No survival kit.

Shotgun

Shotgun

Joined
Feb 3, 2006
Messages
8,250
If you do any kind of looking on the interwebs you see a bunch of guys who carry a survival kit that they "only touch in an emergency." I personally find that to be a bad idea. Sometimes you don't know when you're in the beginnings of a survival situation so you may not use a piece of gear that could keep you from continuing on that path. I have gear in my pack that I only carry for certain situations that I don't plan on encountering but I view everything I carry as useable. If I need it I use it, even if I'm on a casual day hike. What do you think? Do you have gear that is segregated from normal use?
 
Shotgun said:
If you do any kind of looking on the interwebs you see a bunch of guys who carry a survival kit that they "only touch in an emergency." I personally find that to be a bad idea. Sometimes you don't know when you're in the beginnings of a survival situation so you may not use a piece of gear that could keep you from continuing on that path. I have gear in my pack that I only carry for certain situations that I don't plan on encountering but I view everything I carry as useable. If I need it I use it, even if I'm on a casual day hike. What do you think? Do you have gear that is segregated from normal use?
Click to expand...


Shotgun, I'm with you. The one thing I think is important is to put it back in your kit when your done. If you put it in your glove box, other jacket, man purse, etc... instead of your PSK, then you defeated the purpose of building a a PSK in the first place.
 
I don't carry an Altoids/Otterbox type PSK. I will never ridicule someone for carrying one. Some of my most respected bushdudes carry them and can tell you 100 reasons why they do.... but still, they're not for me. I simply make sure I carry a few essentials (PITA to replicate from the bush) in adequate quantities and some first aid supplies (a few bandages, steristrips, large pressure dressing and antibiotic ointment).

Call me unprepared...

Anyways... I can just borrow stuff from Doc Canada.
 
I often rifle through my PSK and use bits of it. My kit evolved from what was essentially a 'neat stuff' bag that I brought camping and I didn't consider it a PSK until recently. As long as one remembers to replenish and replace, I think a PSK should absolutely be used as needed and not just in dire circumstances. Otherwise, you get into the 'what if I need it for something more important later on ' mindset which can prove dangerous.
 
I used to rock an altoids type PSK on hikes etc....I dont anymore. I have a bigger ALOKSAK that I carry items in, and use em as I need em, replacing as needed. I figure that way im using my gear, and always in it checking what needs replaced, and adding/subtracting things accordingly.

I guess you could call it a PSK, but I by no means leave it sealed till I need it. I would just keep the items in my pack seperate.. etc, However, my packs are "pod" like now, and I just pull the bags etc out, and put it into whatever pack suits my intended outing.
1 fire kit
1 with misc survival supplies
1 with FAK items

This just works better for me....Like Rick I know alot of folks that still pack em, and wouldnt be caught without one. Thats fine by me.
 
I carry a PSK that contains a range of items and a separate FAK. Both kits are used and refined regularly. This arrangement has evolved over the years. I started out carrying Altoids tin PSKs and other 'in case of emergency, break glass'-type set-ups. While there was (is) nothing wrong with this approach, I find that it is more useful to carry a collection of items that have both 'everyday' and 'survival / emergency' applicability, and to use these items regularly. With this set-up, I get to familiarize myself with my gear and figure out when and how I need to refine it. Of course, when carrying a 'user' kit, it is important to (a) put things back, (b) replace things that get used or worn out, and (c) keep everything clean.

All the best,

- Mike
 
Yes, but only because of convenience. The little Cross Cut pouch below has been living on a strap for years. I seldom pay any attention to it because it is so small. It is inconvenient to use instead of a Zippo so it just lays dormant. In the unlikely event that my lighters die I'd crack that open just to get a smoke. I have. I got one going using some bits from that on my knee, under a table, sitting outside a bar at the marina not so long ago. That is conspicuous. Strange for me to have lighter failure so that little pouch normally lives unmolested. There's no real rule though, just that sensible sequencing usually stops me needing to drill down to those sorts of methods.

nowordzwerf0b4xzq313pbb.jpg

nowordzwerf0b4xzq313pba.jpg

Everything else just gets used.
 
i use it all the time.... i just make it a point to replenish it after every outting just like my main packs.... i found if i throw em in the truck when i was working a 9/5 fully loaded , i would just go from work to a local camping spots..... no real plan etc..

