im making a psk

1. Shelter
2. Water
3. Food
4. Navigation
5. Fire
6. Signal

These are listed in my order of importance FOR ME. Look at each one and find the most packable, efficient solution for each. Also keep in mind that redundancy is not a bad thing, i.e. I carry matches and a ferro rod and a lighter.
 
I would recommend Cody Lundins book 98.6 degrees. its got some great advice
 
Try John McCann's book Build the Perfect Survival Kit. If you order from his web site, you can get a signed copy.
The book has ideas for PSK's from a small pocket pack up to a backpack.
John is great to speak with if you get the chance.
 
Personally:

Signalling Because you are likely to be found within a week more like 2-3 days from being lost if anyone has any idea of your general area.

* Mirror
* Wistle
* LED light

Shelter Because if you aren't found right away, you may only have 3 hours to live if you don't get out of the elements:

* Small vinal poncho
* Small space planket
* Knife
* 550 paracord
* Ferro rod/ striker/ tinder
* Mini Bic

Water Because you only have 3 days to live without it:

* Purifying tabs
* Handkerchief, to filter out chunks
* Metal container, to boil water

Food well you have 3 weeks, but the energy helps you work on the other more important tasks:

* Fishing kit, line, weights, hooks, spoon, jig
* Knife, to make traps, or carve a spear

Navigation If you can walk out you might not need any of the other stuff:

* Compass


I might have missed some things, but that is generally what I have in mine, and depending on the size, you can add some luxury stuff, or get rid of non-essentials/redundant stuff. Hopefully this can get you started at the very least. I'm sure others will add what they think to be essential.
 
stingray4540 said:
Food well you have 3 weeks, but the energy helps you work on the other more important tasks:

* Fishing kit, line, weights, hooks, spoon, jig
* Knife, to make traps, or carve a spear
Click to expand...

On another thread here, they're saying you can live 45-60 days without food. :rolleyes:
 
Last edited:
stingray4540 said:
Personally:

Signalling Because you are likely to be found within a week more like 2-3 days from being lost if anyone has any idea of your general area.

* Mirror
* Wistle
* LED light

Shelter Because if you aren't found right away, you may only have 3 hours to live if you don't get out of the elements:

* Small vinal poncho
* Small space planket
* Knife
* 550 paracord
* Ferro rod/ striker/ tinder
* Mini Bic

Water Because you only have 3 days to live without it:

* Purifying tabs
* Handkerchief, to filter out chunks
* Metal container, to boil water

Food well you have 3 weeks, but the energy helps you work on the other more important tasks:

* Fishing kit, line, weights, hooks, spoon, jig
* Knife, to make traps, or carve a spear

Navigation If you can walk out you might not need any of the other stuff:

* Compass


I might have missed some things, but that is generally what I have in mine, and depending on the size, you can add some luxury stuff, or get rid of non-essentials/redundant stuff. Hopefully this can get you started at the very least. I'm sure others will add what they think to be essential.
Click to expand...



This covers everything for me, the only thing I would add is a way to clean and cover wounds, some aniseptic pads or alcohol pads, and a few gause pads and tape. The worst thing is that even a tiny cut can get infected and become very painful or worse.:eek:
 
bltjr1951 said:
On another thread here, they're saying you can live 45-60 days without food. :rolleyes:
Click to expand...

An average western propably would survive two months without food. Statistically, most of us has some extra calories to burn :rolleyes: But anyone who's tried fasting knows that its not exactly comfortable, and proper nutrition gives you a better change of surviving hypotermia etc.

Back to the topic, I think "stingray4540" post is almost perfect. The rule of threes is a great guideline to keep in mind. The only thing that I would add is maybe some first aid stuff. Even if Im hiking light, with minimum gear, I always have an emergency gauze (you can use a bandana of course) and a snake bite kit with me. Im not saying that you should pack bandaids and such (hardly relevant to "survival"), just give some thought to the most likely accidents that might occur.

Btw, just last weekend I was on a day hike. I saw an eagle (not that common here in Finland) and of course stared at it as long as it was visible. Well I started walking again, and this maybe 20" long adder left right behind my left leg. Freaked me out a bit, since I was a couple of miles from the nearest road, and I was hiking alone. At that point, I was damn clad I had a snake bite kit with me, even though I (luckily) didn't have to use it.
 
Example: Bobby Sands at age 27 died in a climate controlled hospital after 66 days of hunger strike. He lay on his back in a bed and stared at the ceiling. How many survival tasks did he have to perform on a relentless daily basis? What with his family, the media, his cronies and celebrity status, how much social support was he deprived of? Surely few could doubt he was determined. How much was outside his control?

Compare and contrast with the average muppet that couldn't even sustain a weekend shagging lock-in if room service went on strike. Take away the folding chair, the easy water, the shower, the thunderbox, the air conditioning, add in germs and random lurgy, things that sting, bite and scratch, subtract their loved ones including the TV set, sprinkle with a lack of control and a hint of fear, and I'm far from convinced the average muppet could sustain the will to live for 66 days, even if they knew it was for 66 days.
 
Lets say you can survive 60 days without food, but has anyone here at least tried to fast for 7 days? I guess not.
MOST people have BIG trouble fasting for 40 days (only without meat of any kind, milk, cheese, butter and the like). But not eating almost anything... HAH
Lets say you can resist by not eating anything for 20 days, BUT you won't have the energy to do anything...
 
