The Prepared Prepper's Wishlist: How to Add a Patriotic Flair to Your Emergency Bag

The Prepared Preppers Wishlist is a list of items that I think any prepper would benefit from or be able to use.

There's really no reason to make as much in a survival kit be an American flag except if we're being invaded by another country it's a big ol F you, which is fun. 

It's also super fun and aesthetically pleasing, so for this prepping to survive I'll be posting normal stuff for a survival kit, but super red white and blue.

Let's start with a backpack, normally I would say a bit bigger of a backpack is better, but these backpacks are super cute. So let's go with that.

If you ever need to bug out having a face covering could be helpful for many reasons, weather it be to help during a snow storm or against wind, to protect against germs (You'd need more heavy duty than these, but you get the idea) or to hide your identity.

And a hat can help protect your head and face from the sun. And don't forget sunglasses.

Paracord is always useful, it can be used to help with shelters, build traps, a fire starter, a belt, clothesline, shoelaces, for fishing, and more!

Flashlights, headlamps, and lanterns are obviously very important. Don't forget the extra batteries!

Knives and multitools are important for all kinds of things, self defense, cutting rope, getting food, fixing things, etc.

A lighter or firestarter is a definite need, especially if you're in the middle of nowhere. You might need a fire to cook, keep warm, boil water... Zippo has so many but this one is my favorite.

And don't forget a cute case to carry your lighter in!

Obviously a water bottle is needed. Also water purification tablets, but I couldn't find an American flag version of those, so just pretend. These are a few I like.

  

While you probably won't have room in an emergency pack for a blanket, maybe keep it in a car? Comfort is just as important when surviving, if you can be comfortable why not do it? 

Also an inflatable chair/bed that's compact might be the perfect thing for sleeping when you're in a bug out situation. Sleep is important. A hammock works too!

I couldn't find a red, white, and blue first aid kit, so just pretend these three are all one.

And a couple things to put in the first aid kit

A notebook and pen can come in handy in an emergency situation too, whether it be to leave notes, make notes for yourself, or using the paper as tinder.

Glow sticks to help with visibility at night and to signal for help if needed.

Non perishable patriotic food is super hard to find, most of it is candy or stuff that's not the best in a bug out situation. I did find these pastas though that you could definitely put in an emergency pack.

A portable charger to charge up any electronics you might need, and playing cards take up very little room and can provide a lot of entertainment.

There are so many other items you'd need in a survival kit, but these are just some fun American themed ones to add to your already existing bag.

Prepping to Survive: Baby Bug Out

    

Prepping to Survive is a post where I explain different things you'd need to survive. It's more than just things to buy, it's how to be prepared.

I did furry friends last time (it's been a minute since I posted prepper stuff) and because I recently had my baby girl I thought I would post what I will put in her baby bug out bag. 
I did start her B.O.B but all that's in it is some diapers, a couple outfits, and some first aid. I'm missing quite a bit.

Bag-
I would use a smaller but still good size backpack for the bug out bag. They make molle backpacks that smaller bags can attach to. I think it would be best for baby to have their own backpack, because a small one to attach might be too small. I would suggest trying to find one that whoever isn't carrying baby can carry on their front. 

Colored bags or labeled bags-

Babies stuff is so little. It's so easy to lose their stuff if it's loose in a bag. I would get a different colored or labeled bag for clothes, food, first aid, entertainment, 

Clothes-
Because babies grow so fast I would suggest putting in clothes that are a size or two too big. I put in 12 month onesies, 9 month pajamas and outfits, and then a couple onesies in her size now. It's Texas, it's hot, we can just put her in a onesie. However, for the funsies of this post I'm going to find some outfits I would absolutely love to buy and put in her B.O.B.

Okay I had fun with that. Obviously bugging out means camo, right? But really I would just pack plain colored onesies, pants, jammies, outfits, a pair of shoes or two, a hat or two depending on season. 

