Most useless survival tool

I have a whistle built into my brunton compass, but I have to admit, I don't always carry it.

Not against it. Certainly consider it more useful than the mirror in the woods.
 
As a scout master for 32 years, I vote based on my observations, that the most useless thing that might be normally found in a survival kit is the cheap, thin "survival" mylar "blankets" ( I am not referring to the $12 Norton heavy mylar "Tarps" but the $3.99 super lite tarps that tear at the slightest touch). I have seen dozens of scouts on their "wilderness survival" MB night discouver their survival blanket tore appart almost immediately. They are worse than useless, they are dangerous because they cause amateurs to think they have a shelter with them.
 
In case anyone's interested I was wrong about something, and I'd like to "man up" and admit it. I said that a whistle is single purpose, but I was wrong. I have discovered that the Fox 40 micro, a former resident of my Ritter PSK, is in fact dual usage. It can also function as an excellent, albeit smoky, firestarter. I have the pictures to prove it. In opposition to my expectations, I found that it catches fire quite easily and quickly. I still don't think it will burn as long as an equivalent sized candle, but it will definitely burn smokier, possibly making it a better signal than utilized in its unburned form. My next question would be how the flammability of a plastic signal mirror compares to the flammability of a Fox 40 whistle? I only have glass mirrors close at hand, but I think I sense a plastic signal mirror in my future. :)
 
PrimitiveMan said:
I'm with ya on the surgical side of things. While I HAVE put sutures in my own torn skin, my main reason for carrying them is that they can be pressed into service as a fishing kit, sewing kit or used as a suture. A Rambo type use, while very theatric, is not very realistic in my mind.

Yes, I am confident in my skills to the point that I can make do with less than most. I am also humble and by no means know it all, nor do I profess to and I certainly do not suggest most go out without a substantial kit.

That being said, I'm not carrying a signal mirror.
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PrimitiveMan - First off, great thread!:thumbup:I have learned a lot and have a bunch of new ideas about how I might use certain items in never before thought of (by me anyhow) ways. As far as what or what not to carry this thread has presented the minimalist vs. overkill argument very well. I think it boils down to a question of functional utility / redundancy. The axe or saw idea is a good example. Why not both? Redundancy. Or overkill? Many people feel that a mirror is important. Even in the woods you would probably be able to find a clearing in most areas. Can be useful for a number of other things as well. Can't fit a practical one in my Altoid can. But maybe I could improvise with the container itself. But takes up only a fraction of one percent of the space and weight in a backpack. I would definitely put one in a BOB. Whistle is also key there I think. The questions are what to carry where and why. Your OP has initiated some great discussion and debate on these matters. Thank you. -DT
 
dttomcat said:
PrimitiveMan - First off, great thread!:thumbup:I have learned a lot and have a bunch of new ideas about how I might use certain items in never before thought of (by me anyhow) ways.
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I would like to second DT's remarks. I have had a lot of fun with this thread, and it has seemed to have touched on a topic that many people have an interest. Kudos, PrimitiveMan. +1:thumbup:
 
If I REALLY need a signal mirror, I can use the polished bottom of my steel cup and I can pound it with a stick or rock to make noise that could prolly be heard for a ways.

I am a Certified Quality Manager and as such, I work with statistics quite a bit, so I tend to think of "Chances I will be caught in a given situation vs. how much is sensible to carry"

Of course the odds do have a way of catching up with us, don't they?

I just started thinking of all the reasonable scenarios and decided the chances of dying because I didn't have a signal mirror, or wire saw, fishing gear or condom in my kit are so small, my energy was better spent practicing real skills.
 
LittleHairyApe said:
I would like to second DT's remarks. I have had a lot of fun with this thread, and it has seemed to have touched on a topic that many people have an interest. Kudos, PrimitiveMan. +1:thumbup:
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Participation in discussions such as this one are sure to increase a person's chances of survival in an emergency situation be it urban or wilderness....


