help me make my first PSK

C

crbauhs

Joined
Dec 2, 2007
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Ok so i was picking some stuff at walmart today adn while waiting to check out i saw altoids. i figured...hey my breath is bad and i do want to make a psk so...i bought one pack, of the pepermint. So what should i put in there. Ive so far got, duck tape, razor, SAK tinker, fish hooks/line, thread, mini bic. what else should i get guys? and this is jsut something ill toss int he car incase something were to happen, or i decide i wanna go camping outta the blue. thanks all.
 
I include a few needles wrapped in heavy thread, Benadryl caplets (the caplets can be taken apart mixed with water and the paste put on a sting or bite), Immodium AD, a cut piece of drinking straw with PJ soaked cotton balls inserted and a Photon micro light. I also wrapped my fishing line around a long distance phone card and stuck the needles in between.

Chad
 
Something to consider is the purpose of a PSK that stays on your person vs. the purpose and composition of a car kit. With the former, you're looking to optimize a small package. With the latter, you usually have a bit more in the way of room. For a car kit, I recommend going with something larger than an Altoids tin. Consider a pack that can contain the essentials (and then some) for shelter, hydration, fire, and first aid.

For your Altoids-based PSK, I recommend including waterproof matches and / or another means of starting a fire, in addition to your bic. Alternatively, stick with the bic only, but include some fire starting aids, like PJ cotton balls.

Also, you should definitely include some first aid items. I have an Altoids tin that goes everywhere with me (part of a larger PSK that fits in a small camera case). The items that get the most use are band-aids and bandages. Generally, you're much more likely to find yourself (or someone else) in need of a bit of gauze or a band-aid than a signalling mirror or fishing kit (though these things are important too).

If you can, check out Cody Lundin's "98.6 Degrees". The PSK is at the core of the book, and about 2/3 of the text is devoted to the description of various items and their uses.

All the best,

- Mike
 
Hey mentor i see what your saying and it makes sense. Didnt really think of or it that way. And first aid is something ill bring. a feww bandades and guaze. any links to the PJ cotton balls and how to make em? andmatches works good too. Lots my firesteel:eek: so im without one for now. Photon light, i like that idea too. along with the benadyrl and other medicine. working out so far.
 
In mine that I'm making for wilderness survival meritbadge(we go on our outing next weekend). I have:
a signal mirror
antibiotic ointment
bandaids
portable aqua water purification tablets
duct tape (the do it all material)
Rei Stormproof matches with striker
needles
thread wrapped around a tiny pencil
safety pins
a magnesium firestarter(in the charge sheaths bit slot)
emergency tinder
write in the rain paper

All of this fits in an altoids tin and in the bit slot of my charge sheath.
I could probably use my paracord to lash a waterproof matchbox to the outside
I also have 12ft of paracord wrapped around the kit.
I'll probably include some fishings stuff later on.
 
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Between the recommendations here and what you find on google, you'll have more than enough good ideas to fill a small kit. Some thoughts though...

-Keep the ingredients practical. If they're so small and cumbersome and you can barely use them when you're calm, warm and nourished, then it probably won't do you much good in the intensity of a 'survival' situation.

-Make sure you know exactly why each piece is in your kit.

-Try and get out there and actually use your kit, to see what you like and what is useless or overrated.

-If it is meant to sit in a pocket, make sure you keep it to a size that will actually allow you to carry it. A kit left a home because it's a bulky irritation isn't worth much. This can be a tough balance with number one.
 
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crbauhs said:
any links to the PJ cotton balls and how to make em?
Click to expand...

You will find PJ cotton balls mentioned in many threads in this forum, so running a search may be your best option.

But, briefly, the idea is that a cotton ball coated in petroleum jelly acts as a superb fire-starting aid. They take a spark, and burn enthusiastically and for a surprisingly long time. To make them, you just need a bunch of cotton balls and some vaseline. Coat each cotton ball in vaseline, and then place them in a storage container of some kind. I use a small plastic bag with a zip top. It holds 20 or so cotton balls, and you can compress the heck out of it without losing any functionality. When you want to use a PJ cotton ball to start a fire, simply tear the ball open to expose the 'dry' cotton interior. Place this in the middle of your tinder, and hit it with a shower of sparks from your ferro rod (or drop a match on top, etc.). Same principle as a candle, really - just a bit more volatile and shorter-burning.

SpookyPistolero's recommendation to use your kit regularly, and adjust contents based on 'what works' for you is definitely worth listening to.

