Wild Alaskan Salmon Oil by TerraMax (Review)

#TerraMaxPro Wild Alaskan Salmon Oil helps relieve skin troubles for my 2 little dogs, who have allergies as is common for small breeds (white Mini Schnauzer & a Border Terrier/Pug/Weiner/Who Knows What). They love it! My 3rd dog, a young black & red German Shepherd working dog, loves it too; I give it to him to help keep his coat healthy.

The 16-ounce bottle comes sealed and a pump is provided. It arrives in a heat-sealed bag for extra protection. The bottle provides company contact information, as well as how to sign up for their VIP club for coupons & discounts. Sample was provided for evaluation.

http://www.amazon.com/Premium-Alaskan-All-Natural-Omega-3-Supplement/dp/B01BFPIETM/

 

Anti-Signal Faraday Bag (Review)

Anti-Signal Faraday Bag by RMS Unlimited Goods (Product Review)

This is a Faraday bag meant to hold just 1-2 small devices. I was able to place two cell phones inside it, or one Baofeng radio (FRS/GMRS, in a nutshell, a walkie talkie) minus the antenna.

The bag basically stops signals from entering its enclosure. Some use them to store their devices in case of an EMP, while others use them on occasion to protect against electric currents and discharges. If there's a lightning strike, the current would travel around the outside of the bag, but not inside.

I tested the RMS Faraday bag by placing my daughter's phone in the bag, folding the top over twice as instructed, and sealing it with the Velcro. I called her phone several times but none of the calls went through. I called again immediately upon removing the phone from the bag; my call was received right away.

I repeated the same test but with my son's phone inside, and had the same results. The same outcome occurred when I placed my own phone in the Faraday bag. Three phones all provided consistent results for this product.

This is a well-made item, very sturdy, that seals well. It has two vinyl windows where you could place some sort of identification as to what the item is inside the bag. This would be especially helpful if you have more than one Faraday bag of the same size.

I was provided this item for evaluation purposes.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01KKJWFN0

#rmsidtheft

Merytes Portable Binoculars (Review)

This is my first set of portable binoculars. I honestly didn't expect a whole lot, given both the size and the price point. I do have another pair of binoculars but they are a standard size and from a well-known brand. To my surprise, these little cheapies actually knock the socks off the brand-name ones.

The binoculars are made by Merytes. They are 10x25 (magnification is 10x, object diameter of 25mm). They weigh only 7 ounces (.44 lb or 200 grams). They have a strap so you can wear them around your neck, but you can detach them as well.

There is a dial in the middle for large adjustments, and a fine-tuner on the right eyepiece. It is also high definition. The clarity is outstanding, far beyond what I expected for such inexpensive binoculars.

They also come with a cleaning cloth, carrying bag with a belt loop, and instructions (printed in multiple languages), and have a one year warranty. They do a beautiful job. If there is a SHTF situation, I will definitely include these in my BOB.

Item was provided for evaluation purposes.


 

https://www.amazon.com/Binoculars-10x25-Portable-Definition-Merytes/dp/B01DF02UTA/ref=sr_1_31?ie=UTF8&qid=1475142596&sr=8-31&keywords=binoculars

#PortableBinoculars

Atchison Chemical Spill, Bugging Out

With all the national issues going on, we must not forget to pay attention to what is going on right in front of us as well. What happened in Atchison, KS, is an excellent reminder of being aware of businesses, plants, etc, as much as humanly possible, in your area. We live 3-4 miles from a canning factory, and many of my neighbors aren't even aware of its existence. Accidents happen. Hopefully when they do, they will be small; however, if something large-scale occurs, it may require evacuation. This is why a BOB is a priority. If you don't already have one, it is not something to think about starting next year. This is a priority. http://offgridsurvival.com/need-bug-plan-atchison-ks-hit-chlorine-chemical-spill/

Universal Rifle Bipod (Review)

Universal Rifle Bipod by Tworld (Review)

When handling the bipod for the first time, it instantly feels insecure. The shoulder joints where the legs mount to the rifle mount are loose. The rifle mount itself will fit either picatinny or weaver style mounts but is way too small. It is roughly 1/3 the size of other inexpensive bipods that are effective.

When mounted to a rifle, the mount does not give a positive feel. It is hand tighten only and cannot get tight enough to be supportive. The release mechanism to draw the legs down under the rifle is stiff and noisy and does not give a positive grab. When the legs are rotated down, they still rotate slightly and flex greatly, disallowing a positive shot.

