Best products from r/PostCollapse
We found 28 comments on r/PostCollapse discussing the most recommended products. We ran sentiment analysis on each of these comments to determine how redditors feel about different products. We found 192 products and ranked them based on the amount of positive reactions they received. Here are the top 20.
1. Build Your Own Metal Working Shop From Scrap (Complete 7 Book Series)
- Fits 4 x 5 index cards
- Fits up to 100 cards per case
- Features snap closure and includes 5 dividers and adhesive label tabs
- Includes poly dividers for easy organization
- 4 Pack, Assorted colors
Features:
3. Where There Is No Doctor: A Village Health Care Handbook, Revised Edition
- Used Book in Good Condition
Features:
5. Whetstone Cutlery Full Tang Rubber Grip Machete with Sheath
- Saw Tooth Blade Back
- 17.75 inch Blade
- Stainless Steel
- Durable Black Nylon Sheath
Features:
6. Etón American Red Cross FR160 Microlink Self-Powered AM/FM/NOAA Weather Radio with Flashlight, Solar Power and Cell Phone Charger (Red), ARCFR160WXR
- AM (520-1710 KHz) & FM (87-108MHz) NOAA weatherband & 8211
- USB cell phone charger (USB cable not included) 3.5 mm headphone input Dimensions: 5.25& 8221
- Accessories: owner& 8217;s manual, warranty card Specifications subject to change
Features:
7. Parachute Cord Nylon 7 Strand 550lb Tested U.S MADE 100',Black
550 lb Test Paracord7 Strand Core100% Nylon5/32" ThicknessMade In USA
8. Lomography Diana F+ Medium Format Camera with Flash
- Electronic Flash with color flash capability. Uses one AA battery
- Variable shutter (daytime &for unlimited long exposures)
- The Diana Flash works via a two-pronged plug adapter just like the original. It plugs directly into the Diana F+ camera body.
- Film format 120 two adapters are included so that both the Diana Flash and Diana F+ are hotshoe-compatible
Features:
9. Lomography Lubitel 166+ Twin Lens Medium Format Film Camera
- Camera can be converted from 120mm to 35mm film
- The Lubitel's viewfinder glass is perfectly flat ground glass and covers 100% of the image
- Its plastic body, modeled after the original, is light and easy to carry and handle
- Includes solid glass multi-coated lens, full manual controls, exposure guidelines and standard hot shoe
- Standard cable release and tripod threads
Features:
10. Holga 120N Plastic Camera
- 2 film masks for either 12- 6x6 cm images or 16- 6x4.5cm images
- Shutter Speeds: (N)ormal - 1/100s; (B)ulb - Holds Shutter Open
- Apertures: SUNNY - f/11; SHADE/FLASH - f/8
- Hot shoe adapter, Standard Tripod Mount (1/4-20), Uses 120 medium format film
- Lens cap, Strap
Features:
11. Lomography Diana F+ Medium Format Camera
- Diana Flash compatible
- Variable shutter (daytime & “B” for unlimited long exposures)
- uses 120 film, and allows 12-shot (5.2x5.2cm), 16-shot (4.2x4.2cm), and endless Panorama (4.6x4.6cm) formats
- Lens removes to convert your camera into a ready to use pinhole camera.
Features:
12. SAS Survival Guide 2E (Collins Gem): For any climate, for any situation
- Over 200 vicious guitar playing exercises
- Music and examples demonstrated on CD
- 80 page book
- 89 minute audio
- audio
Features:
14. Datrex Emergency Survival 2400 Calorie Food Ration Bar, 12 Bars
- Pack contains Twelve 200 kCal bars
- 5 year Shelf Life
- Approved by U.S. Coast Guard
Features:
15. Fury OC 18% Aerosol Red Pepper Spray Twist-Top with Safety, 4-Ounce, Stream
- Produces up to 35 Powerful Ballistic Bursts with Reduced Blowback
- 10' to 12' Shot Range with UV Marking Dye for Suspect Identification
- Twist Top Actuator with Safety Lock to reduce accidental discharge
- All Natural Ingredients, Nontoxic and Nonflammable
- This item is not for sale in certain states
Features:
16. Cyalume ChemLight Military Grade Chemical Light Sticks – 8 Hour Duration Light Sticks Provide Intense Light, Ideal as Emergency or Safety Lights, for Tactical Applications, Hiking or Camping and Much More, Standard Issue for U.S. Military Personnel – White, 6” Long (Pack of 10) (9-51460)
- INTENSE LIGHT OUTPUT FOR UP TO 8 HOURS means you can get the job done when electric light isn’t an option. The patented, long-lasting formulations in our ChemLight chemical light sticks provide up to 8 hours of 360 degree illumination. The bright white color can be seen from up to a mile away.
