I have assembled a small survival kit I would like to share with you guys. My intention was to assemble a small and lightweight kit to accompany me on backpacking trips. It is to compliment the things that I already have with me (generally a tent, sleeping bag, knife/multi-tool, food) and serve as a backup in case of emergencies. If I wander away from my camp and leave my backpack and main gear, I will make sure to bring this with me.
The first goal I intended to achieve with the kit was to get items that would allow me to reliably start a fire. Since I generally don't carry firestarting items in my backpacking setups (except for a small Bic lighter for my stove), I can also use the kit to start the spur of the moment camp fire.
Second goal is to give me good options in the event that I become lost.
It also provides both back-up water purification and storage, however since I always bring a water container and purification method (filter or drops) it is not a huge consideration.
Onto the contents:
Fire
Full-Size bic lighter. I might down-size to a mini-bic, but I find the full-size gives a lot more lights.
Stormproof matches. You could get by with normal waterproof matches stored in another water-tight container, but these matches are the best I have found. They burn hot, and strong. That container there has 25 matches stored in an air and water tight container. It is a bit bulky, but I feel they are worth it.
Wetfire tinder. There might be better tinders on the market, but wetfire burns very well. I have two pieces there. It's my go-to when I can't gather dry tinder in damp conditions.
Tinderquick and Trick birthday candles. Tinderquick isn't as good a tinder as wetfire in my experience, but it has a very good weight/size to performance ratio. It repels water, so it works well in a damp environment.
A few trick birthday candles are good to have handy when you need to need to set a small item ablaze. They burn slower than matches, so the chances of you burning yourself are smaller.
Firesteel and Striker. Probably pretty obvious. I can (potentially) start way more fires with a firesteel than I can with matches/lighter. This is my go-to method when I have dry tinder and time to spend getting a fire going.
Water
Aquamira chlorine dioxide tablets. These will serve as a back-up for if my main purification method fails. I have 6 of these in the kit. If you use these, before you throw away the packaging they come in, look at the bottom of it for the expiration date, then write it down on the individual packets of tablets. They are good for about three years, so make sure you swap em' out as time goes by.
Water storage bag. That is a small and light water storage sack. It has a line marked on it for 1 quart, which is good since that is the amount compatible with each of the purification tablets. (available here http://www.bepreparedtosurvive.com/WaterContainers.htm)
Navigation and Signal
Button Compass. I believe this one was made by Tru-Spec. This isn't the best one on the market. I would suggest that you cross-check this compass with a higher quality one before you set out on an expedition. Also, if you are using this in a survival situation, cross-check this compass with the sun/moon whenever you can. Another good thing about having a second compass, is that you can cross-check your main compass just to give you peace of mind. For the weight though, this compass earns a spot.
Fox 40 Micro. Very loud, and it is flat and thin, unlike the normal Fox 40 whistles. I don't keep a whistle anywhere else in my setup, so this item is a must in my survival kit.
Signal Mirror. This is the smaller sized one. 2x3" I believe. You could get by with just a small piece of a scrap mirror, but this one has the sighting hole and instructions for use. You can also use this to shave in the field or check your face for scratches/ticks/whatever.
Misc.
The small green item is 2 scalpel blades wrapped in 100mph tape. Weighs pretty much nothing, and can serve as a last ditch cutting tool.
Trash bag. Somewhat bulky, but has a lot of different uses, such as: Capturing water, using as an improvised sleeping bag, making a shelter, or poking your head through for that rainstorm that catches you off-guard when you are away from your rain gear.
The kit is stored in a 6.75x6" Aloksak. The sack itself could be used to store water. It has room for a few more smaller items if I wanted to expand. I don't know the exact weight, but it fits easily and comfortably in a cargo pocket.
Here's a pic of the contents laid out
All packed up.
Other considerations:
No, there is no cordage in the kit. I always take 550 cord with me when I go out, so I won't include any in the kit.
No duct tape either. I keep duct tape both in my first aid kit, and my repair kit (which I think I'll post here later).
You might consider putting a really small key-chain type flashlight, such as the excellent photon micro-light in the kit, but I left it out. I may add one later.
I keep my spare batteries more handy, but this would be a good place to store your spare batteries for your flashlight/GPS.
Might be a good place for you bushcrafters to store your knife sharpeners. If I was going to add one it would be the Fallkniven DC3.
Waterproof paper and pencil might be a good addition, but I didn't add it. Paper could come in handy for leaving notes, or making maps.
Might considering writing up some survival instructions on a note card and laminating it. I have a decent amount of survival knowledge/training, but when you are in a panicked state of mind, it is easy to forget the basics.