The height adjustment is a challenge: you have to unscrew a tension thread, and then pull on the foot to get the spring to release, as it will not release on its own despite heavy oil from the factory. Putting the legs away is more difficult than getting them out.

I have never seen a bipod in this condition before. I would not put this on a BB gun, let alone my rifle. I really hope the one I received was just a lemon, and not all customers are being sent ones like this. Very disappointing.

Product was provided for evaluation purposes.

https://www.amazon.com/Tworld-Universal-Adjustable--t-i-n-n-y-Accessory/dp/B01G28LXEU/ref=sr_1_1?m=AVL2R3AO02KGQ&s=merchant-items&ie=UTF8&qid=1468897326&sr=1-1

#riflebipod

Trauma Kit (Review)

CAT Tourniquet, Israeli Bandage, Emergency Blanket from Lia Medical (Review)

I helped form the local community emergency response team, my main position being to advise on putting together bug out bags and medical kits. The items in this kit from Lia Medical are all ones I strongly suggest to include in all emergency kits, and are ones I keep in my own BOB (bug out bag). I have two teenagers in high school and still needed a few things to finish up the emergency kits they keep in their backpacks at school, and this looked like an excellent deal opportunity to do just that.

The Lia Medical kit comes with a CAT (combat applied) tourniquet, an Israeli bandage, and an emergency blanket. The three items arrive in a resealable pouch, though each is also wrapped individually as well. The Israeli bandage, also known as a trauma bandage, is kind of like an elastic bandage with a gauze pad attached; the gauze has clotting granules in it so that if you suffer a wound and are bleeding profusely, such as from a bullet or stab wound, the Israeli bandage can buy you enough time to get to emergency medical care. The green package the bandage comes in has instructions on how to use it, with illustrations included. The CAT tourniquet has a small slip with instructions. The emergency blanket is self-explanatory.

I opened the CAT tourniquet and the Israeli bandage and placed them on my daughter (carefully, as the Israeli bandage is really only meant to be used once so as to not be torn on the V-notch). These are very well-made items and I am quite comfortable with anyone in my family carrying these in their kits, even my teens keeping them in their packs in case of emergency at school. No one likes to think of something bad happening, but I would rather have these and not need them than something happen and not have them.

Product was provided for evaluation purposes. 

http://amzn.to/2cqquLx

#LiaMedical

Tactical Backpack (review)

Tactical Backpack by Gonex (Review)

The Tactical Backpack Extendable Functional Backpack, by Gonex is a large pack, with a 45L capacity in the main section and another 15 in the smaller packs, putting it at a full 60L. The material is very durable at 900D. The stitching is excellent. It does have Molle strapping in some locations. The best Molle spots are in my opinion where the removable packs have been placed.

The removable packs are attached quite well. There are ton of straps on this pack, maybe even too many. With all the extra length on the straps, there is no elastic capture to keep them from just flailing, so it rather looks like you are carrying a bag of straps. There are two included Molle strapped pouches on either side that add more side to the pack. The small pack on the lower of the front has four pockets: one large, three small. The big one has a separator inside; it has a strap included if you want to remove it and wear it as a shoulder pack. The strap is wide and the ends have both not only Velcro but they have a snap in the middle of the Velcro, so it stays secure. It can also be worn as a fanny pack. The two pouches on either side are one big dump pouch. One thing of note was the removable packs on the sides, though strong, really should to have straps on the back side so they can be weaved through in order to be more secure.

Starting on the front of the pack, the outer edge, the thin narrow strip of Molle strips and a nice Velcro spot where you can put your own patch is a nice touch. The main pack has two zippers. The first zipper has a smaller container with a webbed separator. The larger container is extremely big and has a solid separator, which would be great for a laptop. There are no openings for either a hydration pouch or earphones. The back padding is not removable or replaceable.

Moving to the outside of the pack on the rear, there are three very thick large pads to separate from your back to help keep you cool. The shoulder straps are the biggest weak point. They are thin and the padding is crunchy. The straps have two heavy duty plastic D-rings. The movable chest strap has a buckle which includes an emergency whistle. The backpack does include a belly band to help keep it in place. The top of the pack also has two heavy duty plastic D-rings. The handle is very well-stitched.

