My Emergency Wilderness Survival Pocket Kit

Thanks, all.

EmsRescueGuy,

I don't think I'll be adding pages or text specifically to address making a less expensive PSK. However, I'll consider it.

Some less pricy alternatives:

Replace Busse Game Warden with Becker Necker. Replace Pocket Chainsaw with a replacement chainsaw blade. Replace the butane torch with a Bic Mini lighter. Replace the Tinder-Quik with cotton balls smeared with petroleum jelly. Replace the aluminum box with a small baking tin and a piece of sheet metal. Replace the Spectra cord with Nylon cord. Replace the Fisher Space Pen ink cartridge with a Bic pen cartridge, or a small pencil. Get rid of the Trasers and the compact flash card.

I also don't think I'll be adding directions for gear making. I didn't use any pre-existing patterns, and didn't do some brilliant, complex job. I just winged it. For the water bag, I basically cut out two identical rectangular pieces of heat sealable pack cloth, and left long flaps sticking out on each side, on the top. I slipped a buckle through those flaps, folded the flaps over, and ironed them. Then I rolled the top edge once, and ironed the top edge, so it would be double thick. Then I ironed the other three sides of the rectangles, and I was done. For the bivvy, I laid down on a sheet of butcher's paper, and make some marks around me with a marker. Then I used those guide marks, with a little extra room, to create a coffin shaped pattern. Then I drew a pattern onto the fabric from the butcher's paper (two coffin shaped patterns, with one edge touching), cut it out, sewed up three sides and sealed them. Then I sewed a Spectra drawcord into the top, and sealed the seam. Then I copied the hood pattern from the hood of a jacket, made the hood, sewed it on, and sealed the seams.
 
Incredibly well done PSK! And thanks for the bivy and water bag instructions - just those few sentences are enough of a guide to get started.

You mention how big your PSK is - but I think you're being too critical. You've got shelter, canteen, a hat, a metal container to boil water and everything else a PSK should have - all in a reasonably sized dimension for a PSK. Very impressive!:thumbup:
 
Evolute said:
Thanks, all.

EmsRescueGuy,

I don't think I'll be adding pages or text specifically to address making a less expensive PSK. However, I'll consider it.

Some less pricy alternatives:

Replace Busse Game Warden with Becker Necker. Replace Pocket Chainsaw with a replacement chainsaw blade. Replace the butane torch with a Bic Mini lighter. Replace the Tinder-Quik with cotton balls smeared with petroleum jelly. Replace the aluminum box with a small baking tin and a piece of sheet metal. Replace the Spectra cord with Nylon cord. Replace the Fisher Space Pen ink cartridge with a Bic pen cartridge, or a small pencil. Get rid of the Trasers and the compact flash card.

I also don't think I'll be adding directions for gear making. I didn't use any pre-existing patterns, and didn't do some brilliant, complex job. I just winged it. For the water bag, I basically cut out two identical rectangular pieces of heat sealable pack cloth, and left long flaps sticking out on each side, on the top. I slipped a buckle through those flaps, folded the flaps over, and ironed them. Then I rolled the top edge once, and ironed the top edge, so it would be double thick. Then I ironed the other three sides of the rectangles, and I was done. For the bivvy, I laid down on a sheet of butcher's paper, and make some marks around me with a marker. Then I used those guide marks, with a little extra room, to create a coffin shaped pattern. Then I drew a pattern onto the fabric from the butcher's paper (two coffin shaped patterns, with one edge touching), cut it out, sewed up three sides and sealed them. Then I sewed a Spectra drawcord into the top, and sealed the seam. Then I copied the hood pattern from the hood of a jacket, made the hood, sewed it on, and sealed the seams.
Click to expand...


I know how toput together a less expensive kit but the people reading your article Might not.

PS That paragraph you gave me is a great start to making the items you made without going crazy with elaborate directions.


You have a fantastic article and a really Nice PSK. I also think that the size is just right for someone who is serious about survival, an altoids tin just isnt big enough.

Please keep it up I look forward to more articles
 
Evolute said:
Hi, Folks,

I'm putting together a series of articles about emergency wilderness survival, on my website. I've just put together an article which shows my kit, as a PSK example.

I'm giving a link, instead of showing it here, because the picture is large, the text is lengthy, and the article is an integrated part of a series. Here's the link:

http://www.mikespinak.com/articles/Essays/e995mypsk.html

I hope you enjoy it, or find it useful. Any thoughtful feedback, positive or negative, will be appreciated.

