Anyone use the RAT survival kits?

Cpl Punishment

Cpl Punishment

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Jan 28, 2006
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Anyone use the RAT survival kits, and what do you think of them?
Seems pretty well thought out. Not everything is the best you can buy, but it'd cost several times as much if it were (I'd guess the RC-6 is a big chunk of the price as is). Seems like what they have would do the job. But I've never heard any reviews of these. Anyone use one?
Specifically thinking of this one: Comprehensive Survival Kit

RC-6_kit.jpg
 
The kit is something like $217. The RC-6 alone is something like $200. It's not a bad deal, and it's a good kit, imo. I'm thinking of picking a couple up. :thumbup:
 
If you go by the MSRP of the RC6, it's a steal. Going by the street price, it's priced right.
Nice thing is there doesn't seem to be any crap in it like most "survival kits" have.

Only things I'd add is a shoulder strap for the bag (may have one, but isn't listed) and a 2 QT canteen (because I'd rather not carry water in a bag). But both of those are personal preferences, not necessities.

Looks like what they were going for: give you what you actually need and let you add on what you want. Al;though the choice of knife is interesting as it seems Jeff prefers an RC-3 sized knife in preference to a large blade like the RC-6.
 
Yea I would think you'd want a smaller blade if you're using it to cut stuff in the Kit. (bandages... etc)
 
It kind of looks like a premade kit for SAR guys. Who, for various reasons want a big knife over a tiny one.

I'm sure when Jeff gets back he'll give me the "No, dumbass, it's this way because _______." :D
 
Jake Bauer said:
Yea I would think you'd want a smaller blade if you're using it to cut stuff in the Kit. (bandages... etc)
Click to expand...

I'd rather have EMT shears.
There's alot of good stuff in this kit, but it is light on the first aid stuff. I guess it depends on exactly what situation you are expecting to use this in.
 
I like the looks of this kit.
It has a lot of useful items; it would be excellent for those who do not have the knowledge to put together their own gear kit.

For the added value of the knife, I may end up getting one myself. I can always use it in my Wife's truck.
 
Jeff can explain in more detail when he gets back but this kit is what he put together for the airborne survey crews we are training in South America right now. Assumming you survive the initial crash in the jungle or any environment for that matter, you would likely want a larger knife like the RC6 to do shelter building , batoning and general bush/tree chopping as you bush wack your way to surviving and civilization (hopefully). The Izula knife will be included with a much smaller carry , personal kit soon out.
 
rooikat said:
I like the looks of this kit.
It has a lot of useful items; it would be excellent for those who do not have the knowledge to put together their own gear kit.

For the added value of the knife, I may end up getting one myself. I can always use it in my Wife's truck.
Click to expand...

I think it's a great starter kit if you want an RC-6 knife. If you look at the survival kits listed in other posts, you'll see most of the elements present in those other kits (the exact item may be different, like different brands of compasses, for instance). And the first aid kit is more comprehensive than most off the shelf kits.

I did a little experiment of checking out how much it would be to put together as close a copy of this kit as I could. I came within $20 of the listed price (mine was $20 over). It's important to note that I had to go to three different places just to assemble all the items (not including the bag), so the shipping would make it even more expensive to build your own.

So again, if you want an RC-6 knife (which is the lion's share of the price) and don't already have a kit, or have a kit with a lot of pieces missing, or just want the knife and to provide a basic kit to someone else (skipping the part about the included knife ;) ) you can't go wrong.

The only thing I wish they added was a simple nylon shoulder strap (didn't see it listed or in the pic, one may be included.
Big kudos ont he MicroPur tablets instead of tastes-like-butt iodine.

Do like they said and add some of whatever rations you like, maybe a Nalgene with nesting cup and Steripen prefilter, and you'll be set up pretty well.

I'm surprised I missed these for so long.
 
You could chunk some power bars in there, a couple MREs look like they might fit...or you could squish them in there. Bag of GORP, some Nalgene or Camelback bottle... Some more water purification tablets, leather work gloves, nitrile gloves, EMT shears, safety goggles, couple bandannas, viral/dust Niosh grade masks, Stanley Wonder Bar, couple more of this, that and the other and you would have one hell of a car kit. Not that it is bad to start with, but you sure could expand on it a great deal - at least it looks like it would hold even more stuff...
 
Did these Kits come from our PSK threads ? they look well thought out and just add a few personal preferrence items and ready to go !
 
They look good, but I look forward to the Izula based personal kit even more. I want something I can start from for true EDC in my laptop bag or at the least in my car.
 
If I had the money, I'd get this kit and basically do what I said up above. It would be a vehicular survival kit.

I think daypack sized kits are different, down to fanny pack kits, belt-pouch sized kits then down to the pocket-sized kits because with every step down in size, you are going to lose a little bit more stuff.

I think this kit, along with a good set of jumper cables in a zip up case, a portable plug-in the lighter socket CB Radio, a female lighter socket that has two alligator clips on it to attach to your car battery...and a real-deal 4-way lug wrench (Auto Zone) and you would have a lot of safety in the trunk or behind the truck seat, etc.

How many of you guys (or perhaps goils) have replaced that knuckle-breaker parading as a rotten piece of shit, half-assed prybar lug thing that was supplied with our rapidly deteriorating vehicles? Good jumpers with a good bag for them? Portable CB?

Every car should have two bags, one like the one in this thread with extra stuff thrown in as well, and another bag with the stuff I just mentioned and some more stuff as well. Basic socket and wrench set, vise grips, channel lock pliers...
 
Actually I do have a car kit like that. Cross style lug wrench, No 4 wire jumpers, basic tool kit. Even sacrificed a large part of my trunk for a real spare.
 
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