It is interesting to see everyone's definition of a survival kit. This is the survival kit I carry in my truck during the winter, it is for the most part a "get home bag", where we do have ice storms or monster snows and I have been stranded away from home before. The RC-4 is of course the most important part
I built the kit out according to rule of 3's (fire/shelter, water, food and everything else). A Camelbak HAWG Max Gear Hydration pack carries everything in the back of the Xterra. This is the military version of the commercial HAWG. It has 1100 cu. in. and a 3 liter hydration bladder. I have attached my knife (RAT RC-4) and multi-tool (leatherman surge) to the one side and my trauma first aid kit (FAK) to the other side.
Fire:
You need redundancy for starting a fire... I have had great luck with using the Delta butane lighter when camping. It has a cover which prevents the thumb release from getting pressed and it is also waterproof. The clear butane window on the side lets you see how much fluid you have left. I also am a big fan of Swedish fire steel. Nothing to break, they are my backup. I keep some Vaseline cotton balls in a waterproof match case as a fire starter, you can also squirt some hand sanitizer or use an antibacterial wipe as well.
* fire starter - cotton balls coated with Vaseline in waterproof match case
* Windmill windproof Delta lighter (waterproof closure also)
* Swedish firesteel
* Pelican 1040 case (waterproof)
* 24 hour reusable emergency candle (puts off a fair amount of heat in an enclosed space)
Water
I use a 0.75 liter Camelbak bottle coupled with a 3L hydration bladder in my Camelbak to carry water. I have a Katadyn Hiker Pro (have used for 2 years without problems) if I need to filter more water. I also carry Micropur (for 10L of water) and potable aqua just to use in any are where septic systems might contaminate the water with viruses. I can also boil water with my campstove below if need be.
Shelter
The foil emergency blankets and bivy shelters are too flimsy to be of use in my opinion in the winter. I use a sportsman space blanket that I found at Cabelas years ago. It is olive drab on one side and heat reflective foil on the other and is like a medium thickness tarp in weight (4.5 x 7 '). I carry 100' of paracord, tent stakes and 2 bungee cords to put up the space blanket as a bivy tent. Not pictured is a wool blanket also used as well as a sleeping bag that is in the back of the truck. A polypro hat, extra gloves, change of socks are also in the bag. In the truck is a rain jacket that fits over my winter coat and a shemagh serves as a scarf. $10 quarters (for vending if possible) and $20 in singles is also in the bag.
Food/Hygiene
Since you can technically go 3 weeks without food I have minimal food for my GHB. If I am traveling in the cold, I want food for energy so I carry 6 cliff bars, 6 packets of hot chocolate and 1 mountain house meal. Separate bags for hand hygiene and camp wipes.
I also carry a MSR wisperlite international that has served me well for 5 years. Burns any kind of fuel, but I carry white gas.
Tools
I have 2 flashlights (with extra batteries), multitool (surge) with additional bits and a fixed blade knife (RAT Cutlery RC-4). Not pictured is my suunto m2 compass in addition to my compass watch. Also is a snatch strap for getting me or others out of snow and a gerber folding shovel for same. Both of which I have used in the past year.
FAK
* Izzy emergency bandage
* QuikClot ACS
* Kerlix rolls
* compression tape
* 3M steri-strips (for wound closure)
(The above contents are kept in the external trauma bag)
Separate kit is the Adventure Medical Ultralight kit (0.9 with waterproof bags)
* 4..... Ibuprofen (200 mg), Pkg./2
* 2..... Antihistamine (Diphenhydramine 25 mg)
* 1..... Splinter Picker/Tick Remover Forceps
* 6..... Diamode (Loperamide HCI 2 mg), Pkg./1
* 1..... Duct Tape, 2" x 100"
* 3..... Safety Pins
Wound Care / Burn / Blister
* 1..... Trauma Pad, 5" x 9"
* 2..... Moleskin, 4" x 7"
* 3..... Dressing, Gauze, Sterile, 3" x 3", Pkg./2
* 2..... Dressing, Gauze, Sterile, 2" x 2", Pkg./2
* 1..... Syringe, Irrigation, 10 cc, 18 Gauge Tip
* 2..... Dressing, Non-Adherent, Sterile, 3" x 4"
* 1..... Wound Closure Strips, 1/4" x 4", Pkg./10
* 1..... Bandage, Conforming Gauze, Non-Sterile, 3"
* 1..... Tincture of Benzoin Topical Adhesive, Vial
* 6..... After Cuts & Scrapes® Wipe
* 2..... Bandage, Stockinette Tubular, 1" x 4"
* 1..... Tape, 1" x 10 Yards
* 3..... Triple Antibiotic Ointment, 1/32 oz
* 1..... Bandage, Elastic, Co-hesive, Self Adhering, 2"
* 5..... Bandage, Adhesive, Fabric, 1" x 3"
* 3..... Bandage, Adhesive, Fabric, Knuckle
* 1..... Cotton Tip Applicator, Pkg./2
* 1..... Gloves, Nitrile (Pair)
- I've added a spenco blister care kit in addition as well as AM's Dental Medic
Other
* 2..... Aloksak Waterproof Bag, 6" x 9"
I also always have a cell phone and battery booster when it runs low. I have hiked around on weekends with this kit and it carries well.