- OFFICIAL CHEMICAL LIGHT OF THE U.S. MILITARY – ChemLight military grade light sticks are standard issue for all military personnel, so you know there’s no better alternative available.
- VARIETY OF USES – Whether you’re using these chemical light sticks for tactical applications, as part of your emergency kit, for hiking, camping or even just for your children to play with , you can be sure they will provide just the right amount of light necessary.
- WATER-PROOF, NON-FLAMMABLE, NON-TOXIC CHEMISTRY means ChemLight light sticks are as safe as they are durable – you can even let your children use them when hiking or playing in the backyard. Also ideal for confined space, underwater and tactical applications.
Features:
17. Sea-Steading: A Life of Hope and Freedom on the Last Viable Frontier
- Used Book in Good Condition
Features:
18. The Knowledge: How to Rebuild Civilization in the Aftermath of a Cataclysm
Penguin Books
19. Q1 Wireless Car Charger, Magnetic Car Charger Mount Holder Air Vent Car Cradle Compatible for iPhone X / 8 / 8P, Galaxy Note 8 S8 / S8 Plus S7 Edge & Others Qi Enabled Phones-black
【DC Connector】Output power: 12V DC 3A .Cord Length: 4 Ft (1.2m); DC Connector: 5.5 x 2.1mm and 4.0 x1.7mm.【Durable with LED Indicator】High quality double insulation cable, 12v dc car power supply adapter cable with LED light,durable and safe to use.Universal Uses】Suitable for home applianc...
20. Go Power! GP-SF-5 SUNfilm 5 Watt Solar Panel
Harness the power of the sun to charge your 12 Volt batteries with 5 Watts of chargeCompletely silent green energyComes with a variety of connections to hook up to many types of 12 Volt batteriesTrickle charge cars, trucks, motorcycles, snowmobiles, ATV's, personal watercraft and moreKeep your batte...
Funny, was thinking the same thing. I've thought a bit about this, hope the post is not too long.
There are many great examples of people who have become totally self sufficient on a good vessel.
Learning:
There are obviously thousands of books on sailing and a lot of good information. But having read quite a few and done a fair amount of ocean sailing, for these purposes, I would try and find books that ARE about:
Single handers (people operating vessels alone - whether or not you plan to be alone...there is always the chance that you will end up that way)
People who have managed to make it self sustaining
Sailors who equip and manage their vessel on a very strict budget
People who were amateurs that over years logged a lot of miles, and are offsetting their debt by publishing a how to. Lots of honest good stuff in here.
Also try learning what you can about Celestial Navigation, Dead reckoning, Weather, seasonal patterns, and global sailing seasons. A great resource for this is The Lo Tech Navigator. Not only does it explain the theory quite well, but also instructs on how you can actually build some critical sea nav pieces yourself. Depending on tech is good, but the failure rate on electronic devices is ultimately 100%. So knowing how to do it all old school...is well...we're all here so we get the value there. Knowing where you are, and what the seasons do in different areas is really a powerful tool to hedge your bets against adverse weather conditions. IMO, knowing how to batton the hatches, douse all sail in 20+ foot seas and deploying a sea anchor is the next best thing to having the best weather info and a super fast sailboat (in SHTF...unlikely and unsafe respectively).
