Black Friday Prepping Deals

Not actually Erin.

Picture by KJ Photography.

Used with permission.

As is tradition, in this post I'm going to point our readers at some great Black Friday deals on prepping items. In previous years the offerings haven't been very noteworthy, but this year I've found some good ones and I hope this pattern continues. 

Unlike a lot of prepping sites, I don't link to any old deal that's nothing but a reduced price on an item. I only link to products which I either know are good, are recommended to me by people that I trust, or have a stellar reputation for quality. If you know of any similar deals on quality prepping items, let me know in the comments

FireFlame Fire Starters (60 pieces for $28.79)

https://amzn.to/3tr21uf

I reviewed these fire starters back in 2022 and these are still my go-to method of starting fires. I have a week's supply of these starters in my bug-out bag and my get-home bag, and more are kept with my hurricane supplies. This is bar none the easiest way I've found to light fires, and you can heat a cup of water with just the starter itself. At $28.79 for 60 you're paying 48 cents for each starter, and while this is still a little on the pricy side for skinflints like me, it's nevertheless a great deal as it usually sells for $35 (58 cents per starter). 

EverBrite 350 Lumen Rechargeable Headlamp ($11.99)

 

https://amzn.to/49fQnpl

Another product that I have good experience with (reviewed here), I have two of these in my preps and they've served me well. With three colors of light (white, red, and green) and four white light options (high, medium, low, and strobe) there's a lot of utility in an inexpensive package. Originally it only came in black with a gray band, but now it also comes in pink, light blue, and olive green with matching bands. The green, blue, and pink ones are a dollar less than the black ($12.99), and I would recommend against getting the green because it will be harder to see if you accidentally drop it into foliage. 

Hazard 4 Poncho Villa Mk2 ($89.99)

 

https://amzn.to/4g8tcPS

I have owned a Hazard 4 Poncho Villa since 2016 and it's been one of the best things I've ever owned. It's kept me dry through multiple hurricane seasons, breathable enough to keep me from sweating underneath it, and giving my arms enough freedom of movement that I'm confident I could draw my concealed carry pistol from underneath it without issue. It also has grommets at the corners, giving you the ability to turn it into a shelter. Normally $140, the Royal Blue version is now $50 off! The Mk 2 version also comes with interior snaps allowing you to secure a fleece liner ($72.86) to it for cold-weather comfort. 

Fairwin Rigger's Belt ($12.55)

https://amzn.to/3BduqKI

I don't own this (yet), but at 4.4 stars with over 22,000 reviews, I think it's pretty solid. You never know when you might need a solid belt to keep your pants up or strap some gear to your waist, and the V-ring claims to have a bearing weight of 1,100 lbs. While I wouldn't be willing to trust any belt with that much weight, I can see the use for tying it around an object like a tree trunk and using it as a rope anchor. If you don't want the V-ring but still want a decent tactical belt, Fairwin has one without the ring for $11.75.

Mechanix FastFit Tactical Gloves ($12.99)

https://amzn.to/4fVbH64

Mechanix is another company with a reputation for quality products. I can't wear their gloves because my hands are too small, but I expect they'll fit most male hands. There are a variety of models all on discount for Black Friday, and this is just the least expensive. You can also get their Tactical Work Gloves for $19 or their M-Pact Tactical Gloves for $24. 

Anker 548 PowerCore ($89.99)

https://amzn.to/3BhLL5c

Another product that's $50 off from another company with a reputation for making quality products, the Anker 548 is a 60,000 mAh battery that can recharge a laptop 3 times or a smartphone 7 times. It also comes with an inbuilt LED light (42 hours of runtime if not used for anything else) and a carrying handle for portability (weighs 5 lbs)

If you know of any other great Black Friday or upcoming Cyber Monday deals, let me know!

Product Review: Hiearcool Waterproof Phone Pouch

Not actually Erin.

Picture by KJ Photography

& is used with permission.

I like to listen to audiobooks while I shower. Like most people, I use my smartphone to play my audiobooks, which of course must be kept dry in order to function. Normally this wouldn't be a problem and I'd just keep my phone on the hamper, but I'm slightly hard of hearing and therefore often have to back up 10 to 30 seconds because I didn't quite understand what was being said, and it was awkward to stick my head out of the curtain and try to find the rewind button without my glasses, and then successfully press it with wet, soapy hands. 

