Airplane/security survival kit

J

joebobx

Joined
Jan 3, 2007
Messages
301
So I'm in afghan land watching castaway and I started thinking about all the stuff that would have been sweet for him to have on that island with him. But due to security these days alot of that stuff wouldn't be allowed for a carry on in an airplane like a lighter a knife gun and so on. I'd like to make a small survival kit that could be taken ANYWHERE literally whether plain/train/different country whatever could be taken through security without getting confiscated. What do you guys think like I said like to keep it smallish you know to have in your carry on bag or daybag whatever. Maybe a dumb question but something to think about. I was thinking about one of those little hand saw things kinda like a rope ya know. I'm sure there's a high speed name for them. Also who makes the best ne of those you think?
 
Yes #1 on a couple of large heat sheets. I routinely bring a ferro-rod through security in my carry one and also have no trouble with the LMF-type strikers. Can't bring a knife, but maybe the makings of a crude blade. I'm thinking of a square, you know the ones for measuring 90 degree angles. They are about 1/16" thick, pretty heavy duty. Cut it down to about 6 " keeping the rulings on it. Say its a ruler. When in trouble, you can sharpen one edge on a rock to get a knife. Point will suck, but you will have an edge.

Chunk of fatwood and some jute twine - again, brought through security several times. Paracord, precut into 10' strips, lets say 5. Good package of drugs - think of the tooth scene - lots of advil, antihistamines and first aid kit. You have to remove sharp tweezers and scissors. Water purification tablets. Tin foil. Ziplock bags (1L sized). LED flashlight and spare batteries - try not to leave the damn thing on. Leather work gloves (always in the carry on). Compass and GPS with spare batteries.
 
As of 2007, common BIC style lighters are OK for carry on, so are scissors less than 4 inches, screwdrivers less than 7 inches, and pliers. You can also have one book matches on you. Lots of possibilities. Don't forget the venerable P-38 on the key chain.
 
fish i was denied my bic recently...i think these travel people just do what they feel like. dont even get me started on them.
 
I've thought long and hard about this. In my opinion, the most useful things you could carry aboard an aircraft in case of a crash, that are legal to carry absolutely anywhere, are things that will get you noticed by rescuers.

Flash light with a strobe light feature. I carry an Inova 24/7 but there are other excellent choices on the market.

Several brightly colored bandannas (1001 uses) mostly for bandaging, dust filter, water filter, signaling, etc.

Magnifying glass or Fresnel lens for making fires.

Signal mirror with a real retro-reflective aiming aid. Not the cheap knockoffs.

A solid heavy cane, because having a stick with a hook on the end can be handy, and because they put you at the front of all the lines when you're seen with one.
 
joebobx said:
So I'm in afghan land watching castaway and I started thinking about all the stuff that would have been sweet for him to have on that island with him. But due to security these days alot of that stuff wouldn't be allowed for a carry on in an airplane like a lighter a knife gun and so on. I'd like to make a small survival kit that could be taken ANYWHERE literally whether plain/train/different country whatever could be taken through security without getting confiscated. What do you guys think like I said like to keep it smallish you know to have in your carry on bag or daybag whatever. Maybe a dumb question but something to think about. I was thinking about one of those little hand saw things kinda like a rope ya know. I'm sure there's a high speed name for them. Also who makes the best ne of those you think?
Click to expand...

You know...this made sound absolutely absurd to some, but even here in a Combat Zone, I had to fly from Kandahar to Bagram and guess what we have at our terminal? That’s right, a metal detector and no knives authorized!!!???!!! WTF!?! I'm flying with an M9 and an M4 with ammo, but have to store my knives in my pack that's stored in the back of the aircraft; this is insanity at its finest.

I definitely don't recommend violating FAA regulations, but I know several people who have "accidentally" made it through screening with a small knife. I think this is where those inexpensive knives come in handy...if they get confiscated, no big loss and you get a stern warning and move on your way...just my thoughts.