All of the Molle webbing is MilSpec to allow components to be attached. The zippers are large and heavy duty, metal and a bit noisy, but easy to pull if you have gloves on. The cordage which extends the zipper pulls is not high quality and will likely wear out quickly. The zippers are covered for protection in the rain, but not overly as to get in the way. All of the plastic buckles have the company name in Chinese but since it is imprinted in the material, it does not really stand out. There are two large nylon loops on the bottom of the pack that I can easily see hooking on a bed roll down there.

This is definitely the best pack we have from this price class. It is strong and well-made. I would have no problem trusting this on our next local call-out or family outing.

I received this item at a discounted price or free for evaluation purposes. I have no affiliation with the manufacturer of the product or the seller of the item, and I do not receive any financial compensation. I rely on reviews when I make my own purchases. I aim to help other customers by providing thoroughly written reviews; I hope the information provided is helpful in some way.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01JOOFATI

#backpack

Emergency Water Filter (Boston Fortis Explorer Pro)

Compact Emergency Water Filter (Review)

My husband and I recently received the Boston Fortis Explorer Pro. We didn't just put it with our gear; we thoroughly tested it so we could share the results with you, as always.

This is a compact filter, so it is easy to transport. If in an emergency situation, it is ideal to stash in a BOB (bug out bag), as every inch and every ounce counts. In this case, the filter is 6.6 x 3.1 x 1.8 inches and only weighs 9 ounces. It comes with a thick drawstring pouch and a decent set of instructions. Boston Fortis even managed to squirrel away a few survival goodies into their water filter: a whistle, flashlight (surprisingly bright), compass, miniature knife, and a flint. The whistle and flashlight are incorporated into the pump, while the compass is along the top where the tubing comes out. The knife and flint are built flush into the base.

Due to our desert region's monsoon drawing to a close, we have a ridiculous amount of mosquitoes right now; thus, we decided to use a camping bucket to hold hose water and bring it back inside the house to test. We also tossed in some dirt and debris for good measure. Per the instructions, we put one end in the bucket and the other in an empty glass. The 3-stage filter has a pretty quick flow rate of around 17 ounces a minute, according to the manufacturer. We did indeed find that to be right on par. As I kept an eye on the bucket, watching the dirt in the water spin around the tube while my husband pumped, I happened to glance over at the glass and saw it was about to overflow and quickly told him to stop pumping. He had no idea it was working so quickly. It does take a bit of effort to pump, but that was expected. As instructed, we had to be sure the tube does not set directly into the debris in order to prevent clogging.

As you can see in the attached photos, the water came out incredibly clear. It tasted a bit like plastic, which I figure is from the tube. I think that will improve with time and use. We did not taste any dirt. After use, we flushed it with clean water. The assembly and disassembly is simple, as is rinsing and cleaning the filter to extend its life. We are thoroughly impressed, and glad to now have the Explorer Pro in our kit. It could end up being a lifesaver.

Compact 100-Piece First Aid Kit (Product Review)

For a compact kit, this is a great one. I have put together a lot of medical kits for people over the years, and there is a difference between a bug out style med kit and a simple IFAK (Individual First Aid Kit). I am not going to compare the two, because they are completely different beings and it wouldn't be realistic or fair. I ordered the Compact First Aid Kit from TripWorthy to review.

This is a physically small kit. It is not much wider than a pair of hair cutting scissors. I did not expect much, until I opened it. I am pretty impressed with how much they were able to get in here. I appreciate the mixed type of items, such as survival (poncho, glow stick, emergency blanket) with first aid (bandages, antiseptic, ice pack) with practical (sewing kit, whistle, safety pins), because you simply never know what you will have the need for. Also consider that items may end up having more than one type of use in an emergent situation. The prescribed use may not be what it ends up being used for!

This kit would be great to keep in a vehicle glove compartment. It would also be ideal for a camping trip or to take along on a hike. If you have teens beginning to drive, or young adults moving into the dorms, this is an excellent kit to have in their first car or to keep in their dorm room. I would be perfectly comfortable having my teenagers carry it in their backpacks at school in case of emergency. There is also just enough space left so if you are going away for the weekend, you could put some allergy or headache medication in a sandwich baggie in there as well. The only change I would make to what they already have is to add a couple extra pairs of gloves; they currently only include one set. If you come across an accident, you always want to have extras. If someone has larger hands and accidentally tears one, or someone else on scene needs some, it's simply impractical to have one pair. Otherwise, this is a great compact first aid kit.