Diapers-
Same thing. I would suggest putting a handful of ones in her current size, and then a couple of a size bigger, two sizes bigger, maybe even three. However, cloth diapers are going to be your best option. You can wash them and they are reusable and adjustable most of the time.

Wipes-
Cloth wipes. Reusable and have many many uses besides just to wipe the baby booty. You can also keep a couple regular packs too. I like water wipes because A) they don't seem to dry out as fast, B) They have better ingredients, and C) if you have to use them for other stuff they don't taste or smell bad.

Formula-
There's individual packets of infant formula and there is also ready made formula. The problem with ready made is if you don't use it all it's just a waste unless you can refrigerate it. Plus it's a little heavy, but honestly with powder formula you still need water so I don't think it would be much different.
Don't forget the burp cloth! 

Food-
Now depending on baby's age you might need other snacks too. Baby food pouches are easy and light, so I would definitely do a bunch of those. You can do a small container of puffs and other light snacks. 

Water-
Again, depending on the age you might need to include extra water. 

First aid-

• Gripe water: But be very careful, I've been reading that it's dangerous lately so do your research.Gas drops: if not gripe water definitely include gas drops! You don't want a screaming baby just because they have gas.
• Infant Tylenol: self explanatory.
• Teething tablets: Again, screaming baby isn't fun. Plus a lot of them help them sleep too. More on teething below.
• Sleepy time lotion or calming balm: to help baby sleep or calm them, obviously.
• Salve: there's all kinds of healing salves and balms that would come in handy for not just baby, but anyone in the family.
• Sunscreen: If you aren't going to use it, at least get it for your littles.
• Saline spray: to clear up baby's nose boogies.
• Nail kit, nose aspirator/sucker
• Baby thermometer
• Medicine dropper
• Petroleum jelly
• Bandaids/gauze
• Tweezers
• Hand sanitizer (Mostly for you)/Antibacterial hand wipes

Comfort items-
Pacifiers, a lovey, blanket

Other useful stuff-

• Hand warmers. Babies do not like to be cold and if it's cold at all where you're at, expect a cranky baby. 
• Toy straps so you don't lose anything along the way that will upset baby. Don't want to have to backtrack or have a screaming baby if you lose something
• A soft book. Good for them to chew on and be entertained by
• Teething ring or other teething items. As explained above most definitely include something to help with a teething baby.
• Small lightweight toys. There is rattles you can attach to their arms or legs, though that might be a bit noisy. There's those O-ball things that are super lightweight. There's this lightweight baby tissue box, but it might take up too much room. A lot of times you have light weight toys at home, but you can always go to a toy store (do those still exist?) and see the size and weight of toys. 
• There are pros and cons to each of these items of course. Some might be lightweight, but they might be kind of big. Some are a little heavier but they're small. 

Carrier-
Now how are you going to carry baby? Obviously in a car you have a car seat, but what if you have to get out of the car? What if you have to walk or run? Carrying a heavy clunky baby carrier is no fun.
You can try a stroller. Pros? Places to put things and you don't have to carry baby. Cons? It's clunky and not really ideal for having to run away or go on rough terrain. You can try it and then have something to baby wear in case the going gets too tough.
A better option I think, would be a wagon. Room to carry more stuff, they have all terrain wagons and a baby can lay down and sleep in it. 
Otherwise I suggest a baby carrier for the front, this allows you to calm baby if needed, check on baby, and you can still wear a backpack. There are all kinds of tactical ones that have room for other things. Wanna attach the babies pacifier? Done. Want to hang a small toy or stuffie from it? Say less. They are pricey though.

The other option is to actually baby wear. You can use a wrap or a sling. I have yet to master this and honestly I doubt I'd be comfortable enough to run with my baby in a wrap that's attached to me. But that's really up to your comfort level. Get a wrap and practice practice practice. You never know when you might need to wrap them up and get out of dodge.