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

Old School Oil Lamps

I grew up along Atlantic coast of Florida, so hurricanes and emergency weather situations were a normal part of life. We experienced power outages on a regular basis, and my family had old-fashioned hurricane lamps--and yes, we used them. As you may have seen, I have been trying out various types of camping lanterns lately. However, I don't want to rely on only modern technology if SHTF. For that reason, we picked up a oil-based camping lantern. It's been so long since I've used one I wanted to brush up on them, plus I had a lot of questions from a survivalist's point of view. Can you make your own wicks? Are certain types of oils better than others? So I started digging online, and it became abundantly clear that one person really knows her stuff. I learned more from her post than I thought possible. If you plan on using an oil lamp, please take the time to check it out. It is worth it, I assure you.

  Tips and Tricks for Using Oil Lamps (by Preparedness Pro)

Product review: Peppermint Essential Oil (New York Biology)

I ordered my 1 ounce bottle of Peppermint Essential Oil, made by New York Biology. It comes with a label which clearly marks the date of expiration. The amber-colored glass bottle is sealed so there is no risk of having it spill during shipping. It comes with a pump which can be attached once the seal is removed. Both items are individually and carefully wrapped.

I decided to first try the Peppermint essential oil in my diffuser. It has a bit large size tank at 300 mL, and as I had never used it before, I opted to start with only three drops. It took some time, but after a while there was a faint scent of peppermint in the air. My sinuses did begin to clear. If it's a SHTF situation, obviously I won't have a diffuser with me, but I think the next paragraph may somehow be related. What do you think?

I also have read of peppermint essential oil being useful for headaches and migraines, and that's definitely an issue, having had multiple brain and spinal cord surgeries. I put just a little of the oil on my fingertip and rubbed it on my temples, which worked like a charm. I wonder if it has to do with opening up the sinus passages, just being able to breathe easier. I have no idea. Just thinking out loud...or typing out loud, that is.

It's definitely an added bonus that it doesn't take much when it comes to essential oils. They last a long time, so you get your money's worth. They may be all we have for medicinal use at some point, if it comes down to it one day.

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 financial 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 has been helpful in some way.

https://www.amazon.com/Peppermint-Essential-Mentha-Furan-Natural/dp/B01IG494QC/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1470332686&sr=8-1&keywords=peppermint+essential+oil

Lantern reviews

I've reviewed several lanterns lately. If you don't have any in your emergency kit and are looking for some guidance, I hope this will give you a place to start. I tested small, portable ones; some were solar powered while others required batteries. Some had USB as well. One even was made of silicone and could carry items inside. Jot me a note if you have any questions.

Collapsible LED Lantern 2-Pack Set

Gold-colored Solar LED Collapsible LED Lantern

Solar LED Silicone Collapsible Lantern