Emergency Preparedness

Instructions: Assemble and maintain an emergency backpack yourself

Matthias Schmid

February 23, 2021

The emergency backpack is also known as a bug-out bag. It should be readily accessible in an emergency situation. It should contain important items for serious incidents. Situations may include having to leave home quickly or being unable to go home. Fortunately, there are few events where one is necessary. Therefore, such an emergency backpack can only be found in a few households. Nevertheless, it is recommended by the Federal Agency for Civil Protection.

We would like to give you an overview with this post about what all needs to be included. So that you can put one together yourself for little money, we support you with useful tips.

Nowadays, there is a wide variety of emergency backpacks available for purchase on the internet. Prices range from 100€ to 1,500€. Thus, preppers not only equip themselves at home for emergencies but also keep a backpack with important documents, medications, and a basic supply of food readily accessible.

Types of emergency backpacks

What types of emergency backpacks are there and how do they differ? There are two types, which we will explain in more detail here.

Bug-out bag (BOB)

The bug-out bag (BOB) is ready at home as an escape backpack in case you need to leave in a hurry. The term originates from British military jargon and means: "to evacuate quickly under fire". The use of BOBs began when they were employed in the military as survival backpacks for when an area had to be vacated swiftly.

Get Home Bag (GHB)

The Get Home Bag is a backpack that is stored at the workplace or another location to ensure a safe return home in case of danger. The distance plays an individual role, which should be considered in advance. The risks associated with distance and the conditions of the home location and region should also be taken into account. The literal translation of Get Home Bag means, "home bag". This includes a survival kit that ensures a quick and safe journey home.

Backpack / Bug-out bag as a storage location

Store all perishable food items and expiring products such as cereal bars, single-serve packs, or emergency food in the storage location of the app. At any time, you can digitally check if anything needs to be replenished. By being visually reminded of the recommended minimum expiration date (MHD), you can act in time and incorporate the food items that are about to expire into your daily meal planning. Furthermore, you can reorder hard-to-find products to prevent shortages. This way, your backpack is always up-to-date and ready for an emergency.

The basic equipment for your emergency backpack.

Contents of the emergency backpack

A well-known proverb attributed to Confucius says: Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime.

Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime.

Of course, you should pack food and water directly into your backpack for a few days' supply.

In case you find yourself needing to live in the wild for an extended period, it is highly recommended to have a portable water filter to make water from a nearby stream or river drinkable. Food can be more challenging, but for those in the know, there is also the option to sustain oneself directly from nature with nuts, seeds, plants, mushrooms, and insects.

Since knowledge about edible plants is not common everywhere these days, I have packed two books in my backpack. One explains frequently occurring edible mushrooms and their deadly look-alikes, the other contains edible wild herbs along with their poisonous counterparts. This gives me a good feeling that I can still feed myself when the packed food runs out.

Enclosed are the two books and the water filter I use as an affiliate link:


That goes into the emergency backpack

  • Personal medications
  • First Aid Supplies
  • Battery-operated radio, spare batteries
  • portfolio
  • Food supply for 2 days in dust-proof packaging
  • Water bottle
  • Eating utensils and cutlery (if possible sustainable and lightweight)
  • Flashlight, spare batteries
  • Sleeping bag or blanket
  • Clothing for a few days
  • Headgear
  • Gloves
  • Hygiene products (e.g., menstrual hygiene items, diapers) for a few days
  • Protective mask, makeshift respiratory protection
  • Children: A neck pouch or an SOS capsule with name, date of birth, and address.

In case of emergency, do not forget things that cannot be packed in advance:

  • Identity card / Passport
  • Cash, debit cards
  • Health insurance card
  • vaccination certificate
  • Front door key/Car key
  • Handy / Smartphone

Now you are equipped with all the necessary information.
So let's go, have fun packing!

Enclosed are the two books and the water filter I use as an affiliate link:

Have fun packing!

Smantry: Not perfect – but made with a lot of heart

Many of our users write to us that theyhave been looking for exactly this kind of app for a long time. At the same time, we also read reviews that say:“Good idea, but …”
And that’s exactly what we want to talk about openly today.

An app for everyday life – not for perfection

Smantry is designed to make everyday life easier: manage groceries, stay on top of things, waste less.
Your feedback shows us that this is already working well for many of you:

  • Inputs are quick and straightforward
  • The scanner reliably detects most products
  • Editing and making changes is easy
  • Our support is perceived as fast, friendly, and solution-oriented

We’re really glad to hear that – because that’s exactly what we’re building Smantry for.