I like Fonly's listed kit a lot. And the addition of a FAK of some sort is a great idea. The only difference in my PSK is I dont carry 550 Paracord, I use 330 climbing rope. I get the same amount of footage in about a 1/3rd of the amount of space. Same with a lot of my knives I have wrapped up. No everyone likes the idea, but I have been using the stuff for more then 15 years and it has never failed me.
 
El_Cid said:
Lets say you can survive 60 days without food, but has anyone here at least tried to fast for 7 days? I guess not.
MOST people have BIG trouble fasting for 40 days (only without meat of any kind, milk, cheese, butter and the like). But not eating almost anything... HAH
Lets say you can resist by not eating anything for 20 days, BUT you won't have the energy to do anything...
Click to expand...

It's obvious that during an emergency you can't look to your calendar and go "oh goody, I've been without food only 21 days, I still have a week to go". Environment, the situation and the individual itself are all factors here. And, of course, given the change, one should eat. Keeps your energy level up, lifts your spirit, makes you more comfortable, helps to fight hypotermia etc. But, it's not a priority.

Even thogh this is a bit offtopic, I have to add one thing; even though someone could survive up to two months without food, doesn't mean they would. Before starving to death, one might well suffer an accidental death due to extreme exhaustion, die out of hypotermia or suffer a similar faith relating directly to lack of nutrition. So, of course this issue is not that simple. Even a few days without food out there in the woods would suck. But, like the rule of threes states; in that same period of time you can easily die because of other issues.

Btw, I doubt anyone here would be entirely without food even if lost in the woods without any equipment. Im sure we can all find something to eat out there? If not, then a PSK wont help you either :)
 
Fonly said:
This covers everything for me, the only thing I would add is a way to clean and cover wounds, some aniseptic pads or alcohol pads, and a few gause pads and tape. The worst thing is that even a tiny cut can get infected and become very painful or worse.:eek:
Click to expand...

Lol, I totally forgot first aid. I do have these things in my kit as well, and consider them some of the most important, because I am more likely to need these on a daily basis, or a friend might. So I submit an ammendment:

First Aid:

* Bandaids, to keep dirt out of even small cuts
* Super glue, to close small cuts to keep dirt out, or to close flaps of skin that you don't want to tear more.
* Butterfly strips, because we aren't all Rambo, and they are easier to use than stitching your self up.
* Tylenol/Motrin/Asprin, pain relievers and anti inflamitory can help tramendously
* Gause
* Anti bacterial cream, if you can fit it
* Knife, to make splints or a stretcher



As for food, I know for a fact that you can go with nothing but water for 40 days, I know a guy who did it, and still be functional. But for most people, you are likely to become immobile from hunger between 3 and 5 weeks. Regardless though, that is still a long time, considering you are most likely to be found in less than a week, so don't devote too much space to the food section. That's why mine is fairly small, but I still include it, because a meal is a big morality boost, and gives you the energy to get other things done.
 
Everybody thinks about this topic in different ways. How about

98.6
clothing
tarp or substitute
fire (and stuff to get one going, including knife & tinder)
tools to build fire/shelter

Signaling
mirror
fire (light/smoke)
flashlight
whistle
something bright/contrasting for signal flag [How about a big orange balloon <noise/tinder>?]

Navigation
map
compass

Water
fire
metal container for boiling
storage bags (can also be used for solar heat disinfecting)
chemicals
coffee filter (also tinder, compress, note paper)
bandanna

First aid and sundries
bandaging
insect repellant
bandanna
other to suit

Food
something very concentrated (does margarine come in a foil pouch?)
gill net
snare wire
fire
 
How big is the pouch? that you are wanting to make a psk with.

Here is what I carry every day the little black pouch rides right next to my knife I call the Pathfinder I just made up two new sheaths
and here are a couple pics. I made the leather sheaths where one has a match safe and the other has just the Fire steel pouch
both have a sharpener pouch for a E-Z lap sharpener rod and then they both have a strip of leather that carrys my chainsaw tool
when out cutting trees.
In the black pouch I carry a bunch of stuff so if you have any ?s just ask.

101_0054.jpg


101_0692.jpg


I hope this helps.
 
Last edited:
benchmadebob said:
i need som advice on making my psk i have a sherpa wenger pouch an i dont know where to start
Click to expand...

Hi Bob,

Is this the pouch?

5482696main.JPG


What is your planned use of this ket? EDC? Last ditch survival gear on your belt if you lose your pack? A talisman to ward off bad things? :D

With a small belt pouch like above, you won't be able to fit everythiing listed in Stingray4540's list. (You can augment this kit with a GI Canteen with nested cup in a second belt pouch.) If you already EDC a knife, flashlight, etc, you don't necessarily need them in your PSK.

I have salted various gear throughout my EDC, so that they are ALWAYS there, and I've gotten used to carrying them. For example, adding a Photon LED light and a BSA Hot Spark to your keys has no impact on the carryability of your keys. They also make great zipper pulls. You can put a tiny ferro rod and tinder paper in your wallet.

BYBY-440721-00.jpg
FL0006.JPG
http://www.kellerspringprizes.com/assets/BYBY-440721-00.jpg

While you can build your kit around a specific container, it might be better to work through exactly what you need to carry in case of emergency, and then determine the best way for you to carry it. Obviously, the larger (and heavier) a kit becomes, the more likely it becomes that you will have left the kit behind when you need it.


With more input as to your particular needs, price limitations, and the like, we can provide more specific info.

-- FLIX
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top