I posted a "deployment survival" kit a couple months ago and I can post pictures later tonight. A knife is an essential tool, but not essential to survive. You can now fly with butane lighters; have a good compass, sewing kit with needles, collapsible water container or even a water bottle (I flew with an 18oz stainless steel Klean Kanteen which was empty), water filter (an MSR MIOX will make it through screening, but I haven't tried Polar Pure), or purification tablets like Katadyn's Micropur tablets; LED flashlight/strobe, signal mirror, fire steel, tinder, snare/utility wire (although you may get questioned)...plenty of 550 cord, First Aid Kit (and I actually had a Leatherman Micra and folding razor blade in my FAK make it through CONUS screening which I completely forgot about). A few bandana/cravat's have several uses and you could even add a Sil-Poncho or tarp which takes up little room in carry on. I think a compact AM/FM/shortwave radio is a good idea also along with a small notebook with pens/pencils to help keep you organized. A couple of decent books are nice for references or maintaining your own sanity. I carry a small Bible, small copy of the constitution and either the compact SAS survival manual or my copy of “Six ways in, twelve ways out” survival manual.

Not sure if safety shears are on the bad list, but as mentioned a pair of scissors along with a good diamond sharpener could turn into some decent edged tools with a little work. Even in remote crap-holes here in Afghanistan, you come across scrap metal that could be turned into a sharp edge with a good diamond sharpener.

ROCK6
 
I just recently Carried the following Kit on my flights to canada and alaska and had no problems with airport security or customs

FAK: Including tweezers and small Trauma shears (the ones that can cut a penny), I included meds and water purification tabs in this kit

Swiss Tech Micro tool
Fox 40 micro
streamlight keymate
BSA hotspark
1 book matches (in mini ziplock)
2 bandanas (one orange with survival instructions)
2 6 foot lengths 550 chord
Led minimag + spare batteries
1-heat sheet
1-leaf bag
1 liter water bottle (empty until inside security)
2 power bars
2 tea bags
2 sugar packets
1Tin of mints
zip pull compass/thermometer
rain jacket
sewing kit with needles saftey pins and 20" monofilament


The kit was not together but broken down between my pockets and my Versipack, so it wouldnt draw attention, but still remained on me.
 
Last edited:
EmsRescueGuy said:
I just recently Carried the following Kit on my flights to canada and alaska and had no problems with airport security or customs

FAK: Including tweezers and small Trauma shears (the ones that can cut a penny), I included meds and water purification tabs in this kit

Swiss tool mini tool

The kit was not together but broken down between my pockets and my Versipack, so it wouldnt draw attention, but still remained on me.
Click to expand...

Just curious as to what the Swiss Tool Mini Tool is?

ROCK6
 
skammer said:
How about a chute cuz statisticaly thats whats going to save you. :)

Skam
Click to expand...

The alternate to the chute is a to assume the "survival-position" when pending a plane/helo crash...that's with your head between you legs kissing your fourth-point-of-contact goodby:D

ROCK6
 
skammer said:
How about a chute cuz statisticaly thats whats going to save you. :)

Skam
Click to expand...

I have to go with skam on this one. Hanks may have made a pretty good movie with Castaway, but if an airliner goes down, and you're still aboard when it hits, I don't think a survival kit is going to do much good. Exept on a TV show.
 
jackknife said:
I have to go with skam on this one. Hanks may have made a pretty good movie with Castaway, but if an airliner goes down, and you're still aboard when it hits, I don't think a survival kit is going to do much good. Exept on a TV show.
Click to expand...

The only thing Hanks needed was a dentist. In todays world if you crash on land they will find you, all 1000 peices of you.

4 point contact
lmao:D

Skam
 
I'm getting ready to fly back to Brazil in October. My options for ditching are the US east Coast States, the Caribbean Sea, and the Amazon. Good luck with a mini-kit, right?

Ditching a commercial airliner in the Amazon has been done with survivors but is very unlikely. The planes that fly that route do have survival equipment on board but I have never got a good description of what they carry.