Why some things are (still) not perfect

What you often don’t see from the outside: Smantry is developed by a very small team.
Right now we are 5 people, and none of us works full-time on the app. We do this alongside other projects, jobs, and commitments – with a lot of passion, but limited resources.

That doesn’t explain everything, but it provides context:

  • Some functions take longer
  • Technical issues (e.g. with premium activations) unfortunately happen sometimes
  • Not every idea can be implemented right away

Frequently asked questions from your reviews

Why a subscription?
The subscription allows us to cover server costs, ongoing development, updates, and support in the first place. Without continuous revenue, Smantry would not be able to exist in the long term.

"Why isn’t the bug I reported being fixed?"
Sometimes there are several bugs at the same time and we have to prioritize the ones that affect core functions. That can mean that a different bug gets fixed first. We always try to resolve everything quickly – but unfortunately we can only do it step by step.

Why doesn’t Premium sometimes work right away?
Subscriptions are managed through the app stores. In rare cases, synchronization issues can occur. That’s annoying, but not intentional – our support team will always help you with this personally.

Where we want to go

Smantry is meant to get better – not just on paper, but in real everyday life.
This includes:

  • more features from the web app
  • better stability
  • more flexibility with categories
  • clearer communication

Your feedback plays a central role in this.

In conclusion

We’re not a corporation.
We’re a small team that believes in a good idea and is putting it into practice step by step.

If Smantry is helping you – even if everything isn’t perfect yet – we really appreciate your trust, your feedback, and of course a fair rating in the App Store 💛

Thank you for being part of this development.

January 22, 2026
2 min read

Power outage in Berlin: Why preparation and prepping are more important today than ever

An unexpected power outage in Berlin has recently shown how quickly our daily life can become unbalanced. Traffic lights went out, card payments stopped working, and many households were suddenly without light, internet, or cooking facilities. Such events highlight: emergency preparedness and prepping are not about spreading panic, but rather a sensible and responsible preparation for real risks.

Power Outage – A Real Risk for Major Cities

Whether it's technical malfunctions, construction work, or extreme weather conditions: A Blackout or regional power outage can occur at any time. Especially in large cities like Berlin, the effects are immediately noticeable. Without electricity, many basic systems no longer function – from supermarkets to ATMs to communication.

The most important question is:

Am I prepared for this?

Prepping: Preparedness instead of fear

Prepping does not mean preparing for apocalyptic scenarios. Rather, it's about everyday readiness:

  • remain capable of acting
  • be able to provide for the family
  • Reduce stress and uncertainty
  • not be immediately dependent on external help

The power outage in Berlin demonstrates: Just a few hours without electricity can cause major problems.

Stockpiling food as a key to emergency preparedness

A well-thought-out food supply is the foundation of any emergency preparedness. Experts recommend having supplies for at least 7 to 14 days. These include:

  • non-perishable food items such as rice, pasta, canned goods
  • Drinking water
  • long shelf-life snacks
  • Baby food or special diet
  • off-grid cooking options (e.g., gas stoves)

Yet many households quickly lose track: What's available? What's missing? What's about to expire?

Digital preparation with the Smantry App

Here comes the Smantry App into play – your digital companion for prepping, preparation, and stockpiling. The app helps you to plan your supplies in a structured way and to keep track at all times.

With the Smantry App you can:

  • Easily capture food supplies digitally
  • Define minimum quantities for emergencies
  • Monitor expiration dates and prevent food waste
  • prepare specifically for power outages, blackouts, and crises
  • Integrating prepping step by step into daily life

This makes emergency preparedness simple, transparent, and efficient.

Prepare now instead of improvising later:
👉 Download the Smantry App and start your digital emergency preparedness today.

Power outage in Berlin as a wake-up call

The power outage in Berlin was an eye-opener for many people. It demonstrates how quickly familiar structures can collapse – and how important it is to be prepared. Those who take precautions in time remain calm, safe, and independent.

Conclusion: Take precautions now instead of reacting later

Power outages, supply shortages, and crises are part of the reality of our time. With a well-thought-out food stockpiling and digital tools like the Smantry App you can make your emergency preparedness simple and effective.

