Help building a Survival kit

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Bladeguy738558

Joined
Sep 17, 2006
Messages
10
Hi, im a boy scout and i do alot of outdoor activites i.e. hiking backpacking and camping. i dont have a survival kit but i think i should have one. i figured id go to more experienced people first rather than just some online source. what should i have in one and what should i use to hold the contents. pictures and links for suplies would be VERY helpful. Thanks
 
I'd suggest for first starting out, DON"T go out and buy a bunch of expensive stuff.
Think about your needs in a survival situation, and what you will need to meet those needs.

Maintaining body temperature-shelter, fire
Water-means for carrying, purifing
Getting help
Navigation
First aid
Food-brought with you or acquiring it
Anything else that might be specific to your situation.
 
hey bladeguy im also a boyscout i recently built one check out my thread and how old are ya and what rank are ya?
 
For bivy's check out some of the surplus sites online. Sportsman guide has a few I think. Ebay is another place to look.
 
I use bivvy bags quite often. I think they're quite worthwhile, and a good bivvy is well worth the price.
 
Bladeguy,

Try going to the Search menu item.

Enter PSK , select this Wilderness Survival forum, and search.
You will get a lot of hits.

You will find threads with pictures, discussions, lists of gear, enough to keep you reading all night.

After looking over those older threads, if you still have Q's, come on back, and there a lot of people with a lot of answers for you.
 
The absolute first need in a survival situation is shelter! Second is water, distant third is food. You can go a long, long time without eating but you can't last more than a few hours without shelter especially if it's cool/cold. Seek shelter first and a fire if possible, the next day seek water, then worry about eating. It's amazing what atrocious things become tasty after a day or two without food. For a kit, carry jars of peanut butter. The 40 ounce jars are more than 6,500 calories each! That's three days of nutrition at 2,000 cals per day, etc. Other important needs are layered clothing, a sharp blade of some kind, fire making equipment, and rope/cord/tape, lots of it! I've had to survive all over the world in varied environments and a good night's sleep was a major factor in "making do." A good sleep will let you face the next day with the energy to improve your situation.
 
Shelter
Fire (at least 2 methods)
Signal (mirror and Whistle are bare minimum)
Water (Means to gather and purify)
Food (bring some and have means to gather)
Firstaid
Navigation (get good at this and you may be able to avoid having to use the rest)

A good knife is a must. since you are in boy scouts and fixed blades may be taboo I would seriously consider one of the lacking blade SAKs especially with a saw


I would say that 50$ is alot to spend on a first kit. you can get most of the basics for well under that and you probably as a scout have some already.

Just remember you want something that will be on you when a need arises so keep it pretty small or even break it down into two kits.

Take wilderness survival badge if you havent already. I had it and I still find some of the things i learned quite usefull.
 
Survival kits come in lots of shapes and sizes. I recently made an altoids tin survival kit for a buddy of mine. I think I included snare wire, whistle, compass, needles, fishing stuff, gum, unlubricated latex condom for water, chocolate, buillion, led flashlight, container acts as a signal mirror, box cutter blade and i wrapped it in 550 paracord as that is useful for building shelter.

It's hard to recommend a survival kit, because there are so many possibilities. I used to go out in the woods in Michigan after or during a blizzard and use survival supplies to build a shelter and a fire and then sleep the night in it. That way I would get familiar with my gear and have a real idea of how hard it is to find wood and get fire started. Anyway, if you go out and do live tests it will help you evaluate your PSK and also build confidence so you don't panic if you ever have to fall back on a minimal survival kit.

I keep a little altoids-size PSK on a web belt with two canteens of water in my truck, but I carry a more elaborate survival kit in my hunting packs. My main concern in a survival situation is getting rescued so I'm big on fire, whistle and mirror. As far as shelter goes, I can dig into snow and pile brush on top and don't need any tools for that. Water is crucial, so make sure you think about that a lot. Hopefully you'll get rescued within 48 hours. Chance favors the prepared so keep doing what you're doing and you will make a fine mountain man.
 
Fixed blade knives are not prohibited by the Boy Scouts, but different levels (National, Council, Troop, etc) may "discourage" them and try to intimidate you over it. Tell them if you can't carry a fixed blade (of proper proportions – not a huge chopper), you'll move to a different troop. Just remember to use it properly and not call attention to it or yourself.
 
Try packing your kit in a smallish coffee can, that way you will have a water container/boiler with you.
Add some fishing line and hooks, a small candle, bic lighter, swiss army knife,
strong twine, fox-40 whistle, small mirror, a few hot chocolate mixes,
some waterproof matches (make your own by dipping some strike anywheres in wax, but scrape the wax off before lighting) large band-aids, alcahol swabs, water purifying tablets, an energy bar, a few hard candies, and wrap the can in a bunch of duct tape.
Remember to practice your fire and shelter making skills before you get into a survival situation, hopefully your troop is practicing these things already.
 
