Survival Kits in F&S

Guyon

Guyon

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The November issue of Field and Stream features suggestions for three kits, as well as a checklist for making your own.

1) pocket kit (in an Altoids tin)
2) day hunter kit (in a small 2x4x6 pouch)
3) wilderness kit (in a fanny pack)

Decent article with good pics and a few tricks I haven't seen.

I myself gave up the Altoids kit in favor of a small compression sack that goes into either a backpack (when hiking/camping) or a fanny pack (when hunting). Actually, I have three of these kits made up. One is full-time in my hunting pack, and my wife and I each have one in our backpacks.

Still, I might do another Altoids tin kit just for fun and use a couple of the suggestions in the article.
 
While an altoids tin kit is limited to short term useage what makes them very valuable is you are likely to have it on you due to the convenience of carry size than any other kit.

I carry mine in my pocket during every waking hr of every day.

My larger kit(s) do not get carried near as much and I cannot count on them as much as the altoids tin.

Beware the limits of the altoids tin, its not the be all end all of kits. Some other websites tout it as "all you need" for the most part. A thought I fundamentally dissagree with.

When knowingly going into a higher risk situation you would carry a better kit.

Skam
 
I'd call my compression sack kits "medium" sized.

As far as the Altoids kit, I just don't have enough pocket space, what with an EDC, a cell phone, keys, wallet. Still, my kit is no further than my truck, parked outside my office. My pack, complete with a survival kit and a first-aid kit, is always in the truck.

So if I need something, it's pretty ready access. If I'm going anywhere that I might need the gear, my pack goes with me.
 
I'm often amused at all the stuff people put into survival kits. What is the purpose of the Survival kit? Is it the “Sacred” Survival necessaries like Shelter, Water, Fire and lastly Food, or is it to be rescued? I have seen fishhooks, food, etc. which to be doesn’t make a lot of sense. Most people need to be rescued. So the important stuff should be a signal mirror, whistle, and fire starting method. I can see being prepared if you venturing off into deep wilderness, but even then, I don’t see how a little Altoid tin is going to save your butt. Knowledge and skills are your best tools.
 
Myakka, I agree. It depends on where you'll be, I think. And what your skills happen to be. I'm often in the deep woods when I hike or hunt. Rescue would be first priority, but I've added a few things that might make the wait a little more do-able.

Having fished my entire life, I'm pretty confident that, given a source, I can catch a few bream with some line, a stick fashioned as a rod, and a popping bug. Or a bass or two with a hook and a cricket/grasshopper/other bug. So I do keep some line, a popping bug, a few split-shot, and some small hooks in my kit. Most folks are rescued quickly after getting into trouble, but a little baked fish (in the foil I've folded into my kit) sure wouldn't hurt.

FWIW, my kit has a whistle, signal mirror, and three forms of fire starting--a mini Bic, waterproof matches, and a Swedish firestarter, along with some Vaseline soaked cotton balls and a small stick of fatwood (in the fire starting department, redundancy is more important than anywhere else, I think).
 
I'm often amused at all the stuff people put into survival kits. What is the purpose of the Survival kit? Is it the “Sacred” Survival necessaries like Shelter, Water, Fire and lastly Food, or is it to be rescued? I have seen fishhooks, food, etc. which to be doesn’t make a lot of sense. Most people need to be rescued. So the important stuff should be a signal mirror, whistle, and fire starting method. I can see being prepared if you venturing off into deep wilderness, but even then, I don’t see how a little Altoid tin is going to save your butt. Knowledge and skills are your best tools.
Click to expand...

As long as you have shelter, water, fire and signal covered, what's wrong with carrying something like fishing gear in addition?

The fact of the matter is, not everyone CAN survive for weeks without food. Not only is it a morale issue, but hunger can seriously affect your judgement and ability to perform the needed survival skills.

Obviously there are other priorities, but I don't really see people carrying less vitally required items as "amusing" as long as they have the basics covered.

For what it's worth, my PSK has no less than 5 methods of firestarting. And yes, I do have some fishing gear.
 
five methods for fire starting is very good. that what i carry in my lumbar pack. I figure overkill to a resonable point is ok as long as you are willing to carry it and they are the things you really need. I like the altoid tin/ small cointainer idea for everyday use ie while i am at work or in class. Guess i will have to leave my BQM kukri at home, I do not think that my Berkely educated genetics teacher would like that :D . I have got so many leftovers from past survival kits that I just need to get around to making a small kit for my pockets or school bag. The field and stream and article is very good and gives some nice suggestions for kit, this month there is also a survival article in the American Rifleman-NRA magazine.
 
Myakka said:
So the important stuff should be a signal mirror, whistle, and fire starting method. I can see being prepared if you venturing off into deep wilderness, but even then, I don’t see how a little Altoid tin is going to save your butt. Knowledge and skills are your best tools.
Click to expand...

Mirror, whistle and 4 fire methods are in my tin kit so this could save my butt as you say.

Knowledge and skills do little in a blackout with no light source (in my tin kit) away from a main kit.

Knowledge and skills do little if your water supply becomes contaminated when not near the main kit and needing to drink, (purification is in my tin kit).