Take up some basic sailing courses. Search in your area, there are almost always small sailing associations that you can join for a very small amount if anything and learn to sail at least small dhingys. It has been said by more than one person that these are the absolute best way to learn basic sailing theory as it puts your in a very tactile relationship with the forces at play.
Stay clear of books about:
Racing, COLREGS (so called rules of the road), older historical stuff, Any type of boating that is not basically a very heavy, sturdy monohull with a traditional (bermuda or junk) sail plans. While these are all very fun and useful, in a bug out...there not going to be a lot of use, because they are all basically recreational or of legal importance, and I think the USCG will have better things to do than to ticket you for failing to follow rules of the road.
The Boat:
My set up here would be, steel, monohull, full keel, dacron sails, junk rig, preferably between 38 and 45 feet. This covers the basic problems of extended voyages on a sailing vessel. A steel hull will give you better durability. Yes there are issues over a glass boat...but I would rather careen, sand and paint and just blow thru coral that you don't have charts for rather than get sunk. Monohulls...really hard to knock down, and are mostly self correcting in a capsize. While the catamaran in waterworld seemed nifty, if those get knocked over, which they can more easily...game over pretty much. Full keels are more solid in the water, smoother sailing and don't have fins that get stuck if in shallow waters...plus you can carefully careen them on low tides to to bottom repairs with a much reduced risk of damaging the hull...or fin keel. Dacron is the toughest and most durable for the price. Junk rigs while many people will rail against, are slower. But easier to sail alone, easier to reef in rough weather, self tackings, less stress on sail material and reduce rolling of the boat in heavy seas. The size is optimal for comfort, less roll in the swell, and sufficient size to increase speed as the result of a steel hull.
Load out:
Tons has been written on this and everyone has they bug out supply list in their own mind. All I will say is what my father is fond of saying "Keep it simple stupid". The more tech, the more systems you have, the more parts, more weight, more tools you need to have to operate it. I am very much of the opinion that some time spent learning the old school, and keeping the vessel ship shape is way more important than learning to depend on expensive tech which will fail you eventually. If you've read "Sailing around the world alone" a self steering wind vain is replaed by simply learning to ballance the sails and lashing the helm. Just one example. But if all you need is your boat, the required mechanical components (rigging, chain, anchors etc...extra of all of that is worth getting) sails, sheets, etc then you CAN get buy...as the poster mentioned, on 15th century (and way earlier) tech but with a sturdy seaworthy 20th century vessel.. You will be able to outlast all the retirees in factory mint hunters packed with GPS and radar.
Necessities:
Food gathering supplies (out of scope here). Water gathering supplies. A good rain water collecting system is good, and good holding capacities, and always be on the hunt for land based fresh water supplies. As much diesel as you can carry, and always be on the lookout for more.
For power, I am a fan of water impellers. Simple in design, always operating even if you are drifting, easy to repair...just be sure to really tie that sucker on hard. Anything else...vitamins, medicine, etc...obviously whatever you can get your hands on...bring it. I would pack the boat with this before worrying about spending cargo space with tools and parts for tech. Also, as good a set of paper charts and know how to navigate with them. These can be gotten fairly cheaply and in compendium style collections.
The bug out mentality:
The interesting thing about sailing for a bug out..is that you have to apply everything we are all trying to learn and assemble just by being readers of this subreddit. Even in a regular sailing voyage, the sea will test you, demand all of your respect and faculties, strength of body and mind. You need not be some tough as nails sailors...teens circumnavigate alone annually. But you will need to muster all of the know how, planning, smarts etc to stay alive. But since you got through this TL;DR mess, it means you are not afraid to scour for information to equip yourself against anything. And all of that learning will pay off equally as well in a sailing scenario as it would on land. You will always need to go ashore for various things...I cannot think of a single situation where people don't out of necessity. But armed with plans, information, maps, (everything you would want in a land based scenario) your passage times can be relatively short compared with your land falls to resupply, repair in uninhabited or non-hostile places. The south pacific is absolutely filled with such havens.
Sorry for the long response, but definitely fun to write about. Hope any of this is helpful if not in a bug out at least to the imagination.
Depends on what tech level you want to maintain.
