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Today I was at a preparedness conference in Portland, where I came upon this harmless looking and stylish “Ready Book”

I wanted to talk about it because it does tie into my previous articles about being prepared but I also wanted to look critically at it.

First off you can learn more about Ready Book by going to their website here. http://myreadybook.com/

The ready book is clearly designed to give you a few tips about being prepared. It is laid out in 8 sections  referred to as Tabs.

Tab 1: gives you basic instructions for completing the book and a simple information sheet it also has a insert for putting a photo of your family I think this is great for any firefighter or first responder.

Tab 2: gives you A booklet to write down emergency phone numbers, and a in town and out of town contact list.. I think everyone should do this..

Tab 3: Gives you a insert for a list of medication’s you are taking.

Tab 4: gives you a insert for your important papers.

Tab 5: is how to make a basic go-kit

Tab 6: is got to make a basic Stay kit.

Barcoded wristbands

Tab 7: is where I start to get a little uneasy— Tab 7 consists of some very vague instructions and 5 personalized (numbered) Identification Wrist bands that you can pop out of the page and slap on yourself and your children. The book and website say that these barcode labels will help connect the information in the book to you.

“The next page contains five (5) personalized I.D. bands. Use these in the event of an emergency to help identify you and your belongings

Write your name on each band.

Detach the below I.D. bands only in the event of an emergency that requires an evacuation. Use them for the following scuggest purposes:

Around your wrist to help identify you
On your “go-kit”
On your assistive device(s)
On your pet’s collar
On your Luggage
__(write your own)__

Intake Form

Page 8 is a Medical Care Point or shelter intake assessment tool (form) from the American red cross & US Department of Health and Human Services.

So.. On 7 & 8 I think its important to note that the point of this website is to prepare yourself and your family.
And there are barcoded triage tags out there on the internet and that I do like those ones..

BUT I also this that personal freedom and security is paramount. I feel that adding this kind of tracking to a document published by the government blurs the line.. I do think the program has some potential value as a parent it would be good to be able to link my kids to me in a shelter if they ran off.. But as a parent I am not letting my kids out of my sight.  overall I think the Ready book has mostly good tools and the bar-code thing its even a good idea DURING a event, to be given out AT shelters

But to hand it out to people before an event and to condition them to accept it. to accept being numbered and scanned. Well that scares the crap out of  me. But
I would love to hear back from my readers. What do you think  do you think this is a well put together innocent booklet that aims to prepare our citizens and make life easier for our first responders..

OR

Does this go to far.. Barcoding and cataloging people & things and laying out directives, photos, official documents.

Does this lead to those FEMA camps?

Please comment with what you think and I will reply.

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Have you been to REI, Dicks, Sportsmans Warehouse etc.. lately and have you seen the SOL origin from Adventure Medical Kits.

Okay lets be honest here and remember that I really do want you to be prepared.

BUT I also want you to do it with  affordability in mind!

I also want to start out by saying this is not a all negative review..

I look at a LOT of products.. I mean I spend HOURS every day keeping up with new products. The SOL caught my eye right away.

It looks really neat a orange (i’m a sucker for orange stuff) and battleship grey ABS case that houses a variety of tools and a handy guide.

Now my problem with this kit is … drum roll please… ITS EXPENSIVE! WAY EXPENSIVE! Way too Expensive.. Lets take a look at the kit contents.

Now I will say at 6.25oz its got size on its side its under 3x4x2 so it fits in almost any pocket.. which is good for day hikers and “im gonna park the car and check out this ridge over here”

It DOES cover the basics.. Fire, Some trap parts.. signaling.. So I think thats great..

BUT!..

Look at that knife… Great for a backup.. I think.. but if that’s the only knife you have.. your going to have problems.. Its too short to hammer the back of to cut larger branches.. and I don’t think it really could take much of a beating..

I think that a Sewing Needle, #7, Darner are valuable tools.. and have their place.. but I can get one for 10 cents.. in-fact I can get a rounded needle and keep it next to my straight needle for about 2 bucks..

Aluminum Foil, Heavy Duty, 3 Sq. Ft. Well okay.. this is useful you can fashion all kinds of things out of foil and you can even use it to carry fire.. so that’s good.. but were really talking about less then fifty cents worth here.. maybe $1.00

Combination Knife, LED Light & Whistle – I don’t like combining things like that.. if you lost one then you lost them all.. or perhaps you are pounding away at a branch with the dinky knife and you fracture the housing rendering both the light and whistle inoperable.

Good knife! $10-25.00 or the one you have already, LED light… anywhere from $1.00 on up.. and a whistle, I can sell you those for fifty cents all day long.. Yes I know you can get nicer ones..

Compass, Button, Liquid Filled.. Compass is critical and I scuggest you have a few all the time.. mine is on my keyring.. it also integrates a whistle.. it was $5.00 from GetReadyPortland.com Buttons can be made from bark.. make one.. FREE

Fire Lite Fire Striker: okay this is critical.. WHY is there only one method of making fire in this kit.. you should add waterproof matches to the kit at least..! the striker is nice.. it works well BUT.. You can get them for under $10.00 now..

Fish Hook, #10, Fish line..  CHEAP!!! Go to your tackle box and put some in your kit.. cost = Pennies..

Safety Wire, Stainless Steel, (6 ft of 0.020″) = Okay.. this is a okay product.. but I would suggest you going to REI and getting a real pull saw for your kit.. they are like $10.00

Signal Mirror, Rescue Flash – Okay i will give in on this one.. i don’t want you to go steal your wife’s used makeup compact and put it in your kit at a cost of nothing..

Snap Swivel, Size 12.. cool tool ill leave it alone.. no really this time…

Split Shot, Lead B back to that tackle box… and by now I hope you are using non lead split shot.. Lead is bad for you and the river..

Tinder Quick – Good product you could also soak some cotton balls in kerosene and then seal them up in a waterproof match container and get the same if not better effect..

The guide with 60 neat survival tricks… = If you are hear I think you know quite a few.. write them down starting with this one..

S – Stop
T – Think
O – Observe
P – Plan
A – Act..

My point here guys… and gals..
This is a neat little kit but for the same cost you can get much better equipment to put into your kit.. A really nice knife.. a high quality compass.. a few forms of fire making..

I do appreciate what AMK has done with this kid.. but I think the price should come down..

Comments ALWAYS welcome..

Thanks everyone..