.......but what about a mirror? :D
 
I just started thinking of all the reasonable scenarios and decided the chances of dying because I didn't have a signal mirror, or wire saw, fishing gear or condom in my kit are so small, my energy was better spent practicing real skills.[/QUOTE]

Practice makes perfect. The most important tool you have in any emergency is the one you carry around between your ears. I must limit my input to save post #500 for my X-mas/Hanukkah/Kwanza WS&S giveaway on Wednesday. I will post up soon after returning from Church. Nudge, nudge, wink, wink.:eek: Good luck! -DT
 
dttomcat said:
Participation in discussions such as this one are sure to increase a person's chances of survival in an emergency situation be it urban or wilderness....


.......but what about a mirror? :D
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I think several mirrors ;) have already participated in this thread, but I doubt very much that they have significantly improved their chances of survival.:)
 
LittleHairyApe said:
Hey Doc. Good to see you back up and on your mouse. How's Pierre?

Given your scenario, it's a tough one. Sometimes you just die. There isn't always a way out if you (you - the general random guy, not you Doc specifically) don't respect your limitations and if you don't keep your brain engaged as much as possible. Other times you improvise, adapt, and overcome. You grab a rock and go tap-tap-tap on another rock. You grab the candle that you had instead of the whistle and you make a fire with as much fuel as you can reach. You say, "The Lord is my shepherd. He leadeth me..." You write on a piece of paper, "Tell my family I love them." Then you take the rock and go tap-tap-tap again. If it's your time to go, then you'll go no matter how much gear you have. If not then something good will happen, no matter how little you brought. The important thing is, IMHO, that you make the best of the situation you find yourself in.
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Still haven't left - still putting up with this monitor. I called the company today, and the only repair depot in the whole of Ontario is in Siberia, or might as well be. Guess I'll have to mail it in. On a brighter note, my son says he has an old monitor I can use for the interim.

Pierre is fine and thanks you for your concern. Actually, he's laying around doing absolutely nothing, but I promised him I wouldn't 'rat' him out. :rolleyes:

Anyway, your less than optimistic view of my fate is a non-starter, because on my belt, always, is a Fox 40, a Doan firestarter and spare keys - van and apartment. :D

Doc
 
DOC-CANADA said:
Anyway, your less than optimistic view of my fate is a non-starter, because on my belt, always, is a Fox 40, a Doan firestarter and spare keys - van and apartment. :D

Doc
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Ah good sir, I suspected as much. That is why I framed the scenario toward the general, random guy, not you specifically.
 
Wow, this went a weird way fast. Im not sure If I see Ignorance or just...... I dont know.:D

PrimitiveMan said:
But if you take out the mirror, you can put something more useful in it's place.
Never needed one to "scare away critters" and never needed one to get something out of my eye.
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Pimitive, I have to ask, what is the size of a signal mirror that can scare away animals and that you have that is more usful then that, at that size? Snare wire, thats been excluded, fishing kits seem to be out, this is just weird to see.

I have carried Snare wire for years, 20 gauge brass wire has fixed everything from a Windsheid wipers to putting up a shelter, I fixed so many things with that crap I cant remember.

I just feel bad for ya, that is gonna be the one thing you need one day. And before you say, "OH see you'll only need it that one day" its gonna be the day it bites you in the ass, just like the rest of ya with some things, I can understand not carring those cheap mylar blankets, or condoms, or wire saws, there cheap and quick fixes. I carry a pot to boil water and cook in, If I dont have one there are plenty of was for me to make bowls with, its not that hard, takes some time, but your lost you have it!:D
 
Just because it isn't in my kit, doesnt mean I don't have other stuff. I still EDC carry a fenix AAA in my pocket and my boot laces are 550 cord which can be gutted for shelter building.

My truck has plenty of supplies from spare gas, to a jumpstarter with 110 inverter built in, tools and tape and .....yes, some wire!

And as I said before, you may very well have the edge (pun intended)carrying more "stuff". I certainly would not critisize anyone for what is in their kit. I have just decided to go minimal for myself.
 
Magnussen said:
-Zippo lighters... I know I'll catch flack for this one. (put one up against a bic and see)
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I see where your coming from. a bic lighter will last far longer than a zippo. and like the zippo it will still retain the sparking capeabity after it runs out of fuel.

but the zippo lighters come into their own outside of survival kits, because they have such a cool, classic feel to them IMO.
 
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