Enter the Hiearcool Waterproof Phone Pouch, with a 4.6 star rating and 96,717 reviews. For $8.50 you get two transparent pouches that will accommodate nearly every smart phone currently being sold. These pouches are made of thermoplastic polyurethane that allow you to use your phone's touchscreen (but not fingerprint sensor) while it's sealed inside, and that seal is made strong by dual locking clamps that are secure yet easy to use. Each pouch also comes with an adjustable nylon lanyard which clips onto a loop on the pouch. 

https://amzn.to/3WEig6a

The prepping uses for this waterproof pouch ought to be obvious: not only will it protect electronics from water and other forms of moisture, but it will also protect against other damaging environmental factors such as sand, dirt, and dust, all while retaining full smartphone functionality. Since smart phones are used to navigate and call for help, they must be protected at all times in an emergency situation and this is an inexpensive yet very effective solution to that problem. I have one in my bug out bag and two in my get home bag (the other is reserved for a dedicated GPS unit, which is more energy efficient than a smart phone). 

https://amzn.to/3WEig6a

I have been using this product daily since January and it has performed flawlessly every time. My phone is in a protective case and I have no problems slipping it into or out of the pouch, I can access the touchscreen with ease and accuracy no matter how wet or soapy my fingers are, and not a drop of moisture has crept inside in all that time. In fact, before writing this review I sealed some pieces of toilet paper inside the pouch and left it submerged at the bottom of my bathroom sink for an hour. When I recovered it and opened the pouch, the toilet paper was bone dry. The worst I can say about it is that the lanyard isn't great, but given that it's easily replaced with whatever fits through the loops that's hardly a criticism at all. 

In fact, I've been using a 16" MODL Infinity Loop to hang my Hiearcool pouch from the shower towel rack. I haven't fully explored all of the uses of this tool, but it functions like a cross between a carabiner and a bungee cord and seems highly configurable. I regret that they can't be bought individually (I was given one) and only come in a pack of four (two eight inch, two sixteen inch) for $35. I will definitely be keeping my eye out to see if they go on sale for the holidays, because if so these will make ideal presents for my prepper friends. 

https://amzn.to/4bRpU1t

For completeness' sake, and because I know some people are wondering, I'm using this water-resistant Bluetooth speaker to hear my audiobooks while showering. It is unfortunately not available at the moment, but given its nonsense company name ("Maoifaec") I suspect it's made in China and will be released under a different name. While I am dubious of Chinese products, I have been using mine for over a year now and I am very satisfied with its sound quality, durability, battery life, and water resistance. If you're in the market for a Bluetooth speaker and you find of these these, go ahead and pick it up; I don't think you'll be disappointed. 

https://amzn.to/4beMWPR

Finally, I'm trying out a closing line. It seems like all the cool kids have one, and I want to be considered cool too. Please tell me what you think of it:

Stay prepped or get wrecked. 

Cool? Edgy? A bit too try-hard? Let me know!

Prepper's Hygiene: Cremo Shave Cream for your BOB

The dust has settled and the First 72 Hours have passed. Follow along as I build a long term plan via Prudent Prepping. 

I don't do many Product Tests outside of camping or prepping related gear, but this is one of those times, as this product is in my Get Home Bag and in the Bug Out Bag pile of stuff that will go into the trunk of the car. I've written about having several personal care items, like toothpaste and a very good liquid soap, in my BOB. When I was younger and single, shaving every day wasn't so important, and when hiking or camping I didn't shave. a at all. Now that I'm older, not single anymore, and The Purple Pack lady has sensitive skin, shaving has become more important to me so I have Cremo Barber Grade Original Shave Cream in my preps. 

https://amzn.to/3szR1wX

 

 From the Amazon ad:

• Impossibly slick formula fights nicks, irritation and razor burn
• Gives you a close, comfortable shave
• Original formula with a subtle citrus scent
• 90-day supply, which lasts longer than average shave cream/gel
• Rich and concentrated cream made with high quality ingredients including Macadamia Seed Oil, Aloe, Calendula Extract, Lemon Extract, Papaya Extract, and Olive Leaf Extract. Paraben Free. Not tested on animals

I was pointed to this brand several years ago by a fellow sales rep when I forgot to pack whatever can of goo I was using at the time. I was converted that week to this wonderful product. I've tried many different brands, from aerosols to other tube-type creams, and this is my favorite. 

What makes this so different, and in my opinion a superior aid to shaving? Several points:

1. Since this is a non-aerosol, you can put it in your carry-on bag.
2. A 6oz. tube can last several months.
3. You don't need to use very much per shave; no more than an almond-sized squeeze will work just fine for the average male face. 

One thing I do need to mention is that your face needs to be wet for Cremo to spread evenly. I mean really wet, to the point of "water dripping off it" wet. To use it, I put the hottest water I can stand on the area to be shaved for 30 seconds to one minute, then squeeze out the needed amount and spread evenly on my skin. 