The list goes on and on.

Can I bushcraft my way through an intense time sensitive situation? Highly unlikely, thus a small kit in your pocket (not in your car) can get you out of a bunch of trouble.

A well thought out small kit is more usefull in your pocket when you need it than a week long BOB in the trunk you can't get too. Think of it as adding onto your EDC and adding utility to it as well.

For the size of it why would you NOT have one EDC :confused: Being preparred is about having some usefull stuff with you no matter where you are, at the office, walking the dog, the kids soccer game or in the back 40. Its all your responsibility to ensure you are better off in any given situation and at any time.

Specialization is for insects.

My 3 cents.

Skam
 
There are many scenarios and grades of PSK.
I use everything from an urban kit to wilderness kits.
Tho I haven't been in the wild for far tooo long...sigh!

So what's in an urban kit????
Stainless maleable wire, duct tape, pins, bandaids, mirror, 4x magnifier, ointments and wipes. about the size of a cassette case. The one below is from travel Q Tips :)
I'm a big fan of the differing kits....
In my neck of the woods if a disaster occured it'd be more important how I can get intop the flooded or destroyed WAWA than fishing...But the kits are for the area you're in...or going to...
Plus it's a lot of FUN to put em together.
Tom

Urban PSK
PSK007.jpg
 
Thanks for the tip, I'll check that article out.
I've never used the Altoids tin for anything other than candy and cigarettes. I have taken the SAS kit from penrith and repacked it in a neck wallet. It carries well and has been of use.
 
Skammer,
What does this mean?
"Knowledge and skills do little in a blackout with no light source (in my tin kit) away from a main kit."

A black out in the wilderness? :confused: Or do you mean being passed out?, or no power in the city?

I carry a small keychain kit with me in the city with a small photon light, Vic "classic" knife, Boy Scout Hot Spark, and GI can opener. If were talking about a city surival kit, yeas I agree.

I like being prepared, but just carrying a survival kit with you can be a false sense of security, if you haven’t practiced using all components. Knowledge is still the best tool.
 
just carrying a survival kit with you can be a false sense of security, if you haven’t practiced using all components. Knowledge is still the best tool.
Click to expand...

I think most folks here would agree with this statement.

The F&S article checklist begins by saying you should "Think about skills. Focus not on the components but on the tasks you'll want them to perform."

That's good common sense.

What the F&S article doesn't emphasize is that you need to practice with your gear in adverse conditions. There is a brief mention of having "tested" the equipment, but a test at home on the porch is a little different from a test out in the woods with a steady drizzle and cold hands.
 
Guyon said:
...a test at home on the porch is a little different from a test out in the woods with a steady drizzle and cold hands.
Click to expand...

To "a steady drizzle and cold hands" I would like to add (just for fun):

(1) quickly receding daylight,
(2) rapidly falling darkness,
(3) possible injuries,
(4) trying not to panic,
(5) quite possibly shivering,
(6) fading hand-eye coordination,
(7) diminished ability to think clearly, etc.

Mix in those factors and you have a disaster waiting 'round the next corner.
 
Myakka said:
I carry a small keychain kit with me in the city with a small photon light, Vic "classic" knife, Boy Scout Hot Spark, and GI can opener.
Click to expand...

How do you secure the GI can opener from opening.

Do you carry it in something or wrap something around it.
 
Myakka said:
Skammer,
What does this mean?
"Knowledge and skills do little in a blackout with no light source (in my tin kit) away from a main kit."

If were talking about a city surival kit, yeas I agree.

I like being prepared, but just carrying a survival kit with you can be a false sense of security, if you haven’t practiced using all components. Knowledge is still the best tool.
Click to expand...

True, skills are important however having a lightsource on you for example doesn't need a degree. Having matches to light an emergency fire is better than rummaging for a fireboard in freezing rain. This is where a small pocket kit really shines. Its handy and you have it with you always.

Of course its not a long term wilderness kit but it sure is handy short term no matter where the emergency. I like to keep my pocket kit in my pocket even in the bush as one never knows when one might get separated from the motherload and for what reason.

Skam
 
How do you secure the GI can opener from opening.

Do you carry it in something or wrap something around it.
Click to expand...

Not sure about him, but I secure mine with just a very small piece of clear tape. Not enough to wrap around or anything, just enough to hold the blade down.

I've heard of some people making "holsters" for them with heat shrink tubing but I've yet to try it.
 
I used to carry a P-38 clone on my keychain (haven't found the real one here), along with a small magnet in a small bead chain next to it (magnet from Radio Shack, bead chain from a nail clipper), the magnet kept it closed. I've heard of someone using a small rubber band.

Luis
 
Don Luis said:
I used to carry a P-38 clone on my keychain (haven't found the real one here), along with a small magnet in a small bead chain next to it (magnet from Radio Shack, bead chain from a nail clipper), the magnet kept it close. I've heard of someone using a small rubber band.

Luis
Click to expand...

If you happen to find a vendor of Honest-to-God, genuine P-38's, let us know. I'm sure I'm not the only denizen of these forums who would place an order for one.
 
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