Kit Priorities

dartanyon

dartanyon

Joined
May 10, 2002
Messages
705
Just want some input on item priorities in survival kits?
eg.
1. blade
2. fire starter
3. medicine
4. food
5. navigation
6. signalling
7. ......
This is not necessarily my order, I'm having yet another internal battle of whats in my next kit an what should always be there
 
Well, in my opinion, there are a couple of different ways to organize a kit geared towards survival.
The first one I think of, is the "bare bones" approach, usually based on the "Rule of Three's".
Air, Shelter, Water, Food.
Since 3 minutes without air usually results in brain damage or death, keeping your airway open is priority 1. First aid, epi-pen if required, antihistamines, etc.
Priority 2 would be shelter. Starting from your clothes out, wearing what's appropriate to the environment, having a poncho/tarp/tent/ or knowing how to build a shelter. I'd class fire in this category.
Priority 3 would be water. Means to procure, carry, and purify. Be it some gallon ziploc bags, a canteen and cup, metal pot, etc.
Lastly would be food. Now, for a basic PSK I wouldn't worry too much about it, beyond maybe a small fishing kit since chances are most ordeals won't last beyond 72hrs.
For a more extended type kit, I'd keep the fishing kit, add a firearm if applicable, or professional snares/traps if the firearm wasn't permitted. At worst, makeshift snares can be made from wire or paracord, and traps can be made with a knife and natural material.
Then there's the school of thought that says, if you don't get lost, you won't need anything else. Unless you're not lost but can't walk out, so first aid. If you still can't walk out, shelter. Once sheltered, signalling.
Granted these aren't the only ways to set up a kit, but they are the two most common that I see. In Oz I'd put water higher on the priority list if I were you, just as I have to keep it higher than most folks living in the desert.


Gautier
 
Shelter and clothing for hostile environments...

Some means of purifying water...

Means of creating food: fish, trap, edible plants guide

Something to keep your spirits up: photo, momento, book, etc.
 
This sure does open up the pandoras box ... kit size ... location ...
Should every kit have a space blanket?
I try to keep in my mind when building my kits ... the smaller the kit, the more likely I'll have it with me when I need it.
 
I'd say it depends on location, and as protourist said, knowledge. Then what are you trying to survive? Just the elements or brain eating zombies, or terrorist attacks? How long do you have to 'survive' and how comfortable do you want to be? Like ya said, it's almost a pandoras box :p hehe


Gautier
 
2nd blade....I like one fixed and folder
purifying water/container
extra fire making method
fishing kit
whistle
cooking container
small sharpen stone/rod
 
Id say include a space blanket, most places has the possibility to get pretty cold at night and also very hot by day. At night itll keep you warm while during the day it can be used to reflect direct sunlight so it can even double as signalling :)
Medicine wise id add something like rehydrit for when you ate something bad or just have a general stomack ailment. Also a ointment to keep bugs away and one for when they actually bite you. Splints and bandages and also a burn kit...
Food Id say cranola bars and other seed based products that will last long. A means to collect food.
A means for water purification and collection. Also a bottle of water for initial use. You can go without food much longer than without water so this should be at the top of the list...
 
my theory on a kit is that it should have the minimum of essential priority gear in redundant amounts..Personally I keep my kit psk and my fak in seperate small pouches..I believe in the rule of 3 in that you should have 3 ways on hand to perfom an essential task in case the others fail.
IMO a kit should contain
3 materials that can be used for shelter (space blanket, poncho,tarp or contractor bags)
3 materials that can start a fire (firesteel,lighter, matches)
3 forms of tinder (PJ cotton balls, jute twine, shredded cedar,birch, trick b-day candles)
3 forms of purifying water (tablets, filter, and a can for boiling)
3 forms of signaling for help (a mirror, a whistle, and a light)
and misc essentials (these are items that can be used all the time)
cordage, a sak w/saw some cliff bars. safety pins)
THis seems like alot of stuff but can be fit in to a relatively small pouch coupled with a small fak they can be worn on the belt or in a small shoulder bag whenever venturing away from camp ( that's what I do, as too many things on my belt makes me feel like batman)
 
So do we have the following essentials in EVERY kit?

-Materials for shelter
-Fire starter
-Signalling
-Water purification

This is not an end of the world kit ... just something to carry when in the wilderness and being prepared for unexpected isolation or injury ... getting stuck somewhere is not unheard of, I just prey I never have to cut my own arm off ;)
 
I think Doug Ritter and Adventure Medical Kits have done a great job, an excellent job, of putting forth one-stop-shopping for the basic survival scenario. Ritter Survival Pak, AMK Heat Sheet, Ritter FB and/or folder. That's the basics.

Like Riley, I am a firm believer in the Department of Redundancy Department. For anything more involved you soon find that Otter Boxes, Pelican Boxes, Tins and pocket packs need to be expanded to containers like Maxpedition Waist packs, shoulder bags or perhaps small day packs.
 
So guys, what we are talking about, something that I always have with me? Or something that I bring in some situation that I goin to?

A good pair of boots,good clothes,my multi tools.
If I go somewhere in particular? Depends
 
In that emergency situation where rescue or escape was attainable within a few days or a week, my priorities would be

Knife
Fire
Painkillers

Food is not a priority, water could be found, and the painkillers could keep you going in the event of an injury.
 
I'm particularly interested in first aid. What do you carry for stopping bleeding?
Of course we can all make tourniquets but is there a good blood clotter out there that fits in a small kit? By small kit I mean my Maxpedition Colossus.
 
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