I received this item at a discount or free for my honest opinion. I have no affiliation with the manufacturer of the product or the seller of the item, and I do not receive any financial compensation. My opinion is entirely my own. I hope the information provided is helpful in some way.
   
https://www.amazon.com/Lightweight-Compact-100-Piece-Complete-Water-Resistant/dp/B01DYYCX6M/

 #TripWorthy

Review of pH Test Strips (HealthyWiser)

pH Test Strips by HealthyWiser (Product Review)

HealthyWiser makes a couple different sets of pH test strips, both of which they sent me to check out. Due to how hard it will likely be to restock our medical kit's supplies, I've been trying various testing strips. I am hoping that the use of testing strips will help keep an eye on things like water safety (to prevent sickness, thus the need to take medication in the first place), body pH, ketone build-up, etc. Each post will address the particular strip's significance.

This time, I'm trying the second set of pH strips. If you aren't familiar with pH, it's basically your body's electrical balance. It's impacts how well a lot of it regulates and functions. If you're too acidic, you can have issues like being fatigued, have headaches, stomach issues, and muscle and bone loss. If too alkaline, you can have muscle and joint pain, nerve pain, stiffness and arthritis, and trouble sleeping.

The instructions were clear, and the color chart on the case is easy to see with its large font. Testing with the pH strips is simple, with options for using either urine or saliva. I think having a chronic illness in a SHTF will be a huge worry, especially with not having access to all the regular required prescriptions. Being able to keep an eye on things with test strips will be a big help.

I received this product for my unbiased, honest review. I have no affiliation with the manufacturer or the seller of the item, and I do not receive any compensation.

#HealthyWiserpHstrips

https://amzn.com/B01CF8CGGA

Review of pH Meter

Review of Digital pH Meter by HealthyWiser

I've been reviewing different test strips to keep in my med kit in the hopes of preserving emergency supplies, but this a Digital pH Meter. This is handy at home but also helpful at home and in a bug out situation.

The meter comes in a soft sleeve. Once removed from the sleeve, one end comes off of the meter, exposing the part you put in liquids. There is a clearly marked On/Off button. The display is large and clear. Once done, I rinsed the meter under the faucet and let it air dry. I tested tap water and coffee creamer. Testing with the pH meter was easy. You just submerge the lower portion and almost immediately get a reading on the display. You can test urine, saliva, pools, aquarium and pond water, and more.

I received this product for my unbiased, honest review. I have no affiliation with the manufacturer or the seller of the item, and I do not receive any compensation.

https://amzn.com/B018J40IKU

 #HealthywiserpHmeter

Review of Digital TDS EC Meter

Review of Digital TDS EC Meter by HealthyWiser

I've been reviewing different test strips to keep in my family's medical kit in the hopes of preserving emergency supplies, but this one is a touch different. This is a Digital TDS EC Meter by HealthyWiser. A TDS EC meter stands for Total Dissolved Solids and Electrical Conductivity. The meter provides a way to test the ppm (parts per million), basically dissolved particles in water. This is great to have at home and camping, but especially if we are in a SHTF situation. We will hopefully have filtration or purification, but it would be even better to know those methods actually work.

The meter comes in a soft sleeve. Once removed from the sleeve, one end comes off of the meter, exposing the part you put in the water. There is a clearly marked On/Off button. It works in both Celsius and Fahrenheit, which can be easily switched by pushing the "Shift" button twice. The display is large and clear. I tested bottled water, tap water, and even water from a toilet! Once done, I rinsed the meter under the faucet and let it air dry.

I received this product for my unbiased, honest review. I have no affiliation with the manufacturer or the seller of the item, and I do not receive any compensation.

#HealthyWiserTDS

https://amzn.com/B01EFZ54E2

pH Test Strips Review

Review of pH Test Strips by HealthyWiser

In the medical kit my family keeps in case of a SHTF situation, we keep items to treat various wounds. However, it will difficult to restock those items, so I am reviewing various testing strips. These test strips can help determine such things as water safety (to prevent sickness, thus the need to take medication in the first place since dehydration is a killer), body pH being off balance, ketone build-up, etc. Each post will address the particular strip's significance. Thank you to HealthyWiser for providing me with the testing materials to do this.