​
First up, natural resources.
Trees. Lots and lots of trees. You need paper, fuel, charcoal, wood for construction... wood is *the* most precious resource humans have.
Water. Goes without saying, but ideally in the form of a river that can be tapped for hydropower.
Productive gardens. Which doesn't have to mean good farmland, if you can build the soil yourself. But you do need to feed yourself, as well as produce fibre (animal or plant based) for clothing, linen, rope etc.
Clay. You can use it for making waterproof tiles, for roofs, aqueducts, bathtubs etc. It is necessary for lining furnaces. Humanities second oldest material, behind wood.
Limestone, for cement, mortar, and a flux in your iron furnaces.
Sand. It's coarse, it's rough, it's irritating... but it's used everywhere. If you want glass, you need sand. If you want to do sandcasting, you need sand. If you want to make concrete... but I repeat myself.
Iron ore. You can recycle iron a lot, but if you want to be sustainable or to expand, you need your own source of iron. Or you can go back to the stone age, taking you back five millennia rather than two centuries. Life is a lot easier with steel shovels, knives, axes, saws (and screws!); and the big advantage that engines have over horses is that they don't need feeding when not in use.
That's resources. I've probably left some off (copper ore, for example), but that's harder to find that bog iron. No electricity, sorry.
​
Next up, tools, and the skills to use them.
The first thing you're going to need is a machine shop. You can build one from scrap metal, so you should be able to replicate the machine shop from new steel. You're going to have to include a furnace too, which fortunately you can build using stuff you find in the wild. These will let you build all the other tools that are going to be required.
Other basic tools, I've already mentioned. Stuff like knives and shovels, which also include wood to a large degree in their manufacture. Lanterns, since I'm discounting electricity here, but even if I wasn't lightbulbs are probably too difficult for a small community to manufacture. Bicycles, and pedal systems for powering machinery.
Glass production. I'm not as familiar with this, so I don't know what tools you're going to need for it. Glass gives you jars, a reusable and sustainable canning method. Better lanterns. Windows and greenhouses. Perhaps most importantly, reaction vessels for your chemical industry. If you can't do chemical processing, you're going to struggle to manufacture essential medicines. You're going to need other chemicals too, like sulphuric acid. Another book on the list I need to buy.
A brick press. One of the successes from the folks at Open Surce Ecology. Other designs are of course available, at the expense of requiring more work.
Stuff to manufacture paper and paper products. Used for wiping up and wiping off. Used for writing. Makes good storage boxes that can be composted when you're finished with them. Speaking of sanitation products, there's an Indian invention for making sanitary pads that would be of use. It's been extended to produce incontinence pads too.
The list goes on and on, and needs to be properly fleshed out. I haven't mentioned sewing machines, looms, water turbines, mills for grinding corn, spectacles, buttons, threshers, scythes, bread ovens, and all the other machines you could build with your shop. SCISSORS.
​
Finally, skills.
You need farmers/gardeners, first and foremost. No food, everyone gets hungry, they can't concentrate on their work. But you shouldn't need more than 10-20% of your population engaged in agriculture. Lumberjacks too, and shepherds.
Skilled artisans. Carpenters, masons... and machinists. Seamstresses and tailors. Everything, really, you would expect to find in a medieval market town. Fortunately, you'll be able to free up a lot more labour than they had back then, thanks to more efficient food production.
Professionals. A doctor-surgeon, who can treat animals too. You probably can't sustain a med school (just how big is this community?), so you're going to have to train you new professionals with apprenticeships, like every other job. Chemists. A librarian - you want to keep a big library, including lots of information that won't see day to day use. Teachers. Judges... definitely judges, if everything has collapsed and you have to provide dispute resolution within the community.
Like the tools list, this is only a small number of the skills you'll need. Hopefully your population will be good at learning from books, since you won't be able to support lots of specialisation.
Well, that was a longer post than I intended. Possibly more detailed than was asked for...
This is the one I got.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002C4PUZC/ref=wms_ohs_product?ie=UTF8&psc=1
It is full tang and decent quality steel for a machete. The sheath is helpful too. The handle being wrap around helps prevent it from slipping out of my hand.
