assembling a survival tin...

[PARKINGLOT]

I've been slowly working on my list of things to do, and one of them is get a survival tin together. I started with an empty 166g Penaten tin:

It's bigger than an Altoids tin most people use, but it's still small enough (about palm size) to easily fit in a pocket or where ever. So far, I have put in it:

-20mm button compass (coming)
-small baggie with some split shot, snap swivels and hooks.
-a bunch of fishing line wound into a small cap & taped close.
-a folded up piece of 12"x12" aluminum foil.
-a small razor blade
-an alcohol prep pad.
-sting relief packet
-a small packet of salt.
-2 large safety pins & several small ones
-a small thin candle
-a couple "firestraws"
-matches

I still need/want to add:
-probably a pocket chain saw
-a small card with ground-to-air signals
-some water purifying tablets
-small LED light
-small round signal mirror in the lid

I know there's more, but any helpful idea's?

 

[stealthchaser13]

signal mirror (or polish up the lid to use as one)
ferro rod w/ stiker
couple fire straws

 

[sambo.]

a small LED torch/light?

 

[banana-clip]

small piece of fatwood, few feet of duct tape flattened, safety pins, small bic lighter

 

[ROCK6]

Dental floss and some needles.

ROCK6

 

[PARKINGLOT]

great stuff! I forgot about the small light and a few other things. Forgot to mention I do have some safety pins, and a small mirror somewhere...

edit: fire straws sound like a great idea! Must do now....

 

[Les Snyder]

second the firemaking/signaling ...ferro rod and mini Bic/tinder...small flat whistle/mirror...good wire saw.. something stronger than the aluminum foil to boil water, preferable a dedicated cup and water container... dedicated first aid kit in separate tin

 

[Lost Rover]

A fresnel lens?

Geoff

 

[mora the explorer]

A good whistle and jigsaw blade.

 

[dartanyon]

sun block and insect repellant .... pain killers

 

[s7brad]

Though not a usual addition, I always keep a pic of my wife and son in my pocket kits. Maybe throw in water purification tab or condom. Think you got all the bases covered for those just in case moments

 

[PARKINGLOT]

I tried making a couple fire straws. The construction part went fine, but it's getting the amount of vaseline right that's hard. The one I tried as a test wouldn't light with a bic....maybe have to throw some dry cotton balls or dryer lint in to help get them going...

 

[PARKINGLOT]

ordered a 20mm button compass the other day :thumbup:

tried a different method for the fire straws. Added dry cotton and some fine sawdust to the vaseline cotton. Seemed to work alot better. Also, I added 1 small thin birthday cake candle too...

 

[Joben]

I second the flattened duct tape idea.

You can take a little rectangle of waxed paper that it won't stick to and use that as a base. Wrap it around, keeping it flat.

A few feet of duct tape could repair a water container, or hold torn clothing or gear together in a pinch.

 

[PARKINGLOT]

that's a good idea....I'm going to have to try that...

 

[dougo83]

Honestly, I would lose the fishing gear. Personal preference, but I doubt it will ever come in handy. I would rather save that space for purification tablets, or other GTFO stuff. As I said though, this is only my preference. If I am in a situation where I am using my pocket kit, I am not looking for a fishing hole, I am building the biggest damn fire I can to draw all the attention I can to my location and doing what I can to drink water and preserve calories.

I would suggest what many have already said, nothing much more to add. It is a good start, btw.

 

[Fallbrook Forge]

An MRE drink bag, breast milk bag, or maybe one of the 1qt water bags from bepreparedtosurvive.com might be small enough for your tin.

 

[PARKINGLOT]

I organized things a bit, and finally got some matches. I stacked about 12 flipped end-to-end and held them togther with some duct tape in the middle. They are the strike anywhere kind, I tested a few on various surfaces out back...

 

[WBaaijen]

Have you got anything against diarrea?

 

[j williams]

sewing needles and thread. I use spyderwire on a sewing bobbin for the thread so it doubles as fish line. I use it more for other stuff then fishing....Duct Tape is a must.

Heres pics of my PSK. It fits in a cargo pocket. It says mostly in my EDC bag in the car, or on my belt or in my pack in the woods. Im currently building a smaller kit for pocket carry.

In hand for size referance.

In front pocket of pouch I carry fire goods. Matches, pj balls, and firesteel. My match case has a very nice Suunto compass in it.

Inside contents

Survival tin, Turley PSK, Space blanket, whistle, fres lens....

Contents of tin.

Sewing bobbins for snare wire and spiderwire. A great way to store these things. Not pictured is a folded piece of orange duct tape with sewing needles, sinkers, hooks, swivells, and safety pins inside..

Water kit. I need to add more tabs. I used some last time I was out.

Cordage, glue stick, and duct tape. Trusty LED streamlight nano. Had the light forever. Its been a lifesaver at times.