My Altoids Tin PSK

Joben

Joben

Joined
May 22, 2009
Messages
1,755
This is my mini pocket PSK.

miniPSK.jpg


Fire:
  • County Comm Peanut Lighter
  • Spark-lite
  • TinderQuik
  • Birthday candles
  • Jute twine
  • alcohol swabs

Repair/Construction:
  • Needle w/ kevlar thread
  • safety pins
  • steel wire
  • Razor
  • duct tape

Water:
  • Cut down oven bag marked at 1 and 2 liter capacity
  • Aquamira purification tabs x4

Misc:
  • whistle (cut down cord lock whistle)
  • button compass
  • mini LED light
  • plastic straw
  • $10 bill x2
  • RAT card with helpful survival info.
  • Ranger band to seal the tin shut.

So, what do you folks think?

I think it might be a little heavy on tinder, but I can't think of anything to swap in for some of it. Any suggestions?
 
One birthday candle might be enough, watch for it melting in heat.

Get a good mirror of some kind. A small one popped out of a ladies makeup compact would work and a couple of band aids can be handy just for convenience.

What's in the geo-capsule? A few aspirin would be good.
 
couple on benedryl & advil ?
small fishing kit,fishing line ,a few hooks ,split hot weights. maybe a small swivel ?
 
the geo capsule is a county comm peanut lighter, they are awesome

good little kit for sure for just what you need. maybe a small knife of some sort a sak or one of the makers tin knives
 
Nice kit. I really like my altoids tin SK. I always have the bases covered.

What's the straw for? BD
 
Ramm9 said:
One birthday candle might be enough, watch for it melting in heat.

Get a good mirror of some kind. A small one popped out of a ladies makeup compact would work and a couple of band aids can be handy just for convenience.

What's in the geo-capsule? A few aspirin would be good.
Click to expand...

I've been carrying it in almost this same config for quite a while now. We've had a few days in the high 80's and no melting so far. :)

Mirror is a good idea, since i only have one signaling item. I'll keep my eye out for one.

That's not a geo capsule, that's a "peanut" lighter. It's o-ring sealed, so it's waterproof and keeps the fuel from evaporating.

texastonydobbs said:
couple on benedryl & advil ?
small fishing kit,fishing line ,a few hooks ,split hot weights. maybe a small swivel ?
Click to expand...

I have some seasonal allergies, but they're only a very minor inconvence...
does benedryl help with severe alergic reactions, like anaphylaxis?

Billy_Dee said:
Nice kit. I really like my altoids tin SK. I always have the bases covered.

What's the straw for? BD
Click to expand...

Thanks. :)

I honestly don't recall the specific idea that made me put it in a few months ago.
It may have been seeing Les Stroud use one to drink water from tiny puddles...I'm not sure...
But it seems potentially multifunctional and takes up almost 0 room, so I left it in when i updated and took pics today. :)
 
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Great looking kit! :thumbup:

maybe one or two additions I would put into/with it is: immodium or another anti-diarrheal. IMHO, being out & having that happen would be bad.

Outstanding! :thumbup::thumbup:
 
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I bet a SAK Farmer would fit in there nice. (see my profile picture)

ibuprofen/Imodium/benadryl/aspirin
 
I like most of the content but what's with the $10 notes? If you've got somewhere to use currency are you really in such a tight bind that you need to break out the PSK?
 
nice kit, i like it and the oven bag for boiling water a double use.
insect repellant and sunscreen?
 
HandofCod said:
I like most of the content but what's with the $10 notes? If you've got somewhere to use currency are you really in such a tight bind that you need to break out the PSK?
Click to expand...

Being stuck in the city with no cash could be almost as bad as being stuck in the wilderness with no way to make a fire. A few of the other items might be useful in non-wilderness emergencies too.

Or suppose you walk back to civilization after being lost in the woods. Maybe you'll be wanting some food.


dartanyon said:
nice kit, i like it and the oven bag for boiling water a double use.
insect repellant and sunscreen?
Click to expand...

I tried boiling water in one of those once. Theres a thread on it around here somewhere.
Long story short the bag failed. The fire I was using had low flames...it might work over a bed of coals though, I'm not sure.
 
The $10 notes are a good idea. If you do happen to need the kit then it can help you get rescued or help you get back to civilization. When you get back to civilization and if no one gives you anything then you won't need to beg. You can pay for food, maybe accommodation, a phone call or a ride back home. Basically survive civilization.

The notes weigh almost nothing and take almost no room. The kit is something you'll want to keep with you at all times just in case. In an emergency you may not have your wallet or you could of casually spent your last dollar out of your wallet a few moments before the emergency. And remember you don't get to choose when you have an emergency but you do get to choose when you carry your kit.
 
Just another quick note. I have heard of someone putting in a spare credit card or eftpos card in the Altoids kit instead of cash. (it will just fit in). This will give you access to a lot more funds. (eg, for accommodation or a flight ticket)

This does have the disadvantage that if you loose the kit or get it stolen then you have to cancel the credit card. But at least with the eftpos card there is less of a problem unless the finder or thief of the kit has the pin number.

You'll have to remember to check the card once in a while for the expiry date.
 
I think your kit looks pretty good.

To answer your question about Benadryl, yes it will help with anaphylaxis but it takes 20 or so minutes to work, which is why people with severe allergies carry an Epi-Pen, which works right away. If you were to go to the ER with anaphylaxis they'll follow up an epinephrine shot with Benadryl or something similar. It has the potential to be a lifesaver.

If you're older or predisposed towards heart problems, blood clots, etc. then aspirin also has the potential to be a life saver when chewed to allow it to work quicker.

Something I keep in my Altoids kit and in my wallet are credit card sized pieces of rubber innertube. It's another long burning firestarter that takes up virtually no room. If you polish the inside lid of the tin it could be used as a better than nothing signal mirror and you could cut out some innertube to press fit into the lid to prevent the polished surface to get scratched up. Sorry, just remembered that you keep your kit closed with a ranger band.

Wax paper is good too, but it doesn't burn as long and isn't even close to as durable.
 
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