Top 15 Prep Items, Amazon, first half 2012
You may be curious to know which Amazon.com products are being purchased the most by folks who read Modern Survival Blog. We occasionally highlight or include various Amazon products from time to time which compliment the articles of this blog, and the following 15 items have been the most popular during the first half of 2012 as purchased through links on this site.
In order of popularity,
We’ve written several articles on weather radios, and this model, by far is the most popular and well reviewed. Given the extreme weather conditions we seem to be facing these days, I wouldn’t be caught without one. It’s #1 on our popularity list.
MIDLAND WR300 Weather Radio
We have also analyzed several types of rechargeable batteries, which are a good thing to have on hand (along with a solar battery charger) for times of emergency. The Tenergy low-self-discharge are the best in this category, and being #2 on the list reflects that opinion from our readers. Don’t forget the other sizes… AA, AAA, C, D, 9V
Tenergy Centura AA Low Self-Discharge (LSD) NiMH Rechargeable Batteries, 1 Card 4xAA
This solar powered battery charger will charge all of the common size consumer batteries, and is a very common sense preparedness item to compliment your rechargeable batteries.
Solar 11-in-1 Battery Charger
There is obvious concern among preppers for the possibility of a nuclear accident, and these iOSAT Potassium Iodide pills might save your life should there ever be one near by.
iOSAT Potassium Iodide Tablets, 130 mg (14 Tablets)
This simple yet inexpensive alarm is perfectly effective against someone opening your door at night, while either away on a trip, or at home.
GE 50246 Smart Home Door Stop Alarm
Most First Aid kits do not have an effective compression bandage for traumatic bleeding such as this one. It is a great add-on, as is apparent by coming in #6.
New Israeli Battle Dressing, 6-inch Compression Bandage
While portable shortwave radios are also quite popular, this inexpensive and small AM/FM portable radio is a great alternative for tossing into your pack or BOB.
Sony ICF-S10MK2 Pocket AM/FM Radio, Silver
Emergency lighting is an essential prep, and you can’t beat LED power. This LED lantern is the most popular of all, and comes in at #8 overall.
Rayovac SE3DLN Sportsman Xtreme LED Lantern
Survival books in general have been enormously popular, and the #1 book in this category (#9 overall) is this one.
Encyclopedia of Country Living, 10th Edition
Without power or electricity for an extended period of time, washing one’s clothes will prove difficult. Unless of course you have one of these (as apparently do many MSB readers at this point).
Columbus Washboard 2072 Family Size Washboard
Cutting saws of various types are all well and good, but this unique ‘chainmate’ is a compact addition to any survival kit.
Chainmate CM-24SSP 24-Inch Survival Pocket Chain Saw With Pouch
When the power goes out at night, how many people take out their candles? Apparently quite a few as is evidenced by the popularity of these votive candles coming in at #12.
Biedermann & Sons 15 Hour Votive Candles, Box of 36, White
Every home, vehicle, and survival kit should include First Aid preps. This First Aid Kit is the most highly rated in its price category.
The Complete First Aid Kit – Includes Save-A-Tooth, Exceeds ANSI Standards, Made USA
What survival kit or prep inventory does not include multiple means to create fire? The magnesium style fire-starter is a staple when it comes to sparking a fire in either dry or wet conditions.
Emergency Fire Starter
Wrapping up the top 15, is itself a mechanism of wrapping. These mylar foil blankets have been popular all year.
Emergency Mylar Thermal Blankets (Pack of 10)
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The Tenergy rechargeable batteries brand new in the pack, will they store well? Then, say 10 years charge them for the first time? Or will they start decaying because of the chemical reaction?
@showpare, that is a good question regarding shelf life. The following is from their website. Unfortunately they do not mention long term shelf life, but only their low-self-discharge rate and the number of charge cycles. My instinct tells me that they would be alright for 10 years or more if you charged them up say once a year or every other year. I’ve had rechargeable consumer size batteries that seem to have lasted for nearly that long (although those older batteries I have are a different brand, and they lose their charge quicker than the Tenergy).
Able to maintain 85% charge for a 1 year period without recharging.
No memory effect.
Replacement for Alkaline AA size.
Can be charged up to 1000 times.*
http://www.tenergy.com/10321?sc=59&category=38141
I listened to The Survival Podcast yesterday and today and the guest was Steve Harris of http://www.solar1234.com. I don’t know a thing about Tenergy batteries, but he puts the best items from his own testing on his site. I am not endorsing anything here, but after listening to him talk for 2 hours, he sounds like he knows what he is talking about when it comes to solar, batteries, inverters, etc. Check out that podcast and the website and it may answer some questions on those topics.
Ken, thie biggest problem I am experiencing at the moment is trying to get Amazon to send things like those Mylar blankets to Aus – “Sorry we cannot deliver this item to your destination”…
Starting to get really annoyed with Amazon – and going straight to eBay as first point of call then Amazon just in case for price comparison.
I’ve stocked up on most of the items listed above and have the BOB in the best highest driest position in the house, however moved in with the lady friend so any spare cash has disappeared, so trying to get her to start prepping for herself & child but it’s falling on deaf ears and empty bank accounts…
Thanks for the article Ken.
@Slazmo, that’s because you live outside the U.S. (in Australia), no disrespect intended – they (Amazon) have completely different company entities handling things outside the U.S. I have shopped Amazon for years and never had a problem (in the U.S.). In fact I am continually amazed at their excellent customer service (especially with returns – no questions asked).
I agree ken, I’ve managed to pick up a few little things ok, however the prepping things have been quiet hard to source online from them…
We have similar online stores here in Aus, however as you could appreciate they’re nowhere as cheap or near the same quality at all. With e-business you would hope that there would be fewer boarders and limits however its starting to look the exact opposite.
Anyhow, I’ll keep looking in stores and around – just find it hard to find specific items.
P.s. The Sanyo Enloops are supposed to be the best rechargeable batteries on the market today – I’m on an online forum ‘candlepower forums’ and near all hardcore flash light builders use them and give them a real hard time and find that they perform like no other batteries on the market.
Thanks Ken
The Sanyo eneloop
battery is fantastic. I have them too. The Tenergy is claimed to have a lower self-discharge rate, which may or may not be important to folks. They are both excellent rechargeable batteries.
@Slazmo.
You would need to use an Amazon affiliate. A lot of countries, including yours, have them. When Amazon says they can’t ship something outside the US it’s because the US government won’t let them do so without a license from the dept of commerce. These licenses are per transaction. Supposed to stem the flow of munitions and the like.
Be well.
Is there no equivalent to Amazon there in Aussie land?
I am sorry.
Also sorry about the lady friend and deaf ear thing.
Amazing isn’t it?
Especially from what little I know about your home there seems to be a fair amount of flood and fires there.
Best wishes and good luck!