Readers Recommend: Two Intriguing Products

My readers and their bright ideas!

A few days ago I received emails from two readers recommending a couple of intriguing products.

Michelle recommends the JakPak, a jacket/sleeping bag/tent combo that, incidentally, looks somewhat like a body bag. You just have to watch it in action.

Is it just me, or is that video hilarious? At any rate, I’d love one of these, and Michelle says they come in kids sizes. However, the site mentions a price of $299. A little steep for TheSurvivalMom’s household right now.

(Guys, you might want to click on one of those “Random Pages” links over on the right sidebar there to avoid the next two paragraphs.)

The Diva Cup is recommended by reader Elizabeth as an alternative to stocking up on enormous amounts of tampons and pads. The reusable Diva Cup was developed in the 1930′s. (Hmmmm…during the Great Depression?) The beauty of this product is that you only need to remove it every twelve hours, and it only needs to be replaced once a year. Their FAQ includes this question, “Does your company test your products on animals?” What???? Can you imagine??

I have actually used a similar, but disposable, product and loved being able to change it only twice a day (every 12 hours). The Diva Cup runs right around $24 via Amazon or you can purchase it at a local store using their Store Finder. I do think this is worth having on hand, either as part of your supply stash or in a 72-Hour Kit/Bug Out Bag.

Thanks, Michelle and Elizabeth, for recommending these two products!

(14) Readers Comments

TheSurvivalMom
January 4, 2010 at 8:59 pm

OMG!! Don't you dare or you'll be needing that canned heater of yours when you're sleeping outside in your truck! LOL

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- Erich
  January 4, 2010 at 11:32 pm
  
  You got that right. One way trip to the doghouse. LOL
  
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KYLadybug
January 4, 2010 at 9:26 pm

LOL – I have to get one of the diva cups for my friend. We have come across some interesting female-oriented products in our 'prepper' research. She got me a 'GoGirl' ( http://www.go-girl.com) for Christmas but I think the diva might top it. Actually, I thought it was kind of funny at first but now I'm seriously considering the possibilities – kind of like most of the survival stuff I see.

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- TheSurvivalMom
  January 4, 2010 at 9:41 pm
  
  She could always re-gift her Diva Cup at the office white elephant Christmas party next year! Coincidentally, I JUST used the Instead brand last month and threw one of them in my vehicle 72-Hour Kit. With my luck, I just know I'd need it in the middle of an evacuation. Thanks for the laugh!
  
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juju_mommy
January 4, 2010 at 10:12 pm

I think its a big coincidence…. I have NEVER heard of the Diva Cup or anything similar until this weekend. I read about this same thing on another non-survival website! I have to admit, I checked it out (and similar products) on Amazon. I don't know if I'd be daring enough yet to try it BUT it's on my wishlist to purchase at least for an emergency situation resource. It would be a great (and cheap) addition to someone's emergency stockpile.

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- TheSurvivalMom
  January 5, 2010 at 5:17 am
  
  Well, I can attest to the effectiveness of the product I used, "Instead". It's pretty amazing that just 8-10 of them is enough to last a cycle, at least for me. There IS the ICK! factor, but based on my one cycle's experience, it was worth the convenience.
  
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juju_mommy
January 5, 2010 at 4:31 pm

I could be misunderstanding what I read, but I think that the Diva is just reusable…. so you just replace that one item once a year (I think that's what I read for the recommendation). You just have to clean it. I guess that's the part that didn't appeal to me. The ick factor not so much but the chore of it. But in a long-term survival situation, you'd face a lot of that anyways. I don't know…. something I may try in the future. It's on my Amazon wish list for later. LOL. I read a lot of the comments there and they were encouraging.

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- LizLong
  January 6, 2010 at 12:13 am
  
  It is reusable – I have one. Honestly, clean up isn't a big deal. Empty it into the toilet, wipe it clean, then, at the sink, wash it with the cleaning solution they provide. Waaaaay less of a pain than, ahem, cleaning a leak, IMHO.
  
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  - TheSurvivalMom
    January 7, 2010 at 2:37 am
    
    Well, a Diva Cup is on my short list of things to buy. When I read that they last for twelve hours, I was sold. )
    
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juju_mommy
January 13, 2010 at 5:00 pm

Thanks for the info LizLong. Kind of odd talking about things like this but it's nice to have another women's opinion on stuff. I'd never heard of these contraptions (LOL) so I doubt if I went around asking anyone would know what I'm talking about. But I think that you all have me convinced. It's already on my ever-growing Amazon Wishlist so I think that next time I make a buy I'll try it out.

PS. This may be TMI, but it took me years to even try tampons. Once I did, I couldn't believe how much easier life was! LOL. So, this may be the same type of thing. Sounds a little odd to me now but you never know… It's definitely worth a try!

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Michelle
January 17, 2010 at 3:14 am

Oh, this is just groovy. My recommendation of the JakPak comes along in the same article with the Diva Cup! haha!!!
The company has redesigned the Jakpak for 2010 and the price has dropped $50. Oddly, I recommended it to you
just when it could be used GREATLY for the survivors and aid workers in Haiti.
Thanks for mentioning my recommendation even though it was greatly overshadowed
Michelle

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- TheSurvivalMom
  January 17, 2010 at 5:41 pm
  
  For a while, that Diva Cup was a hot topic even though the JakPak is way cooler! I mean, you can BRAG about owning a JakPak. The Diva Cup? Not so much. LOL
  
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Michelle
January 19, 2010 at 2:52 am

OMG that is soooo funny…

never EVER heard of a Diva Cup, although people have probably never heard of a JakPak before either. Which would you rather talk about at Saturday's dinner party???

Really enjoying your site – great stuff!

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- LizLong
  January 19, 2010 at 1:40 pm
  
  Definitely the JakPak. The Diva Cup should not be discussed near food. :-p
  
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