projects so far. About $100 and about two hours of time. I think if you had to start from scratch the project would take double the money and time.
All the items barely fit inside the backpack. I just used freezer bags to pack everything and keep it water proof.

Resources
http://www.ready.gov/america/index.html
http://www.providentliving.org/channel/0,11677,8033-1,00.html

Food and Cooking
One Mess Kit
Plastic spoons
dish soap
1 gal water
dehydrated apples
Large Beef jerky
3 servings instant pasta
Large Trail Mix
3 pediasure ready made drinks
6 servings dehydrated chili
6 serving dehydrated soup
6 servings instant oatmeal
4 servings hot chocolate
2 cans soup
crystal light packet- for water flavoring
water purification tablets aprox 4 quarts (should get some more)
I would also like to get some high calorie energy bars

Personal Hygiene
sunscreen
bug repellent
contact case and solution
razor
shampoo
hand soap
lotion
chapstick
toothbrushes and paste
hair bands
comb
maxi pads
nursing pads
diapers and wipes for both kids
Lysol spray
toilet paper
Clorox wipes
Germ- x

First Aid
packet distilled water
80 band aids various sizes
8 gauze dressings
large wound dressing
6 butterfly band aids
20 alcohol prep pads
20 antiseptic towelettes
3 iodine prep pads
3 insect relief pads
tape
4 finger splints
splinter removers
neosporin
blistex
4 doses antacid
3 electrolyte tablets
4 non aspirin tablets
instant cold pack
q-tips
10 latex gloves
tweezers
scissors
blessing oil
first aid guide
thermometer
super glue
respirator masks
sting/bite relief stick
Most of this came in a ready made kit I purchased, I am debating whether or not I should take it out and give the space to something else, since I have an even better kit in my car already.
I should probably add some infant fever reducer too

Disaster Supplies
firestart
lighter
6 boxes of matches
leather work gloves
collapsible shovel
compass
magnifying glass
whistle
leatherman
8 glow light sticks
reflective tape
duct tape
citronella candles
two flashlights battery operated
4 D batteries 8 AA batteries
crank flashlight
4 rain ponchos
4 emergency blankets
50 ft poly cord
pocket knife
pen
paper
trash bags
tarp

I haven't been able to buy a crank radio for sale so I ordered this one.

Comfort Items
money- bills and quarters
Book of Mormon
Playing Cards
Bubbles
Small stuffed animals
crayons
candies
hot wheels cars
army men
toy whistle

Again if you have any ideas for something you think I left out leave a comment.



Closer Look 72 hour kit contents


In the end it looks like it would not have cost much more to buy this pre-made kit for four people, although of course I enjoyed doing the project and it is more personalized to our family.

Deluxe 72 Hour Emergency Survival Kit- 4 Person - $ 116.00 The Deluxe 72 Hour Emergency Survival Kit includes: Adult Size Backpack (Nylon) Light Stick, 12 Hour (Green) Plastic whistle with Lanyard 33 Piece First Aid Kit Duct Tape, 50 yards 14 in 1 pocket tool 3-way Can Opener, 1 pair Radio, Flashlight, Siren C Size batteries x2 4x Solar Blanket 4× 2400 Calorie Food Ration (5 year shelf life) Water Pouch x 40 (5 year shelf life) 4x Emergency Poncho 4x N95 Respirator mask Bio Hazard Bag x2 Work Gloves, Leather Palm Waterproof Matches, box of 50 Slow Burning Emergency Candles 2 Gallon Water Bag