Design input - a kit for novice hikers

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Bushman5

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Oct 31, 2007
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THE TASK:

-Design a kit, set up for new/novice hikers, that they can carry and easily use if need be.

THE CRITERIA:

-The kit would be a hybrid between a Survival kit and a woods kit, the contents would be used for both a Survival situation and every day use in the woods on a hike or overnighter.

- no bigger than 6" tall x 4" wide x 2" deep, must be belt mountable
- must contain gear to provide the following: FIRE, SHELTER, FAK, LIGHT, SIGNALLING
- (food/water would be supplemental and carried elsewhere, ie their pack) , but emergency food could be included in kit design)
- uses off the shelf readily available gear
- includes a MEDIUM fixed blade attached to the kit

THE GOAL:

to design a kit that ANY hiker could use (include instructions), should they be stranded overnight, lost etc, AND that contains gear that they could utilize during a hike or camping trip (ie fire kit etc)
- the goal is to keep it simple, easy to use, WELL ORGANIZED, not bulky

ok have at er, lets see what you come up with!
 
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I'm curious as I consider myself a novice. I saw the HEST setup and the Maxpedition setup on the Yard forum and really think those would fit the bill.

I guess I would include:

-Firesteel with a tin of petro jelly covered cottonballs
-I have a really small altoids tin where I carry some fish hooks, line and old guitar strings for snares.
-Basic FAK stuff with a bottle of antiseptic liquid bandage and some iodine.
-The Silva Ranger 27 compass with mirror and sundial, any compass+mirror for that matter
-25ft of 550
-Small light like the Fenix P1D, the Gerber would work too.
-Emergency blanket
-Serious high calorie food bar.
-Whistle
-Lighter
-Maybe a little flask of Everclear.

As for the blade, over the counter, I just might go Buck or SOG. I would go RAT if that is an option.
 
I've been working on an articl on this topic. I'll dig it up and see how far I've gotten.

-- FLIX
 
I sometimes carry something like this on a hike.
I think it meets most of your guidelines,although it is over 2" deep.

A cheap Maxped. knockoff utility bag:
002-26.jpg


003-28.jpg


004-28.jpg


005-18.jpg


006-9.jpg

In no particular order...
OD Izula
AMK 2 person Heat Sheet
Mini Fox 40 whistle
Buck 55 folder
Mini firesteel
Fire straws
Tea candle
Mini pry bar
Misc. 1st aid supplies
Fenix mini light & spare battery
Orange duct tape
Orange trail tape
Compass
Signal mirror
There's about 8 feet of jute twine in the outer zippered compartment

I think that's it.

Edited to add...You can get all of this in one of the Count Comm Diplomat organizers for a little thinner package , but it's a bit rough on the zipper.
Cliff
 
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Good stuff so far, here's what I would put in it. Links for pictures.

* Small first aid kit that includes butterfly bandages and add a tube of supper glue

* Mora #510, cheap and light. Attached outside, or on the belt separately
http://ragweedforge.com/510.jpg
* Possibly a SAK Farmer for inside the bag.
http://www.swissarmy.com/images/ProductCatalog/vm/vm_53964_sol_a02.jpg
* Emergency poncho
http://ep.yimg.com/ca/I/campingsurvival_1847_22099436
* Emergency/space blanket
http://media.rei.com/media/xx/67d80968-e61a-4b56-8474-2bae72c3c530.jpg
* Firsteel w/ spycapsule handle w/ PJCB inside
http://goinggear.com/images/firecap1.jpg
* Whistle (tops, or fox 40)
http://www.topsknives.com/product_thumb.php?img=images/accessories/tsw-01.jpg&w=276&h=207
* Hand warmers
http://www.warmers.com/ItemImg.aspx?myImage=/Media/ProductImages/811.jpg&x=500&y=500
* A fire straw, just for extra
* A stick of fatwood
* Signal Mirror
* Headlamp (I think it would be easier to have a handsfree light)
* Batteries for headlamp
* Glow stick, for signalling
* Water purifier tabs
* Zip ties
* Orange tape (not really tape, but a 1" ribbon material, you can find it in the hardware store)
* Long length of 550 para cord braided (either inside, or attached outside
* Compass
* Mini bic
* Duct tape


That's all I can think of right now, but I have all that and it fits in about the size bag that was specified by OP.
 
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I would suggest:

lighter
firesteel
firesticks (commercial fire starters)
space blanket
compass
whistle
mora or good folder
canteen cup
bullion cubes & tea bags
head lamp or small led flashlight
bandaids

He or she should also have rain geer, hat, and canteen, but they usually don't go in the pouch.
 
Off the shelf for novice hikers? I'd stay away from any of the exotic stuff (they probably wouldn't appreciate it anyways!).

I'd include:
AMK Personal Survival Pak (PSK). Around $25.00 and comes with basic emergency instructions.

AMK Heatsheet Survival Blanket. Either $4.00 for the single person size or $6.00 for the larger size listed.
Normally I'd include two of the smaller ones-one for the ground/shelter, and one for the user. Based on your space limitations, I only included the larger one. Also has basic emergency instructions printed on the sheet.

AMK Ultralite .5 medical kit. Around $15.00. I'd add more 2x2's, but good enough to be more than an owie kit.

Photon Micro LED light II. Around $10.00. Kept on some type of lanyard (paracord guts) to be attached to the wrist or around the neck. Kept in AMK PSK.

Ultimate Survival Technologies "Sparkie" Fire Starter. Around $15.00. Allows one-handed use if needed. Would also throw in two mini-bics. I'd stay away from the fire steels. Chances are if they didn't come up with this kit themselves, chances are they won't know how to use one. I remember watching an episode of "Survivor" where they had tried using the striker so many times that it was almost worn down. Someone walks up and says, "Weren't you supposed to shave some magnesium off the other side first?" :confused:

Victorinox one handed Trekker. Around $30.00. Covers basic needs without weighing them down with a multi-tool. Some hikers are weight conscious, down to the gram. A Leatherman Wave may be left behind due to its heft, less likely with a SAK Trekker.

Frost/Mora Clipper. Around $12.00. Good enough to whittle fuzzy fire sticks, cheap enough that you won't scream if they loose it. (I'd include a Rat Izula for my kit).

I'd round it off with ten Katadyn water purification tabs and an oven bag or two pre-marked at the one quart level.

OOOORRRRR....
You could just go with this. :D
 
Not quite within your specs ,it is a bit deeper fully stuffed.Just a cheap Walmart butt pack,it does expand outward as it is filled so less stuff equals smaller size. And it has separate sections.

The ammo pouch with tarp is removable,as is the canteen of course.

Everything but the JK Hiker and tin knife is available at any big box store.

100_1030.jpg


Canteen with cup, 5x7 tarp, 165lbs test twine, cheap "paracord", poncho,space blanket,mini-maglite w/LED,spare batteries,LED AAA light.

Pill bottle fishing kit w/line,hooks,split shot,three bobbers. Iodine tabs with neutraliser tabs. Whistle,Compass,pocket bug spray (I hate ticks and skeeters :)),Foam pad with 1000grit paper on one side-400grit on the other.

First aid is Gauze pads,tape,bandaids,neosporin,tylenol,immodium, four chicken bullion cubes(mental pick-me-up)

Fire kit is a mag block,jute twine,fattwood,mini bic,and the match tube is filled with PJBs,and a JK tin knife.

Ditch the canteen, ammo pouch (you also loose the tarp with it) and it almost fits your size. Id say within a half inch all around.
 
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