I was not paid to do this review, and J. Bullivant is currently not an advertiser.
Most people who would need survival tools after a disaster live in urban areas. In that case, the J. Bullivant Solar Backpack may be worth looking into.
by Leon Pantenburg
Here’s a very possible scenario:
The earthquake hits while you’re at work in the high rise. The office walls start to shake and the pictures start to fall. Alarms go off. Head pop up above the cubicles, as people, with no idea of what to do, look around. Some will sit back down and get back to work.
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The J. Bullivant Solar Backpack is designed for urban survival situations.
Now what? Stay? Go? Logout, then go? Facebook somebody downstairs? Ignore the situation? (Check out the story for a possible plan of action.)
The experts would agree: Get out immediately. And if you have the correct tools, you may make it out of the building and stay alive for the next 24 hours until help can arrive.
This is where the J. Bullivant Solar Backpack basic model may save your bacon. It has a variety of components designed to help keep you alive in an urban disaster. The tools included range from water filters to ballistic shields and ways to power your laptop and cell phones.
How useful could this selection be? I didn’t physically test all the items, since in some cases, that would have been impossible, or involved breaking a seal which would have ruined the one-time-use product. But when possible, I checked out all the components physically, and over an extended period of time.
These solar backpack components were visually inspected, but not physically tested.
Escape hood: This is a single-use head covering, intended for escape purposes only. It is intended to provide protection and breathable air while escaping from a fire or other emergency situation such as a chemical or biological attack. The flame retardant , chemical-resistant hood could provide respiratory filtering for about an hour, and it might be enough to get you out of a burning building alive.
Fire extinguisher: VERY valuable when you need one. It could make the difference between being trapped in a burning building and getting out. It could also be used to stop a fire under a car hood, a grease fire in a kitchen, etc. This 16-ounce extinguisher is “not intended to replace a fire extinguisher meeting NFPA 10.”
Trauma kit for bleeding wounds: The wilderness first aid training I’ve had indicates that everything needed for treatment of a wound is available in this packet.
Self Defense Fogger: This spray container sure looks like pepper spray to me. There is a holster on the strap of the backpack for carrying it. During a disaster, a tool to ward off bad guys could be critical. This spray can is an option, but wouldn’t be my first choice.
Ballistic Shield: Anything that keeps a bullet from penetrating your body is a good thing. This one is backpack sized, and weighs about a pound or two.
Radiation card: This measures levels of radiation, and has a supply of iodine tablets with it. The setup would have to be tested in a real radiation disaster situation, and I’m delighted I couldn’t do it!
These items were tested and work well:
Personal Power Generator with Charging Cables: This charger will make you very popular among unprepared techies during a power outage. It could be a lifesaver for communicating with emergency responders, as well as the basis for a thriving charging station business!
With enough power in reserve to charge a smart phone three times over and provide juice to your iPad, Nook, Kindle and other small electronics, according to the enclosed instructions, the Personal Power Generator makes the backpack a mobile power center. The PPG charges through the solar panels on the outside of the backpack or through a car charger or wall outlet and the 2-in-1 Charging Adapter.
Food: Four MayDay “Mini-Meal” bars, at 400 calories each, are in the backpack. This gives 1,600 calories of no-cholesterol, high energy food that fits in a small space and is lightweight. This would be enough to keep the average adult going for a day. The MayDays have a shelf life of five years.
The hydration system is excellent. This stainless steel bottle houses a complete filtering system. (Pantenburg photos)
Water: The water purification system includes a stainless steel water bottle, filter and 16 water purification tablets. The company claims the filter removes 99.9 percent of all microbiological waterborne pathogens for up to 100 gallons of water. Combined with the water purification tablets, the system should be able to purify water anywhere. An additional advantage over plastic sport bottles is that the Bullivant could be used to boil water.
I immediately filled it with water and took it to work for a week. The bottle holds 24 ounces when full, and fits nicely in my briefcase. It is easy to drink from, with no extreme intake effort required. (IE: It is easy to suck the water out.) This is a huge consideration if there are small children or elderly people who might need to use the bottle.