I find that wetting my hands several times helps to get everything smoothed out well. Since there isn't a 3/8" layer of foam on your skin, putting a little water on your fingers and re-activating Creamo ahead of your next area to shave helps to prevent razor burn. When I'm out of town and not directly responsible for the utility bills, I shave in the shower, which helps keep my skin wet and the Cremo smooth. 

Another difference from traditional canned shaving creams is that Cremo doesn't foam or fluff up when applied, but instead gets sort of slippery as more water is added. Since it isn't fluffy, you'll need to rinse your razor more than you normally think is needed. I use a Schick razor and my beard is not heavy by any measure,  but the razor needs to be rinsed 5-6 times while shaving.

I can't recommend this shave cream any higher than to say that my wife borrows it and keeps a travel size tube in her makeup kit!

Recap and Takeaway

• Look at this shave cream if you aren't satisfied with your current brand and look at the whole family of products. I'm not sure a Mango shave cream is necessary, but it is your choice and your money! I stick with the original version, as certain fragrances and chemicals give me a rash.
• The original scent is available in 1oz and 6oz sizes. Sorry, everything else is 6 oz only.
• Purchased a 6 oz tube of Cremo Barber Grade Original Formula from Amazon, $6.99 with Prime. (Actually I buy a 2 pack, since I know how it works!)

* * *

Just a reminder: if you plan on buying anything through Amazon, please consider using our referral link. When you do, a portion of the sale comes back here to help keep this site running!

 

If you have comments, suggestions or corrections, please post them so we all can learn. And remember, Some Is Always Better Than None!

NOTE: All items tested were purchased by me. No products have been loaned in exchange for a favorable review. Any items sent to me for T&E will be listed as such. Suck it Feds.

The Lessons of Israel

Not actually Erin.

Picture by KJ Photography

& is used with permission.

If you're like me, you've spent the last few days aghast at what happened over the weekend, and is still happening now, in Israel. 

It is not my intent to talk about international politics, or the history between the Israeli people and the Palestinians. However, I hope we can all agree that kidnapping, rape, torture, and murder is obscene behavior regardless of who does it, and that civilians must never be targeted like that. If you disagree, then be advised you are endorsing several Grave Breaches of the Geneva Conventions -- in other words, the literal definition of War Crimes -- and as such your comments will be deleted and you will be forever banned from commenting on this blog. With that said, let's take a look at what is happening in Israel through a prepper's lens. 

Firearm Ownership

The private ownership of firearms is so highly regulated in Israel that it makes California or New York look unrestrained in comparison. For a comprehensive listing of those laws go here, but here are the highlights:

• A license is required to own any firearm. 
• To possess a license you must have lived in Israel for three years, pass a series of tests including physical health, mental health, and a criminal background check, and an in-person interview.
• You must have a "genuine reason" to own a firearm, such as needing it for a job or wanting it for self-defense. 
• If for self-defense, you are permitted to own one pistol and only 50 rounds of ammunition for it. It's my understanding that you can buy more to replace what is expended at the shooting range, but you can only possess 50 rounds at one time. 
• You need to renew this license every three years. If your license is not renewed you must surrender your firearm(s) to the police. 
• Only around 60% of all license permits are granted, which is odd in a nation that has mandatory military conscription for all citizens, male and female alike. 
• As a result of these attacks, the Israeli Minister of National Security has announced that he will loosen these restrictions... by doubling the amount of ammunition allowed, reducing the requirement of an in-person interview to a telephone interview, expediting the license process, and so forth. More information can be found on Stephen Gutowski's article on The Reload. 

With all this said, you can see why the civilian losses (over 800 at this point) were so horrific: once Hamas made it past the border, they had soft targets with few weapons. In fact, as my friend Jay Peterson says:

If the attack on the Tribe of Nova Music Festival alone was a mass shooting in the US, it would already be more deadly than the Las Vegas, Pulse nightclub, VA tech, Sandy Hook, Parkland, Uvalde, Ft. Hood, Columbine, Aurora, and Buffalo shootings.

Combined.

They're still finding bodies.

And that's just the festival. It doesn't include the rest of the attacks on Israel that began Saturday morning.

As of this moment, that death toll is at least 260. 

The lesson to be learned from all of this is just a reiteration of what I and other bloggers have been saying since we started this almost a decade ago: if you can at all do so, buy firearms for home and  self defense, learn how to use use them, get a concealed carry license when possible and carry whenever and wherever you can. You never know when someone will decide to kill you, so make it as difficult for them as possible. 