I did have to sharpen it though when it came in. From what I can tell, pretty much no machete is going to arrive from the factory already sharp. They say they are sharp, but they really aren't. So, just expect to have to sharpen them. Luckily, you can just use a grinder. I don't think anyone expects a scalpel edge on a machete.
Despite what some people may claim, there really aren't any machetes around that are top quality steel. Lots of websites sell machetes that claim they are awesome, but if you read enough I think you will find that they are all pretty much the same (with some just being really bad) and none of them being really great.
That is why you will see people going for a forest axe or large fixed blade knife. But machetes are good in survival situations because you can use it instead in many situations and save your knife edge.
The question is though whether you can afford the weight and bulk. You can put a large fixed blade knife on you and still remain pretty mobile. A machete is larger than a limb, so carrying it will have to be well thought out. The other thing is that most woodsmen and survivalists will agree that you can get more use out of a forest axe (combined with a knife that you probably have already) than a machete.
My machete is part of my equipment list, but it isn't in my bug out bag. The bulk and weight are not worth what it gives in return. If you are however with a group and travelling in a vehicle, then maybe it is useful. But then it wouldn't be in a bug out bag, it would be in a kit for your vehicle.
Edit:
For reference, this is the axe I have in my ready to go kit:
http://www.amazon.com/Estwing-E45A-Campers-Metal-Handle/dp/B00002N5N7/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1376668636&sr=8-1&keywords=Estwing+axe
I am very happy with the quality. Those people that complain about the lines on the head are idiots. There are no cracks. Estwing puts a clear coating on their steel and that coating is what coating gets waves and lines in it, which I don't care about. In a true survival situation, this axe will survive anything thrown at it.
A modified 3-day military pack list. I pulled out the military specific stuff and stripped out some of the heavier items.
***
In addition:
You should have the skills to use everything in your medical kit. I'd recommend at least taking an EMS course. Tourniquets may seem overkill to carry, but they are about the only thing that can save a life if the injury is bad enough to warrant them. I personally never carry less than 4 spread between a kit and my body.
Know how to navigate on-foot with a map. Know your pace count and how to make an azimuth/reverse azimuth. In a city you should actually have an easier time than in the woods, because you can use terrain association like a motherfucker.
You need good footwear for walking. I'd be wearing my my footwear so, that's why it's not in the packing list. Don't be a mall-ninja who buys surplus Army jungle boots, instead I'd recommend a tough modern hiking boot. I prefer Asolo Fugitives, they feel great, even after days spent walking in them.
Also, you need a vague idea of a plan. Even the best packed bag can only supply you for a short time if you don't have a plan. Have an idea of places you will want to go and the specific conditions you will encounter. In the event of a terrorist attack or large storm, you're going to want to attract attention to yourself and try and get evaced by government search and rescue. Riots (not protests like OWS, but real, no-shit riots)- you either want to hunker somewhere secure or get out of the area as quickly as possible. With that you're going to have to look at how likely it is that you can get out in a short time (getting off Manhattan in a timely manner during a riot seems like a lost cause to me, and you'll have to weather that particular ordeal somewhere secure.). In the event of something even more balls out crazy or long-term you are going to want to leave the island, and have a plan of where you want to go once off the island.
I can understand what you're saying, but I don't agree with you. I am in the same boat as you with film cameras, I have been shooting on film for years, and while I shoot digital now, I still have a ton of film cameras that I love the connected feeling I have with them when I shoot. I don't see what's wrong with the lomo brand. I mean, their film is pretty shitty, I'll give you that, but I shoot with a few of their cameras and I love it.
There seems to be this hatred towards the hipstamatic-styled images, which never bothered me because it means more people are taking pictures. I'm not a part of any mindset that says people don't know how to take pictures and shouldn't. I mean, the quality might not be good, but how many of us when we started out (damn, around 10 years ago for me) actually took good pictures? My first I don't know how long was just riddled with bad pictures that I liked and helped me learn and improve. There's nothing wrong with it, I was starting out. And they don't do any harm just existing in the internet, whether it's a flickr account, blog or facebook album. We're not talking about commercial and fine art photography being done by novices that have tilted horizons and are just washed in messed up colors and no focus, professionals still have that same level of skill as always. So it's not having any adverse affect on photography, all it's actually doing is getting more people into it. Are they good? It's irrelevant.