I have seen people trying to use a fire steel for the first time in th rain.... so i figure the more familarity i have with my kit the better and better the kit and i will be and the faster easier it will be to deal with it....

kinda like seeing some one run and grab a big FAK and then look at it blankly for ever.....

the more you work with your kit the more personal and better it will become , so use it, for now you can replace all that stuff when ya get home ....
 
i like the idea of possibility bags , so i built a sub load that can be moved from pack to pack and belt to belt or on its own... so i guess its bulky for a PSK, but contains mainly the same items ... there was a contest on another forum that i found pretty informitive for a larger PSK, its in the 100cuin range ....

it might not be bushcrafty but it works in both urban and wilderness for me pretty well, with better weather im planning to go threw and work on it agian...

heres the contest
http://zombiehunters.org/forum/viewtopic.php?f=14&t=57454&start=240

2r2odhu.jpg
 
I like to think of a layering system- my first "layer" are the things that are w/ me always- going to the grocery store, walking the dog, etc

I carry a small fixed blade around my neck, around the sheath is ~ 15' of 2 mm Spectra cordage and a small firesteel- it's very light and unobtrusive

my wallet that has a small fire kit- very small firesteel, small firestraws, small length of hack saw blade

fkitcontents.jpg


wallet also has a small repair kit

smallkitopen.jpg


and a "micro" FAK

walletfak.jpg


these items take up no more space than a couple of credit cards

walletpouch.jpg


on one wrist I have watch (can be used to roughly navigate), the other a survival bracelet w/ ~ 15' of Spectra cordage

I'm not using these everyday (save maybe the knife), but they are carried everyday- which means if I happen to get into a bind (that's the thing about binds, you don't know when your going to get into one) I've go some basic resources at hand- mainly the ability to start a fire and erect a shelter

when I go on a hike/hunt/fish my second layer is small pouch kit affixed to a larger fixed blade

third layer is a bottle holder kit or small daypack- with enough kit to rough it out fairly comfortably for a day or two (or three)

I agree that you need to be very (very) familiar w/ your kit(s)- practice makes perfect (well at least it makes you better :D), but the best laid out kit that happens to not be w/ you at the time you need it.............. is unfortunately no kit at all :(
 
I think you have to make a distinction between an EDC bag/kit and a PSK. I'll use myself as an example to explain why I think this is important.

I'm 39 yo, a hair short of 6'1" and as of yesterday morning 106 kg (234 lb but working to get to 210 lbs by the end of this month tops). So I'm not a small guy and I live in a small and calm city - violence is not an over-pressing concern for me and physically I'm fit.

With that said, do I need some sort of SD in my gear? Yes, everyone does, but it's not something that I would carry around on my regular day-to-day activities (I'm a pediatrician, BTW). I do not live in an earthquake/tornado/typhoon area, so should I carry on me at all times some food and water supply? Yes, everyone should, but it would be cumbersome and awkward to do so in my normal routine. Should I carry a fire starter and emergency shelter kit? Yes, everyone should, but again it would be HIGHLY unlikely that I could find use for those items even in an emergency situation in my case.

I think you see my point. Of course you should carry as much gear as you possibly could, because in an emergency situation you never know what will happen or for how long it will take for things to get back in order. So if that's the case, I should be hauling a 20 to 30 lb pack every single day everywhere I go. Will I do that? Hell no, I just can't.

But I will carry every single day EDC gear, stuff that I will find use on a regular basis. I do have an emergency bag (what I call my "grab bag" - not a full blown BOB, though) but it sits at my house or in the car when I'm far from home. I just can't possibly justify carrying all that stuff (fire kit, FAK, spare batteries, small knife, etc) on me every walking day.