First Aid Kits

In a similar vein, carry a trauma kit with you so that you can treat the wounds of others, or even yourself. Take classes like Stop the Bleed and Red Cross First Aid so you know how to use these materials. This is another topic on which we've talked extensively; use the First Aid and First Aid Kits tags on this blog to learn more. 

Emergency Supplies

Finally, the Israeli Defense Force spokesman has told people to get 72 hours of supplies, pack them in a bag, and have an evacuation plan; essentially, "Build a Bug Out Bag and have a Bug Out Plan." When people started panicking at this, the government explained that they were just emphasizing something that's been a recommendation for years. As of this moment that link will result in an "Access Denied" unless you have a VPN that is set to show your location as Israel, likely to ease the traffic load and possibly make cyber attacks more difficult. 

Having read the site, it's pretty similar to our government's website on preparedness, www.ready.gov. I tend to forget that September is National Preparedness Month, because for me and the other bloggers here, every month is Preparedness Month. It's still a great resource for getting started, involving the kids, and perhaps even convincing recalcitrant adults to get involved ("The government says we should do this.")

And, much like over here, I know of at least one Israeli whose mother considers the idea of having an emergency stockpile of food and water "as if it was some kind of silly survivalist notion. You would think the distant rumble of artillery and the howl of fighter jets coursing overhead and the actual government recommendations to please get the food and water would be some kind of hint."

So please, Please, PLEASE learn these lessons of Israel:

• Be prepared to defend yourself and your family from harm. 
• Be prepared to render medical aid to yourself or others. 
• Be prepared with 72 hours of essential supplies. 
• Be prepared to evacuate. 

I would much rather have these preps and never need them than to need them and not have them. I hope you feel the same way, too. 

Bug Out Rations

Not actually Erin.

Picture by KJ Photography

& is used with permission.

When it comes to food for bugging out, there are many options that are nutritious, portable, and shelf-stable. 

I didn't mention "tastes good," did I? That was deliberate. The two biggest problems I have encountered when choosing bug out rations are their palatability and the amount of volume they occupy. This post will be a brief overview of what I believe are the best choices for bug out foods, with more detailed articles coming later. 

Survival Ration Bars

http://amzn.to/2tt3P46

Also known as "lifeboat rations", these are vacuum-sealed packages of bars of... well, I don't know if I'd call them food per se, but they meet Coast Guard standards of life-sustaining nutrition. 

• The Good News: They have a small form factor; have a five-year shelf life at room temperature or above, as they are designed to be stored in life rafts; and are inexpensive (about $12 for a 3600 Kilocalorie package).
  
  
• The Bad News: Flavors start at "not bad" and get worse; flavors are consistent throughout the package, which can result in appetite fatigue; Kcal ratings are based on being sedentary and waiting for rescue (1200 Kcals per day for three days) and not being active -- activity will double your calorie requirements. 

Chaplain Tim wrote an excellent series on survival ration bars on this blog, and since I agree with his assessments I feel no need to duplicate his efforts. Please go read his posts to learn more. 

Meals, Ready to Eat (MRE)

https://www.mreinfo.com/mres/#

If you're a prepper, you know what these are and likely have eaten at least one. If you haven't, these are high-calorie single meals with a lunch/dinner menu; I believe that at one point there was an omelet MRE and it was... not good. In fact, the flavor profile of MRE is such that they have been dubbed Meals Rejected by Everyone, although they do continue to improve over the years.

• The Good News: They come in a tough, watertight bag which protects the food from pests and weather; they stay good for at least 3.5 years when stored at room temperature; they are designed to provide an infantryman enough calories to fight; they are reasonably affordable at around $20 per meal. 
  
  
• The Bad News: Food taste and texture can be hit or miss; high amounts of protein and sodium in meals can result in dehydration and constipation if you don't drink enough water; at an average weight of 22 ounces and dimensions of 12"x8"x3", each meal is larger than an average hardcover book and nearly twice as heavy; breaking down an MRE into smaller elements greatly reduces its longevity. 

Humanitarian Daily Rations (HDR)

https://www.mreinfo.com/other-us-rations/current-us-rations/humanitarian-daily-ration/

Not many people have heard of Humanitarian Daily Rations; the short version is that they are "like MREs, but for civilians" and are handed out at disasters or given to natives as a show of goodwill. Unlike MREs, HDRs provide a full day's worth of meals for an adult. Also unlike MREs, they are strictly vegetarian, although they are not vegan. Per mreinfo.com, "In order to provide the widest possible acceptance from the variety of potential consumers with diverse religious and dietary restrictions from around the world, the HDR contains no animal products or animal by-products, except that minimal amounts of dairy products are permitted. Alcohol and alcohol based ingredients are also banned."