Well that's it guys. Hope this was beneficial to some of you. Comments and suggestions are always welcome!
Stay safe, have fun! :thumbup:
Jeremy
The first goal I intended to achieve with the kit was to get items that would allow me to reliably start a fire. Since I generally don't carry firestarting items in my backpacking setups (except for a small Bic lighter for my stove), I can also use the kit to start the spur of the moment camp fire.
Second goal is to give me good options in the event that I become lost.
It also provides both back-up water purification and storage, however since I always bring a water container and purification method (filter or drops) it is not a huge consideration.
Onto the contents:
Fire
Full-Size bic lighter. I might down-size to a mini-bic, but I find the full-size gives a lot more lights.
Stormproof matches. You could get by with normal waterproof matches stored in another water-tight container, but these matches are the best I have found. They burn hot, and strong. That container there has 25 matches stored in an air and water tight container. It is a bit bulky, but I feel they are worth it.
Wetfire tinder. There might be better tinders on the market, but wetfire burns very well. I have two pieces there. It's my go-to when I can't gather dry tinder in damp conditions.
Tinderquick and Trick birthday candles. Tinderquick isn't as good a tinder as wetfire in my experience, but it has a very good weight/size to performance ratio. It repels water, so it works well in a damp environment.
A few trick birthday candles are good to have handy when you need to need to set a small item ablaze. They burn slower than matches, so the chances of you burning yourself are smaller.
Firesteel and Striker. Probably pretty obvious. I can (potentially) start way more fires with a firesteel than I can with matches/lighter. This is my go-to method when I have dry tinder and time to spend getting a fire going.
Water
Aquamira chlorine dioxide tablets. These will serve as a back-up for if my main purification method fails. I have 6 of these in the kit. If you use these, before you throw away the packaging they come in, look at the bottom of it for the expiration date, then write it down on the individual packets of tablets. They are good for about three years, so make sure you swap em' out as time goes by.
Water storage bag. That is a small and light water storage sack. It has a line marked on it for 1 quart, which is good since that is the amount compatible with each of the purification tablets. (available here http://www.bepreparedtosurvive.com/WaterContainers.htm)
Navigation and Signal
Button Compass. I believe this one was made by Tru-Spec. This isn't the best one on the market. I would suggest that you cross-check this compass with a higher quality one before you set out on an expedition. Also, if you are using this in a survival situation, cross-check this compass with the sun/moon whenever you can. Another good thing about having a second compass, is that you can cross-check your main compass just to give you peace of mind. For the weight though, this compass earns a spot.
Fox 40 Micro. Very loud, and it is flat and thin, unlike the normal Fox 40 whistles. I don't keep a whistle anywhere else in my setup, so this item is a must in my survival kit.
Signal Mirror. This is the smaller sized one. 2x3" I believe. You could get by with just a small piece of a scrap mirror, but this one has the sighting hole and instructions for use. You can also use this to shave in the field or check your face for scratches/ticks/whatever.
Misc.
The small green item is 2 scalpel blades wrapped in 100mph tape. Weighs pretty much nothing, and can serve as a last ditch cutting tool.
Trash bag. Somewhat bulky, but has a lot of different uses, such as: Capturing water, using as an improvised sleeping bag, making a shelter, or poking your head through for that rainstorm that catches you off-guard when you are away from your rain gear.
The kit is stored in a 6.75x6" Aloksak. The sack itself could be used to store water. It has room for a few more smaller items if I wanted to expand. I don't know the exact weight, but it fits easily and comfortably in a cargo pocket.
Here's a pic of the contents laid out
All packed up.
Other considerations:
No, there is no cordage in the kit. I always take 550 cord with me when I go out, so I won't include any in the kit.
No duct tape either. I keep duct tape both in my first aid kit, and my repair kit (which I think I'll post here later).
You might consider putting a really small key-chain type flashlight, such as the excellent photon micro-light in the kit, but I left it out. I may add one later.
I keep my spare batteries more handy, but this would be a good place to store your spare batteries for your flashlight/GPS.
Might be a good place for you bushcrafters to store your knife sharpeners. If I was going to add one it would be the Fallkniven DC3.
Waterproof paper and pencil might be a good addition, but I didn't add it. Paper could come in handy for leaving notes, or making maps.
Might considering writing up some survival instructions on a note card and laminating it. I have a decent amount of survival knowledge/training, but when you are in a panicked state of mind, it is easy to forget the basics.
Well that's it guys. Hope this was beneficial to some of you. Comments and suggestions are always welcome!
Stay safe, have fun! :thumbup:
Jeremy
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