A good go to kit

D

delbert ealy

Joined
May 3, 2004
Messages
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Thinking about making a trip in the spring and also thinking about an all around kit to be carried with me at all times. I'll have a pack to for all of the bulky stuff too(bag,tent,spare clothes).
I used to do a fair amount of backpacking, but most of my stuff was misplaced during several moves. I know I still have a pack, but I'll have to see about a bag and tent.
Anyway, back to the main question, what would you take to keep with you all the time if you were headed out. For general use and for any emergicies that come up. Max weight 5 lbs This will be in the midwest.
I have a few things that I like for a kit like this, but I'd still like to hear some suggestions, maybe you will think of something I'd miss.
BTW, fire and I are old friends, I have never had a problem getting the sunbird to open his eye for me, so go light on the fire kit suggestions. When I was backpacking with a group, I would carry flint & steel, as well as bow and drill, just for fun, but a lighter and metal match as backup would do for me now.
Thanks,
Del
 
it all depends on the time of year, and there is some variation in environment in the midwest, though I think something like Ray Mears' folding saw and axe/carrier would be pretty darned ideal. Paired with a bushcraft knife like a Mora, an Altoids fire tin, a Suunto M2 or M3 baseplate compass, topo with plotted trails, filter water bottle, a hat and gloves, and a charged cell phone... Most places in the Midwest have cell phone service for emergency situations. Maybe a pen flare stuffed in your map pouch. For an FAK, a gauze pad, roll of sports tape and some butterfly stitches in a small altoids size tin.

Familiarize yourself with Ray Mears' cold weather bushcraft bed/leanto shelter design, and longfire construction. Super easy way to sleep well in chilly weather-it'd be a cinch with an axe and/or saw.
 
I made a hawk(the first one) earlier this year for one of my cousins(in trade for a german shepard puppy, hes over 80 lbs now) and I was thinking about starting there for my kit. I know I could take a big knife, but I like the idea of a hawk and a edc as far as blades go. I will probly have a lightweight saw as well.
The thing that amazes me is the amount of stuff that is available now that wasn't 20 years ago.
Del
 
Basically, you want the basics covered.

Fire
Food/water
Shelter
signal/navagation

I've all ways had the train of thought to not keep all your eggs in one basket, I have a belt pouch that covers the basics, around 2-3 pounds, then my primary knife. I dont keep first-aid in my PSK, I have way too much to make it useful in small sizes, gauss and tape would be the best bet.

Ideas:
Fire -
you say you have that covered, that works.:D

Food/Water -
depending on what you carry camping, just worry about the water, Katadyn purification tabs, I say those because they do the best I've found for taste. Something to collect water (freezer bags, something separate from your main drinking apparatus) and something to boil in, small cup would be perfect. You can also add some fishing line, hooks, brass wire.

Shelter -
Best bet in an AMK heat sheet and one of there emerg bivy sacs, add some para cord, or your choice of twine and your good. Anything extra is your choice.

Signal/Navigation -
Signal mirror (practice with it ALOT) pen flares, and a couple glow sticks. Keep a whistle handy too.
For navigation, a compass, suunto and brunton are the ones I've used, I trust them both, a map of your working area, and know how to use it. Can use a gps, just make sure you keep the compass handy, its a basic item but very useful. Don't forget your flashlight and spare batts/

As for tools, its hard to bet Nessmuks trio, a multifunction tool, knife of your choice and a chopper, add a saw and everything is covered.
 
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delbert ealy said:
...what would you take to keep with you all the time if you were headed out. For general use and for any emergicies that come up. Max weight 5 lbs This will be in the midwest.
Click to expand...
Hi Del, I like to take Randy Schwert's layered and concentric approach to emergency gear. He starts with an on-body carry kit, one to keep at work, one in the car, one at home, etc. Each one supplements the kit(s) below it by adding components and capabilities, with the on-body kit being the starting point. You can see a listing of some of his components here:
http://www.swampratknifeworks.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=print_topic;f=11;t=000135

Your 5 pound limit sets a pretty stiff break-off point. ;) So I'll give you my $0.02 with that in mind.

Of course, most of the perspective changes depending on whether you are in urban (downtown), suburban, rural (small acreage), or wilderness area. Each of those will provide different resources for you to work with and, perhaps, not have to bring with you. I'll assume wilderness as the setting since IMHO it will require the most from you in terms of skills and materials. Your wilderness is a lot more demanding (very cold winters, hot humid summers, bugs) than mine here in western WA state.

Since you are good with fire starting, I see shelter and water as likely to be your more immediate priorities, especially in the wilderness scenario. If you add a durable small knife to the hawk & folding saw, you have my trifecta for woods work, except I like large Busse chopper knives in place of the hawk. I'll leave finding/melting/acquiring water to your skills.

For shelter, a nylon water-proof tarp would be my go-to for light weight. A bivy bag or 1-person tent for snugger trappings. Any of those coupled with a closed-cell foam pad & an insulation layer should keep the ground cold and hopefully most of the wind & cold from sapping body warmth.