👉 Start your preparation now

Download the Smantry App and gradually build up your personal emergency preparedness – before the next power outage occurs.

Discover the app now and be prepared.

January 15, 2026
2 min read

🍂 Cozy Autumn Leftover Cooking – Comfort dishes made from what's available

When the rain taps on the window and the tea cup becomes a permanent guest, the most beautiful kitchen time of the year begins: autumn. And what could be a better match than stylish leftover cooking – dishes that are not only sustainable but also truly exciting.

Autumn leftover cooking means: use instead of waste, but with a touch of sophistication. Here are some more unusual ideas to turn leftovers into small culinary highlights.

🧀 1. Pumpkin Gnocchi from leftover roasted vegetables

Do you have some leftover roasted pumpkin or sweet potato from the day before? Perfect!
Mash the vegetables, mix them with some flour, salt, and grated Parmesan, shape them into small gnocchi, and briefly cook them in salted water until they float to the surface. Then toss them in sage butter and top with chopped walnuts.
→ Tastes like Italy, looks like fine dining – and it's all made from leftovers!

🥖 2. Rustic bread salad with grapes and goat cheese

Tear stale bread into pieces, toast in olive oil until golden brown.
Add a few grapes (wrinkled ones are especially sweet), arugula or lamb's lettuce, crumbled goat cheese, and roasted hazelnuts. Mix with a dressing of balsamic vinegar, honey, and mustard.
→ A fall twist on the classic Panzanella – sweet, salty, crunchy, perfect!

🧅 3. French onion tart with leftover vegetables and puff pastry

Got some leftover puff pastry in the fridge? Make a tart out of it!
Caramelize onions in butter, add some leftover vegetables (e.g., leeks, mushrooms, or spinach). Spread on the pastry, top with a dollop of sour cream or cream cheese, and bake until golden brown.
→ Wonderfully aromatic, especially with thyme or rosemary.

🍎 4. Apple Sourdough French Toast with Vanilla Rum Butter

A piece of stale sourdough bread is soaked in a mixture of milk, egg, vanilla, and a dash of rum, fried in a pan, and served with fried apple slices and a rum butter.
→ Luxurious, yet made entirely from leftovers – perfect for a Sunday breakfast in pajamas.

🥬 5. Risotto made from leftover vegetables with lemon and herb oil

Chop the vegetable scraps finely and cook with a handful of rice into a creamy risotto.
A dash of lemon juice and some leftover herbs (parsley, basil, arugula) blended with oil make a fresh herb oil as a topping.
→ The acidity of the lemon beautifully enhances the earthy autumnal notes.

☕️ Bonus Tip: Using leftovers in a dessert glass

A few spoons of leftover compote?
Some leftover cake or cookies?
Layer it all with yogurt or mascarpone in a glass – and you have an autumnal "trifle" that looks like it came straight from a café in Copenhagen.

🍁 Conclusion

Autumnal leftover cooking is not a last resort, but a playground for creativity. When you look at ingredients with open eyes – not as leftovers, but as opportunities – small, exquisite dishes full of soul and flavor emerge.

October 21, 2025
2 min read

Why we never stop refining Smantry ✨

At Smantry, we don't believe in 'finished'.
An app that is meant to accompany people in their daily lives is never complete – it grows, changes, and evolves. Just like the people who use it. 💛

We regularly pay attention to every detail:
How does a click feel? Is the path to a function clear enough? Does the idea behind a new view come across intuitively?
Sometimes it's just tiny things that make the difference – a better-placed button, a simplified overview, or a sentence that suddenly becomes clearer.

What drives us is the idea that Smantry should feel easy, familiar, and meaningful.
We want you to open the app and feel: "Ah, this is exactly how it should work."

Of course, not everything always goes perfectly. But that's exactly the point: We take the time to listen, to observe, to reconsider. Every piece of feedback, every use case, every new idea helps us to understand a little better what really matters.

Smantry is not a rigid product for us – it's a living process. A collaborative project that grows step by step.
And every update, every small improvement is a sign that we are on the right track:
A path to an app that doesn't feel like technology, but like support.
Towards a daily life that becomes simpler. Towards clarity, structure – and maybe even a bit of ease. 🌿

We're staying on it.
Because we are convinced that good things take time – and that it's worth creating them with heart.

Your
Smantry-Team

October 16, 2025
1 min read