I know a lot of people don't like a company charging as much as they do either, which I am mixed with. I mean, I don't mind paying $40-$50 for my Holga or Diana or whatever. Do I wanna pay $400 for a limited edition LC-A+? Not really, I can't justify spending that much on one of their cameras. Same thing with some of the cameras with a flash, the Diana Mini was over $100 with it. That I don't like.
Otherwise, yeah they're a company that saw people that had fun with film cameras like the Holga and Diana, these toy cameras were selling already, so they started selling them for $30 per Holga, which you really can't argue as being a ton of money. The Diana F+ is $40 and right now it's $66 with a flash. For what you get, that's a fantastic price. After they sold these, they made some shitty film that they could sell 3 rolls of for $12 so when you leave their site, you don't have to go through the hassle of getting 120 film shipped from yet another place (more money).
I have heard the old LOMO cameras were good, and while I haven't played with the new lubitels, I think it's at least nice that they're trying to preserve these old cameras in some fashion. I mean, they can't be as good no matter what, but if you're into the fantastic quality of these old cameras, this won't be an adequate replacement, so it's not trying to play a fast one on you.
Have you read the ten golden rules of lomography? I think it's at least interesting for any photographer, regardless of how you feel about the company.
Overall, I'm not going to hate a company for getting more people to take pictures in any way, and especially not for bringing back obscure and funky cameras.
Physical books are good, but finding the right ones is key. Having a huge library of physical books will be a problem if you have to bail on your place. I've had this for a couple of years and it is invaluable:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0061992860?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o09_s00
If electricity isn't a problem, then having a good e-reader or tablet can save a lot of space. I have a 64gb stick with all of my survival books and videos on it. I have scanned version of all personal documents as well; still have plenty of space for a lot more information.
Having certain skills mastered and practiced frequently is better than having to rely on your library every time you need to. Having a library, means that there is less stress on having to remember everything. I've found that aquiring certain books with adequat information and keeping the library small is best.
If you have a secure location and don't plan on leaving then it's not an issue. I would have a digital version/backup just in case. I'd also scan all personal documents into folder as well.
Great start! Feel free to x-post to /r/bugout, as they'll have some more suggestions. Here are my thoughts:
There are some other threads on this in existence. I'm too lazy to look them up, but they have been either on here, r/collapse, or r/sailing. I've been looking in to this as well, and am currently preparing a sailboat to do merchant services in the Puget Sound area.
I think the short answer to your question is that a sailboat makes a great way to avoid conflict, and you can move goods without oil. Sea merchant has always been a great career. But keeping a rig going takes so much maintenance that you're going to require a solid connection to land and hope that you don't have to repair your fiberglass any time soon. As I'm sure you understand as a boat owner, there's constant maintenance. Constant. Alternately, you can always use the boat to get to a safe place, say an island or other secure location, and then plan to move on shore, maybe use the boat for fishing off the coast from time to time. So more of an escape raft than a long term plan.
Sailing the farm is a bit ludicrous (I don't think he ever actually tried his ideas out), but Orlov's the new age of sail is a good read, and so is Sea Steading. Rather than rely on desalinization, I think you're better off with something dead simple like this coupled with a carbon filter.
Where are you located?
I love this idea. I really want to try this. I did want to add, that for $10 and change, if you have it, there is a really great solar lantern company called d.light that has a basic light that tilts so you can adjust the angle. I have 3 of their various lanterns and love them. They're a company trying to come up with super inexpensive solar power for 3rd world countries so kids can study longer, etc. I am not affiliated w the company but love to tell people about it because I love them so much. http://www.amazon.com/d-light-S1-Solar-LED-Lantern/dp/B001IYSKPY/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1371709384&sr=8-2&keywords=dlight+solar+lantern
All bug out bags should have one thing in common: The rule of threes.