Of course, we demand pics of your completed PSK. :)

All the best,

- Mike
 
great seggestions everyone. here is what i think im gonna put in it:

1. Sak Tinker
2. Mini Bic
4. Duct Tape
5. PJ Cotton Straws
6. Fish hooks/Line
7. Needles/Thread
8. Bandaids/Guaze
9. Iodine Tablets
10. Pain killer of some sort
11. Ill polish up the tin tin to make a signal mirror.
12. If i buy another ferro rod, ill put that in there too, but just the bic for the moment.

THe only catch to all this...I gotta eat the Altoids first so it might be a while guys :p and i am still open to any other suggestions.
 
I like to wrap my duct tape around a business card. It takes up a lot less space that way. Also, consider using an SAK classic or Leatherman Micro. They take up less space and you should generally have a knife in your pocket anyway shouldn't you? ;)

Also, I like to stack my aspirin or Tylenol 3s and wrap them in plastic wrap. It keeps them safe and they fit into little corners.

Chad
 
Any meds you carry should be kept in their original packing/containers if possible.

Unmarked pills in little baggies could become more of a headache then they cure.
 
How about a button compass? I hear tru nord makes nice ones; I'm aiming to get one for myself at some point. I think something basic that could orient you quickly and accurately might be useful.
 
It really denpends on what you want from the kit. If you have fire starting needs on your person allready, then a small ferro rod, or mini bic will work.

Ill post a pick of my altoids tin, show you what I have and why.
 
andrew thanks for that thread. i was looking for it but couldnt find it. glad i got more ideas to work with. adn fonly, i would love to see yours. the more i can see the better idea i got for what i want in mine. keep it coming guys and thanks for the help.
 
I'm not a fan of the small tin kits, but if I were going that route I'd have the contents of the Ritter Survival pack plus a Victorinox SAK, like the Farmer. Since you've got the SAK you can dump the scalpel blade and I would probably dump the fishing contents too, just because it's not really useful for short-term survival. Maybe replace the fishing kit with a small ceramic rod (for sharpening) or a mini-bic (not sure how much you can fit in an Altoids tin). Or, just dump the fishing gear for iodine tablets. You'll need water more than you'll need fresh fish in a survival situation.

Another idea, depending on your climate, is to ranger band an emergency blanket to the tin. Ranger bands also burn really well if you ever needed to get a fire started quick.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

By the way, the Ritter kit contains (directly from Equipped to Survive website):

Spark-Lite™ Firestarter - current U.S. military issue, waterproof, useable one-handed, over 1000 sparkings in tests

4 Spark-Lite™ Tinder-Quik™ - current U.S. military issue, waterproof, wax impregnated cotton tinder in zip-top plastic bag, each burns 2-3 minutes

Fox-40® Rescue Howler™ Survival Whistle - designed exclusively for this kit, triple frequency, exceeds U.S. Coast Guard and SOLAS specifications, bright yellow with dual mode lanyard hole

Rescue Flash™ Signal Mirror, 2 x 3 inches (5 x 7.6 cm) Lexan™ polycarbonate with mil-spec style retro-reflective aiming aid for one-handed use, instructions on back, protective cover to prevent scratches while stored in the kit, lanyard hole.

20mm Survival Compass - liquid damped with groove to accept an improvised lanyard ring

Duct Tape - 26 inches x 2 inches (66 x 5 cm), rolled around plastic mandrel, repairs, first aid, the ultimate repair and improvisation component, uses limited only by your imagination

Stainless Steel Utility Wire - 6 ft. of .020 inch (1.83 m x 0.5 mm) mil-spec grade, stronger than brass, won't get brittle in frigid cold, multiple uses

Braided Nylon Cord - 10 ft. (3 m) 150+ lb. (68+ kg) test, won't unravel, shelter building, repairs and much more

#69 Black Nylon Thread - 50 ft. (15.2 m), 10.5 lb. (4.8 kg) test, repairs, fishing line, light duty lashing and much more

Fishing Kit - 4 x medium Fish Hooks, 2 x Split Shot and 1 x Snap Swivel, in a clear plastic vial with cap.

Heavy Duty Sewing Needle - will penetrate heavy materials, easy to grip, large eye for easy threading

4 Safety Pins - repairs, secure items to prevent loss and much more
Heavy Duty Aluminum Foil - 3 sq. ft. (0.9 sq. m), make container to boil water, reflect fire heat and much more

#2 Pencil and Waterproof Notepaper - 2 pieces 2.125 x 3.667 inches (5.4 x 9.3 cm), leave notes, memory aid, keep log

#22 Scalpel Blade - stainless steel, in sealed foil packaging, more functional than a single-edged razor blade

Fresnel Lens Magnifier - 2 x 3 inches (5 x 7.6 cm), in protective sleeve, read small type in survival instructions if glasses lost, start fire using sun
 
The thing about a small micro kit is that people will tend to have it with them more often than a large kit that may be left in the car, or at base camp.
 
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