I have not yet eaten one of these, but a friend of mine has, and I will include his review in the expanded article on HDRs. 

• The Good News: They contain an entire day's worth of food; they are less expensive than MREs (about $10 per HDR); their packaging is comparable to  that of MREs, so shelf stability and impermeability is similar; they are designed to appeal to as wide a demographic as possible. 
  
  
• The Bad News: Their taste is similar to MREs; vegetarian but not vegan is likely to make everyone unhappy; lack of animal proteins may result in lack of energy in high-activity situations; there is no chemical heater like MREs have. 

First Strike Rations (FSR)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/First_Strike_Ration

First Strike Rations are relatively new, having been invented after the onset of the Second Gulf War. True to their name, they are a lightweight, high-calorie meal system that is meant to be carried by soldiers and Marines during the initial stages of war when odds are high that they will be beyond the reach of resupply for days. Because of this, the FSR is meant to be eaten by hand (although a spoon is supplied for convenience) and do not need heating to be palatable; pocket sandwiches, energy bars, and other finger foods predominate. Unlike MREs, they carry a full day's supply of food, including snacks and caffeine in various forms, and despite all this are approximately half the weight and dimension of the three MREs it would take to match its nutrition. 

There will be a greater review on FSRs, but I want to say that they have been an absolute game-changer for me when it comes to packing BOBs and GHBs. Furthermore, they taste good. I opened one at my LibertyCon demonstration to show its contents and I ate it on the way home the next day. While I wouldn't call it great cuisine, I enjoyed the taste of every component within the ration pack; at worst, it reminded me of a packed school lunch, and at best it was similar to tasty fast food. 

• The Good News: A full day's worth of food in a package slightly larger than a single MRE; easy to eat on the move / one-handed; plenty of snacks, goodies, and caffeine; the food tastes good.
  
  
• The Bad News: If you want a hot meal you will be disappointed, as heating  pocket sandwiches doesn't do much and hot applesauce is disgusting; the lighter-weight packaging which reduces weight and volume also cuts the shelf life; an individual FSR costs about $30-$35; buying a case of 9 gives you a better per-unit cost (sometimes as low as $15 each) but the case costs over $130. 

Which of the three-letter ration packs (MRE, HDR, FSR) would you like to see reviewed first?

BOB Ergonomics

Not actually Erin.

Picture by KJ Photography

& is used with permission.

The biggest problem I have with creating a Bug Out or Get Home Bag isn't assembling it, but rather with its ergonomics. I want to be able to retrieve quickly and easily things that I will use often, such as insect repellant or sunscreen. Things which I will not need often, such as my tent, can then be packed deep in my bag and not be as easy to retrieve. 

Such extremes are obvious, but things become more complicated as I progress to the middle. A simple choice is trauma gear, like a pressure bandage and tourniquet; while I hope I will never need to use them at all, let alone repeatedly, but if I need them I will need them right now and therefore they must be quickly and easily accessible. Unfortunately, they are also bulky and take up a fair bit of space, which means that I don't have room for all the things which I would like to have handy. This is why I say that ergonomics is my biggest problem; when I am working with a BOB/GHB, I end up playing a mental game of "How often will I need this?"

As a case in point, let us consider toilet paper. You'd think that when you need to go, you need to go right now, and that may be true for people with sensitive bladders or tricky bowels. For me, right now at least, I'm not at that stage; I typically have a window of five minutes or more between "I think I need to use the toilet" and "I AM GOING TO EXPLODE." Combine that with the knowledge that I will need to take off my pack before I do my business in the bushes and that means I can safely put the toilet paper in the less-accessible parts of the pack, because I will be stopping for several minutes. 

Ah, but on the other hand I have allergies, and that can mean runny nose and watery eyes, and I will need some kind of tissue to help with that! So do I keep the TP in the quick access area for allergy purposes? Or do I pack some Kleenex or similar to help with that and keep the TP elsewhere? This is the sort of conundrum which perplexes me. 