Within the 5 lb limit, dedicating 2 pounds to a mummy sleeping bag may prove worthwhile. If so, I'd recommend a look at Wiggy's Overbag that's rated down to +35 degrees.
http://wiggys.com/moreinfo.cfm?Product_ID=67&CFID=8042277

The thing that amazes me is the amount of stuff that is available now that wasn't 20 years ago.
Click to expand...
Amen!! And sorting through that plethora of gear to find the best-of-the-bunch is part of the downside of the abundance we currently enjoy. Take it from someone with hundreds of pounds of lightweight gear. ;) :D

HTH.
 
as far as layering gear, a practical way to do it is to carry a rolly-poly style backpack-those light nylon deals that fold up into their own top pocket. They weigh next to nothing and if you're doing basecamp-style trips, or scouting far away from camp, you can pick and choose which of your main gear you want to pack for the short-term or in an emergency scenario.
 
i'm out a lot and here's my basic bag that goes with me as my first layer of survival gear/quickie overnight bag.Hope it helps

small axe/large hawk or 4-10" belt knife depending on my mood,the area,time of year,etc.backed up by a 2-4" lightweight folder for small tasks/eating
my primary blade is always a good chopper or heavy knife ready for splitting duty.hawk/axe handle or knife sheath wrapped in as much paracord as you can stand(i usually have at least 20 feet in my main blade) belt carried

wide mouth stainless bottle(i like klean kanteen 40oz stainless because i can cook/boil water/melt snow in it,try that with plastic,also carried clipped on my belt in a holster that has an extra pocket for a small knife/multi tool/etc. i used to carry an old g.i. canteen and cup,still not a bad choice)

water filter straw(seychelle is my current straw, 25 gal filter capacity,filters 99.99%. no pumping/drink right from the source if needed)

MSR folding titanium spork(this used to be a stainless spork,before that a g.i. fork and spoon)

blast match(easily operable with one hand,never know if you're going to be injured and it never fails as long as you do your job on the tinder supply)

2 space blankets(one to lay on,the other to cover with,also makes a great quickie tarp shelter,sleeping bag liner,etc.also easy to spot if they have to send the search party for you)

l.e.d. shake light(never needs batteries 30 seconds of shaking=10 minutes of light)

lexan signal mirror(unbreaklable,floats,with sighting hole.mine is 2x2" and stuck to the back of my compass case with glued on velcro. again easy to separate with one hand if needed)

compass/map(i just carry the compass/mirror combo in familiar territory,2x2 lexan mirror is stuck to the back of the compass case)

pack of mainstay emergency rations/9 bars 3600 calorie pack (i always carry the 3600 calorie pack as a back up to my food supply when hiking,it will last 3 days if all else fails)

thumb launch pen flare(i carry 3 red flares,easy to fire with one hand if injured.makes a handy deterrent to predator animals,also,mirrors only work if there is light to reflect)

ultralight 6x10 tarp(excellent shelter with a little knowledge and preparation,here's where you're supply of paracord really comes in handy,get a tarp with sewn on tabs instead of grommets,grommets tear the tarp and cannot be replaced in the field if/when they pull out,tabs can be sewn back on)

wire finger saw(find a military issue one or get the kind that looks like chainsaw blade if you don't mind the extra weight,then get a nylon lashing strap,cut two 12 inch strips,sew two 8 inch loops out of these(overlap 2 inches and stitch the hell out of it)to make comfy hand pulls so you don't wear your fingers out pulling the little keychain size rings while cutting) optional but nice to have,i bring the finger saw if my main blade is small,usually in cold weather when downed trees are frozen and chopping will be difficult.

first aid (usually a small tupperware container)this will have my basics:roll of gauze,small tube of neosporin,tylenol(several travel 2 packs) a suture kit(to the suture kit i added a sewing needle with a nice big eye and a roll of unspooled waxed dental floss and some heavy thread for repairs),a few 4x4 gauze pads,and a waterproof match safe stuffed with alcohol gel (sanitizer) soaked cotton balls and a small tweezers from a swiss army knife(the cotton balls also make a handy fire starter if needed.tweezers go inside the match safe to stay sterile(if it's tick time i carry a bigger pair of tweezers too) tube of lip balm with sunscreen.mosquito repellent wipes,also with sunscreen,in the summer.liquid skin is a nice addition,also a small tube of crazy glue can work wonders on a large cut if all else fails.wear a belt that will make a good tourniquet.

this all fits into an old jansport backpack accessory bag(a side bag that could be lashed to a larger pack) i've had for years.it measures approx 5x10x2" with an added braided paracord sling(another 40 feet if needed) I also have a slightly larger but still small bag i use that will hold two water bottles plus the basics and a little extra food.

weight is about 5lbs not counting whatever main blade i bring along and the full water bottle.the bag can be clipped or threaded onto my belt(sling converts to leg tie), or slung for back carry,also has lashing points to attach and carry main blade or water bottle holster.I have no problems going 2 nights with this bag as my only supply,but i've done it a lot,the first few times were pretty hard.
 
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I have been using a 1 litre belt pack as a go bag for dayhikes, fishing and longer trips.

Anytime I am going out hiking or fishing just throw it in a pack and emergency basics are covered without running around and forgetting stuff or wasting time.
When backpacking I bring it clipped to the outside of the pack and will carry it when daytripping or fishing away from base camp without having to take from the main pack.

weighs about 3.5lbs with all the survival goodies and first aid stuff that can be crammed into it. If I use a larger bag it will just get filled anyway regardless of what I want or think.......my packs abhor a vacuom just like nature.
I bring a 1L steel bottle as well with a belt holder.
With the full water bottle around 6lbs


This little kit has been very handy pulling to shore for a fire and soup when the wind/rain drives me off the water, not to mention a couple unplanned overnighters or miserable weather daytrips.

About 3/4lb food.......... 5 or 6oz is rice/oxo mix(or lipton soup plus extra noodles), 3 oz of salted almonds/cashews and a 3oz snickers bar, all in separate sealed bags(foodsaver). They get used and replaced frequently as comfort food on daytrips.
 
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