Your local walmart will carry an inexpensive line of small digital camera cases Less than $10. They make great PSK containers. Small, tough, cheap and inconspicuous. Check it out.
 
I assembled my first survival kit many years ago for less than $30, and the prices are still pretty much the same. This one can fit into most jacket pockets, so you can get used to having it with you at all times.
1. Matches, but only use them when other fire-starting means have failed.
2. Candle; both a light source and useful when starting a fire. Tallow wax can be eaten in an emergency.
3. Flint; make sure you have plenty of practice with flint and a striker. It will be there long after your matches have been used up.
4. Sewing kit; useful for repairing clothes and equipment.
5. Water purification tablets; useful when you can't boil water.
6. Compass; a small, button liquid-filled type is good, but check regularly for leaks.
7. Mirrors; used for signalling.
8. Safety pins; Useful for securing things and the manufacture of improvised fishing equipment.
9. Fishing line and hooks. These can also be used to catch birds.
10. Wire saw; can cut even large trees. Cover it in grease to prevent from rusting.
11. Large plastic bag; can be used to carry water and also as a solar still.
12. Snare wire; brass is best.

Remember to check your kit periodically for signs of deterioration.
 
It's also useful to make another, larger kit that will fit into a duffel bag or backpack which can be carried with you on trips. Do NOT think that everything in this kit is a neccessity; it's just what's in mine. As with the smaller kit, get used to always having it with you and check for signs of deterioration.
1. Sewing kit (maybe add more items than the smaller one)
2. Pliers with wire cutter (for cutting snare wire, tying fishing line, etc.)
3. Dental floss (for sewing and hygienic purposes)
4. Folding knife (keep it clean and sharp)
5. Ring saw.
6. Snow shovel (you can get the military tri-fold shovels for around $10)
7. Signal cloth; at least 3 feet by 3 feet
8. Fishing hooks, line, weights, flies
9. Large safety pins.
10. 150 feet (45m) of nylon line.
11. Multivitamins (keep you in shape)
12. Protein bars (protein source)
13. Large chocolate bar (energy source)
14. Dried eggs (nutrition)
15. Dried milk (nutrition)
16. File (will help improvise weapons and tools)
17. Three space blankets
18. Lensatic compass
19. Signal mirror
20. Four candles
21. LED light and extra betteries
22. Windproof and waterproof matches
23. Flint and striker
24. Butane light with extra butane
25. Insect repellent
26. Twelve snares
27. Spool of snare wire
28. Can opener
29. Plastic cup
30. Water purification tablets
31. Sling shot and ammunition
32. Knife sharpener
33. Soap
34. 225 feet (67m) of nylon twine
35. 225 feet (67m) of nylon cord
36. Mess kit
37. Pair of work gloves
38. Mouse trap (believe me, this will come in handy)
 
Lot of good suggestion here. JNieporte list is a nice one, so instead of telling you more stuff to put in your kit I'd like to recommend a way to organize and learn what will work for you. Get a fanny pack or shoulder bag that has a place for a water bottle. Put all your stuff in and wright every thing down in a small note pad. now take it with you and use it. At the end of every day Inventory your kit, and resupply. There are some things that you may never use but still want to keep in your kit. Like a space blanket, I've never used one but I still keep one in my kit. Other things like large fish hooks, I quit carrying them, for some reason only the small fish cooperate with me.
 
EmsRescueGuy said:
Shelter
Fire (at least 2 methods)
Signal (mirror and Whistle are bare minimum)
Water (Means to gather and purify)
Food (bring some and have means to gather)
Firstaid
Navigation (get good at this and you may be able to avoid having to use the rest)

A good knife is a must. since you are in boy scouts and fixed blades may be taboo I would seriously consider one of the lacking blade SAKs especially with a saw
Click to expand...

This is a good list of needs that your kit should be built around. If you don't mind spending the money, John Mccann has a good book out that will definately help.

http://www.amazon.com/Build-Perfect-Survival-John-McCann/dp/0873499670/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/102-9960519-7006557?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1172840253&sr=1-1
 
Tballetta said:
Your local walmart will carry an inexpensive line of small digital camera cases Less than $10. They make great PSK containers. Small, tough, cheap and inconspicuous. Check it out.
Click to expand...

I second this. I found a nice camouflage one with a blaze orange interior a couple of weeks ago and am in the process of building a kit for it right now.
 
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