This is what is going through my head these days as I rebuild my BOB and my GHB, which I took pieces from in order to build a demonstration "jack of all trades BOB" for my presentation at LibertyCon last weekend. In my experience, it's always harder to make a generalized pack than a specialized one, because specialist packs can rule out certain conditions which generalist packs cannot. For example, because I live in central Florida where it maybe flirts with freezing about one week out of the year, I can get by with three-season gear, whereas those of you who live in states with actual winters cannot. An urban GHB will have little need for water purification, as municipal water treatment should have eliminated giardia and cryptosporidium by the time it's reached the city; a more pressing need will be getting to that water, so a sillcock key is highly recommended to activate publicly accessible faucets. A rural GHB will be the exact opposite, with few locked faucets but likely lots of flowing (or standing) water of questionable cleanliness. 

https://amzn.to/3NzTYEe

... that was certainly a digression! Getting back on topic, I needed to steal from my BOB and my GHB in order to build a demonstration BOB that could do anything. Now that I'm back home (and mostly recovered from whatever con crud I picked up) I won't be happy until I have at least one of my bags reconstituted. You'd think that would be easy, but it isn't, because putting a bag back together forces me to re-examine my thinking regarding bag ergonomics. This slows me down a great deal; the only real comfort I have is knowing that each time I rebuild a bag, it's better than it was before, because each new version benefits from the wisdom of previous iterations. 

Speaking of wisdom, if you ever think you absolutely have command of a subject, prepare to teach a class or give a presentation on that subject. I guarantee you that you will think of questions (and problems!) you'd never before considered, as the act of explaining the subject to another person forces the mind down new paths. I am a better prepper for having taught my class, as the act of explaining my reasoning for things caused me to confront certain assumptions I'd made which I hadn't noticed while thinking quietly to myself. 

So, to summarize:

• Generalist BOBs/GHBs are bigger and heavier than specialist. 
• Tearing down and rebuilding your bag will result in a better bag. 
• If you think you know your stuff, teach a course to realize all the things you don't know. 

Guest Post: MSR Dragonfly Review

by Stephen

Hello intrepid readers! My name is Stephen, and I am a recovering gearhead. My first camping trip was at age six when my family drove 12 hours to the Upper Peninsula and spent a week at various campgrounds there. Between family and Boy Scouts, my memories have only gotten more numerous and there are too many trips of all sorts to count.   

In a 72-hour bug-out scenario, you can survive on cold rations or starve, but what if that situation goes longer? What if you are bugging in without power? Hot food provides morale as well as sustenance.  

Four basic fuel types exist: wood, solid, liquid, and gas. 

• Wood can be scavenged so you do not have to carry it, but takes longer to get lit, gives inconsistent heat, and requires more effort to collect fuel.  
• Solid fuel tabs are easy to use, but lack temperature control since they are all-or-nothing. 
• Liquid fuels work in a wider variety of temperatures and are scavengeable, but lack the quick plug-and-play of a butane or propane canister.  
• Gas, for all its ease of use, suffers in performance when temperatures are below freezing and may even stop working when it's cold enough. 

So which one did I pick? 

Let me introduce you to the MSR Dragonfly, a multi-liquid fuel backpacking stove.

https://amzn.to/3jowwPg

My dad bought this stove in the 90s as part of his preps for Y2K, and in the early 2000s we dug it out to use on a 50 mile backpacking trip with my best friend and his dad. As an illustration of the usefulness of having a liquid fuel system: we forgot to fill the fuel bottle, but since this will burn anything from gasoline to jet fuel, we were not out of luck, and a gas station sufficed to get us topped off.  

As with any liquid fuel stove, pressurizing the fuel tank -- in this case steel bottles that, other than the red color and warnings all over them, could be mistaken for a water bottle -- takes some elbow grease. Also, as the fuel runs low, you'll have to pump more to get the same pressure. Since you don't want to carry or store the bottle pressurized, this means you will get a workout with each meal.  

The stove folds up fairly compactly, and will store in a pot as MSR advertises. Its three legs provide much more stability than a pocket-rocket style stove (which Erin reviewed back in April 2022) since the footprint is wider than your typical fuel canister.  

One other difference in usage is the pre-heating step where you let out a little fuel, then ignite it with the fuel turned off. This takes some getting used to; I remember the little fireballs we created at first, learning to control how much fuel was released. Once the flame dies, open up the fuel again, ignite, and proceed to cook.

Although it definitely had some adjustability, my dad’s version didn't simmer as the website claims. We burned some pancakes in our 70’s Boy Scout mess kits, though it was probably just as much of a cookware and/or batter technique issue as stove functionality. It served us well on that trip, and when I moved out on my own I purchased one. They've definitely changed the model over the 20 years since then, because my much more recent purchase looks drastically different.  

The MSR Dragonfly is not the lightest stove, weighing 1 lb 3 oz without the fuel bottle, but I want it for it size. As an apartment dweller for the time being, I am at risk of losing cooking capabilities with a loss of electricity, so having a backup is comforting. What's more, it will hold my two liter stove-top pressure cooker, which I bought for the exact purpose of cooking beans and rice in a more fuel-efficient manner. No, I won't carry that pot in a bug-out situation, but bugging in whenever possible is always preferable.

