0 Simple Survival Gear - The Cup

Of all the different types of survival gear, one of the essential items is the cup. In a search for that perfect piece of gear, the cup is probably one of the most difficult items to find. When looking for that perfect piece of gear, there has been a lot of time and effort expended by a lot of people in their search for the perfect cup. It is only after many years of trying to find that ultimate piece of gear that the simple truth has come to light. Most cups have a number of good qualities in common and it is not the cup that is of major importance. It’s the manner in which you take advantage of all of its features.

Basic Features

The size and shape of most cups are fairly common and you only need one with a capacity to boil water for cooking or making a hot cup of coffee or tea. Stainless steel cups are probably your best bet with titanium a close second, if you can afford it. Your cup should also have a flat bottom in order to fit comfortably on most backpacking or hiking stoves. Your cup will also need to hold 16 to 24 ounces of liquid which will give you adequate capacity for fixing a dehydrated meal, soup or a cup of tea or coffee. The handle should fold out of the way when not in use and it should lock firmly in place when deployed. The handle is important to make sure you can securely handle your cup when it is hot. A couple of extra drinking cups that nest inside the cup are also a definite plus.

Cup Storage

The true secret to that perfect cup is how you utilize its storage capacity. Cups with canteens nested in them don’t give you much of a storage option. The majority of people carry separate water bottles and this allows you to take advantage of the storage capacity of your cup. You can add coffee filters for water filtration and a small bottle of bleach to purify it. You can add a lighter, a firesteel and some tinder to help make a fire to heat the water in your cup. You can include a small knife and a spork as well. Throw in some instant coffee packets, drink mix and a little salt and pepper and you’re good to go.

The true worth of any cup is not realized until you put something in it.

Got cup?

Staying above the water line!

Riverwalker

Detail: Simple Survival Gear - The Cup

0 Planning Ahead - The Vehicle Stash

Most Americans are pretty dependent upon their vehicles. It’s essentially how we get from point A to point B.  While we use our vehicles in our daily routine, we often fail to include them in our preparedness plans. Time and effort can be utilized more effectively if we do some advance planning.

Most vehicles have a wide range of storage areas. Some are quite small, while others can hold a significant amount of gear. This can be of vital importance if it becomes necessary to “bug-out” in a hurry. Stashing a few extra but necessary items in your vehicle ahead of an impending disaster can be an excellent means in which to save some time and give yourself that needed edge. Sometimes a few minutes can mean a world of difference if you have to bug-out.

Utilizing those extra storage areas to carry a few extra items can effectively put you ahead of the game. A flashlight and a multi-tool stashed in your vehicle’s glove compartment, a good fixed blade knife hidden in a map pocket, a tarp tucked under the back seat, or a 2 gallon cooler of drinking water tucked away in the trunk can keep you ahead of the game.  You can even find space to keep a GHB (get home bag) in case your vehicle breaks down. In most disaster scenarios, time is a valuable commodity and a little advance planning will help you conserve as much time as possible. You can always throw your bug-out bag in at the last minute.

Storage space is a terrible thing to waste.

Got vehicle stash?

Staying above the water line!

Riverwalker

Detail: Planning Ahead - The Vehicle Stash

0 Prepping on a Budget - Affordable Items for Preppers - Emergency Water Storage

When you have limited funds to prep with, the only way to manage is by looking for specials that will save you money. The first thing you should look for is simple and affordable water storage. Water is something you can’t live without and is one of the first things needed if you experience an unexpected event. Unfortunately, the savings are often hidden and you may not realize there is a bargain right in front of you. Here’s a cheap and inexpensive way to have emergency water storage that is both portable and affordable.

The first thing you will need to get is a manual pump for one of those portable water bottles. These cost about $10 at your local Walmart.  They give you a hint on the outside of the package about discount savings without actually telling you. The discount happens to be a $5 coupon off your next purchase of a bottle of water. Using the coupon, the bottle of water (5 gallon size) which normally costs about $11.50 will now only cost you $6.50.

When you add your total cost, you will have only spent $16.50 for a manual pump and five gallons of emergency water storage. The pump also works even if you don’t have power. The water bottles also have a built in handle for portability. A five gallon bottle of water will weigh in excess of forty pounds but is still a manageable weight for most people. The five gallons should be enough water for two people for almost 72 hours.

To increase your emergency water storage, just purchase an additional bottle of water later when your budget permits. This type of setup is ideal for preppers who have limited space.

Emergency water storage that’s portable for less than $20...now that’s a bargain.

Staying above the emergency water storage line!

Riverwalker

Detail: Prepping on a Budget - Affordable Items for Preppers - Emergency Water Storage