Here I'm focusing on body pH. Your pH is your body's electrical balance and relates to how well a lot of it regulates and functions. If you're too acidic, you can be much more tired, have headaches, stomach trouble, risk of diabetes, and muscle and bone deterioration. If too alkaline, you can have muscle and joint pain, nerve pain, stiffness and arthritis, and trouble sleeping.

Testing with the pH strips was easy. I tried both the urine and saliva options. I went one step further and tried it on my German Shepherd! Hey, I was curious; results were super quick, by the way (about 8.5, if you're wondering). The instructions were clear, and the color chart on the included case is easy to see and follow. I think having a chronic illness in a SHTF will be a huge worry, especially with not having access to all the regular required prescriptions. Being able to keep an eye on things with test strips will be a big help. I received this product for my unbiased, honest review. I have no affiliation with the manufacturer or the seller of the item, and I do not receive any compensation.

 #HealthywiserpHstrips

 https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00PI6SNKA/ref=cm_sw_su_dp

Ketone Test Strips Review

Product Review of Ketone Test Strips by HealthyWiser

In the medical kit my family keeps in case of a societal collapse or bug out situation, we keep meds to treat various wounds. However, it will extraordinarily difficult to restock those items, so I am reviewing a multitude of test strips. These test strips can help us to determine such things as water being safe to drink (to prevent sickness, thus the need to take medication in the first place since dehydration is a killer), bodily pH being off balance, ketone build-up, etc. Each post will address what the significance of what each test strip does. Thanks goes out to HealthyWiser for providing me with the testing materials to do this.

Here I'm focusing on ketones. In a (really small) nutshell, you normally get your energy from carbohydrates. Ketones are made when your body has to break down fat for energy instead. You do not want ketones. For diabetics, ketones are especially dangerous and requires attention. I'm not here to give medical attention in this post, just that if it's an issue of concern, these test strips have worked reliably for me. If you are interested in learning more, consider reading the link below.

The instructions provided with the 200 strips are thorough. 100 strips are loose in the container, and the other 100 are in a sealed bag within the container which helps them to last even longer. You place them in urine for two seconds, wait 15 seconds, and then compare the results to the color chart provided.

I received this product for my unbiased, honest review. I have no affiliation with the manufacturer or the seller of the item, and I do not receive any compensation.

https://amzn.com/B01CM68Z5Q

 #HeathyWiserKetone

Product Review: Lavender Essential Oil by New York Biology

Product Review: Lavender Essential Oil

I ordered Lavender Essential Oil, made by New York Biology. The glass bottle is sealed to reduce the risk of having it spill in shipment. It comes with a glass dropper which can be attached once the seal is removed. Both items were individually wrapped in bubble wrap.

I first learned about the use of lavender as a sleep aid when I had my babies 15 years ago. There are a multitude of infant products with lavender to help them sleep, such as baby shampoo and baby wash. My kids are in high school now (time flies!) but I have sleep issues due to chronic illness. I've long been curious about whether or not lavender essential oil could help me get some sleep. I decided to try the Lavender essential oil in my diffuser. It has a fairly large tank at 300 milliliters, and I use 5 drops in it. I've been using it for two weeks now and while I don't think I've been getting additional sleep, I find the sleep I do get has been better quality. That in itself is worth it. 

Essential oils last a long time, so you get your money's worth. This is especially important, since they may be all we have for medicinal use at some point. This is a huge concern for me. I haven't discussed it on this blog previously, but I do have a incurable illness. This causes quite a few extra implications for me as a survivalist, and for my family. In a SHTF situation or societal collapse, there will not be access to pharmacies or medical supplies. We have to know how to care for ourselves the best we can, and holistic may be the only route we have left. The Internet likely won't be available, so the time to learn is now. I am not trying to sell, I am trying to share as I myself learn on this journey.

Per FTC regulations, I received this free in exchange for my honest opinion. I have no affiliation with the manufacturer of the product or the seller of the item, and I do not receive any compensation for my review. My opinion is entirely my own. I rely on reviews when I make my own purchases. I aim to help other customers by providing thoroughly written reviews; I hope the information provided is helpful in some way.

https://www.amazon.com/Lavender-Essential-Oil-Kashmir-Linalool/dp/B01IG41ZG4/ref=sr_1_8?m=A3K94VWQ8DVMOE&s=merchant-items&ie=UTF8&qid=1470327291&sr=1-8

#NewYorkBiology