My "micro-kit" idea.

JD Mandrell

JD Mandrell

Joined
Apr 20, 2001
Messages
18,423
Wanted to share a little "micro-pod" kit I have been working on.

The "pod" itself started life as a keyring toothpick holder,
that I got at one of those "everything is a dollar" stores.
I then emptied it out, waterproof sealed one end, then started think
about what to put in it, for an urban "emergency" kit that would be
on me at all times, mostly in my normal urban day.


c1.jpg


In the first picture I have numbered the items:

1. Emergency money.
2. Emergency firestarter (Drinking straw with vaseline soaked cotton ball)
3. 6 "strike anywhere" matches, cut down to fit and wax sealed heads.
4. Homemade "micro-film" with calling card information and encoded credit card data.
5. Section of Q-Tip plastic containing 2 needles and wrapped with 4 feet of heavy duty thread.
6. Water purification tablet.

c2.jpg


This second picture shows the kit assembled.

c3.jpg


The final picture shows how it will be carried attached to my SAK.
Part of the final kit, will be to wrap the kit with bright yellow
duct tape to make it easy to find should it be dropped in the dark.
I did not attch a micro light, because my current EDC is a Victorinox
Spartan-Lite with LED light built in, but the ring and swivel allow
for the quick atttachment of one if I carry a different SAK.


I used a spring loaded swivel clip, that can be quickly switched to whatever
SAK, (or any knife with a lanyard) that I wish to carry that day.


Well there it is, I really would appreciate honest feedback on my idea
or even suggestions on how to improve it.
 
Looks good Confederate! The best kit to have is the one that's with you when you need it, and this one looks like it could stay with you, 24/7. Nice job.
Julian :D
 
Can you give some actual dimensions on "the Pod". I'd like to know the overall length and internal diameter of tube.

BTW, it looks like a nice setup. One other question, are you confident in the connection of the lid to the body of the tube, I don't see any threads. Maybe the duct tape will make it secure.

Cool idea, nice post.

Adam
 
acv said:
Can you give some actual dimensions on "the Pod". I'd like to know the overall length and internal diameter of tube.

BTW, it looks like a nice setup. One other question, are you confident in the connection of the lid to the body of the tube, I don't see any threads. Maybe the duct tape will make it secure.

Cool idea, nice post.

Adam
Click to expand...

The capsule is just under 3 inches, and just slightly under .5 inches wide. What can't be seen in the photos is a raised ring around the inside of the cap that fits into a groove on the capsule that makes a snap fit. It actually takes some force to "pop" the cap on and off. Add to that that when finished I wrap the place where they come together with black waterproof tape, and tehn wrap the whole thing with yellow duct tape, it ain't comin' off easy!
 
The Last Confederate said:
1. Emergency money.
2. Emergency firestarter (Drinking straw with vaseline soaked cotton ball)
3. 6 "strike anywhere" matches, cut down to fit and wax sealed heads.
4. Homemade "micro-film" with calling card information and encoded credit card data.
5. Section of Q-Tip plastic containing 2 needles and wrapped with 4 feet of heavy duty thread.
6. Water purification tablet.
Click to expand...

I'm beginning to have doubts about the whole firestarting thing in urban situations. I live in a heavily developed suburban area where outdoor fires of any kind are strongly discouraged.

I'd be more inclined to carry pocket heater packs. I have some but forget exactly what they're called. I do carry a lighter as well as flint and striker pairs, but that's the extent of it for making fire.
 
I had some of the same idea's. I have a chapstick with a cap that hooks onto whatever and I kept it on my tinker. But I could not find anything big enough to hold anything. :)
 
Pretty neat idea :)

The firestarting kit though... I guess it would depend on what city you live in or were visiting , but I honestly cant envision myself having a need for fire , I think in a situation that I might need to use that kit , I would be on the move.. hmm.. Just a thought.
 
Ok, here is my thinking on the fire making supplies. I spend the overwhelming majority of my time in mine or the next town over. But to drive from one town to the next, I have to pass through about 14 miles along a national wildlife refuge. I never stop deliberatly and spend time there, but the thought had occured to me that I could break down along that area, and much of my driving through that area is done very late at night midnight to 2am coming home alone.

Granted if I broke down I would have a cell phone, and would most likely stay with the vehicle. BUT firemaking is just such a strong thing with me that I am somewhat reluctant to completely remove it from even a micro-kit.

It's probably partly phsycological I admit.
 
Ive just made a container for a micro kit out of an old hinged plastic box that held a sewing kit (out of a xmas cracker, I think!). Its about 2" x 1 1/2" x 1/2" and is velcro'd & ranger banded to the faceplate case for my car stereo.
I always carry a knife of some description, usually a SAK Explorer or Applegate Fairbairn covert folder with traser, photon & spy capsule of matches, and I figure I'll carry the following in my plastic case:-

Steel dog tog with encoded credit card pin nos (sharpened on one edge!)
Painkillers
Puritabs
Sewing kit
Scalpel blade
Condom (NOT for carrying water in this instance!)
£20 note
eyeglasses screwdriver
Change for phone
photon light

Whatdya think? Im hoping to upgrade soon, and then I'll post pics of my various kits.
 
bishop85gt said:
...But I could not find anything big enough to hold anything.
Click to expand...

My problem exactly. We can all adapt the micro-kit for our own particular situations and circumstances, but we still have to carry the bloody items in a container of some sort. If anyone has an idea, feel free to chime in.
 
Very nice. What kind of purification tab? I didn't recognize and it looks like it would "fold" smaller than the foil micro pur tabs.
 
Quiet Bear said:
Very nice. What kind of purification tab? I didn't recognize and it looks like it would "fold" smaller than the foil micro pur tabs.
Click to expand...

There is no brand name on it, to be honest I didn't buy these, I have a good supply of them "slipped" to me by a buddy in SpecOps in Iraq. They are individually sealed in foil packets, and come 6 packets to a sheet, so you can tear off however many you want.

On his first tour he was asigned to a British SAS unit and brought me back a whole pile of the SAS issue "lifeboat" matches with strikers.

Darn things are like setting off a small road flare when you light them!
 
Just dont use em in a Lifeboat!!! Theyll burn right thru the base! Light one & hold it underwater, very impressive, but Gawd! Dont they smell awful!!

Talking of SAS Regt, I read an article in paper today that many are leaving the Army to work as security/bg in Iraq, they earn about £25,000 a yr in the Army & almost £100,000.00 in private work!
The regiment is rumoured to be giving some troopers a years sabatacle to go to Iraq!
 
Looks good. We got one of those $ stores here too and I get tea candles, trick birthday candles and a few other things we use, but havn't seen what you've found.

Fighting off a bug of some kind and the wife brought home some airborne tabs. When the container (tube with what appears to be watertite lid) is empty, I'm gonna soak it overnite to see if it really is watertite. If so, I suppose I can find some kind of use for it.
 
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