So what's the use of having some sort of PSK if you don't carry it every day? Not much if the SHTF and you're not carying it, but the fact is that most of us just can't EDC a decent PSK every single day.
 
Shotgun said:
If you do any kind of looking on the interwebs you see a bunch of guys who carry a survival kit that they "only touch in an emergency." I personally find that to be a bad idea. Sometimes you don't know when you're in the beginnings of a survival situation so you may not use a piece of gear that could keep you from continuing on that path. I have gear in my pack that I only carry for certain situations that I don't plan on encountering but I view everything I carry as useable. If I need it I use it, even if I'm on a casual day hike. What do you think? Do you have gear that is segregated from normal use?
Click to expand...

If you're out in the bush for more than a day hike, I think a PSK is a great idea - one that you only use in an emergency. Having said that, the items in the PSK would only be backup duplication for similar items that you have for everyday use.

For example, in my PSK I have a tiny magnet compass. It works very well, for what it is. It doesn't replace my Silva Ranger 15, though, but would be invaluable in a survival type situation. There is a very small sparker and some small fire straws, but they don't replace my Zippo, Bic, mag bars and ferro rods that I have on my person and throughout my pack. The things in my PSK are redundancies, are very small and are capable of doing what they're designed for.

somberbear i use it all the time.... i just make it a point to replenish it after every outting just like my main packs.... i found if i throw em in the truck when i was working a 9/5 fully loaded , i would just go from work to a local camping spots..... no real plan etc..

I have seen people trying to use a fire steel for the first time in th rain.... so i figure the more familarity i have with my kit the better and better the kit and i will be and the faster easier it will be to deal with it....

kinda like seeing some one run and grab a big FAK and then look at it blankly for ever.....

the more you work with your kit the more personal and better it will become , so use it, for now you can replace all that stuff when ya get home ....
Click to expand...

There is a well respected survival instructor, Mel DeWeese, who recommends building 2 identical PSK's - one you only use for emergencies, and one whose contents you use and play with to build the familiarity. I support this line of thinking because, as mentioned above, it's ok to use your PSK as long as you replenish it when you get home - that would be my Achilles heel! :(

Of course, if Magnussen was with me, I probably wouldn't need it anyway. :D

Doc

Just wanted to add - for me, a PSK has to be small and easy to carry, otherwise it would stay at home. Mine -

ForPhotobucket1.jpg
 
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LUW said:
I think you have to make a distinction between an EDC bag/kit and a PSK. I'll use myself as an example to explain why I think this is important.

I'm 39 yo, a hair short of 6'1" and as of yesterday morning 106 kg (234 lb but working to get to 210 lbs by the end of this month tops). So I'm not a small guy and I live in a small and calm city - violence is not an over-pressing concern for me and physically I'm fit.

With that said, do I need some sort of SD in my gear? Yes, everyone does, but it's not something that I would carry around on my regular day-to-day activities (I'm a pediatrician, BTW). I do not live in an earthquake/tornado/typhoon area, so should I carry on me at all times some food and water supply? Yes, everyone should, but it would be cumbersome and awkward to do so in my normal routine. Should I carry a fire starter and emergency shelter kit? Yes, everyone should, but again it would be HIGHLY unlikely that I could find use for those items even in an emergency situation in my case.

I think you see my point. Of course you should carry as much gear as you possibly could, because in an emergency situation you never know what will happen or for how long it will take for things to get back in order. So if that's the case, I should be hauling a 20 to 30 lb pack every single day everywhere I go. Will I do that? Hell no, I just can't.

But I will carry every single day EDC gear, stuff that I will find use on a regular basis. I do have an emergency bag (what I call my "grab bag" - not a full blown BOB, though) but it sits at my house or in the car when I'm far from home. I just can't possibly justify carrying all that stuff (fire kit, FAK, spare batteries, small knife, etc) on me every walking day.

So what's the use of having some sort of PSK if you don't carry it every day? Not much if the SHTF and you're not carying it, but the fact is that most of us just can't EDC a decent PSK every single day.
Click to expand...