Fuel flexibility is also a huge consideration for my prepping lifestyle. I can burn five different liquid fuels (gasoline, diesel, jet fuel, kerosene, and white gas) with just the change of a nozzle, using only a screwdriver. Even at current prices, gasoline will provide way more burn time than a small cannister of isobutene at the same price: Amazon has butane canisters for $2.14 per oz, versus $0.04 per oz of gasoline (presuming $3.99/gallon). If you stock up diesel or kerosene you also get more than twice the energy efficiency per MSR specs, though kerosene does burn dirtier; I lack experience with diesel to comment.  

https://amzn.to/3wSxLsU

If money and weight are no issue, another way to increase performance is to get the heat exchanger which clamps onto the bottom of a pot. This prevents the heat escape around the edges of the pot that Erin saw in using the pocket rocket at full blast. My dad owned the heat exchanger, and it needed a little monkeying around, but we definitely noticed a difference in performance. 

In theory, the Dragonfly stove will need more maintenance than many stoves, such as the replacement of o-rings. MSR recommends this be done on a yearly basis regardless of use, but my dad’s stove sat at least a decade without use and worked perfectly fine.  

I know of backpackers who only use the MSR Pocket Rocket, and its price, weight, and ease of use are definitely appealing; it's for those reasons that I want to add it to my fiancée’s bag when I have the funds. In my opinion, though, the Dragonfly’s capabilities make it worth its extra weight and complexity. 

Leave a Message

Not actually Erin.

Picture by KJ Photography

& is used with permission.

Theseus used a ball of yarn to find his way through the Minotaur's Labyrinth. Hansel and Gretel used white pebbles to find their way out of the forest in which they'd been abandoned; they had less success with breadcrumbs. 

Even today, trails through forests are marked with blazes (hence the phrase "blazing a trail") in a variety of ways. 

Top row, L-R: "Keep going straight"; "Right turn"; "Left turn".

Bottom row, L-R: "Beginning of trail"; "End of trail"; "Spur leading to different trail".

https://www.greenbelly.co/pages/how-to-read-hiking-trail-signs-markers-blazes

Sometimes it's necessary to convey important information to others in a manner which is more durable than words on paper. The Hobo Code of last century was a series of pictograms which indicated safety, danger, resources, and the best directions in which to travel. 

https://www.trainparty.com/products/american-railroading-hobo-codes-poster.html

More recently, the FEMA X-Codes were made famous by 2005's Hurricane Katrina. You can learn more about them in this PDF. 

https://integratedskillsgroup.com/2021/06/urban-search-and-rescue-codes/

I would be remiss if I didn't mention the famous "Don't Dead, Open Inside" message from The Walking Dead, not only because preppers seem to love zombie shows but also because it aptly illustrates the importance of messaging left to right rather than up to down. 

Regardless of whether it is before, during, or after a disaster, the fact remains that it can be essential to leave a message to yourself or those coming after you, and in a manner which is visible and durable. This is why I gave David a soapstone holder for Christmas: it serves the same purpose as chalk, but is far less messy and fragile. 

Other useful tools to have with you, either in your bug out/get home bag or in your car:

• Waterproof notepad (can be used to exchange information)
• Sharpie pen (can write on most porous surfaces)
• Neon orange duct tape (can be used to blaze a trail, or stuck onto nonporous surfaces with a message written on the tape with a Sharpie)

With these four small and lightweight items you have the ability to leave an effective message practically anywhere. 

Why I Have a Motorcycle Lift Table

Not actually Erin.

Picture by KJ Photography

& is used with permission.

Traditionally, this blog goes on vacation between Christmas and New Year's Day. For that reason I let David off the hook this week, but I wanted to write something because I've made an effort to write more often since November, and also because we just haven't had many posts this year due to Real Life problems with our other writers. 

Anyway, this Christmas I bought a Lift Table using gift cards. 

https://amzn.to/3Ccr3RH

Now, you're probably wondering why I bought a table capable of pneumatically lifting a 300 pound motorcycle, especially since you know I don't own a motorcycle in the first place. This is a fair question, and the short answer is "I need to lift heavy things and I have arthritis in my lower back." Because I'm going to be "over the hill" next year, I thought it would be prudent to have a piece of equipment that can hoist most anything I would need to lift, because I'm only going to get older and my arthritis will never get better. My mother is in her 80s now, and while she can currently move without assistance, in the future she may need help getting up like my father did a few years ago. She weighs much less than 300 lbs, but I like to say that there's no such thing as overkill, just increasingly greater chances of success. 

The longer answer, and I can practically hear the record needle scratch as I say this, is I bought it to lift my Bug Out and Get Home Bags. "But Erin," you are saying right now, "if you need a lift table for your BOB and GHB then they're too heavy!"