In survival situations, the rule of three states that you should preferably have at least three ways of performing any survival task. For a bug out bag, this means you should have the tools to perform each of the following actions in at least three ways:
Start a Fire
Signal at a Distance
Generate Light
Treat injuries
There's really only one way to treat injuries, so rather than having three different ways of doing it, make sure you have the three essentials:
Purify Water
Stay Warm
Obtain Food
As well as these items, you should have as much of the following as you can get:
Zombies: A Record of the Year of Infection
Don Roff, Chris Lane
Day by Day Armageddon
J. L. Bourne
Day by Day Armageddon: Beyond Exile
J. L. Bourne
Earth Abides
George R. Stewart
Swan Song
Robert McCammon
The Road
Cormac McCarthy
edit: This covers a good array of subjects on different ways the world might perish. All fiction also.
I just found this subreddit due to the ad, so if this is a repeat post, I apologize. I did search, and didn't see anything.
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(Here's the wikified version if you don't want the WHO page.)
I spent my childhood overseas, mostly in southeast asia. Our local doctor was a veterinarian who specialized in pigs. Medicine availability was... spotty.
As a result, lots of people died preventable deaths, including many of my friends. This impressed on me, as I got older, the power of basic sanitation and medical knowledge. This is a lesson that most of us in the West have never had to confront directly. Had this resource been available at the time, I have no doubt we could have saved lives.
We did have an early copy of Where There Is No Doctor, and put it to great use. Check out the Amazon comments.
These are books which I have read twice or more and would read again and again on the topic of post-collapse:
Alas Babylon
On the Beach
The Postman - not like the movie with Kevin Costner (just based upon and quite different)
One Second After - currently the most realistic and scariest of the bunch I think.
Earth Abides
Lucifer's Hammer - this one I wouldn't read without many years between as the start is sooooo slow but the second half is good.
I have 3 of these and I think they rock. Seems like the same brand as the one you have posted but it has the solar panel that the review you posted said that it needs. It does not have the personal radio stuff though which I think could be nice.
Considering the clarifications made already, there has been something similar made already
https://www.wired.com/2009/04/ff-guidestones/
Though I imagine that would be incomplete.
Depending on the type of collapse, we could and would lose a lot of information, all cutting edge research (since that's mostly preserved digitally), though that would be less important, since we'd have to rebuild the machinery in order to use it.
As someone else mentioned, seed banks are a good start as well. As far as knowledge itself goes, there are two books I'd recommend, The Knowledge: How to rebuild civilization (linkhttps://www.amazon.com/Knowledge-Rebuild-Civilization-Aftermath-Cataclysm/dp/0143127047) which I have read and is interesting in an entertaining way, and even somewhat useful; and How to Invent Everything (link https://www.amazon.com/How-Invent-Everything-Survival-Stranded-ebook/dp/B07B2LNVBY/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1543607051&sr=1-1&keywords=how+to+invent+everything) which I haven't read yet, but is a similar idea. This one I have read, and it's kinda cool.
To get an idea for how difficult it will be to restart manufacturing at our current level, you may want to also check out The Toaster Project (link https://www.amazon.com/Toaster-Project-Attempt-Electric-Appliance-ebook/dp/B007N209P4/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1543607108&sr=1-1&keywords=toaster+project) where someone tries to build a cheap toaster from scratch, and how impossible it is.
They make crank radios with flashlights and USB charging cables and solar panels on top. Might be slightly more pragmatic than just the USB crank.
"The Knowledge: How to Rebuild the Civilization in the Aftermath of the Cataclysm" explains most of that, and then some. You can buy it in Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Knowledge-Rebuild-Civilization-Aftermath-Cataclysm/dp/0143127047
Hand crank solar powered AM/FMNOAA radio, $27. Granted it isn't two way but you can listen to music while you eat your instant potatoes and mushroom gravy.
SAS survival guide.
https://www.amazon.ca/SAS-Survival-Guide-Collins-Gem/dp/0061992860