Food Storage Friday - Port-A-Potty (not a crappy gift!)

Ha ha ha!

The title was maybe a little crude, but sorry.  This isn't a crappy last minute gift if you are looking for one!

I have this port-a-potty that I carry with my 72 hour supplies.  It garners many a comment if people see it.  I have had a few requests to share what is inside by a few people, so here goes:

I have it all packed in a 5 gal bucket.  Many sources suggest that if you had to find an alternate place to "sit", a 5 gal bucket is a great substitute. 

I have tested it out. 

Now, don't be gross, I just sat on it!

It really works.

I also have a neighbour who lived in a trailer with her 5 kids and hubby while her house was being built (she is seriously my new hero!) and they had to use a bucket.  She said it was almost as good as a toilet.  (although I personally like my flushing toilet!)

So inside I placed a few things that I thought I most needed:

• Garbage bags.  These need to be the smaller sized ones as once a couple times it has been used, you want to tie it up and chuck it.
• Small plastic bags.
• Feminine products (I have an assortment)
• Toilet Paper
• Hand Sanitizer (I have a couple types)
• I also have this product that eliminates some of the viruses/bacteria that occur in human feces (to spray in each solid matter bag)
• Anti Bac wipes

A few things that I added (and will add as I find them in the store) that make life a little easier when you have to use something like this:

• Shampoo
• A Tarp
• Rope to hang the tarp (to make a "room" to use)
• Brush
• Chapstick
• Sunblock
• Deodorant
• Toothpaste and Toothbrushes
• Portable Shower
• Soap
• Towels
• Hand/face cloths
• etc

I gave one to my Mom one time for Christmas, and I have one.  I know it seems like it would never happen, but if I have a 72 hour kit, I also want to have something to make this job a little less nasty.  It is something we all do, and we all need to think about, but sometimes it is unpleasant. 

What do you think I am missing?  What essential items would you add to your bucket?

Cheers

Survival in a Loaf Pan

This post is one I wrote for Latter-Day Homeschooling.

OK.  Dh and I have a little obsession with outdoor things.

We love to be prepared, and in the process of becoming prepared, we tend to do things like make and use survival kits.

This one is one of our favorites in it's simplicity and also in the completeness of including a little of everything.

Here is a list of the contents (and what you can use them for):

Sling Shot ("hunting" small game for eating, a little bit of protection)
Flashlight
Safety Pins (repair or holding things together)
Compass
Fish Hooks (fishing or repair - make shift sewing implements)
Matches
Pepto
Ground Sheet (emergency shelter, poncho, ground cover to sleep on)
Emergency Blanket
Nylon Rope
Flint & Steel (fire making)
Snare Wire (for catching small game, emergency "rope")
Multi Tool
Mirror (signaling)
Fishing line (wrapped on a bobbin from a sewing machine)
Pencil & Tape (with the tape wrapped around the end of the pencil)
Knife
Bungee Cords
Loaf Pan (for everything to fit into)
Bandana (to wrap and carry the loaf pan in)

As you can see, you probably want to learn some skills before you HAVE to rely on something like this. 

Here are a couple links that you might enjoy:

Knife Safety Discussion
Snaring
Fishing
Tarp Shelters
My post with a pile of "scouting" links.  All broken down into areas of study.

What is your favorite thing to do for survival preparing?  I would love to know how your family is preparing yourself in survival.  Have fun!

Cheers

72 Hour Kits

Well, with the stuff happening all over the world that is crazy and damaging, I set out to update our 72 hour kits on Saturday.

I took all the outdated and expired things (which, were few and I was proud! :D) and set in a few other things I had collected.

Just for fun, and for my journal, I thought I would put our kits contents on here. If you have something that you just can't live without, let me know...I want to add it to mine! :) (if I can cram it in there!) This list is just the kit...there is also a bin with clothing, blankets, a Disaster kit, and a Grab and Go binder with it as well.

In Every Kit:
Sanitation
Hand San

Camp Towel

Wipes

Camp Towel(s)
Water filter

5L Water Container

Soap leaves

Sleep/Heat
Emergency Blanket

Hand Warmers

Gloves
Tarp

3 Fire Starters

Long Underwear

Food/Cooking
2 pkgs of Emergency Ration Bars (Datrex)
Emergency Stove

Entertainment
Activity Book

Playing cards

Pencils/Pens

Water Container (750 mL)
Utensils

Poncho

Matches
small 1st aid kit

small knife

carbiner

Misc
Sunscreen

Container with small change ($)
Knife

Compass

Flashlight

Rope

In Mom's Kit Extra:
Xtra Poncho

Fishing supplies

Xtra Water Filter
Wire

Work Gloves

1st Aid Kit

In Dad's Kit Extra:
Xtra Matches

Xtra Stove

Fishing supplies
Wire

Work Gloves

2Xtra Ponchos