[Please note that this PSK article is somewhat of an unfinished rough draft, as is each article in the unfinished series (and the entire website, for that matter)].


Mike
Click to expand...

You do not have a small bottle of Rum?
Clean wounds, pain relief.
Last wish if it all turns out bad. ;)
 
On EmsRescueGuy's suggestion, I've added text to address less pricey alternatives, and text to explain how I made the water bladder and the bivvy. Let me know what you think of this addition, and whether you think the article needs anything else.
 
A thorough and thoughtful load of gear. Given me a few good ideas too. Particularly like that Skunklite torch an excellent light source,got to get one:thumbup:
 
Evolute said:
This reminds me, you wanted my PSK article for your website, correct? Give me a call. 831 325 6917.
Click to expand...

Mike, many many thanks and -- congratulations -- you have been published in Qhaos Magazine ;).

Here is a direct link to your Qhaos Magazine article...

http://www.preparedtolive.org/GH_ShowArticle.asp?HID=74

Please look the article over Mike, and make sure that it meets with your approval. I included a link back to the original article on your site and a 2nd link to the home page of your website. I also included a notice that you hold the copyright to work.

Thanks again Mike. GREAT WORK. You have done a great service to help those who wish to prepare (as have many others on this forum). :)
 
Looks good, Q. I'll take a closer look, when I have more time.

For now, a couple small things:

1) I'd like the article to use my name, not "Evolute"... i.e., "My Personal Survival Kit by Mike Spinak", "Visit Mike Spinak's website", etc.

2) I see that the Becker Necker link (on both my website and yours) is already messed up. We'll have to fix that... maybe I'll get to that, later this evening.

Cheers,

Mike
 
Well written and understandable. Not a criticism, but a comment. A shot of the kit all packed up, to show how little space all that can take, would be very nice.
 
I've already chimed in on this, but I just want to take a second chance to give kudos.

Being a recent study of advanced computing (Currently studying and nearly finished with MCSE, soon to certify in XP, Vista, Longhorn, and server 2003), I wish to commend you, Mike on all the effort that you and I know you put in!

Thank you for the many many hours of effort. There are still a few like you left that just want to have a nice community. Thanks

steve
 
Any Cal.,

"A shot of the kit all packed up, to show how little space all that can take, would be very nice."
Click to expand...

I purposely put just such a thing in the picture, but perhaps I need to state this explicitly. The aluminum box in the picture, with the cord on it, as in the picture, and the trasers attached, and the flashlight attached, as in the picture, is exactly what my kit looks like, all packed up. Everything else in the picture fits inside that box.

Digispam,

Thanks, I'm glad you like it. I'm almost finished with another article, now....
 
What could make it more obvious that Scouts need to have some kind of $10 basic mini-kit on their persons at all times than this kid that just spent four days "going walkabout" in the North Carolina mountains before a lady with a smart black dog found his dumb little ass? Like I keep on preaching to anyone who will listen, everybody -- and especially kids outdoors -- needs a good whistle attached to them. That NC BS is reported to have said that he heard searchers calling to him, but they couldn't hear him when he tried to respond!
 
No kidding about the Boy Scouts. We actually used to learn how to do basic bushcraft...

Maybe the problem is the scout leaders lack of knowledge? I remember back 25 years ago alot of the scout leaders were just "somebody's dad or mom". At least some of them had a clue. I could have definately learned more, but at least I learned a few things about how to safely use a knife, axe, build fire, dig latrines, pack food, make signal fires, use a compass (forgot that one mostly...) and in fact we all carried a whistle around our necks.

Im sure there are still alot of good scout leaders left, but it looks like they have an up hill battle unfortunately
 
Evo, I saw your box, and understood what it was. I appreciate all the time and effort that went into the article. My point was simply that a shot of the box, next to something easily identifiable and often used, like a waterbottle, would show how easy it would be to keep that much excellent equipment on hand, even if a person thought they would not need it. I am not trying to criticize the article in any way, just saying what I thought may relate to a less informed audience than the one here. Since I am only adding my .02, feel free to ignore it as well.:)
 
Any Cal.,

Ah... I understand. That is a good idea. I'll add that, soon.

__________________________________________________

Mike,

Thanks!
 
Probably not necessary with what you have but I really like the idea of a mc donalds slurpy straw glued at the end then packed with cotton wool smothered in vasaline then completely sealed. Doesnt take up much room and waterproof.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top