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

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

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.

SKIVU Extreme Pak Digital Camo Water Resistant Backpack: Review

Let me say first of all that I am the one who ordered this pack. I am a wife and a mom of two teenagers. I volunteer with the local community emergency response team, I shoot a variety of weapons on a regular basis. My family routinely enjoys outdoor activities like camping, fishing, shooting compound bow, and survival activities. My husband is a former peace officer and is a weapons armorer. We go through our fair share of gear in this house!

I received my SKIVU Extreme Pak Digital Camo Water-Resistant Backpack three days after placing my order. It was unidentifiable on the outside, so anyone with prying eyes could not tell what was on the inside of the box. There has been an issue lately in our neighborhood with snooping so I appreciate those little steps that are taken to protect belongings.

This is a decent, small-to-medium size backpack with Molle strapping around the sides, the front, and on the bottom itself. The Molle strapping appears to be Mil-Spec. The zippers have extended pulls, which are great for use with gloved hands. The carry handle at the top has reinforced stitching and is comfortable. The edges are wrapped in over themselves for increased comfort. There is cummerbund strap that is adjustable. The zippers do have a cover to aid in water resistance. The pack does have strapped buckles that are to aid in heavier loads. The tag says "Made in China" though there is a US flag on the same tag, as it has "original stitching" and the design was "American-inspired."

The pockets are sewn on with single stitch. The zippers are sewn on with two rows of single stitch, not a true double stitch. The Molle straps are actually double stitched. The material is not Mil-Spec cordura, but feels more like a plastic. The Molle straps for the most part are Mil-Spec, except for the middle column, which does not allow a Mil-Spec D-ring through because this row is too small. The Molle straps on the sides are interesting: on one side, one column is mil-spec, but the other columns are not. On the other side, none of the columns of Molle straps are Mil-Spec at all. The Molle straps on the bottom are the same as the front (they are Mil-Spec except for the middle column). I used one of my D-rings to attach a water filter straw, so having Molle straps is a great, especially having so many of them. 

The cordage used for the zipper pulls is a bit thin and I am afraid will wear out easily over time. The covers over the zipper may make it water resistant, but I find myself zipping the cover into the zipper every time I open and close the pack. That may get easier with use. The padded insert in the back is removable and replaceable with something more comfortable if desired. You could even put a hydration bladder inside if you wanted. This is a nice feature. At the top near the handle, there are two outlets for either a hydration tube (or headphones).

The cummerbund strap keeps sliding up and down, but it can be adjusted and moved to a higher spot so it is more of a chest strap as opposed to a belly strap. This will make it more functional. There are two D-rings on the shoulder straps. They are placed in an excellent position but made out of a thin material, too thin for a very practical use. The shoulder straps themselves are a bit uncomfortable. 

A great addition to this pack would be a handle on the side, which would make it easier to carry in a suitcase fashion, and some Velcro on the front would be awesome for a couple of patches. This would make a great vehicle medical kit, or an additional kit of some sort (pet gear, children's emergency supplies, etc). I would not suggest it for a Bug Out Bag, or for serious use out in the field. I would have no problem using it for a vehicle emergency kit though. I would not trust it to hold more than fifteen to twenty pounds at most, as the bottom is a bit thin for my comfort level.

I received this item at a free or discounted price for my honest opinion. I do not receive any financial compensation for my review. My opinion is entirely my own. As an Amazon customer, I rely on reviews when I make my own purchases; I aim to help other customers by providing thoroughly written reviews.

https://www.amazon.com/Extreme-Digital-Camo-Water-Resistant-Backpack/dp/B00MZT089W/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1470690156&sr=8-1&keywords=B00MZT089W

#EXTREMEPAK

Emergency Supplies to Keep at Home

Preparedness Kit
This list is a compilation of items to keep at home in case of a serious event, such as a natural disaster or a crisis in society. Should evacuation be required, already having these items prepared will be of great help. Please consider the personal needs of your household’s members, such as any medical, dental, or emotional needs, and add them to the list to make it your own. (Another post is soon to come for a detailed medical kit.)

Water: One gallon per person, per day. Keep at least a 2-week supply at home. If evacuating, take along a 3-day supply.
Food: Non-perishable. Same as above.
Flashlights
Radio (hand-crank doesn’t require batteries)

Two-way radios for communication, as the Internet may be down

Batteries, if needed

Solar devices to charge any of your items, if needed

Multi-purpose tool

Gas valve shut-off tool

Hygiene items
Copies of important documents, in waterproof file (identification, passports, wills, medical information, deed/mortgage paperwork, birth certificates, marriage certificate, insurance policies, bank info)
Cell phone with charger
Contact info
Cash
Map(s)
Extra keys
Manual can opener
Whistle (one for each person)
Matches in waterproof container

550 Paracord
Work gloves
Items to secure home (boards & nails for windows, duct tape to prevent flying glass, etc.)
Towels

Clothing/Shoes (appropriate for situation)
Socks (Take note of socks. In a crisis, power may be out for extended periods, making for long, hard work days with no end in sight. Feet take the brunt of it all. Good socks are a necessity.)

Plastic sheeting
Duct tape

Tarp

Sharpie-type marker(s)
Scissors
Entertainment items (Everyone needs a sanity saver, especially in difficult times. Playing cards, notebooks, drawing pads, crayons...)
Sleeping gear

Basic cooking items (A cast iron dutch oven with a lid is great for about everything, along with a basic cast iron pan, utensils, and hot pads.)

5-gallon bucket: multi-purpose. Flush a toilet (pour bucket of water into toilet); wash clothes or dishes. There are even lids specially designed to turn a 5-gal bucket into a potty.

Household chlorine bleach (For emergencies only, you can treat unsafe or suspect water with 16 drops of liquid bleach per gallon of water. NO SCENTED OR COLOR SAFE BLEACH. Only straight household liquid chlorine bleach!)

Pet supplies (including leash, photos w/pet, and copies of shot records)

First aid kit