Controlled water landings do happen like the miracle on the Hudson, rare for sure but a water landing is more likely to result in survivors. In such a case you would want SPF 30 lip balm, a hat, a mirror, water, water, and water. Mac
 
ROCK6 said:
You know...this made sound absolutely absurd to some, but even here in a Combat Zone, I had to fly from Kandahar to Bagram and guess what we have at our terminal? That’s right, a metal detector and no knives authorized!!!???!!! WTF!?! I'm flying with an M9 and an M4 with ammo, but have to store my knives in my pack that's stored in the back of the aircraft; this is insanity at its finest.

I definitely don't recommend violating FAA regulations, but I know several people who have "accidentally" made it through screening with a small knife. I think this is where those inexpensive knives come in handy...if they get confiscated, no big loss and you get a stern warning and move on your way...just my thoughts.

I posted a "deployment survival" kit a couple months ago and I can post pictures later tonight. A knife is an essential tool, but not essential to survive. You can now fly with butane lighters; have a good compass, sewing kit with needles, collapsible water container or even a water bottle (I flew with an 18oz stainless steel Klean Kanteen which was empty), water filter (an MSR MIOX will make it through screening, but I haven't tried Polar Pure), or purification tablets like Katadyn's Micropur tablets; LED flashlight/strobe, signal mirror, fire steel, tinder, snare/utility wire (although you may get questioned)...plenty of 550 cord, First Aid Kit (and I actually had a Leatherman Micra and folding razor blade in my FAK make it through CONUS screening which I completely forgot about). A few bandana/cravat's have several uses and you could even add a Sil-Poncho or tarp which takes up little room in carry on. I think a compact AM/FM/shortwave radio is a good idea also along with a small notebook with pens/pencils to help keep you organized. A couple of decent books are nice for references or maintaining your own sanity. I carry a small Bible, small copy of the constitution and either the compact SAS survival manual or my copy of “Six ways in, twelve ways out” survival manual.

Not sure if safety shears are on the bad list, but as mentioned a pair of scissors along with a good diamond sharpener could turn into some decent edged tools with a little work. Even in remote crap-holes here in Afghanistan, you come across scrap metal that could be turned into a sharp edge with a good diamond sharpener.

ROCK6
Click to expand...

Great suggestions... Just FYI -- I had a leatherman micra in a pack that survived one CONUS screening, only to be found on the return trip, they allowed me to send it via mail it back to my home.
 
My flying kit consists of the following:

•First-Aid kit w/ 2 cravat packs
•Large zip-ties
•Gallon Ziploc bags
•100mph tape
•Petzl Zippka
•GPS
•Compass
•Atlas for the area, typically this is the eastern US, so a regular spiral-bound road atlas works
•Signal mirror
•Empty 3L bladder
•32oz Nalgene stuffed with granola bars
•Mountain Hardware Conduit parka
•Mountain Hardware softshell gloves, and fleece watch-cap
•Snow Peak tarp with all the Ti stakes and cord
•MSR Miniworx water filter
•Mag bar and lighter
•Hygiene supplies
•Full set of under-clothes, plus 2 pair of socks
•Book to read
•Wallet, ID, dog tags, Cell, etc

I carry all that crap in the same Deuter Futura 32 that I've been using for several years. All this looks like camping/hiking/outdoor gear to TSA. I get randomly searched almost every time I fly and none of the above stuff has ever been questioned. I fly 2-3 times a year, and have been for the last 5 years or so. I would like to be able to carry a small knife to cut stuff, but it's not allowed. I don't need all that crap, but I can improvise a whole lot of "tools" with it; so, I carry it.

For surviving people, the zip ties, 100mph tape, and hard parts such as pack stays and tent stakes are important. If you survive the crash, the other stuff becomes important.

An obsidian knife, or zytel, carbon fiber, etc will get you in serious trouble. If weapons are the main concern, you can fashion weapons out of all sorts of stuff. I'll leave it at that.
 
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