The top design is impressive: When the spigot is fully extended for drinking, it is protected from breakage. I filled the bottle, and inverted it for a time in a pan to check for leaks. I didn’t notice a drop. This reliability is critical for a water bottle that will be knocked around in a survival backpack or subject to rough handling. This hydration system is outstanding.
All Hazards Radio: Powered by a hand crank, this devise features an All Hazards Radio, phone charger, AM/FM radio, distress siren and flashlight. The device also comes with the appropriate cables to recharge it from a standard electrical outlet, from the solar panels on the backpack.
I used the flashlight the most, since I walk two black Labs every night. It is bright, and a few cranks will power it for my 40-minute walk. The siren got my dogs attention!
The two-way radio and the All Hazards Radio could provide effective methods of communication during an emergency.
Two Way Emergency communications radio: This radio is compatible with the J. Bullivant Personal Power Generator, and the company claims it has an estimated range of up to 36 miles. It works with any other brand of two way radios, and can be used to alert emergency personnel of your location.
Solar charger: The panels are located on the top and back of the backpack, giving them the potential to be working all the time. As with any solar charger, though, an extended stretch of rainy, cloudy weather could severely limit the effectiveness
It’s obvious this collection is designed for an urban setting. Apparently, the manufacturer assumed shelter and the ability to make fire will be taken care of in the environment. In the aftermath of a disaster, there will probably be places to get in out the elements, and making a fire may not be a priority.
The survival theme is heavily weighed toward electronic gear, with re-charging of laptops and phones taking a high priority. The aftermath of Superstorm Sandy on the east coast shows that in addition to food and shelter, storm victims were also desperate to keep their electronic gadgets charged. For that aspect of emergency preparedness, the solar back pack is superb.
But I question the real value of the ballistic shield. It is the same size as the backpack’s rear panel, which would protect the area of your back from your belt to the tops of your shoulders. I thought about propping up the shield and firing into it a few times, but a high power rifle slug will generally shoot through just about any kind of armor.
The backpack itself is well-deigned for carrying, with padded shoulder straps and a waist band. It is divided into three compartments, with a special sleeve that will fit a laptop.
But I see some holes in the J. Bullivant Solar Backpack system, and would personally add a few items:
Multi-tool: I’d pick a Leatherman Wave, simply because I like mine and have carried the same one for about 12 years. This would give you a knife, saw, pliers, can opener and several other tools. As it is, there are no tools, and you wouldn’t be able to fix even the smallest electrical problem.
These basic key chain survival items can be carried in your pocket, purse or belt.
Swiss Army Knife Classic: This tiny keychain-sized multi-tool adds a tweezers, tooth pick, knife blade, scizzers and file to your gear and weighs less than an ounce. It’s also worth looking at a keychain survival kit to add a whistle for signalling, backup LED light, fingernail clippers and small ferrocerium rod. As the name implies, this collection is the size of a key ring.
Paracord and duct tape: These are essentials in any and all survival kits. I’d take a minimum of 50 feet of paracord, and six to 10 feet of duct tape.
Large trash bag: This could be used as an emergency shelter, or improvised into a rain suit. These are easily available, cheap and don’t take up much room. Your local tire store will probably give you one.
Platypus collapsible water container: The water system is excellent, but other than the 24 ounce bottle, there is no way to carry water or store a surplus. A Platypus is light, takes up no room and weighs virtually nothing. I’d include at least two of the quart size.
There is adequate room in the solar backpack to include all these items, along with other personal items deemed necessary. I’d also add some spare clothing, navigation gear and more food.
Overall, I’d give the J. Bullivant Solar Backpack basic a high rating. It does seem heavily skewed, and overly concentrated, on keeping electronic gadgets charged, and maybe that’s important in certain situations. Several items should be included for a fully-functional urban survival backpack.
The quality of the components is excellent, and there is no doubt in my mind that they will perform as expected.
As in any survival kit, you must asses your potential emergency situations, decide what is important and pack accordingly.
The Basic sells for $197.00, and it may be a good place to start.