They're actually not too heavy for me to lift, and they're definitely not too heavy for me to carry because I'm already regularly walking a mile while wearing them. My goal is to work up to walking two miles, and the reason I need to work up to that is because I'm overweight and out of shape. I stop because I'm tired and out of breath, not because the pack is too heavy. When I get it cinched down, my hips carry most of the weight. 

No, the problem is that the arthritis in my lower back is a stone-cold bastard, and sometimes just picking up a heavier-than-usual grocery bag makes me hurt, and I don't see the point in hurting myself if it's not necessary. Furthermore, this lift table actually makes it more convenient for me to put my bag on and off, meaning that I'm more likely to put it on for exercise. 

So now I have a lift table that will easily raise my bag to waist level so I can easily put on it for walks, and then when I'm done smoothly lower it for storage or bag access/maintenance. 

https://amzn.to/3Ccr3RH

I haven't used it long enough to give a long-term evaluation of it, but here's what I've noticed so far:

• The wheels easily move on residential carpet. 
• ... which is good, because it weighs 70.5 lbs. I'm not picking that sucker up unless I absolutely have to. 
• The table is wide enough for my needs without getting in the way, although the hole in the surface is a bit annoying. 
• Weights up to 150 lbs rise with no extra effort. I just push the foot pedal down. (I haven't seen a need to put on more weight than that.)
• The lift pedal seems to raise it about one inch per pedal pump, so I have to pump it about 30-some times. 
• The lift pedal swings a bit from side to side. This is awkward but doesn't interfere with its function. 
• The table lowers smoothly and swiftly. 
• I can easily fit all of my packs onto it. 

So, I have a lift table now. It was expensive, but I'm glad to have it. I'm certain I will find other uses for it; if you read the Amazon reviews you'll see stories of people using it for other purposes, such as installing window sill air conditioners or raising generators to truck bed level. If you find your back constantly hurting from having to lift heavy things, then perhaps the Extreme Max Hydraulic Motorcycle Lift Table is right for you, too. 

https://amzn.to/3Ccr3RH

Rucksack Night Walking

Not actually Erin.

Picture by KJ Photography

& is used with permission.

Now that it's become pleasantly cool here in Florida, I've been taking nighttime walks around the neighborhood loop with my camping rucksack. 

As I mentioned back in April, my Bug Out Bag had become too heavy to carry without back pain, and I needed to slim it down. To that end, I tore everything out and rebuilt it from the ground up with the philosophy of "a pack suitable for a three-day camping trip is also a 72-hour BOB". I then supplemented it sparingly with some items that would be useful in a longer-term emergency. 

I think it's safe to say that I've gotten most of the kinks worked out of this bag, and I can carry it without either pain or difficulty. I'm now able to walk the full loop, 1.1 miles, without back pain or getting out of breath. My stamina still needs work because my goal is to be able to do two full miles -- well, 2.2 in reality, because that's two full loops -- and by the time I finish the first loop I'm exhausted and ready for a shower and bed. Still, this is progress that I'm quite proud of, and I know that if I just keep at it I will eventually reach my goal. 

Last night really wore me out, though. I was wearing hiking boots rather than my usual sneakers because it had rained earlier, and they weigh slightly more than I'm used to having on my feet. Around the 3/4ths mark of the walk my feet felt like they were weighed down with sandbags, and I had to concentrate on putting one foot in front of the other. My new rule is that I either walk in boots or with my rucksack, but not both until I'm stronger. 

For those who want to know more about my current 72 hour bag / camping rucksack, it's a High Sierra Long Trail 90L. 

Specs:

• 90-liter, expedition-sized backpack with extra cargo capacity.
• Top-load main compartment with gusseted drawstring closure and adjustable top lid.
• Drop-bottom sleeping bag compartment with divider.
• ERGO-FIT shoulder harness, constructed with HEX-VENT mesh and foam padding.
• Dual, contoured aluminum frame bars
• Molded foam back panel with AIRFLOW channels.
• Waist belt, with HEX-VENT mesh and high-density foam padding.
• Side and bottom compression straps.
• Internal hydration reservoir sleeve and dual exit ports for tube.
• Front access to the main compartment.
• Adjustable sternum strap.
• Webbing daisy chain for attaching other gear.
• Soft lashing hardware.
• Mesh pockets hold water bottles.
• Tuck-away rain cover also protects pack when checked for air travel.
• Capacity - 5500 cu. in.
• Weight: 6.91 lbs.

I'll tell you more about my new boots in another post, once I have a bit more experience with walking in them.