I agree with this. I will also say that a PSK is supposed to be redundant. It's there "just in case your line snaps" "just in case you lose your tent" "just in case your lighter is wet" "just in case the SHTF" and you only had this tiny tiny bag, to provide for you. When I hike, I carry a decent load, then I have a PSK attached to me and one attached to my girlfriend for reasons I can fathom and possibilities I cannot. I'm certain of my skills, but the girlfriend would be lost psychologicaly without the comforts as PSK provides. Clean water. Fire. Shelter.

The kit is there to provide a measure of convenience in the minds of others. I take more comfort in the knowledge that I could spend a few days in the woods with virtually no gear and be okay. That said, I take comfort knowing a small pouch could allow me to do it in greater comfort and keep my girlfriend from FREAKING OUT in that situation. Redundancy is KEY in many things. Since the gear in the PSK is redundant, I know how to use it already. I don't need to train with it, because I have it's larger brother for daily activities.
 
Don't any longer.

As my knowledge and abilities increased, I found my chances of needing one diminished proportionally.

I can pretty much handle everything with nothing (OK, not totally, but close to it) so I carry items for convenience and comfort rather than survival.

Carl-
 
DOC-CANADA said:
If you're out in the bush for more than a day hike, I think a PSK is a great idea - one that you only use in an emergency. Having said that, the items in the PSK would only be backup duplication for similar items that you have for everyday use.

For example, in my PSK I have a tiny magnet compass. It works very well, for what it is. It doesn't replace my Silva Ranger 15, though, but would be invaluable in a survival type situation. There is a very small sparker and some small fire straws, but they don't replace my Zippo, Bic, mag bars and ferro rods that I have on my person and throughout my pack. The things in my PSK are redundancies, are very small and are capable of doing what they're designed for.



There is a well respected survival instructor, Mel DeWeese, who recommends building 2 identical PSK's - one you only use for emergencies, and one whose contents you use and play with to build the familiarity. I support this line of thinking because, as mentioned above, it's ok to use your PSK as long as you replenish it when you get home - that would be my Achilles heel! :(

Of course, if Magnussen was with me, I probably wouldn't need it anyway. :D

Doc
Click to expand...

My thinking exactly, but perhaps better stated. Amen Doc.
 
Like many others here I used to segregate some things in a special baggie that I was only to use in an emergency. Then I stoped doing it when I got more experienced and realized I was, or could, carry that stuff in my pocket, anyway. Like someone else said, I just make sure I restock the consumable stuff (like fire starters and snacks) before I leave on the next trip. I do keep some emergency stuff in my jeep, though (tarp, blankets, boots, tool box, knife, e-tool), in case I find myself off the road in a snow storm.
 
I agree with the layered approach. What you have on your person, what you keep near by (gear bag), what you keep in your vehicle, ect. Each layer should add more and more capability.

mtwarden - you definitely have the on your person mini kits down :thumbup: One thing you might want to add to your repair kit is a few small staple gun staples. As long as you have a multi-tool with you, you can use the staples for all sorts of things...
 
not anymore... as stated above i have layers... all the time i have a good folder in my pocket, a p38 and fire steel on my keys... the truck has fixed blade, hawk, matcete and axe that live there.. plus the bob. when wander the woods i have in pockets the o crap gear of fire steel and fire starters plus folder, on belt is fixed... i have a small roving bag(possible bag) and canteen that has all bases cover... these come on hikes, exploring, leaving camp... in my pack is bigger/better gear for all bases, water filter rather then tablets, camel back rather then canteen, more comprhensive fak rather then smaller "that was stupid" kit in the bag ... and so on...

have a plan and be flexable... the more skills u have the less u need...
 
Nothing in my kit ever gets taken out once I put it in there. My reason for that is that I will certainly not always remember to put it back, then when I need it, it won't be there. If one is absent minded, best leave it in there for good. I do test my items before they go in the kit. I sometimes update some items but the new one goes in when the old one comes out.

As they say, the memory is the first thing to go. I forgot what is second.:confused:
 
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