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!
The best kitchen tools to turn leftovers into delicious dishes 🍲✨
Hand on heart: Each of us has them – those little leftovers in the fridge or pantry that somehow never get properly planned for. But it's exactly these remnants that can often be turned into the most creative and delicious dishes! All you need are a few clever kitchen tools that make the work easier and get the best out of your ingredients.
Here are our favorites:
🥣 1. The powerful blender
Smoothies, soups, dips – a good blender transforms leftover vegetables, fruit, or even bread into a new dish in seconds. Perfect when bananas are a bit brown or the vegetables no longer look crisp.
🔪 2. A sharp chef's knife
Sounds simple, but a really good knife is worth its weight in gold. It allows you to cut vegetable and meat scraps precisely and quickly. Moreover, cooking is just more fun when you have the right tools.
🍳 3. A cast iron skillet
The all-rounder in the kitchen: fried potatoes made from leftover boiled potatoes, frittatas with yesterday's vegetables, or crispy bread cubes from stale bread – everything tastes twice as good in a cast-iron skillet.
🥕 4. Vegetable Peeler & Grater
A modest tool with a big impact: grate carrot leftovers, turn zucchini into noodles, or finely shred cheese remnants. With a peeler and grater, you bring variety to your leftover cooking.
🥡 5. Storage Containers & Screw-top Jars
Without proper storage, nothing works. You can keep leftovers fresh, transport them, or even prepare them for the next meal prepping. Tip: Jars are also great for serving small amounts in style.
🌱 6. Kitchen Scale
It's practical to know exactly how much is left over, especially with leftovers. This way, you can adjust recipes and avoid waste.
🥄 7. Personal Blender
The little brother of the blender – perfect for soups or sauces right in the pot. When only a small amount needs to be processed, it's super convenient.
How Smantry additionally helps you 📲
With the Smantry App you can not only keep an eye on your supplies, but soon you'll also be able to discover recipes for your leftovers. This way, you'll immediately know which tool to take out of the cupboard to save your food and create something new.
👉 Because good tools and the right app are the perfect combo to combat food waste.
New laws on food waste in Spain
Spain has recently passed a groundbreaking law to combat food waste. This law requires all actors in the food chain, from producers to retailers, to implement specific plans to prevent food loss.
Key provisions of the law:
Obligation to donate surplus food: Supermarkets with a floor space of more than 1,300 square meters are now required to form partnerships with non-profit organizations to donate surplus food that is still fit for consumption. These donations are exempt from value-added tax.
Offer of packaging for leftover food: Restaurants and bars are required to provide their guests with free, reusable or recyclable packaging so that they can take home uneaten food. The aim is to raise consumer awareness of food waste and encourage them to take leftovers with them.
Promotion of the sale of products with approaching expiration dates: Retailers should offer products that are nearing their expiration date or have aesthetic defects at reduced prices to encourage their sale and reduce waste.
Hierarchy of priorities for dealing with surplus food: The law establishes an order for handling surplus food. Priority is given to human consumption through donations. If this is not possible, the food should be used for the production of processed products. The last options include using it as animal feed or for energy generation.
Sanctions for violations:
Companies that violate the provisions of the law can expect fines ranging from 2,000 to 500,000 euros.
Critique and Outlook:
While the law is considered an important step in the fight against food waste in Europe, there is also criticism. Some voices argue that the strict framework of sanctions could disproportionately burden companies and that the law does not sufficiently address the role of consumers, who are responsible for a significant portion of food waste.
Nevertheless, the law is seen as a significant advancement in reducing food waste and promoting a more sustainable awareness in society.
Join in and reduce food waste! 🌱📲
Spain's new law demonstrates: Sustainability starts in the pantry! With the Speisekammer App you can keep track of your groceries, plan meals efficiently, and avoid unnecessary waste.
👉 Download the app now and join the movement for less waste and more conscious consumption! 💚 Try it now!
Sharing supplies together – why the Shared Economy is now moving into the kitchen
The concept of Shared Economy has long been more than a short-term trend – it's changing our everyday lives. More and more neighborhoods, shared apartments, and community projects are discovering how practical it is to organize groceries together and manage supplies transparently.
Why sharing supplies is becoming increasingly popular
- Save on costs: Bulk purchases become cheaper when more people participate.
- Save space: Not everyone needs their own package of rice or pasta.
- Better organization: Digital tools make it easy to see what is available.
- Experiencing community: Food brings people together – as does camping together.
From the flatshare to the neighborhood
Especially in shared apartments or families with multiple households it pays off to keep a communal stock of supplies. But neighborhood projects or small communities are also recognizing the added value: shopping, storing, and using together.
How Smantry helps
This is where Smantry comes into play:
- Community Feature: Supplies can be managed collectively.
- Transparency: Everyone can see which items are available.
- Efficiency: Duplicate purchases are avoided, leftovers are used up in time.
- Flexibility: Soon it will become even easier to manage entire communities (including new features such as categories or the option to completely delete communities).
👉 The shared economy doesn't stop with cars – it moves right into your kitchen. With Smantry sharing supplies becomes easier than ever.
At last, it's here: The categorization of articles 🎉
Over the past few months, we have collected numerous feedback from you – and the request for better organization of supplies was one of the most frequent wishes. Soon, it will be possible to sort your items into individual categories, so that you can keep track of everything even more quickly.
Why categories are so practical
- 🥦 More organization in your pantry: Instead of a long list, you can structure your products into categories such as "Vegetables", "Beverages", or "Household Goods".
- ⏱️ Faster Finding: No more long scrolling – jump straight to the right category.
- 👨👩👧👦 Improved collaboration: In communities or family households, everyone can immediately see where things belong.
- 🌍 Customization: You can create your own categories that suit your needs – whether for meal prep, stockpiling, or just your everyday life.
Your wish will become reality ✨
We know how important this feature is to you. That's why our development team has implemented categorization as a high priority. It will soon be available step by step in the app – fulfilling one of the biggest wishes of our community.
We are thrilled that we can make everyday life even easier for you with this. Stay tuned – as always, we will keep you updated on when the feature will be officially released.
👉 Do you already have ideas on how you want to structure your categories? Feel free to send us your suggestions or requests – your input might directly influence the ongoing development.